Morningstar Village
Morningstar villagae is the largest village - often referred to as the "Head" village - of the Twilight Badlands. An hour's travel due west of Twilight city, it earned its name from a comparison to Venus (it is, after all, hot as hell) - a bright "Morning Star" that often appears in the west some hours before dawn.
Deputised - the twilight rangers are looking for unofficial deputies, bounty hunters, and tips
Waiter! Earn a wage and a good (if bizarre) meal at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. This is also a good place to overhear tidbits and conversations from the Twilight City elite, dining here all year.
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Whilst Morningstar Village is hardly a tourist destination, you might be forgiven for mistaking it as one when you approach the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. The rest of the road between Twilight City and Morningstar is dusty and barren apart from shielded fields of crops and the odd shabby house, but the 100 metres approaching this 5 star restaurant venue is lined with agave, desert roses, poppies, and a special variety of lavender enhanced with a perfume pervading 50 ft. More subtle is the line of shot-gun wielding guards, to protect the restaurant and its clinetelle from the enormous insects which are attracted by the scent of the plants and food. The restaurant building itself is a white, sweeping structure with a glass-panelled front. Pierre Xang Bjornson, the famous chef who founded the restaurant, can occasionally be seen outside the kitchen, although he refuses to be observed cooking. The venue is much desired by the elite of Twilight city, who may wait up to six months for a table there.
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Image designed using AI by Hasan Sharif Askari
The Market Square
300 metres down the road from the restaurant, is the heart of the small settlement of Morningstar Village - the market square. The dusty paved square is planted round with Dragon Blood trees for shade.The Twilight Rangers Unofficial HQ and Armory
Whilst the Twilight Rangers - the protectors of the badlnads - have an official HQ in Twilight City, Morningstar Village is where they actually congregate. Here are the bunks and the sweaty boots, the stable of mounts and hover motors, and where they exchange information over a glass of something. If he's not on assignment, you'll find Jackson R. Verducci, Twilight Ranger, head of the Twilight Rangers, here. There's also an armory out the back, run by Jenny "Hands" Hashib, an ornery but effective quarter master with two cyber-prosthetic hands.The Mealworm Tavern
Run by Lacy Stevens, this tavern serves up a decent meal - Badlands cuisine style. That means hearty portions, surprising vegetables, and lots and lots of insect meat. With a chip on her shoulder about "city folk", Lacy's always experimenting with her latest cocktail creations. Sometimes they're ok, and sometimes... well, better have a doctor on hand, just in case.Al OK's Garage & Stables
If it needs powerin', fixin' or feeding, then Al's OK.Al "OK" Okoye runs this everything-and-the-kitchen sink establishment with a whilste and a grin, and turns his canny hands to cybertech, hover bikes and farm equipment with ease. With a red-tipped afro and short stature, some think he looks comical at first glance, but his secret weapon - a cyber-tech laser pistol in his left wrist - has caught both cocky Badlanders, drug-runners and giant dragonflies alike with its decimating beam. He's the only person Jackson R. Verducci, Twilight Ranger trusts with the care of his loyal MechaRaptor mount, who can often be glimpsed in the stables there, when Jackson's off assignment.
Hooks & Rumours
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Frankinsence & Myhrr: An old diamorph ritual calls for frankencinse and mhyrr - both long extinct with the banning of religions. however, both ingredients come from the Dragon Blood tree, and can be extracted without damaging the trees too much. The inhabitants of Morningstar Village are very proud of their trees however, so it'll have to be done stealthily.
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