So as I wait for responses from cultural consultants I've started building out a framework for the setting's organizations and such.
I mainly want to put the focus of the game in the Great Plains region and the western desert with the Great Basin in particular being the "Gold Rush" zone. Yeah, I know the real world gold rush hit California hard, but this is a metaphorical gold rush not a literal gold rush. I'll probably have a real gold rush hit the Kilnlands, as well. Or have already hit the Kilnlands in the recent past?
But yeah. The inland sea retreated, so the Great Basin is a huge place for exploration, resource-seeking expeditions, and land-rushing. Especially for adventurers.
So the main organizations that I'm looking at are:
1) Stage Coach Services
2) Messenger Services
3) Weapons Manufacturers
4) Rail Companies
5) Mercenary Groups
6) Bandit Gangs
The first two are very important as the fastest way to travel between locations out in the west, and because the Pony Express is an iconic part of the wild west. Their mail services were a -huge- part of what made the west what it was. The ability to communicate between towns and villages was huge, and having an iconic organization like that, even as a background detail, feels really compelling to me.
Also Telegraphs like Western Union, but that's less iconic, I think, even if it has a strong purpose to show technological advances.
Weapons Manufacturers are important for two really big reasons: Colt and Masamune. Colt defined a huge chunk of the west with their single action army service pistol, the Peacemaker, starting in the 1870s by upsetting Smith and Wesson's death-grip on the market. Though Winchester kept the rifle and carbine market on lock for a goodly while, even competing against both companies. Don't get me wrong! Remington's revolvers and The Springfield musket were a massive part of the Civil War, and their later models would define both World Wars, but...
You get the idea. Guns and their brands and their names make up a significant portion of the identity of the wild west. So having manufacturers mass-producing guns and swords and armors and such is kind of needed to represent that aspect of historical identity.
But then there's Masamune. Because bespoke items crafted by masters is -also- hugely important both to the wild west mythos and it's influences from lands so far west they become 'east'. Iconic weapons crafted by master weaponsmiths also helps to create the false dichotomy of worthiness between mass-produced and artisinal craftsmanship. And let's not forget the number of dandy characters in wild west fiction who wear expensive highly tailored suits and the like. The silk tophat, the carved cane with the hidden gun, the ivory inlaid revolvers with aces and card suites engraved in the barrels and chambers
So yeah... Weapon companies are also important, even if they're functionally producing the exact same weapon... though... are they? I could give different revolvers slightly different ranges, damage values, and secondary properties. Could have two pistols that are almost identical except for the weight, but the heavier pistol can be used to pistol-whip for 1d6 bludgeoning damage, +1 fire if recently fired. It's a thought.
Rail Companies are likewise important 'cause we need to know who the local potential threat is. Are they working with Xaveor to spread his imperial interests and robber barony? Or are they bringing connection and travel, trade and people, to a tiny town with a little platform and a stop on the line? Whether or not they're going to disrupt the travel of the herds or plan their routes to account for such things.
Mercenary Groups are important because they can help to establish war history. No, I don't plan on having a Civil War analogue in the setting, but there's various nations in Acadia, and nations war and conquer. Always have. The remnants of a kingdom and it's military also make for Ronin fodder which are a huge influence for the lone cowboy concept. Though the latter tends to focus on a personal relationship both with the enemy and a recently killed loved one, rather than an economic or feudal relationship. Still. Fertile ground for storytelling and provides the world with a strong color.
After all, the survivors of any war or tragedy make for powerful heroic figures looking for justice or just a way to live in the world. Whether it's Durin's Sons or a Ronin. Having mercenary groups that helped to -do- that terrible evil and set the hero on their path is pretty important. Just as important as the last survivors clinging to one another and finding a new way of life.
Bandit Gangs. I hardly think I need to explain this one. And they need to be at least -somewhat- loosey goosey since many narrators are probably gonna wanna build up their own specific Bandit Gangs for their campaigns. Particularly with connections to the players at their table. But having a few "Legendary Outlaws" is important. Your Billy the Kids. Jesses James. Docs Holiday. You know how it is!
Without a few of these figures in the background, the west just wouldn't feel like the west.
The important takeaway before this post gets away from me:
I wanna know if any of you would like to put your fictional character names into the setting.
I want to clarify that I don't want to use your real names. While in theory that's fun and interesting, having your real name on the internet can be a problem. And giving your name to strangers on the internet is way more dangerous than giving it to the Fey.
But. Having the name of an Elven Bladesmith to take up a role similar to Masamune. Or a gnome artificer to be the setting's Remington or Colt? Could be fun and allow people to point to their own little piece of Acadia.
