Annesburg

History

Annesburg is a bleak, struggling coal mining town nestled in the Roanoke Ridge of New Hanover. Unlike the bustling, prosperous towns of the West, Annesburg's very existence is a testament to the brutal realities of the industrial era, built on hard labor, poverty, and danger. The town's economy and its inhabitants' lives are completely dictated by the Lannahechee Mining Company's operations, which extract coal from the surrounding hills.

This single-minded focus has led to a grim reality for the town. The pervasive pollution from the mines poses constant health risks to its inhabitants. The water in the nearby Kamassa River is visibly contaminated with coal runoff, and a perpetual haze of smoke hangs in the air, creating a depressing atmosphere. The landscape is scarred by mining activities, with slag heaps and exposed earth everywhere you look.

The people of Annesburg endure terrible working conditions and a perpetual state of hardship, toiling for a company that seems to care little for their well-being. The mining company, run by the wealthy businessman Leviticus Cornwall, holds a powerful grip over the town, controlling its amenities and economy. This economic oppression has historically led to strikes and conflict, but the miners' struggles are often met with brutal force. Furthermore, the widespread poverty and desperation can lead to crime and violence, adding to the town's grim reputation. To make matters worse, Annesburg is located in the territory of the savage Murfree Brood, a constant threat in the surrounding wilderness. Despite the presence of a Sheriff's Office, law and order are often tenuous.

Appearance

Annesburg is a grimy and depressing settlement, with wooden buildings stained black from coal dust and a perpetual haze of smoke in the air. The nearby Kamassa River is visibly polluted, and the landscape is scarred by mining activities, featuring slag heaps and exposed earth.

Locations

  • Annesburg Horse Yard

    • Owner: None listed

    • Description: A surprising point of warmth on the dreary outskirts of Annesburg, the Horse Yard is a well-regarded stable known for its friendly atmosphere. Travelers and mining company foremen alike come here to purchase exceptionally sturdy and well-cared-for breeds like Shires and Gypsy Cobs, ensuring they leave with a reliable steed capable of handling the region's rugged terrain. A rustic, single-story wooden barn with a practical shingle roof, both of which are stained with a fine layer of soot from the nearby mines. The structure is surrounded by several large, fenced-in paddocks where horses graze on resilient, dark green grass, creating a welcoming environment that stands in stark contrast to the rest of the town.

  • Jameson Mine and Coal Company

    • Owner: Archibald Jameson

    • Description: This massive complex is the heart of the Jameson Mine and Coal Company's operations in Annesburg, functioning as the primary processing plant where coal is sorted and loaded for transport. Due to its vital importance and the frequent unrest among the miners, the entire facility is heavily guarded. This sprawling industrial complex is a massive, red structure that resembles a barn built on tall stilts, spanning the slope of a hill with faded and soot-stained paint. It features two distinct underpasses: a wide one for freight trains and a smaller one for pedestrians and horses.

  • Annesburg Sheriff's Office

    • Owner: Sheriff Jones

    • Description: The Annesburg Sheriff's Office serves as the law enforcement hub in the industrial mining town of Annesburg, heavily influenced by the Lannahechee Mining Company. It functions as both a workplace for the Sheriff and his deputies and a jail for offenders, tasked with maintaining order among the often disgruntled miners. This sturdy, two-story wooden building features a false front, designed to appear more imposing than it truly is. Its dark, functional paint is perpetually coated in soot and grime from the nearby coal mines, with a sign identifying it as the Sheriff's Office and a bulletin board for wanted posters adorning the front.

  • Annesburg Station, Post Office, and New Hannover Government Office

    • Owner: None listed

    • Description: This is the key railway hub for the grim mining town of Annesburg in Roanoke Ridge. It serves as the primary point for passenger travel and the shipment of coal, connecting the remote mining town to the wider world. A standard, single-story wooden railway station building, painted in the livery of the national railroad company, though showing signs of wear from the elements and the constant traffic of a busy mining town. A long, covered wooden platform runs alongside the tracks, and a prominent sign identifies it as 'Annesburg Station.' A small, functional counter located inside the station serves as the post office where mail can be sent and received. The building also houses the bustling New Hannover Government Office, which serves as the administrative heart of New Hannover, where citizens come to file paperwork, seek permits, and engage with local officials. The office shares its long wooden structure with the train station, presenting an inviting facade of weathered timber, wide eaves, and a rustic clock tower. The entrance dedicated to the government office is marked by sturdy oak doors and an engraved brass plaque, designed to project an image of civic pride and stability.

  • Kingsley Book Store

    • Owner: Mr. Kingsley

    • Description: Located in the bleak industrial town of Annesburg, Kingsley Book Store is a surprising haven for the literate soul. Managed by the knowledgeable and quietly resilient Mr. Kingsley, the store offers the weary miners and locals a rare escape into the world of literature, boasting an extensive collection of both new and vintage books. A narrow, two-story timber building squeezed between a grimy boarding house and an alleyway. Its wooden facade, stained with soot, features a large, clean display window and a tastefully painted sign, presenting a single point of tidy refinement amidst the industrial decay.

  • Mitternachtsbierhalle

    • Owner: None listed

    • Description: A large, multi-purpose establishment situated in the heart of the grim mining town of Annesburg. Founded by a German immigrant, the 'Midnight Beer Hall' serves as a vital social hub for weary coal miners, offering food, drink, and lodging in a bleak industrial setting. The building features traditional German half-timbered architecture, with once-white stucco walls now stained grey from coal dust. Its dark, exposed wooden beams are coated in soot, creating a sturdy yet perpetually dirty structure that stands in stark contrast to the utilitarian shacks of Annesburg.

  • Schultz Gunsmith

    • Owner: Mr. Schultz

    • Description: Schultz Gunsmith is the sole firearms vendor and craftsman in the industrial mining town of Annesburg, providing weapons, ammunition, and customization services to miners, guards, and toughs alike. Owned by a German immigrant named Mr. Schultz, the shop is a vital resource for those in need of firepower in this rugged region. A narrow, two-story building wedged between soot-stained structures on Annesburg's main street. The dark wooden facade is obscured by coal dust, with a large sign above the entrance and a front window displaying a selection of rifles and handguns, giving it a bleak yet utilitarian look.