The world of Saxum

The World of Wyld West

The following information is about the world in which Wyld West is set. It can be used to inspire you during character creation, helping you to develop an understanding of the world your character inhabits. It may also assist you in deciding how your character will act in-game.

The information here is considered common knowledge, meaning that any new character may know as much or as little of it as they choose. This knowledge is widespread across the world and forms the foundation of what most characters would have grown up with.

Details about specific event plots or skills a character does not possess should be learned during the game. The only exception to this rule is newspapers—anything printed in an in-character (IC) newspaper, whether read inside or outside of an event, is considered common knowledge.

Using information or items from a previous character for a new character is considered cheating and should not happen under any circumstances.

Saxum

Saxum is a vast landmass comprising three great states—Goldrock, Tamarillo, and Wheatstan—as well as the capital city-state of Fortune City. Each of these has its own distinct culture, and so too do The Wanderers, who live outside these established societies.

The cultures of Saxum are rich and diverse, full of subcultures and traditions too detailed to list in full. However, they can be broadly summarised as follows:

Fortune City

The capital city-state of Saxum, consisting of its three major districts—Burn Bends, Grifton, and Angels Canyon—together forming one vast, sprawling mega-city. It is a melting pot of people and cultures, which at times can be extraordinary, such as the mixing of ideas at the great universities. However, it can also be chaotic, as seen in the street gangs that thrive within the poorer districts.

Fortune City is home to the federal government, the federal mint, the federal bank, the Saxum Stock Exchange (SSE), the armed forces, the federal court, the grand library, several universities, and the Divine Church of Saxum and its Basilica (commonly known as “The Gate”). It is also the central hub for all rail travel in Saxum, including the only rail connection to Lifton—the town governed by Fortune City and the only route into the Caldera.

Lifton

Set up and owned by the federal city, the town of Lifton consists of three major sections.

Lower Lifton

One of the fastest-growing places in all of Saxum, Lower Lifton offers plenty of living space and opportunities for business. Unfortunately, it is rife with crime and corruption. Due to the heavy government investment, there is a strong law enforcement presence attempting—with debatable success—to curtail nefarious activities. The various gangs of Lifton operate under a shaky understanding with the law: _"Don't mess with us, and we won't mess with you."_

Lower Lifton is a harsh place to live, but for those willing to take risks, there is money to be made—despite the notoriously low life expectancy.

Upper Lifton

Far smaller than Lower Lifton, this is the last notable settlement before venturing into the unexplored wilderness of the Caldera. It hosts a few non-denominational churches, supply shops, and other traders selling last-minute essentials.

Most importantly, Upper Lifton is home to the Orientation Centre, where all travellers using the Lift must attend to receive a mandatory briefing on the nature of the Caldera.

The Lift

Arguably the most important part of Lifton, the Lift is what makes ventures into the Caldera viable. When the mountains split apart, it allowed pioneers to reach the new lands to the west, but a permanent structure was needed to ensure safe, reliable access.

The Lift is capable of transporting people, goods, and animals—but for some unknown reason, animals panic mid-ascension. Despite numerous attempts, no one has been able to solve this issue.

Goldrock

The heart of industry in Saxum, Goldrock is known for its historical gold rushes, mining, and large-scale industrial manufacturing of goods. A thick layer of smog hangs over countless towns and cities by day, while an orange glow covers the horizon by night.

Its people are stoic, hard-working, and proud. The majority have little in life, enduring brutal jobs in the mills, factories, and mines that power Goldrock’s industry. However, on the other side of the coin, Goldrock is also home to an ultra-rich upper class—those who own the factories, mills, and mines. For them, life is good, and they want for nothing (except the downfall of their competition).

Goldrock is made up of eighteen counties, each with a county capital that shares the same name, along with numerous towns and cities within. These are:

• Goldrock
• Weeping Willow
• Coalton
• Port Joyous
• Devine
• Shafton
• Mirror Springs
• Deep Valley
• West Bluevale
• East Bluevale
• Black Heath
• Iron Hill
• Shallow Valley
• Smoulderbury
• Ashford
• Graypool
• Sunnyside
• Riverside