The Settlement at the edge of reality
History
Over a century ago, daring merchants sought a trade shortcut through The Desolate Grimlands. Having acquired a star chart to aid in their navigation, they set out on their journey, intercepting a faint distress signal which lead them to a habitable moon, defying all expectations of the region. Upon investigation, the merchants decided to make the moon a permanent residence and established their "Farlight" outpost far from interstellar regulations. The settlement has since flourished as a hub of underground commerce, its influence felt throughout the surrounding regions of space, beckoning to those craving freedom and adventure, or searching for valuable tech at a good price from the edge of legality.
Demographics & Infrastructure
The central structures of the settlement are comprised of the chassis of some of the original merchants’ ships which were disassembled to create rudimentary residences and trading posts. The remainder of the settlement is built from various scrap metal and resources imported or scavenged from nearby systems. The settlement proudly showcases some of the finest ill-gotten goods through its patchwork yet vibrant market that stands resolute, crafted from little more than scrap metal and weathered tarpaulin.
Districts and Trade
Despite no central government overseeing the operations of the settlement, it has successfully created and manged several distinct districts overseeing the various trades that take place either from residents of passing merchants. These are divided into four main areas:
- The Tech Bazaar & Cosmic Forge - A district specialising in the creation, augmentation, and sale of machinery and technology, most of which is compatible with almost any system
- The Astral Gardens & Cantina - Speciality herbs and cuisine can be found here that is neither sold not manufactured anywhere else in the known universe. You must try the Zaproot pie!
- Spaceport - The central hub of outgoing and incoming vessels, here large shipments may be bought and sold in bulk alongside the purchase of exotic fuels.
- Obsidian Arcade & Curio Lane - The main black market of Farlight, where illegal trades, contraband and "discreet" services are all offered for a reasonable price. Curio lane sits directly underneath the main loading dock for visiting crafts, a haven for collectors, occultists and those seeking more esoteric items.
Resources & Defences
For such a small moon bristling with valuable goods, Farlight itself possesses next to no defence capabilities. Only merchants with sufficient knowledge of the system, or large enough audacity to brave the debris fields without a guide can reach the outpost making it virtually invulnerable to outside attacks.
The system is home to but a few useful resources other than those that are imported. The main export of the outpost is Celestrix-Shards, fragments of a reinforced diamond-like compound created from interactions between rocks and debris with the rift. Celestrix-Shards form most of the dust found in this region act as a unbeatable abrasive for industrial processes and use in the creation of devastating fragmentation weaponry.
Geography & Climate
The climate of Farlight is relatively stable thanks to the artificially created, yet naturally stabilised atmosphere. The absence of naturally occurring flora or oceans leaves most of the moons climate influenced by the unpredictable nature of the nearby rift, creating long "days" and short nights. While the moon is occasionally assaulted by devastating Celestrix-Shard dust storms the settlers have developed sufficient deflectors to offset the worst of these events.
Alternative Name(s)
Farlight
Type
Outpost / Base
Population
1780
Location under
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