Cyratis
Junior Member
Pre-apocalypse- Long before the end of days, the world was revolutionized by the invention of the German HDR-Generation engine, a bizarre machine that generated strange and extremely high energy particles that could be harnessed to great effect. Though some could argue that this was only the spark that created a world that diverged so greatly from our own. For in this world the NWC, a nation formed from the United states, Canada, and parts of middle america never intervened in the 2nd world war. This allowed the then Soviet Union to defeat Nazi Germany and rebuild the majority of Europe under soviet influence and rule, in fact almost everywhere in Europe east of France became part of the USSR. Things were equally as different on the far eastern front, as the Empire of Japan never attacked pearl harbor and thus only expanded further into asia and even conquered all of northern Australia. Soon after, both countries developed the atom bomb as the Generation engine technology began to sweep across the planet. This development on foreign ground worried the NWC beyond belief, who thought that they had fallen behind on their technology vastly compared to their rivals and soon enough a massive 3 way arms race began.
In order to quickly eclipse their rivals, the most influential and controversial president since Lincoln by the name of Jean Raylan passed the Unrestricted sciences act, which allowed the NWC scientists to be unbound by ethics and pursue any and all ends through any means in order to keep the NWC ahead of the curb. President Raylan also was the one to essentially institutes national paranoia, suspicion, and hate of the so called ''Enemies of the free world''. These developments lead to an unprecedented amount of technological developments, such as genetic engineering, advanced cybernetics, domestically sold robotic playmates and sentries, and even machines with fully dynamic and evolving personalities.
During this time in the mid 1960's, the NWC government established the Infinite dawn institute, their super secretive and almost fully independent R&D wing that was tasked with creating a wide range of advanced technology. This institute was mainly situated in the infamous Transit-1, an immense network of underground labs and bunkers that were often located just beneath major population centers. It was also around this time that the first HDR-Generation plant failed in it's containment and made hundreds of miles of land, uninhabitable for hundreds of years and mutated the animals into nightmarish new forms. This was the first time the world fully grasped the destructive potential of the HDR-particle, something the NWC took to heart. Soon after Transit-1 was completed in the late 1970's, the scientists at Site-17 created a device known as the Psychosphere generator, an invention that allowed for a wide radius of mind alteration signals and subversive message implantation.
Secretly the institute used their creation to gain control of the NWC government and change it's policies and strictures to better suit their own increasingly morally ambiguous ends. Other inventions of Infinite dawn include the various revolutionary generations of exo-suits and sonic wave guns among other things. Not long after they essentially hijacked the higher echelons of the NWC government, the institute went public as a new beacon of intellectual development that was always looking for fresh new minds to contribute. Unfortunately, the worlds largest HDR related incident occurred, and made large areas in the Empire of Japan and the Soviet Union uninhabitable and soaked with mutative HDR-particles.
This sowed further paranoia into the NWC citizens regarding the Generation engines and the danger they posed. In response the institute placed HDR-resistant antennae around many major urban centers in the event of a massive HDR related incident. The timing of this act proved to be impeccable, as HDR station failures occurred all across the planet and tainted hundreds of miles of land and cost countless lives across the 3 great superpowers. In the NWC this caused the government to move the majority of the population into the dense urban centers where they would be protected from a sudden HDR surge. In the cities, the civil tension was immense though the psychospheres were able to keep most of the urban population in check.
This was not true however for those still left in the countryside who were far outside of the Pyscospheres effective radius. These people formed an insurgency against the government and the institute, using guerrilla war tactics to attack military outposts and any vulnerable convoys. By this time, the institute had become so far gone that they would use any and all means to eradicate the usurpers quickly, whether by using exo-suit armored soldiers or in the case of one mad scientist, engineering a creature designed for urban pacification and to sow terror into their ranks. It did not help that at the same time, the NWC had launched a massive offensive into south america based upon false pretense in order to better field test their new weapons for the perceived inevitable war against the Japanese and the Soviets.
At this point, the NWC had become a corrupt dystopian hell-hole of rampant morally questionable science, experimentation, and total civil oppression. This only served to set the stage for the upcoming event that would change the world forever...
Post-apocalypse-
The new world is a twisted mockery of the civilization that once was, today it is nothing more than a hollow shell of a once mighty empire that is now inhabited by all sorts of unsavory characters. Many different settlements and factions that seek to carve out a piece of the new world for themselves. Unfortunately many of these people are doomed to- or have already become tyrants, despots, slave traders, bandits, and savage warring tribes. But that is not the worst of it, for the emergence was wrought and deformed the old world beyond recognition, breeding all kinds of dark creatures that seem as though they were born of the minds of men who lived a thousand years ago and believed in things like dragons and demons. Even organisms like plants haven't been untouched by the Emergence, in fact some would say that the flora can be even more dangerous than the new animals. In fact the mutations across the board have been so strange and deadly, that some plants have even grown whipping tentacle like vines to ensnare their victims as well as olfactory receptors(which lets them smell, essentially).
But the remnants of the world that was are everywhere, in the form of the robotic sentries that used to guard the world in ages past as well as the massive machines preformed more menial duties such as cleaning streets or hovering creations that kept watch on the people below. Some of them however were far more than that and have evolved personalities of their own, you will find most of them in the cities and towns that have survived the most well off, or even in little communities of their own. And since this new world is inherently hostile, the weapons of the former NWC are the most prized. Weapons such as micro-rocket launchers, Nano-cloud weapons, micro-wave rifles, sonic pulsators, and even fusion beam weapons. But the most prized tools of all, are the pre-Emergence exosuits. Exosuits come in a variety of forms and are only wielded by the greatest and most formidable survivors of the new world and offer unmatched protection as well as the added bonuses of granting strength enough to lift a car, and greatly enhanced speed and weapon handling. Even though the neural connection interface can wreak havoc on a mind that's been attached for too long.
Current former NWC-
Northeast(American)- Mostly dominated by Invictus forces from Boston and New york though their territory is slowly being encroached upon by Liberation. Also notable as housing the main base of the Watchmen in the Appalachian mountains in Maine.
Southeast(American)- Almost completely dominated by the forces of Liberation whose territory currently stretches from Georgia to the southern borders of Pennsylvania. Though they do face resistance in the New Florida region from the Swamp tribes, communities of scavengers and hunter gatherers that harbor both Human and Gaunt groups that have managed to live in mutual peace with each other.
Midwest(American)- A mostly untamed region that is not dominated by any one faction but rather a collection of town and city states that are in constant competition with each other but are held in check mostly by the Old world knights and the degenerate tribal hordes of Morlocks and Gaunts. The people that live in this area are also referred to as Rocklanders due to their situations within the old Rocky mountains.
Southwest(American)- The southwest today is a mostly untamed and blasted region that has seen several still ongoing wars between the up and coming Federation of Texas and the Desert dogs, a warrior tribe of conquerers who love to kill mutants and have shed old world values in order to adapt to a new and savage landscape. Though the most notorious faction operating in these parts is New Arizona territory, which is guarded by the titanic Steel legion though they mostly defend the city of Phoenix and leave the desperate refugees on the fringes with little to no real protection.
West(American)- Much like the Rocky mountains regions, the west is now dominated mostly by ravenous tribes of Morlocks that often capture and devour humans or take them as slaves. Though several large settlements have united in order to better resist this threat, many of which are located in the massive urban sprawl that was once San Francisco, which today is not much more than an inherently hostile concrete jungle, filled to the brim with mutants, skinnies, Gaunts, or much, much worse....
Alaska- Today, much of Alaska has shared the same fate as Canada and has mostly become an untamed alpine wild land that harbors some of the most dangerous creatures in living in the modern world. Thankfully however, there is one truly bright spot in this desolate place in the form of Anchorage Alaska which many today simply call "The Anchor". The Anchor is home to a wide assortment of people that managed to survive almost completely unaffected despite having little to no anti HDR-antennae. This means that the Anchor has prospered more far more than any other settlement in the northern NWC due to the variety of people that continue to thrive there and use to their talents to contribute to society. But since few have it easy in the new world, hardships face the Anchor almost everyday in the forms of disease, mutant attacks, earthquakes, and more recently, vicious tribes of cannibal Morlocks that live in the vast wilderness surrounding the city...
Factions(major)-
Invictus-The rulers of much of old new England who hail from the city of Boston and continue to evolve and research new technologies, especially in the fields of genetic modification and enhancement. This has allowed Invictus to breed incredibly tough, resistant, and strong soldiers who can easily shrug off wounds that would outright kill a normal person, especially when encased in their signature armored suits. These men and women are the primary fighting force for Invictus and are all armed with high grade weaponry, both ballistic and otherwise. Though they lack the numbers of many other factions due to the fact that only 1 in every 50 people survive the operation to become one of these supersoldiers. Invictus is primarily ruled by a council of 6 from the former state house who assumed control of the city during a brutal guerrilla war within the city after over throwing it’s corrupt rulers over 2 decades earlier. The city of Boston itself is mostly unscathed save for some of the damage it sustained during the revolution, not to mention being one of the most technologically advanced factions, experimental tech is bought and sold regularly in the cities now infamous Volk street.
Liberation-Liberation, also known as the Liberation front or Liberation army are an aggressive militaristic faction originating from the city of Atlanta Georgia and are ruled by the self styled General Hawke. Hawke founded this new army after realizing the evil of the world the Emergence had created and realized that the only way to survive in this new world was to reestablish the NWC under military rule and Liberate the people from the horrors of the new world, whether they like it or not. Liberation values it’s high numbers and disciplined soldiers as they are relatively low-tech compared to many other forces in the former NWC and have little access to the newer technologies of the old world such as Exo-suits and Directed energy weapons. Their weapons and vehicles as a result are more crudely made as they are mostly salvaged from older objects. Though a select few of their more elite ground troops are adorned in Helmbrecht suits and wield higher tier weaponry . Liberation has come into conflict with Invictus primarily due to their differing ideologies as Liberation sees the altering of humanity as unnatural and think that humanity should not have to alter it’s own base existence in order to live in the new world.
Steel legion- The Steel legion is a collective of war robots created before the apocalypse that were designed for homeland defense. The collective consists of around 1000 machines that currently provide protection for all within an area surrounding Phoenix Arizona. The Legions primary directives were altered by the scientist Eli Roth not long after the Emergence hit in order to defend the city of Phoenix and the people within while the scientists of the city attempted to find a means of reversing some of the damage done to the world. Since then their borders have expanded to accommodate refugees from some surrounding war torn areas. This area is known simply as New Arizona and is defended by the eponymous Steel legion. Each and every Steel legionnaire despite being a robot designed for war has it’s own personality and traits due to their advanced and evolving AI systems, as well as some of the most formidable weaponry in the world currently.
Old world knights-Also called “The order“, they are remnants of the former knights templar that operated as a secret society that helped manage the worlds wealth pre-emergence and has since devoted it’s existence to preserving humanity in any way that they can, as they fear mankind may slip into eternal barbarism if they don’t. The Old world knights are extremely secretive in their ways and rarely talk to outsiders unless they must. They also only recruit the finest soldiers and veterans from throughout the former NWC and also often recruit young men and women who show promise. The Orders Knights are also some of the most formidable fighters in the New world, that are known for accomplishing their objectives in whatever ways they can, whether that means going undercover or even slaughtering entire villages worth of people if their mission calls for it. In battle the knights will wear a very advanced exo-suit named the Hospitaller suit that outside of the order is practically non-existent. The Old world knights primarily operate out of a secret base in Colorado that in what is left of Cheyenne mountain , which they assumed command of not long after the disaster. The knights have operating bases and outposts all across the NWC, as well as in Europe and the Middle east.
Watchmen-A group of rangers, scouts, and peacekeepers that patrol the entirety of the former NWC and are currently expanding further into south america. The Watchmen believe in the preservation of life and at all times attempt to help people adapt to and live their lives in the dangerous new world. The Watchmen were formed by the former billionaire techy Austin Scully who was able to survive the apocalypse within his massive heavily fortified compound that was shielded from the worst of the emergence . From there he formed the Watchmen out of the soldiers, scientists, and survivalists and lucky civilians that he allowed to live out the end times in the compound with him and from there, his organization has only grown. The Watchmen’s primary doctrine is that life should only be taken to preserve the innocent, giving to the belief that people can only try and live with this new world instead of destroy it and to try understand the others that inhabit it as well. The Watchmen are a mostly mismatched organization that do not really have a common uniform outside of their badge and tattoo that all true Watchmen carry, though many of the more veteran members adorn the grey and blue camo Huntsman exosuit.
Outland mercenaries- High tech mercenaries of mysterious origin that wander the former NWC looking for any who will hire them, they are an uncommon sight in the new world and are known for their effectiveness in carrying out the tasks assigned to them. These mercenaries seem to have exo-suits that are seemingly apart of their bodies which offers them unprecedented speed and agility, as well as other extra ordinary abilities such as active camouflage. They are often hired by prominent members of other factions for their service or an entire settlement pitches in to hire one of these elite killers. Nobody knows where they come from or what their ultimate motives are, only that they rarely ever lift a finger if they are not being paid.
Philadelphia territory(our setting)
People-As with all of the former NWC, the people that live in the Philadelphia territory are all survivors regardless of their trade or role in society. But that is not to say that there is little variation in the population, for some towns vary considerably on their stances towards certain issues such as that of sentient machines or rehabilitated mutants. Overall though, the quality of the people here is a blessing compared to some other places in the old NWC, that's not to say that some folks won't shoot you on sight or try to mug you but in all honesty that's a given these days....
Settlements- Due to not being under the guidance of any particular faction, the Philadelphia territory is still more or less just a disparate collection of small towns and settlements, some of which have fared better than others. Places like Barrow town and old Lancaster serve as places of trade for the ever growing New world express, who will deliver just about anything if you pay them enough. Barrow town even has it's own outpost for the Watchmen, who help the locals with a variety of tasks which more than often include killing mutants who are getting just a little too close for comfort. Other settlements include the modest town of Grey port along Delaware bay and the few remaining places of human habitation in the metropolis of Philadelphia itself, though most save for those from Liberation or Invictus have abandoned that accursed place....
Enviorment-While not too long ago, the Philadelphia region was not very different from most any other territory in the northeast NWC. However, ever since the war and constant skirmishes between Invictus and Liberation began, thousands of hungry scavengers have been attracted by the fresh dead, and they have brought even bigger predators with them. It was not too long ago that creatures like Horned beasts where spoken of as legendary creatures due to their rarity but now they've arrived in spades and there are even sparse reports of Cain beasts and Morlocks wandering the wilderness.
Places of Interest-
Naval yard-A small town nestled in the ruins of Philadelphia that houses plenty of traders who can sell you some of the most exotic goods this side of the Mississippi.
Hope creek-The main point of contention between the forces of Liberation and Invictus, though it is currently vacant small camps from either faction reside there to keep watch and make sure that nobody makes a move on the facility unless its them....
Where we begin
We all start in Barrow Town itself.
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