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Boundaries: The Puget Sound, from Victoria Island in the north, the Olympic peninsula to the West, the ruins of Olympia in the south, to the Cascades in the East. Cascadia is a maritime nation.
Government: Confederation of maritime statelets / constitutional monarchy.
Legal Code: derived from Old US traditions.
Climate: Cascadia’s climate is usually described as oceanic or temperate marine, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Like much of the Pacific Northwest, according to the Köppen climate classification it falls within a cool/mild wet winter, and dry-summer subtropical zone (Csb), with "cool"-summer Mediterranean characteristics.
Population: 300,000
Economics: Maritime trade based city states, ‘unified’ under the Crown of new Whidbey. Cascadia has a mix of maritime pursuits (fishing, trade), agriculture, industry and salvage in the old megacity of Seattle.
Agriculture: The Pacific Northwest looks to be a good place for agriculture. The problem is the fungus and mold. Overall wheat, barley and oats do well, and then fall fruit and nuts can do very well. Herding goats and sheep is extremely lucrative - far more so than farming.
Trade: Luxury goods and seafood with the inland as well as textiles. The Sound dominates trade and movement through the region. In essence the cities and regions are knit together by an extensive trade network made possible by the mild climate and the secure 'freeway' that is the waterway of the region. There are raiders and pirates, but it is easier to defend against such thing with armed merchantmen when compared with trying to move a similar quantity of goods inland with a caravan. A traveler within the region will not there are always sails visible, and the ports are filled with a forest or Masts. Perhaps this is what motivated powers like Koos and California to expand. The look at the emerging potential of Cascadia and realize they need to state their claim now, before The Sounders are everywhere.
Religion: Post Rapture Order of the Redeemer 10%, Gaianism, 25%, Wiccan 30%, Unaffiliated 35%.
Standard of Living:
Rural: Good, although a particularly wet summer can ruin many farmers.
Urban: Merchant houses and traders are causing Cascadia to rapidly build up new urban centers and populate them at an extraordinary rate. If the current trend lines continue, the area will be the most prosperous and populated region in north america by the end of the century.
Gender Equity: close to equal.
Armed Forces: varies by city - state.
Dominant Magical Tradition: Miracles, Shamanism
History: Seattle was hit by several nukes during the fall, specifically Redmond, Seattle, Renton and Tacoma. This blocked most the escape routes for dense population regions, resulting in mass starvation. Some were able to escape across the sound in sailing boats or across the cascades to the east, but the vast majority died in place.
Over the next intervening century, the survivors from the Olympics recolonized the Eastern shore, reclaiming the farms, pasture-lands and logging areas within the river valleys, then expanding into the Ruins.
In many ways the resurgent civilization within the sound echoed the maritime civilization of the ancient Mediterranean - many small naval city states competing for land, population and resources. The unification of the region was by no means guaranteed. There were Tortuga pirate havens competing with autocratic kinglets not far from Republican city states, all of which fighting at one point or another with each other, the Eaters of the Western shore, or the Mountain Wildlings from the Olympics or the southern interior (something the Statelet of Centralia has been dealing with for generations)
Mostly what spurred unification instead of internecine warfare was the constant raiding from external groups - Alaska and South American pirates. Pacific Rim raiders. Indonesian slavers. Not to mention the ever present danger of Eater Clans from the Western shore or across the mountains.
Important Communities:
Lopez, Oak Harbor, Whidbey, Camano, New Tulalip, Monroe, Mercer, Bainbridge, Dewatto Bay, Vance Creek, Vashon, Anderson Island, New Shelton, Oyster Bay.
On the flip side, the ancient ruins of Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Bellevue, Redmond and Bremerton remain a source of trouble and a draw for the Adventurous.
There are also numerous independent communities that act as magnets for the 'free spirited' and troublesome.
Finally, The Olympic peninsula, the High Cascades and many islands and inlets shelter communities of Walkers, Eaters, Pirates, Raubritter, Monsters, Mutant communities, and perfectly normal places. You have been warned.
Noteworthy things:
The Market on Whidbey island has exotic goods from across the pacific rim, from Japanese clockworks and metalworking, to Chinese silks, to Indonesian spices to Hawaiian coffee and pineapple.
The Space Needle: While most of old Seattle was leveled during the war, the iconic Space Needle remained. Perhaps this was a manifestation of belief of the old citizens - refusing to let their city die as they did, or perhaps it was simply the combination of good design and luck. Regardless, the pre-fall building still exists. The top sill rotates, and scavengers who have made it inside the building usually come out... different.
The Cape Flattery sandstone shale oil field
Notable Communities of Cascadia:
New Seattle aka The Emerald City
The Emerald city was founded by survivors from the Capitol Hill region of Old Seattle. For several generations they lived in the shadows of Old Seattle, with its Cannibal and mutant population. Slowly the community clawed its way from bare survival to the trade hub of the entire sound region because of its central location thanks to the deep water port the people built extending off of the of I-5 sea wall near what was the Colonnade. The town center is dominated by the pre-fall St. Marks Church and the Town Council building across the Emerald Square.
The port is the life blood of Emerald City. In many ways the Capitol City port is the the gateway to the rest of the continent to the east.
To the east of the town lies the pasture and farmlands of Interlaken, Broadmoor, Washington and Madrona. These regions are protected by the walls of Emerald city and the moors of Washington Park.
The city is ruled by a Town Council dominated by a collection of mercantile interests from the region and clergy from the various religions that dominate the town (Gaian, Christain, and Wiccan). The council works as the legislative body, while the Mayor of the town is drawn from the Council but who cannot vote on legislation. Instead the Mayor is the Chief of Marshall's as he heads up the bureaucracy and enforcement arms of the government. The government is funded via port tariffs and a minor transaction tax with in the Market.
The port also is the center for ferries that travel to Bainbridge, University Heights, Clyde Hill and other points.
Another important feature of Emerald City is its fortified entrance into the Underground
Finally its stone walls against Old Seattle stands as a bulwark against the chaos that still dominates the region.
Holidays: New Years, Spring Festival, First Trade-ship Day, Summer Harvest, First Year Founders Day, Harvest Day, Winter Solstice, Christmas Day.
Other noteworthy places:
The Well-heeled Matron Tavern and Coffee Shoppe: a center for deal-making, good food and general gathering point is the Well-Heeled Tavern just off the main Bazaar. Owned and operated by Mary Elizabeth Waldpole, a imposing woman in her early 40's who still evokes the striking raven haired beauty of her 20's. Persistent rumors swirl around Mary and the suspicious circumstances around how she took ownership of the Tavern. It is not often a callgirl in a Brothel inherits the empire of a respected businessman who disappears. It is also pondered if Mary is the defacto spy mistress of Emerald City.
Carlton's Coffeehouse: A center for insurance brokers and other dealers who buy and sell shipping interests, futures and insurance for the regional commodities.
The Silvermann mansion on Ambassadorial row: a section of town where the wealthy from across the region represent the interests of the local communities, from far south Centralia to Emerald Cities main competition in the Sound; Abbotsford. Wendel Silverman is a controversial figure who financed the expedition to clean out 'West Seattle' which and turned into a lawless settlement filled with cutthroats, thieves and mercenaries (which many argued was his goal in the first place).
Mayor House: Ali Shandraskan, Mayor of Emerald City by acclaim of the Council.
Council House of the City: list of council members: Ali Shandraskan, Jubi Tachiyama (daughter Namiko), Abe Henfield, Bella Hernandez, Howie Garnton
Marshall House: Jason Kim is the current Marshall of the Emerald City and chief of the Emerald City Rangers.
St. Marks Cathedral: Center for Episcopalian Post Rapture Christianity. Deacon Granton Whemblyfield.
Japanese Gardens: Dojo of Shinto philosophy and teachings.
Siren House: The local chapter for the Sirens, lead by Mistress Jaene
Lummi Island: High Seat of Gianism in the Sound proper.
The House of Mendicant Hospitilars: A militant order of healers.
Harbor Master: Arton Pez – Who docks where and when. Assesses tariffs. Possibly the most powerful (and lucrative) appointed position in the City.
Rangers of Cascadia: The local chapter for the Rangers of Cascadia
The Underroads Citadel: Unlike most citadels this one is made to enforce security inward. The walls are the last line of defense of something emerging from the Roads. The first line is the Road Wall, backed up by siege engines, 'tank traps' and Greek Fire throwers.
Magnolia Island
A small fishing community. It has the advantage that it is isolated from Old Seattle thanks to the Interbay inlet. Home of fishers, farming, and scavengers who sail to Queen Anne and old Seattle.
Mercer Island
One a home to a thriving community thanks to the Underroads, now home to at least three Morlock clans.
Everet
Everet is a successful fishing village on the Possession sound. It is also has a significant port, taking traders from Fall City and points north in the sound. Also known for its linkage into the Underroads.
Sammamish
Once a thriving farming village. Sammamish acted as a hub for the surrounding livestock and agrarian farmsteads that dotted the Sammamish plateau and nearby region. The nearby port of Pine on the Evans Creek inlet survived the raid by the Morlocks, and has taken over the nexus for the region.
Issaquah & Fifteenmile Creek
These communities are the results of the onetime suburbs of Issaquah and Mirramont. The people are the descendants of those who rode out the Apocalypse in coal caves and within the sheltered valleys around Squak and Tiger mountain. Issaquah grew into a fishing community built in what was once Old Town Issaquah. Issaquah is notable for its solid timber palisades carved with votive icons to the Salmon, Deer, Horse and Bear. The people generally join one of the four Totemic clans upon reaching maturity.
Services and goods: The port of Issaquah is the gateway to the agricultural farmlands of Fifteenmile and Issaquah creek. As a result it is a trade center for horses, wool, smoked fish, timber, tanned goods, beaver fur and iron goods.
Salmon Day – First saturday of September: a holiday unique to Issaquah. The people dress up as their totems and are lead by the People of the Salmon on procession lead by the carved Salmon from the central town square. The people 'show the way' for the Salmon up Issaquah Creek to the Spawning lands. Many fish are captured in nets and the entire community helps to create smoked and jerked salmon. A great market attracting traders from across the Sound is featured, and the day is concluded with a great feast lead by the Grand Shamans of the Four Septs.
Fifteenmile is a series of farms and steads through the Mirraont, Cedar Grove and May Valley region. The region is dominated horse Karls, farmsteads and livestock ranches. The surrounding mountains are inhabited by lumberjacks and mountain men who dominate the mushroom and trapping trades.
Snoqualmie “Gateway to the East”
Located on the site of what was once Fall City. This small fortified community serves a dual purpose: a supply center for local farmers, but more importantly a trade hub and caravan marshal site for points east. Sylvan clans and the Gaelic mountain men travel here to trade in fur, woodworking and gems for manufactured goods. It is also a center for the Sound in trading Palomino from Yakima, Pendleton, Coeur d'Alene and other communities across the Mountain.
Woods Creek
An idyllic farming and timber community famous for their palisades covered with Wiccan carvings. The community is strategically placed on the Skykomish river on old highway two and surrounded by farmsteads and timber-lands. Every now and then raiders from Wenatchee disrupt the region.
Camano
Farming and fishing community on Camano Island in the Sound. The region is so peaceful the town doesn't even have walls. Famous for its Orca Totems and shipbuilding.
Chimacum
The heart of the Chimacum Creek farmland. Also a small port for fishing concerns and connects the community with the rest of Cascadia. A stronghold for Gaian beliefs, and has close ties with the Sylvan Clans of the Olympics. Some timber and livestock, but expansion of these interests are closely regulated by the Gaians who rule the region.
Swinomish
A collection of islands originally populated by Swinomish Indians and refugees from Anacortes. Strong Gaian and Siren presence thanks to the Orca Pods and the natural beauty of the region. Renowned for their long-ship manufacturing and their beautiful woodworking. Also farmlands and alpaca, sheep and goat farms. A strong center for woven and knitted goods.
Friday Harbor
Capitol of the Orca Island and San Juan island region. Has close ties with the Salish lands. More importantly contains a strong Siren community and is home for several Orca Pods. The region is famous for its oyster, crab and clam farms. “Best chowder in the Sound!”
Lynwood (now called Alderwood)
Until recently a thriving community surrounded by lush farmlands and protected by the down peninsula communities, Lynwood was one of the more peaceful spots within the Sound. A trade center grew in Lynwood due to it being a logical nexus for regional farms and existing on the crossroads between University to the south, Everett to the north and Issaquah and Snoqualamie to the south east. It also was a strategic position due to its proximity to the Underroads entrance.
All of this changed when the Morlocks burned Lynwood to the ground.
The people have returned in the years sense, but now the town is obsessed with securing their borders and purging the Underroads of Morlocs. As a result it has become a seat for fanatics and militant sorts causing tension with the surrounding rural communities.
Abbotsford aka The Northern Gateway
Once upon a time, Abbotsford was a sleepy suburb not far from the outskirts of Vancouver, BC. All of this naturally changes when the world ended. Today Abbotsford is a thriving port city Strategically situated on the Frasier River. It has access to excellent fishing grounds to the north, Mineral resources just up river, trade with Kamloops and others up the Frasier, and scavenging access in the nearby ruins of Vancouver.
If the Emerald City is the southern pole star for Cascadia, then Abbotsford is the Northern. It is difficult to say which has the more vibrant economy and greater cultural pull on the region. In fact there has been a minor, albeit simmering Abbotsford independence movement calling for for The North to split from the rest of Cascadia and seek their fortune up the Frasier, eventually unifying with Kamloops and 'The Princes' (Prince George and Prince Rupert). What has stopped this movement more than anything else has been the raids by the Haida Gwaii from the North. There are persistent rumors that the Norhtmen will graduate from raiding to conquest, but as of yet this is only a fantasy of the Paranoid.
Nonetheless, Abbotsford has strong concrete fortification and is a bastion against anyone who would assail the far north.
Abbotsford has several Siren, Wiccian, Gaian and Christian Houses. There is a strong Sylvan and Salish presence in the city as well. Abbotsford is in many ways defined by its extensive port, as it is a major trade hub for the Northern Sound, with Ocean going vessels taking on and delivering shipments from the interior. Abbotsford also has significant industry, everything from woodworking to shipwrights to ironmonger and some excellent smiths thanks to the availability of Ore from the nearby Cascades. Further, there is a significant horse and cattle trade center in the city thanks to Kamloops.
If Abbotsford is a problem is that it is a beacon for avarice with its 'soft merchants' and full warehouses.
Whidbey
Whidbey is he nominal capital for Cascadia. What does that mean from a practical standpoint? Perhaps not much. Perhaps everything. Whidbey island was one of the first Sound regions to get back up on its feet after the Apocalypse, with farms all over the island and soon fishing fleets supported by an armed merchant marine was sailing the sound, trading for news and goods. Whidbey was the first to send Ocean worthy cutters out into the Pacific with adventurers, explorers in search of news of the world. In japan the found shattered buildings and craters in what we once some of the more massive cities on the planet. China was submerged and rotting. Taiwan was xenophobic and militant. SE Asia and Indochina were malaria infested swamplands. Australia was the exception – it was rapidly greening with the new inland sea providing moisture and jungle. Sadly it was nearly deserted outside of small settlements which had radiated outward from Tasmania.
However, they did find a few places, where they could trade for spices – nutmeg, cinnabar, silks. Soon they were stopping over in the big island of Hawai'i for resupply and following the create circular current in the pacific plying goods from the northwest to the rest of the pacific rim.
But then others caught up and supplanted them. No real direct confrontation, but simply that Whidbey became in many ways inward looking – creating a wealthy near aristocracy who settled and took over in other places around the sound – Bainbridge, Lilliwaup New Olympia and other timber colonies around the sound. Some did well, others not so much. Worse, Abbotsford and Emerald City soon eclipsed The Island in terms of their trade networks throughout the region. But not before the Islanders had knitted together the beginnings of a state; protected by armes sailing ships. A small, but professional Marine. The Sirens. And agreements to meet in Potlach ever year to set 'national' policy.
Whidbey may have been eclipsed my her colonies throughout the region, but The Island sill commands attention throughout Cascadia. Especially when her Marines land.
Bainbridge
Bainbridge is a fascinating case study in 'what if'. The island is centrally located in the sound, it was an early beneficiary from refugees around the sound (which became the basis for their refugee caste), it has excellent agricultural land, and a very good port. So why Whidbey and not Bainbridge?
To understand this one would have to delve into the societal and cultural history of the island, which we really don't have space for here. The short answer lies in their caste based society: The Natives who are the property owners, the merchant class who lease shops on land owned by the Natives, and the farmers and laborers (who are generally descended from the refugees) who pay rents on the plots they work.
The result is a fairly rigid caste based society with the wealthy landowners holding the franchise and controlling things with the other groups either doing well enough, or not aware of other options.
This, of course, has also led to a legal code that can result in outsiders getting sentenced to indentured servitude if they aren't careful.
Port Ludlow
Ludlow emerged early as the capital of 'The Peninsula'. It is a land of productive farmland, fecund herds and beautiful forests.
Quilcene Bay
The westernmost settlement of greater Olympia. Famous for its farms and alpaca herds. Initially founded as a fortified compound against incursions from further inland. Now a prosperous colony town of Ludlow. Also an outpost for independent wildcatters and miners who brave the clans.
Carlsborg
Fox
Bremerton
Vashon
Fed Island
Lilliwaup
Harstine
New Shelton
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