Rattle Farm
General
Rattle Farm is a small settlement a little over a kilometer southwest of Blue Mount. The location has no economic significance. It is merely a subsistence community, with access to a (mostly) functional well that supplies clean drinking water. The well pump is electric and powered by a stationary exercise bike. Recently, their pump had gone on the fritz, forcing members of the community to contemplate reverting back to their old Raider ways, until a group of strangers managed to fix their pump and convinced the people of Rattle Farm to keep things on the straight and narrow. They now have their eyes set on possibly hooking the pump up to a windmill, if they can get the technical assistance. If they pull this off, they may be able to draw up enough surplus water for trade, perhaps even partnering with Sir Segway at nearby Blue Mount, who they know can only make water with his sun-powered water machine during the day.
Recent Developments
After the tense initial diplomatic encounter between the people of Rattle Farm and Blue Mount ended peacefully, the two small communities have been cooperating more, with members of Blue Mount assisting Rattle Farm in the construction of a windmill. When Seven-Fingered Bob, Blue Mount's night guard was injured in this aid mission, Rattle Farm lent one of their own, Rollo, to stand in his place as a gesture of good will. When Blue Mount was attacked by Raiders, Rollo was able to use his walkie-talkie to summon Cleetus, Chet, Glinda, Jay-Bone and Kai-Ro to help defend the hamlet. While Rollo manned the guard shack, Jay-Bone and Kai-Ro helped the Mounties fight the raider mob. Rattle Farm's "elites" (Cleetus, Chet and Glinda) were able to engage Render, the powerful mutant leader of the raider gang and delayed him long enough for Sir Segway to arrive with his own group of reinforcements. Together, they successfully defended Blue Mount. Unfortunatley, Chet was killed by Render in the battle. Sir Segway was grateful for their intervention, and invited them to move closer to Blue Mount, paving the way for a closer bond between the two groups.
Notable Locals
- Cleetus--The self-proclaimed leader of Rattle Farm. Rose to power primarily because he has access to a functioning sub-machine gun. Former Raider from Char-Lot, Cleetus set out west with the remainder of his gang after getting trounced by a different band of Raiders. Without the numbers to survive in the Ash Barrens, Cleetus felt compelled to strike out west and leave his bandit past behind.
- Shemp--One of Cleetus' friends and settlement guards. Armed with a revolver. Big fan of Blue Mount beer.
- Chet--(Deceased) One of Cleetus' friends and settlement guards. Doesn't talk much, but when he does, he tends to be an instigator; when meeting with Sir Segway, Freya the Beastmaster and their strange new friends, Chet pounced upon the strangers' apparent ignorance of the Shadow-Over Valley and tried to entice them into visiting the Morpheum. Chet is armed with a hacky-stick. Chet was killed in battle by Render (During Mission 06: People and Animals, Part II). Riley attempted to save his life, but Chet's injuries were too severe, however, and he was ultimately unsuccessful.
- Glinda--Former slave of Cleetus. She was eventually freed when her master couldn't be assed to really enslave her any longer. She was useful and helpful, so after a while he offered her a chance to buy her freedom if she was willing to "stick around for a while longer." Knowing that Chet and his crew would be in dire straits if she left (she is the best hunter in the group), she decided to stay on, but will take little guff from Chet or the others if they try and get too bossy like when she was a slave.
- Rollo--A dark-skinned mutant with keen eyes. He is quiet and shies away from others most of the time. He is armed with a powerful rifle, but usually relies on a bow and arrow. Rollo often serves as the group's point-man and provides overwatch as a sniper of sorts.
- Jay-Bone
- Kai-Ro