Redrock

Redrock is a small mining town located on the edge of the The Ironspine Mountains . It is a rugged, isolated settlement where the primary industry is the extraction of minerals from the surrounding cliffs. The town’s name comes from the reddish hue of the exposed rock that dominates the landscape. Life in Redrock is harsh, with most of the population working long shifts in the mines. The town is heavily reliant on shipments from Acheron's Gate  and New Arkham  for supplies.

Government

Redrock is governed by the Mining Council of Redrock , a group of local representatives from the various mining corporations and guilds that control the region’s resource extraction operations. The council oversees the town’s infrastructure, security, and legal matters, with a strong emphasis on maintaining order and ensuring the flow of resources from the mines to the larger industrial cities like New Arkham .

• Laws and Taxation: Redrock enforces basic laws to ensure safety in the hazardous mining environment, with strict regulations on worker conduct and mining operations. Taxation is minimal for workers but includes fees on mining profits and a portion of wages, funneled back into town upkeep and paying for essential services. Mining corporations are required to pay taxes and tariffs for resource extraction.
• Corporate Influence: Corporate interests wield significant power over the governance of Redrock, and disputes between competing mining interests are common. The local council often mediates these conflicts, though it usually sides with the larger corporations that bring in the most wealth.

Defences

While Redrock is far from the heavily fortified industrial centers of Acheron Prime, it still maintains basic defenses due to the valuable resources it produces and the potential for conflict between rival mining groups.

• Automated Turrets and Security Drones: Redrock is protected by automated defense turrets positioned around the perimeter of the town and at key mining sites. These turrets are designed to ward off bandits and raiders, who occasionally target isolated mining operations. In addition, the town employs security drones that patrol the Mining District and Residential Zone to deter criminal activity.
• Corporate Security Forces: Each mining corporation operating in Redrock maintains its own small contingent of security personnel, equipped with standard firearms and basic riot control gear. These security forces are responsible for maintaining order among the workers and preventing sabotage or theft from rival groups.
• Barrier Systems: The mining sites are equipped with energy barriers to protect the entrances from unauthorized access. These barriers can be activated in the event of an attack or internal dispute, effectively sealing off parts of the mine.

Industry & Trade

Redrock’s economy is entirely dependent on its mining operations, which extract valuable minerals from The Ironspine Mountains and process them for transport to larger industrial centers.
Key Industries:

• Mining and Resource Extraction: The town’s primary industry is the extraction of iron, titanium, and rare earth elements from the surrounding mountains. These minerals are processed in local plants and shipped to New Arkham and other industrial hubs on @Acher.
• Ore Processing: The local processing plants refine the raw materials extracted from the mines, preparing them for transport. This industry is crucial to Redrock’s economy, providing jobs for most of the population.
  

Imports:

• Food and Supplies: Redrock imports most of its food and basic supplies from New Arkham and Acheron's Gate . The town’s remote location and industrial focus mean that it produces little in the way of agriculture or consumer goods.
• Mining Equipment: The town also imports specialized mining equipment and technology to maintain its operations. These imports are critical to keeping the mines productive and efficient.
  

Exports:

• Raw and Processed Ores: Redrock’s most important exports are the raw and processed ores mined from The Ironspine Mountains . These materials are sent to the larger industrial centers of Acheron Prime, where they are used in manufacturing and construction.

Infrastructure

Despite its small size, Redrock has developed a functional infrastructure designed to support its mining economy. The settlement’s infrastructure is basic but reliable, focused on providing essential services to workers and keeping the mining operations running smoothly.

• Residential and Commercial Areas: The town consists of tightly packed residential housing made of prefabricated metal units, clustered close to the mines. These homes are small and utilitarian, designed for the transient nature of the workforce. The central area of the settlement includes basic amenities such as markets, repair shops, a few taverns, and medical clinics, catering to both the permanent residents and itinerant workers.
• Mining Facilities: The core of Redrock’s infrastructure revolves around its mining operations. The settlement boasts multiple processing plants where ores are refined and prepared for transport to larger cities. Conveyor systems stretch from the deeper mining shafts to the processing facilities, creating a constant flow of raw materials.
• Power and Utilities: The town relies on a combination of small fusion reactors and geothermal plants to supply power. The geothermal energy is harnessed from deep beneath the Ironspine Mountains, providing an efficient energy source for both the town and the mining equipment. Water recycling systems are crucial, as freshwater is scarce.
• Roads and Transportation: Redrock is connected to nearby industrial hubs by rugged, industrial roads used by transport vehicles that haul raw materials. There is also a small, heavily used landing pad for short-range cargo haulers that deliver supplies to Redrock and transport processed ore to larger cities.

Districts

Redrock is divided into a few informal districts, each with its own function. The divisions are practical and geared toward the town’s mining focus.

• The Mining District: This is the heart of Redrock, where the town’s mining operations are concentrated. Large excavation sites, mining equipment, and processing facilities dominate the landscape. Workers from surrounding residential areas commute here daily to work the mines.
• Residential Zone: The residential area is located on the outskirts of the Mining District and consists of prefabricated housing units for the workers and their families. It is a compact zone with narrow streets and basic services such as small markets, repair shops, and communal spaces.
• The Commons: The Commons is a central square where the town’s commercial activity takes place. This area is home to taverns, food stalls, a few small shops, and a local market where traders sell basic goods to miners. It also includes a central administrative building where the Mining Council of Redrock holds meetings.
• The Outskirts: The Outskirts are where temporary camps, prospecting operations, and makeshift settlements are set up by those hoping to stake claims to unregistered mining sites or explore the surrounding mountains. This area is less regulated, and living conditions are rougher.

History

Redrock was founded as a small mining outpost during the early years of resource exploitation on Acheron Prime . Its location at the base of The Ironspine Mountains  made it an ideal site for mineral extraction, and over time, it grew into a fully functioning mining settlement. The town’s history has been shaped by its role as a resource hub, with various mining corporations establishing a presence here to tap into the mineral wealth of the mountains.

The town has seen its share of labor disputes and small-scale conflicts between rival mining groups. There have been several notable worker uprisings due to dangerous working conditions and low pay, but these have been swiftly put down by corporate security forces.

Points of interest

• The Red Spire: A towering rock formation at the edge of the town, the Red Spire is a natural landmark that gives the settlement its name. The spire is rich in iron oxide, which gives it a deep red hue. It is a popular gathering spot for locals and serves as a meeting place for workers and prospectors.
• The Dusty Pickaxe Tavern: One of the few taverns in Redrock, the Dusty Pickaxe is a well-known establishment where miners and prospectors gather to relax after long shifts. The tavern is a hub for gossip, trade deals, and occasional fights, making it a lively but dangerous place.
• The Deep Veins Processing Plant: The largest industrial facility in Redrock, the Deep Veins Processing Plant is where raw ore from the surrounding mines is processed and prepared for transport. The plant is a key part of the town’s economy and is heavily guarded by corporate security forces.

Tourism

Tourism in Redrock is minimal, as the town's primary focus is on mining. However, there are a few reasons people might visit:

• Prospectors: Independent prospectors are drawn to Redrock by the possibility of striking it rich in The Ironspine Mountains . These individuals often stay in temporary camps on the outskirts of the town, hoping to find unclaimed mineral veins.
• Adventurers and Explorers: Some adventurers come to Redrock as a staging point for expeditions into the deeper, more dangerous parts of The Ironspine Mountains . These explorers are often searching for ancient ruins or hidden caches of rare minerals.
• Corporate Visitors: Corporate representatives and executives occasionally visit Redrock to inspect mining operations or negotiate contracts. These visits are typically brief and involve little interaction with the local population.

Architecture

The architecture in Redrock is functional and industrial, reflecting the town’s focus on resource extraction.

• Prefabricated Buildings: Most of the town’s structures are prefabricated metal units designed for quick assembly and easy repair. These buildings are utilitarian, with little focus on aesthetics, and are designed to withstand the harsh climate and frequent rock quakes.
• Mining Facilities: The mining infrastructure, including processing plants and storage facilities, dominates the town’s landscape. These structures are built from reinforced steel and are heavily industrialized, with large smokestacks and conveyor systems crisscrossing the settlement.
• Modular Housing: The residential areas consist of modular housing units that can be expanded or contracted depending on the town’s population. These units are small but functional, providing basic shelter for the workers.

Geography

Redrock is located at the base of The Ironspine Mountains , with the settlement built into the rocky terrain. The town is surrounded by rugged cliffs and steep slopes, making expansion difficult but providing natural protection from the harsh winds and storms that occasionally sweep through the region. The landscape is barren, with little vegetation, and the air is often filled with dust and debris from the nearby mines.

Climate

The climate in Redrock is harsh and unforgiving, influenced by both the mountains and the industrial activities.

• Hot Days, Cold Nights: Temperatures in Redrock fluctuate drastically, with scorching heat during the day and freezing cold at night. The lack of vegetation and the metal-rich soil amplify the daytime heat, while the clear night sky allows temperatures to plummet.
• Dust Storms: The town is frequently battered by dust storms that sweep down from the mountains, carrying fine particles of rock and industrial waste. These storms can last for hours and make travel or outdoor work difficult.
• Pollution: The air in Redrock is thick with pollutants from the mining operations, and residents often wear masks or use filtration devices to avoid inhaling toxic particles.

Population

25,000

Location under

The Ironspine Mountains