Dusthaven

Dusthaven is a remote settlement situated at the edge of the Ashen Wastes , far from the influence of the major industrial cities. The settlement survives by providing refuge and supplies to scavengers and explorers who brave the Wastes in search of ancient technology or hidden mineral deposits. Life here is tenuous, with frequent sandstorms and resource shortages.

Dusthaven is a stopping point for those traveling deeper into the Ashen Wastes. It is also a center of illicit activity, with prospectors selling rare finds and relics on the black market. The settlement is rumored to be built near an entrance to an ancient underground complex, though no one has successfully navigated its depths.

Government

Dusthaven is governed by the Prospector's Council, an informal group of influential prospectors and local leaders who manage the town’s basic needs. The council oversees resource distribution, law enforcement, and public works but has limited control due to the settlement’s remote location and the rugged, independent nature of its inhabitants. The council is mostly concerned with maintaining order and ensuring the town’s survival in the harsh environment.

• Laws and Taxation: The laws in Dusthaven are simple and focused on maintaining basic order and resolving disputes over salvage rights. The settlement operates on a minimal taxation system, with residents and prospectors paying small fees for services such as water, power, and maintenance. Disputes are often settled through negotiation or by council arbitration, and the council’s authority is maintained largely by mutual agreement rather than strict enforcement.
• Rugged Individualism: Residents of Dusthaven are fiercely independent, and many live outside the direct influence of the council, relying on personal relationships and barter for goods and services. The council exerts more influence over public resources such as water and power, but the farther reaches of Dusthaven are less regulated.

Defences

Dusthaven has limited defenses, reflecting the settlement’s rugged, isolated nature and the constant threat posed by the hostile environment and potential raiders.

• Perimeter Turrets: The town is protected by a few salvaged automated defense turrets, set up around the perimeter of the settlement to guard against attacks from raiders or mutated creatures from the Ashen Wastes . These defenses are basic and often prone to malfunction due to lack of maintenance.
• Local Security Forces: Dusthaven employs a small security force of locally trained militia, equipped with basic firearms and protective gear. These forces are responsible for maintaining order in the town’s core and protecting key resources such as water and power. However, they are spread thin, and much of the town operates under a "handle your own problems" ethos.
• Personal Defense: Many residents and prospectors in Dusthaven are armed, and personal defense is a common part of daily life. The harsh environment and lawless outskirts mean that most individuals rely on their own weapons and fortifications to protect themselves and their property.

Industry & Trade

The economy of Dusthaven revolves around salvage, trade, and prospecting, with most of the town’s residents involved in these industries.
Key Industries:

• Salvage and Prospecting: Dusthaven’s primary industry is the collection and trade of salvage from the Ashen Wastes. Prospectors venture into the Wastes to search for valuable minerals, ancient relics, and other salvageable materials, which they sell or trade in the town’s market.
• Repairs and Maintenance: Dusthaven is home to a few repair shops and workshops, where prospectors can have their equipment and vehicles repaired. These facilities are essential to the town’s economy, as much of the salvage brought back from the Wastes requires extensive repairs before it can be sold.
  

Imports:

• Food and Supplies: Dusthaven imports most of its food, water, and medical supplies from larger settlements. The town’s isolated location and lack of arable land make it difficult to produce these essentials locally.
• Industrial Equipment: The settlement also imports industrial equipment, tools, and vehicles necessary for prospecting and salvage operations.
  

Exports:

• Salvage and Minerals: The primary export of Dusthaven is salvage from the Ashen Wastes , including rare minerals, scrap metal, and ancient relics. These goods are sold to traders from larger cities, who then transport them to industrial centers on @Acheron.

Infrastructure

Despite its small size, Dusthaven has built a rudimentary but functional infrastructure that keeps the town running in the harsh environment of the Ashen Wastes .

• Residential and Commercial Areas: The residential areas of Dusthaven consist of ramshackle houses and shelters built from scavenged materials and repurposed industrial equipment. These homes are tightly packed around the town’s central area, with basic amenities such as water pumps, power generators, and communal markets. Commercial areas are sparse, with a few small shops, trading posts, and repair facilities catering to the needs of prospectors and scavengers.
• Power and Utilities: Dusthaven relies on a combination of small, salvaged fusion generators and solar panels to power the settlement. Water is scarce, and the town uses a network of water reclamation systems to recycle and purify what little water is available. The settlement’s infrastructure is basic, with many residents relying on personal resources or bartering for essentials.
• Transportation and Roads: Dusthaven is connected to larger settlements by a single, poorly maintained road that crosses the Ashen Wastes . This road is frequently disrupted by ash storms and is dangerous to traverse without proper equipment. The town has no spaceport, but a few landing pads on the outskirts of the settlement can accommodate small, personal craft or cargo ships delivering supplies.

Districts

Dusthaven is divided into a few basic districts, though the lines between them are informal and loosely defined.

• The Core: The central area of Dusthaven, known as "The Core," is home to the town’s council building, market square, and main supply depots. This area serves as the settlement’s administrative and commercial hub, where most of the town’s trade and public services are concentrated.
• The Shanties: The outer residential areas, known locally as "The Shanties," are where most of Dusthaven’s population lives. These makeshift homes are built from scavenged materials and are often dilapidated. The Shanties are a rough, unregulated district where law enforcement is minimal, and disputes are often settled privately.
• The Prospecting Yard: On the edge of Dusthaven lies the Prospecting Yard, where prospectors prepare their equipment, store their finds, and trade salvage. This area is filled with workshops, repair shops, and storage units, making it the busiest part of town during the day. Many independent prospectors operate from here, and it’s a hub for local deals.

History

Dusthaven was founded during the early days of exploration and exploitation of the Ashen Wastes . Initially, it was a small outpost set up by prospectors searching for valuable minerals buried beneath the ash. Over time, the settlement grew as more prospectors arrived, drawn by rumors of hidden riches and ancient relics left behind by previous civilizations.
Despite the harsh conditions and dangerous environment, Dusthaven survived, evolving into a small but resilient community. Its residents have a reputation for toughness and resourcefulness, with the town becoming known as a haven for those seeking fortune in the Wastes. The town has remained largely unchanged over the years, with its economy still driven by salvage, trade, and prospecting.

Points of interest

• The Market Square: Dusthaven’s central marketplace, the Market Square is where most of the town’s trade takes place. Here, prospectors sell their finds, barter for supplies, and make deals with traders from other settlements. The market is a bustling, chaotic place where deals are made, and disputes over salvage are common.
• The Council Hall: The seat of Dusthaven’s informal government, the Council Hall is where the Prospector's Council holds meetings and arbitrates disputes. The building is a simple structure, built from salvaged materials and reinforced against the elements.
• The Ash Gate: The Ash Gate is the largest and most well-known entrance to the Ashen Wastes , located on the edge of Dusthaven. Many prospectors set off from here, venturing into the dangerous expanse in search of valuable minerals and salvage. The Ash Gate is a symbol of the settlement’s connection to the Wastes, and it serves as a gathering point for those embarking on expeditions.

Tourism

Tourism in Dusthaven is minimal, as the settlement’s harsh environment and remote location deter most visitors. However, a few types of individuals are drawn to the town:

• Prospectors and Scavengers: Dusthaven’s primary visitors are prospectors and scavengers hoping to find valuable minerals or salvage in the Ashen Wastes . These individuals often set up temporary camps on the outskirts of town, using Dusthaven as a base of operations for their expeditions.
• Adventurers and Explorers: A small number of adventurers visit Dusthaven in search of ancient relics or lost technology rumored to be hidden in the Ashen Wastes . These explorers are often well-equipped and work in teams, as the dangers of the Wastes are immense.
• Traders and Merchants: Some traders and merchants pass through Dusthaven to buy and sell supplies to the town’s residents and prospectors. These traders are often independent, as larger corporations tend to avoid the settlement due to its isolation.

Geography

Dusthaven is located on the northern edge of the Ashen Wastes , where the barren plains of ash and dust give way to more rocky, stable ground. The town is built on a relatively flat, open expanse, with the Wastes stretching endlessly to the south. The surrounding landscape is bleak and unwelcoming, with little vegetation or water, and the air is often filled with dust from the nearby Wastes.

Climate

The climate in Dusthaven is harsh and unforgiving, shaped by its proximity to the Ashen Wastes .

• Temperature Extremes: Like the Wastes themselves, Dusthaven experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, with scorching heat during the day and freezing cold at night. The town’s residents have adapted to these conditions, but survival is difficult without proper shelter and equipment.
• Dust and Ash Storms: The settlement is frequently battered by ash storms, which blow in from the Wastes and cover the town in thick layers of dust. These storms can last for days and make travel dangerous, forcing residents to take shelter indoors until they pass.
• Polluted Air: The air in Dusthaven is often thick with dust and pollutants, making it difficult to breathe without protective gear. The town’s residents rely on air filtration systems and masks to survive the worst of the storms.

Population

12,000

Location under

Ashen Wastes