Ramblebot's New World Encyclopedia
Welcome to the BETA version of RNWE. I am Ramblebot. RNWE is an on-going anthology of contemporary definitions collected by discovered texts, artifacts, and accounts from the Dead Land.
20060618
Alchemist (or A.L.C.H.E.M. Unit)
Arri
Complexion and skin tone: N/A
Banshee
Bears (post-End of the World type)
Theories of the altered species's origin include mutation (from fallout), genetic engineering (MSCs or forced evolution), cybernetic enhancement, or a natural response to a changed ecosystem--possibly the expression (in the pre-End Brown Bear) of a latent gene influencing gigantism. In support of the last idea, remaining old world books contain references to grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) as large as 1800 pounds found in the old American west (19th cent), their size apparently attested to later by preserved hides and skeletons. However, some have claimed the modern brown bear's skeletal structure to be so unlike that of Ursus arctos to suggest a different lineage altogether: that of Ursus spelaeus, the long extinct (European) Cave Bear. Incidentally, this theory would put their origins in line with certain folk traditions of Bjorngard, holding the bears to be great beings awoken from an ancient slumber by the destruction of civilization. Parallel traditions in Bjorngard consider the bears to be part of a resurgence of divine natural power occurring after the End of the World.
Bjorngard
Evidence indicates that, after supply lines and roads to the area were rendered unusable, the Royal United States felt strategically and economically unable to support the area, and withdrew its military presence, evacuating the area's remaining population to more southern and eastern areas of the continent. Some time later, a new and different population arrived.
Having anticipated the destruction in Europe, several thousands of Norwegians with some English and French, fled on ships over the melted polar icecaps to land and take refuge on an empty, isolated and relatively untouched stretch of North American coast. They first landed around what had formerly been Princess Royal Island, and called the area 'Hvitbjorngard' after the distinctive cream-colored bears there, a name eventually reduced to Bjorngard.
The new population seems to have been, at first, largely Norwegian-speaking (though it would eventually succumb to the several pressures of English - whose importance as a trade language and lingua franca, as the first language of an ever-expanding portion of the population, and as a compromise between French-speaking and Norwegian speaking emigrants, both of whom had historically spoken English as their main second language - made it difficult to withstand), a fact demonstrated by various remaining place-names. Nevertheless, in the next three to four generations the populations mixed in ethnicity and language, with additional imports transported from England and possibly France (though the region's term for 'french toast,' 'pain doré' - as opposed to 'pain perdu' suggests instead a Quebecois origin for the region's Francophone influence), as well as a modest influx from the English-speaking regions of what had been Canada. From the melding of these populations the contemporary people emerged, achieving something resembling political unity during a brief rule by a cabal of English-speaking religious despots at the end of the first century following The End. Under a generation later, they were deposed by a loose coalition of secular lords and warriors, in fighting dominated more by blades than old world mechanical weaponry.
Since then, Bjorngard has been ruled (more often than not), by a variety of secular potentates and their warrior bands, who compete with each other and with pagan temple organizations for power. Havdal ('sea plain,' or 'plain by the sea'), a settlement on a coastal inlet reachable by both sea and land, is the traditional meeting place of the region's great men, who generally maintain a presence there year round, and assemble in force once yearly to settle large issues and mete out justice among themselves. In certain years, during open war or when particularly contentious issues must be tried, the lords sometimes hold their gathering elsewhere, making their camps and courts on a certain nearby island--open on all sides--in order to prevent any particular lord or faction from gaining tactical control over the assembly and its judgments.
As a rule, the middle and southern sections of Bjorngard are slightly more heavily populated (and its lords more powerful) than the north, and the coast and island settlements are more populous and wealthier than those inland, which have less access to trade and the bounties of the sea and rich lowland forests.
20060617
Body Boosters
This text was extracted from a buried periodical, Recovered from Sub-Salt Lake Project, Mining Expedition, circa 2068
Text believed to be advertisement, published circa 2047
=================
"Are you FAT?
Unable to FOCUS?
Never have enough ENERGY?
Feel like you’ve always been chronically WEAK?
Does everyone else seem TOUGHER? QUICKER? HAPPIER?
Have your genetics always kept you DOWN, no matter how hard you TRY?
Let
BODY BOOSTERS
fill in where heredity left off!
Body Boosters fuses the most cutting edge biochemical and genetic sciences breakthroughs to bring YOU a product you can actually use! Built scrawny? Lifting weighs can only get you so far! But with Body Boosters special “Bulk” formula, you can temporarily change your body type right at the source: the genetic code! Struggle with nerve damage or other forms of medical debilitation? Body Boosters can get you back in top form! Just one formula a day for five days, and you can be feeling the benefits for up to four months! Like how you feel? Continue taking Body Boosters for as long as you need! Want multiple benefits? Take up to three different formulas at once!
Finally, be everything you’re MEANT to be.
That’s
BODY BOOSTERS
Because why should you let chance control who you are?
Body Boosters!
(by Geneatix)
[Warning: + Do not use Body Boosters if you are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant as Body Boosters may permanently modify genetic makeup of fetal elements. Geneatix is not responsible for mutations in progeny caused by Body Boosters. + Those with a history of heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, or other serious ailments may wish to consult with a doctor before using Body Boosters, as sometimes conditions can be triggered or worsened during metamorphosis phase. + Those with cancers, tumors, or advanced parasitic infestations should exercise caution in using Body Boosters, as some forms are known to benefit from chemical genetic enhancement. Consult with a doctor to determine appropriate management around your conditions. + Do not use Body Boosters if you are undergoing chemotherapy, or may potentially find yourself in close proximity to medium to high radioactive elements. Geneatix is not responsible for unexpected and/or permanent body alterations caused by prolonged exposure to radiation during metamorphosis phase. + Those in continual use of Body Boosters for over a year should be routinely monitored by a medical professional.]"
20060616
"Bomb Parades"
20060614
Capt. Thorne
Coyogre
20060613
Cross of Magog
(an ancient depiction of the Cross of Magog, illustrated by Arch-Bishop Leopold Giona circa 1217.
20060612
Cult of Omaha
Dead Land (or The Dead Land)
Department of Human Studies
Doctor Snake Man
He is rumored to sleep in a floating coffin, and speak only in hisses. The meaning of the term 'Doctor' usually appended to his (its?) name is unknown, but may be simply honorific.
Drum City
No other information is available.
Dust-Kicker
“The End” (or The End of the World, Post-Boom)
GEN Maynard Kong
Genoa
"Great Fires"
20060611
Hatch
HV3.1
Hybroduce
"Hybroduce has been the leader in hybrid fruit and vegetable manufacturing for more than 20 years. The company consists of the Hybruity and Hybregetables brands. Hybroduce offers products of rarity and value.
Hybroduce was built on a foundation of high quality and variety. All fruits and vegetables are grown in bunkers under the strict food engineering guidlines established by the Food and Nutrition division of the Salvation Army."
Due to lack of vegetation, companies like Hyrbroduce began mixing fruit and vegetable seeds in underground laboratories to produce a variety of produce for those able to afford the luxury of such fresh fruit and vegetables. Hyrboduce is owned and operated by the Salvation Army.
Inland Empire, The
Location: Southwestern region of
Geography: Regions ranging from mountain, valley, to desert. Low levels of vegetation, though considered high compared to other, surrounding regions (Death Valley), or further inland regions (Phoenix, Vegas Dome)
Climate: Arid
Population: Unknown
Ruler: Emperor Irion
Capitol:
Area of rule: No points of civilization other than Los Angeles have yet admitted participation the Inland Empire, despite claims of authority that extend far into the High Desert and Mountain regions. Populations in the
[*Programming note: Body language potentially indicative of human attempt at lying, perhaps in humor, seek outside elucidation.]
History: During the Great Fire, the “original”
The rise of the actual Empire, as well as Irion himself, is not well recorded, though it is known that he is well supported by the older generations in Angeles, as well as by “special public syndicates” and a suspiciously loyal law enforcement/military structure.
--------------------------
Reader note: Limited first-hand knowledge of
[*Programming Note: Limbs nearly torn off after initial native contact, escape complex and difficult: avoid Angeles in future]
These text fragments were extracted from the personal journal of one Hamilton Shackleford, Recovered from caravan ruins,
Entry Label
November 26th
“I have never seen a city so fueled by insanity as
At first I wondered if this had to some pathological need to collect metal, but a nearby observer by the name of Navarro, an older local man who seemed less inclined to participate, explained the scene to me upon my request, entailing a good deal of city history. Apparently, the standing predominant belief in the city is that robots were responsible for the Great Fire, a rumor apparently purported early in the re-establishing of order in the city, shortly after the catastrophe, by the arguably asinine Emperor Irion. At one point there had even been a “Great Cleansing,” where all surviving robots had been given the option of either being broken down into scrap parts or burned at the stake.
I am not certain if the particular attitude behind “Great Cleansing” is directly responsible for the tone of the city, or whether it is perhaps part of some other implemented strategy by the Emperor, but I have also noticed that Los Angeles is far more reliant upon faith and religion than other city I have yet come across. While in other places it would seem that the idea of religion has entirely wasted away, here it is actually thriving with a passion comparable to the hubris that fuels organizations such as the Salvation Army, though without the same level of unity. We have only been here for two days, and I have already seen active signs of no less than a dozen different religions- both of the old and new world. We in the caravan were even witness to a “skirmish” of sorts between a bunch of people dressed like animals and another group in brown jumpsuits brandishing tasers. Though the locals gathered around to witness the scene, we thought it wise to relocate our camp as quickly as possible, the Winklers later claiming to have lost a bottle of wine from their wagon during the commotion- to a man wearing bear hides.
I must say that while I have not considered the idea of religion for some time now, I thank God that Travis has managed to find a portable power source and temporarily get X-B’s head up and running again. If it lasts, we can hopefully continue our way North in the morning, and I pray that we will never have to return to
20060610
Junior and Pinto
Shown here with an unidentified pinto, in happier times, when both car and man were in better shape. |
Paolino Carmello Sebastiano LaRosa, Jr. was the son of the famous magician. Paolino Sr., the renowned illusionist of various boom towns and human outposts, made headlines when he successfully disappeared inside an iron crate while shackled in front of an audience of over two hundred. He was never seen again.
Paolino, or "Junior," is wanted for over fifteen counts of bootlegging, twelve counts of armed robbery, five counts of insidious chicanery, nine counts of drug possession, and two counts of moonshining which resulted in the paralysis of two elderly men.
LAAAG
Successful colonization of the Earth's moon made the threat of alien invasion seem less ridiculous, and a number of response measures were developed and reviewed. After years of deliberation, the decision was made to install weapons capable of defeating the assumed defensive capabilities of an alien craft. There are four LAAAGs built on the far side of the moon, each on its own military post. The ammunition used is an armor peircing high explosive shell 2.75 meters in diameter. The barrels stand 110 meters off the surface of the moon, the breach and loading mechanisms underground. The guns and their respective posts are named Alexander, Barbarossa, Charlemagne, and Decimus. However, the common soldier more often refers to them as Alpine, Beach Head, Cobra Commander, and Destro. Each gun has been test fired between four and six times, with Decimus successfully completing only one fire mission. The guns were decommissioned by the Selenine government soon after it was formed, and remained so until brought back into service by the PDLR. The guns are currently manned by skeleton crews. Their exact capabilities and specifications are classified.
Lunar Defense Program
Lunar War
"Fucking Mooners bombed us, is why. They'd been talking about it; they used them giant moon guns on us. My grandpap said it's 'cuz living up there in space made 'em all go looney."
Malcolm S.
Evidence, thus-far, has suggested the so-called war between "post-boom" Earthlings and the Moonlings culminated into several minor skirmishes and blockades to trade, but there were no mass casualties.
Master Rehmi
Master Rehmi is the most common name for one or more gigantic fish living in the Atlantic Ocean. Worshipped as a god by certain cultures, Master Rehmi tends to terrorize shipping lanes, swallowing ships whole. It is unknown whether or not there is more than one of this species; if there is indeed a single Master Rehmi, then it is more than 130 years old. His status as an MSC is hotly debated.
Some other names for the creature include Bigmouth, Ol' Whiskers, and Mammouth Mouth.
Mecha-monkey
Before the End of the World, Mecha-monkeys were created as a replacement for much of the high-skilled manual labor. A computer with extensive knowledge of the intended job, as well as muscle-memory protocols, is affixed to the back of the monkey, and connected to the brain via a jack in the back of the head. Each system is specialized, allowing the subject to perform a certain job. Packages available include, but are certainly not limited to, electronics, masonry, auto repair, and four levels of Med-Ape. Of particular value are Mecha-monkeys who are programed to prep and install other Mecha-monkeys. Mecha-monkeys are relatively rare on Earth, due to the population's tendency to canabalize resources for short-term survival. On the Moon, however, virtually all competently completed skill-intensive manual labor is done by Mecha-monkeys. Above is a picture of a typical mecha-monkey computer unit.
20060609
Moonlings
MSCs
These species are speculated to be the products of failed genetic engineering or mutation caused by long term nuclear fallout. Common examples include the coyogre, screaming lizard, sand spider and the giant squid, as well as the more debated, so-called Master Rhemi fish.
Nuclear Torpedos
After 2019, all US fleet attack-submarines, initially including the 'Sea Wolf' and 'Vader' classes were outfitted with Hauer2 or Hauer3 class torpedoes for increased tactical lethality and deterrence in naval warfare, each torpedo armed with a 15 megaton nuclear charge.
In this case, the weapons' origins and history are considered to be of unique interest. The 'nuclear torpedo' was first conceived of and popularized by the 2009 film Arnie Breaks Everything (James Cameron/71 minutes). In its penultimate action sequence, before the eponymous Schwarzenegger boards the sinister Rutger Hauer's submarine with only a lava gun to fight to the death, the two, each piloting a hijacked military submarine, trade shots with 'nuclear torpedoes' in a destructive underwater duel. The sequence proved highly popular, both in the theater and on video, and viewed over the 'internet' for decades to come. Tapes and disks of the sequence, often amateurishly translated, make up a significant portion of the world's known surviving video stock. The film itself reignited Schwarzenegger's flagging political career, and, largely based on near-100%-support and high voter turnout among 18-26 year old males, he went on to win another term in public office.
Current and former presidents were also rumored to be fans of the movie (with the notable exception of the aged and out of touch Carter), as well as senators and generals. Thus it was that legislation demanding the creation of the new weapons class was quickly introduced and passed in the US congress. The military only being too glad to tackle the project, the experimental Hauer1 was, despite large budget overruns, developed and tested within 6 years, to be followed by the more compact and reliable Hauer2s, which were also helicopter-mountable. They were widely deployed to the navy beginning in 2019, though their actual strategic value is not entirely clear. The uses behind the Hauer-class torpedos appear to have centered around a type of 'nuclear strafing' against the coastline of hostile nations. In later decades, it was apparently theorized that torpedo-equipped submarines could be dropped from orbit into alien seas, to attack their inhuman navies in their own waters. It is unknown whether this tactic was actually practiced.
Today's historians have suggested the devices' character suggest the calamitous nature of worldviews and attitudes among 21st century populations, attitudes which ultimately led to the Great Fire. It is not entirely clear whether the Hauer series played any physical role in that sequence of events, though some scholars believe the far more thorough and expansive destruction in western north america (as compared with east), may have been in response to some action on the part of trigger-happy pacific sub-commanders., who had been notorious ever since having 'almost nuked Fiji' in 2073.
Operation Rotary
20060608
Pacific Northwestern Physical Anomalies (PNPA)
The source is speculated to be a surviving pre-End machine of human origin, and some complexity, probably sustained by either nuclear or geothermal power (i.e. magma). Such a machine’s purpose would be speculative.
Addendum: surviving head of B-760 Hyper-chipz Cogitator (encountered at dive in company of humans who purchased from company of human with metal arms) ejaculated term: 'node' in response to query concerning phenomenon, but refused to cooperate with further interrogation. Must clarify.
*my term
People's Democratic Lunar Republic
PDLR National Guard
PMS
Processed Meal Supplement
Distributed exclusively by the Salvation Army, the PMS's original purpose was to provide the soldiers of the Army with enhanced and readily available nutrition. For a more practical consumption developers of the PMS decided to distribute the meals in bitesize form (chips) for the grab-and-go lifestyle of the Salvation Army soldiers.
PMS's are currently available in 32 flavors including Roast Beef Dinner, Thanksgiving, and Mac'n'Cheese.
Pop Sharks
RB: So you've seen these pop sharks in action?
BB: Hell yeah. It's hard to tell just by lookin' at 'em if they're hungry or not. I've been able to walk by, maybe thirty feet away, with them just staring at me. I've also had them attack out of no where. They're faster than they look. I mean, they're not fast, but faster than they look.
RB: They tend to sneak up on their prey, then?
BB: Well, like I said, their behavior is kind of crazy. You never know what they're gonna do next. We were traveling by stagecoach one day, and were laughing at one that was walking with us. It must have followed us for a mile at least, and then suddenly decided to leap up and bite this guy's head off. I don't trust 'em for shit.
Robot City
The Salvation Army
Sand Spiders
There are little existing records or research regarding the recently emerging arachnid species in the North American southwest, colloquially known as the Sand Spider.
This text fragment was extracted from the personal journal of one Hamilton Shackleford, Recovered from caravan ruins,
Entry label:
December 14th, 2075
Barstow
“… and many told me they will lay low all winter. Such is the fear the locals here in
A few of the older travelers claim that they used to see abnormally large spiders in the mountains, further north, where they would make webs to catch birds, bats and the like. Judging from the comparison in description, these Sand Spiders would be the same type, about the size of a cat, squat and round, lightly covered in black hair, and extremely fast. The theory stands that these spiders came down from the mountains and learned to adapt very well to the desert, taking over the dens of the regional species of Giant Coyote. Locals are actually quite pleased in the recent decrease in population of the coyote brought about by the spider, as the spiders are less likely to come into the town whereas the coyotes would occasionally snatch up livestock or a small child. It is travelers and merchants that are far more wary now, as the spiders are far more likely to strike outside of communities, and are notoriously fearless in their attacks.
I met a local yesterday, a prospector by the name of Shifty Pete, that had supposedly actually seen a Sand Spider attack from a distance. Pete claims that he and some friends were mining nearby when, from the vantage point of their hill, they witnessed a caravan in the distance become swarmed by a flurry Sand Spiders that appeared to come from nowhere and then disappear in the wind. This would frighteningly confirm that the spiders have learned to hunt in packs, and perhaps even set ambushes. Pete and his friends also explored the scene of the devastated caravan some time later, to find no sign of bodies, human or spider, and very little sign of struggle. Local legend insists that the spiders suck fluids from the body so quickly and thoroughly that the body withers to a husk of skin that blows away in the wind… though I find it much more likely that they, like most spiders, merely have a paralyzing venom. This would indicate to me that the spiders return to their lairs with their food in order to feast, probably keeping their victims alive for as long as possible... a truly horrifying fate.
It has become custom here in
I must say, given what little I have learned about these large arachnids, that I am very much willing to do the same. My family and I, and the others of our caravan, will be laying low with the others for as long as necessary. The desert is not so miserable in the winter anyway. Tomorrow I would like to ask the…”
Screaming Lizard
Text found in the grave of a north-western settler details his experience with the so-called screaming lizard, '...saw it again today, lizard got's to be 4 foot long, with mean looking spikes riding down its back. The sound of this thing is louder and scarier than Hell, we figure it's either scaring off a (predator)... but what kind of animal is dumb enough to attack it... or making some kinda mating call. Little Gorgette wants to ride the damn thing. I just know I'm gonna stay far as Hell away from the creatures as I can."
Dillan R.
Selenine
Shelter 303
A Photograph Looking Outside an Unidentified Shelter |
A Photograph of an Unidentified Shelter Opening |
Several of these subterranean bunkers can be found along the landscape of the deserts in the West, as well as regions in the East. They are believed to have once served as underground safe-havens for human communities, though most have long been abandoned, as a result of food/water shortage and general breakdown of social order.
The Shrieking Clam
20060606
Space Elevator
Turbine City West (and East)
20060605
United Magmaworks
United Magmaworks (or U.M.) was a pre-End
U.M. began as a geothermal energy utilities organization that slowly branched off into the realm of scientific projects, eventually leading to the development of technology that allowed for the actual harnessing of magma as a fuel source. Their first successful scientific project, the Lava Gun (see “Lava Gun”), not only gave birth to the field of Teleportation technology (see “Teleportation”), but lead to a hefty contract from the U.S. Defense Department, soon establishing them as a top military contractor.
With powerful lobbyists in Washington, United Magmaworks was said to have been the driving force behind the popular “Race to the Center of the Earth” frenzy of the mid 21st century, which pushed to create a hole to the center of the Earth before China, similarly to the “Race to the Moon” against Russia during the mid to late 20th century. As the recipient of several massive grants from the
The actual whereabouts of such a machine or hole are currently unknown.
Some theories indicate that the U.M. “Center of the Earth” project in some way contributed to The End, though there is currently no evidence to support such a link, or even a potential hypothesis.