Phobean
Phobean is a quirky and expansive town located in Postrema. It lies just east of Mythos, west of Ceres Artemis, and northwest of Woodern. Established by Phobits (aka phobiphantom10), Phobean is split between two primary zones: a lively swamp district to the north and a “mainland” district to the south— ironically, itself actually a large island.
Overview
Phobean is a delightfully eccentric town, known as much for its surreal humor as its layered and interconnected layout. The town embraces chaos, whimsy, and satire, all woven into its architecture, signage, and infrastructure. While not especially large, it feels dense, lived-in, and strangely personal— like stepping into the creator’s subconscious.
Its design favors practical, low-profile buildings— nearly all of them squat, single-story dwellings— but the real personality shines through in the details: strange signs, meta references, themed shops, and surprisingly deep lore hidden in plain sight.
Phobean is unusually well-connected for a town its size. In addition to being a stop on the Cerelia Line, it boasts two intracity rail systems— the Swamp Line and Ravine Line —and includes underground living spaces, outlying satellite islets, and entire gardens tucked in caves. This gives the town a sense of verticality and sprawl that contrasts with its otherwise cozy footprint.
Despite the looming mystery of the Phobean Underground and the deeply questionable obsession with Matt Damon, Phobean remains welcoming, strange, and unmistakably unique.
Mainland (Southern Island)
The "mainland" is the original and larger part of Phobean, built on a lush island surrounded by several satellite islets. Notable landmarks include:
- Town Hall – The top floor is Phobits’ personal office, covered wall-to-wall with bizarre, cryptic signage, most prominently fixated on actor Matt Damon.
- Phobean General Store
- The Tacky Shack – A local bookstore.
- Community Chicken Coop
- Town Mine
- Greenhouse & Garden Plots
- Main Train Station – Links to the Cerelia Line, Swamp Line, and Ravine Line.
- Ayu’s Pub – Built into the western lighthouse.
- Beach & Dock – Includes beach towels, umbrellas, and a volleyball net.
Phobean Underground
Beneath the mainland lies a vast cave network transformed into a habitable space. Known as the Phobean Underground, this area features Residential suites and underground gardens.
Surrounding Islets
Numerous tiny islands ring the mainland:
- Mark Watney Memorial Crater (south)
- Cactus Statue Island (southeast)
(East Lighthouse Island (east)
(Space Probe Island (northeast) – Features life-size models of the New Horizons and Voyager 1 probes, plus educational signage.
- Wood Shack Island (north)
- Sandstone Hut Island (northwest)
Swamp District
Connected via the Swamp Line, the northern swamp district is known for its homes on stilts and bustling food scene.
Notable locations include:
- Java Cafe
- Mini Waitrose Copy Store
- Pauly’s Crafts
- Cooke’s Noodles
- Hay’s Falafels
- Slyy’s Burgers and Fries
- Phobi’s Potions
- Shire Cola Restaurant
- Community Cave Garden
Phobean’s charm lies in its whimsy, layered geography, and subtle absurdism. It is an iconic example of player creativity and satire in the Shire.