The fight between modernization and the lawlessness of the west is no more clear anywhere in the country than it is in the Great Plains, where the buffalo still roam. The dishonorable cowpoke must see a lot to reflect in while watching the buffalo, who like the cowpokes of yesterday, have been diminished by the advancement of modern society. In the buffalo the cowpoke sees a kindred spirit, a great beast with no place left in the new world. It is no wonder then that Blackwater is frequently shot up and the Great Plains soaked with blood. Cowpokes see their way of life being taken and have a compulsion to fight against modernization so that they may achieve the goal of any gunfighter: die with their boots on.

Many will get their wish on the Great Plains. Still others, who wish to see their gunfighting days behind them, my find their end on the Great Plains in a different way. They may grow old as they work the land to make a new kind of living, until all that is left of them is the land they have toiled and the whispers of memories.

Town: Blackwater
Temperature: High – 80, Low – 49
Appropriate Clothing: Warm weather clothes during the day. Warm weather or average weather clothing during the night.
Fish & Game: FISH, buffalo, deer, rabbits, hawks, opossums, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, cougars
Herbs: Oregano, prairie poppy, raspberry,
Danger Level: Extremely High. The Great Plains offers a few natural dangers, such as stalking cougars, and more than it’s share of bandits. The true danger, however, comes from traveling cowpokes looking to make a name for themselves. The Great Plains often plays hosts to posses of cowpokes fighting in the open land. Many of these fights start in the town of Blackwater before spilling onto the open plains. It is recommended that you take precaution when fellow travelers are around, they may not be friendly.

Blackwater

The exemplar of modernization in the West, Blackwater offers the modern gentleman or lady all of the comforts one would expert in 1898. The Blackwater hotel offers a place to rest and soak one’s weary bones. After a warm bath, you should visit Wilton’s Barber Shop for a fresh shave for the men or a fresh application of makeup for the ladies. Henry Wilton will be happy to sing the praises of his work while warning you against street barbers taking advantage of people who want a haircut on the cheap. “Street vendors won’t last anyway, people want to come into a shop!” he says. The modern gentleman or lady would of course want to visit the tailor E.H. Kretzschmar, who provides the latest in fashionable clothing. You’ll then be ready for a night on the town!

Blackwater has plenty to offer for those seeking an exciting, but relatively safe, night life. Why not stop by the state of the art photography studio, where you can capture a photograph of yourself? It’s the perfect way to immortalize a night on the town. Of course you’ll need a memory to go with that photograph and you can make those memories at one of two theaters. The smaller Imperial Theater shows moving pictures daily while the Blackwater Grand Theater showcases live performances the likes of which you are unlikely to see anywhere else!

Blackwater also offers a variety of restaurant options, from the seafood of the Flat Iron Restaurant, to the elegance of the Blackwater Restaurant, or the intimate setting of the Silver Skillet Cafe, there is something to satisfy everyone’s taste. Additionally, the Blackwater hotel and the Althewaye Inn offer full service restaurants and the Blackwater Saloon offers a couple of food options, but a lively environment.

No matter how you spend the night, the Blackwater Saloon is the perfect place to waste away the late night hours. Whether your poison is beer or whiskey, one can drink the night away or join a game of poker until the sun comes back up. But don’t lose all of your money until you have visited the general store to stock up on necessities.

If the night life is not your thing, Blackwater has much to offer travelers during daylight hours. A tobacconist, cobbler, grocer, and more are waiting to meet your needs! And if your needs are met, why not satisfy your sweet tooth at Mr.s Wilson’s confectionery and bake shop? Even the hardest of cowpokes enjoy a sweet every now and then. If you’re looking to settle down be sure to check in with the Newbury Real Estate & Law Office to buy yourself some property and the S.D. Howell Employment to find yourself a job, if you haven’t already. You may also want to inquire about the former Doctor’s office, which is now available for rent.

Of course even the modernization that is Blackwater cannot shake off all of the West’s wildness! As if in an act defiance, the butcher has set up his booth in front of the tailor. Thus, even the modern cowpoke must suffer the view of hacked up meat. But for the butcher, his location isn’t a statement, it’s convenient. “Folks leave on that stagecoach and they need meat for the rode, so here I am,” he said of why he chose the spot he did. The cool breeze from Flat Iron Lake isn’t so bad either.

The Blackwater police force does it’s best to keep the peace. Stationed in the north east section of the town near the docks, the police patrol on foot to secure the town. While the police force is “highly professional and modern,” as the police chief is eager to brag, it is also full of men are not at all hardened. Unlike the deputies of rural towns who have actually had to fire their weapon and maybe even killed a man or two, these officers rarely had to unholster a gun before becoming a lawman. The result is a police force that can barely hold back roaming posses of cowpokes looking to cause trouble.

The modern town wouldn’t be complete if it did not offer something to those of less means. On the southwest corner of the town you will find the town square, where folks gather nightly and host parties on special occasions. If something more peaceful is more your style, a walk along the dock is sure to but a wandering mind at ease. Bring a special someone and show tell them how much you care by the moonlight!

Before you leave Blackwater, be sure to stop by the train station, which houses the local post office. You can pick up your mail or speak with Hector to find out if any locals need. His jobs are completely above board, so he’d appreciate you not killing unnecessarily. South of Blackwater and northwest east of Quaker’s Cove you may be lucky to find an Irish fellow willing to pay you to do his dirty work. Keep a careful eye though, cougars are known to stalk the area.

Broken Tree

The remnants of a great forest, this tree is the symbol of what was standing strong in what is. As the buffalo’s decline symbolizes the taming of the wild west, this tree is a symbol that even when others have fallen the strong still stand.

Quaker’s Cove

This small river jetty serves the areas around Flat Iron Lake and offers the last stop for most boats, least they continue on to Thieves Landing where honest folk rarely have business. Of course Manteca Falls is past that, so better to stop somewhere. Criminals often take over Quaker’s Cove to rob folks who dock there unsuspectingly or force them to dock in Thieves Landing. Either way, the criminals win. Honest gunfighters are needed to keep the cove clear.

Upper Montana River

Separating the Great Plains from the Big Valley, the Upper Montana River runs from far north through the Owanjila and through West Elizabeth into the Flat Iron Lake. Many cattle are run across this river through fords to move between Valentine in New Hanover and and New Hennigan’s Stead in New Austin.