Außerstung

A truly mystical place, right in the middle of nowhere. The bonds you make with that scientific community there cannot compare to ones you'd make anywhere else in the world. dr Helmuth Artpfer, ornithologist that was stationed in Außerstung

Außerstung is a Verfandian settlement located on the far north of the Eastern Continent, situated on the border of a large frozen wasteland and a tundra. It is a most northerly placed constant settlement on Aon.

Infrastructure

The settlement consists of 23 buildings and an underground section. The most distinguishable of these is a large community hall, a bulky building with a single short clock tower, where researchers and scientists can organise meetings and briefs. It is also there that all food is given out. The small power plant, the water supply and sewer storage also stand out considerably. Besides, there are 6 buildings dedicated for laboratories, 2 halls for storage areas for supplies, a small railway station and 8 tenement-like constructions dedicated for housing. The remaining 2 buildings are a special greenhouse in case of a supply shortage and a separate medical bay. The underground is a relatively spacious set of halls that house scientific storages, more laboratory spaces and quarters. The whole section is also meant to be an emergency shelter, so it is equipped with its own share of supplies, running water, electricity and an underground greenhouse.

History

General overview

Since 2594, Außerstung has served as a base for research and study of the harsh environment and its ecosystem. The date of its establishment makes it the oldest functioning modern polar research facility in the world, one which throughout the many years of its existence has gained international renown. Being a point of pride to the Wilhelmian Natural Institute, the government institution has always taken great care of maintaining this base of operations.

Lifeline of the settlement

In the beginning, the settlement had no real connection to the rest of civilisation, with only a general path marked on maps. Supplies were brought in large bulks every two months by a special convoy that had to travel over 700km to get to it. In 2596 a set of way stones was put into place to help with travel. It wasn't until 2644 that a simple dirt road was built, which despite its simplicity helped to speed up the delivery of supplies. The biggest breakthrough in creating a stable lifeline to the settlement came in 2732, when the building of a railway connection began, finished just three years later. This allowed for greatly superior travelling speeds and increased the supply deliveries to one per month.

Type

Outpost / Base

Außerstung is a place that I believe can turn almost anyone into an avid researcher, bound to the discovery of the upmost north and the secrets of its elusive nature. It is a great effort to keep such a base of operations alive and the dedication of the Institute backed by the Kaiser himself is truly irreplaceable. Prof. Graf Gottfried von der Leibstadt, one of the