Nowhere & North of Nowhere

Nowhere and North-of-Nowhere are two isolated trading forts in the north in a territory claimed by no lord. The prospect of rich furs and rare timber draws adventerers and XYZ company employees.
People have only ventured a few days past these two trading posts. They have a five foot ditch earth works with spikes pointed outwards and a 10 foot wooden palisade around the small compounds. A main trading post, workers barracks, mess hall, outhouse, bread oven and the big house home of the chief factor of the XYZ company. The big house at Nowhere consisted of three levels. The main floor had dining rooms, offices and a large hall. The second floor had family sitting rooms as well as four guest rooms for visitors to the fort. The third floor was used for storing dried meat. The ground level floor consisted of storage areas, sleeping quarters, the kitchen and a root cellar.
North-of-Nowhere is abandoned half of the year due to the harsh conditions and mysterious attacks. The fort is smaller in every respect. The main house is one level. The dozen or so workers head to Nowhere or distant company posts. Employees at these two forts earn double pay, as most employees are essentially indentured servants the pay is worth the isolation, boredom, terrible weather, harsh bugs, and dangers of the unknown wilds and mysteries of the north.
"Only a fool goes North-of Nowhere" is a common expression. The lure and myth of giant Amisk lead some past the fort in search of this mythical beast and its large fur which would command a fortune. Few return, those that do comeback do so often with fewer fingers or toes lost to frostbite and stories few believe. Stories of the Witigo, the small people who ride wooly rhinos, moss bears, or mastodons.

Population

40