Recent History

Saxum has reached a period of relative stability, but it has also reached the limits of its expansion. There are no more unclaimed lands to occupy, and its resources are being continually extracted. The states have been formalized, and a unionized government was formed two centuries ago to manage Saxum’s growth and development. It is in this time of calm, as the industrial age peaks and the last vestiges of the old world fade into history, that unsettling rumblings began to surface.

Reports emerged from the territories closest to the Caldera of frequent earthquakes—tremors that were not entirely unexpected in a region prone to seismic activity. Such tremors often shift large slabs of rock, sometimes with devastating consequences, but most of the nearby settlements had chosen to build with enough distance from the Caldera to avoid any major risks. However, as the tremors increased in frequency and intensity, the danger became impossible to ignore.

Landslides and falling rocks became more common, with some boulders traveling considerable distances, causing alarm in nearby towns. These natural occurrences initially sparked curiosity, even becoming local tourist attractions. However, as the tremors continued, the situation escalated. The government issued evacuation orders, displacing many of the local residents. Rumors spread, fueled by prophets, fortune tellers, and fear-mongers, predicting the end times. Some turned to faith, praying for divine intervention, while others—skeptical of supernatural claims—focused on scientific investigations into the cause of the tremors. Ultimately, the source was identified: the Caldera.

The situation grew more dire when a great, tearing crack opened in the Caldera. The ground split apart, lifting and tearing itself apart with destructive force, annihilating everything in its path. The grinding sounds of the rift were heard across Saxum, later dubbed “the Churning” by those who survived the event.

A massive slab of rock tore away from the Caldera, crashing down across many miles, leaving a desolate landscape behind. What was once fertile and inhabitable land now resembled little more than a vast quarry. After the earthquake subsided, a sudden calm fell over Saxum. The event left behind a sense of eerie silence.

This cataclysmic event caused a surge of religious fervor across Saxum, with many becoming more devout than ever before. Riots broke out, fueled by a belief that the end of days was upon them, and the federal government was forced to collaborate with the Church of Saxum to restore order.

During this period of turmoil, Jaq Shacktonel, a wealthy and well-known adventurer with a prestigious lineage, became obsessed with exploring the Caldera. Shacktonel gathered a group of would-be adventurers and set off in search of a way to scale the rift. They discovered the great rift and began an expedition into the uncharted region.

As Shacktonel’s exploits were chronicled in the press, other expeditions followed, much to his frustration. After a disastrous accident in which an entire climbing team was killed by falling rocks, Shacktonel persuaded the federal government to regulate expeditions, arguing that only certified professionals should be allowed to attempt the climb. The government agreed, establishing a perimeter around the crack, and Shacktonel, as the president of the Adventurers Guild in Fortune City, assumed control over who could be approved for expeditions.

The press remained captivated by Shacktonel’s ongoing adventures, and the idea of exploring the rift and uncovering hidden worlds captured the public imagination. However, many skeptical scholars and scientists dismissed these tales as fantasies. For most, the allure of the Caldera was simply a diversion from daily life.

Weeks passed with no significant news from Shacktonel or his team, causing growing disinterest in the press. Meanwhile, quarry workers and stone masons were brought in to clear the rubble around the rift. One day, a body was discovered, identified as Shacktonel’s, and it was confirmed that he had perished in the rift. The news reignited public interest, with theories swirling around the cause of Shacktonel’s death and the fate of his climbing companions. The federal government swiftly moved to lock down the rift area while conducting an investigation, and climbers attempting to scale the Caldera were arrested for “willful neglect.”

After Shacktonel's death, the excitement around the Caldera waned. Work continued around the rift, and the area soon became a hub for stone workers and laborers. Over the years, the federal government declared the rift to be “safe,” after constructing safety measures and securing the area. In a bold move, the government announced an engineering challenge: the construction of the first-ever lift to the top of the rift. Engineers and laborers from across Saxum flocked to the site, eager to be part of this groundbreaking project.

Many skeptics decried the lift as an expensive tourist gimmick, questioning why public funds were being used for such a venture instead of more practical infrastructure, like the expansion of the railway system. Nonetheless, the project continued, with many eager to explore the Caldera’s secrets and reap the financial rewards of being the first to venture into its depths.

The construction of the lift was not without its own tragedies. Many laborers lost their lives during the building process, either from falling rocks, malfunctions with the lift’s machinery, or illness caused by the harsh environment. Some workers abandoned the site due to the extreme conditions. Others returned from their expeditions suffering from altitude sickness, and new medical studies emerged to study the effects of prolonged exposure to the Caldera's harsh environment.

The lift was eventually completed, and a working base camp was established at the top of the rift. The base camp grew rapidly, and the surrounding area, now known as Upper Lifton, developed into a bustling settlement. The neighboring states began to squabble over jurisdiction, but the federal government declared the territory as an extension of Fortune City, falling under federal control.

Once the lift was operational, the government made a public announcement inviting settlers to claim parcels of land in the new territory. For a fee, individuals could gain access to the Caldera, with the promise of self-governance once the land was claimed. Thousands flocked to the new territory, selling everything they owned in pursuit of a new life or to escape old debts. Even the Church of Saxum encouraged its followers to settle in the Caldera, building places of worship and seeking to establish a strong religious presence in the region.

The first wave of settlers, dubbed “the Great Land Grab,” was heralded by media fanfare, with celebrations, fireworks, and reporters documenting the massive migration into the Caldera. This spectacle garnered much attention, but soon after, the enthusiasm began to fade. As the settlers spread out across the land, many experienced hardships, with some falling victim to the “Calderan Heights,” an illness brought on by the high altitude and harsh conditions. Tales of outlaws, bandits, and mysterious disappearances spread, while stories of failed expeditions became the stuff of legends.

Despite the initial excitement, the true colonization of the Caldera was much slower. The “Great Land Grab” was more of a press stunt than a genuine wave of migration. As settlers arrived, some found their ambitions crushed by the harsh realities of life in the Caldera, and many more were unable to return due to the high cost of using the lift. Returning home was a luxury only the wealthy could afford, while many others remained trapped in the region, unable to pay their way back.

Over time, Upper Lifton became home to a mix of hopeful settlers, opportunists, and laborers, all struggling to survive and carve out a place in the unforgiving wilderness. Despite the promises of opportunity and self-governance, federal law remained in effect, and the region was far from free from the constraints of Saxum’s established states. The lack of a strong federal presence meant that many injustices went unresolved, and the cost of enforcing laws was high.

As new settlers continued to arrive, the cost of living in the Caldera increased. Postage became expensive, and communication with the outside world was slow and limited. With more people arriving daily, space on the lift became even more precious, and mail deliveries became costly.

The settlers in the Caldera have come for many reasons—opportunity, freedom, or simply the chance to make a fortune in uncharted lands. But as the mysteries of the Caldera beckon, the question remains: What will they find in this harsh, enigmatic region?