Stuff

Town: None – Benedict Point Train Station
Temperature:
Appropriate clothing:
Fish & Game: Pronghorns, rabbits, gila monsters, iguanas, armadillos, collarded peccaries, rams, foxes, hawks, vultures, and cougars
Herbs: Wild feverfew, red sage,
Danger level:

Benedict Point

On the border of Rio Bravo, many erroneously have cited Benedict Point as being in Gaptooth Ridge. A mistake this paper will not make! Serving both Rio Bravo and Gaptooth Ridge, Benedict Point is the western most stop made by the Southwestern Railroad company.

The train station offers a post office in addition to ticket sales. A clerk named Hector often has odd jobs available that were given to him by residents and train commuters. Hector is less aggressive in his approach than Sheriff Freeman in Tumbleweed, so try not to be trigger happy when working for him.

Fort Mercer

For those who want to see how the west was tamed, Fort Mercer is the destination for you. Built during the early stages of the Mexican-American War, Fort Mercer offered US troops stationed on the border a reprieve from the hostile desert and safety from the Mexican military. At the peak of the war the fort was fully stationed with hundreds of soldiers. Mercer Station north of Fort Mercer was built to support the fort. When the war ended the soldiers departed and the train station was abandoned.

While most soldiers moved on to fight the Indians, many deserted to try their hand at prospecting. During this time the west was still very much lawless and deserters could hide their past as they sought future glory. What became of the country’s defenders is not known, but the Fort remains a reminder of their glory. Forgotten, like them. But unlike them, still standing.

Like many abandoned structures in inhospitable land, Fort Mercer is often a place of sanctuary for travelers and bandits alike. Have your gun ready or be prepare to move on.

Del Lobo Rock

A natural formation overlooking the Rio Del Lobo, Del Lobo Rock. Nothing makes a man feel smaller than standing on a giant rock formation and staring into an ancient river long run dry. Carefully make your way down into the canyon and to the San Luis River to enjoy some quiet fishing.

Repentance Rock

What New Austin lacks in civilization it makes up for in natural wonders. Repentance Rock is formation of steep rocks, forged by the powers of Nature herself! The area is teeming with wildlife, including wolves. Be alert and do not let the natural wonder distract you from the very real dangers lurking in the hot desert sun or the cool desert night.

Plainview

Natural wonders of the past and dying towns of the present are not the only thing you’ll see in New Austin. Southwest of Fort Mercer is Plainview, a place where you will see the future; a brand new oil drilling operation! Just over 80 years ago, “American Oil” was an unwanted byproduct of drilling for brine. That changed when it was discovered that this black substance was a cure for consumption! Suddenly what was unwanted was now in demand. In time, of course, it came to be understand by learned men that this was a dubious claim, however there was a use found in oil.

In the past, Americans used whale oil to see at night or they simply went to sleep. Whale oil was not easy to obtain and even when obtained, was dangerous to transport. Many ships caught fire with whale oil in transit, which accelerated the flames and led to many ships finding their way to the bottom of the ocean. The newly found black oil was not a cure-all, but it worked as a cheaper replacement for whale oil and as an excellent lubricant for the growing fleet of machines being built across the American landscape.

Today, Plainview is a small operation with a single oil pump. But what will the future hold not only for Plainview, but for the future uses of American Oil?