Seasonal Task 16: Starlight Bluffs AU

Starlight Bluffs

Welcome to the frontier town of Starlight Bluffs. It’s pretty quiet around here, mostly, though we get a few problems with bandits and outlaws from time to time. Nearest railroad is a good half a day’s ride by wagon, but we do all right by ourselves. We have two saloons, a comfort inn, and the church is band new. Pony express and coach come on the regular. It’s a place where a person can make something of themselves if they work hard enough, and we hope you enjoy your stay, or you can talk to the town mayor, Gaia, and see if you have a skill the town could use on a more permanent basis:

We have been having a problem lately though, a rich developer and gold magnate, goes by the name of Cepheus, wants our land. Says he’s willing to pay everyone off to move away so the town can be torn down. Well, we aren’t interesting in selling to some rich city-slicker, this is our home. He didn’t like no for an answer, so he’s been sending his hired goons after us, making life harder. Everyone’s pulling together to show we don’t intimidate easily, and we aren’t giving up.



Should you ever find yourself in Starlight Bluffs and you have a little spending money on ya, make sure you stop by the little blue and yellow shop near the center of town. Etoile's Luxury Goods is a bit of an oddity in this town, as is the owner, Marie. When she first moved into town about 5 years ago, no one thought her store would last long, claiming a little town like Starlight Bluffs had no need for imported items that cost a pretty chunk of change, but that didn't bother Marie. Born from a wealthy family in France who then settled in America, Marie fell in love with the idea of moving west. The challenge of a new land excited her so she packed up and moved out, creating a branch of her family's business.

In New York, there was no end to the upper class folk who passed through looking for silver trinkets, fancy cloth, or fine wine, but out here Marie has had to depend on wealthy out of towners for her main income, but that doesn't bother her. She's not hard put for money, she's doing this for fun! Marie is more than willing to barter for goods instead of money and a few people have figured out that she has actually been selling her items for well under their real price. She wants everyone to be able to have something nice in their lives or be able to give a precious present to their sweetheart.

She doesn't think much of this Cepheus character. He came by her store once or twice and insulted many of her wares and yet had the gaul to try and buy a new cane at a discount. She has barred him from her store and claims he gives a bad name to her people. Shortly thereafter some outlaws came by, looking for trouble, trying to rob her. She never could connect them to Cepehus, but she has her suspicions. She would have been in real trouble if the town's deputy hadn't been there so quickly. Gabi chased those hooligans off but got a bit torn up in the scuffle. Now Marie had recently overheard the deputy wishing she had black leather for a vest so Marie ordered some, planning to sell it to her in installments (at her usual town discount price). Seeing as Gabi had saved her, however, the least she could do was make a present of the material. Now the deputy comes by often to visit and Marie enjoys her company.

Only a few people actually come by to make friends, thinking she's too much of a lady to need bothering. Truth is, Marie wishes more people were as friendly as the Deputy. She won't be stepping into any of the brothels any time soon, but she wouldn't mind showing them girls some of the new feathers she just got in!

So if you're looking for a trinket for a special someone, new silverware or furniture to impress visiting relatives, or maybe just a nice bottle of wine, be sure to visit Etoile's Luxury Goods and say hello to Marie!




I had so much fun designing this outfit! I love big skirts and the fashion of the 1800's! I did way too much research into crinolins. XD

Marie (c) me
Gabi (c) Rose-Songstress
Cepehus (c) nickyflamingo

Paper texture by struckdumb
fav.me/d1gava1
 (I then desaturated it a bit)

Lace pattern from Google
Chair carvings on top heavily traced from google.