[OOC] The Dust: Begin Again

[Darcs]

Roleplay Status: Open

Day 369
Year 2382: 347 Years After The Fall

The Immortals of Dust

Original Concept Created by Aeon

Adapted and GM'd by Darcs & Mono
Demi-GM'd by Lightning Fast

The Cast

Vladimira Kovalik - Monochromatic Rainbow
Roberta Lee S. Jackson - Monochromatic Rainbow
Cyrus Maryson - Lightning Fast
Archibald Maryson - Lightning Fast
Alexandria Svet-Yulia - Aeonumbra
James Knight - TheMadAsshatter
Roland Chambers - Arcanaut
Lucania Castalia - Darcs
The Windcaller - Callthecops (Darcs)
Purple Dancer - kapuchu (Darcs)
Lucy Rivera-Castalia - NPC (Darcs)
Pope Honorius V - Raptorman
Dùghall Begbie - Say Anything
Krieg - RedDusk
Dustin Supertramp - Blubaron45
Julius Ragnar/Ragnarson - Jinxer

The Story So Far

Prologue

After an experiment gone awry nearly destroyed Russel City in the largest hollow horde of the century, and several coalitions of thieves and criminals hiding in Russel's underground sprung on Motum Diversum-- and in the span of a day, the most populous, most powerful nation on Dust was reduced to a narrow stronghold of loyalists in Parkland. The Fall of Motum Diversum, the second fall weathered by those who call Dust home.

In the wake of the Fall of Motum Diversum, nations have risen and fallen across the island. Holding most of Motum Diversum's former territories with an iron fist, is a faction called the Wintergold Conglomerate. Lacking in the material wealth, Wintergold has become wealthy as its founders did, by earning through any illicit means necessary-- be that through sale of narcotics, prostitution, or exploiting the financial gold standard they're beginning to establish. On the other end, the Hedonists, or Hedons, also criminals-- took Serenity, and by inheriting the main source of power on Dust, seem fine hyper-inflating the sale of said energy and creating a paradise from the sands-- for those who can afford it.

The world sees more instability in nations like Aqueous and the Gaens, and the Forsaken seem to be pushing west, despite the boundaries set by other factions. Figures in white robes can be seen on the coasts, and hollow roam the sands outside of cities with wild abandon. Gold currency replaces bullets and wars between nations destroy families and create broken men and women seeking lives of banditry. The advent of boats capable of traveling across short distances of water enables explorers to traverse untamed islands only seen from a distance now-- and despite Wintergold having an openly Immortal ruler, anti-Immortal sentiment is at it's highest in years...

Day One

...and yet, more immortals than ever seem to be appearing. Last year was eventful, but with tensions brewing, this year is poised to be even more so....

It is the one year anniversary for many things-- the first rain in Dust, the Fall of Motum Diversum, the beginning of a mass exodus of Immortals to the west, the splitting of the Castalia clan, and the rise of the Hedons and Wintergold.

The morning begins with an interaction between Prime Minister Lucania Castalia and a Moscow Echo/Wintergold operative, Vladimira Kovalik. We learn that, although they have built an economic stronghold in Wintergold, the Forsaken have made the production of raw supplies in many territories harsh. Vladimira is overseeing development of Wintergold territory in Ash and requests some raw supplies, she is then attacked and we learn that the Hedons may be sending assassins after her.

Meanwhile, Lucania leaves the only radio station near Dead-End and gets in a limo, with an entourage of mostly immortals, en route to the small town in order to escape an oncoming swarm of unknown hollow. She has a brief conversation concerning her ambitions with Wintergold with her secretary and new lover, Nui. Before the group nearly hits a man who had been wandering the sands named Roland. In exchange for nearly killing the man, Lucania offers him a ride into town.

Back on Ash, we learn that for the better part of the past year, Archie Maryson, 'The Bladed Devil' and former companion of Cyrus, is operating independently as a Bounty Hunter in Wintergold territory. He recently killed a mark known as 'Long John McClive' and collected a handsome reward-- in currency only usable in Wintergold faction areas-- and goes tot he tavern to tell tales of his bravado. There, he meets cyborg Roberta E. Lee, an Immortal bounty hunter with impressive abilities, and less luck. The two agree that working together, they stand a chance against a gigantic hollow worm that has been terrorizing the area, and after a day of planning, the two retire to Archie's bed. In a totally platonic way, though.

Hours earlier, a caravan guard known as Kreig reflects on his decision to work for the man named Joe, and how his employer's miserliness has lost him most of the mercenaries from Tas he picked up to assist in getting him to Fairbury. Just as Kreig finishes a thought, he and Joe are attacked by the remaining mutinous mercenaries. Kreig remains faithful to Joe, and uses his enhanced precision to fight the two out of the situation. When Joe's daughter is taken hostage by the mutineers, however, Joe decides to take no chances and fires on her and the men. When the men are dispatched, Joe tends to his dying daughter as Kreig waits in the car. As the two are driving through the Fairbury ruins, Kreig learns that his employer Joe has someone managed to get his hands on a one of a kind Wolfwater watch-- a priceless piece of jewelry-- and he is willing to loose anything to get it sold for the people relying on him.

Simultaneously to this, a dashing independent radio host known as Amarillo, operating out of Wintergold territory reports on the death of 'Long John' and gets high. In response to this, a poor outlaw known as Daniella, with an as of yet unknown connection to Long John seeks out the Bladed Devil for revenge.

A little earlier, Alexandria Svet-Yulia rallies her growing army of Immortals called the Sedito, on the silent plateau city of Isolone to strike a counter attack against the Forsaken, who have been trying to pierce the veil of darkness surrounding the lands occupied by the Sedito for months.

News:

• Added Documented Maladies
• Updated creatures
• Fixed the typos in the summary Eris Christ why did no one tell me there were so many like holy shit

Roleplay Resources

Map of Dust

Map Legend:

Factions;

Pink - Hedon
Red - Motum Diversum
Gold - Wintergold
Blue - Aqueous
Light Blue - Aqueous Protectorate
Green - Gaen
Grey - Sanguine Papacy
Black - Forsaken
White - Edenite
Purple - Independent

• Circles are Towns, Villages, and Cities. For detailed information reference "Towns and Cities".
• Stars are large Cities, or the acting capital for a faction.
• Gray Lines are pre-existing roads, paved dirt paths, or otherwise frequently traveled tracks.
• Dotted Purple Lines are pre-existing tram tunnels. Orange lightening indicates a functioning system of lights.
• Gold X's are collapsed tunnels. Red X's are tunnels too dangerous to explore any further.
• Black *'s indicate continuous armed struggle. Yellow X's indicate Old World ruins, camps, or random events.
• Green Zones are agricultural areas created and owned by The Gaens.

The Marker at the bottom indicates travel time by measurement of days by foot based on 24 hours, and 60 minute hours by vehicles averaging 45 mph.

• The standard for foot travel is an estimated average of 3 mph.
• The standard for vehicular travel is an estimated average of 45 mph.

The Math

The average person can walk 3 mph, this is adjusted to 2 mph due to the terrain. this math is based on a full day, 24 hours. 2 x 24 = 48. A vehicle moving at 45 mph would cross the same distance in about an hour. 48 / 45 = 0.93. 93% of 60 minutes is about 55 minutes. A person can jog about 8 mph, adjusted to 6 mph due to terrain. A runner can run about 10 mph, adjusted to 8. a "fast" runner can go about 15 mph.

Scale by Math
Walking 2 mph: 1 = 24 hours, 2 = 48 hours.
Jogging 6 mph: 1 = 8 hours, 2 = 16 hours.
Driving 45 mph: 1 = 1 hour, 2 = 2 hours.
Hauling Ass 80 mph: 1 = 30 minutes, 2 = 1 hour.

The Key Points Resource

Immortal Key Points:

• Immortals must have an eye mutation, other mutations are optional.
• An Immortal must join with a spark to gain the phenomena.
• Immortals are resistant to other Immortal's phenomena.
• An Immortal's joining must derive from an extreme situation, or a GM approved special circumstance.
• An Immortal may not have any phenomena without a spark.

The Spark Key Points:

• The Spark will die, if separated from its host after joining.
• The Spark's joining must derive from an extreme situation, or a GM approved special circumstance.
• The Sparks have their own personality, and names, and share mental occupancy of the Immortal's body.
• The Spark may choose to mentally converse with the Immortal, or not.
• The Spark may be associated with specific emotion(s), and may influence the Immortal's based on this.
• Some Sparks may know each other's names, titles, emotional associations, and/or personality. Nothing else.
• Sparks may observe things through the Immortal's eyes that the Immortal may not remember or notice.

The Awakened Key Points:

• An Immortal may not communicate with their spark until at least partially awakened.
• A spark may influence an Immortal's emotions, retain memories, and look their eyes without being awakened.
• An Immortal may not become awakened without my approval.
• The Immortal may swap consciousness with their Spark only during the awakened state.
• A partially awakened Immortal may not revert back to their normal state, until fully awakened first.
• An Immortal needs to meet a certain criteria of conditions to become awakened.
• An awakened Immortal will always be more powerful than an unawakened, or partially awakened.
• An awakened Immortal may have increased abilities, and/or new abilities.
• An awakened Immortal will always be covered in a black chitin, or carapace like armor.
• The Immortal's body resides within this armor.
• If the awakened armor is broken, the awakened state is dispelled.
• Awakened states may range from beastial to humanoid, sentient to feral, controlled to uncontrollable.
• Awakened armor is impervious to all but the highest caliber firearms.
• The awakened state is not instant, and times may vary.

Power Usage Key Points:

The percentages are intended to show importance as a factor with power use. These are also rough estimates and explained only enough to give you an idea of the scope of what to consider when your character uses their powers. These are not exact numbers, nor are they definitive rules, and ultimately only exist to help give an idea on how power use affects the Immortal. It's up to you as the player to interpret what is said here, and apply it.


• Life Experience [15%]: Does this play an important part in use of the power? Ultimately, science says your heart is a muscle and there are ways to keep it strong and healthy. In a scenario where an old man lead a long, healthy life (or as much as one can be on Dust) versus a young homeless drug abusing alcoholic the old man is quite likely to win, just based on the strength of their hearts.
  
• Casual Use Overtime [30%]: This is a much more important factor. Think of this like snakes and venom; Adult snakes know how to control it whereas baby snakes will just dump it out with reckless abandon. Think of this also like using a machine for the first time, your inexperience is likely to put unwarranted stress on it. Driving a car for the first time puts more than average stress on it as opposed to a comfortable driver. Continual use and exploration of powers breeds a sense of familiarity and control about them. A really good example is Alex: Right now she fires wild arcs and blasts of lightning, half electrocuting and half exploding whatever she attacks. A more experience Alex could focus this arc into less of an explosive burst of energy into a concentrated strike of lightning. Explosive burst, versus a precise, controlled bolt; It's pretty clear which one uses less.
  
• Exponential Bursts [20%]: Another decently important factor. Pretty much the opposite of casual use and experience this is like leap frogging across the pool of comfortability. Casual use is more like an upwards slope, whereas this is a spike that rises and drops (Graph metaphors.) Emptying your entire payload into an attack and resolving the fight quickly could be effective, but leaves you using your power much less often and bursts an immediate sizable stress on the heart, as opposed to gradual stress like the form listed above. If the only experience you have is firing torpedos of power, a person with more control and familiarity of power use is probably going to last longer. This is really the Strong and slow, or weak and fast argument. "A candle that burns twice a bright, lasts half as long. This is a much more dangerous form of combat because if you don't resolve the fight quickly, you are left with nothing, and to continue in this manner would do much harm. Firing too big of a blow in a single instant could very likely put stress on the heart, enough to cause trauma or damage even though you only fired a single blast: Tell that to the smoldering ruins of the village you annihilated as you fall into cardiac arrest.
  
• Range [20%]: This is really just a "straining" modifier. The longer the rocket travels, the more fuel it must use. The bigger the missile, the longer it travels, the more fuel it must use. Pretty straight forward and clear cut. It is theoretically possible to extend one's range of use over time, but not in hugely significant amounts. It's also possible that over time, the distance of use will be less of a burden. I do commend all of you though, you all seem to have good control of this factor and have placed constraints on this, which is all perfectly fine. I don't worry about extending range, as the ranges we have established now are more than adequate in most cases, but it can always be discussed. The more important factor is building that casualness and having distance become less of a burden.
  
• Multiplicity [15%]: This is less of a factor because it's more modified by all of the factors above, yet still important. The more you carry the more stress is put on you sort of deal, actually kind of an obvious factor. Two missiles, more fuel, and going up the list from there.

Hollow Key Points:

• Hollow Variations:

• Humanoids: These hollows can range from typical humanoid size, to much larger. Normally they tend to be between 5 and 12 feet in height. These humanoid hollows are not limited to humanoid specific features.
• Behemoths: These hollows are normally very large, and can range anywhere from a large vehicle to a small building. It is speculated that these hollow have the potential to become much bigger.
• Hordes: These hollows are typically very small, and act as their name suggests. Typically reported in sizes from large insects, to small animals, and can range in numbers from dozens to thousands. Hollow Classifications do not apply to hordes.

• Class 1 Hollows:

• Can typically be handled by a group of armed civilians, a few guards, or an Immortal. Easy mode.

• Class 2 Hollows:

• Can typically be handled by a large group of well armed civilians, a guard squadron, or an Immortal. Normal mode.

• Class 3 Hollows:

• Can typically be handled by multiple squadrons of guards, or 2+ Immortals. Hard mode.

• Class 4 Hollows:

• Can typically be handled by an army, with vehicles, and artillery, or 4+ Immortals. Nightmare mode.

• Class 5 Hollows:

• Your inability will serve as your grave, a legion of men would nary protect your lack of strength. The mountains will tremble and the oceans will boil. You are not ready.

Roleplay Rules

• Respect your GM: I will do my best to respect you, your feelings, and your opinions as long as you respect the fact that this is MY world. Please do not argue with me or anyone I choose to make a moderator, and if you absolutely must, please do it over PMs. I accept critique and input as long as it is done with relative courtesy. I do however, reserve the right to change my mind.
• Immortal's powers are less effective against other Immortals, there should never be an actual fight that is resolved in a single blow. However Standards, nickname for regular people, are very susceptible to these powers externally. No power may be used against another organic being or creature internally. Any damage must come from the exterior.
• When one Immortal uses their power directly against another Immortal, or something they are in contact with, it becomes a contest of will. For example, a metal manipulator may not rip away metal items from an Immortal's hands. Another example, a lightning user may not instantly electrify an object another Immortal is holding. This prevents Power-play.
• Before starting world wide events, large plot movers, or other such events please PM me to ensure it does not conflict with unrevealed lore or current plants. I also reserve the right to take anything your character does and twist it into afore mentioned items to incorporate their actions into story progression.
• I incorporate as much depth and consistency as I reasonably can within a fantasy world full of mutants, lasers, and the like, and I expect you to at least attempt the same. Or, be open to making edits or changes. Characters magically stumbling upon what they need are one of these situations, please try to make it believable, Otherwise I may ask you to change it.
• When applying, your character shall be posted in the OOC. For discussion and approval.
• I am prone to using gore, violence, killing children, trauma, and taboo subjects. I even describe breasts, albeit vaguely. This roleplay is for those who are mature enough to handle such things. Players Must be 18+.
• This roleplay does not use the Turn-by-Turn system. Here, we go Day-By-Day. Users are allowed to post as much as they like, or as much as needed. At the end of the posting cycle, once everyone has concluded for the day, the post must be marked with -End Day- to make us aware that you are ready to begin the next day. The next day does not begin until I say so. I still expect posts at least once every two weeks. Extensions are permissible, I would like proof of progress but everything has a circumstance. "Life" is not always an excuse, I have a busy life too.
• This roleplay and all of its participants also adhere to The Fundamental Rules of The Guild and Moderation Policy in the RP Sections.
• Lastly, all and any disputes between two players that cannot be resolved should be brought to my attention for resolution concerning anything in regards to the Roleplay, It's Characters, or It's Progression.

---

Character Sheet

• Eye Mutation is Mandatory

[h3][center][color=lightcyan]Basics[/color][/center][/h3]
[img][/img]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b] 
[b]Appeared Age:[/b]
[b]Height:[/b]
[b]Weight:[/b]
[b]Eye Color:[/b]
[b]Hair Color:[/b]
[b]Physical Disabilities:[/b] 
[b]Physical Identifiers:[/b][list]
[*]
[*]
[/list]
[b]Appearance:[/b]

[h3][center][color=lightcyan]Background[/color][/center][/h3]
[b]Residence:[/b] 
[b]Profession:[/b] 
[b]Aligned Faction:[/b] 
[b]Relatives:[/b] (
[hider=Backstory]
[/hider]
[h3][center][color=gold]Gear[/color][/center][/h3]
[b]Weapons:[/b][list]
[*] [b](Name)[/b]: 
[*][b](Name)[/b]:[/list]
[b]Armor:[/b] 
[b]Ammunition:[/b][list]
[*][b]Dirty Rounds:[/b] 
[*][b]High Grade Rounds:[/b]
[*][b]Heavy Ammunition:[/b] [/list]
[b]Backpack A:[/b][list]
[*]Items Within[/list]
[b]Miscellaneous:[/b]

[h3][center][color=navajowhite]Immortalis Information[/color][/center][/h3]
[b]Manifested Phenomena:[/b] 
[b]Unique Abilities:[/b] 
[b]Strengths:[/b] 
[b]Weaknesses:[/b]

Creature Creation Template

• Use "Hollow" as a prefix to species classification. (IE: Hollow Arachnid)

[center][img][/img][/center]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Species:[/b]
[b]Rarity:[/b]
[b]Behavior:[/b] 
[b]Location(s):[/b]
[b]Key Points:[/b][list]
[*]
[*]
[/list]
[b]Appearance:[/b]

Cities and Towns Format

Ideas for Production

Ideas for Industry
Ideas for Sciences

Classification by population

Village: 50-80 people
Small town: 100-500
Town: 600-9,000
City: 10,000 - 90,000
Large City: 100,000 - 1,000,000
Metropolis: 1,000,000+ (as in, there are more than a million citizens)

Faction colors

Neutral - mediumorchid
Motum Diversum - red
Aqueous - steelblue
Gaen - lightgreen
Edenites - oldlace
Forsaken - black
Seditio - undecided

Format

[hider=cityname]
[h2][center][[color=(faction color)]cityname[/color][/center][/h2]
[color=lime]Faction[/color]:
[color=lime]Classification[/color]:
[/hider] 
[color=lime]Population [/color]: ### Est.
[color=lime]Production[/color]: 
[color=lime]Notable Areas[/color]: Key landmarks, impressive old world restorations, monuments, etc.

[color=lime-]Description[/color]:
Talk about the general idea of the city; production, key landmarks, etc.

Talk about the area outside the city / town.

Talk about the area inside the city / town.

Talk about the people.

Talk about the problems and dangers.

Frequently Asked Questions

So, are we playing Immortals or what?
Yes, that is the idea. You can however have alternate characters that are not Immortals.

Are the Immortals actually Immortal?
No. The 'Appeared Age' section in the Character Sheet is purely aesthetic, when I shave my face I look like a twenty-two year old baby.

What is "Tuning"?
"Tuning" means that a character must come into contact with whatever is associated with their phenomena to be able to manipulate it. Some characters, and powers, do not require this limitation.

Are Immortals protected underneath faction law?
Technically no, most would argue that the laws are for humans, and the Immortals are demons. But It can happen if you wish it.

Where do I start?
Wherever you want. As whatever you want. Doing whatever you wish.

Do an Immortal's powers pass down to their kids?
No. The Immortal is the way there are because of contracting a mutagenic virus. An Immortal's children have the same chances of everybody becoming an Immortal, The Hollow, or never getting it at all.

Can my character speak another language in the native alphabet?
Yes. Using such things as Kanji or Cyrillic are fine. No Translation, or Pronunciation is required, but if you feel the need to do so please use a hider at the bottom of the post.

So like, is there a moon or what?
Nope. Moon is gone. Though the night's a pretty dark, it's more like the new cycle of a moon. There's illumination, stars, etc. So dark, but not a wall of pitch black darkness. Characters can still see somewhat alright without additional lights, all that's missing is the heavy glow from the moon.

Can drugs increase power usage? Can they prevent heart failure?
This question is so relevant, at least half of my character use drugs haha. There are no drugs that can prevent the failure of an Immortal's heart from power use, only mask the effects until they eventually kick the bucket, theoretically increasing stamina but not removing the danger.

---

How Did This Get Made?

Special thanks goes out to;

THE PLAYERS FIRSTLY-
The original two Dust RPs -
Aeon, Mono, & Myself (I assume someone wants to thank me??? This special thanks section isn't just for me btw)-
Fallout (esp. 2), Nightvale, Evangelion, and absurdist or post-apocalyptic fiction in general-
Honestly so many works of fiction-
Based Eris-
And of course, the music we all listen to! Or rather, the music I seem to force you all to listen to-

If you've got questions we've probably got answers! Myself, Mono, or Lightning can be asked to clarify anything you might be confused by either here or by PM!

~@Aeonumbra

[Darcs]

A.R.K Public Resources Terminal

Factions

The Seditio

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

Information Uploading..

Wintergold Conglomorate

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

Information Uploading..

The Hedons

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

The Hedonists of the South, that rose from the ashes of the Fall of Motum Diversum, as their name suggests, are a society of people who seek to fill their own pleasures. Their society is very similar to that of the Forsaken; They are ruled by one man, a despot, who rules by showering those who might challenge his rule with wealth and excess.

Despite their lack of modesty and political structure, like the Forsaken; they have a strong economy, further strengthened by their encouragement of laissez-faire business practices, and the open use of slaves. They achieve great economic stability through their acquisition of the Serenity Dam, located now in New Sicily. Their strong alliance with the Forsaken has enabled them to expand this dam with cheap metal, meaning they have been able to undercut all competition in the power industry. They currently have contracts selling power to each faction and all independent towns, even those with alternate sources of power or those who openly oppose The Hedons. In the span of a year this has meant the Hedon wealth is on par with Motum Diversum pre-fall, able to compete economically with Wintergold and the Forsaken.

The threat of being attacked is high, most common from raiding parties or slavers. The act of killing one another is not taboo in their society, and is encouraged to keep the people strong. Disputes are settled by the blade, from anything to insults to looking at someone wrongly.

The Hedons have establish a perfect society for one willing either to debase oneself or others for wealth, the rich and middle class live in perhaps the most security a society can grant in the post-Second Fall world. The poor and slaves, however, barely manage to scrape out livings for themselves, basically existing to serve the interests of those in power.

The army of the Hedonist territory, The Gluttons, are mostly male slaves, castrated-- and typically those with families, to prevent risk of revolt-- The Whip Masters of The Gluttons condition their troops using tactics very similar to the Forsaken. The slave-warriors are starved, subjected to psychological torture and conditioning, and released like dogs upon their enemies. Although appearing thin, malnourished, and unhealthy-- the Gluttons find strength in their adrenaline, speed, and raw hunger. They are little more than crazed cannibals with guns.

<Document End>

The Forsaken Order

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

It is recorded that The Forsaken Order was originally formed only days before The Fall. A conglomerate of different societies and coalitions formed together under one man, though his name has not be provided for our knowledge. This newly arisen force, The Forsaken, moved to protect themselves, they were deemed unfit for survival by the current rulers of the world before The Fall. It is said that many of these people were nothing simpler than farmers, housewives, librarians, and the like. Common, everyday people, the tiny gears that spin and churn within the deepest inner workings of a functioning society. Like us, they found their way underground into a bunker to wait out the devastation that followed days after. Though there methods for doing so were less than peaceful. Looking to achieve only survival from their place on the bottom rungs of the social hierarchy, the descendants of these people have greatly changed the previous orientation of purpose.

The Forsaken Order we know today are nothing short of barbaric raiders. Their society is but the tiniest inklings of social order scraped together into a patchwork system. They are ruled by one man, a tyrant, who proves himself capable of leadership by challenging the former. This challenge will always result in death of one of the participates, and perhaps any audience that strays too closely. Upon victory, the new King may choose to reinstate new chiefs. This order of replacement is usually carried out by executing the previous chiefs.

Despite their lack of civility and social structure; they do have apt economic practices, and a fearsome military. They achieve great economic stability through their many mines located up and down along the western coast. In fact, all of their settlements have at least a single mine; all except Forbes, which is their trading hub. Though trading with The Forsaken Order is always a risky business, the ample supply of available metals makes it necessity. The threat of being attacked is high, most common from raiding parties or slavers. The act of killing one another is not taboo in their society, and is encouraged to keep the people strong. Disputes are settled by the blade, from anything to insults to looking at someone wrongly.

The Forsaken is a brutish and deadly society to find oneself living among, especially with every man, woman, and child taught to fight. Anyone is subject to gladiatorial combat, unrestricted by gender or age, albeit a child who has not reached their tenth year may not participate, however they may elect an appropriate stand-in to fight for them. Loss of a challenge does not always result in death, one could be maimed or crippled. Regardless of the outcome, if one does not achieve death, the loser is sentenced two years in the mines, and the victory obtains all their possessions. Additionally the victor may choose to take the loser's job, adopt their children, or even the very clothes on their back at the moment of defeat. Children who are not adopted and find themselves without parents become street urchins, as a child underneath his tenth year may not own anything he cannot carry.

At anytime a person may be subject to join their army, The Legion. Most go willingly, like blood thirsty mongrels ready for a fight. Those who refused can be executed, or sent to the mines, it is the decision of the chief overseeing the draft. Technically they do not have a standing military force, when no longer needed the soldiers return to their daily lives. Though there are paying jobs that cover the need for patrols, and the King's person force of Legionnaires, The Soulless, which act as the royal guard, and police force. The largest number of Soulless reside within Ironhold, where the King himself reigns.

<Document End>

Motum Diversum

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

The Mobiles descend from a man known simply as Mark. When the great steel doors parted, it was he who led the people around him out into the new world. He was one of the protected, before the fall, he ran an empire based solely on the purpose of moving by the power of one's own feet, for any purpose. The only exception to this was long distance travel, but Mark did not deal in that. No, as he believed in the former world, so he did in the new. He was the first to suggest leaving, trying to make a home out of this new hostile wasteland. It is rumored that when questioned why, he turned to his people, his smile glinting in the bright light of the new world as he paused upon the threshold of the known, and unknown, and spoke the prophetic words of: "Just Do It".

Years afterwards Mark and his followers had established a foundation for Motum Diversum. More than one of the survivors had a skill with cloth and leathers, which became one of their main sources of trade with the many other factions rising up in Dust. Though Mark and his followers had a broad range of skillsets, all of which were used to found the trade empire we have today, spanning central Dust. Russel City remains the capital of Motum Diversum, and the largest trade city on the island. Motum Diversum follows nearly all of the cultural teachings of the old world, including Capitalism. A society where one's own hands determine their fate and prosperity.

The Winged Guardians patrol through the streets of the cities, ensuring against unjust actions and prejudice. They are a widely accepting empire, and promote that each individual find their own way through success, religion, and anything in the like. The leader of this faction is known as the Executive Officer, and the governmental system maintains its function through is exclusively unmatched system of trade. It provides the most business, employing many skill sets, and it host to a number of self-controlled, and hired caravans. Though one is more than welcome to function independently, it's a hard bargain against the government's guarantees of safe arrival and replacement of lost goods.

Before their Fall, Motum Diversum managed to made a land grab along the southern coastline, more specifically, the city of Serenity. There, a government owned and operated hydroelectric power dam is the only source of substantial power, which the Executive Officer sells fervently across the island, making Motum Diversum the wealthiest and most profitable faction. Additionally they have the longest, lit tunnel system reaching from Serenity to Aspin. It is also relatively safe, though travel through tunnels is always done at ones own risk. These tunnels provide the fast movement of items between the territories it touches, and a nearly impervious to a raid. In it's prime, Motum Diversum was perhaps the most well established, structured society, and have an impressive degree of territorial security.

After the Fall of Motum Diversum in 2381, the country was reduced to small war-torn sliver of land in the south. The de-facto capital of the new Motum Diversum, Parkland, has been transformed over the last year from a town into a fortress city. Having had everything they held dear ripped from them by criminals and man-made hollow spiders, citizens of Motum Diversum are extremely anti-crime, anti-science, and xenophobic. They have little in the way of resources, and maintain a comfortable way of life through a devotion to their founder, the values of Capitalism, and strict ideology of law and regulation. The ruling party of the government, The Wings, patrol the streets, executing any lawbreakers of potential rebels on the spot.

The loss of the economic and military powerhouse of Dust has left a void in Dust. Raiders and fighting in the region threaten to destroy what little remains of the small faction.

<Document End>

The Gaens

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

This society is devoted wholly into the pursuit of knowledge and scientific discovery, though they do dabble in a good amount of agriculture. These scientists did not descent from bunker survivors. Rather, their ancestors knew about The Fall before anyone else had the slightest ideal of impending doom. The old world had an institution in place, dealing with space and its exploration. One branch of this organization adapted space technology to underwater environments. This particular place of refuge was located deep beneath the ocean's surface, and with difficulty, survived The Fall. Though considering the ratio of bunkers to the ark, it did considerable well. Many bunkers failed or were destroyed.

This, and all other terminal systems are maintained by these Gaens. This technology is provided across the land, publicly, and is maintained by independent users. The Gaens hardly ever travel, and at one point outsourced their protection from Motum Diversum before that faction fell from power. Before The second Fall, most scientists choose never to leave their facilities, which are state of the art-- now they are practically prisoner in their fortress cities. Their structures were built of the grueling process of deconstructing what was left of the Ark. Some parts hard to be fabricated, but their capital of Aspin is a sound infrastructure of old world building methods. Although lacking in comparison to the Hedons, or Motum Diversum before the Second Fall, the Gaens do posses independent power.

The society of the Gaens are not like the others, before the Second Fall, Motum Diversum had a task force managing the direction of progress, and providing guidance for Gaen internal security, as such, there were no reports of civil unrest or infighting. Post Second Fall, however, Gaen security is minimal, prompting each Gaen city to serve as its own fortress, creating technical wonders to defend themselves with and most scientists pursuing scientific progress purely in what interest them, as opposed to the interest of Motum Diversum, once their most powerful ally.

They are led by "The Professor", who oversees all of the functions of the Gaens. The Professor employs as many associates as needed, who then employ assistants, who then employ their own staff, of varying titles. Although, "The Professor's" power outside of Aspin and Tombstone is questionable, he seems to hold little influence over the labs outside of those two cities in Gaen lands.

The Gaens are the most adapt producers of clinical supplies, crude fuels, and agricultural provisions. Without them, much of the new world's technology and resources would be unavailable for some time yet. Though many fruit and vegetable bearing flora exist within Dust, The Gaens are the only ones with actually fertile land, allowing them to grow a substantial amount of varied crops. It is unknown how this is possible, what technology powers it, or if the amount of fertile land will ever increase. Many look in envy upon these two stretches of unique land, prompting the Gaens to buy protection.

<Document End>

The Edenites

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

Next to nothing is known about the Edenites. Only scraps of information are available. Pre-fall they were a zealous religious group, that managed to claim a bunker for themselves. Now they live in Northwest Dust in seclusion, any attempts at contact are met with acts of violence, or the individuals disappearing altogether. They do purchase water from Aqueous, though it is unknown how. They do not however, purchase power from Motum Diversum.

They are very secretive, and very protective of those secrets. Even the Handymen of Aqueous do not speak of what their lands are like. At the right time, and place, an Edenite might be seen, wearing a white cowl and matching robes. Though their activity or status is unknown, most are simply scene walking, somewhere. It is recommended to avoid the Edenite border at all costs, which is marked every quarter mile by a pure white spike in the earth, rising about six feet tall.

<Document End>

The Aqueous

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

Aqueous is a society that draws heavily from old world, pacific asian elements. The people of Aqueous descent from a mixed race of pre-fall politicians and foreign delegates. Though the people themselves are not in total likeness to the old world's race of asians, they do however have a general trend of almond shaped eyes and paler skin tones, though in this world is almost unavoidable to achieve some form of tan. They are perhaps the only society to still actively use their bunker, which is rumored to be quite extensive. The Aqueous are overseen by a council, in which a head councilmen presides over. Though Head of the Council, this is merely a status, and only the Head of Council may appoint another Head. The Head has only a set of minor powers other council members do not; the ability to elect a new head, critical information or items, and the ability to break a tied vote during council. The Head does not vote with the regular council members.

The Society itself is based on a value of tradition and honor, where children follow their parent's footsteps, and dishonor is an excuse for one's life to end, or be challenged. Unlike the Forsaken, these challenges of honor are ceremonial. A time is set after the challenge, where anyone may attend. The fight is done to the tempo of musical drums, and presided over a member of the council. These are done with non lethal swords, and upon completion the victor restores, or retains honor for their family. The loser may choose to take their own life, and restore honor to their family, or live a life of shame in the eyes of their family. One who is dishonored is akin to a common street bum, they lose status and rank within the family and may meet discrimination and prejudice in daily life.

The Aqueous are also known for their military, though through technique rather than size. A member of any family, may be trained under family guidelines. They then may apply for The Noblesse,. The Noblesse duties fall everywhere from enforcer, to public agent, to police like duties. The Noblesse fall under the command of appointed generals, but can be overridden by council members, who can only be overridden by The Head, and only temporarily. The result of any commands being overridden open the subject up to debate and speculation.

With the loss of their strongest ally, Motum Diversum, and the beginning invasion of the Forsaken, The Aqueous seem to have split into two regions-- a quiet, central region, that seems to be doing as strong as ever and a surrounding region that is referred to separately as the 'Wall' and the protectorate. Although technically still governed minimally by the Aqueous, the Protectorate and the Central Region seem to have significant cultural differences.

The Aqueous also have the only working supply of water, a reservoir deep within the earth the mountain that is fed by oceanic waters. Aqueous is the only faction able to cross over any territory lines with protection provided by the respective faction's leader, but only to maintain water lines. They are the only known faction to be among the Edenites and return. Though they are tight lipped over what happens there.

<Document End>

The Aqueous Protectarate

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

Information Uploading..

Aqueon Religion

Aqueon Religion

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

After the Fall, what remained of the eastern pacific was, generally speaking, a confederation of wealthy individuals with a vague understanding of a religion that had been tertiary to them for most of their lives. Religion provides a certain comfort, and those who could afford to survive the end of the world as they knew it, spent a significant time returning to the religions of their homelands. The 30 years spent in the bunkers saw a rise in the reliance and understanding of those beliefs, and those who knew more; who preserved documents, who could recreate recall the proper rites and rituals, those who could teach it, or at least what an imperfect and privileged memory could tell of it. Basically, they saw themselves emerging as leaders in the world of Dust.

The bunkers in what is now the Aqueous region quickly formed tribes based on ethnic lines, splitting between the Korean north, the Central Asian south, and the Japanese central region. Over 300 years they became united over shared resources, negotiations, the rise of other nations, tradition, and, the cross pollination of their religions.

Today, this religion is known as Shengriantō.

Shengriantō is a fusion between the Old World religions of Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Tengriism, and Shinto with heavy ethical-sociopolitical teachings being derived from Confucianism and the ways of Ancient Japan. Founded officially in 2105, Shengriantō has a focus on maintaining honor, following the traditions of your bloodline and country, and ancestor worship. Shengriantō believes enlightenment can be achieved through particular the cultivation of an honorable life basically 'picking up from where your ancestors left off' and as such has a heavy emphasis on the importance of the family, both through blood and oath. This stance rests on the belief that human beings are teachable, improvable, and perfectible through personal and communal endeavor.

From it's Buddhist parents, it derives that the ultimate goal is to reach transcendence, not by elevating oneself to the status of the gods (the kami, asura, and deva). But instead, by living in harmony with the gods, nature, and others you can achieve immortality for your consciousness (shen) practically, by going about a "right way of living." In Shengriantō, there is no morality and ethics separated into 'right' and 'wrong,' instead, there is what is honorable, and dishonorable. By living an honorable life, your shen achieves immortality through those you touch.

In this life, while living honorably, we must also achieve feng shui with others (through shared traditions and oaths), with nature (through active rituals), and the gods, through worship-- One must only allign themselves with one group of the gods-- the kami (those gods who represent perseverance and creation) asura (those who represent power and destruction) and the deva (those who represent intelligence and rebirth). Asking for the favor of gods outside of your chosen pantheon is seen as one of the most dishonorable acts one can make, and while those who worship a pantheon that is not your own are not considered enemies, you are to consider those who share your own pantheon family. If a homeless man were to come to your home and ask for food and shelter, and he shared your pantheon, it would be considered as dishonorable as switching pantheons altogether.

Breakdown by region:

• Northern Aqueons (descended from Old World Koreans) follow Shengriantō for it's ethical and philosophical virtue, and tend not to align themselves with the gods
• Central Aqueons (descended from Old World Japanese) have waning or casual faith in Shengriantō and tend to worship the kami
• Southern Aqueons (descended from Old World Central Asians) practice Shengriantō rigorously and worship the asura and the deva

<Document End>

Sanguinous Papacy

Sanguinous Papacy

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

The Sanguinous Papacy has been a longstanding resident of the community of nations in the land, they are a strange mixture of savagery and culture, at one time practicing a barbarous and decadent religion based around blood and sacrifice and at the same time able to field the only known fleet of working flying craft. While more is known about them than the Edenites due to their history of interaction with the rest of Dust, there are still many mysteries regarding the true details of these people.

The Sanguinous Papacy's origins can be traced to one of the earliest known appearances of the immortals. The exact history of the founder of the Sanguinous Papacy prior to his appearance as an Immortal is unknown but it is suspected that the man possessed an old world military background prior to his infection and mutation. Further his appearance with a retinue already loyal to him suggests a position of authority in that military service.

The Papacy fought a number of wars against the other nations of dust, and has long raided most of the others mercilessly when given the opportunity before retreating back into the wastes of their homeland. While never the most numerous the forces of the Papacy have always been feared not least for their ability to deploy death from the skies above, something that has come more and more rarely over the years, and the superhuman abilities that each and every combatant seems to possess. They are noteworthy for their tendency to abduct large numbers of victims during their raids, most of whom are dragged back into their territory to be used as slaves.

They have been known to open communications with other nations from time to time, a brief alliance between the Forsaken and the Papacy lead to a long war with the Motum Diversum nearly 50 years ago, and the Sanguinous Papacy has an accord with the Aqueous where they are provided with water in exchange for their raiders not descending upon the other nation's holdings.

<Document End>

Chosen of the Sanguinous Papacy

Chosen of the Sanguinous Papacy

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

The people of the Sanguinous Papacy, hereafter referred to as the Chosen are an interesting anomaly. Each and every one of them examined contained a virtually identical strain of the mutagenic virus that normally gives rise to either immortals or hollows. The form of the virus that exists in the Chosen appears to be at least partially symbiotic in nature as they have displayed superhuman attributes such as increased strength, speed, endurance, and reaction time. However there also appear to be negative effects, they display extreme sensitivity to light and ultraviolet light in particular caused severe burns in a matter of minutes following exposure. The Chosen examined also sickened and died in a matter of weeks in captivity, even those who were mostly uninjured when captured. Autopsies revealed death due to exsanguination even in the case of those with no wounds.

Further the Chosen appear to have all been physically mutated into their current state, all show extreme pallor, a lack of protective pigments, and few display any noteworthy amounts of body fat. The same sensitivity to light appears to translate into an ability to see extremely well in the darkness. The Chosen have almost always been seen wearing dark clothing that conceals their entire bodies to protect from the sunlight and with dark glasses or goggles to protect their eyes.

<Document End>

Religion of the Sanguinous Papacy

Religion of the Sanguinous Papacy

Written and Compiled by A.R.K

The religion of the papacy appears to be a bastardization of old world Christianity mixed with what we can only conclude to be the ideas of the founder. The religion is headed by a singular authority figure known as the Sanguinous Pope who it is said is a holy conduit between the realms of heaven and the realms of the earth. According to the religion only those who have imbibed the sacred blood of this authority figure can be saved and dwell in the heaven beyond following their deaths on earth. It is also believed that the Pope has the power to save and damn, even to the extent of denying salvation to those who were chosen who have failed in some way.

One of the most important rituals in the faith is that of communion, a practice in which the faithful feast upon the flesh and blood of those who have not been chosen. It is said that this ritual deepens the connection between the soul and the heavens above, ensuring increased power and status after death. In addition to communion the Pope is said to possess the power to strengthen or weaken any connection that he so desires, often granting stronger connections to those who have served well and holding over other the thread of weakening or severing their connections to paradise should they fail.

The religion is barbaric and further details have proven difficult to retrieve do to the lack of information available and the difficulty of conversing with the Chosen of the Papacy.

<Document End>

History

The Fall

Entry Date: 1/1/2035
Subject: <#%$)_(!@#$?>
From: ISCE
To: <%@#)$>

It wasn't our fault this time. This record exists for the sole purpose of shedding light on the unfortunate event that is about to befall us, should anybody remain hereafter; if you are reading this, then you are all that's left. But this was not our fault, humankind did not do this. Maybe it was fate, destiny. The work of god, trying to wipe the slate clean, to see if the little germ in his great cosmic experiment was worth nurturing, is worthy of survival. Some speculate that this... this thing, was sent by another race somewhere from deep within the universe, known or not. But it was not, our, fault. This testimony alone serves to provide trial and judgment for humanity. Perhaps indirectly we caused this, through our multitudes of radio waves echoing out into what many feel is empty space. Maybe our constructs, our satellites, rockets, or debris caused some kind of... involvement. But I swear on my final moments; We are not guilty.

January 1st, 2035: International Space Communications and Exploration had revealed findings previously hidden from the public to media stations across the globe; simultaneously broadcasting on every channel, in every country with the capability of seeing it. Classified Subject, The Orb, was on a collision course with Earth. Previous attempts to shatter the object, minimize planetary damage, proved completely ineffective. This could be just an unfortunate coincidence of the universe, but the object consisted of a material impervious to everything that had been thrown at it. It is perfectly round, and dark as night, without an imperfection to be seen upon its surface. We don't know what it is, we don't know why it's come to end us; but worst of all, we don't know how to stop it.

In roughly a month's time, The Orb will cause a total eclipse as it slingshots around the sun, picking up enough speed to shift mercury out of orbital alignment as it passes. Roughly twenty minutes later, the object will collide with earth, ending humankind as we know it. The object is projected to impact in central Canada, evacuations are already in place. There is a chance that the earth won't break apart, but even that isn't enough to have hope. Should the small chance of the Earth remaining intact come to pass, global devastation will still occur through natural phenomena. The entire continent of North America will break apart, Tsunamis will wash the earth <#@$_#$)>[Clean of our Sins]<)_#@>, An ice age will begin <!@#>[Freezing the Demons of Society]<#%#@> <<3xc::Error::Document Corrupted.>>

<<Rebuilding Document...>>
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>...67%
<<Finalizing>>
<<Success.>>

And when the Earth thaws there will be nothing left but a wasteland, of desert, rock, and salt water. There is a small glimmer of light, we could survive that. We are the hardiest, most adaptable creatures on the face of this planet. We could survive. I refuse to believe this is how we end, our legacy cannot die here. Preparations have been in place for years, bunkers that could save thousands of us. The supplies could hold, we could emerge into a new world to rebuild, a world of <#@$_=)+>[Dust]<#$_7#$) <<^#$=+{}2!#$Critical Error>>
<<Rebuilding Document...>>
>...4%
<<Failed>>

Entry Date: 1/22/2035
Subject: <#{#$}>
From: ISCE
To: <-#_$%[&^}>

We are scared, panic is sweeping through the very streets as I write this. My neighbor was dragged from his home by masked thugs, they shot him and his daughter out in the front yard. Christ... she was only six. I'll be relocating soon, but I had to document this just in case something happens to me. I have a gun, by God I've never felt the need to use it until now. I don't have much time, the cars will be here soon. I'm being relocated to a shelter, specifically for important people. I would let as many in as our supplies would support, but unfortunately that's not my decision. The underground bunkers exist only in the wealthier countries, and they are filling up quickly with... specific individuals. Engineers, scientists, athletes, superstars. There is no room for the common man, only those with status and money apparently. There is widespread looting and violence. Reports from the United Kingdom came in, armed farmers took a bunker by force and closed it. It was a massacre. There are ten days left, it will be a day when all of the Earth stands still, to watch, as we die.

Every hour the object continues to increase dramatically in speed, it seems so far that the predicted calculations are correct. In a few days it will enter our system, passing by us harmlessly until it reaches the Sun, where it will come back for us. There is a cult forming, calling themselves the Edenites, they preach of The Orb as if it were a god come to deliver us from sin. They're crazy, the lot of them. Ironic though, they choose to dress in all white, instead of black. The orb is black, why would they pick white? What compels them to worship this object of destruction? Can they not see reason? Some are rumoring they are moving to take a bunker of there own, though they are tight lipped. Nobody will talk, they all have this glassy-eyed look in there eye, like hopeful children waiting for their father. They're <@#%_{&>[The Chosen]<@#$&*>. Pure Madness! How can the hope to be<#!@_-+$#^>[Brought Forth Into the Light]<#@%_?><@#$%!?> <<^&Error::Document Corrupted%>>

<Rebuilding Document>
…<#$%?>

Entry Date: <!#_+!%>
Subject: <%&^_}?>
From: IS<?$@>
To: <&@!(^>

Time is drawing near. God, it's so cramped in here. It's musty, and it smells like sweat. If the plumbing fails I may just hang myself. So many are missing, or haven't arrived yet. We number just over a hundred, and this place was built for so many more, a thousand at least. We wait for others, but there is talk of closing the door. A new force as rising up in this wake of catastrophe, taking advantage of the situation. For however many days are left, anyways. Cities burn across the world, and they have the audacity to make promises of a better life! But the blind like kind words, hopeful words, as long as they do not have to deal with the problems themselves. It's almost like another cult. But this one is much deadlier.

Just yesterday this new faction, Calling themselves The Forsaken, arose up out of nowhere, claiming six bunkers for themselves. These <@#%_>[Devils]<#@$..?> have us scared, but the guards assure us there are lookouts. They are the only ones with guns. Where did they take my gun? <@%?%^&*+_@$#%?>

<@#$[And in the light of the new dawn, as the fire washes over our bodies and cleanses us of sin, our soul shall shine with the purity of The Mother, we shall ascend up into the heavens, free or mortal shackles, to join our beloved Father..]#_#@%?> <//Error: Document Unreadable>

Entry Date: 2/1/2035
Subject: <Syntax:Error:[EDEN]>
From: ISCE
To: <#@%^>
<Data Partials Missing>
<Recovering..>
>...17%
>...42%
>...86%
<Success.>

This is [?] it. The [?] End is near. We watched on the monitors as [?] The Orb veiled the Earth in darkness. Less than half an hour to live, and somebody tried to hack us. They were trying to unlock the door, it's open now, only by a few inches. Those [?]massive doors can no longer save us, the crack of light radiating in from the outside lamps is blinding. Somebody tried to pry it open, the vehicle is still parked there, but the [?] guards shot them. We have the facility under control again but the door is wedged open, we can't move the vehicle. The lights are also off, the whole system has gone corrupt, something off in the distance is on fire. [?] What are these symbols? Who are the Edenites? The Mother? [?]

I hope somebody finds this, someday. The words of a dead man. God P... I miss you so much.

[?][?]

Sincerely;
<@#%_>

P.S <?#%{?>

<Directory End>

Aftermath

Entry Date: 3/6/2235
Subject: Aftermath
From: The Watcher
To: ARK

To; The Associates of Record Keeping
A hundred years, how time flies.

February 1st, 3035. The object approached final velocity as it slingshot around the sun. What the scientists of old did not predict though; as the object passed by Saturn it shifted course erratically, passing through Saturn's rings. As a result, chunks of debris collided with our moon with such velocity that it actually slowed down. Coastal counties experience tidal phenomena but with focus turned towards The Orb, the reports were not widely known. Anyways. The total eclipse caused was not from the object itself, but from the moon. Rather, the object collided with the moon. Whether the object itself is sentient, or the reason for it's presence is or not, the moon was not a calculated factor.

This may be the sole reason the Earth did not shatter, though it did affect us dramatically, almost as dramatic as the object itself. All these unnatural forces created an entirely new world, Old Earth will forever be but a memory. This explains why there is no moon in the night sky. The frequent meteor rains are from debris orbiting our planet and being pulled in. This debris does contain some of the same properties as the object, but for unknown reasons.

As The Orb crashed into most of central Canada, the immense force of it entering our atmosphere wreaked havoc on our Ozone Layer. That, and coupled with the plethora of natural disasters, the following wave of fire, the ice age induced by thick clouds of dust shrouding our planet; are all plausible events that have lead up to the world today. Rock, desert, barren wastelands. Most of the Earth was covered in trees and greenery, hard to believe right?

The Northern United States broke a part broke a part as a result of the collision, you are located on one of these fragments. The World is entirely reformed, even the fault lines appear to be shifted, but that may be faulty equipment. I wouldn't attempt to weld a boat together, ocean sensors are picking up a lot of activity. Sonar blasts are systematically destroying my aquatic equipment, whatever is down there is highly intelligent. You have you warning.

The state of things still needs much explaining, but I can tell you this. For Unknown reasons the object as diminished greatly in size, it probably has the circumference of a large island now, though it exists at the bottom of the ocean floor. That's where my sensors first were destroyed by the way, coincidence? Anyways, this thing contains a host of unknown elements. This is the reason for all the modern day monsters, the adapting and failing genetic lines. The new diseases and viruses, everything that can't be explained by modern science. There is something else too.. but I must do more research before I try to explain the unfathomable.

With all the disruptions caused by the object hitting us, our ice age was short lived thankfully, maybe a few years, ten at most. The world thawed just in time for you lot to crawl from your little holes in the ground and start again. I understand it was a rough process, I myself was a part of it. Though we did not have so many deadly creatures as we do now, though that's how it goes in a desert wilderness; Not much use for a herbivore. I'm surprised we made it at all, let alone were able to make a home out of this hostile little island. Get used to it, with whatever those are in the ocean, it's unlikely that we'll receive contact for some time.

Sincerely,
The Watcher

<Document End>

The Hollow

Entry Date: 2/14/2236
Subject: The Hollow
From: The Watcher
To: ARK

Dear Associates of Record Keeping;

I've been doing a lot this past year, but I have an important discovery. It seems that the object brought something with it, I'm unsure what it should be classified as; Disease? Virus? Bacteria? Any of those will do. I call it The Sickness, a fitting name really. It hits its victim through their blood. I haven't been able to figure out where it comes from, or how it infects us, but I know it comes from The Orb. It has to, let me explain.

The Subject will begin to show symptoms of a normal cold. Runny or Stuffy nose, Itchy or Sore throat, Cough, Congestion, Slight body aches or a mild headache, Sneezing, Watery eyes, Low-grade Fever, and mild fatigue. This is what makes it so hard to catch in time. These colds symptoms can last anywhere from a few days, to a week before the subject moves into stage two. Luckily for us is it not transmittable between the infected and the uninfected.

Stage two consists of only a handful of symptoms, this is what you want to look for, this is how you know somebody has The Sickness. The area around the eyes will become dramatically darker, resembling bruising around the eyes. The victim's eyes will become spider webbed with dark lines, like an allergic irritation, but black in color. Failure of any, or in rare cases; all, of the five sense can fail during stage two. This stage can range anywhere from a day, to a week. Typically depending on how strong and healthy the victim is, the stronger and healthier, the worse the final outcome it going to be.

It should be noted that once a victim is confirmed stage two, death is inevitable. There is no way to stop what it going to happen. Stage Three results in death of the host, by mutation. The Sickness is like an organic, microscopic oil. Once in the body, it travels to the heart and begins replicating. Rather than attack anything specifically, it kind of oozes across the body, traveling along veins until it coats all of the proper inner workings of the human body. Upon dissection it should be noted that all organic tissue inside the host is black; The blood remains unaffected.

Stage Three never lasts more than a day or two, causing extreme weakness and fatigue. The victim will suffer a heart attack, dying human. What comes next is why I feel this can only come from The Orb. The victim's body will begin to twitch, then spasm widely; the whole process takes only a few moments. The Sickness will then move to the exterior nearly instantaneously, spreading in the blink of an eye until the victim's flesh is as black as the night. It will then evolve the host's body into a mutation, I've found that no two are every the same.

The specimen I had hear proved incredibly difficult to kill, and I was prepared. During the process of the awakening, the creature is fully aware, and is highly intelligent. This specific variation had something akin to a scorpion's tale, and two enormous, incredibly hardened shields on the arms, which it used to take cover behind as it attacked with it's tail. It also appears to have had the ability to fire acidic liquids from it's mouth in a steady stream. The results of this experiment were unfortunate, and I will no longer continue my research on live subjects.

I've dubbed these unfortunate individuals the Hollow, based off an old novel I read once.

Sincerely,
The Watcher

<Document End>

The Immortals

Entry Date: 9/24/2237
Subject: The Immortal
From: The Watcher
To: ARK

Dear Associates of Record Keeping;

Further research into The Sickness has led me to a new discovery concerning stage one. According to my findings some of us can adapt. I don't know what the original purpose of this illness is, to weed out the weaker human beings and let a race of superiors reign over the new world, or as a way of eradicating all of us. Regardless, some our bodies can adapt to and utilize this foreign bio-agent in advantageous ways. These people I've been referring to as The Immortals, though I have not come across any specimens that actually are immortal, it was just a fitting name.

The subject in question will experience all the symptoms of stage one, but that's where it stops. Instead of contaminating the organic tissue of the body, this foreign agent for some reason will attach itself to the productive area of the heart, forming a bond with the blood cells, unlike those who contract the lethal version of this. Once the Stage One symptoms pass the host of this mutated version of The Sickness will experience a way to cause unnatural phenomena willingly. I call this alternate version of The Sickness, The Spark. It acts like a catalyst that allows The Immortals to cause specific phenomena at will, without it these feats would be impossible.

I actually had two subjects to analyze this time. Subject A was able to manipulate organic plant matter within a mile radius, subjecting the plants to his will in such a way that he could cause them to sprout roots of varying sizes, with can span a length itself of one mile. He was unable to change the atomic properties of the flower, into anything other than what it was. This phenomena seems specifically focused on the grow and control of these vines.

Subject B was able to manipulate ink of any variation. We tested will both common writing ink, and an organic ink compound found within specific species of aquatic animals. She was able to manipulate this material wholly, but was unable to materialize it such as Subject A could. She was able to however make it move to her will, including hovering in the air, and way able to make it obtain any dimension of shape, down to the finest of details. It can be of no coincidence that this particular subject enjoyed painting, her works of art typically made using ink.

These Immortals are astounding, but also incredibly dangerous. Subject A had a mental breakdown and was easily able to rip a hole through the facility, even though his participation was completely voluntarily. Subject B is capable of tracking ink she has previously manipulated, and we are going to do our best to apprehend Subject A before he hurts anybody, but caution is advised.

It is still quite unclear what causes this whole process, but the results can vary widely. Though, this is just speculation, two people could share the same phenomena inducing powers. I would like to study that.

Sincerely,
The Watcher

<Document End>

The Spark

Entry Date: <!@$?>
Subject: The Spark
From: The Watcher
To: ARK

Dear Associates of Record Keeping;

Prolonged studies have shown something incredibly astounding about these Immortals, about their drive, their Spark. Within each host, we know, resides a variant strain of The Sickness. What we didn't know, something we couldn't comprehend at the time, is this is not just a virus. It's a sentient, living creature. It seems impossible, but let me explain.

When contracted, The Spark is nothing more than a virus in likeness. But, as it finds a host and develops, it becomes intelligent. It doesn't replicate itself through Mitosis within the bloodstream, those fragments are actually pieces of its body. Not only that, but it doesn't just attach to the blood, it latches onto everything. Every atomic building block that makes up an Immortal, also shares space with the Spark. The nature of this relationship is symbiotic, however I have been unable to discern why the Spark is unable to separate itself from its host. Small gene splicing experiments proved successful, but only for a short while. Without the host, the Spark will die. Additionally, the separated atoms have an atomic attract with one another, meaning if they come in too close of a proximity they will merge. The Spark's atoms seem to actively seek out it's former counterpart. Putting the Spark's atom, with one other than it's host will not start the merging process. However, when applying an extreme situation, the Spark will join. It will choose to live.

Somehow the phenomena the Immortals possess is linked to this process. Merging with a new host, under certain circumstances, will evolve a new phenomena. Without such stipulations, the Spark will not merge with anything other than its host. I have been unsuccessful in trying to decrypt this genetic algorithm. What is the link between the three?

I've had many subjects to analyze, and I've come to the conclusion that each Spark has a personality as well. Some subjects seemed able to converse with a voice in their head. Preliminary results showed Dissociative Identity Disorder. However, recent findings bring to light proof of the Dual-Soul Theory. Two souls inhabiting one body. Some subjects are able to hold a mental conversation with the spark, but they seem unable to change conscious places.

It should also be noted that the Sparks name themselves. They are fully aware, sentient beings, that can learn and experience emotion just as we do. Though, each different spark seems to be strongly associated with a different emotion like Sorrow, or Haughtiness.

<Document End>

The Awakening

Entry Date:<!@#_)?>
Subject: The Awakening
From: Th? W?tch?r
To: ARK

A video of poor quality and reception plays. A man's face appears on the screen, although it is pixelated and no detail can be made out. The visual cuts out for a moment, replaced by slowly ascending black lines and static, before cutting back in. A fire rages in the background, and beastial howl, followed by gunfire and explosions obscure the man's voice.

"I don't know if I'm going to live through this," he begins. An explosion jars the camera, throwing the man forward as he turns to look behind him. His face appears back on the camera a moment later as he straightens is. "These findings must be reported!" He shouts, covering his head from falling debris as a large explosion shakes the facility once more. A terrifying screech resounds throughout the speakers of the terminal.

"My god.. do you hear it?" As if to emphasise his point the screech came again, so powerful this time the camera's image freezes and distorts."If you are researching these monsters, Stop!" He shouts desperately, looking around him in a panic. "These.. These people are not human! They are here only to destroy us!"

Gunfire fills the speakers as the screen lights up with bright light. The scientist whips around quickly, the sounds of something enormous crashing through a wall are audible as the camera topples from its position onto the floor. The new image shows a better angle of the destruction wreaked upon the lab, although this room looks far more intact than those farther off in the image. Small rubble litters the floor, as do overturned gurney's surrounded by smashed glass. Paper lies everywhere, and off towards the left a bloodied hand is visible, without the rest of its body.

"Doctor-" The creature's scream drowns out the voice of the new arrival, followed by a hail of gunfire. The image warps again and a white static emits. When the image comes back the pixeled doctor is back. He is on the floor, staring into the camera.

"Kill them.. YOU MUST KILL TH-" The figure is dragged away screaming in agony. The partial image of a soldier steps into view, their weapon's muzzle ablaze as they fire on the large shadowy mass dragging the doctor away. He screams for what seems an Eternity as he is dragged down the hall. The camera is shaking too much, and the resolution is too poor to make out any identifying qualities of the monster disappearing around a corner.

"GO GO GO!" The soldier shouts. Her footsteps are joined by many others as they charge through the room, some of them seem to be carrying very heavy weapons. The reach the hallway, "FIRE!" The soldier screams as she charges down the hallway, a fresh magazine in her weapon. Two the soldiers take a knee, firing large tube like weapons. A metallic screech emits from their weapon, leaving a trail of smoke. A split second later two explosions jar the facility, and the camera. But the image persists.

A black armored figure mottled with red blood soars down the hallway, crossing the visible, adjoining hallway, and continuing further down out of site. The soldiers begin to backup slowly, as the rocketiers reload. A blackened blur pierces through one of the rocket soldiers. His screams fade quickly as he is whipped out of sight, towards the direction of the creature. The second rocket soldier manages to reload, but is stabbed faster than the video can capture, and whipped away.

"Retreat! Retreat! Run for your lives!" One of the soldiers yells, running down the hallway. The beast appears back into view with a snarl. It's tail rips through the fleeing soldier with such speed that the corpse doesn't stop moving as the soldier's blood sprays out in a mist in front of them. The body loses its velocity as it falls into two halves, cut diagonally across the torso.

Suddenly the camera moves, upwards and away from the creature. Through the rapid motion and blurred images a battalion of soldiers moving towards the creature are barely visible. A new wave of gunfire emits through the speakers of the terminal, accompanied by familiar explosions. The camera jostles as the person carrying it flees. The person trips, and the camera spins as it slows to a stop. The image falls onto a white robed figure, with an auto-pixelated face.

The last sounds played through the video are those of footsteps pounding closer, and the crunch of the camera being crushed.

<Video End>

Weather

• Rain: It nearly never rains on Dust, at least not naturally. While the days may become cloudy or overcast, the only causes of rain are unnatural occurrences.
  
• Meteorite Showers: From time to time rocks will pummel the Earth, varying in size from marbles to baseballs. These meteorites are either white or dusty gray, porous, and typically come down aflame.
  
• Dust Storms: Are pretty common among the sandier, dune areas. Though these dense clouds of sand can pick up anywhere on the island. Speeds and intensity vary, from being gently buried alive to having your clothes and flesh torn from your body.
  
• Heat Quakes: Rarely the earth with tremble and split, creating a heat fissure. Some of these fissures have been reported to release founts of magma.
  

~@Aeonumbra

[Darcs]

A.R.K Public Resources Terminal

Cities and Towns

Wolfwater

Wolfwater Confederacy

Faction: Independent
Classification: City

Population: 35,000 Est.

Production: Manufacturing, Weapons, Watches, Banking, Illicit Transactions, Prostitution, Radioactive Material, Nuclear Power, Salt, Fresh Water, Fish, Old World currency & Gold

Notable Areas: The Wall, The Gold Vaults, The Desalination Plant, Nuclear material Processing and Power Plant, The Seawolf, The Armory, The Missile Batteries, Submarine Base, New Stray Dog Café (Бродя́чая соба́ка), Chronosmith's guild, Atlantis Tunnel

Description:

Built on top of buried vaults of gold, an old military base, and the crashed submarine ‘The Seawolf’ Wolfwater was became a haven for weapon nuts, scientific minds, and opportunists, and today, they more than exceed expectations. Boasting the largest desalination plant outside of Gaen territory, having scavenged military weaponry, repurposed submarines, and expanded underwater-- they’re technologically matched only with the Gaens-- they’ve already begun the race toward nuclear power.

Combine that scienne with the financial backing of Lucania, the Castalias and several other wealthy individuals coupled with the military strength of Moscow Echo-- and their joint venture; Wintergold, and they host a dynamic militia force composed of domestic warriors, mercenaries, spies, and salvaged missile batteries. They’re a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, and are an economic and political powerhouse in Dust. Wolfwater is less, ‘independent city’ and more ‘self-sustaining city-state.’

The pillars-- Salt, fresh water and fish-- comprise some of Wolfwater’s most popular exports. Selling the famous fish across the island of Dust, Wolfwater has earned the nickname of ‘The Fishing Wolf.’ Plentiful fish and drinkable water give the city as a whole one of the highest ratings of health and happiness per citizen in all of Dust, as well as having the neat consequence of having almost every citizen being devout pescatarians.

Of the ‘pillars’-- that is, Wolfwater’s exports that you can eat-- salt would be considered by many to be the least popular, on the contrary-- salt refined from the desalination plant may be the city’s most popular good. Gaens consume several dozen tons each year, for things such as agriculture, industrial chemicals, and even paper manufacturing. In fact, only about 6% of Wolfwater’s salt is sold for human consumption each year!

Although perhaps not nearly as economically significant as Wolfwater’s pillars, what is easily Wolfwaters most culturally significant export, are its hand-made, incredibly intricate, Swiss inspired watches. Although just a device for telling time in a world where survival is counted day to day, Wolfwater’s watches tick with a level of craftsmanship enviable by Old World masterwork standards. The watches tick with a hope, that perhaps one day, things can be made better-- with the help of excessive craftsmanship and incredibly skilled eyes. Due to resource limitations, as well as the Chronosmith Guild’s own collective obsessive tendencies and neurosis-- only 2 or 3 ‘Wolfwatches’ get made every year, each one, a unique piece of art, each one an example of the old world transforming with each tick.

The area’s outside and inside Wolfwater greatly contrast each other. Surrounded to the west by empty desert and to the east by a vast ocean, the city of Wolfwater is a walled gem, resembling a metropolis from the old world, scavenged and maintained by citizens and guards armed to the teeth.

The people of Wolfwater are known for their mechanical aptitude, skill at arms, distrust of most outsiders, and a stubborn independent streak ingrained in them since childhood. "Any free man is better off than a slave." is a common sentiment, one that extends to their politics and everyday lives. Children are seen freely roaming or doing most anything they please, though productive activities are certainly encouraged.

The people take an unusual approach to things like drugs or prostitution, neither outlawing nor strictly condoning them, and while using drugs or prostituting oneself isn't exactly encouraged, it won't be considered an issue unless it becomes an issue.

The few issues Wolfwater has, tend to come from rigid cultural attitudes, such as their strict idea of what freedom means, and perhaps more detrimental is a cultural xenophobia. Although, this isn’t completely unjustified, as an unincorporated territory, Wolfwater is the infrequent target of enterprising bandits and thieves, looking to steal the riches of the city. While these attacks are few and far inbetween, and typically nothing more than a minor annoyance for the citizens, their consistency does breed a distrust of outsiders. Even less of a threat, but still present in the area outside the city, are huge, roving populations of large brown wolves, that make exiting or entering the city on anything but the main road rather difficult.

Notable landmarks;

• The Desalination Plant: Exactly what it sounds like, a plant where they desalinate water. It’s a pretty big employer in Wolfwater. The clean water produced isn’t enough to put them in competition with Aqueous, but it is enough to allow them to be mostly independent of the Aqueon monopoly on water, as well as turning a profit in selling surplus to independent water merchants and producing salt.

• Nuclear material Processing and Power Plant: Another self-explanatory location in the city. This is possibly the biggest employer of the entire territory, and sees the largest amount of Gaen expats running to it, to get a chance to work in it. The submarines beached on the coast of Wolfwater, apparently, had a large amount of nuclear material, and many subs even ran on their own nuclear reactors. Over hundreds of years, these reactors and nuclear material came to become this plant. The plant doesn’t generate enough power to make Wolfwater completely independent of Serenity for power, but the simple fact is, the potential is there.

• The Seawolf: The submarine the city derives its name from, a huge old world sub that has been gutted of all that can be used, and converted into a museum.

• Chronosmith's guild: A tiny dilapidated home, where only the best watchmakers in all of Dust come to perfect their craft and build some of the last Swiss watches in the world. Typically off limits to the public.

• The Armory: OFF LIMITS.

• The Missile Batteries: OFF LIMITS.

• Submarine Base: OFF LIMITS.

---

The Flags of Wolfwater

The Flag of Wolfwater:

The Flag of Moscow Echo

Lucania’s Personal Crest

The Military Forces of the Wolfwater Confederacy

The Military Forces of the Wolfwater Confederacy:

Wolfwater Militia: The Wolfwater Militia’s name is misleading, perhaps implying ill-equipped and poorly trained soldiers with poor morale- nothing could be further from the truth. The Wolfwater Militia is a superbly trained and equipped fighting force, with a strong sense of the city equivalent of nationalism; they are willing to die, and to kill, in the defense of Wolfwater and won’t hesitate for a second to do so. Equipped with rifles heavily based off of the M-14 rifle, and pistols derived from the Glock 21 as sidearms, the Wolfwater militia is well armed and easily capable of handling almost any threat that may present itself. They are armored with reverse engineered plate carrier vests containing high carbon steel plates, though their heads are covered only in a shemagh and various pieces of eyewear.

Service in the militia is compulsory for both men and women at eighteen, though training begins at seventeen. The minimum required service is one month per year in peacetime, and six months per year when the city is actively threatened. The issued equipment can be stored at home or in the Wolfwater armory, but all citizens must have at least fifty hours of training per year.

Formations of the Wolfwater Militia:

The Wolfwater Militia is divided into seven companies, each with their own name, aesthetic, and role. Six of them primarily fulfill the basic role of defense of the city and its assets, with three specializing in some way, and the seventh, the Wolfwater Rangers, leave the safety of the city in order to keep the surrounding area safe for trade caravans and such.

• Smoking Snakes: One of three general infantry units.
• Screaming Eagles: One of three general infantry units.
• Howling Wolves: One of three general infantry units.
• Minerva’s Owls: Soldiers specializing in nighttime warfare and stealth, should Wolfwater be attacked it would be them and a few Renaissance Men who would wait patiently until darkness fell to make their enemies regret even considering attacking the city. Minerva’s Owls work together with the Renaissance Men when it comes to explosives, and the expression “An Owl in flight” is a Wolfwater saying, that more or less equates to, “Don't ask, just run.”
• Capitolineans: The shock troops of Wolfwater. Equipped in the best armor available and with a wide assortment of combat drugs and heavy weaponry available, the Capitolineans are the first to attack and the last to retreat. Not normally engaged in regular defensive actions, the Capitolineans are the counterattack troops of Wolfwater.
• Renaissance Men: Wolfwater’s combat engineers, equal parts crack troops and skilled mechanics/engineers, they are capable of fighting in the battle line, and operating the formidable and terrifying defensive works they have erected over the years; as well as conducting repairs in combat situations. The Renaissance Men do not usually fight as one whole unit, but instead break up into smaller groups to aid and assist the other groups during combat.

Wolfwater Rangers:

The Wolfwater Rangers have more than a mild reputation about them, though at times it can be difficult to discern between exaggeration and actual fact. The Ranger’s numbers are roughly 500 at any given time, and all of them are almost always outside the city patrolling the surrounding areas. The requirements to become a Ranger are daunting, among other things there are 50 km runs in full gear at high noon, tests of patience where the hopefuls must wait covered in sand, sometimes for hours or even days on end, watching an area for a target to appear, and removing that target with extreme prejudice. Brutal full contact hand to hand combat training, even more brutal marksmanship training, and survival training that has claimed the lives of more than one hopeful. If they survive the testing process, the resulting soldier scoffs at bandit bands and Forsaken war parties -nothing compared to what he or she would’ve had to endure to get where they are-. Trained in the use of traps, ambushes, and anything else, stories of lone Rangers eliminating war parties of fifty or more float about, unable to be proven or denied, and the Rangers themselves keep their lips sealed.

They don’t have an official role in the city’s defense, their job being more to prevent the need for such a defense in the first place and to ensure the trade routes remain open. Almost always travelling alone, they can easily organize into small groups for taking down larger threats.

Their gear is not Wolfwater standard issue, each member has his or her very own loadout and no two Rangers look the same. They tend to favor powerful and accurate ordnance though, so the M-14 based rifles of Wolfwater see extensive use, among other things such as lever action rifles, dangerous game rifles, even anti-material rifles in some cases.

The Rangers maintain five bases in the land around Wolfwater and use them as resupply points, field hospitals, and meeting zones. Every base has at least five Rangers at any one time.

Following the formation of the Wintergold Conglomerate, the Rangers found their mission expanding significantly, they now had far more land to protect than even 500 of them could manage, and their numbers swelled to almost 1200, even with standards remaining as Spartan as before. Now in addition to the land surrounding Wolfwater, the Rangers cover land stretching all the way from Tas and Sel down to Wolfwater. The Rangers are heavily involved in Wintergold’s conflicts with other factions and have quickly risen from relative obscurity outside Wolfwater itself and become known across Dust. Some Rangers have relocated to the recently accessible island of Ash, many of them relative rookies who consider the island a testing ground against new enemies and new lands.

Moscow Echo & Wolfwater

Moscow Echo:

While not technically part of the Wolfwater military, the organization is based in Wolfwater and has openly promised to aid in the city’s defense should the need arise. The mercenaries of Moscow Echo are all superbly trained and hardened against any hesitation in combat. Armored and outfitted in a similar manner to the Wolfwater militia, though in their trademark gunmetal grey, they present a fearsome fighting force to any unfortunate enough to find themselves looking down their gun barrels.

Generally armed with rifles derived from the Zastava M77, modified to use the same magazines as those of the Wolfwater militia, and various sidearms, Moscow Echo troops are well equipped to handle most combat situations. Some of their military units specialize in a manner similar to the Wolfwater militia and are equipped accordingly.

Military Units of Moscow Echo:

• Alpha Group “The Executives”: The crème de la crème of Moscow Echo, Alpha Group consists of hardened killers and seasoned veterans, outfitted with the best equipment the organization can offer and given the hardest jobs, they serve as nothing less than elite special forces.
• Beta Group “Nightmare”: Beta Group is what sets Moscow Echo apart from other organizations, because Beta Group, though small, is composed entirely of Immortals. Numbering only fourteen, their identities are kept as secret as possible to facilitate their missions. Beta Group are the assassins, the saboteurs, the example makers, and anything else required of them. Also equipped in the finest gear the organization can offer that they wish to use, the mention of Beta Group is usually a sign that somebody needs to die, preferably in a spectacular manner.
• Gamma Group “The Comrades”: The footsloggers, the men and women who carry rifles and pistols and excess gear on patrols. Nothing entirely special about them aside from excellent training, equipment, and morale.

The Wolfwater Castalias & Wintergold in Wolfwater

Castalia Family:

The Castalias, or rather, those in the Family hand chosen and trusted by Lucania have made a name for themselves as a driving economic force in the city. Although some of those within this isolated group of Wolfwater Castalias may take up arms if the need for mercenaries is ever needed, they serve as a whole, in a much more advisory role to both the government and private businesses.

The Wolfwater Castalias serve as something of an intermediary between the city and the black market, between businesses and illicit dealings, and often fund projects the city or any of its businesses are unable to fully back.

• Lucania’s Interests in Wolfwater: Lucania’s interests in Wolfwater started as she was just beginning to fill the role of heiress to the Castalia clan. As she slowly moved men and women into and out of the city, she realized she had autonomy to operate independently, using those she trusted to build a network within the city. Her interest revolved mostly around asserting Castalia dominance over the city’s drug trade and prostitution markets. But on a more personal level, Lucania inserted herself into the city’s proto-banking and investment scene, building a somewhat decent reputation for herself, and becoming a significant shareholder in the Gold Vaults of the city, relic from the old world, as well as active in other ventures.
• Atlantis Tunnel: The project to rebuild an old world tunnel that connects Wolfwater and Fairbury, Wolfwater was a major financial backer in this project and maintains a toll for passage. COMPLETED.

Wintergold

Wintergold:

• New Stray Dog Café (Бродя́чая соба́ка): The base of operations for the joint effort between Lucania and Andrei. Is decorated like a traditional Russian 20th century cafe, complete with vodka coffee, Russian literature, and hookers.

Crime, Secret Gold, & The First Bank of Dust

While more wholesome exports, such as watches that cost more than most people in Dust ever make, easily dominate the popular idea of what Wolfwater should be know for, there do exist other avenues of business that contribute significantly to Wolfwater’s GDP. Together, Andrei of Moscow Echo, and Lucania of the Castalia family dominate the city’s black markets and red districts. Running guns, women and drugs-- Wolfwater proves to be an excellent environment for these traditionally criminal activities, seeing as the city has yet to outlaw just about anything that Lucania or Andrei profit from.

Many citizens in Dust may spend their entire lives without ever even thinking of a concept as abstract as ‘banking,’ and for good reason, most citizens of Dust own all that they can carry and maybe a bed for their shack. However, Dust’s elite-- the 1%, so to speak-- did need a place to store large sums of valuable objects securely. Although the city had known about it’s Gold Vaults for years, they were seen as mostly useless.

That was until the Castalias, under Lucania’s command, made a deal with the city for a majority stake in any profits made from the Vaults and an ability to use them as they pleased. Now the effective owner of useless, but not worthless Old World currency & gold, and the vaults themselves-- Lucania opened the First Bank of Dust-- and has been making a killing ever since, a killing that then goes right into protection in her own private vaults.

Arclight

Arclight

Faction: Neutral (Protected territory under Aqueous)
Classification: Town
Population : 4,000 Est.
Production: Mining, Automotive Manufacturing, Munitions Manufacturing, Metal Working, Gunsmithing, Stone Cutting, Marble Working.

Notable Areas: The Arclight Mine, Restored Automotive Plant, Restored Munitions Factory, Metals Foundry.

Description:
Arclight exists solely as a mining and manufacturing community, shipping raw metals and processed goods. They provide a steady stream of earthen resources; metal, stone, and marble. Their main staple of trade are the munitions and ballistic arms they create; they are not proficient enough in the advanced areas of gunsmithing to achieve a profitable margin from it. The restored automotive plant is used mainly for parts and pieces, rather than whole construction, but does provide an income.

The area around Arclight is a mixed desert. Lots of rocks, cactus, and shrubbery, with a few thorny trees and plants in between. Despite being located upon the side of one of the great mountains, there exist few hills around Arclight, mostly remaining semi-flat with a few small rises. There is also a considerable amount of wildlife in the vicinity; only a handful of which are not hostile or dangerous.

The area within Arclight shows the calloused hands of dedicated fabrication. Many of the buildings are welded together from scrap metals, and those created from the foundry. Though they do not have any protective walls around the town itself, the houses are formidable in their own right. Very little are restored ruins, or wood. The main outer shell of the structures are typically thick metal, with bars over windows and metal shutters. The metalwork inside is thinner, but well crafted.

The people are burly and tough, even pleasant once you get past the abrasiveness of most. Nearly all of the males patriotically work the mines, leaving most of the smithing and crafting to the women. Though, you'll hardly find a clean person there, everyone is either covered in some form of dirt or grease, and the local fashion trend seems to be "Leather Apron".

Not many problems exist around Arclight. The occasion spider infestation, big or small, within the mines, and the hostile wildlife are about all there is to worry about. The town has never come across anything that couldn't be shot to death.

Ashford

Ashford

Faction: The Gaens
Classification: Small Town
Population : 400 Est.
Production: Chemical Technology, Metallurgy Sciences, Studies of Cave Fauna and Flora, Mushroom Farming.

Notable Areas: The Ashford Caverns

Description:
Ashford is more of a science facility than an actual town. Only those dedicated to specific areas of science, and the mushroom farmers, live there. Primarily research is done on the caverns themselves, concerning the specific things that grow, live, and breed there. Anything from fungi and moss, to animals, insects, and bacteria. Additionally Ashford follows the common theme of the Gaens, being producers of a food source. A variety of mushrooms are host to the caverns, and the edible ones are largely cultivated, growing quickly and up to twelve feet in height. There are also minors studies there, such as the practise of using chemical compounds to melt away useless rock, while leaving behind more precious metals and gems.

The outlying area around Ashford is a mixed desert. Lots of rocks, cactus, and shrubbery, with a few thorny trees and plants in between. Being located upon the side of one of the great mountains, there exist a scattering of hills and slopes south and east, while the north and north-east remains semi-flat. There's not an abundance of wildlife around the community itself, though humanoid threats have caused the town to seek protection, employing security of Motum Diversum. The front most system of caves and caverns have been sculpted into the mushroom farms, with much of the science taking place from deeper within.

The area within Ashford is sleek and simple. Their buildings consist of pieces from the great Ark ship, fabricated together into laboratories, and bunkhouses. Though there are no specific, individual places of residence, there are barrack-esque community homes, with a living area, kitchen, and sleeping area. There's not much danger behind the sleek, metal walls and the tempered, bullet proof glass.

The people there are polite, if not a tad overly eccentric. Though some of them hold much disdain from human contact, others are quite friendly and much less cynical. The mushroom workers are most brusque and speak freely, though that may be due to the fact that a mushroom lager flows freely during downtime.

The most trouble Ashford has is the threat of banditry from roving bands of raiders or slavers. Not many animals trouble the facility, and any that do are quickly handled by the Motum Security Force. Occasionally wildlife within the caverns causes a stir, but there are typically only few injuries and even fewer deaths.

Aspin

Aspin

Faction: The Gaens
Classification: City
Population : 12,000 Est.
Production: Agricultural Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Weaponized Sciences, Earth Science, Biology, Formal Sciences.

Notable Areas: The Greenfields, ARK Reactor Core, ARK Library, ARK Terminal Server Farm, Disease Center, Zoology Animal Zoo, Botanical Gardens.

Description:
Aspin itself is a milestone for science and technology. Comprised mostly of pieces from the ARK ship, Aspin is a modern academy of science, accepting all applicants in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery. Though the city's studies touch nearly every branch of science, there are a few main focuses in which most of the manpowered is applied too. Though a few of the smaller, key operations include the Reactor Core; which can take a small amount of energy and substantially multiply it: The ARK Library; where the terminals information and coding databases are compiled and shared with the public: And The Terminal Server Farm; which is the only server farm capable of maintaining all Terminal information based traffic, logging, and storage.

The Greenfield is a critical objective for maintenance and study. An expanse of greenland that has kept relics of the old world alive on it's fields. Many old world plant life, and crops exist on this land. The field is approximately 48 miles long, and 16 miles wide.

The outlying areas around Aspin are sandy dunes, and expanses of hot yellow sand. The winds that blow across the desert do not bother Aspin much, as they reside behind walls in which the blowing sand banks upon. Sandstorms to pose some annoyance, but for the most part, only the heat reflective off of the uniform surface poses an issue to those wandering outside. This area is mostly home to reptiles, small mammal like creatures, and birds of prey.

The area within Aspin follows the theme of its other towns and settlements, sleek gray metal pieced together from the ARK ship. The majority of the great vessel exists within this city, though parts of the city are fabricated from Dust methods, it hardly shows due to the process in which the Aspin workers build their structures. The streets are of packed earth, set with shaped stones. A team of sweepers helps remove excess sand from the city.

The personality of the people of Aspin come at great variety. One will find every kind of personality trait amongst the people there. Though most are no-nonsense scientists, the personalities of ordinary staff and families are as widely varied as any city.

Aspins problems consist mostly of only those regarding science in nature. Unsolved equations and elusive theories plague every scientific mind. Though, in the more physical sense there is always the potential for a mutagenic viral outbreak. Most wildlife stays away from the walls, and humanoid threats don't dare to challenge the city and its hired security.

Bakersville

Bakersville

Faction: Aqueous
Classification: Village
Population : 70 Est.
Production: Trade

Notable Areas: The School

Description:
Bakersville can hardly be considered anything other than a gathering of people with a common purpose. But for formality, and technicalities, it is classified as a village. Even though all of the outlying buildings are ruins of the old world and are in a desolate state of decay. The only building worthy of mention, flagpole and all, is the school. Repaired with whatever scraps were on hand, a team of scavengers used this as a base of repleshentment. Now however it has become sort of a pilgrimage for some scavengers, some making their way there to trade whatever the find along their journey, before considering themselves actual scavengers. The building has been repurposed from a facility of teaching to a sort of large inn. Travelers may stay as needed, and trade with the merchants, usually older persons unfit for travel anymore. A few legacy families still live there, to maintain and operate the school for future generations, and as a monument in scavenger culture.

The outlying area around Bakersville is mixed desert. Though it is considered the rocky fields of cactus, there do exist some of the other common features of a common mixed desert; thorny trees, shrubbery, and the occasional desert flower. There are large amounts of wildlife that roam around the hills around Bakersville. The flattest part in the whole area is that of the ruined town, and the school. Despite being a pilgrimage site for scavengers, many still claim the outlying area still holds secrets within its hills.

The area within Bakersville was obviously once a town, turn to rubble after The Fall. The buildings are crumbling relics of a distant age, with only a few still resembling actual places of residence. Many are just fragments of wall surrounded by rubble. The old asphalt roads still exist here, though they are heavily pockmarked, cracked, and nearly buried beneath dirt. The school itself is a bit ramshackle, though organized. The classrooms repurposed into inn like suites for travels, with the larger areas locked for storage. Most of the trading happens within the old gymnasium, where one can claim an unused stall to show their wares. Most of the windows have been boarded up, but in such a fashion as to allow moderate security, and still allow the inner parts of the old school to be lit up. It is still recommended to bring a lamp.

You'll never find a better haggler than the merchants of Bakerville, those of the legacy family who live there full time. They are wise, tactful, and operate with a certain degree of cunning; to which a man may find himself a new set of laces in which he had to trade his shoes for. When not business dealing, they are friendly and quite accepting of all people, with any story. They are one of the very few who openly do not fear Immortals, and are even rumored to harbor fugitives, for a price.

Despite the plethora of wildlife around Bakersville, the school never finds itself having a problem larger than a small rodent, or the occasional spider. Outside is quite another story, as the area is host to a number of species, many of which are not herbivores. For some, the risk is not worth it to travel to Bakersville, one could find themselves dead a thousand different times by just crossing the road. It's even been rumored that a man was dragged from an open doorway off into the deserts. (It is also rumored that scavengers later looted the body.)

Brimson

Brimson

Faction: Aqueous
Classification: Town
Population : 3,500 est.
Production: Hunting, Leatherworking, Animal Husbandry, Butchering.

Notable Areas: The Pastures

Description:
Brimson is the kinda town where everybody knows each other, and gossip flows as freely as ale. This town survives by the desert wildlife that exists around it. The families here make enough profit to keep their town afloat, and still buy their wife that sunday dress they've been wanting. The major output of this town is hunting, and the goods that go with it: Meats, Leathers, and the likes. They also have a formidable way of pasturing the more neutral creatures for "breedin' and feedin'". Other than that, not much else is notable about this town. Most of the work is done out of homes, or little shops on the corner. The largest, most notable landmark are the fiercely protected pastures, in which a man could find himself hung for trespassing on.

The lands around Brimson are wild and untamed. They find themselves host to a number of creatures from those pack oriented animals hunting through the rocky hills, to reptiles slithering their way across the dust, dirt, and sand. The lands around Brimson should only be traversed by experience hunters and scavengers, there's no place for new blood, who will likely find themselves killed by a plant before an animal gets them.

Inside Brimson the place feels like an old world suburbia. The houses are restored ruins, and with paint made from animal... bits, it almost feels homely. Almost, except for the rabid wildlife running amok through the streets. The old world roads here are not that bad, and the holes have been patched with packed dirt and tar made from... animal bits.

Most of those living in Brimson are rough and tough, animal wranglin' cowboys, who enjoy sour ale, sour women, and a good old fashion mob from time to time. Most are taught from an early age how to hogtie, skin, and properly eat the animals around. The women don't take nothin' from no one, and are likely to punch you in the face for being cross with them. Though once outside the hard, thorny shell of the residents, underneath they are quite mirthful and happily content with life. This feat is usually done through a few mugs of that before mention beer. Though there are some sweeter gals, they usually find themselves on the wrong end of the stick. There ain't no place for those soft of heart here, where a men and women wrestled in the streets, are thrown out a window, and are lynched by mobs.

Brimson is one of the very few towns without any real problems; let me explain. The dangerous critters of the world their children hunt for sport. Their women use watered down poison as a spice. The men hogtie large, dangerous carnivores for fun. And death is just another chapter in life, as long as you didn't die a coward, you died well, and most will not shed a tear when they pay their respects. Instead they are more likely to party in your name after the funeral... should there be something let to bury. Bandits give Brimson a very wide berth. The last troublemaker to roll into town, tried robbing a family, was subdued by a gentleman, and executed by his son. His seven year old son.

Copper

Copper

Faction: Neutral (Protected territory under Aqueous)
Classification: Town
Population : 2,200 est.
Production: Mining

Notable Areas: The Maw

Description:
Copper is the most unfortunate place one could find themselves. The man production, and only production here, is mining: Minerals, Ores, and whatever else these unfortunate people dig up. None of this is done willingly however, as Copper, while a neutral territory, serves as a prison. A coalition exists between Motum Diversum and Aqueous, each contributing to the prison security force. Though technically in Aqueous territory, Copper is shared by both factions for harboring their criminals. Far more come from Motum Diversum, as Aqueous' cultural methods do not invoke a lot of criminal activity.

The immediate vicinity of Copper is flat, and barren terrain. Clear cutting operations are performed around the compound for at least a rough mile, making an attack very unlikely to happen, or even succeed. Beyond the killing zone, the clear cut area, the terrain slopes downward from the mountain side, looking like any other mixed desert. Few rocks, but lots of shrubbery and cactus.

Copper is surrounded by high walls, 12 feet approximately, make of welded together scrap. Much of the wall is made up of abandoned vehicles, with the gaps sealed with bits of scrap metal. A catwalk, only accessible from the guard towers, spans the entire half moon wall, each edge ending against the natural wall of a long cliff. The town itself, other than the fenced off guardsmen quarters and warden office, and the respective mess hall and other facilities, exists within the tunnels, lovingly nicknamed "The Maw".

The Tunnels are where the prisoners live. It takes the clearance of three, heavily guarded, and heavily fortified checkpoints. The first, warrants against outside attack, the second is for processing and clearance, and the third is basically a metal wall with a door, with two narrow slits for heavy machine guns, and additional slits for personnel. No prisoner is to even enter the floodlights that light the large tunnel before the internal barricade, unless summoned. An Exception is made for the day of quota, every seventh day, where two prisoners are allowed to push full minecarts through the door, which the track passes through all the way outside to a loading area. Each prisoner has a full division of guards on them at all times, usually no less than six.

Within The Maw there is a large tunnel that leads straight through to Ironhold's Death pits. Provided one could make it there, and even if the prisoner's could bore through the massive, round metal seal that has been in place long since before The Fall, there are much easier ways to seek certain death. This task is near impossible as the only contraband allowed through are pickaxes, which have been proven to not even mar the metallic surface.

Living within The Maw is another thing all together, some say it's the closest to hell you could ever get living. There is no social structure, no order, and no purpose other than to fill the quota. The gangs within are highly unpredictable, but are most certainly violent. The guards do not intervene as long as the quota is met, and nobody approaches the barricade, which is the easiest way to seek death. Upon arrival no map is provided, you wear only the clothes on your back, and present with a pickax. Each prisoner has a separate quota, their own cart with their name bolted to the front on a heavy metal plate, and are expected to have it filled by the end of the week.

The only real problem of Copper, is living there. The guard life is pretty easy, eat, sleep, exercise, run drills, guard. There are enough guards there that are even permitted days off. Because of the clear cut, nothing approaches the thick walls other than caravans, guards, and prisoners.

Dead-End

Dead-End

Faction: Neutral
Classification: Small Town
Population : 220 est.
Production: Trade, Glass

Notable Areas: The Smelter

Description:
Dead-End is one of the loneliest little towns on Dust. The name literally means that it's a dead end, there's no point of even going to the town unless you're a caravanier. There exists one tiny, dusty little tavern which is also a trade office, the post master, the trade master, and the general store, and the barbershop all of which are run out of the tram station. It's no wonder why the man who owns the Inn is the town's unofficial mayor. The town only stays alive by baking sand into glass in a big smelting complex, restored to functionality. It's comprised of three buildings, the warehouse for glass, the ovens for baking glass, and the crawler shed. There exists no storage for sand because one could walk outside and begin digging. The crawler shed is home to two large, old world construction vehicles that once went by the name of bulldozer, a large bucket wagon is attached to the back to be filled with sand. The filling process is done by shovel.

Dead-End's terrain consists of.. sand. Sand everywhere. Sand in your eyes, sand in the streets, sand in the homes, sand in the soup!! With no walls to keep the sandstorms out, the entire town runs the risk of being buried, like a snow day, but with sand. Fortunately their production deals with sand, and any excess piles are just bulldozes to the smelters. The road into town is less of a road, and more of a flat line weaving between large sand dunes.

The area within Dead-End is still sand. There just happen to be dome-like buildings haphazardly constructed in the sand. These buildings are one to two-story domes, with a hatch on the top and a ladder leading down the outside. The Smelter however, does not share this dome shaped construction, and great pains are taken to ensure the great double doors can open for the crawlers. If one did not know what to look for, the could miss the partially buried town all together. Fortunately, the floors of the homes are mostly smooth stone, with the inevitable thin layer of sand. Built on top of ruins of old structures, the metal domes are able to receive power.

Also quite fortunate, is the tunnel that has it's very own dome over the entrance, is lit, is relatively safe, and leads all the way to the Parkland junction. It's by this tunnel that Dead-End moves its glass, using hazardously made trams upon a powered rail.

The people of sand.. I mean Dead-end, are quiet and reserved. They don't get a lot of visitors, and don't really have an inn to speak of. In fact, most of them are quite easily startled. They're not violent, they don't commit crime, and they go about their tasks with reserved candor. Most however, are eager to grill that rare visitor for news of the outside world.

The problems of Dead-End are relatively small ones. Mostly the birds of prey, sizable enough to carry off a child, don't bother Dead-End much. The dune reptiles typically hunt each other, and only rarely bother the people of Dead-End. The only real problem about Dead-End are the sandstorms, which are just as likely to suffocate you as to tear the cloth from your body, and the flesh from your bones.

Dresden

Dresden

Faction: The Gaens
Classification: Town
Population : 3,200 est.
Production: Weaponized Sciences and production, Defensive Sciences and production, Automotive Sciences and production.

Notable Areas: The Automotive Plant, The Highway

Description:
Looking for a death ray? Dresden is your place. This scientific community is a mix of science and family life, and the arts of war. Here is where all your fancy laser guns, plasma rifles, disintegration rays, and other non-ballistic tools of destruction are researched and likely created. Though not the only place to manufacture these types of weapons, is is a main export, and the schematics for them come from here. Additionally the same goes for defensive tactics, armors, self-maintaining automatic turrets, and sonic repulsors. The Dresdenites also are responsible for the main export of vehicles, which are typically armed and armored, and come from the large, restored automotive assembly plant. Which functioning assembly lines and all! Though with all good things of science, the research starts broad and narrows down to the focus of Dresden's main exports, like laser optics and engine mechanics.

Dresden is a relatively flat, coastal town, despite being miles from the coast. There exist few hills, most being along the mountain's edge, and lost of plant life. As with all areas of dense plant life, comes wildlife. More notable though, is the highway which is the best looking piece of road around. The Dresden scientists used a combination of excess automotive fluids, sludge, and some chemical waste to repave the road. Unfortunately years later the road workers all died from some chemical reason or whatever. That's not important. The important part is that the road is smooth, and whole, all the way from the northern tunnel junction, and about halfway to Fairbury. One could cruise in peace, without bumps or potholes, enjoying the crisp ocean breeze, as it toasts the flesh on your face.

Dresden is another one of those classic wasteland suburbia towns. The squat square homes, with their desert lawns, and straight avenues create kind of a homely feel. Although the town is much larger than appeared, as the nice restored areas gives way to the dirtier, slum-like areas, and then to the unrestored ruins. Effectively creating a buffer of poor workers between themselves and those ugly ruins. Really though, the status of one's living conditions really depend on the amount of effort put into it. The slums are technically more a camp of the unfortunate, a cancer on the town of Dresden. The unwanted and the undesirables living there, separated from the higher class. Unfortunately the road workers died before they could repair the actual roads in the towns. Oddly enough nobody is willing exposure to deadly chemicals to fix them either.

The Dresdenites are a varied, and mixed people. They do not discriminate, unless you're poor, or you have funny eyes and can make people explode with a flick of your wrist. The important workers and scientists, and the poverty stricken hold great disdain for each other. Yet a man is as likely to befriend you, a random stranger, as threaten your life and rob you. Crime exists mostly in the slums, due to people moving there seeking opportunity. Most of them finding out that they are not smart enough to join the science teams, and the menial automotive assembly work has been completely filled, with the worker's children getting the job, optionally, in an heir like manner after the parent retires.

As stated previously, Dresden is host to slums, rife with poverty and crime. Though higher end areas housing scientists, automotive workers, and the actual residence of Dresden are well guarded from the slums. With patrols night round on the streets and important facilities, outsourced from Motum Diversum of course, not even wildlife really bother the more important residents. Slaver parties do happen by occasionally, but they steer clear of the well armed and protected neighborhood and target the slums instead. With no real security force of their own, the slums are left to their own devices as long as they don't bother the upper class.

Eternity

Eternity

Faction: The Edenites
Classification: Metropolis
Population : Unknown
Production: Unknown

Notable Areas: The Obelisks.

Description:
Eternity, perhaps aptly named, is a mysterious place with very little actually known about it. It is rumored that a single man stood upon the precipice of the great mountain and observed the city through a telescope. It is a monolithic structure, a mass of buildings colored to the light browns and yellows of dust itself. A massive, sandstone wall encompasses the entirety of the city, with enough watchtowers dotting its perimeter that it looks appears as a crown from a distance. The metropolis does not trade with anybody, no exports or imports crossing its borders. Nothing crosses its borders, nobody comes in and nobody comes out. Those foolish enough to try never return, and their fate remains unknown to those wise enough to stay on their own corner of dust. A forsaken army once tried to add the lands of The Edenites to their empire. The entire army never returned. The city has grown so large that it encompasses three others, the names of which have long since been lost to us.

Beyond the colossal walls the expanse is nothing but flat, sandy desert, with winds that blow violently enough to rend the flesh from one's body. There is nothing but the white hot expanse of sand, cooked underneath the sun to a point of burning flesh upon prolonged contact, and no shelters exists between the borders and the city. There are however, at random intervals, with no real pattern placement, large, white obelisks penetrating through the fields of sand. Their purpose is unknown.

There is nothing known about the happenings inside the immense walls of Eternity. Other than the metropolis seems colored to the hues of earth and sant, suggesting that the entire settlement is made from sandstone.

There is also nothing known about the people of Eternity, or the Edenites altogether, other than they dress in white, hooded robes, and can be seen wandering close to the edges of their borders from time to time. The do not appear armed, but will fire upon anybody who crosses the threshold.

There are no existing documents relaying any sort of information regarding any events that could be considered problematic for Eternity. Their entire existence is a peculiar secret.

Eton

Eton

Faction: The Forsaken
Classification: Town
Population : 7,700 Est.
Production: Mining, Metal Working, Gunsmithing, Stone Cutting, Explosives Manufacturing.

Notable Areas: The "Boom Factory"

Description:
Eton is a town formed by a collection of growing huts and pitfires around a large complex known as the "Boom Factory", the center of the tribalistic town. A enormous complex of patched metal structures, broken windows barricaded with wood, scrap, and hide, and a labyrinth of walkways and rooms. Due to the more primitive nature of The Forsaken, it's not technically considered restored. More, converted. Decorated with skulls, cured hides, pointed wood barricades, and other tribal, raider like aesthetics. It produces minerals and metals for its empire, selling the prettier gems across their borders for profit, as they prefer more things along the lines of bone tooth necklaces and garish tattoos. There exist no walls, and no real standing guard, but who would be stupid enough to invade a people who dance in fire for fun?

The area beyond the large tribal fires and makeshift huts is a sloped expanse of desert filled full of cactus and other spiny plants, which are used in permanently marking their flesh with ink. The town is located on a flat, rocky outcrop that resumes its slope upwards toward Quinton, and downwards, ending just before Locke. It's grade is not steep enough to actually be considered part of the great mountain, but the result of living in this area have resulted in powerfully built bodies.

As stated previously, inside the area of Eton there are no walls, which only reflects the bare bones social structure they maintain. A rough system of honor and duty, and strong feelings of amusement towards public displays of death and maiming. The mines are worked by those actually deemed strong enough and worthy enough, as if it were a privilege to break one's back all day long hauling the treasures of the mountain. Within the great complex of the "Boom Factory" a small tram station exists, powered by a treaty with Motum Diversum. It isn't very large, and no powered train runs through it. Any vehicles that run the track are hand powered, except for the occasional gasoline fueled buggies.

The people here are wild and erratic. They respect only those who they can't best, which also serves as their system of rank. Displays of blood in gore in the street, often the results of a challenge, are of no bother to man, woman, or child. It wouldn't be uncommon to find the loser being molested by the victor, of which gender is no concern. In fact, a child born of someone's better is considered an honor, as that child will likely grow up to be strong and worthy of life. These acts of sexual depravity are not met with screaming and tears, as softer folk often exhibit, but rather haughty challenge full of taunts and insults, as if it were just another challenge for the molester to win. Here they do not discriminate against one's choosing of a life partner, or "Chikan", meaning soulmate. Slaves are also not uncommon, and usually result in the loser of a challenge begging for their life. Begging is something the savages of Eton view as a forfeit of one's life, an act more despicable than taking one's own life.

Even animals are afraid to venture here, probably turned away by the smells of their cooking brethren, or the people dressed in the hide akin to the animal's own. Humans on the other hand, would be just plain foolish to attack this settlement. They are as likely to be cast into the society forcefully, at the lowest social rung, as to be raped and set loose, or just plain killed.

Fairbury

Fairbury

Faction: The Gaens
Classification: City
Population : 10,100 Est.
Production: Marine Science and Biology, Hydroponics, Medicinal Research, Textiles, History, Robotics.

Notable Areas: The Textile Mill, The Hydro Farms, Atlantis

Description:
Fairbury is a large city, perhaps the only Gaen city made mostly from scrap, albeit constructed to look as nice as possible. Not many A.R.K resources were donated to the steadily growing settlement, much to the city's dismay. However they made do. They mostly specialize in ocean science, but it is a dangerous job. Fairbury is also the leading city in medicinal research, over production.

Atlantis does not refer to the lost city of old, found in many existing books of mythology. It's a pet name given to a sunken mall, connected through the flooded tram tunnel. One must begin their dive in the middle of the tunnel to reach the underwater complex. It takes roughly two hours of swimming, with the help of webbed flippers designed after a species of aquatic animal. The Mall itself however is dry, free from water. Years of patching, and the installation of an airlock allowing them to slowly jettison out the gathered water, have recently opened up the city to the minds of science. Because of the nature of the once underwater mall, much of pre-Earth's history and technology has been preserved, and it responsible for many of the restorations today. It's been converted into a massive facility of research and science, and with the needed for constant repairs, mechanics willing to work inside and out are paid very handsomely. At each level of the mall there exists and emergency airlock room, with oxygen fed tubes that run through the tram tunnel, incase of emergency. The mall consists of thirteen levels, and many rooms left to be explore.

The Hydro Farms are the second area of greenery existing on Dust. A canal of water reaching inland, converted into a botanical garden and farm through the use of water canals and a flood control gate. It is unknown why this area persistently remains green, but through careful nurturing it is able to quickly grow mass amounts of floral goods.

The textile mill is as exactly as it sounds, a large plant for cloth and woven fabric goods. This makes fairbury the largest supplier of modesty fine clothing, ranging in all styles.

The area around Fairbury differs depending on one's orientation. Located on the edge of a mixed desert of cacti and shrubbery, the immediate southern vicinity is an expanse of flat salt plains. An old weathered road leads into the city, the worn asphalt almost completely overtaken by the harsh conditions of the desert.

Within Fairbury the streets are relatively nice, made of carefully packed soil and religiously kept smooth by mechanized plowing machines. The houses may be of scrap, but the city perhaps most closely resembles one of the old world. A layer of ruins exists around the city, which is been designated as a Gaen wonder of the world. Green overgrowth of vines and trees have taken back this outer layer, grass growing rampantly through the unused streets. It's both beautiful, and dangerous.

Within the middle of the ruins, approximately twelve blocks of hazardous foliage of green hues, and budding flowers every color of the light spectrum, exists Fairbury itself. Once one has crossed through the danger of such a wild and untamed ruin of collapsed structures and winding maze like paths, safety awaits. Fairbury is protected behind solid metal walls, patrolled by hired guard that fend off the wildlife with high powered weaponry, who maintain their best not to damage the ruins too badly. The tram entrance exists peacefully in the very middle of the city, guarded only by scientific minds concerned for the safety of others.

The people here are as varied as anywhere else. The general theme however is zealous protection of the beautiful ruins, covered in the green overgrowth of the old world (even if the occasional plants does have a flesh hungry maw, and despite the droves of wild animals present). They also harbor a fervent need to protect their own, and Atlantis. Otherwise they are quite polite and happy, with the occasional scrooge or scoundrel in their midst. When not in their white coats embodying the endeavors of the mind, they were fine clothing made in their very own textile mill. Generally, they exhibit the same fashion and characteristics of an older area of polkadot dresses, and gender specific duties, with a twist of modernization as woman work just like the men do.

One does not simply tell themselves "I'm going to Fairbury." Passage through the ruins is incredibly dangerous, and most enter and exit with a heavily armed escort, which offer their services for a modest price. Many of these escorts are available for hire. The area is rife with wildlife at every turn, most of it hostile. Even the plants seem predatory, many are full of toxins, sentient like appendages, and, or, maws full of teeth ready to consume anything that falls prey to it. Though the residents are very safe behind their walls and their mounted guns, travelers must exhibit the highest form of caution when traveling to and from. It's for this reason that caravans often brave the ruined city, as merchandise sells for hefty profits.

Forbes

Forbes

Faction: Forsaken
Classification: Large City
Population : 127,000 est.
Production: Military, Automotive Manufacturing, Munitions Manufacturing, Metal Working, Gunsmithing, Livestock, Slavery, Alcohol, Tobacco, Dyes, Textiles.

Notable Areas: The Arena, The Throne, The Wall, The Market.
Description:
Forbes is the very center of all Forsaken activity. Ironhold is the fortress from where the Forsaken King rules, but Forbes is the trade hub. This city stands against the testament of time, as it is another relic of the old world. This once pristine city, now lies in a ruined state of decay and despair. Most reconstructive building work is done with patches of scrap or animal hide. Instead of flowery adornments, the typical fashion statements are bones, necklaces, and various pieces of animal. Many of the larger old world buildings have crumbled or toppled over. The asphalt street and sidewalks are shifted in places, prone to wide trenches and dramatic height differences. A large, thick wall composed of rusted vehicles cleared from the streets, and bolstered with scrap and rubble keep the sand out of the city. Outside the walls the tops of ruins poke through the sandy dunes. Forbes has over a hundred thousand people living within, though the city is quite large and most areas are not crowded.

One of the main features of Forbes is their official arena. An immense circular structure able to hold approximately 60,000 people according to old world standards. Though for large combative events, the residents of Forbes seem to find a way to squeeze inside. Once a playing ground for baseball teams, the field has been converted into a sandy pit of blood and sweat. Participants go through the locker rooms, converted to holding cells for slave fights, through the dugouts, which now house an array of weaponry, and then out into the killing grounds. The walls separating the spectators from the participants have been reinforced. On occasion a creature, or even a hollow, is brought in for sport.

The Throne is an old civic building, presumably the old world mayor's office. Much of it has collapsed, leaving only two rooms. The main entryway, which is a large hallway with a throne of steel and bone residing at the far end, and a large room behind that for the Forsaken King's rest and pleasure. The Throne is positioned right in between two staircases, half collapsed. To either side of the throne room are doors, blocked by rubble and sealed with scrap. Large marble columns line the walk up to the throne, none of which are wholly intact.

The Market is the one place in the city that is always crowded. Once an enormous old world mall, much of it has been cleared out and bolstered for trading purposes. Still, stalls and merchants hawking their wares can be found all around the exterior, especially concentrated in the main parking lots. It's here where everything can be found, and bought. Mother's sell their own children if the price is good enough, and vice versa.

The area beyond the walls is an endless expanse of sand dunes. Though, as the wind blows and shifts the sands, it's very common to see old world ruins poking through the sand. The wall protects the inhabited parts of the city, keeping out the massive sand drifts. However, Forbes is frequent to sandstorms, so sand is a common thing inside the city itself, like many other places of Dust. Fortunately refuge is readily available within the mass of ruined buildings.

The area within Forbes, as previously mentioned, is ruined stone and concrete patch with skin, scrap, and other salvage. Despite the readily available space, much of the empty buildings are collapsed or undesirable, as the common mutated pest can often be found within these dwellings. The streets aren't bad, composed of dried, cracked asphalt. Though the terrain can be rough and difficult to navigate, as entire sections exist on different height levels and trenches from small to wide run throughout the city.

The people here come from all walks of Forsaken life, though they all share the same bloodthirsty callousness. Most of them aren't considered nice, or even pleasant, but they still maintain a tribalistic code of honor. When not brawling, or killing, in the streets, official disputes are settled in the arena, though typically there's not much in the way of victorious spoils. Forbes is the only Forsaken City known to somewhat tolerate travellers from other factions, needed to stimulate Forsaken economy.

One could consider living a Forsaken life a problem in itself, but in the people's eyes, there are no problems. Only challenges.

Jonestown

Jonestown

Special Thanks to @OneEyedChurro for writing this piece.

Faction: Neutral
Classification: Town
Population: ~3,100
Production: Ideological/Single-Issue
Notable Areas: Crewcastle, Jones Dynamics

Description:
Jonestown exists almost entirely as a testament to social experimentation and the effectiveness thereof- under a doctrine of the citizens' own making, called the 'Flux Laws', does the town operate as its own entity. Evidence of the Flux Laws is easy to see, as Jonestown exists almost eternally in a state of flux and changing, from the "government" that runs it to the complexes and labs that exercise production, little about the town of Jonestown will stay the same month-to-month.

At the beginning of each month, the permanent residents of Jonestown meet in what is called the Crewcastle, a building that looks to be the remnants of (or simply modeled after) an old-world courthouse, and it is there that they vote on several things. First and foremost, they are given opportunity to vote on a problem that plagues the city; this ranges from things like "not enough food" or "buildings in disrepair" to things like "bandits nearby" or "Immortal in town". If a problem receives enough votes, it is declared Jonestown's Precedent. The citizens then vote on whether or not a leader (or group of leaders) is needed to handle the problem. What this all amounts to is an environment where one leader will often only be in office for as long as his Precedent exists, as experts in various areas (i.e. A woodcutter when the Precedent is "need wood" or a farmer when the Precedent is "need food") are only elected when knowledge in their expertise is required. Jones Dynamics, a rather large multilevel complex full of differently sized rooms, walkways, balconies, and tunnels, is where people take the appropriate action following the monthly meet at the Crewcastle. Jones Dynamics is also in a state of flux from month-to-month; it may be a place to store the wood and food or it may be a place where architectural or defense research is done. Jonestown is not a place that has a set goal or production, and its denizens are self-proclaimed "masters of none". The neutral months are what trouble most citizens, however, and those are the months where no problem is set as Precedent and thus the city has no leader nor purpose. It is during these times that the town guard sees its numbers raise exponentially to serve as both a police and guardian role.

The area around Jonestown is a mixed desert, a pleasure given by its relative proximity to the coast. Is is relatively flat and shrubs and dead trees can be found dotting the landscape, though to the north and west there exists some hills and slopes, separating them from the nearby Ashford. There is some wildlife around, though they aren't much of a threat and normally pass the town by on their way towards water.

The buildings of Jonestown are simple, but carry an almost old-world charm to them. The town is surrounded by a low mud-brick wall, and the same material has been used to make several of the buildings. Many still tend to be an amalgamation of wood, metal, and mud, however. Several communities can be seen built around each other, separated almost into quarters with the main roads as their dividers, with the grand Crewcastle on the eastern-most end of town with Jones Dynamics next door. Around this "inner" section, and often times pouring over the low wall, is the "slum" section, with much smaller and squat huts meant to house merely a person or two.

The citizens of Jonestown are fairly scholarly and theoretical, often liking to hold conversations about their government and its success, as well as about problems they think should be set to Precedent. This means they often come across as self-absorbed, and those thoughts aren't entirely misplaced. The people of Jonestown have gotten used to the luxury of openly voicing their opinions on things, whether you want to hear it or not. The other type of citizen is one who lives there simply to give themselves purpose- they won't voice their opinions very much, but will happily work towards the Precedent or even guard the town with their lives as long as they are allowed to continue to live there.

The first and foremost problem troubling the noisy people of Jonestown are the bandits and raiders that often like to take advantage of their Precedent state and attack when most of the populace is working towards something other than defense. Public unrest is also often a problem, as well, as sometimes the population can't agree on a Precedent which leads to neutral months, which no one seems to be particularly fond of, even though it offers better protection. It would be difficult to actually take over Jonestown, however, as massive power changes tend to really piss everyone off into rebellion.

Sel

Sel

Faction: Aqueous
Classification: Small town

Population : 125 Est.
Production: Paper, Ink, Art, Culture, Modern Religious scrolls, Geisha training, Southern Shengriantist Monks
Notable Areas: The Maiko quarters, The Temples, Southern Shengriantist Shrines, Sayuri's Grove, Khan's Yurt Shanty Town

Description:
If Tas is a testament to the vices of Old World Sino-pacific culture, then Sel serves as it's literal opposite. Less a town and more a gigantic temple dedicated to the cause of preserving the virtues, traditions, practices and culture of the Old World and Dust. Sel also creates art, religious texts and trains those accepted in the ways of the Geisha both Old World and new and serves as a gathering place for Southern Shengriantist Monks. At one point, Sel was an Old World amusement park, miraculously preserved by the Fall, it's transformation into the plastic sacred ground that it is today was done by the first early Shengriantist monks and volunteer help from the Khans. In a 200 year event known now as "The Divine Transformation," the grounds were re-purposed into several traditional temples, shrines, statues dedicated to the gods, meditation grounds, and training groves.

The area outside of Sel is generally flat desert dotted with shrubbery and mutated flowers. The closer to Sel one gets, the more flowers one can see-- an attempt to regain the beauty of the land by monks, now forgotten. Technically not part of Sel, would be the extensive community of tents one would have to approach before getting into Sel proper, these are the yurts owned by the Khans of sand-- a nomadic group of men and women dedicated to the days of the Mongolian Empire. The have a spiritual agreement with the Monks of Sel and have a constant garrison of protection surrounding the city. Further away from Sel, are the packs of hollow and corrupted Immortals-- which seem to be increasing by the day.

The interior of Sel is the impressive result of 200 years of religious dedication. What was once a mouse themed amusement part, now holds stone shrines and wooden temples and lodgings all in accordance with Heian era Japan. Artisans and Geisha have reworked, over long periods, the 'rides' that once gave praise to capitalism, into testaments to humanity's praise to the Deva, the only true and just Gods.

The men are either Southern Shengriantist monks, religious pilgrims, or artisans who seek sanctuary from the harshness of Dust in the protected borders of Sel, the women fall similarly, either being Priestesses, pilgrims, Geisha, Maiko (Prospective Geisha/In training), or artisans. Generally, Sel citizens are a kind and peaceful, if slightly isolated and naive about Dust and the ways of the world.

Tas

Tas

Faction: Aqueous
Classification: City

Population : 190,500 Est.
Production: Bootlegging (alcohol and water), Live entertainment, Gambling, Whores
Notable Areas: The Kowloon Walled Skyscrapers, The Blue Light District, "The Still", River Dragon Arena, 50 Dragons Memorial, Khan's Yurt Shanty Town, Surrounding Corrupted Villages

Description:
Ah Tas. A glorious testament to the resolve of the seedier elements of the Old World Sino-Pacific culture. Although culturally Aqueon since the town's founding, almost days after the first Aqueous bunkers were creaked open, Tas was an independent territory for much of the first two centuries following the Fall. Their incorporation into Aqueous proper was (and still is) a highly discussed and debated topic-- Tas, despite being seen as 'dishonorable' by the Central and Northern Aqueous regions and having an Asura following that isolated Shengriantist Deva devotees and traditionalists alike. They were an undeniable financial asset to Aqueous-- built off of stolen and bootlegged water and alcohol, sure, but still, one that the Aqueous purists couldn't deny.

Following it's inclusion in Aqueous, Tas has been something of a black sheep among Aqueon cities. Although they fly the Aqueon flag. The city is a den of those willing to dedicate their lives to Old World vice, unofficially run by the River Dragon Triad. They're a territory fiercely devoted to their independence. Tas, via the River Dragons, is allied with the United Triads of Aqueous, as well as the Khans of the Sand Seas, and the traders of The School. The city has a large following of secessionists, who believe south Aqueous should separate from the greedy Central region and the silent Northern region.

The area around Tas is controlled exclusively by the Khans of the Sand Sea. Holding an agreement with the River Dragon Triad. The Khans, a loosely united force, easily identified by their creole Mongolian tongue, patchwork armor, wild hair, and yurts, patrol the areas of Southern, Western and Northern Aqueous, known collectively by locals as 'the Great Sand Sea' the area closest to Tas, the Southern Sand Sea, is known for it's traveling merchants, famous Aqueon wandering Geisha and Shengriantist monks (often protected by their own devoted caravans of Khans), as well as occasional shanty towns of exiled corrupted Immortal/Hollow fusions as well as the more dangerous wandering bands of low level hollow. Tas, both walled and insulated by a well populated yurt wall from visiting khans, only has to worry about its infamous water shortages and dry desert winds.

The River Dragons hold over 50,000 dedicated members among their ranks, but refuse to expand beyond the borders of Tas due to their honor and agreements with the other Triads and clusters of Khans. Of the city's population, 43,000 citizens reside in the 'The Kowloon Walled Skyscrapers,' an incredibly densely populated super slum, composed of 4 Skyscrapers connected by wall and layers of shanty town and ticky-tacky, modeled after the old world Kowloon Walled City. Within the dragons are sights both astounding and horrifying-- as well as the pulled that claims to keep souls in an otherwise easily escapable atmosphere of fear and pain-- The Blue District-- The best whores, music, drugs, and soul in all of Dust proudly purporting the superiority of Tas' ethnic Chinese heritage over Central Aqueous' Japanese ancestry.

Those who live in the Walled Skyscrapers, tend to be heavily involved with the Dragons, or simply in the Dragons, and as such, the area is one where Aqueous rule is worth about as much as spit in a bucket. Anarchy reigns and violence is much more frequently employed to solve problems and visitors and residents alike often need to display more care to protect their lives than merely their wallets. They are an incredibly unique and intelligent people, though-- citizens are intellectual, and value ingenuity and creative thinking-- carpenters, pick pockets and fast talkers often share the same traits in Kowloon, Tas. Traits that improve the city within a city, and keep you alive, are reflected and amplified in these criminally minded citizens from birth. They are all also incredibly independent-- members of the Triad won't hesitate to remind you that the River Dragons are the result of 80+ years of deals, wars and conquests of 50 unique triads and gangs, each of which still influence the identity of the Dragons and Walled Skyscrapers.

All within about a block of each other, are the bits of land Tas and Kowloon find themselves less known for, but still manage to attract pilgrims nonetheless. The 50 Dragons Memorial and the River Dragon Arena are closely related areas of Kowloon-- the Memorial is an exquisite scavenged tin sculpture featuring busts of each Triad, Gang, and Tribe leader that led to the creation of the Dragons-- behind these busts are the emblems and mascots of the gangs, themselves surrounded by an impressively long and intricately sculpted tin river dragon. Inscriptions below the busts detail information of the old gangs, and well as plaques explaining the creation of the Dragons. On the Tin 'River Dragon' are the signatures of every member of the River Dragons-- past and present. This artistic monument, sculpted by Sel's finest, is in front of the River Dragon Arena a Colosseum recreated from an Old World football field. The Arena is the location of most of the city's music festivals, as well as all the city's sports-- most popular by far being the blood duels, sponsored by the River Dragons.

To contrast the heavily, Triad involved memorial and arena, the location known as "The Still" is a black hole of secrecy-- a club in one of the darker underground location of Kowloon-- the bar is invite only-- guarded by men with futuristic and impossible weaponry and Old Old World armor in seemingly perfect condition. These men speak an unknown sign language, and don't appear to share affiliations with any major factions.

Outside of Kowloon, one is given a much more 'normal' city. Although each citizen of Outer Tas is still almost completely economically independent on the Dragons that reside in Kowloon, dangers are much less frequent, protection payments are much rarer, and the only dangers come from STDs and gambling debts. Water is bootlegged from Central Aqueous here, and the general citizen is much less criminally active and also less likely to be Chinese-- or even distinctly Aqueon. Outer Tas, compared to the bedlam that is the excessive wealth swirled with the extreme poverty of Kowloon, is much more resemblant of a quiet, almost suburban, middle class area in a city like Serenity.

Just with more foreign tongues being spoken.

Asirgrad

Asirgrad

Faction: Sanguinous Papacy
Classification: City
Population : 13,000 est
Production: Automotive Manufacturing, Weapons Manufacturing, Shrieker (planes) Manufacturing, Oil Refinery,
Notable Areas: The Grand Cathedral, The Path of Ascension, The Blood Banks, The Refinery

Description:

The city of Asirgrad is the capital and central hub of the Sanguinous nation. It is also truly composed of two equally important sections, the first is the city proper, once an old world military town that had sprang up over time in close proximity to the old air force base. The other section of the city is the old air force base itself now known as the Sanctum. The two sections of the city are connected by a short walled road and the barriers extend to surround both the city and the Sanctum, though the walls around the sanctum are notably more impressive.

Within the city proper there are three main areas of interest, the old automobile factory, a jury rigged weapons production plant assembled from raided materials and spoils of the earliest, and most glorious days of the Sanguinous nation, and the oil refinery where their fuel is created.

Above the walls of the Sanctum a series of great buildings can be seen, but most impressive is the Grand Cathedral. A bastardization of old world and new it is a hybrid creation. The Grand Cathedral's core is what was once an air traffic control tower, though there is little left of that old functionality. Surrounding this central tower is a massive chamber constructed from scrap metal and concrete. The outside is barren, a testament to the strength of the desert elements, but within the great chamber horrific murals dot the walls, scenes of great carnal lust and brutality. It is within this great chamber that the rites of initiation are held and newly inducted members of the Sanguinous are blessed with the holy blood to begin their transformation.

The vast size of the Grand Cathedral also links it to the four properly functioning hangers that remain. One of these has been converted into a crude facility for the production and maintenance of the Shriekers, the most devastating weapon that the Sanguinous possess. The second hanger holds the few remaining functional craft. One true relic of the old world pure and undefiled, and the others barely functional husks built and held together by faith and trial and error. The third is the great armory and vehicle depot for the Sanguinous forces. And the fourth is the barracks where a force of a thousand of the Sanguine Pope's most devout and capable soldiers are kept at all times.

The city of Asirgrad is surrounded by desert and is in the midst of what is now predominately a wasteland. Little can grow there and equally little can survive the wastes save for hollows. The land outside of the walls is mostly intentionally allowed to be inhabitted by whatever monsters wish to make their homes there for the Sanguinous believe that these creatures provide them with a first line of defense against incursions. The most notable exception to the this is the conduit, by which the oil is transported to the capital from the outlying settlement that pumps it free from the earth. Patrols of Sanguinous forces travel almost constantly along this pipeline to keep it secure.

The citizens of Asirgrad are almost entirely composed of the Chosen, those who have received communion with the holy blood of the Sanguinous Pope and become more than human. These are those who rule, who are educated, ect. The rest of the population is composed of those who are not chosen and those who have not been chosen are kept as what amounts to slaves for the citizenry of the city. The slaves have no rights and are expected to obey any command given to them by the Chosen.

Asirgrad is in no particular danger from its environment but cannot sustain itself without infusions of wealth taken from raids and expeditions against the other factions in the lands. Without this the city would eventually wither and likely die out in the end.

Valgrad

Valgrad

Faction:Sanguinous Papacy
Classification: Town
Population : 800 est.
Production: Oil
Notable Areas: The Oil Fields

Description:
Valgrad is a combination of an armed camp and an oil well. The facility was taken in the very early days of the Sanguinous Papacy and since that time has been devoted to supplying the oil needed to fuel the war machine of the papacy and also keep the lights on. The oil wells are heavily protected and most of the population of the settlement is in fact the military garrison stationed there to ensure that no one launches an assault against one of the Papacy's most valuable resources. Surrounding the entire complex is a wall built from steel and concrete, designed to keep everything possible out. The only weak points in the wall are the exit for the conduit, where the great pipes that carry the oil to the other settlements and the gate through which people enter and leave the facility.

Much like Asirgrad and other Sanguinous Papacy settlements there is of course a center for their religion in the area. Looming over the walls of Valgrad is an artificial tower built from scrap and concrete. This is the seat of one of the three Cardinals of Blood and this has always been the seat of one of the most influential, since the value of oil never changes.

Due to the nature of the settlement there are very few civilians present, most people either being a part of the military garrison or else working to keep the wells operational and pumping the oil up from the ground. Similar to the other settlements the town of Valgrad is surrounded by wasteland and hollows and other creatures are allowed to accumulate, forming a first line of defense against incursions.

Halograd

Halograd

Faction: Sanguinous Papacy
Classification: Town
Population : 3000 Est.
Production: Blood, Soldiers, Slaves
Notable Areas: The Harvest Halls, Training Fields,

Description:

Halograd is a town of moderate size, having sprung up around another relic of the old world that few would find any use for in the new. Halograd is centered around an old world prison complex. The wall surrounding Halograd is a relic of the old world and equipped with guard towers and weapons mounts within. Though notably due to the extreme age of the wall it is weaker than the defenses surrounding the other Sanguinous Papacy dominated settlements.

Halograd serves as combination of a training center and a harvest center for blood. The prison still functions much like it did in the old world, containing prisoners who have been captured in the many raids that are launched by the Papacy. These prisoners, often those who have outlived their usefulness as slaves are kept in captivity, fed the minimal amount of food necessary to maintain life and systematically bled dry over the course of years.

The town's other function is to serve as a training ground for young chosen, where they are prepared for their duty in service to the Sanguinous Pope. The areas surrounding the town of Halograd are actually nearly free of hollows and other threats for one of the most common exercises undertaken by the Chosen in training is the hunting and killing of such creatures. In balance with the weaker defenses and lack of natural deterrent to intrusion the number of trainees and instructors, most of whom are among the elite themselves the town still manages to present a formidable obstacle to any force looking to seek vengeance upon the Papacy.

The Harvest Halls, aka the old prison are also the seat of the second of the three Cardinals of Blood. The town itself that surrounds the prison is not in the best shape, it is the closest thing to a slum in the Papacy for it is mostly filled with those who have failed in their training to become soldiers of the Holy Father.

Haven

Haven

Faction:Neutral (Actually Sanguinous Papacy)
Classification: Small Town
Population : 300 Est.
Production: Medical Care, Blood, Propaganda
Notable Areas: The Hospital/Church of Holy Blood

Description:

The town of Haven is built up around an old church that has been refurbished and renewed since the apocalypse. This church functions as the spiritual as well as physical center of the town. The old stained glass windows have been replaced with specially ordered pieces depicting scenes of healing and blood. The images also prominently feature a certain individual who runs the church being the one doing the healing. Further scenes depict said figure recieving power from an outside source, an other that is never truly shown in the images.

The town is most known for the miraculous healing that takes place within the church. It is said that those who travel there, who are pure of heart and burdened by agony can find their solace in the sacred healing blood of the Saint that dwells there. The aforementioned saint appears to share many qualities with the Chosen of the Sanguinous Papacy but in over two hundred years has never been shown to act in a way similar to the Papacy.

Most of the town is composed of petitioners seeking the miracle cure and places that have been constructed to house those petitioners. The church itself has only one central chamber open to the petitioners, the rest of it being closed off and private for the Saint and her acolytes. From time to time there are rumors that there is more to this place than meets the eye and that it is not truly a center of altruistic healing by an immortal, but in the past these rumors have always been largely ignored or overwhelmed by the positive words of those who had actually been healed.

Truth

In truth the saint of haven is the third of the Blood Cardinals and an Immortal in her own right who mutated further than most when exposed to the sacred blood. Many of the petitioners who enter Haven are abducted in the night and either harvested or carefully shipped back into the lands of the Papacy. The town serves as a vital means for information to flow into the papacy and as a conduit to the outside world it is invaluable.

Creatures and Anomalies

Reported Anomalies

Apparitions

Apparitions: Often found in dark places or at night, these ghostly sightings are very deadly. Citizens have reported hallucinations, losing consciousness, falling ill, death, and a host of other things when coming into contact with these spirits. It's also been reported that these spirits, while usually standing still or replaying a loop of their past lives, can also move, and make noise. These apparitions should be avoided at all costs, but are incredibly hard to see in the darkness. As of yet, there seems to be no way of displacing, or even attacking these ghostly figures.

Lightning Anomaly

Lightning Anomaly: More often found in the tunnel networks, if at all, this is basically a ball of lightning that moves slowly, electrifying anything that comes to closely to it. This anomaly is quite rare, and has never been officially reported to have been seen on the surface. The few times it has been reported are from tunnel sightings.

Documented Creatures

Annelids

Skiev

Name:Skiev
Species:Hollow Worm
Rarity:Uncommon
Behavior:Aggressive, Nocturnal
Location(s):Exclusive to Sandy Dunes
Key Points:

• grow up to 3 feet in length
• bloodsuckers
• attack in swarms
• afraid of fire

The Skiev is a swarm class worm hollow that have hyper evolved from the old world Macrobdella decora better known as leeches, to survive their now much dryer environment. Primarily located near the south end of the continent by Dead-End, Skievs live far from roads inside the giant dunes that make up the yellow zone. Their habitats extend as far as the less populous areas around Forbes but there have allegedly been sightings as far north as Wolf Water. These highly aggressive critters will swim through the dirt at around 20 mph when they are ready to attack their prey and will circle them in the sand similar while they take turns jumping at their prey attempting to latch on. Once one has successfully grabbed hold the rest will soon follow until they have sucked their victim dry. As terrifying as these creatures are, if you are able to seek shelter even if it's inside a car you should be safe. If this is not an option it is recommended you find a stone to stand on and carry a torch with you and wait until dawn. While something as small as a torch won't dissuade the creatures from attacking, burning one is the safest and quickest way of getting a Skiev to let go once they've attached themselves to you. Skievs tend to swim in schools of 30-50 all though it is hard to get a specific number due to their method of hunting.

Arachnids

A.G.T. Spider

by @Monochromatic Rainbow

Name: Ash Giant Trapdoor Spider

Species: Ummidia venator hominum (venator hominum- hunter of men)

Rarity: Rare.

Behavior: Aggressive ambush predator.

Location(s): The island of Ash, no particular region but unusually high clusters surrounding the Sentinel chokepoint.

Key Points:

• NO.
• Do not fuck with.
• Seriously don't go near.
• When you become spider food I'll say to your friends, "I told him/her so."
• Venom is extremely potent and acts roughly as fast as hydrogen cyanide.
• The exoskeleton is actually rather soft and pliable on the underside of the spider and on most of its abdomen, as a result the spider rarely ever exposes its entire body. However the frontal half is incredibly well armored, not impervious by any means but most common handgun calibers such as 9mm and .45 ACP will have little if any effect unless they hit a weak spot.
• The spider hunts in the same manner as Old World trapdoor spiders, digging a burrow and waiting for anything unfortunate enough to be spider snack sized (which is almost everything) to stumble by. The spider moves lightning fast despite its size and for the most part there's almost always zero time to react.

Appearance: The Ash Trapdoor spider is large- each leg is roughly a meter and a half long, with the front four sporting smallish claws for traction, the body of the spider retains similar proportions to Old World trapdoor spiders, it's simply orders of magnitude larger. The fangs are the exception to this, they have grown longer and thinner and will punch through mild steel sheet metal like a hot knife through butter. The spider sports twelve eyes that are easily distinguished from the tar colored carapace by their sickly scarlet coloration. It's known to make a clicking noise with its fangs when about to strike, the only sign of the danger lurking underneath except perhaps a slight movement of the soil as the spider shifts into striking position. The weight or any particular details of the spider are unknown, largely because the only three to have been encountered that did not devour the encounteree were destroyed with an old world main battle tank modified to carry large canisters of napalm and a launcher for it- specially modified to counter these predators in particular.

Avians

Styx Owls

Name: Styx Owl
Species: Bubo virginianus infernus
Rarity: Common
Behavior: Hostile if provoked, Predator, Scavenger
Location(s): Dust's Mountains
Key Points: Almost exclusively nocturnal, territorial during the night, live in cave hollowed into the rock faces of Dust's mountains.

Appearance: The most immediately noticeable trait of the Styx owl is its massive talons, long, hard, and sharp enough to pierce steel. The birds are large, slightly larger than an Andean condor, with a wingspan of about four meters and a weight of nearly 20 kilograms. They bear a distant resemblance to the Great Horned Owl, but the feathered "horns" of the pre-apocalypse owl have given way to rigid and wickedly pointed barbs, albeit with feathery fringe. The birds are considerably darker and in fact almost pitch black, hence their name, and have retained the nearly silent flight of the Great Horned. Their eyes are generally a liquid gold color and are striped through with jets of black. Their calls are for the most part like those of the Great Horned, save for their attacking cry let loose when they are but moments from striking their target, which sounds uncannily like someone screaming in rage and despair- another inspiration for their name.

Canines

Nachthund

Name: Nachthund
Species: Canis noctis
Rarity: No longer seen in the wild except on remote parts of Dust. However, common as relatively domesticated animals on Ash and Isla Diablo especially.
Behavior: Wary of strangers, will attack if provoked. Fanatically loyal to a human of its choosing and will fight to the death if need be.
Location(s): Everywhere humans are.
Key Points:

• Finally something that's relatively nice for a change.
• Rigid fur mats have over time essentially hardened into armored plates and will easily halt high velocity handgun cartridges and nearly any commonly found melee cutting weapon.
• Has no venom or anything of that

Bloodhound

Created by @Aeonumbra and @TheMadAsshatter

Name: Bloodhound
Species: Canis Lupus
Rarity: Very Common
Behavior: Hostile, Predator
Location(s): Everywhere
Other:

• Bloodhounds are almost exclusively nocturnal, or found in dark places such as tunnels and caves.

Appearance: Bloodhounds are characterized by having a body structure akin to a wolf, though there are some key features to take note of. First and most importantly is their fur, which is naturally very spiky, rigid, and harder than typical fur, giving their fur the capability to pierce human skin, though it is a rare occurrence. Their fur tends to be neutral colors; mostly shades of black, grey, or white, though there are some with brown spots on them. They have green, highly reflective eyes, giving them a ghostly visage in dark environments if their eyes catch some light just right. Finally, their ears tend to be shaped like arrowheads on the top of their heads, making one's silhouette appear like a demon.

Giant Insects

Ash Strider

Name: Ash Strider
Species: Eremobates chasmatis
Rarity: Far too common
Behavior: Aggressive as fuck
Location(s): Isla Diablo
Key Points:

• No. Nonononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononono.
• Can move 30-40 kph through knee deep volcanic ash.
• In place of venom, the Ash Strider has sacs of extremely caustic chemicals that it shoots at prey in superheated jets.
• Fangs capable of penetrating solid homogenized carbon steel.
• Chitin is capable of resisting most semi automatic handgun rounds up to and including 10mm/.357 Magnum.

Appearance: The Ash Strider is the most common predator on Isla Diablo. A bit smaller than a hippopotamus, the Ash Strider is orders of magnitude larger than its old world counterpart, the Sun Spider. The chitin plating of the Ash Strider is a matte black/grey and blends in well with its landscape.

Acid Worm

Name: Acid Worm
Species: Unclassified
Rarity: Thankfully, rare
Behavior: Extremely aggressive ambush predator- has literally attacked tanks.
Location(s): Isla Diablo
Key Points:

• Nope.
• Ridiculously powerful jaws- Have been observed to cut an Ash Strider right in half, and to easily penetrate stainless steel. The real danger is the sheer crushing force, 103000 kPa.
• The Acid Worm spits scalding acid capable of eating straight through steel.
• Burrows and can lunge out at like lightning
• Covered in spiky bristles that can cause permanent nerve damage if touched even once

Appearance: The Acid Worm is a monstrosity of the apocalypse, stretching almost 12 meters in length on average and about 300-400mm in width. The front meter of the Acid Worm is coated in a tough chitinous plating that for some reason sports an iridescent sheen, easily capable of stopping a 9mm bullet in the thicker portions. Back to the rear, the worm is much softer, and can even be cut in half with a large axe- though this is strongly discouraged as the front half of the worm will remain alive long enough to demolish whatever fatally wounded it.

Thresher Hive

Name: Thresher Hive
Species: Unclassified
Rarity: Rare in the southern half of the island, more common in the northern half
Behavior: Aggressive if prey nears, otherwise dormant
Location(s): Isla Diablo
Key Points:

• Nopenopenope.
• A typical hive might hold 5000 insects.
• Fire is an excellent way to ward them off and has in fact been used to eradicate entire hives with no loss of human life. Anything that clogs their breathing holes will kill them almost immediately as well.

Recommended Handling Policy

Appearance:
Imagine a swarm of locusts. Now imagine that swarm of locusts being carnivorous, black and shiny, aggressive, being able to consume almost anything organic, and residing underground until something disturbs them, where they’ll promptly swarm out to strip whatever it is down to the bone. And then break open the bones to get at the marrow and some will even eat the bones too to develop tougher exoskeletons and also to make stronger hives with. And then go back to waiting for the next thing. That's a Thresher Hive.

Armatapede

Name: Armatapede
Species: Nobody's wants to get close enough to find out.
Rarity: Uncommon, act as an apex land predator on the island of Ash and even on the southernmost end of Isla Diablo.
Behavior: Highly aggressive apex predator.
Location(s): Southernmost tip of Isla Diablo, Island of Ash.
Key Points:

• Nope.
• Highly aggressive
• Well armored along entire body, resistant to handguns up to .44 Magnum
• Delivers a necrotoxic sting that, if it doesn't kill its victim simply from the wound itself, will result in agonizing death within hours without medical attention.
• 180 degree vision
• No ability to hear, limited smell
• Can move rapidly in a straight line, slow to turn.

Appearance: The armatapede is one of Ash's most deadly land predators. Able to reach up to 20-25 meters in length and with scorpion like claws that can deliver a devastating cut or crush, or simply to hold prey still while it stings it. It has powerful jaws that are not unlike a pair of hydraulic shears, and a sting capable of easily piercing centimeter thick plates of most common metals. The Armatapede is a burnt red coloration, with large black eyes. It is easily detected by sound if moving at top speed, the bug's legs and chitin clacking together create a harsh rattling sound that can be heard some distance off- even then, at that point it's often too late to run.

Documented Maladies

Name: Rattus Conversion Plague
Species: Norvegicus pestis-Y.R (A)
Rarity: Currently 25 - 50 subjects in experiments
Behavior: The Rattus Conversion Plague behaves almost identically to the bubonic plague that is half of it's genetic parent (the other half being Immortal Lab Rat subjects). The primary difference is that the characteristic buboes of the plague serve as incubators that then give 'birth' to rats, typically coinciding with the psychical 'death' of the host. The mind of the host is then transferred across any and all rats that were bred in the host's body. Although these rats appear sterile, and cannot bred (or simply do not wish to) breed with actual lab rats, they can breed amongst themselves.

The rats are slightly smaller than normal mice, and appear just as easy to kill. However their bodies are covered in Norvegicus pestis-Y.R (B) and their saliva carries Norvegicus pestis-Y.R (C).

Location(s): Exclusively found in Tombstone laboratories
Key Points:

• Incubation period of 2–6 days, when the rat cells are actively replicating.
• General malaise
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Gangrene
• Headache and chills occur suddenly at the end of the incubation period
• Extreme weakness
• Swelling of lymph nodes resulting in buboes, the classic sign of bubonic plague.
• Death can occur in less than 2 weeks, with rats bursting from the buboes.

Appearance: The initial symptoms of the plague appear identical to the bubonic plague right up to death. Post death, the affected will appear as a swarm of small rats, the were the color of the hosts' hair.

---

Name: Forced Microscopic Chimera Nest Virus
Species: Norvegicus pestis-Y.R (B)
Rarity: Tested on 78 subjects in highly controlled settings
Behavior: Virus occurs when handling the bodies of those deceased by Norvegicus pestis-Y.R (A), aggressively causing necrosis of the skin and removing all feeling to the external world, before the mutated chimeric cells will attach themselves to the blood cells of the host and grow. Subject will experience intense pain in the veins as the viral cells grow from microscopic, to the size of dwarf baby rats, draining the subject of their blood and eventually eating their way out of the host's body.

The microscopic chimeric rats breed incredibly fast, being able to go from one rat to several thousands, crowding all paths of blood in host's body in a matter of hours. When the veins or 'nest' is nearly full, the subject will be unable to bleed, and instead bloat with the rats and bleed out their waste. Experiments have yet to be tested on Immortals or Hollow.

Location(s): Exclusively found in Tombstone laboratories
Key Points:

• Severe necrosis
• Chills
• Coughing
• Chest pain
• Rapid breathing
• Dyspnea
• Hemoptysis
• Lethargy
• Hypotension
• Blindness
• Internal bleeding
• 100% mortality

Appearance: Initially starting as microscopic cells, invisible to the human eye-- these chimeric organisms will, if given the chance, grow to the size of anything from a flea to baby mice inside the veins of the host, before crawling out and swarming to search for more blood.

---

Name: Black Prions
Species: Norvegicus pestis-Y.R (C)
Rarity: Tested in several thousand criminals, volunteers, and mental health wards.
Behavior: Black Prions-- the result of combining rat neurons, the bubonic plague, and mad cow disease-- is perhaps the most interesting ailment created thus far on Tombstone in the Norvegicus pestis-Y.R A through D experiments. In that, it results, physically in creating what might be the next stage of human evolution. The mind of these subjects can slow down time from their own perspective, create fire and move objects with their minds, as well as a myriad of other side effects, such as no longer needing to eat due to developing sudden photosynthesis and reaching a peak of human physique that will increase physical life, theoretically, to several hundred years.

However, to reach these side effects, subjects must first be exposed to what has been dubbed 'Temporal Displacement Syndrome' or more commonly called, the 'stun' when injected with the Black Prions. From a bystander's viewpoint, the 'stun' lasts all of five seconds. From the subject's viewpoint, however, the 'stun' last more than several quadrillions of years.

The subject, when injected, will immediately experience a disconnection from their mind and body, what they experience as a second, will actually, from our perspective, be a single Planck time. Each Planck time, for them, will exponentially increase in time experienced, in complete mental isolation, 1 second will stretch on for trillions of years, as 1 second becomes several thousand hours becomes several million years and continued to exponentially stretch on, with each plank second ticking down. Subjects must experience 5 seconds, before returning to our frame of time, and by that point their minds have long been lost-- or perhaps truly found-- from several life times of several Universes in complete isolation. They all use their new powers to kill themselves in the first Plank time of the first second they return.

We have not calculated the exact length of time spent in isolation.

However, for reference, one second is approximately 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Planck times.

Location(s): Exclusively found in Tombstone laboratories
Key Points:

• Those afflicted will experience perfect physical health and significantly increased lifespans, it is believed to increase their lives by upwards of 500 after the 'initial stun.' Theoretically, these individuals exposed to the 'initial stun' would develop near psychic powers, and would be able to 'slow' time from their own perspective
• Complete mental breakdown. The synapses of the brain become frayed, the myelin sheath is gone-- in 5 seconds, all outside influences are removed and you are faced with your true 'self'-- it is believed that exposing to human to absolute truth is what leads to the subsequent suicidal insanity. It is also theorized that knowing truth, even only one, any thinking being realizes that death is a logical alternative to existence for the sake of existence. This has not yet been cured.
• Near instantaneous suicide, typically committed by clawing at one's own face and throat.
• True enlightenment is reached. Becoming mentally older than the universe gives one complete and absolute clarity.

Appearance: N/A

---

Name: Black Rat Synthesis
Species: Norvegicus pestis-Y.R (D)
Rarity: Currently the strain is only found in two beakers. Currently untested.
Behavior: Theoretically. This synthesis would give those afflicted with Rattus Conversion Plague to switch between being human and a swarm of rats. This was made using Immortal blood, it is currently untested.
Location(s): Exclusively found in Tombstone laboratories
Key Points:

• Currently unknown

Appearance: N/A

~@Aeonumbra

[Darcs]

News and Information

Print: The Tumbleweed's Journal

Radio: WTJR 191 Okaga, Russlegrad

Quest

Bulletin: Reports from Isolone say there has been a huge gathering of Immortals.
Type: Quest
Faction: Immortal

Bulletin: The Prime Minister of Wintergold is seeking advisers, assassins, and ambassadors.
Type: Quest
Faction: Wintergold

Bulletin: Motum Diversum is working on constructing an Old World superweapon, Motum Diversum officials claim.
Type: Quest
Faction: Motum Diversum

Bulletin: Moscow Echo is working with bounty hunters to find the killer and recover the watch.
Type: Quest
Faction: Independent/Wintergold

Bulletin: Vladimira Kovalik, an envoy of Wintergold, is seeking to create more permanent settlements on Ash. Resources and Volunteers needed.
Type: Quest
Faction: Independent/Wintergold

Bulletin: An interview with The Gaen leader The Professor on the deteriorating conditions of the Gaen faction. He mentioned something interesting, Aspoin is pursuing new research. He claims what they’re doing in Ash is the missing piece, a weapon to surpass Class 5 Hollow.
Type: Quest/News/Interview
Faction: Gaen

Bulletin: Johan Brando, aged 120, former leader of the Chronosmith Guild, contemporary artist and founder of the modern watch making technique, was found dead in his home this past Monday, presumed murdered. Missing from his estate was an incredibly rare Wolfwater. Any information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator(s) of this crime is being rewarded by Wolfwater militia head Elric de Watteville.
Type: News/Quest
Faction: Independent/Wintergold

News

Bulletin: Wortham man climbs to the top of Mount Nike; "Could you believe that no one had ever done it before? Like, it wasn't even that hard! It was just a brisk walk up the slope, really. I could see being worried about Forsaken slave brigades, but honestly if you approach it from Copper you should be fine! It's so strange no one ever tried before. Not even some MD guy trying to be like Mark...! I guess it's just no one ever really felt like it, huh?" When asked if he had left a flag or some token on the summit he responded that he "just kinda shrugged and turned around [sic]" The man was in Copper for a weekend visiting his wife's family, he has since returned to Wortham, where he "sells decorative rocks, small animal pelts, and artsy mutated houseplants."
Type: News/Interview
Faction: Independent

Bulletin: Johan Brando, aged 120, former leader of the Chronosmith Guild, contemporary artist and founder of the modern watch making technique, was found dead in his home this past Monday, presumed murdered. Missing from his estate was an incredibly rare Wolfwater. Any information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator(s) of this crime is being rewarded by Wolfwater militia head Elric de Watteville.
Type: News/Quest
Faction: Independent/Wintergold

Bulletin: Remember that time it rained? Boy, wasn't that great! Dust remembers the 1 year anniversary of the rain with fond dryness.
Type: News
Faction: All

Bulletin: The Yakuza is hiring! 8 things you may want to include on your application before sending it off to the Forbidden Palace.
Type: News
Faction: Aqueous

Bulletin: Parkland baseball revenue making just enough to keep Motum Diversum in the black-- "just doing it," officials say.
Type: News
Faction: Motum Diversum

Bulletin: A talking Cat!?! You'll have to see it to believe it, but this No-Name feline is winning the hearts of all the people of the northern town without a name.
Type: News
Faction: Independent

Bulletin: In other news; No-Name, still nameless. Townsfolk question philosophical implications of nameless town being known and named for lack of a name.
Type: News
Faction: Independent

Bulletin: Hollow activity has dropped to an all time low in the Aqueous Protectorate.
Type: News
Faction: Aqueous

Bulletin: The Central Aqueous region has effectively locked down. Only water and payment for said water seems to leave or enter their borders.
Type: News
Faction: Aqueous

Bulletin: The citizens of Motum Diversum mourn as first year anniversary of The Second Fall draws near.
Type: News
Faction: Motum Diversum

Bulletin: Happy birthday, to Dust's newest major factions!
Type: News
Faction: Wintergold, Hedon

Bulletin: The Hedons seem to be brokering a major alliance with Forsaken. Rumored talks are taking place between Edenite Hope and the new Forsaken town, Despair.
Type: News
Faction: Forsaken, Hedon

Bulletin: Slave revolts reported on the islands of Lockjaw and Scurve.
Type: News
Faction: Forsaken

Bulletin: Laguna blaze it? Catholics in Laguna discover pious way to grow some sweet Gaen green.
Type: News
Faction: Wintergold

Bulletin: Resident Hedon woman drowns while bathing in gold and bullets. "What a way to go," Kings Retreat officials say.
Type: News
Faction: Hedon

Bulletin: An interview with The Gaen leader The Professor on the deteriorating conditions of the Gaen faction. He mentioned something interesting, Aspoin is pursuing new research. He claims what they’re doing in Ash is the missing piece, a weapon to surpass Class 5 Hollow.
Type: Quest/News/Interview
Faction: Gaen

Bulletin: Where are they now: Evelina Quinn; Barricade?? More like Farricade!!! Why 'the good doctor's' saintly nature and disappearance was all a lizardman farce!
Type: Opinion Piece/News/Conspiracy
Faction: All

Rumor

Bulletin: The Khans of the Sand report strange abandoned villages in the dust storms of the Sea of Sand, rumors of men who are neither immortal or hollow surround these strange settlements.
Type: Rumor
Faction: Aqueous

Bulletin: Scientists in Dresden are becoming more and more inspired by their defector compatriots in Wintergold. They have developed several recreational drugs, one of which, seems to grant the user odd abilities.
Type: Rumor
Faction: Gaen

Bulletin: Scientists in grey labcoats meet in the still of night in Fairbury. The city is shrouded in secrecy and a false veneer of suburban peace. The Order of the Grey Tomorrow is whispered in the shadows.
Type: Rumor
Faction: Gaen

Bulletin: Scientists and 'The Professor's' associates from Ashford are working on a project in the sands south of Jonestown.
Type: Rumor
Faction: Gaen

Bulletin: Hollow activity has increased around Hu-wai, Bakersville, and Gate's Pass
Type: Rumor
Faction: Aqueous

Bulletin: Copper and Arclight? Androids spotted?
Type: Rumor
Faction: Independent

Bulletin: Strange disappearances being reported around the town of Haven.
Type: Rumor
Faction: Sanguine

Bulletin: Something strange is stirring in the sands around Dead-End.
Type: Rumor
Faction: Wintergold

Bulletin: Occasionally, when the winds stop momentarily whipping up the sands, it is rumored that unopened bunker doors, similar to those of our ancestors, can be found near the coast of the Dead-End outback.
Type: Rumor
Faction: Independent

Misc.

Bulletin: Wintergold v. Everyone! Continued armed struggle, as the war against the Forsaken doesn't seem to be anywhere near ending, guerrilla attacks from Motum Diversum insurgents in Wintergold occupied Harlem decrease food availability, and new reports of armed conflict and assassination attempts on Wintergold higher ups from Hedon on Ash. Will the conflict ever die down?
Type: Continued Armed Struggle
Faction: All

Bulletin: Diseased figures in white robes occupy the underwater tunnel between Wolfwater and Fairbury and conduct strange rituals.
Type: Sightings
Faction: Edenite

Bulletin: Castalia night clubs; are they worth it? How Wintergold inadvertently profits from the Forsaken slave trade.
Type: Opinion Piece
Faction: All

Bulletin: Slaves! Can't live with them, can't live without them.
Type: Opinion Piece
Faction: All

Bulletin: Public view toward immortals at an all time low. Wintergold and Sedito less 'factions' more 'social experiments.'
Type: Opinion Piece
Faction: All

Bulletin: Old world soda just has that "special something" that Dust craft soda brewers can't seem to capture.
Type: Food & Beverage
Faction: All

Bulletin: Lets talk about Orange; is it really the new Black? Our latest poll may surprise you!
Type: Fashion
Faction: All

Bulletin: Missing an eye. Is it in?
Type: Fashion
Faction: All

Bulletin: "Yeah she's queen wit' a goldeneye now... but I rememba' when I was still teachin' her to sing that one song..." Exclusive interview! Lucania's old mentor speaks out!
Type: Interview/Music
Faction: Wintergold

Bulletin: Wortham man climbs to the top of Mount Nike; "Could you believe that no one had ever done it before? Like, it wasn't even that hard! It was just a brisk walk up the slope, really. I could see being worried about Forsaken slave brigades, but honestly if you approach it from Copper you should be fine! It's so strange no one ever tried before. Not even some MD guy trying to be like Mark...! I guess it's just no one ever really felt like it, huh?" When asked if he had left a flag or some token on the summit he responded that he "just kinda shrugged and turned around [sic]" The man was in Copper for a weekend visiting his wife's family, he has since returned to Wortham, where he "sells decorative rocks, small animal pelts, and artsy mutated houseplants."
Type: News/Interview
Faction: Independent

Bulletin: An interview with The Gaen leader The Professor on the deteriorating conditions of the Gaen faction. He mentioned something interesting, Aspoin is pursuing new research. He claims what they’re doing in Ash is the missing piece, a weapon to surpass Class 5 Hollow.
Type: Quest/News/Interview
Faction: Gaen

Bulletin: Where are they now: Alex Svet-Yulia; savior or serpent servant? We discuss whether or not the supposed 'savior' of Immortals is actually in bed with the lizard people.
Type: Opinion piece/News/Conspiracy
Faction: All

Bulletin: Where are they now: Evelina Quinn; Barricade?? More like Farricade!!! Why 'the good doctor's' saintly nature and disappearance was all a lizardman farce!
Type: Opinion Piece/News/Conspiracy
Faction: All

Bulletin: What the hell is up with Binary Star???
Type: ???
Faction: ???

"...And now, three hours of commercial free music, brought to you by the traders at Bakersville; Bakersville! School is now in session."

---

Old

N/A

~@Aeonumbra

[Raptorman]

Question, we are permitted to create our own micronations in this?

[Darcs]

@Raptorman Yup! Just run it by me and I'll tell you whether it's good or not. I'll have a map up in the morning so you can see the available territory.

[Raptorman]

Awesome.

[Jinxer]

Oooh wow there's a fair bit of new information there to read through. I'll make a start on that then!

[MelonHead]

I kind of have a character idea and some of the basics filled out, but I'm not really sure enough about the setting and lore to know where to go from here.

Frederick

Basics

Name: Frederick Bach
Age: 32
Appeared Age: 30-40
Height: 6ft dead
Weight: 79kg
Eye Color: Blue, the whites of his eyes pulsate with blue veins.
Hair Color: Muddy-Blonde
Physical Disabilities: Missing his trigger finger on his left hand.
Physical Identifiers:

• Has noticeably pale skin, despite the intensity of the sun.
• Scars are fortunately hard to see on his skin, but one red angry scar is visible on his left cheek.

Appearance:

Frederick is a tall pale man with a hard face and standard Germananic features. His muddy blonde hair is tied back in a short pony tail with a leather thong, he has an athletic build, with fairly broad shoulders, though he is not excessively muscular. His nose is straight and pronounced, but of average length, his teeth are slightly crooked and tinted yellow, but not particularly unusual for the apocalypse and he seems to have most of them. His face shape would be most appropriately described as 'full' and 'square' though without much natural fat due to the scarcity of food. He would probably be considered attractive by apocalypse standards, though that would be up to individual taste.

Background

Residence:
Profession: Ex-Slaver, Currently Rain-Bringer
Aligned Faction:
Relatives: Mother (Deceased) Father (Unknown) Siblings (Unknown)

Backstory

Born to a beautiful prostitute in Forsaken territory, Frederick didn’t exactly have a very good childhood even by apocalypse standards. The only upside to his early life was that his mother was attractive and brought in a lot of money for her pimp, a powerful warchief. She was harsh but fair with her child, and Frederick learned a lot in those early years about survival of the fittest among the litter of other feral children in the territory.

Frederick grew incredibly tall at a young age, hitting five foot five by thirteen years old, and reaching his final height of 6ft by fifteen. This meant that even when his mother unfortunately died of disease when he was ten he only had to survive alone for a short while and learned to fight in the harsh gladiatorial culture of the Forsaken, before he was picked up by the local warchief and recruited into the Legion.

Ten years later a twenty five year old Frederick had learned all the tools of the trade and deserted from the Legion, forming his own small band of mercenaries and part-time Slavers which moved on the outskirts of Forsaken territory. Another six years eking out a miserable, but profitable, existence by selling innocent people into slavery brought Frederick to his last days as an ordinary human. The outskirts of Forsaken territory, like most places, grew all the more populated by Hollow, dangerous creatures of an unnatural and diseased nature. When pursued by a group of Hollow Frederick and his group of loyal Mercenaries, Ela, Ian, Bokt and Jack were forced into a narrow ravine, and Frederick feared he would be forced to reveal a secret he had been keeping for a long time, involving a supply of fresh water he had discovered in a nearby cave system.

Ela, Ian’s wife, was ran down by Hollow as they held out in the Ravine, at which point Frederick’s nerve failed him and he fled, running to his hiding place and abandoning his friends as they were overrun. He was delirious by the time he got there, a sickness he had developed over the last few days finally besting him as he pulled away the covers over the entrance.

His memory is sketchy in regards to what happened after that, in his nightmares he sometimes see Ian confronting him, his wife’s bloody corpse in his arms as he stands upon Fred’s chest and forces him into the water he had let Ela die to protect. In other dreams he sees a slavering Hollow above him, piercing his flesh as water pours down his throat. Ever dream has one factor in common, he drowned in that cave, but yet here he stands.

He awoke floating face down in the underground spring, and wandered the desert in a daze. It took him nigh on a year to get his act together, and now a slightly more together Frederick is stuck in Serenity territory, trying to do some good and maybe make some money at the same time, because he’s a good person now, right?

Gear

Weapons:

• Glock 17: Semi-automatic, 17 shot magazine standardized glock pistol, jet black, moderate wear, well maintained.
• Machete: 38cm Machete, notched half way down, made of steel, fairly standard, kept in a hip-sheath.

Armor: Owns some fairly formidable Raider/Slaver armour, which consists of a metallic plated Kevlar vest and similarly metal plated arm and leg guards with knife-proof gauntlets and a metallic mask painted blood red. For obvious reasons he doesn't like to wear it any-more, and has stripped down the Kevlar vest to its bare component and wears that instead underneath tough travelling clothes, thick trousers metal-toe-cap boots, a tough homespun shirt and a worn brown fur cloak. He wears goggles when travelling for the dust and an old baseball cap.
Ammunition:

• Dirty Rounds: N/A
• High Grade Rounds: Three 9mm magazines for his Glock
• Heavy Ammunition: N/A

Ultralight Hiking Backpack:

• Water Bottle, Basic Rations, Fire Starting Kit, Basic First Aid, Blanket, Wind-up Flashlight, Small Cooking Bowl

Miscellaneous: Ammo Belt, Machete Sheath, Pistol Holster.

Immortalis Information

Manifested Phenomena: Water
Unique Abilities:
Rain Maker: Frederick can draw water from afar, either from deep within the earth or high up in the sky he can set it upon a path to the surface where he can utilize it.

Hydromancy: With concentration, Frederick has learned to actually weaponize surface water when necessary, moving it a short distance through force of will and launching it with enough force to knock a man off his feet from up to thirty feet away. His personal circumstances have drawn him away from fighting since the development of his power, so he isn't very experienced at using it in this fashion.

Strengths:
Conditioned: Frederick has lived a life on the move, chasing down people is actually remarkably good cardio, not so great on the moral side of things though.

Street-Smarts: Frederick's life has been an unsafe one, drawing him into contact with unscrupulous people and dangerous situations, he's picked up skills that keep a man alive, and that gives him something of an advantage if he should choose to re-enter the criminal world.

Weaknesses:
I know you: Frederick's past life has yet to catch up with him, but he's pretty sure it's only a matter of time.

Broken Gun: Frederick's tried to turn over a new leaf, where-as the man before could survive in one of the most dangerous jobs in Dust, this new bastard trying to atone for his sins might hesitate to pull that trigger. This has also had an adverse effect on developing new combat applicable skills with his new ability of Hydromancy.

What I would like to know/do

1. As far as I'm aware the only way to become an 'immortal' is to get the sickness and transcend, so my character would have likely grown ill before his last fated act as a Slaver, namely getting stuck in a cave, screwing a bunch of his pals over and then getting attacked and nearly drowned in an underground reservoir by Hollow.

2. How does your character's personality/memories etc change when they become an Immortal, as the slaver backstory was going to be a big part of my character, but obviously he's changed into an immortal since.

3. What would be a good birth place for a son of a whore? Also, in his new (hopefully) profession as a rain-maker, or rather someone who's going to get people to pay him to make/find wells or reservoirs for them, what would be a good place to be based initially.

4. Will the Aqueous faction be trying to kill my character, because he's effectively giving away one of their main advantages for only a small fee.

5. Does any of this work?

[Beach Burrito]

A spark may influence an Immortal's emotions, retain memories, and look their eyes without being awakened.

I kind of read that as 'yes, your spark may cause you to veer off of or onto the straight and narrow' They can even talk to you, but it'll be a one way conversation until you've awakened.

[MelonHead]

A spark may influence an Immortal's emotions, retain memories, and look their eyes without being awakened.

I kind of read that as 'yes, your spark may cause you to veer off of or onto the straight and narrow' They can even talk to you, but it'll be a one way conversation until you've awakened.

@Beach Burrito

Okay, that would work well with the character I'm running, he could be under the assumption that he's taken his second chance at life by the horns and turned over a new leaf, but it's actually just the Spark influencing him and he's still a dickhead at heart.

[Beach Burrito]

Also, am I reading it right when I think:

Dirty rounds = Post-fall ammunition plagued by duds, hang fires, imperfections and manufacturing errors.
High grade rounds = Pre-fall rounds subjected to higher degrees of quality control.

Or are High grade rounds specifically match grade? Additionally would AET/glaser rounds fall into this category.

Same note, would Heavy Ammunition strictly be explosives ordinance like grenades or would that cover HEI rounds for smaller firearms as well?

[Dirge]

Eyy placeholder, will have a cs up soon.

[Antediluvixen]

@Beach Burrito

I like you, you know your boolets.

To answer your question, yes, high grade rounds would be your Federal in the pretty white box (or anything else manufactured pre-apocalypse). Dirty would be your post-apoc and pre-apoc steel case, corrosive primed, etc rounds.

And heavy rounds would indeed be something like explosives, a 40mm or pineapple grenade would go there.

EDIT: I've also posted my own CS for a rough idea of what to do if you still had questions. It still needs to be ironed out some, but for now it should hopefully suffice to answer stuff.

[RedDusk]

I have one CS up soon. But then, how about animals in the Dust? Are they all gone with the Fall? Or horribly mutated? Do we have pet or mount around here?

[Darcs]

1. As far as I'm aware the only way to become an 'immortal' is to get the sickness and transcend, so my character would have likely grown ill before his last fated act as a Slaver, namely getting stuck in a cave, screwing a bunch of his pals over and then getting attacked and nearly drowned in an underground reservoir by Hollow.

@MelonHead

K

2. How does your character's personality/memories etc change when they become an Immortal, as the slaver backstory was going to be a big part of my character, but obviously he's changed into an immortal since.

@MelonHead

It depends-- it could be that you don't really change at all, or you could become calmer because you've got a calming power or something-- it really depends on how you'd like to see them change.

3. What would be a good birth place for a son of a whore? Also, in his new (hopefully) profession as a rain-maker, or rather someone who's going to get people to pay him to make/find wells or reservoirs for them, what would be a good place to be based initially.

@MelonHead

Tas if you want to be Asian.
Serenity if you want to be anything but Asian.
Eton if you want to be evil Forsaken.

4. Will the Aqueous faction be trying to kill my character, because he's effectively giving away one of their main advantages for only a small fee.

@MelonHead

Probably.

5. Does any of this work?

@MelonHead

YAS

---

But then, how about animals in the Dust? Are they all gone with the Fall? Or horribly mutated? Do we have pet or mount around here?

@RedDusk

Yes.

[RedDusk]

Done

Basics

Name: Krieg

Age: 22

Appeared Age: Early-twenties

Height: 6’1’’

Weight: 180lbs

Eye Color: His iris is a solid red with no pupil visible, while the white sclera around it has turned jet black. The iris also glows when he’s angry or just afflicted with a strong emotion.

Hair Color: Dark Brown

Physical Disabilities: None.

Physical Identifiers:

• A scar on his face, which runs right across the bridge of his nose.
• Several bullet wounds across his body.

Appearance: Krieg’s eyes are his most noticeable feature, betraying his status as an Immortal at first glance. Therefore, he would often wear a pair of mirror sunglasses and use a scarf to cover the lower half of his face. When in public places or on treks across the desert, he also pulls the hood of his cloak up, further hiding his appearance. However, underneath the whole getup, Krieg isn’t too hard to look at, if you don’t count the demonic eyes. Wild, unkempt brown hair framed his face, often kept shoulder-length, strong jaw, nose slightly crooked from too many times broken, all those features give him that look that seems attractive to some, while thuggish to others.

While possessing an imposing height, Krieg doesn’t appear too intimidating. He is fit, years trudging through the scorching deserts of Dust and swinging the crude halberd around have given his muscles definition; however he still seems a bit gangly.

Background

Residence: Nowhere permanent.

Profession: Courier/Guide/Bodyguard

Aligned Faction: Neutral

Relatives:

• Alrik Degray - Father (Deceased)
• Therese Adler – Mother (Deceased)
• Dimitri Degray – Older Half-Brother (Deceased)
• Sandra Degray – Older Sister (Alive, owner of the Red Rivet in Tas)
• Jakob Degray – Older Half-Brother (Alive, currently in heading a group of slavers/raiders. Has permanent resident in Eton, but moves about regularly)

Backstory

Born from an union of a slave and her master, Krieg should’ve shared the dreadful life of his mother, head bowed beneath the whip. However, fate had been kinder to him. His father, Alrik, was something of a merchant who, in his own words, “deals in blood, bullets and booze”. Originally an arms merchant from Bakersville, Alrik eventually expanded his business to selling slaves and alcohol. While his base was in Bakersville, he had offices and outposts in Tas and Arclight, and even some ties with the Forsaken. Alrik had never been a slaver himself, but he frequently purchased slaves from raiders and sold them to the Forsaken, along with weapons and liquor.

A few years later, Therese, daughter of a travelling merchant, was caught and enslaved by raiders after they ambushed her caravan out in the desert. It was days later that she found herself in the possession of Alrik Degray. Immediately smitten, the usually shrewd merchant didn’t sell her to the Forsaken, instead keeping the woman as his personal slave. Her intelligence and sharp wit grew on him though, and soon enough, she was considered an employee within his company, rather than a lowly slave. Alrik even went as far as giving her control of a bar he owned in Tas, the Red Rivet. He would often visit her every few months, and eventually, Sandra and Krieg was born. However, only Sandra really grew up in Tas, as Alrik came by when Krieg was five and took him back to Bakesville. There, he was raised alongside with two of his half-brothers, Dimitri and Jakob, who was 8 years and 10 years his senior respectively. Krieg wasn’t practically close to his brothers, mostly because of the age gap, but they maintain an amicable relationship.

By the time Krieg was seven, he began learning the basics of combat under the mentorship of his father right-hand man, Johann. Back then, the lessons didn’t involve anything more than waving a stick around and running in their backyard. However, as Johann was an ex-Legionaire who didn’t believe in half measures, Krieg was pitted against slaves a few years later. Though both parties were armed with blunt practice swords at that time, the lessons had always resulted in a bruised rib or two. Eventually, when Krieg was thirteen years of age, he took his first life, a slave twice his age, who was scheduled to be shipped to Forbes the next morning. Needless to say, Alrik was less than pleased. He supported his son’s training, but not at the cost of profit. So the fights continued, but this time, Krieg only used either a stick or his bare hands. He didn’t always win though. More often than not, Johann had to pull the frenzied slave off his student, just to prevent them from killing each other. Turn out, most people didn’t take kindly to being enslaved, and once pitted against a brat, they often took it out on him.

A few months later, Johann moved onto more advance training. He taught Krieg all he knew, both the skills acquired from his time in the Legion and the knowledge he accumulated from his years raiding caravans and settlements. While Johann was no doubt a good fighter, his moral values were rather questionable. After all, he was the type of man who would beat his own mother just because he could. Years spent as a caravan guard had mellowed the man a bit, but Johann still preferred a violent solution to most things. Knowing this unprofitable mindset might rub off on his son, Alrik took Krieg away again. At the age of sixteen, he went back to live with his mother and sister in Tas. She tried to interest him in the art of bartering, but it was a lost cause. Alrik came back again after a year, and since then, he had travelled with his father on almost every business trips, some of which even took him into Forbes and Eton. It was around this time that Krieg had the chance to get reacquainted with his brothers; both often accompanied their father on his trips as well. Dimitri was an okay guy, shaping up to be a merchant just like Alrik, but Jakob was more interested in…other things. Back then, there had been talks about him planning to join the Legion, much to Alrik’s dismay. While the old merchant firmly believed in survival of the fittest, he thought the Forsaken Order had taken it a little bit too far, to the point that their gladiatorial fights were simply glorified slaughters. Jakob wasn’t too happy with father’s decision, but Krieg never thought his brother could take it that far.

It was just another hot day, the scorching sun poured down on them as they drove the last miles toward Tas. Alrik owned a small outpost outside of the town, a house built on the remnants of some old world structures. With enough bribery and business deals, the Khans mostly left them alone, and their presence kept the smaller groups of raiders away, so it was considered a safe house by his father. As Krieg finished checking up on the slaves, about thirty of them, men and women alike, crammed up inside the back of the truck, he went back inside, only to find his mother was there as well, bringing with her a few bottles of vodka from the bar. At that time, Krieg didn’t want to drink as he was coming down with a cold and decided that alcohol wouldn’t help, so he went outside. A noise caught his attention, and when Krieg went to check, he was greeted with a blow to the head. He came to a few minutes later though, whoever knocked him out obviously didn’t take the chance to kill him. There was shouting in the distance, and as Krieg drew closer, he found a group of slaves surrounding his father, who by then had been mauled and mutilated, recognizable only by his clothes. Nearby were the corpses of his mother and Dimitri, both covered in blood and riddled with bullet holes.

Somehow, the slaves had managed to escape, armed themselves with weapons taken from the guards and killed their master. Krieg searched for his halberd, only to find it in the hand of a slave. So he drew his machete and charged. There weren’t that many slaves left, as most took the chance to flee or was gunned down by the guards before they themselves were overwhelmed. Curiously, some even gave him a look that could only be described as ‘terrified’ as he mowed them down. Krieg walked away from the fight with three bullets in his shoulder and a trail of bodies behind him. But when he returned to Tas to look for his sister, the look she gave him wasn’t very different from those of the men he had just killed. He looked into the mirror and saw why. His eyes had changed drastically, becoming two red orbs on the backdrop of black, and they fucking glowed. It dawned on him then, that the cold was not simply a cold. It was The Sickness, a condition that either turned men into monsters, or Immortals. He wasn’t sure which one was better, or if they were any different at all.

So Krieg packed his bags and set out the next morning, leaving the entirety of the Degray’s fortune in the hands of his sister. He stopped briefly at the outpost, only to find that scavengers had cleaned the place. Nothing but the corpses remained, but he noticed then that Jakob was nowhere to be found. Krieg didn’t think much of it then, not until he ran into his brother a few years later. In the end, Jakob didn’t join the Legion, but instead from a group of raiders on his own. He asked Krieg to join, naturally, but he declined. The travelling life of a wasteland wanderer interested him more, and besides, he didn’t want to reveal his status as an Immortal, now that the hostilities against his kind were at an all time high.

Gear

Weapons:

• The Gun : A modified HK UMP9, heavily jury-rigged. Despite its worn and battered appearance, it is still fairly functional.
• The Walking Stick : A halberd of sort, consisted of a steel pole and a blade crudely welded to it. Also has leather wrappings around the handle for better grip. When out of combat, he has a sheath for the blade, and he does use it as a walking stick sometimes, leaning on it when he’s tired or prodding objects for traps.
• The Machete : A custom job, looks like the love child of a combat knife and a machete. Often strapped horizontally across his back, right below the backpack.

Armor: A stab vest, reinforced with a metal plate on the upper torso and chain mail sleeves. He also wears a leather gauntlet on his left arm, covered with thick metal plates on the forearms and metal stubs on the knuckles. Additionally, he has knee pads, but that’s it for leg armor.
He only wears armor while working, however, he still wears the stab vest while in town. Better safe than sorry.

Ammunition:

• Dirty Rounds: 5 magazines of 9x19mm (30)

Worn rucksack

• Rations and water
• A compass
• A Swiss army knife
• Whet stones
• Map
• A pair of binoculars, for looking at stuff
• Flints
• Several pairs of sun glasses

Miscellaneous: He actually doesn’t like to wear sunglasses, or glasses for that matter.

Immortalis Information

Manifested Phenomena: Fire/Heat

Unique Abilities:

• Burn baby burn: Krieg can breathe out fire through his mouth, though he otherwise has no control over the element itself.
• It’s getting hot in here: Krieg can increase his body’s temperature drastically, to the point of giving people third degree burns with just a touch. This also makes him very resistant to any harmful effects of fire, and only the most extreme of temperature can affect him. However he can still die from the lack of oxygen if inside a fire. He can also choose which part of his body to heat up, just for the sake of conserving energy.

Strengths:

• Stabby : A trained combatant, Krieg has his fair share of fights. However, his specialty lies mostly in close-quarter combat, either with that halberd of his or utilizing his power in hand-to-hand fights.
• Potent as a pony : Years travelling across the desert combined with the training he received beforehand, Krieg has amazing stamina. He isn’t practically strong or fast, however he is quite hardy. He can maintain physical activities longer than most, and take longer before succumbing to exhaustion, thirst or hunger.

Weaknesses:

• Get over here : A melee fighter most of the time, Krieg’s skill with a gun is sadly neglected. Sure, he knows how to fire, how to reload and how to aim, but that’s about it. He doesn’t know what to do with a jammed or broken gun, and he actually have only used submachine guns and pistols before. It doesn’t help that his abilities are most effective at mid to close range.
• Only human : Krieg's abilities drain his energy, so it's not a very good idea to abuse them.

[Beach Burrito]

I'd probably say that since awakened immortals trump non or partially awakened immortals Krieg (Kreig? It's spelled both ways in the sheet) would be more 'very heat/fire resistant' than completely immune. Right? Like if a more powerful hollow/awakened shot heat/fire at him that was hotter he'd still burn?

Also, I don't think there's any mana/energy in this setting--it's strictly an issue of powers putting strain on the organism residing in your heart. That's how I ended up reading it anyhow.

[RedDusk]

Oh...I was using mana as an expression of sort...I actually had it cross out. Must have made a mistake somewhere. And yeah, fire/heat resistant does sound better, I will fix it
Wow, actually managed to make a typo that lasted the whole CS. Silly me.

[Pepperm1nts]

It seems there is a bit of a contradiction between the Factions tab for Motum Diversum and the 'Story So Far' tab. One makes it seem as though Motum Diversum is the most powerful faction in the wastes, while the other states it has fallen and been replaced by new nations. Can you clarify?

I think this RP looks pretty great. I'm just a bit overwhelmed by all the information. Still, I'm keeping an eye on it.