Dust Falls
Dust Falls is a space between the Hive City and the underhive of Hive Primus on Necromunda. It serves as a hub for gangs, Guilders, and criminals.[1a]
History
Its origin was accidental, resulting from centuries of neglect causing a dust avalanche that created a gaping hole. This event led to the settlement's formation, where travellers from above and below traverse the hive. The town, named for the fine dust that continuously falls from above, hangs from the edges of a central chasm called the Abyss.[1a]
Cityscape
The Abyss, a kilometres-deep chasm, is essential to Dust Falls' economy. It features hanging cages used by scavengers, gangs, and Guilders to access various underhive levels. Landings along its shaft connect to other settlements and transport cages leading deeper into the badzones. This central area, known as the Gates, attracts most visitors to Dust Falls.[1a]
The Haggle Market is another vital part of Dust Falls, where goods from the underhive are sold to Hive City traders and spire nobles seeking adventure.[1a]
Significant investments by Guilds and Clan Houses in the town's infrastructure have led to the presence of warehouses, Guilder slave pens, and prominent structures like the fortified Trader's Tower and the Six Clans drinking hole, a neutral ground.[1a]
Dust Falls' importance also warrants an Enforcer presence, with Precinct 1313 overseeing the settlement and monitoring travellers.[1a]
Administration
Dust Falls, like many underhive settlements, is a haven of criminality moderated by the greed of Guilders and the brutality of Lord Helmawr’s Palanite Enforcers. It is governed by a loose alliance of civic leaders and Guild Procurators, overseen by Proctor Clause Bauhein of the local Enforcer Precinct,[1b] known as the Council of Dust.[2]
Day-to-day operations are managed by Mistress of Coin Melerva and Narco Lord Balthazar Van Zep, who oversee Guild and criminal activities, respectively. Despite their differences, they cooperate sufficiently, ensuring gangs find employment with both leaders. Conflicts do arise, but Balthazar tolerates paying bribes for moving chems into Hive City, and Melerva ignores the violent punishments meted out by the Narco Lord.[1b]
Overall, Dust Falls functions effectively and, aside from occasional disruptions by groups like the Brotherhood of the True Resurrection or the Hunters Triumvirate, is relatively safe by underhive standards.[1b]
Known Dust Falls settlers
- Clause Bauhein – Precinct Proctor of Precinct 1313[1b][2]
- Melerva – Mistress of Coin[1b][2]
- Balthazar Van Zep – Narco Lord[1b][2]
Sources
- 1: Necromunda: Apocrypha:
- 2: Soulless Fury (Novel), Chapter 9: Dust Falls
