Sunport Bazaar Setting

Peak Population ~ 60-80,000 estimated
(45k Permanent Citizens, 15-35k Temporary Residents)
(fluctuates throughout the season)

Government ~ Elected body of senior guild leaders.

Primary Export ~ Manufactured goods, and building materials.

Primary Import ~ Luxury goods and scavenged technology.

Total Military Strength ~ 4,000-6,000

Standing Army ~ 2,000 Sunport Guardsmen.
(professional soldiers trained in Sunport and armed with the finest)
Loadout ~ (+4 WB / -4 AB) High Tech (2 DV / 2 AV)
Irregular Militia ~ 1,000-2,500 Reservists.
(civilian volunteers and conscripts armed from a stockpile cache)
Loadout ~ (+3 WB / -3 AB) Standard Issue (2 DV / 2 AV)
Contractors ~ 1,000-1,500 Mercenaries.
(hired warfighters that often defected from other factions and are lightly armed)
Loadout ~ (+2 WB / -2 AB) Scavenged (1 DV / 1 AV)
An additional 10,000 civilians can be armed under the 'Ledger of Arms' act in the event of a major threat to the city.

Law and Order ~ Strict no tolerance for violence, theft, or fraud,
(laws are only enforced within city limits)

Currency ~ Precious metals and barter system.
(many traders require gold to be melted before weighing, ensuring transparency and avoiding bureaucratic stamps or mints)

Religion ~ None are expressly forbidden or restricted. (many shrines and churches dot the city, though they rarely attract attention)

Power Sources ~ The city draws power from a combination of solar energy, hydroelectricity, and geothermal resources below the city. (one of the few places in the American Wasteland that has power on this scale and regularity)

The Citadel A strange megalithic monument that towers into the sky at the center of the city. Its purpose remains unknown, though irregularities in its casing stones fuel speculation of a hidden function. No one ever enters. No one ever leaves.
The Rings inspired by both real and mythical designs, the concentric rings serve as a formidable defense—able to flood or drain canals and support layered artillery, it has never faced open attack
Transcontinental Railroad although only the eastern railway is complete, work has begun to the west

Free Traders

Armed with weapons and armor that rival what the UEC considers standard-issue, the city’s core defense force is small but formidable. What they lack in numbers, they make up for in equipment, training, and a no-nonsense reputation.   Though their primary focus is on intercepting smugglers and rooting out potential insurgent cells, they remain committed to defending both citizens and visitors when violence erupts. Their presence is constant but not overbearing, and for those with the right skills and a clean enough record, recruitment into their ranks isn't out of the question—especially for those who’ve proven themselves on the trade routes.   They're backed by a mix of local militia, conscripts, and hired mercenaries, each filling support or specialized roles. Though less disciplined, these groups operate under the command of the regulars, ensuring a unified and effective defense.

Orphans of Expansion

Far from the safety of their bunker network beneath Appalachia, the Orphans are usually on their best behavior. Sunport offers comforts and vices they rarely see back home, and few are eager to return to tunnels and front-line duty.   Officially, they’re here to trade surplus goods for steel, concrete, and other rare materials to support the Florida front. Unofficially? Some say their presence isn’t just logistical. They’re disciplined, and they’re watching—and when they’re not loading supplies or blowing off steam, they’re taking notes.

The Underground UEC

Though the UEC has no official presence in the Sunport Bazaar, suspicions persist. Ever since city guards began showing up with cutting-edge arms and armor—far beyond anything local forces carry—rumors of backroom deals have only grown.   The sudden influx of advanced tech has done more than equip the elite; it’s quietly rallied a growing number of sympathizers. Some have even made contact with UEC agents, coordinating operations by moving supplies and funds through trusted hands.   They’re said to meet in the old maintenance corridors beneath the canals—damp, forgotten spaces never meant for habitation. These cells keep moving, never staying in one place long.   To many, the writing is on the wall. When the UEC returns in force they believe they will reclaim the continent, and they intend to be on right side of history when they do.

The Beauregard Confederation

Never let the quick wit and Cajun charm fool you—the slavers of the Beauregard Confederation are as ruthless as they come. They often arrive as friends, all smiles and hospitality, just long enough to size you up before they stab you in the back.   Masters of social sleight-of-hand, they know how to work a room—playing neither the aggressor nor the victim, just the man with the best deal. And while they claim to operate under a strict moral code, few outside their ranks are convinced. After all, at the end of the day, they still keep people against their will to work their land and fuel their wealth.   Their presence in Sunport is officially limited to trade. The slave market is forbidden—but the Council rarely objects to the goods those slaves produce. Gold has a way of smoothing over cracks—legal and moral alike.

Armistice Nords

Three smaller factions have recently united to form a powerful anti-slavery front, shaking up the region’s power structure. Though they’ve kept their frontier justice outside city walls, the nearby slaver town of Gallows was hit so hard it burned within view of Sunport. After decades of the city tolerating its presence, the Nords ended its existence in a single night.   The coalition’s founders hail from Canada, now overrun by the Yukon Dynasty. Unable to stomach slavery’s return to North America, they vowed to end it. Undermanned and low on supplies, they turned to old allies and found new ones in the Ozarks.   The Comanche fight for a simple cause—freeing their captured kin—but their resolve runs deep.   El Nuevo Legado joins to stake their claim in the region, making their stance clear and their presence known to any future civilizations trying to build something better.

The Interfectum

Though few know their name, the Interfectum have become a whispered terror in Sunport overnight. Their recent activities have shattered the illusion of safety and gripped the city in paranoia after they assassinated a sitting Council member. Rumors swirl of new targets, secret collaborators, and silent betrayals, turning a once-cohesive power structure into a hive of suspicion.   Despite sweeping investigations and threats of martial law, the assassin remains at large—unseen, unidentified, and considered extremely dangerous. The message is clear: no one is beyond reach.

The Somnic Cult

Many question the towering monolith that crowns Sunport Bazaar—a structure with no clear civic, political, or industrial function. Some old enough to remember St. Louis before the fall insist it wasn’t built to impress, but to conceal something dangerous.   Those who've slipped past the outer casing stones speak of what’s long been whispered: Sunport’s vast energy reserves don’t stem from solar panels or green innovation alone. Hidden within the stone shell is a functioning Genesis Engine—still running, still leaking. The pyramid at its peak, paraded as a solar beacon for tourists, is in fact a shroud—blocking satellite scans from detecting what truly lies within.   Officially, there’s no scandal. The city's rapid terraforming and industrial output speak for themselves. But in the shadows, something has begun to stir. Secret gatherings now form near the base—small, solemn groups seated in silence, drinking the dark fluids that seep from the decaying machine.   Some claim they’ve made contact with the Dream. Others say they've lost their minds. But one thing is clear: allegiances are shifting. And with Yukon Dynasty scouts sighted near the city’s borders, those who understand the Dream’s true reach know what’s likely to come next.   They don't understand the cost of assimilation.

Sunport prides itself on near-total employment—where even the unskilled can earn a living wage, and visitors in a bind can find publicly posted work in a pinch. Some jobs offer quick payouts or trade in services. Others mark the first step on the long road to citizenship.

And citizenship in Sunport carries weight—at least within the city’s walls. Its rights and privileges rival those of nations overseas that never collapsed as America did, offering a rare promise of stability. For many, the risks are worth it—whether to someday raise a family in relative safety, or simply retire somewhere people tend to live a little longer.

(a great jumping off point to build campaigns from)

Eastbound Train Guards Needed

(posted by Free Traders)

"From Sunport’s marble spine to Ocean City’s salty shore—ride the rails where fortune meets the fearless!"

• Allow 48-72 hours for round trip.

• Demonstration of skills required.

• Pays in silver and visa sponsorship.

Nord Mercenaries

(posted by Armistice Nords)

"Your past doesn’t matter. Your faith is your own. All we care about is this—will you stand and fight for what’s right?"

• One raid per contract.

• Personal kit & weapons required.

• Pays in copper and enlistment opportunity.

Tech Retrieval Needed

(posted by Council member)

"A Himmelskrieger ship came down last night and I want the sonic tech on board. Bring it to me and I’ll make you rich."

• Half a days worth of work.

• Could be highly dangerous.

• Pays in gold and citizenship sponsorship.

Yukon Ambassador Wanted

(posted by Council member)

"It’s easy to call people savage—until you realize what scares you most is how much you have in common."

• One formal feast beyond the walls.

• No weapons or guards.

• Pays in a local meal and real life experience.

Orphan Dock Loader

(posted by Orphan recruiter)

"Works almost done here, but if you seem like a good egg we got something else an unaffiliated traveler would be perfect for."

• Couple hours tops.

• Need someone we can count on.

• Pays in copper and contractor opportunity.

Hiring Provisional Auditor

(posted by Free Traders)

Commerce Board is seeking contractor to performing site walkthroughs, compliance checks, and merchant observation.

• Four to six hours of work a day.

• Attend briefings, go on patrols.

• Pays in food/lodging/visa sponsorship.

Cargo Porter Wanted

(posted by the Beauregard Confederation)

“Simple as taking my tug down the Mississippi and picking up some goods. I’d go, but I have to keep the gold moving.”

• A nice afternoon on the river.

• Can operate a motor engine boat.

• Pays in copper, silver, or gold. Rates vary.

UEC Supply Drop Retrieval

(posted by Council member)

"They were calling it humanitarian aid—I call it valuable. Grab the box before someone else does."

• A trip up the Illinois River.

• Survival gear recommended.

• Pays in silver and visa sponsorship.

Southern Road Guard

(posted by Free Traders)

Important medical supplies are coming up from our Legado allies in the south, need a few hands to clear the road of scum.

• Half a days work.

• Personal armaments required.

• Pays in silver and visa sponsorship.