[Goresplatter]

I always assumed that Rupture Farm's viscinity to the Monsaic Lines and Paramonia/Scrabania was due to them having to get their livestock from there, so they forcefully made a patch of land their own. Probably for storytelling purposes as well; literally encroaching more and more on the native's lands with each passing day, hence the Sligs in the lands and the temples.

I also thought that SoulStorm Brewery was build there due to its viscinity to Necrum, with everything else just following suit. FeeCo is probably in a central location, which might happen to be in the middle of a desert. Was always the way I saw it, anyway.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, but yes, it seemed like Abe's return should have been more grand. I remember first playing, seeing the Shrykull cutscene and being like, "YEAH! THE POWER TO FIGHT BACK!" - but then having to use it while still in the Monsaic Lines, and never getting to use it in the Stockyards... and very little in Rupture Farms for that matter. Basically, more of a 'the saviour has come!' mood might have been expected?