Welcome to Hell on Earth.
The year is 2189 and the prospering lands that your ancestors once knew are no more. A century ago, misery and disaster befell the world. War. Famine. Genocide. Political discord. Death at every doorstep. All an inevitable demise brought on by humanity’s unstoppable potential for division and hatred.
Desperate to wipe the lands clean of their mistakes, President Cornealius Baron enacted the TFAR Act (Total Firearm and Ammunition Recall) in 2035, eliminating all traces of man made firearms from the world. Mere months after that, seven nuclear bombs were dropped from country to country.
From henceforth, peace no longer existed; it was nothing more than fairy tales and dreams found on scraps of paper, little utopias and cities dubbed ominously as the Old Lands. The global populace fled to the least radioactive area in the world, a group of midland states in America, before creating their own separate “Territories”.
There are now 6 territories. Each led by a Baron or Baroness. Each paying homage to a certain clan of Nomads. And each toiling with political tension after the 7th territory has fallen. It’s a race against time to claim the open land for keeps.
Enter the Badlands.
“You’re aware of the basics. Our continent is divided into 7 territories. These are lead by a Baron. Baron Vaugn of the Armadillo. Baroness Lang of the Peacock. Baroness Joel of the Fox. Baron McCallughn of the Grasshopper. Baron Flores of the Narwhal. And Baroness King of the Butterfly.”
“Hey! Are your ears open? Huh? If you’re gonna be one of us, then you better keep on your toes. Else I’ll chuck you straight into a tar pit and I’m being kind, kid. So tell me, what’s off?”
“…Good. You’re not completely hopeless. There is no seventh baron. Land located farthest to the east is unclaimed. Its soil is a perfect breeding ground for poppy, has direct access to the river, has all the strategic advantage over other territories, and hey, it’s space. Untouched ever since Baron Hemming and his numbers were put under. Getting our hands on that is the end all be all.”
“Which is where you newbies come in.”
“From this moment forth, your freedom, your purpose, your existence belongs to Baron Vaugn. All questions come to me and me alone unless the Baron says otherwise. Step out of line and I’ll stomp your head in, got it? Good. Grab a bunk, change into your uniform, and round up immediately at the Mosk. Baron Vaugn will greet and initiate you officially as Colts. Oh and one more thing… Don’t even think of wasting our time. Dying before you hit the battlefield is strictly prohibited.”
Listed below is some essential World Lore that you’ll need to know:
Terminology
A Clipper is essentially a senior soldier. Experienced and trusted among their troops of a Territory. Clippers usually lead all missions with a combination of fellow Clippers and Colts (lower ranking soldiers). The highest ranking soldier of them all are Senior Clippers. So in a way, the level of ranking goes:
Colt: Foot Soldier
Clipper: Lieutenant
Senior Clipper: Captain
Both Clipper and Senior Clipper are viewed as honorary titles among the Territory. All Clippers started out as Colts, before working their way up the ranks.
Baron/Baroness: The leader of a Territory. They oversee all political, economic, and societal transactions. They are also praised for their combative prowess, having to fight their way to the top or inherit the title. Barons and Baronesses usually have a spouse to assist them in their duties and manage responsibilities of lesser importance.
Nomads: Members of Clans located throughout the Badlands. They’re usually found in campgrounds/settlements in the bowels of forested areas, surviving on their own. They do this in order to dodge the sketchy politics of Barons and Baronesses, though sometimes it’s inevitable. This, unfortunately, leaves them vulnerable to other issues such as dangerous wildlife and bandit attacks.
A Deeper Look into the Badlands
All weapons available to inhabitants of the Badlands are mainly melee. So that includes swords, daggers, clubs, bo staffs, machete, and so on and so fourth. There’s a vast blend of weaponry from many different cultural backgrounds/history, considering people migrated globally to one point in the central states of America. There are even wild combinations and innovative weapon designs, thanks to the appearance of Makers (one of the character Natures you can choose from).
Electronic devices exist. However, they’re hard to come upon. Most working technology, such as televisions, radios, computers, etc. are found in the homes of Barons and Baronesses. If you manage to stumble upon working tech outside of these parameters, it’s via the Scrap Yard or by incredible luck.
The main forms of transportation used in the Badlands are: Horseback and carriage, motorcycles, cars, buses, and bicycles. It’s hard to come into possession of motor vehicles, unless you’re a talented Maker, manage to steal one from someone else, or have it repaired at the Scrap Yard (their services are never for free, though).
There are no major cities, just the Territories dispersed throughout the Badlands. Armadillo, Peacock, Fox, Grasshopper, Butterfly, and Narwhal (the 7th Territory which has fallen no longer has notoriety and has been reduced to blank open land on the map). Clans are primarily encampments scattered about the Territories outside of Baron/Baroness personally owned land (their houses and such). They’re likely to lack in technology.
Wildlife have survived the apocalypse but, due to the series of nuclear bombing, a large percentage of them have underwent radioactive mutation. All those in the Badlands have to practice utmost caution and avoid ingesting dangerous flora or fauna. It’s a key skill to survival but, of course, many lives have been lost as a result. Some examples of these creatures include but are definitely not limited to: Two-headed mammals, aquatic creatures treading on land, vicious aviary predators, and so on and so forth.
Inspired by the AMC series, “Into the Badlands”.
Hosted and narrated by:
Kaitlyn (Mobley)
Started 05/02/20.
Scenes played: 2
License: Community License
