World Overview
The year is 1865, in the Americas. The dawn of the wild west has just begun. Settlers have just begun to call the frontier home, building small towns and ranches across the wild west of the Americas. The land is harsh, violent and lawless, the roads between towns plagued with outlaw gangs and thieves. This is a world of cowboys, gunslingers, bounty hunters and corrupt government officials.
A harsh land creates harsh people, men and women desperate for survival in an untamed land. Women are expected to stay home, manage households and raise children. Women are an oppressed group in this society, rarely allowed to work and earn money for themselves. Women are expected to be quiet, delicate and should never be involved in any sort of violence.
Men are expected to work in harsh conditions, building the expanding railroad or working as cattle ranchers, cowboys or bounty hunters. Societal expectations demanded that men be "strong and silent," rarely showing vulnerability or complain about hardship. Survival in the remote frontier required men to be self-sufficient, confident, and capable of solving their own problems without relying on established institutions. These men are raised to be tough, domineering and self-reliant. Due to the scarcity of women in many areas, this environment was often exclusively male. This is a patriarchal society that rewards stoicism and brutal violence.
The Transcontinental Railroad has just been completed, connecting the wild west to the rest of the Americas - bringing with it new settlers brave enough to try and time the wild west.
Geography & Nations
Defined by vast, diverse, and challenging landscapes, primarily west of the Mississippi River, featuring the Great Plains, towering Rocky Mountains, arid deserts (like the Mojave), high plateaus, and the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges leading to the Pacific Coast, all characterized by dramatic elevation changes, major rivers (Mississippi, Missouri, Colorado), and a semi-arid climate that required pioneer resilience and ingenuity for survival.
Major Geographic Features:
Great Plains: Expansive, flat grasslands east of the Rockies, crucial for cattle ranching and westward migration.
Rocky Mountains: A massive barrier with jagged peaks, providing resources but challenging to cross.
Deserts & Plateaus: High, dry regions like the Great Basin and Mojave Desert, with extreme temperatures and sparse water, like the Colorado River basin.
Sierra Nevada & Cascades: Volcanic and non-volcanic ranges forming the western edge before the Pacific.
Pacific Coast: The Coast Ranges and fertile valleys along the ocean.
Key Waterways:
Mississippi-Missouri River System: Major eastern arteries flowing to the Gulf of Mexico, vital for transport.
Colorado River: A critical water source in the arid Southwest, supporting dams and reservoirs.
Rivers to the Pacific: Including the Columbia River in the Northwest.
Climate & Conditions:
Drier than the East: Generally semi-arid, with rainfall decreasing westward, but with significant regional variation.
Harsh & Extreme: Settlers faced blizzards, droughts, and extreme heat, demanding tough adaptation.
The Frontier Concept:
The "Wild West" (roughly 1803-1912) was the land beyond the established frontier, a dynamic zone of exploration, settlement, mining, and ranching, defined by its challenging terrain and opportunities for resources like gold and cattle.
Current Conflicts
Outlaw gangs bring terror and violence to small vulnerable settlements. Cowboys, gunslingers and bounty hunters seems to be the only option for keeping people safe when the formal law fails. Corrupt government officials can be paid off, creating a lawless dynamic to the wild west.
Magic & Religion
no magic in this world
Economy & Trade
The currency is in dollars
Towns trade with one another, mostly agricultural goods. Mining and cattle are also a big part of trade. The towns exist on pure, isolated rugged individualism - an every man for himself attitude.
Law & Society
Towns often had sheriffs, marshals, or constables, and while gunfights did happen, they were rare compared to popular depictions. Some towns even had strict regulations on carrying firearms within city limits.
In areas where formal law was absent, people relied on an unwritten code centered on honesty, hospitality, fair play, and self-reliance. Cowboys and gunslingers may offer protection to towns, if paid enough, keeping the outlaw gangs away.
Due to the scarcity of formal courts, "frontier justice" was common, with citizens sometimes taking matters into their own hands, leading to hangings and extrajudicial actions.
Monsters & Villains
Outlaw gangs, bandits and thieves take advantage of vulnerable settlements and women. These villains thrive in the lawless land of the wild west. These individuals often engaged in train, bank, and stagecoach robberies, driven by the desire for quick wealth.