
Introduction
Prologue
Nestled in the heart of the American frontier, Rose County stands as a rugged, untamed land of opportunity. It is a place where ambition thrives alongside hardship, and the echoes of gunfire and the clang of hammers intertwine with the whispers of the wind. Founded by the enigmatic Elias "Uncle" Rose, the county was meant to be a haven for those seeking freedom, a place untouched by the relentless march of industrialism. However, beneath the promise of prosperity lies a brewing tension—one born of Uncle Rose’s steadfast ideals and his growing resentment toward the very forces shaping the world beyond the county’s borders.
Uncle Rose returned from the Civil War to find a land he no longer recognized. The sweeping plains of his youth were now dotted with railways, factories, and the scars of progress. The home he had fought to protect—the idea of a simple, self-reliant life—had been traded for soot-filled skies and the relentless grind of industry. Fueled by bitterness and a sense of betrayal, Uncle Rose vowed to keep Rose County a sanctuary from this encroaching modernity. He set forth bold plans to expand the county’s influence, inviting settlers who shared his vision of a world where man and nature coexisted in harmony, free from the clutches of industry.
Yet, not all who arrive share Uncle Rose’s ideals. Opportunists, industrialists, and outlaws see Rose County as the last bastion of untapped wealth. Conflict brews as rival visions of the future clash, and the very fabric of the county is tested. In this land of lawmen, renegades, and dreamers, the fate of Rose County teeters on the edge of progress and tradition—a battle that will shape the destiny of all who call it home.

Prologue

August 1885
Settlers Arrive
The month of August marked the dawn of Rose County’s settlement, as Uncle Rose led a band of determined pioneers into the untamed wilderness to lay the foundations of his vision. Drawn by the promise of fertile land and freedom from the encroaching reach of industrial America, these settlers brought with them their families, tools, and an unyielding spirit. However, their dream of a new beginning came at a heavy cost. The land they claimed was not unoccupied but home to native tribes who had thrived there for generations. In their pursuit of progress, the settlers drove the tribes from their ancestral lands, wielding violence and fear to carve out their foothold. Towns like Tumbleweed and Armadillo rose from the dust—symbols of opportunity for some but a grim reminder of displacement and loss for others. These fledgling settlements would become the heart of Rose County, though their foundations were stained with conflict and the uneasy quiet of a stolen frontier.
Construction Begins
With the settlers firmly establishing their claim to the land, construction efforts in Rose County began in earnest. In the heart of the newly built town of Armadillo, workers laid the foundation for a train station, a crucial lifeline to the outside world. The station became a hub for supplies, tools, and travelers, fueling the rapid development of the town. Armadillo soon took shape around it, boasting a saloon for weary laborers to unwind, a sheriff’s office to maintain the fragile order, a bank to safeguard the growing wealth of the settlers, and a doctor’s office to tend to the inevitable injuries of frontier life. The town quickly became the pulse of Rose County, a bustling beacon of progress that embodied Uncle Rose’s vision of self-reliance and prosperity—though the steady whistle of the train hinted at the industrial world he sought to escape.
Agricultural Life
As Rose County grew, so did the need to sustain its settlers and their ambitions. To meet the demands of the expanding populace, McFarlane's Ranch was established as the region’s first large-scale agricultural hub. The ranch became the breadbasket of the county, producing crops in mass quantities to supply Armadillo, Tumbleweed, and the surrounding homesteads. Alongside its fields, the ranch also housed a burgeoning equestrian center, serving as a vital resource for the people of New Austin. Here, settlers could have their horses trained for the rigors of frontier life or purchase sturdy mounts to navigate the harsh terrain. McFarlane’s Ranch quickly became a cornerstone of Rose County’s economy, blending practicality with opportunity and ensuring the community could thrive in the unforgiving wilderness.

Settlers Arrive

September 1885
Border Skirmishes
Tensions along the West Elizabeth-New Austin border flared in September as conflict erupted between the two regions. West Elizabeth, wary of the growing influence and lawlessness of New Austin, declared a ban on all travel into its territory by New Austin residents, threatening arrest for anyone caught trespassing. The decree was met with outrage by settlers in Rose County, many of whom relied on trade routes and resources that crossed into West Elizabeth. Small skirmishes broke out along the border, with armed groups clashing over disputed land and accusations of trespassing. What began as heated words quickly turned into gunfire, leaving the frontier scarred by distrust and bloodshed. The rising animosity threatened to destabilize the fragile peace of the region, as Uncle Rose struggled to keep his dream alive amidst growing hostility.
The Arrivial of the Thorne Family
The arrival of the Thorne family in Rose County caused a stir, their reputation preceding them like a shadow over the frontier. Javier Thorne, the cunning patriarch, quickly ingratiated himself with Uncle Rose by securing a seat in his cabinet as the Minister of Industry. Thorne promised to uphold Uncle Rose's anti-industrial values while making New Austin self-sufficient, proposing the reopening of the long-abandoned mines near Tumbleweed to supply the region with much-needed resources. His charisma and bold vision won over many settlers, but whispers of betrayal soon began to circulate. Rumors claimed that Thorne remained loyal to Lemoyne and its allies, plotting to destabilize Rose County from within and pave the way for external control. Despite these suspicions, Uncle Rose extended his blessing to Thorne’s courtship of his close friend and the town sweetheart, Josephine Valentine, the beloved owner of Armadillo’s bakery. Their engagement brought a sense of celebration to the town, but to many, it also deepened the unease surrounding Thorne’s true intentions.

Border Conflict

October 1885
Cabinet Meeting
As autumn set in, Uncle Rose convened a critical cabinet meeting in Armadillo to address the growing challenges facing Rose County. Gathered around the dimly lit table were his trusted ministers, including Javier Thorne, whose influence was already stirring unease among some members. The primary topics of discussion were the sustainability of Rose County’s limited territory in New Austin and the escalating tensions with West Elizabeth. Uncle Rose, ever the idealist, questioned whether the county’s resources and self-reliant values could sustain the growing population without compromising the principles on which it was built. The ministers debated the need for further expansion, with some urging caution while others, like Thorne, pushed for aggressive development, including expanded mining and trade operations.
Among the voices in the room was Reverend Swann, a spiritual figure deeply respected by Uncle Rose and the settlers. The Reverend urged Uncle to adopt a diplomatic approach, emphasizing the need for peace over conflict. Swann warned that violence along the border would only lead to more suffering and could undermine the unity of Rose County. While his words resonated with Uncle and a few ministers, others dismissed diplomacy as a futile endeavor against the stubborn government of West Elizabeth. The meeting ended without a clear resolution, but tensions were palpable. Differing visions for the county’s future and how to handle its challenges began to expose cracks in Uncle Rose’s leadership and the fragile unity of his cabinet.
Armadillo Attacked
Not long after the cabinet meeting, disaster struck Rose County as forces from West Elizabeth launched a surprise attack on the town of Armadillo. Under the cover of darkness, homes were set ablaze, stores were pillaged, and chaos engulfed the streets. The settlers, unprepared for such a bold assault, were driven into a state of panic as flames consumed the heart of their town. However, the resilience of Armadillo’s citizens quickly turned the tide. Farmers, shopkeepers, and laborers took up their arms, rallying together to defend their home. The settlers fought fiercely, pushing back the invading forces with sheer determination and grit. Though the enemy retreated, the scars of the attack remained, leaving the people of Rose County shaken but more united in their resolve to protect the land they had built with their own hands.

Cabinet Meeting

November 1885
Uncle's Call to Arms
In the aftermath of the attack on Armadillo, Uncle Rose stood before the battered but unbroken citizens of Rose County, delivering a speech that would echo through history. His words were both a rallying cry and a declaration of purpose, urging the settlers to rise above their fear and take control of their destiny. “The time for diplomacy has passed,” he proclaimed, his voice carrying the weight of resolve. “We will not stand idle while our homes burn, while our dreams are trampled. Rose County will not be cowed!” His fiery rhetoric ignited a sense of unity and purpose among the crowd, transforming their anger and sorrow into a determination to fight back.
With this newfound resolve, Uncle announced the formation of his war cabinet, appointing Sheriff Myles to lead the charge as the county’s chief strategist. Myles was tasked with organizing defenses, rallying militias, and most critically, sending trusted men across the West Elizabeth border under the cover of night. These scouts were ordered to assess the enemy’s fortifications, map supply lines, and gather intelligence to prepare for a counterstrike. Uncle’s speech and decisive action breathed new life into Rose County, turning its people’s despair into hope and setting the stage for a campaign that would test the frontier’s resolve to its limits.
Among the voices in the room was Reverend Swann, a spiritual figure deeply respected by Uncle Rose and the settlers. The Reverend urged Uncle to adopt a diplomatic approach, emphasizing the need for peace over conflict. Swann warned that violence along the border would only lead to more suffering and could undermine the unity of Rose County. While his words resonated with Uncle and a few ministers, others dismissed diplomacy as a futile endeavor against the stubborn government of West Elizabeth. The meeting ended without a clear resolution, but tensions were palpable. Differing visions for the county’s future and how to handle its challenges began to expose cracks in Uncle Rose’s leadership and the fragile unity of his cabinet.
The War Effort
As war loomed on the horizon, every citizen of Rose County contributed to the coming fight in ways large and small. The spirit of unity that had been kindled by Uncle’s speech ignited a wave of determination across the region. The men and women of the county worked tirelessly, gathering and producing materials for the war effort. Blacksmiths hammered out rifles and ammunition, while farmers and laborers turned their hands to forge weapons and supplies. At McFarlane’s Ranch, the livestock were readied for transport, and makeshift workshops sprang up to provide armor and gear for the militias.
Simultaneously, training camps were established across the county. Sheriff Myles oversaw the formation of the citizen militias, turning everyday men and women into soldiers capable of defending their homes. From dawn until dusk, the townspeople trained in marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and tactics. The elderly taught the younger generation the ways of the frontier, while the veterans of the Civil War shared their combat experience. Rose County, once a peaceful settlement, was rapidly transformed into a war machine. The citizens knew that war was imminent, and they prepared with the ferocity of those who had everything to lose. As the days passed, the air grew thick with anticipation—war was now a certainty, and the people of Rose County were ready to face it head-on.
The War of West Elizabeth
The war began with a surprise attack launched by Rose County, catching West Elizabeth off guard and shifting the balance of power. Under the cover of night, Uncle Rose's forces crossed the border and made their way to Manzanita Post, the enemy stronghold nestled in the hills. In a swift and calculated assault, the militia overwhelmed the lightly defended post, capturing it before the West Elizabeth forces could mount a proper defense. The unexpected strike sent shockwaves through the enemy’s ranks, and the momentum carried Rose County’s forces forward toward the next target: the town of Strawberry.
The attack on Strawberry was brutal but effective. As Rose County’s forces surged into the town, hundreds of West Elizabeth soldiers were caught by surprise, scattered and unprepared for the fierce assault. The town became a blood-soaked battleground, with both sides suffering heavy casualties, but the citizens and soldiers of Rose County refused to relent. Strawberry capitulated under the weight of their relentless assault, and soon it fell into the hands of Uncle Rose’s forces. But the war was far from over.
Next, Rose County’s forces marched toward Blackwater, where the West Elizabeth government had fortified the town in anticipation of an attack. Large, imposing cannons lined the walls, and the town appeared ready for a siege. However, Rose County had prepared its own artillery, and the sound of cannons firing echoed through the hills as the Rose County militia launched their offensive. The cannon fire was relentless, tearing through Blackwater’s fortifications and breaching the town’s defenses. The West Elizabeth forces were no match for the precision and ferocity of the assault. As the smoke cleared, it was witnessed that the West Elizabeth government was fleeing the city, abandoning it to the victors.
In the wake of the sacking of Blackwater, Uncle Rose declared the victory for Rose County, officially claiming West Elizabeth as part of their territory. With the West Elizabeth government in disarray and its hold on the region shattered, Rose County stood victorious, a new force to be reckoned with on the frontier. The people of Rose County had fought for their land, their homes, and their future—and they had won.

Victory in Blackwater

December 1885
Post-War Rose County
As December blanketed the land in frost and snowstorms, the scars of war loomed heavy over Rose County and beyond. The Civil War had drained the region of able-bodied men, leaving both New Austin and the neighboring West Elizabeth struggling to rebuild with a woeful lack of manpower. In New Austin, settlers grappled with the monumental task of maintaining their fledgling communities, while West Elizabeth's occupying forces drained resources and sowed resentment among the populace. The relentless winter compounded these challenges, as blizzards ravaged the land and froze crops in the ground, triggering widespread famine. With food supplies dwindling and tempers flaring, Rose County teetered on the edge of chaos, its people forced to rely on whatever meager rations they could muster. The promises of opportunity and freedom that had lured settlers to the region now seemed distant, as survival became their sole focus amidst the unrelenting grip of winter.
The Wedding Ambush
As Christmas approached, a glimmer of hope and joy briefly broke through the hardships of winter. A group of Rose County citizens braved the treacherous snow and the thinly defended border of New Hanover to attend the long-awaited wedding of Karina and Jimmy Hoodoo in the opulent city of Saint Denis. The ceremony was a rare moment of celebration, a testament to love and resilience amidst the harsh realities of frontier life. Guests marveled at the grand affair, savoring the warmth of the occasion and the reprieve from their struggles. However, the joy was short-lived. As the celebrations reached their peak, the event revealed itself to be a carefully laid ambush. Lemoyne forces, long resentful of the settlers' encroachments, launched a surprise attack, cutting the festivities short and turning the wedding into a battlefield.
The citizens of Rose County fled into the chaos, barely escaping with their lives as Lemoyne pursuers chased them across New Hanover’s snowy plains. Forced to retreat into West Elizabeth, they scrambled to evade capture, enduring bitter winds and relentless attacks. Though most managed to return to Rose County, the ambush left its mark, deepening the divisions between regions and fueling new fears of instability. What should have been a joyful union became a painful reminder that no corner of the frontier, not even a wedding, was safe from the fires of conflict.
