Population Breakdown:
14,000 Total Citizens
75% Human
21% D-Bee races (mostly humanoid)
3% Psi-Stalker
1% Mutant Animals
Note: This does not include the 5D6x10 mercenaries employed by Northern Gun or the 1D4x100 visitors, adventures, or unemployed mercenaries present at any given time.
About 40 miles (64 km) north of Ishpeming is the coastal community of Big Bay. Before the cataclysm, Big Bay was a recreation haven in the process of being spoiled as man’s thirst for resources expanded into areas that were once considered preserves. Sulphide mining along the rivers near Big Bay caused acidic mining drainage and heavy metals to leech into the water system, turning the pristine area of unspoiled wilderness into an expensive environmental waste.
However, the mining operations employed hundreds of people and the town of Big Bay saw unprecedented expansion. The town sat on the shores of Lake Independence, an 1860 acre (753 hectare) body of water that was some 30 feet (9 m) at its deepest point. All that separated Lake Independence from Lake Superior was a 1500 foot (457 m) natural dam. All of this was before the coming of the Rifts. Giant waves and storms in the early days of the cataclysm battered this town, causing flooding and destruction, leveling it to the ground. Survivors fled south to Ishpeming and Marquette, leaving the area abandoned. In the early years, no one ventured toward the area for fear of the toxic waters from the abandoned and unsafe sulphide mines.
The years of abandonment allowed Mother Nature to reset the clock and clean up the rivers and tributaries. The rising water levels also saw the small natural dam reduced significantly making Lake Independence an extension of Lake Superior. When Northern Gun needed a new naval production facility for patrol boats and other shallow water craft, it turned its eyes north to Big Bay. Carving a canal into the natural dam, they built their production facilities for the redesigned Black Eel patrol boat and other small water craft. The canal allowed them to offer maximum protection to their production facilities and ship yards. In addition to small patrol boats, the Big Bay facility produces Northern Gun knock-offs of the CS Death’s Head Underwater Sled and the CS Jet Ski (see Sourcebook 4: Coalition Navy for both) and other recreational watercraft. Both items are sold under the Northern Gun brand and have liquid fuel as well as nuclear options.
Today, the town is centered on the shipbuilding industry and water trade. A medium sized commercial port has been built along Big Bay itself, with the canal still being the only way to access the patrol boat production facilities. Northern Transport sometimes uses the port as an alternate to Marquette, and some mercenaries and merchants prefer it due to lower docking fees, although it is a longer overland trek to Ishpeming.
The Ishpeming Naval Defense Force keeps a small outpost at the port for patrolling the north shore of Lake Superior. Port Security is provided by a small-time mercenary company, Port Shield Inc., which employs 160 full-time mercs who conduct patrols of the ports and shoreline. Of course, the Naval Defense Force provides their own security at their facilities. Additionally, the ship yards are protected by a platoon (40 personnel) from the IDF Military Asset Protection and Security Division. To keep raiders under control, the canal leading to Lake Independence is defended at the mouth with four large naval guns and a battery of long range and medium missile launchers. A series of smaller gun batteries are built into the arms of the Bay and manned by Port Shield Inc.
Population Breakdown:
13,000 Total Citizens
81% Human
10% D-Bee races (mostly humanoid)
7% Psi-Stalker
2% Mutant Animals
Note: This does not include the 300 mercenaries employed by Northern Gun or the 2D6x100 visitors, adventures, or unemployed mercenaries present at any given time. About one third of the transient population in Cedar River is from the Manistique Imperium.
Well south of the traditional border of Ishpeming, Cedar River is of strategic and economic importance as Ishpeming’s only port on Lake Michigan. Before the treaty with the Coalition States, all ships from the north shore of Ishpeming were confined to Lake Superior as the Coalition held control of the locks and canals at Sault Ste. Marie. Non-access to Great Lakes shipping was unacceptable for a nation which relies so heavily on trade.
Cedar River was disputed territory between Ishpeming and MI, but Ishpeming settled the matter for good, annexing the town in the late 60’s P.A. Northern Transport has built a major transportation hub at the mouth of Big Cedar River that can service some of the largest Great Lakes cargo vessels and warships. The town also features a major dry dock and repair center. In 100 P.A., as problems with pirates were heating up and with the prospect of war between the CS and Free Quebec looping, the Ishpeming Naval Defense Force commissioned a second fleet headquartered at Cedar River: the flag ship being the NGS Muskegon, a Sea King missile cruiser. Cedar River is also home to a large number of mercenary ships, hired to protect merchant convoys and to sub-contract shipping. Recently, the Coalition has invested in a small port facility at Cedar River for their ships coming from Old Chicago Naval Station.
The large military presence at Cedar River, along with its proximity to their borders, does not sit well with the Manistique Imperium, who felt the annexing of the territory was an act of hostility. Whenever the two sides are at odds, Cedar River is on high alert. As a result, no town is more nationalistic and loyal to the company than Cedar River.
Some 120 miles (193 km) south of Ishpeming, but only 50 miles (80 km) east of Iron Mountain, Cedar River relies on air supply from the main city. Therefore, in addition to its major port facilities, the town also boasts a large commercial and military airport with a squadron of IDF Air Corps fighters on station for repelling attacks and engaging pirate vessels on Lake Michigan. As a transportation hub, Cedar River sees a lot of transient population, as merchants and visitors come to town with deliveries of all sorts.
Supporting the IDF and Naval Defense Force personnel at Cedar River is a mercenary company of 300 personnel known as McGelpin’s Marines. The "Marines" specialize in sea-to-land combat, port protection, shallow water patrols, and boarding vessels. They maintain a small fleet of patrol craft that move around the harbor and surrounding inlets, keeping their eyes open for pirates and other intruders, as well as making up the city garrison and doubling as police. Most of McGelpin’s Marines are Headhunters with swimming, SCUBA, and pilot watercraft skills, although there is also a mix of ex-CS Naval Infantry and good aligned River Pirate O.C.C.s.
Population Breakdown:
12,000 Total Citizens
89% Human
6% Psi-Stalker
5% D-Bee races (mostly humanoid)
Note: This does not include the 200 mercenaries employed by Northern Gun or the 3D6x10 visitors, adventures, or unemployed mercenaries present at any given time.
Known as Ishpeming’s breadbasket, Covington is 45 miles (72 km) from Ishpeming and is nothing but acre after acre of farmland where basic crops are grown and cattle are ranged. The large lakes and rivers in the area, along with the smooth landscape, make it ideal farmland. Advanced farming techniques and the use of automated labor bots means the population of the town itself is relatively small, especially considering its yearly production.
Northern Gun Agriculture, makers of fine farm equipment, keeps a few acres of test plot here to experiment with machinery and technologies for export. The farm machines are actually produced in Ishpeming along with most other heavy manufacturing, but tested in Covington. In addition to the farms themselves, there are numerous food processing plants in the area converting livestock and produce into processed and packaged food for sale in Ishpeming and other towns and cities.
Most farms are owned and operated by Northern Gun, although a few independent farmers and ranchers try to stay afloat, refusing to sell out on their way of life. The Independent Ranchers is a community group organized by those who own their own farms and ranches in the area. The Independent Ranchers lobby the government and Northern Gun, handle the sale of produce to the nearby food processing plants, and even organize the local farm hands into a militia in times of need.
Covington is like the New West of Ishpeming. Many of the best selling brands in the New West are used by the residents of the Covington area. Everything from Hobby Horse hovercycles to Maverick Riding Amour and vintage pistols all make an appearance in Covington. Unlike the New West, however, the area is well developed and the farms and ranches benefit from some of the very best agricultural technologies and methodologies. Although boring, Covington keeps the people of Ishpeming fed. This fact makes the area strategically important. The IDF Air Corps makes continual air sorties over the area to keep an eye open for any threats.
Law and order, as well as protection, comes from a small mercenary company of about two hundred troops known as Silver Star Security. These folks patrol the ranging farmlands, rivers and forests and act as the town’s garrison and law enforcement. The company is made up mainly of Wilderness Scouts, Cowboys, Fur Trappers, Sheriff, and Deputy O.C.C.s. Most patrol on hovercycles or horses (real and robotic), and they move from farm to farm on a regular rotation to make sure there’s no trouble.
There are some attractions that make Covington more then just a boring farm town:
Harvest Fair
Every year after produce is collected, there is a giant fair in Covington where produce is displayed (especially the record breaking kind), live animals are on display, and a few animals are even available for rides. The two main features of the fair are the Shooting Jamboree and the Rodeo.
Some of the best shooters in the North come to the Jamboree to compete for the coveted Covington Cup - which by itself is unimpressive, but the 500,000 credit prize for first place in each category makes it worth the trip. The competition tests a variety of categories from long-range shooting, quick draw competitions, and trick shooting. Spectators flock to the trick-shooting venue to watch ricochet shots, upside down, over the back, and a whole host of other creative and original shots. A panel of judges grades the trick shots on degree of difficulty, creativity and accuracy.
The reigning champ of the trick-shooting competition is a Gunfighter from Colorado known as Missy Perkins. She specializes in handguns but is also a fantastic acrobat and gymnast allowing her to do trick shots from tight-ropes or in combination with flips and other fancy moves. The long-range shooting champ is, Lieutenant Hank Trainem, a Coalition Officer who makes the trip every year (assignments permitting) and blows the doors off the competition. Lieutenant Trainem is one of the best snipers in the CS and a member of the vaunted Target Acquisition Group (TAG). His presence can sometimes rub some of the other participants the wrong way, especially those from the Pecos badlands, where Lt. Trainem is suspected to be responsible for the long range assassination of some major gang leaders.
The Rodeo features a variety of riding shows, from the bull-riding, untamed horses, cattle roping, and even riding a few alien animals and small dinosaurs. Simvan are unwelcome at the competition and any who show their faces are usually escorted out of the area; the people of Ishpeming have a long rivalry with an evil Simvan tribe in Wisconsin. The current champion is Dustin "Duke" Wilson a local Cowboy from Covington.
Worm Lake Resort
Southeast of the town proper is Worm Lake Resort, a ‘world-class’ resort that offers luxurious cabins in a wilderness lakeshore setting. The resort attracts people from all over North America not only for its plush accommodations, but also for its unique fishing opportunities. The lake itself is home to a peculiar, and seemingly unique, alien fish that is not only entertaining to catch but tasty to eat. The restaurant at the resort features an entire menu of the fish and is frequented by a who’s-who of Ishpeming business types.
"Why anyone would wan to go way the hell up there is beyond me."
- Captain William Rogers, NG Merchant Marine
Population Breakdown:
5,000 Total Citizens
86% Human
9% D-Bee races (mostly humanoid)
5% Psi-Stalker
Note: This does not include the 36 mercenaries employed by Northern Gun or the 4D6 visitors present at any given time.
Eagle Harbor is part of Ishpeming and falls under the protection of its army and navy. The landscape in the area is breathtaking, and the natural harbor is one of the best along the northern shore of Lake Superior. The main features of the town are the Navigational Center and the Naval Defense Force Northern Station.
Most civilians in the area work as fishermen, trappers, fur traders, and lumberjacks. The only heavy industry of note is a Northern Gun copper mine and electrical wire production plant just south of Eagle Harbor. This is a main strategic asset as thousands of tons of copper wire are shipped from the facility every year, usually by merchant naval vessel to New Marquette where it is used to wire the electrical systems on Northern Gun heavy equipment produced in Ishpeming.
To keep the wire facility safe, Northern Gun keeps a small mercenary company named Wardens of the North (36 personnel) at the facility. When not on duty, most of them spend their free time in Eagle Harbor, adding some excitement to the otherwise out-of-the-way village. The Wardens of the North also double as the town’s peacekeepers, although there is little work to be done, save the occasional supernatural menace making its way into town.
In addition to mercenaries, the town houses a small detachment of Naval Defense Force personnel at a refueling and rearming station in the harbor. This is basically a stopover point for NG vessels on patrol in the northern shore of Lake Superior. The station does maintain a small squadron of light vessels for convoy escort and defense, as well as a squadron of air interceptors from the IDF Air Corps. The facility also doubles as the commercial port where Northern Gun merchant vessels pick up wire spools for transport to Marquette.
The largest strategic asset at Eagle Harbor is the Navigational Center. Eagle Harbor has a long tradition of lighthouses to warn ships away from the dangerous portions of the rocky shoreline. However, the Navigational Center is much more then that. This high-tech, state-of-the-art facility features advanced weather monitoring instruments for predicting storms and weather patterns and a super high-powered radar station that can monitor aircraft over the entire north-western portion of Lake Superior, both linked to a gigantic vertical launch long range missile system.
Data collected from the Eagle Harbor facility helps to direct traffic for the Naval Defense Force, the IDF Air Corps, Merchant Marines, and Northern Transport vessels and aircraft moving through the region. Without Eagle Harbor, they would be effectively blind of the north-western front, something no nation can afford.
Population Breakdown:
23,000 Total Citizens
70% Human
29% D-Bee races (mostly humanoid)
1% Psi-Stalker
Note: This does not include the 4D4x100 visitors, adventures, or unemployed mercenaries, or the 5D6 Coalition visitors present at any given time.
A scant 15 miles (24 km) from Ishpeming, New Marquette has always been a major seaport for the industrial giant. Nestled in a natural harbor along the shores of Lake Superior, Northern Transport maintains a major shipping center in New Marquette. Commercial boat traffic from all over Lake Superior docks at the port facilities in New Marquette. If one is traveling to Ishpeming by ship, Marquette is the best place to stop.
Although it is a shipping port for Lake Superior, New Marquette never achieved explosive growth due to the fact that the Coalition controlled the locks at Sault Ste. Marie. This made it a laborious tasks for NG merchant ships to pass into Lake Michigan and beyond for foreign deliveries. CS troops and bureaucrats would conduct timely inspections, especially of weapon cargoes, making it an inconvenient option.
Not only has the trade agreement with the CS opened up the locks and canals to NG shipping, but the entire Coalition has opened up as a new market as well. Commercial ships from both nations make extensive use of the port facilities at New Marquette. Northern Gun has even built a brand new dockyard facility to begin producing ship designs taken from the now defunct Iron Heart Armaments. This has led to a real boom in the population and economic growth for the city.
The naval production facilities are situated within the headquarters of the first fleet of the Ishpeming Naval Defense Force, the main berth for the NGS Marquette, a Sea King Missile Cruiser. All naval personnel not assigned to Cedar River or Eagle Harbor are housed at New Marquette. In addition, the port is a haven for honest privateers who wish to be hired to protect merchant ships and convoys heading out to trade. Both CS and NG shipping companies pay top dollar to groups willing to offer protective services against pirates. This flow of money has increased substantially with the reduction in power of the CS Navy.
One mercenary company in town is taking advantage of this vacuum of power. Superior Shipping Inc. is a naval mercenary company that has a variety of patrol boats and ships at its disposal. They specialize in convoy protection and are quite creative. Rather than sink money into larger vessels, they have a knack for arming merchant vessels, wooden boats, and other non-military craft. Generally speaking, they can keep all but the most vicious and largest pirates at bay.
Anyone traveling to New Marquette will immediately notice the wild port city feel, combined with the exuberance that accompanies growth. New businesses, new constructions, and new visitors are constantly appearing, making it an exciting place. However, the IDF and local mercenary companies are having trouble keeping up with the growth, and the port city is beginning to develop a seedy underside of crime, press ganging, shanghais, and smuggling. The problem is becoming so pronounced that some on the city council have cynically suggested New Marquette’s motto be changed to ‘Caveat Emptor.’
Coalition Presence
Since the trade agreement, Coalition merchant ships and their escorts have been docking in Marquette; even small CSN warships will dock here occasionally. As a result, Marquette isn’t a safe place for D-Bees anymore. When Coalition ships tie up at the docks, their crews pour into the town, looking for action. The usual gathering place is the Red Eye Bar, and after a night of drinking, those who couldn’t find dates often go looking for trouble. They target D-Bee homes and businesses, and these mobs can often get out of hand. The local police try to prevent these attacks, but they never arrest any of the foreign crew members, worried that such action might jeopardize the trade deal.
A D-Bee gang formed in response to the Coalition presence calling themselves the Skull Crackers, who patrol at night looking to put an end to the pro-human violence. The group was formed by Sir Sheppard, a fallen Cyber-Knight and veteran of the Tolkeen War. Sir Sheppard intended to form a Retribution Squad based out of Marquette, attacking the CS ships that entered the area. His goal was to disrupt shipping as well as fracture the alliance between NG and CS. So far, he has been unable to rally the support he needs for a true Retribution Squad, but the Coalition is changing that. With each attack against non-humans in the city his argument gets stronger. The gang is currently willing to roll CS crew members in port. Soon, Sir Sheppard hopes, they will be willing to do more.
The Mariner's Net
Situated on the banks of Lake Superior, The Mariner's Net is the biggest bar & grill in the city. Known for its rough and tumble atmosphere, not to mention the best Fried Walleye in the Great Lakes region, the place is usually packed every night with dockworkers, merchant marines, and members of Marquette's Mariners. Bedo Marquette, a thoughtful and well spoken D-Bee who took his name from the small pre-Rifts city whose bones now lie beneath the docks, is co-owner and head of Marquette's Mariners.
Bedo's partner in the business is a loud and very boisterous human woman named Jane Wiles (5th level Merchant Marine). Scurvy Jane, as she is commonly called, used to be a member of the Mariners before she lost her left arm to a Lorica Wraith on the coast of Lake Michigan while escorting a barge of material from Manistique to a coastal town in the lower peninsula. Bedo saved her life and managed to finish off the Wraith, whose skull is mounted behind the bar, cementing himself into the legends of the Great Lakes region. His exploits grow with each passing tale, much to the amusement of Scurvy Jane, who only laughs at her humble friend and encourages the tellers. By last count, he had single handedly defeated 3 Lorica Wraiths (see Worldbook 7: Underseas for details) and a school of Dragonfish (see Sourcebook 4: Coalition Navy for details)!
Bedo spends nearly all of his time, when not patrolling for Northern Gun, at The Mariner's Net. He keeps the place running smoothly, preps the food for the evening rush, and tries to teach the two street urchins in his care (orphaned dock children) the value of an honest day's work. Scurvy Jane is the life of the party though, and she keeps the clientele coming back. By closing time, she has usually had to break up a few fights, as well as started a few of her own, but the beer flows freely and everyone makes up afterwards, else they meet the business end of Jane's custom-made Vibro Hook (a gift, and a joke, from Bedo).
The menu at The Mariner's Net is heavy on the seafood, but the typical bar fare can be had as well. Scurvy Jane is an awful cook. Bedo likes to say that Jane has burnt more fish than there are in the lake, which prompted them to hire someone to help out. Sally Burns (2nd level Saloon Girl) handles the galley duties for the bar. When the kitchen closes, she can be found singing and dancing with the drunken patrons on the bar's deck.
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