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     A growing, forward-looking town in Oregon, with expansionist plans.

 

Origin

 

Pre-War

     A town in the Willamette River Valley, in Oregon. Before the Atomic War it was named Newberg.

 

Post-War

     A hundred or so people were still living here at the start of the 22nd Century, when the Harris clan picked the town as a resettlement point. Over the next few decades, families from a few oppressive communities in the Valley, and from regions beyond the mountains, were settled here. Other groups -- the King of Tualatin, and some of the Oregon City guilds -- contributed funds and resources to assist the refugees, but the Harris clan has always been the main benefactor.

     The town is better-managed and more civilized than Beavertown and Scappoose.

     As of September 12th, 2139, another thousand persons arrived here -- refugees from the destroyed Montanan Empire, moved along by the California Liberation Militia, the River Folk, and the Harris Clan. This increased the population by 50%.

     The Newtown military overthrew Baron Pierce at Jefferson in April of 2140, and installed Lady Elizabeth as the new ruler. She's an improvement, but of course Pierce was no prize.

 

What Outsiders Know

     The town is well-known in the Willamette Valley, as a place for refugees to go (or be sent). After their conquest of Jefferson in the spring of 2140, there's some concern by other communities about Newtown's military growth.

 

The Reality

     Since the arrival of the Montanan refugees in late 2130, Newtown has begun a bold program of education and technical improvement. They despise the Doom Riders, and other tyrannical groups.

 

Population

     Almost 4000 persons ... including 900 at Jefferson.

 

Territory and Locations

     Newtown, 3 kilometers northwest of the Willamette River, and Jefferson, about 60 kilometers to the south. They patrol out to 8 kilometers from Newtown (though not on the other side of the river).

 

Organization

 

Government, National and Local

     Various factions and guilds elect representatives to the council -- there is no attempt to have equal numbers of people behind each representative. A half-dozen Montanan hereditary aristocrats have automatic seats on the council:

 

• Lady Elizabeth -- also administrator of the conquered territory of Jefferson
  

• Lord Banussels

• Lord Derwent

• Lady Bell

• Lord Gonzalez

   

     The council makes laws and acts as the executive branch, as well. Princess Vita is the head of state.

 

Justice, Social Control, Punishment

     There are three judges:  one elected at-large, one appointed by the Council, one appointed by the head of state. Appeals can be made to the pair of other judges; if they don't agree, or if you want to appeal further, the head of state is the final avenue of appeal; she can also grant pardons.

 

Political Factions, Dissent

     The population present before the Montanans arrived have different religious, linguistic, dietary, etc. background from the new arrivals.

 

Famous/Infamous Persons

 

     Besides Princess Vita and the six aristocrats, the knights are well-known by name ("Sir" is used regardless of gender):

 

• Sir Michelle Hernandez:  age 23; knighted at New Year's Day for services during the Doom Rider invasion and the Migration West
  

• Lieutenant Sir Garth Rogers:  age 29; commands company A in the Army.
  

• Lieutenant Sir Jeremy Patterson:  age 31; in charge of training the militia.
  

• Captain Sir Alisha Washington:  age 35; she is the highest-ranking officer in the Army.
  

• Lieutenant Sir John Schweitzer:  age 50; commands the troops at Jefferson
  

• Sir Miguel Webber:  age 78; the oldest survivor who made it west from Montana

• King Tom III, last king of the Montanan Empire. He died in the summer of 2139, defending his castle in Meagher county; Vita is one of his children.
  

   

     Also well-known is the Chief Sergeant of the Army:

 

• Liam Engelsen: age 40. A very skilled horseman, archer, hunter and scout. From the point of view of the Morrow Project, he might not be the best choice, as he's very respected for his "battle" skills, but doesn't have any notable skill in modern warfare.
  

 

Relationships with Other Groups

     The town presents itself as neutral in regards to the War of the Remnants (i.e., it's not part of the Combine). They are very favorable towards the California Liberation Militia, the Harris clan, Oregon City, the University, and Doctor House.

     They don't like the Democratic Republic of America, even though they've never interacted -- this is probably due to propaganda from the Harris clan.

 

Military

 

     As of June, 2140, there are 500 full-time regular soldiers, and 500 militia members. About 300 of the regulars are native Montanans.

     They claim to have "a thousand men under arms", which seems unlikely given the population (about 4000 even including Jefferson); this number may include the militia (all able-bodied men between 18 and 60 years of age).

     They live in eight quonset-hut style barracks around a drill field, along with an armory, sick bay, etc. Besides firearms, they also train with bows, crossbows and (for mounted troops) spears and swords. The swords are seen as being "out of date".

     The militia are armed with muzzle-loading rifles, bows and crossbows.

 

Newtonian Military Organization

There are five infantry companies of 100 men each, lettered A through E. Two of them (D and E) are still being trained and equipped. Each company has 2 two-horse supply wagons, a one-horse field kitchen, and a horse for the company commander; there are also a couple of battalion four-horse wagons, and an ambulance wagon for the doctor and 4 stretcher bearers, when multiple companies are on campaign.      The cavalry are outside the "company" structure, but only number 40 mounted men, along with 2 two-horse supply wagons. As a group, they are referred to as a Troop.      Enlisted ranks are Private, Corporal, Sergeant (in charge of 10 man squads, assisted by a Corporal), First Sergeant (NCO for a company), and Chief Sergeant. Lieutenants command companies, assisted  by a First Sergeant; a group of companies is commanded by a Captain, with a Chief Sergeant as NCO.      There is only one Captain and one Chief Sergeant in the Army currently.      The Army owns about 100 "on duty" horses, plus a few breeding stallions and several dozen breeding mares.

 

     On the march, each soldier carries two days' worth of food in their rucksack; the field kitchens carry another day's worth. This is considered "emergency reserve", not to be eaten except on orders from an officer. A day's ration (bread, meat, vegetables, coffee, and salt) weighs 1 kg.

     Units with horses carry at least three days worth of feed (each day requires 6 kg of oats, 2.5 kg of hay, and 1.5 kg of straw = 10 kg; 22.5 kg for heavy draft horses) per animal; hay and straw can often be obtained locally.

     A two-horse supply wagon carries 3 days worth of rations for 100 men (300 kg) and 6 days worth of feed (120 kg) for the draft and riding horses, plus tents, water, and other survival gear. Thus a company on the march should have six days of rations (in rucksacks, field kitchens, and company supply wagons).

     Every soldier carries two field dressings.

     From the above, they've clearly been reading old military texts at the University.

 

Culture

 

Ethnic Groups, Immigration and Emigration

 

     The inhabitants before 2139 were ordinary Oregonians; they claim they can tell a Montanan by sight.

 

Social Divisions and Castes

     The obvious social levels are:

 

• aristocrats and royalty (7 total, plus a dozen or so family members)
  

• knights (6 total, plus 5 family members); knighthood is not hereditary. and is rewarded for military skill, leadership or bravery
  

• free citizens
  

 

Religion, Beliefs and Superstition

     The Montanans are more or less Protestant Christians, with of course 150 years of slight changes. They use the King James Bible as a basic educational text.

     The "Willamette originals" are mostly atheists.

 

Morality and Values

     More than is typical in the 22nd Century, the Newtonians are dedicated to their community.

     Improvement, education, creative thinking and intelligent innovation are all valued. Most of the Montanans were only slightly literate before they arrived; almost all have been attending school.

 

Progress and Failure

     The Newtonians have become acutely aware of their weaknesses -- technical, cultural, and numerical. They're working hard to make up in all three areas.

 

Family, Age, Sexuality and Gender

     Compared to most communities in the western United States, women make up more than half of the population -- probably due to women and children being sent to Fort Boise ahead of the Doom Rider onslaught. A lot of children will be born in June of 2140 ...

 

Education and Language

     While natives of the Willamette Valley speak reasonably good English, the Montanans use Roadtalk. As of the summer of 2140, all of the new migrants can get along in English pretty well (with an odd accent).

     There are two University-trained school teachers.

 

Environment and Agriculture

     The banks of the Willamette are very lush compared to Montana.

     Besides the typical "truck farming" of the Valley, the Montanans raise a lot of sheep. They're also hoping to breed a lot of horses, for meat, dairy, drayage and cavalry uses; this is going slowly.

 

Food

     Neither the Willamette Valley "refugee" food, nor the Montanan diet, have much exciting about them. Montanans like potatoes and mutton.

 

Art and Entertainment, Music, Literature, Recreation

     Blah blah ...

 

Fashion and Appearance

     Nothing fancy, although they have new woolen winter clothing usually.

 

Urban and Rural Areas, Architecture

     Most of the homes are log cabins; a few of the more important buildings in the town itself are frame structures, none more than one story tall.

 

Equipment and Resources

 

Economy

 

     This community counts as Poor economically. About half of the economy is managed in barter and other non-cash trading systems. Ordinary "American coins" are accepted everywhere.

     The annual GNP is about $24,000; at any one time there's only about $28,000 worth of physical coins and external credit (with the Harris clan) in the entire community.

     A cloth mill creates wool fabric; it was established by four members of the Movement.

 

Science, Medicine and Technology

     A doctor and two nurses, trained at the University, operate a clinic. Doctor House isn't far away. Their tech level is "E", edging up towards "D".

 

Weapons and Military Equipment

     Military spending for 2140 will amount to $3000.

     By early 2140, the army had a hundred or so single-shot rifles and shotguns, all using black powder cartridges; crossbow and bows made up the rest of their arms. The number of small arms increased during the spring, from a number of sources (some covert). At the start of the summer, all 500 of the "regulars" had cartridge weapons (although ammunition was scarce); 3/4 of their long arms are 12 gauge rolling-block rifles with Astoria proof marks.

 

Communications

     Besides their weekly newspaper/educational text (printed in Oregon City since December 6, 2139), they don't have anything faster or more sophisticated than horse-mounted couriers.

 

Vehicles

     They are working on some motor vehicles, using scrap from McMinnville. A sort of horse-drawn "bunker" has been created, with a jury-rigged "erratically automatic" weapon, mostly to get the troops used to working with support weapons.

     Horse-drawn wagons are typical. A two-horse supply wagon can carry 500 kg of cargo; a four-horse wagon, 1000 kg; these are the values on roads.

 

Aircraft

     None.

 

Watercraft

     A boat house on the Willamette River, and some simple rowboats, are used to cross the river.