The Lobster Coast and Poseidon's Rifles

[Adm.Lee]

Nice coincidence for me, I am now reading (listening to CDs in the car) "Cod: the biography of the fish that changed the world." Cod, of course, mostly means the NE coast of North America, Iceland, and islands east of there.

Salt cod was transported to Europe, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean in the days of sail, so moving it in 2000 shouldn't be a problem-- IF it can be cured.

Salt itself had to be found elsewhere. The Caribbean (I forget which islands) and Spain were some sources.

[Webstral]

In The Lobster Coast, I’m reading now about the wars between the First Nations (principally the Wabanaki) and the English settlers of Maine that ran from the time of King Philip’s War in southern New England through the early 1700’s. Woodard does a great job of describing a Maine depopulated, devastated, and devoid of gainful human activity. He brews a very strong draught of Twilight: 2000. He does not forget to mention the fate of the First Nations in all this. He points out that the Wabanaki could not raise crops and wage war at the same time; as a consequence, starvation overtook many. Most of the remainder fled inland or to French territory. Woodard even uses the term “howling wilderness”.

That’s very good input, Brother. I have read much the same. It’s good to have confirmation from someone on the ground and in the know. I have read that some of the best potato country in the nation in is northern Maine (I can’t remember the county). Alas, I foresee this whole area becoming depopulated.

At the risk of constantly referring to my own work, it’s the tendency of the populace to head either to the coast or to fortified cantonments in the interior that leads to the emergence of the hordes. In Howling Wilderness, the hordes emerge because there isn’t enough food to go around. I don’t believe a drought is necessary for this. Once the non-marauding population consolidates into defended cantonments, the marauding portion of the population is going to have to adapt or die. Many will die. Inevitably, though, some of the smaller marauder bands incapable of tackling the remaining defended cantonments will band together to achieve their ends by sheer weight of numbers.

I foresee the population of the interior of Maine migrating to the coast during 1998. This movement largely will be completed during 1999, with the remaining population of the interior being divided between cantonments and brigands. Small farmsteads and other rugged individuals will be wiped out. Some of the small Maine cities located along the major rivers might retain a portion of their population based on a shaky trade network with First District in which ocean fish and manufactured goods (like refurbished small arms, small arms ammunition, etc) are traded for salvaged goods and other food stuffs.

[Olefin]

Which Challenge magazine article had the information on the First District - love to get that one

[Rainbow Six]

Originally Posted by Olefin

Which Challenge magazine article had the information on the First District - love to get that one

Issue 39. It's in a mini module called "Rife River" (which in my opinion is one of the best of the Challenge adventures).

[Brother in Arms]

Webstral
indeed the wars waged during the 17th-18th centuries were pretty much total war on the Native Americans. King phillip's war was was pretty much the last big native incursion without help from there "white fathers". And it truly was a war of attrition. Starvation and sickness being the most potent weapons in that war. As for a “howling wilderness”. Mary Rowlandson's quoted this in her captivity narrative (but I think it's from an earlier puritanical source, William Bradford perhaps) So it's a somewhat famous term in the re-enactor community.

And lets not forget the Native Americans who live here today
http://www.native-languages.org/maine.htm

They already have villages and cantonments of sorts some like Indian Island in Old town have been there since at least the 1600's and it was actually fortified with log Picketts in the time of Samuel De Champlain!!! So I can see them being there own government entities as they are today.

Webstral wrote:
"That’s very good input, Brother. I have read much the same. It’s good to have confirmation from someone on the ground and in the know. I have read that some of the best potato country in the nation in is northern Maine (I can’t remember the county). Alas, I foresee this whole area becoming depopulated."

Aroostook county is the county of which you speak... also simply known just as "The County" nothing there but deep lakes and red brown soil, and forests. The people up there are highly self sufficient (unless you count there dependency on alcohol and marijuana) Some people might just stay there regardless of how bad it gets. There are still people there who have never left "the county" except maybe to go to Canada. I once saw a fellow up there with a large tatoo in jet black ink. It was in old English script and was tattooed across his stomach in an arch west coast gangsta fashion...and it read "The County's the Best fuck the rest."

I would agree that many people would head to the coast or to other fortification towns, free holds ect. I think that they would be building them close to rivers, or even on large lakes (of which there are many) Also there are some large fields especially in the river valleys like Androscoggin that grow corn and have for centuries.

The thing that gets me when it comes to marauders and citizens of these enclaves, is all the weapons....Maine is just laden with all manners of small arms....it's not uncommon today for one person to own 50-100 firearms...and many, many people own half a dozen or more without even trying (having had them left to them ect.) even little old ladies have at least one rifle or hand gun lingering in a closet somewhere from some relative. I would wager that there are more firearms here than people. And that is strictly privately owned. Not even talking about military weapons or illegal machine guns that people have hidden. So I think there would be plenty of stuff to set it off with as far as marauders and forts are concerned!!!

Webstral wrote:
"I foresee the population of the interior of Maine migrating to the coast during 1998. This movement largely will be completed during 1999, with the remaining population of the interior being divided between cantonments and brigands. Small farmsteads and other rugged individuals will be wiped out."

I think most people would move especially if they are small town or city people...but I also think there are enough remote areas and hiding spots that there would be small farmsteads and rugged individuals..there are literally dozens of abandoned and grown up farmsteads on the tops and side of huge mountains. I have found cellar holes all over Maine and in some very inhospitable places. These mostly from the 19th century (but some older) the point is, if you wanted to hide out and raise food and animals. You could probably get away with it and not be caught. But have one bad season or get sick and your dead.


Webstral wrote:
"Some of the small Maine cities located along the major rivers might retain a portion of their population based on a shaky trade network with First District in which ocean fish and manufactured goods (like refurbished small arms, small arms ammunition, etc) are traded for salvaged goods and other food stuffs."

Lets not forget that Maine has a lot of old Forts like FORT KNOX. ( I used to work at) It's in Prospect Maine. and its kind of in a perfect spot right on the Penobscot and made of giant stone blocks and is huge. Last time it was garrisoned was in 1898 during the spanish American war.


Also what is the "first district" sorry I am not that well read on T2K as I haven't had the books in like since 2004. And I don't remember much.

Brother in Arms

Edited to add: HOLY CRAP I THOUGHT I LOST ALL OF THIS I JUST WROTE!!!! Thank god for the back button.

WEBSTRAL read the book "Liberty Men and Great Proprietors"
http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Men-Gr.../dp/0807842826

Its about post revolution to about 1820
it helps explain why Maine is how it is today.

[Brother in Arms]

Sorry didn't know how to do the coloured boxes...anyone want to that you are welcome too!

Brother in Arms