Puckett's Ferry

What is it they say about coming home again after being away for a long, long time? Well, they're right; it's miserable. My dear old mother still lives on Whibble Street in that shabby old oaktop cottage, and pop is sleeping in his folks' attic on the corner of Twenth and Grommit. They had an argument twelve years back. Something about bees and a salt shaker. Pop can't move back in until all the bees are dead, mom says. I imagine that was a little more than eleven years ago now, but who am I to say anything? Just their prodigal son who disappointed the whole town by wandering off aimlessly to become a performer, an entertainer, a "stooge" as my ever-too-involved mother once described the career upon which I chose to build the foundation of my very life! So you can see why I'm not leaping giddily with reckless jubilation to be strolling down the windy, emberstone streets of Puckett's Ferry with you. Still, the crisp, mountain air is very refreshing, I suppose. Well, as long as we're here, there are a few interesting things you should know about this quaint little town safely nestled away in the meadows of east Atlica.

Just south of the northern border of the Holy Empire of Apothos, Puckett’s Ferry is a quiet, picturesque community of rolling hills dotted by little wooden houses, bridges, and shops built around--and sometimes into--the sparkling rocks and unique trees that make our shady little grove so special. Gnomes and gnomes alone live in Puckett's Ferry. While it's not uncommon at all to find a gnome or two sitting in the brothels of any town you stumble your way into, outsiders on our streets make us cranky. We're quite the engaging cosmopolitans out there in the world, just don't expect us to invite you back home. As you can plainly see, the streets are always abustle. We have a lot going on here at Puckett's Ferry, and a lot of hard-working gnomes making it all happ--Hey! Watch out for that mailbox! Looks like old man Pepperlimp hasn't trimmed it back in months. Anyway, what was I saying? Right.

So, a few in our humble community make their livings as jewelers, farmers, or goldsmiths, but most everybody here in Puckett’s Ferry works for Puckett's Ferry Logistics Incorporated. I used to work for them too, you know. Are you telling me you've never heard of them? Holy goosepimples! I thought I lived under a rock! PFL Inc. is a popular courier and taxi service with routes spanning dozens of towns and cities. From flower bouquets and dairy chickens to gold bullion to royal dignitaries, Puckett’s Ferry is equipped to handle any transportation situation with style, comfort, safety, and ease. But more on that later. We're getting some stanky looks. Well--you're getting some stanky looks, human. Let's move on, shall we?

Demographics

99% Gnome, 1% Cute little animals who wait outside kitchen windows at sunrise for a taste of some warm apple pie

Government

Puckett's Ferry is governed by referendum. Every forty-seven years, the gnomes elect a new Grandmeister who presides over the masses as they vote on important gnome things. Issues are put to a shouting contest, and the loudest side always wins. So has it been for countless generations of gnomes.

Defences

Puckett's Ferry has no defensive capabilities, but it is hidden by powerful magic spells. The gnomes change and augment their spells at random to ensure no one manages to stumble into their town. At times the settlement can seem an unreachable mirage,

Industry & Trade

As I mentioned, Puckett's Ferry is home to Atlica's safest, fastest, and most accommodating taxi and courier--Puckett's Ferry Logistics Incorporated. The business is older than the oldest gnome, and that's pretty old. It's a home-grown company that boasts quality service, and deploys a fleet of 20 armored wagons, 40 horse-drawn carriages, eight sturdy carrack ships, and over a hundred circuit-riding couriers with nothing but a pony and a service-oriented attitude.

The company runs local routes through all major cities in east Atlica, and many of the smaller towns too, taking folks to and from the places they go to do whatever it is they do. It also runs regular convoys between cities and even gallops across the borders of empires escorting dignitaries to their stuffy conferences and grand kingdom halls. Without the Ferry providing quality service all over the continent at very affordable prices, food would never reach the shelves, ore would never get to the refineries, and grandma would never make it to the store; so I think it's more than fair to say Puckett's Ferry Logistics Inc. is pretty crucial to the world's economy. Not bad for a quaint little town of gnomes, eh?

Infrastructure

We gnomes are nothing if not industrious. After all, just over a thousand of us mobilize the entire world economy! So is it any surprise that we pour our entrepreneurial spirits into our home as well as our work? Puckett's Ferry may be a small town, but here you'll find wondrous innovations rivaling the form and function of the Apothic Empire! Our magical emberstone streets keep the town warm on brisk nights while

History

One day, a long, long time ago, an adventurous gnome named Tebbleton Bowers Ringus Micky “Mick” Puckett hammered up a shoddy shack next to a tree; there he began his ferrying business. It was nothing fancy; just a taxi and delivery service. But word of Puckett’s exploits reached gnomes in all corners of the continent and his business and workforce exploded. In a few short years, what began as a shack in the woods had transformed into a bustling town community of gnomes worthy of a star on any map.

Architecture

Quaint, ramshackle little cottages dot the hilly meadows, gradually concentrate toward the center of town. There are no walls or outposts to speak of, but thick, dense forest surrounds us on all sides to form some pretty impressive natural barriers. Homes here are made of oak, elderwood, and bamboo; some are even sculpted right into the trees and rockfaces that garnish the town. Humans, and other altudinous species wouldn't exactly feel at home in Puckett's Ferry. Half of you wouldn''t even fit through our doors!

Type

Town

Population

1,300

Inhabitant Demonym

Gnomish

Owner/Ruler

Lyddlelli Lon Lilly Lipper