The Dredgewater Question
The Dredgewater Question
In-universe date: Era Nova, January--February, Year 2
Real-world date: 15 August 2026
Author: Stella Heartwood
After we had settled down, it was time to plan. Riverston was clearly acting in rebellion, so we needed to find allies. Yumata Springs was out of the question; they had been strongly aligned with Riverston for a while now, last we heard. Which left us with Dredgewater Falls.
Dredgewater is... a unique case. Decades ago, they were the backbone of Coronado and its most prosperous town by a wide margin. But in recent years, that has come into question. No one has heard anything from Dredgewater in years, hell, no one has even come up north from there in almost a decade.
But, we were left with no other choice. Time is a precious resource.
So, the next morning, we packed our things, and headed south. We followed the road south, towards the mine, before going off the beaten path and around the hills. We camped just outside of Dredgewater, then rode in.
The state of the town was shocking.
Buildings were left in decay, cobwebs lay strewn all over the homes. The crops had clearly died long ago. Old market stalls were abandoned. The once bustling town of Dredgewater Falls had become a ghost town.
We rode in some more, before we spotted an old man, sitting on the steps of a house. It was decayed like the other homes, but it was certainly lived in. He spotted us, and greeted us with friendliness.
"Howdy folks!"
Sheriff Galloway and Mayor Johnston exchanged looks, before Galloway stepped forward.
"Is this all that's left of Dredgewater?"
"Sure is!"
Galloway remained cautious.
"What... What the hell happened here?"
The old man chewed on his nail, then stood up.
"Drought hit us hard a few years ago. Those who didn't starve packed up and left. Last I checked, I'm the last one here."
We exchanged glances with each other, then Galloway continued.
"There's no one left?"
The old man, still energetic as ever, replied.
"Yup! Been holding down the fort for a few years now."
We were still a bit cautious, but I saw an opportunity.
Riverston doesn't know that Dredgewater has been abandoned. If we trick them into thinking Dredgewater is fully backing us, we may be able to trick them into backing down.
I approached the old man.
"Can you represent Dredgewater Falls for us?"
The old man leaned back, stroking his beard, pondering.
"I'm not sure what you'd need this old town and geezer for, but sure. Gives me a reason to work these old bones of mine."
The old man stood up, and I invited him onto the back of my horse. We went back to camp, then to Demeralia, where we would begin to plan next steps.
To me, it looked like we had the advantage, an advantage towards a peaceful Coronado.