Forestalls

Forestalls are multipurpose, portable, electronic devices created in the Wild West. They serve three purposes:

* Generate sensory deterrents, primarily in a pitch not disruptive to humans.
* Establish remote wireless contact with other devices.
* Generate it's own power.

## In-Universe Information

At some point during the early, or prior to, the westward expansion an inventor created the Forestall. This device served to protect pioneers and residents in areas with hyper-lethal megafauna. These devices were not available east of the Mississippi river and were likely not sold at any location for some distance beyond it.

A three man river rafting team transported a forestall down-river to an unknown location.

With the creation of a new town starting with a saloon, the owner and sole resident of the town used a forestall on the side. Some time later, the town's general store would also include a forestall.

A group of miners attempted to use a forestall to drive away any subterranean megafauna and mine in peace. This did not work, as forestalls become less and less effective as one descends into the earth.

A cowboy traveling on cyborg horseback had equipped a smaller version of the forestall on the saddle to deter monsters.

A band of robbers made off with stolen rewards. In the process, a giant eagle attacked them as their forestall had begun to fail. This had occurred as the forestall was partially damaged in a shootout earlier that day.

At some point, an explorer by the name of Leo came into possession of a forestall.

## Drawbacks

### **Depth Limit**

Forestalls are widely effective in open air environments and, for the most part, horizontally along an opening. However, forestall technology is massively ineffective when sending a signal down into the Earth's crust or through the ocean. Forestall technology has started to fall behind some other technological branches which can and has restricted their progress.

### **Jackalope Swarms**

While forestalls are normally highly effective against monsters of all kinds (barring those beyond the depth limit,) jackalopes in a feeding frenzy are agitated by it's deterrent. Swarms will usually move past an area but become aggressive when exposed to the deterrent.

## Legality

The use of the forestall is outlawed by U.S. Federal Law. However, enforcement of this law is plagued by the existence of the Mississippi River.

### **East of the Mississippi**

On the safer side of the Mississippi, the necessity of the forestall is non-existent and, in compliance with U.S. federal law, is illegal to possess and use. This has caused the east to rely on steam power, much as it was in our universe.

### **West of the Mississippi**

The forestall, while still forbidden to be used west of the Mississippi, is not enforced by officers of the law. Due to it's use as a deterrent it is a necessity in the West.

## Trivia

* Despite the effectiveness of the forestall, it's usage seems to still be somewhat in question. The invention seems to have generated more interest in the use of alternative energy generation rather than as a deterrent or communication device.
	+ This is somewhat contradicted by Caleb in Giant Anaconda Sneaks Up on Unsuspecting Riverboat Captain, where the forestall is mentioned to be virtually necessary as a deterrent, making it's use as a deterrent more favorable to it's energy generation.
	+ Because of the alternative energy generation, it is not favored by the railroad companies, who favor fossil fuels instead. This is likely due to it's status as a contraband but out west, may be due to expenses.
		- If it is the result of expenses, this may explain the sparse ownership of the forestall.