Gaptooth Ridge is the western most region of New Austin. It is home to the oldest town in the state: Tumbleweed. Nearly overrun with bandits and outlaws, Gaptooth Ridge is a rough region to live in. The only law in the region is in Tumbleweed and the sheriff there lacks the resources to police the entire region, which is out of his jurisdiction anyway. It is often up to traveling gunfighters to take up the fight and keep the region safe for others.

Town: Tumbleweed
Temperature: High – 97, Low 52
Appropriate Clothing: Warm weather attire during the day, average or warm weather attire at night.
Fish & Game: Misc. small fish, steelhead trout, pronghorns, rabbits, armadillos, raccoons, skunks, rattlesnakes, wolves, and cougars.
Herbs: Blackcurrant, oregano, thyme, parasol mushrooms, desert sage
Danger level: High – Gaptooth Ridge is full of bandits waiting to take down unsuspecting travelers. In addition, the lack of regional law enforcement attracts traveling desperados seeking to take advantage of others. While the region is often free of visiting travelers, when you do come across them, be on your guard!

Tumbleweed

Located in the northern area of Gaptooth Ridge, Tumbleweed is a small town with a large personality. A personality embodied by the town’s leader: Sheriff Sam Freeman. Earning his reputation as a guide in Indian Territory, Sheriff Freeman was given the nickname ‘Scalper.’ Freeman became the first black US Deputy Marshall to serve west of the Lannahechee River and backed up his reputation with incomparable skills as a tracker and lawman. After his long career Freeman moved to New Austin and settled in Tumbleweed while the town was still booming. He saw a need to establish law and order and did so. As the town fades, Sheriff Freeman claims he will be the last one to leave to ensure that anyone still calling Tumbleweed home is safe from bandits.

Formerly a mining boomtown, many came to Tumbleweed seeking their fortune in the mines. The Spicking Mining Co. once employed a majority of the residents, but now its local office is closed permanently. When the mine dried up, so did Spicking Mining Co. interest in Tumbleweed. The miners without work had to leave and that meant less people with money to support the local businesses. As a result many of those who relied on the miners’ money had no choice but to pack up and leave as well. A second blow came in the form of a new railroad that passed Tumbleweed by, placing the nearest train station a thirty to sixty minute ride through bandit infested territory. A deserted wagon caravan can be seen between the train station and Tumbleweed, a sign of the danger of the path. Though its glory days seem to be behind it, Tumbleweed still offers much for the weary traveler.

For many the first stop will be the Tumbleweed Saloon, where one can eat a hot meal and a refershing drink. The bartender serves room temperature beer brewed by the McCarthy Brewing Co. along with whiskey by the bottle. If you’re hungry the chili is quite good and the roast beef isn’t so bad either. The saloon also offers a private poker table up stairs, relatively safe from drunken bar fights and occasional shootouts.

Hunters may wish to delay the trip to the saloon to stop by the butcher, who will sell you prepared meats and buy what you have killed, as long as it’s an animal. Travelers of all types will likely want to visit the gunsmith as well. Not only will he clean and modify your guns, he’ll sell you new ones and provide you with a bath and room should you need one. And given the endless amounts of dust in the air, you will need it.

If you’re in need of basic provisions such as tobacco, liquor, hunting supplies, or dry goods be sure to stop by the General Store formerly ran and owned by L. Chambers and now by his widow Mrs. Chambers. Mrs. Chambers will see to your needs and for your convenience, offers a wardrobe to try on any new clothes purchased at her store. Though many businesses have closed recently, Miss Chambers sees her general store remaining open for another 20 years.

A trip to Tumbleweed wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the stables on the southern outskirts of town. The stable hands will take care of your mount and are happy to sell you new tack and supplies or a new horse if you’re in need. If you stop by on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning, be sure to attend services at the First Congregational Church of Tumbleweed. Services are held on Saturday at 5:00PM and on Sunday at 11:00AM. All other days the church is locked up, a testament to how rough Gaptooth Ridge is. Even a church is not safe from vandals and bandits.

The line between those who would do harm to the residents of Tumbleweed and the residents themselves is held by Sheriff Freeman and his deputies, which make up a quarter of the population in a town with less than 50 residents. This keeps Tumbleweed safe despite the surrounding area being occupied by bandits. The Sheriff’s office is presently closed over an incident nobody will speak of, and so Sheriff Freeman has made the jail his office and his deputies hang out all over the town in a show of strength. While his deputies keep the peace in Tumbleweed, Sheriff Freeman employs travelers who come through town to recover stolen property, escort wagon trains, and enact his vengeance across Gaptooth Ridge. If you are looking for work and have a sense of honor, Sheriff Freeman is always looking to hire those skilled with a gun. Be warned, however, that Sheriff Freeman is a fierce defender of the law as he interprets it and will often request that you kill those he sends you against.

Rathskeller Fork

One of many small ranches managing to make its a way in Gaptooth Ridge, Rathskeller Fork lies north of Tumbleweed. The ranch is private property, so trespass at your own risk. Owing to the dangers of Gaptooth Ridge the folks at Rathskeller are ready to defend their home when necessary. Many out of work miners headed up to Rathskeller to try their hand at ranching. Supply runs from the Benedict Point train station are common and often in need of gunfighters willing to escort them. If interested, see Hector at the Benedict Point train station.

Sea of Coronado

Serving as a natural barrier between the United States and Mexico, the Sea of Coronado offers beautiful vistas of both the lake itself as well as the southern border of Mexico. No visit to Gaptooth Ridge is complete without a bit of fishing on this peaceful inlet.

Cueva Seca

The “Dry Cave” can be seen from the Tumbleweed. A natural formation that has been beaten by the harsh winds of time and yet remains, offering protection for travelers from the hostile Gaptooth Ridge environment. You may need to oust some occupants before you can enjoy that respite, but one must earn one’s rest.

Gaptooth Breach

The source of Tumbleweed’s past glory, Gaptooth Breach’s apparently abundant ore attracted the Spicking Mining Co. to Gaptooth Ridge. Setting up their office in Tumbleweed, the mining company exploited the mine for all they could. Unfortunately, the mine was not as abundant as the company thought, or they lied for their short term benefit. Regardless of the truth, the mine went bust and left many miners without work.

The Spicking Co. abandoned their equipment with the mine and many workers chose to squat in the buildings left behind. To this day, Gaptooth Breach is still occupied by squatters and bandits, some of which are former miners turning to crime to avoid starvation and becoming food for the wildlife.

San Luis River

Along the southern border of New Austin is the San Luis River, which separates the United States from Mexico. The river is wide and has a strong current. Attempting to swim across is not advised. The river does offer excellent vistas and fishing opportunities. In addition to a variety of small fish, trout can be found in abundance.

At the southern edge of Gaptooth Ridge there is a part of the river with a small island, if it can be called that, that creates a shallow pool between it and shoreline. This is an excellent location for bow fishing due to the shallow pool and the very clear water. If you know how to craft small game arrows, you can leave most of the fish still intact.

Just east of this location a fellow can be found hanging out on the coast of the river. For the less discerning traveler, this gentleman is rumored to offer work of the unsavory type. Not that we at The Herald judge! New Austin is largely a lawless land, folks have to do what they must to survive.

Solomon’s Folly

South of Benedict Point on the eastern edge of Gaptooth Ridge is Solomon’s Folly, a failed attempt at setting up a ranch in Gaptooth Ridge. Every traveler should visit Solomon’s Folly before setting up in Gaptooth Ridge. For every Rathskeller, there is a Solomon’s Folly and a nameless ranch that never got off the ground. Observe what failure looks like and take it as a warning. But be careful the bandits that often take up shelter in the ruins, least they send you to failure before you can even make a plan.