Intro
This is the 28th story in the Smallville series and is a continuation of the Westward Ho journey that began in story 25 in the Outskirts of Smallville. The wagons left Outskirts and headed west in year 45 SVT. The wagon train carries 6 families plus the wagon master and his family (Domington and Doree and their 3 boys, Linwoodrow, Lion, and Greggie). They traveled through forested valleys and over steep hills and spent over a year at the Rest Stop of story 26. They traveled on, crossing the vast prairie, when 2 families left the train and headed north instead. They established the town of Prairie Homestead. The remainder of the wagon train continued west. This is their story. Note: Both towns, Prairie Homestead and Fort Rapids were settle at the same time, approximately year 48 SVT, and both stories were being told to you, weary traveler, in year 52.
The map seed is # 696076819 Prairie terrain, Small, Mild, Disasters Off, Prairie Circle Start
Mods activated for this map and load order are:
Map Changing and Starting Mods: Call of Nature Soundtrack, Banished UI Maps & UI Town Names, Labor Window, RK Minimized Status, cc Light Rain, Maritimes Riffle
Tweak Mods: Better Fields, Hunting and Gathering v3, Hunting Season, Increased CC, 1:1 alternative
Major or Must Have Mods: An Empty Square, Nomad Sign Complete, Kid Plimoth Harmonized, Kid Westward Ho, Kid Wooden Fort, KidWorkplace, Training Camp Deco, Training Camp Main
Supporting Mods: Campfire, Deco Sunflower, EB Farm & Log Houses, EB Hostel, Fly Fishing, Kid Washing Mod, Small Tipi, Smoking Shed, Storage Crates, Tiny Chopper.
Yes, weary traveler, your spouse was heartbroken over your disappearance and devastated to find you had not returned to the wagon train. Knowing how much you wanted a new life in the west for your children, your spouse decided to fulfill your wishes and continue the journey west. We continued west and, as you know, 2 families left the wagon train and headed north. The remaining 4 families continued west with us until we came to a river we could not cross. It was flowing swiftly and was full of treacherous rapids. We circled the wagons and made camp while trying to decide what to do. Scouts went north and south, there was no place to cross.
We were not camped there long before 2 men on horseback arrived. They were soldiers sent to the area to help rescue displaced flood victims and help protect others in the area. They planned to build a fort. There had been some trouble with the Native people over their hunting grounds and the killing of the buffalo herds by settlers. More soldiers, some with families, would arrive soon. The 2 soldiers offered us a deal after we told them of your disappearance. If we agreed to remain here and help build a fort, they would search for you and then help us cross the river safely. We agreed and began building Fort Rapids, and needless to say we were all overjoyed that the soldiers found you and returned you to us safe and sound. I know you want to hear everything that has happened here in the last 3 and a half years while you were gone.