INTRODUCTION

“There was a time when these lands held more Tribes than the mighty Radroc has gore-encrusted feathers. This was before the rusting over of our hearts. This was before the coming of the Chaplain.”

                                            -Sleek Deer  

 ___________________________________________

Welcome to The Long Dry. 

 

Comprised of a seemingly endless stretch of shattered, flat and hazardous land, this perilous Region of the Wasteland is aptly named, as natural sources of Water are a rarity in the brittle, clay-crusted land. Home to a bevy of dangerous, interesting wildlife, a series of recent events have brought a flurry of attention and new visitors to the Region... 

 

A Grand Discovery 

Throughout the Region known as the Long Dry, fissures in the surface of the Earth lazily belch forth a mysterious, maroon-red gas that drifts in winding trails towards the blazing sky. 15 years ago, a brilliant Vault-dweller Scientist discovered a method for extracting and converting this gas into a miraculous Super-Fuel that can act as a substitute for (elusive and rare) Electrical Power. This revolutionary compound is known collectively as Vapor 42 (named after the Vault number where its ingenious inventor hailed). 

 

Rich pockets of this valuable Gas litter the Long Dry, and as word spread of its astonishing properties, fortune hunters from across the Wasteland have populated the Long Dry in search of striking it rich by tapping a rich fissure of Vapor 42.  

 

A First City 

The Crest of Sidehook, symbolizing the three rulers of the city. The bottle Cap (Martine), the Lightning Bolt (Electric Eleanor) and the Syringe (Doctor Johnny Carolina). The motto of the city is "Reward for Results."

The undisputed jewel of The Long Dry is also its first Settlement. The city of Sidehook was founded 30 years ago as a modest trading post hub, steadily growing over time, and eventually expanding to a full-on boomtown over the last decade. Being fortuitously located on one of the richest veins of Vapor 42 in the Region has turned Sidehook into a fully powered City that is a hotbed for intrigue and activity in the area. Currently, the city is tenuously ruled by three bickering Leaders: The respected elder Trader Martine, the exotic Madam known as Electric Eleanor, and the morally flexible Doctor Johnny Carolina. Each of these forceful personalities rule over their own slice of Sidehook, possessing their own fervent supporters and dangerous enemies.   

 

A Shattered Nation

The All-Seeing Moth is the symbol of the eccentric Chaplain Verard and his Third Family. The Moth is rumored to hold great significance to the Chaplain for its three stages of life: The Larva, then the Caterpillar, and then, finally, the Moth. 

The Long Dry was once home to countless Clans of nomadic, primitive Tribals who made both war and trade with each other in a complex network of alliances and rivalries. The Tribes were once the undisputed Masters of the Region, but five years ago, a mysterious, enigmatic visionary known as Chaplain Verard appeared, visiting each Tribe and spouting strange promises of Family and unity, slowly bending the fractured bands to his control and uniting the vast majority of the region’s Tribes into one massive cult known only as The Third Family.

 

Promising to lead his new Family to prosperity and enlightenment, The Chaplain ventured deep into the sweltering, steaming Jungles at the farthest edge of The Long Dry. His current plans remain unknown, but the Chaplain will sometimes broadcast his strange teachings via cryptic radio broadcasts throughout the region, baffling listeners with his puzzling musings and tilted wisdom.  

 

However, not every Tribal was convinced to follow The Chaplain into the hellish, dangerous jungle. Where at one time, countless Tribes held sprawling tracts of land throughout The Long Dry, now, only two Tribes of note remain: 

Now a husk of their former traditions and attachments, the Rustheart Nation use the image of a mechanical, grime-stained heart as their Tribal Crest.

The Rustheart Nation is less a formal Tribe and more a catch-all term for the leftover Tribals who were not swayed by the charismatic promises of The Chaplain. For all intents and purposes, Rustheart Tribals are the primal Orphans created by the forming of the Third Family. Many Rustheart Tribals are morose and listless without the Traditions of their Tribe to keep them balanced. Others revel in their newfound freedom. Whatever the case, none can argue that the age of Tribal dominance in the region are over. 

The totem creature of the Ghost-Soul Tribe is (naturally) the Deathclaw, and this nefarious tribe chooses a sickly Deathclaw skull infested with worms as its Crest.

The Ghost-Soul Tribe relish in savagery and barbarism, attacking anyone and anything that does not share their savage blood. Even when the Tribes of The Long Dry flourished before the coming of The Chaplain, the Ghost-Souls ravaged their neighbors, leaving no survivors and delighting in the spilling of blood and the skinning of flesh. Rejecting any and all aspects of civility, these blood-drenched marauders plague the region still, their cruel War Parties roaming the sweltering land, awaiting the next chance to test their spears and arrows. 

 

A Perfect Society 

The standard Vault-Tec Crest of Vault 42 is inlaid with a thorn-streaked vine and blossom to represent the Botanical expertise of the Vault's Overseer, Lester Kandrian.

To all outside inspection, Vault 42 seems like a veritable paradise. With its sterling halls and spotless interior, the Vault is packed with supplies, technology, and security. Closely watched by the zealously paranoid Overseer Lester Kandrian, the citizens of Vault 42 are expected to maintain strict codes of conduct and civility, where the slightest infraction is met with harsh punishments, with the worst being banishment to the cruel, unforgiving outside world. Overseer Kandrian personally oversaw the project that led to the creation of Vapor 42, and the compound is named after the Vault he rules over. 

A Cadre of Masters

The ornamental Cross and Chain is the Crest of choice for the Flesh League Slaver's guild, and licensed Slavers will often proudly carry banners emblazoned with it to symbolize their affiliation.

Slavery is a thriving business in the Long Dry, and no other organization is as widely feared as the Flesh League, a highly influential group who holds a monopoly on Slave-trading in the region. Those unfortunate enough to wear a bomb-collar of the Flesh League are among the most wretched lot in the Long Dry, most being doomed to brutal lives of physical labor or other amoral uses. The detached head of the Flesh League is the emotionless Slaver known as “The Prince of Skin” Paolo Perez, who is one of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in the area. 

 

Location 

The region of the American Wasteland known as the Long Dry is generally situated in the area of modern-day New Mexico and Arizona. As you might expect, the seeping radiation has altered the landscape and surrounding area.  

 

Dave Note: In short, I am terrible with geography, so don’t expect to see any recognizable landmarks or anything. Mexico/Arizona just fit the type of setting visually that I think closest resembles what I have in mind for the Long Dry region. 

 

Religion 

A notable cultural difference about The Long Dry is the native “Religion” and slang of the people who inhabit this place. A mysterious figure known only as “The Boatman” is regarded as some sort of religious figure to natives of the Long Dry, and this ghastly icon is said to ferry departed souls into the afterlife, where the Dead roam a complex labyrinth called “The Hades Maze.” 

 

The Boatman promises no salvation or guidance, but it is not uncommon to see denizens of the Long Dry wear charms depicting a hollowed-out Skull or offering prayers to this skeletal Ferryman. 

 

Lexicon 

Like any other region, the people of The Long Dry have developed their own slang and phrases that color their language as denizens of this colorful place. Below are some of the more common words and phrases that one might hear: 

 

“Cherry-Piece” 

Of notably superior quality. “See this Laser pistol right here? I stole it off one of those Brotherhood of Steel chumps. It’s a real Cherry-Piece.” 

 

“By the Boatman’s Oar” 

An exclamation of surprise or bewilderment. “By the Boatman’s Oar, that Radscorpion is enormous!” 

 

“Reward for Results” 

A phrase often spoken to enforce a deal or agreement between two parties. Considered to be legally binding. Whenever both parties agree to terms, a handshake is exchanged, and each party recites this to sanctify the agreement. Reneging on an agreement of this sort is considered exceedingly bad faith and those who do not seriously uphold this tradition are labeled as untrustworthy. As trade is a vital part of survival in the Wasteland, having a reputation as an untrustworthy trading partner is akin to a death sentence. 

 

“The Hades Maze” 

Slang for ‘The Afterlife’. A massive and winding series of grey catacomb-caverns where departed souls roam for all eternity. It is believed that if you are clever (or lucky) enough to find your way out of the Hades Maze, one’s soul will attain peace. 

 

“Maze” 

Often used as a verb to describe the act of killing someone or something. IE sending someone to the Hades Maze. “I heard some Traders got ambushed by a War Party of Ghost-Soul Tribals the other day. Entire Caravan got Mazed. Not even the Brahmin survived.” 

 

Dave Note: The whole Hades Maze/Boatman aspects are inspired by Mexico’s awesome fixation/kinda-sorta worship of death as an entity. You know, day of the dead stuff and all that. It works with this setting, and will play a pretty big part in coloring the world and making it unique.  

 

Threats 

The Wasteland is a wellspring of dangers and hazards, and the Long Dry is no exception. In addition to the usual suspects like Radroaches, Bloatflies, roaming Radscorpions, ravenous Feral Ghouls, the occasional Deathclaw and other universal threats to existence, the Long Dry has numerous unique dangers all its own. 

 

The Radroc 

The Tribals call him “Nuwa-Shavi”, which roughly translates to “King Firebird.” The Radroc is an enormous, blood red bird with no eyes that’s screech can be heard for miles around, and its massive soaring form can blot out the unforgiving sun. When it hungers, the Radroc swoops down to effortlessly pluck unsuspecting Brahmin from the ground in its indomitable talons, often times carrying one fully grown Brahmin in each razored grip. Luckily, there is only one Radroc that has been encountered to date, and any who hear the deafening shriek of its presence would do well to seek shelter from the King of the skies. Many Tribals go so far as to consider the Radroc some sort of deity, and many leave offerings for the beast in hopes of garnering its favor.  

 

Vultoons 

Mutated Vultures with gnarled, hooked beaks and an appetite for rotting flesh, Vultoons have no legs, but instead, a series of fleshy pink tentacles sprout from their tailfeather region. A Vultoon’s favored method of attack is wrapping these tendrils around a victim’s throat and strangling them while pecking at the face and eyes of its prey. Vultoons always attack as a flock, and are one of the more iconic pests in the Long Dry. 

 

Geckos 

These mutated lizards are exceedingly common in the dry, arid flatlands of the Long Dry. Gecko hide fetches a fine price on the open market, and Trappers with skill can earn handsome profits if they are well equipped enough. Long Dry Geckos often spit a clear, oily poison that acts as a nerve-numbing agent. Once a victim’s nerves are totally numbed, the Gecko takes its time eating its prize alive. For this purpose, Gecko spit is also prized as a numbing agent for many medical procedures. 

 

Mutated Plant Life 

“If it’s green, it will attack you sooner or later” is the common view on the rare plant life of the Long Dry. From vines that sprout forth and hunger for blood, to flesh-eating Venus Fly traps, the plant life of the region is exceedingly rare, but seemingly always dangerous. One of the more bizarre threats of this manner is the solitary hunter known as Cackmen, a bloated, humanoid shaped Cactus creature that is widely hunted for the rare and precious water it holds beneath its spine-covered skin. Cackmen are devious and can attain the shape of a normal cactus, only to spring into action and assault anyone within range of its club-like limbs. 

 

Super Mutants 

The crazed scientist known as The Master is the creator of the Super Mutant race, and after his death at the hands of The Vault Dweller, his Super Mutant armies fractured and splintered throughout the country. While it is widely believed that their origin began somewhere in the New California Republic, sightings of Super Mutants in the Long Dry are luckily few and far between. Any Super Mutant activity in the area seems to be random and fractured ever since The Master’s ruin. 

 

Raiders 

While small Raider gangs are scattered throughout the Long Dry, the most dangerous threat to everyday existence in the region is undoubtedly the crazed, psychotic members of the Ghost-Soul Tribe. These merciless killers attack from the shadows and leave nothing but wreckage in their wake, putting any Raider gang in the region to shame with their callous barbarism and hatred for any who are not members of their wretched family. Even before The Chaplain amassed his Third Family, the Ghost-Souls were regarded as heartless murderers, considered primitive savages even by other Tribals. 

 

The Brotherhood of Steel 

Somewhere in the flaking, dry and flat landscape of the Long Dry there rests a crashed, shattered Vertibird. Already ransacked of anything useful long ago, rumors fly throughout the region as to its origin. Other than this wrecked vessel, there is little sign of Brotherhood activity in the region, though it is widely speculated that the enigmatic Chaplain Verard had ties with the hallowed organization at some point. While the discovery of Vapor 42 is most certainly of interest to the Brotherhood of Steel, the organization as a whole seems to have more pressing concerns to contend with as of late, but many agree that it’s only a matter of time before their Power Armor-clad agents investigate the area for themself. 

Mirelurks 

The one positive about a desperately dry climate is that Mirelurks are practically unheard of in the Long Dry. However, these creatures are known to inhabit the lush, sweltering jungles that border the region, where only Chaplain Verard and his insane Third Family choose to reside.