Denver as it is

With all that historical information swimming through your head, you may not have realized that we have yet to truly set the scene for Denver as it is in the Deadlands year of 1876. Good thing I did.

Arrival

The first impression most people get of Denver upon debarking the train or stepping off of the wagon is that of chaos. People of all backgrounds, colors and occupations fill the streets, oblivious to anything beyond their current destination. Street merchants hawk their wares loudly from small street-side booths and carts, adding to the already confusing barrage of sights, sounds and smells. For those caught up in the wonder of it all, their purse or wallet is probably already being carted off to some thief's hideout for inspection.

Anyone who stays in the city for more than a few hours, however, will get a deeper sense of it's workings. The apparent anarchy isn't much different than that witnessed in a large train depot or trading post; Essentially, Denver is little more than a giant trading post itself. Everyone in the city is there for a reason, and if you find someone who says otherwise, you better check your pulse and possessions; They're probably after one or the other.

Locals and Visitors

Those who live in Denver are of a rough breed, having lived through many tough challenges that would have spelled disaster for most other young cities. Those that have stayed from year to year have managed to make themselves a good living, especially in these changing times, but still remain the hardy pioneers that they are. Nearly all have jobs involving the trade and travel through the city, from working at stores to loading and unloading the wagon caravans and trains that frequent Denver.

The rest keep the city utilities running, raise crops or (more often) livestock, or spend their time bamboozling everyone else. As most would guess, the resident population of the city is mostly comprised of men. Only one person in five is female, and the ratio of women to men amongst travelers is much less.

Those traveling through the city are a much more varied group of people. Tinhorns have become almost as common a sight as cowboys are, and foreigners from many different parts of the world can be picked out of the crowds. Travelers through Denver tend to stop for supplies, find a place to sleep for the night, and head out the next day.

Fightin' Words

Considering the situation, gunfights and criminal acts are both quite common. Many gunslingers have made a name for themselves on the streets of Denver, while others have had a name made for them on tombstones in the city cemetery. Bandits and petty thieves float in and out of the city with everyone else, making some money (or a living) off of the people and businesses. Hearing gunshots or witnessing a robbery isn't out of the ordinary, and the high concentration of weapons carried by most everyone doesn't help things much.

The Denver City Police Force, numbering under a dozen permanent officers (largely in part due to high mortality and quitting rates), is almost completely ineffective against the rising tide of crime and violence. Even worse, most anyone can get themselves deputized, which has led to a high rate of corrupt and down-right criminal officers.

The Pinkerton Detective Agency has a large office branch in Denver, and there are normally as many US Marshals in the city as there are police. However, neither help enforce the law much due to their other duties; the Pinkertons have quite a few reports of strange incidents that need to be quieted down, and the US Marshals spend much of their time confiscating contraband headed to Confederate territory and fighting it out with Texas Rangers and Reb forces.

What little law there is comes from people willing to stand up for their rights. Criminals caught are often handed over to (or, more often, taken by) locals and quickly punished with a noose. Hangings are almost a weekly sight, and lynching is considered by many to be Denver's official pastime. It's not legal, and those innocent of a crime just as often find themselves hanging from a rope, but it's about the only way the city can keep from devouring itself.

That's All She Wrote

For now, at least. Details on how the city works, from it's economy to transportation and everything in between will be covered next issue, along with many of the places in and around the city that your posse may find interesting. Throw in some job opportunities, more details on the local law, and the people you may or may not want to meet, and you've got yourself a reason why life's worth living.

So, until then, strap on your pistols, adjust the brim of your hat, and head off into the sunset. You're bound to wind up in Denver eventually...

To be continued...

Deadlands Denver

Preface
Welcome to Denver
Queen City of the Plains
Denver As It Is