Prelude (Part A) - Fort Ohm, Minnesota

Fort Ohm sits on the eastern banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota. To the north lies densely forested land giving way to rocky ridges, to the east is a small wooded fishing village tucked away near the banks of a lake, and to the south is more forest gradually giving way to gently rolling plains land. To the west is the Mississippi River, a few days ride beyond that is the recently re-established community of Uncanny Valley, and beyond that is No Man's Land. The only other nearby town of any substantial size is Fort Snelling, a hard five days ride to the south.

Construction of the fort was recently completed in September of 1883 and now houses the northernmost base of operations along the Mississippi. It was constructed as a means to combat any progressive push along the northern reaches of the Mississippi after several robot attacks were reported in the vicinity. The fort is home to 120 soldiers (3 platoons) of the National Army and is under the leadership of decorated Civil War veteran Captain Rick Patton and his second in command First Sergeant Jacques Laurent. Alongside the 120 soldiers are 12 volunteer civilians, who are not fit for a battle for one reason or the other, but are dedicated to various daily tasks within. Now, under orders from the acting government, Fort Ohm is to be home to a new group of Tesla Ranger recruits. With much of the remaining regular army occupied with defense, the nation is in a constant need for more Tesla Rangers to bring law and order to the Wired West and combat the robots with western expansion and reclaiming. This may be a reason you've come here...As you approach the fort you may notice the sun reflecting off of a large limestone rampart (i.e. perimeter wall) that forms, what seems to be, a perfect square around the compound. There are strange watchtowers at each corner of the rampart, topped with some sort of large metallic sphere. You may also notice people walking along the terreplein (i.e. top of the perimeter wall) and behind the parapet (i.e. the chest-high wall that provides cover to those on the top of the wall). Large cannons positioned evenly present themselves readily out of their embrasures (i.e. the opening that canons could be fired out of). When you approach the entrance, you are hailed by the guards on the terreplein above the gate. "Halt! State your business friend."As you approach the fort you may notice it is surrounded by a large rampart (i.e. perimeter wall) that seems to be made of heavy stone. Approximately 300 yards from the fort the trail begins to be flanked by lit torches, providing some relief from the darkness of night. The flickering torch lights along the outside and the pathway shed some degree of clarity on the layout, but it appears to be a square or rectangular wall. What may catch your eye are these large spherical lightning balls at the tops of what are seemingly watchtowers. The lightning appears to be dancing atop some sort of metallic surface and you may even hear a slight hum. As you get closer to the gate, visible by surrounding torchlight, you are hailed by someone, "Halt stranger! State your business."

The guard eyes you up and down from the terreplein. "Philadelphia you say? That's quite a ways away! You're lucky to make it such a distance this day and time, especially by yourself and on foot!" The guard then turns behind him and yells downward, "Open up, we've got one of them Ranger volunteers." Turning back to you he says, "I'm afraid you'll have to temporarily turn over any firearms til' we get you registered and all. If that's okay with you then see the guard past the gate and we will get you a cot for the rest of the night. Welcome to Fort Ohm." The gate begins to raise up.

You may notice the large gate on this side of the rampart is similar to a castle's portcullis gate. It starts to lift and you would be able to notice two guards flanking the gravel road leading into the compound. The guards are dressed in the National Army's regular attire and a taller gentleman walks up to you and says, "Welcome to Fort Ohm good Sir. If you'd oblige, please turn over any firearms you're carrying. Be assured, they will be checked and returned to you tomorrow when we get you all registered and checked in."After you hand over your firearms you are lead down the gravel road into the center of the compound. You might notice the inner of the compound is lit well, not only by torchlight but by curious-looking electric lantern posts. Various buildings are spread along several paths within the compound, one of which is a long wooden building with a door on each end. The guard addresses you, "Here we are Sir. This is the Ranger Barracks and you should find several open cots inside. Feel free to claim one and make yourself comfortable for the evening. We will be up early tomorrow to get your paperwork situated and begin training." He opens the door for you and lets you in.Upon entering the Barracks you notice several people already asleep for the evening. The cots are small, single, simple beds. One row on each side of the building all the way down. They're spaced evenly providing enough room for a person and their essential belongings. There is a locker at the foot of each bed.

The guard quickly responds, "Papers you say!? You must mean for the new Tesla Ranger volunteers! Well, you're in the right place." The guard gives a shout down to the gate, "Open up fellas, we have a volunteer for the Tesla Ranger corps." He turns back to you from atop the terreplein. "Come on in Miss. Please see the guards on the other side of the gate. Welcome to Fort Ohm."The large, southern gate is largely comprised of wood, banded with iron. It gives a nice creak as it opens revealing the interior of the compound. Two guards approach you as you enter through the gate. One short, stocky gentleman in the traditional National Army uniform says to you, "Welcome to Fort Ohm miss. We will need to confiscate any firearms you have on you until we get you fully registered with the Tesla Rangers. We need to also take your horse to the stables. Both will be taken care of by our company here and returned to you." The other guard, a tall lean man, seems to be impressed or entranced by your outfit, approaches from the other side. Nervously and clumsily he offers to take the reigns of your horse. "I'll...I'll umm...take your horse miss." The shorter guard continues, "We have a barracks here that can house you for the duration of your stay. It's a simple open dorm, but we do maintain our dignity and offer the various sexes within our group private restrooms and bathhouses. This way please."As you walk northward along with the gravel path you notice the general layout of the compound. There are several buildings alongside the various walkways and primary paths that seem to intersect at the visible center of the compound. Almost like a town square, you see a small contingent of soldiers gathered there for some sort of drill. The guard leads you straight ahead to a long wooden building. "This is the Barracks for Tesla Rangers. Find an open cot and claim it for yourself. They'll be a locker at the foot of your bed for any belongings you wish to store away. Tomorrow morning will be the official induction procedures. We will also be handling your paperwork. Until then, feel free to roam about the common areas of the compound. We have a mess hall to grab some food, the bathhouses and if you speak to Mr. Michael Dodson at the stables you can visit with your horse. If you need anything, just find someone in uniform." The guard leaves you at the door to the Barracks.She might notice there are living quarters, or private homes of a sort, for the higher-ranking officers in the fort. She could also notice and perhaps have enjoyed a meal at the Mess Hall. She might recognize the hospital, laundresses quarters, armory and a large central building simply known as headquarters. She could've met Mr. Dodson at the stables. He is an older gentleman with a peg leg. Kind in his demeanor and an extreme animal lover. If there, Vivian would find her horse being treated extremely well. As the evening winds down she could also have noticed, or at least become aware of, the metallic orbs atop the watchtowers suddenly come alive so to speak with an electrical current as night falls. Furthermore, she might be aware of the use of torchlight and electric lamp posts within the compound. As she winds her day down and finds herself getting rest, she may or may not notice a number of other people asleep in the Barracks, yet there are empty beds.

The guard responds in a partially shouting voice so that you may hear him from atop the terreplein, "If you're referring to the Tesla Ranger recruitment efforts then you've got the right place, miss! Just see the guards right past the gate." He quickly turns and looks down and slightly behind himself and shouts, "Open up, we've got another one of them Ranger volunteers coming in." He then turns back and says, "Welcome to Fort Ohm!"

What looks like a large iron portcullis begins to lift and just inside you see two guards flanking the gravel road. They appear to be dressed in standard-issue National Army uniforms. One taller gentleman walks up to you and your horse and says, "Welcome to Fort Ohm miss. If you'd be so kind, please turn over any firearms you're carrying. Mind you, this is just temporary until we get your registered tomorrow morning. We will also put your horse up in the stables. All will be taken very good care of, rest assured."As you hand over your firearms, the second guard, a short younger man, approaches and takes the reigns of your horse leading it off to the stables. The taller guard says, "Please miss if you will follow me I will lead you to the Barracks and get you situated. You'll probably want to get some sleep as tomorrow morning will begin the registration and orientation process. You'll have your own cot and a personal locker at the foot of the bed. And, make no mistake miss, we respect the different sexes here in the fort, so we have separate bathhouse areas and outhouses." As you and the guard are walking you may notice the gravel path branches to and fro inside the compound. You might notice different sorts of buildings, obviously, some act as a temporary residence and others have specific purposes and functions inside the fort. Colie would especially be interested in noticing some of the most modern electric lamp posts lining what appears to be the primary gravel path throughout the fort.

You eventually make your way to a long wooden building. He says, "Here we are miss. This is the Ranger Barracks for the new Tesla volunteers...or recruits. There should be a few open cots inside, so feel free to claim any open one for yourself and get comfortable for the evening." The guard then looks down at his ticking pocket watch and looks up hurridly, "Pardon me miss, the hour is late and I must get back to my watch. A shift change is approaching. If you need anything, just ask someone in uniform. Welcome to the fort!" He rushes off back to his post.Upon entering the Barracks you notice several people asleep for the evening. The cots are small, single, simple beds. One row on each side of the building all the way down. They're spaced evenly providing enough room for a person and their essential belongings. There is a locker at the foot of each bed.

The guard shouts back down from atop the terreplein, "A few good men ehh? Indeed we are sir." He then turns and shouts down, "Open up the gate. Got another Tesla Ranger volunteer, this one all the way from New Orleans. Tell the First Sergeant!" He then turns back to you, "Please see the guards past the gate. Welcome to Fort Ohm!"

The large, southern gate is largely comprised of wood, banded with iron. It gives a nice creak as it opens revealing the interior of the compound. Two guards approach you as you enter through the gate. One short, stocky gentleman wearing the Nation Army garb says to you, "Welcome to Fort Ohm. We need to confiscate any firearms you have on you until we get you registered and inducted tomorrow morning. We'll also put your horse up in our stables for the night. Both will be taken great care of." The other guard, a tall lean man, approaches and offers to take the reigns of your horse and lead it to the stables. The shorter guard continues, "We have a barracks here that can house you for the duration of your stay. It's a simple accommodation, but it should suffice for your most basic needs."As you walk northward along the gravel path you might notice the general layout of the compound. Various buildings line various branching pathways. You see what could be similar to a town square at the center. The guard leading you is giving you a general overview, mentioning building like the mess hall and hospital when suddenly a tall, man in a decorated uniform approaches. The guard pauses in place and salutes, the man returns the salute and says to the guard, "Go get yo'self some jambalaya from the mess hall private. I'll take dis' one to da' barracks." The decorate man extends his hand for a handshake and says, "Welcome to Fort Ohm. I'm First Sergeant Jacques Laurent from New Orleans. When I heard a bayou native like mah'self had mad it it all this way I had to meet you first hand." The First Sergeant leads you to the Barracks and gives you a general overview of the Tesla Ranger group as a whole...most of which you already knew coming into the fort. You eventually come to a long narrow wooden building. The First Sergeant says, "Well I reckon I'll leave you here good sir. We will get more acquainted tomorrow during orientation. Just find yo'self an empty cot and claim it as your own. I'll see you in the morning."Upon entering the Barracks you notice several people already asleep for the evening. The cots are small, single, simple beds. One row on each side of the building all the way down. They're spaced evenly providing enough room for a person and their essential belongings. There is a locker at the foot of each bed.

John claims an empty cot and beds down, still in his clothes.