The resilience of the people of Steel Horse Crossing had been tempered with years of living within the Ironworks. When the Ironworks fell, the townspeople proved themselves capable of taking on the enormous tasks of rebuilding the structure of their town, Public Works, and own governance. Even with the enormous horde of undead that came from the war against the ‘Works and the epidemic plague of radioactive fungal infections that sickened its people, the town somehow managed to evolve and survive.
The radiation and fungal infections eventually waned significantly, and the people were painstakingly cured. There were still significant patches of irradiated fungal infections around the town, but they were clearly marked so as to prevent further outbreaks and contamination of the populous. Bloom Industries made an offer to the Elder Council to establish a small outpost nearby in order to better study the impact of the Great Tree and the surrounding areas, having sensed a missed opportunity.
The constitution created by the citizens of Steel Horse Crossing was approved, delivered, and enacted. Different factions within the scope of this constitution each moved comfortably into their new roles. The RPM shifted the majority of their efforts into the general border protection of all zones around Steel Horse. The Ridge Tribes began to drift into the town-proper more often, learning a lesson from the fall of the Kishwaukee, and make a more concerted effort to keep an eye on their own people. The Hamilton-Tarens Clan worked diligently to open up land-based trade routes to a much wider audience than previously, allowing commerce to flourish in areas of town where it was fostered. The Steel Bloods, having been invited to live in and participate with town politics, were granted citizenship by the Public Works, integrated with the town by building a large camp, and gained a seat on the council with the first formal election. The Children of the Starless Sky, as well as a few other clans of Lascarians, were seen in town more often, discussing the tunnels and their previous home, as well as telling stories about being chased away from town many years ago by worrisome monsters and vicious lies & rumors. Even a few Unstable began to trickle in from the outskirts of the area, prompted by the one scout that fought alongside others from Steel Horse Crossing against the Ironworks, coming in small numbers during trade-meets.
The people in this formerly Ironworks territory continued the legacy of being technologically advanced and proactive towards the advancement of their civilization. The small radio tower built in Steel Horse Crossing broadcasted the radiowaves needed to eliminate the slave collars every week for months, eliminating all remaining signals in the area. Seemingly overnight, people started carrying small, handheld devices that emitted the same tones that quickly became commonplace among those who wanted to ensure the collars could never be used again.
Privateering and outright piracy became rampant on the waterways with the sudden fall of the Ironworks and the Iron Navy’s protection. Captain Maggie, at the behest of the townspeople and those who formerly worked for the Iron Navy, worked on an arrangement with the RPM for use of the naval yard and its ships. Citizens who had formerly worked for the Navy worked diligently to assemble, train, and support those who were previously enslaved to build their careers into what was quickly becoming a civilian water-faring militia they called the SHC Navy. These people worked closely with the developing town and its government to increase security for its citizens from a significant amount of waterborne threats.