Post-logue: "Trouble in Paradise" (July 2023)

Letter from Eureka to Hell Dorado, read aloud in the Tavern:  

“Hellions of El Dorado,  

I wanted to personally thank you for sending aid in defending my town against the Unifier Rebels.  Thanks to your efforts we were able to survive the siege and capture one of the rebels alive.  We have questioned the defecting rebel and they, who have chosen the name Infinity, have revealed some insights.  It seems that they have made a camp within the strange doorway at the direction of someone they only know as “friend”, who periodically visits them to give them aid in one form or another.  They could not give me any more details than that.   We have since rebuilt our defenses and we have stationed guards 24/7 to look out for any more of those strange doorways.  Some of those who were living in Eureka have decided to leave, some because they feel they would be safer elsewhere and others because they simply do not feel comfortable staying in one place.  I hope that if any come to you, you will welcome them.  

Thank you again.

Eureka” 

Story Recap Triple Feature: Oct, Nov & Dec 2022

October 2022 “The Final Countdown”

Steamboat Party Sunk by Own Weapon

Telegraph messages from an informant inside the Steamboat Party tipped off the Hellions to the dispossessed monarchy’s plans, which included the use of a blue spiretech weapon called Project Bandersnatch. Led by Commander Dippy Dawg of the Goof Troop, the Hellions mounted an attack against Melancholy Hill while an infiltration team set the weapon to detonate. The blast’s powerful psionic shockwave obliterated all of Melancholy Hill. Dippy Dawg and Prinx Florian are assumed to have been deleted on both a physical (atomic) and metaphysical (Imprint) level. What remains has yet to be scouted in detail, but airship pilots now refer to the area as Melancholy Crater.

Nemesis Night ends in Romero’s Final Curtain

The Nemesis Cult continued their tradition of terror on Halloween night, enacting their scripts and demanding that Hellions play along. Faith experts noted departures from the scripts with a focus on spire crystals. This became clear when Romero (aka Pyramid Head) arrived seeking shelter, claiming the other Nemeses had made a deal with the gravemind entity called Legion, exchanging spire crystals for power. The Hellions responded by finishing the assassination themselves, and destroying the pyramid helmet.

Marsh Mischief

Bizarre swamp critters were observed both in the swamps and stampeding through town. These “Hybrids” shared features and behaviors of Delfini, Sin-Eaters, and Psyotes. Green crystal residue was discovered coating some of the critters. A patchworked green spiretech device in the swamps was discovered to be the source of the ooze.

November 2022 Premier, “Strange New World”

Wasteland Violence Federation sponsors Red Ledger Competition

The W.V.F. wants to see the strongest, toughest, and sharpest of El Dorado compete for the championship belt. Various ongoing matches are now available. The individual with the most Clout will take home the belt in February, May, August, and November.

Raiders Finding Faith?

Marsh raiders were observed encroaching further into town than normal, including gathering at the Rad Tree around a collection of small totems. They were later observed performing what appeared to be a faith ritual on some Warpath raiders, and chanting “Vodneek,” the name of a little-understood plant creature that the swamp folk regard as a guardian spirit.

Marsh Meltdown Leads to Spiretech Discovery

Bernardino Townsfolk, apparently the ones responsible for the bunker of spiretech devices in the swamps, sought help in preventing a further ecological disaster in the Lowtown swamps. The Hellions were able to prevent the breakdown and salvage the parts of the abandoned project for their own experimental use.

Mortis Vibrations Hint at Sinister Presence

Aberrants in town, and Grave Attuned in particular, felt what they described as a “mortis wave” emanate through town, with the morgue as its origin. They sensed the now-recognizable presence of Legion, envisioned as a prismatic pearl encasing a sinister presence. Sages believe that this presence may be one of the so-called Archons, the extradimensional horrors from the abyss beyond death, and that it is somehow encapsulated and contained by Legion. At least for now.

Ants Go Marching On

Mutant ants invaded town in search of food, including Lineage flesh. Hellions marched on the ant hill, due in no small part to the urgings of Overlord Billie. They discovered that the tunnels extend for miles upon miles, and that they are cohabitated by Recluse Raiders. They were able to recover some clutches of eggs before demolishing the tunnel entrances closest to town.

Oxline Railroad Spike Driven, Coastal Rail Line Work Continues

Construction of the Oxline Railroad was finally concluded with the driving of the golden spike. The completion of the railroad project, which was delayed years due to the circumstances of the Wandering, connects El Dorado directly to Bravado, and indirectly to other settlements beyond. Meanwhile, the railway north to Sinn & Conn Valley remains under construction from both ends.

Town Defends Mothra from Hybrids

Mothra, enraged by exposure to crystal ooze and pursued by Hybrids, stormed through town on Saturday night. The Hellions rallied to defend her from the vicious critters while simultaneously attempting to clean her carapace of the ooze. The mighty Kaiju was able to make it to the Rad Tree and burrow so that she can regenerate. Hopefully enough ooze was removed to prevent any long-term effects.

December 2022, “Prometheus”

Legion Imprints Given Body, Named Eureka

A pioneering Gravetech / Spiretech experiment conducted at the castle of local nemesis Dr. Frank N Stein successfully splintered off several Imprints from Legion and housed them in a composite Lineage body. The rest of the Legion hivemind expressed hostility. This new person(s) chose the name Eureka, and was sheltered in El Dorado.

Legion Speaks of Past, Present, and Future

Various Lineages passing through town were, on several occasions, revealed to be devoted to Legion when they began speaking in chorus. During these moments of possession they spoke of Legion’s creation, present state, and predictions for the future. Scholars have gleaned that Legion was created by the Grave Mind from Spire Crystal matter and Imprints in response to invasion by an otherworldly creature - one of the so-called Archons. Presently this Archon is imprisoned by the “pearl” that is Legion. Legion is known to be actively seeking their own escape from the Grave Mind, which would leave the door open for this Archon to free itself. Legion themselves do not appear concerned with the ramifications of this, caring only about their own release.

Technology Successfully Severs Legion Influence

Lead researcher Santana successfully developed a blue Spiretech device that can free a person from Legion’s influence. While Legion has made good on “deals” struck in the past, it appears they are under no obligation to abide by any terms, and a Legion “deal” of any kind allows the entity complete control of the individual for an unknown period of time.

Krampus Seeks Naughty Legion Devotees

Krampus and his elf acolytes made their usual Giftmas rounds to punish the naughty, specifically seeking those who remain devoted to Legion.

Game Recap, September 2022, "Eve of Destruction"

Click here to view previous Game Recaps

For a broader recap of El Dorado history, see The Story So Far

Nu Cali Alliance

The newly formed Nu Cali Alliance introduced themselves to town. Comprised of volunteers from the Mojave, Bernardino Township, Magic Kingdom, AX Seaport, and El Dorado locals, they pledged their aid against the chaos of the wastes.

Disresonance Cured

The Nu Cali Alliance delivered on their promise of aid by providing a Flawless Blue Crystal device, which was sunk into the morgue in order to cure the Disresonance that had been afflicting the town. One group of Hellions defended the morgue from a continuous horde of Crystalline Dead while the others dove into the Mortis to ensure the project’s success. Aberrant Hellions breathed a collective sigh of relief as the effects of Disresonance faded.

Continued Trouble in the Swamps

Bizarre creatures entered town on Friday night, appearing to be mutant combinations of local wildlife including Delfini, Psyotes, and SIn-Eaters. Whether these are the result of experimentation, a freak accident, or natural evolution is unclear at present. Furthermore, the swamp-dwelling Quiet Folk entered town to warn of strange occurrences and green lights. Another Quiet Folk individual requested escort through the swamps, but then vanished suspiciously once the threat had been subdued. A strange device leaking green ooze was also discovered, and the threat of the plant-creature Vodneek still lurks. Whatever the hell is going on in the swamps, it doesn’t bode well.

Cryptid Convicted, Town Exonerated

Cryptid was put on trial for the crime of murdering Brine, a Saltwise who was foraging in the El Dorado area. The material facts of the case were not in dispute, with Cryptid admitting to the killing. Defending counsel Kell argued that Brine’s actions of foraging for poisons to kill Delfini were potentially harmful to town. Brine testified that no harm was intended.

Judge Ox dismissed the defense’s line of argument that fractures could be a mitigating factor. They also ruled that the town at large was not negligent in allowing the killing to occur. Cryptid was found guilty of the murder. Brine was restored their lost Infection by Riggs, who volunteered to have the Infection surgically transferred.

(OOG Note: The trial was opt-in social CvC and Infection-loss, and was negotiated enthusiastically between players. Nobody is going on trial who doesn’t want to be.)

Melancholy Hill Scouted, Fortifications Destroyed

Trailblazers fended off Rust Raiders to scout the paths around Melancholy Hill. The fortress, which many have claimed but none have held, is the current last bastion of the Steamboat Party (Florian, Prinx-in-Exile of the Magic Kingdom and their supporters). With the way cleared, a strike team of Hellion vehicles destroyed their fortifications, paving the way for a ground assault in the future. The operation was not without cost, with Cryptid being killed by incoming rockets.

Duck Hunt

The flagship of the Steamboat Party, the Flying V, was spotted in Hellion airspace. Hellions exchanged fire and brought the ship down, then pursued into the Razor Mounds. There they boarded the enemy vessel, defeating the Mighty Duck forces and killing Admiral Hopper. The attempt cost the life of Carrion, causing a brief panic when it was believed that the Tainted had lost his last Infection. Fortunately he returned from the morgue in a living state, albeit with deeper green veins than before. Hellions hope to launch a salvage operation of the V next month.

Telegraph System Connected

Former Rescuers now apprenticing as Imagination Engineers made the trip from the Magic Kingdom. They enlisted the help of Hellion artisans to assist them in the construction of a telegraph machine that will more easily connect El Dorado to the island nation. The machine was built with some effort, and the Imagination Engineers assured Hellions that the Kingdom would handle connecting it to the larger network, making it ready to use next month.

Archeology

At the request of Pagemaster Ella Myhknow, the local Keepers of the Word recovered partially excavated artifacts from a flatback that was overrun by crystal zed outside of town. The Keepers recovered the ride and completed the excavation discovering numerous items of interest encased in the rocks. The Pagemaster speculated briefly on the mystery presented by the artifacts recovered from beneath the town and expressed a distinct interest to return in coming months and get to the bottom of it.

The Flying Dutchman

A crew of Hellions infiltrated a sea cave system believed to be the berth of the Flying Dutchman, a Magic Kingdom vessel that had been commandeered by Roanoke Super Soldiers. Upon their arrival, however, they discovered that the cave network was actually connected to Melancholy Hill, and that the Steamboat party was planning on using the Dutchman as a means of escape. With incredible displays of bravery, stealth, and cunning the Hellion crew managed to plant explosives on the ship right under the nose of the Steamboat Party patrols. An informant inside Melancholy Hill confirms the complete destruction of the Flying Dutchman, cutting off the Steamboat Party’s last means of escape.

Train Warehouse Liberated from Raiders

A Hellion salvage team stormed the train warehouse, finally liberating it from the Rust Raiders infesting it. The scrap from the warehouse will be pivotal in railway construction efforts in the future.

Game Recap, August 2022 "Escalation"

Disresonance Study Shows Promise

Local researchers have concluded that Disresonance is related to sympathetic vibrations of powerful (mostly negative) emotions, which linger in affected areas. A small-scale study suggests that blue spire fragments properly infused with positive memories may be able to counteract this effect. Lead researchers include Dr. Beckett, Creepy, Dune, Nobody, and Tackle Package.

Trouble in the Swamps

Travelers entering town were harried by lashing vines, which were seen knotted around clusters of green spire fragments. Early in the trade swamp-dwelling folk sabotaged the town’s agriculture and culinary areas, and attempted to damage the artisan workbenches. It seems that they blame the Hellions for a disturbance in the swamps of Lowtown that they call home.  Later in the trade, investigation in the direction of strange glowing lights deep in the swamp revealed a series of grates and a mysterious drop-off of materials, along with a note, in boxes labeled simply: “Bernardino.”

Duchess Madeline Hatter Interrogated

Duchess Madeline Hatter subjected herself willingly to questioning at the order of King Phi. In addition to confirming that Club 33 was not involved in the construction and management of the Blue Room, Hellions clarified the Club's motivations in reforming the Kingdom's government. The Duchess explained the nature of the Club’s philosophy, built on the concept of egoistic altruism and the idea that, as citizens of the Magic Kingdom, the Knight's power is directly tied to the well-being of all. Hellions also ensured that the Club has no further interest in pursuing rogue elements left over after the Civil War, with the exception of the Steamboat Party.

Local ‘Merican Punches Gravemind

The Children of the Electric Sky cult hosted a “Grave Rave,” combining the transformative experiences of entering the gravemind and tripping on hard drugs. Local ‘Merican Sonny Dunes solidified his status as a Badass by literally punching the gravemind. The gravemind punched back by disgorging a fearsome new zed, a Mortis Champion. Sonny was able to fend off the foe until the rave concluded.

Spire Crystal Mine Opens to Public

Bluebands assisted in clearing access to a spire crystal mine, which is now available to all Hellions who wish to mine for crystal fragments. Not since the initial crystal rush has such a rich deposit been discovered. Hellions interested in mining should speak to Maintenance to schedule a shift.

Fallen Fallow

Bonebreaker Kira led an expedition to recover a relic of the Cult of Fallow Hopes, a tabard in the possession of a devout priest. This attracted the attention of a large group of extremely powerful zombies, including Tanks, Revenants, an Apostate, and a Mortis Champion. The group was able to extract the tabard and priest and flee to town, only for the gravemind to disgorge more zombies. Town rallied to defeat the horde, with three Hellions giving their lives.

Night of the Ducks

After warnings from the Duchess and multiple threatening messages sent to town, the Steamboat Party struck in the night with their elite military unit, The Mighty Ducks, backed by auxillary troops. The Ducks’ combat prowess, organization, and royal bankroll allowed the commandos to slay five Hellions. Hellions made sure it cost them, killing 3 of the 6 Ducks before their eventual retreat.

Game Recap, July 2022 “The Secrets We Kept”

For a broader recap of El Dorado history, see The Story So Far

Disresonance Persists, Research Underway

Town-wide Disresonance was caused several months ago when a black spire crystal device was detonated in town by the Memento Mori gravemind cult. Hopes that the condition would pass quickly on its own were met with disappointment as aberrant Hellions continued to feel its effects upon returning to town. Crystal Bound zombies were also encountered in several locations, their damaging pulses amplified. Hellions were able to destroy the zombies and rearrange their crystals to stop the pulses.

Assistance in studying and curing the Disresonance phenomena was offered by several groups. The colonists of New Darwin, who remain grateful to the Hellions for helping them resettle in the Mojave, offered their help in exchange for needed materials. Western Wasteland Medical offered their expertise in exchange for patent rights on whatever cure may be discovered. Finally, Parasol sought financial investments to further their research on the topic.

No results have been produced as of yet, and so the Hellions were left with only temporary methods to soothe the condition’s effects.

Bounties on Court of Miracles Figures Go Unclaimed

The constitutional monarchy of the Magic Kingdom, under the newly crowned King Phi, placed bounties on several figures from the Court of Miracles. The bounties accused these individuals of numerous crimes and harm to civilians within the Kingdom. Uncertain of the facts, Hellions were divided on the matter, and ultimately none of the bounties were claimed.

The leader of the Court, Guile, flaunted the 300 ticket bounty placed upon him by appearing in town, confirming the allegations against himself and proclaiming the Court’s intent to kill all royalists within the Kingdom without regard to civilian casualties.

New Zed and Raiders Threaten Town

A genus of zombie known as Revenants attacked the town, clad in armor and wielding melee weapons. The muscle memory of these zombies when it comes to melee combat was surprising.

Townsfolk were equally surprised to spot raiders that looked very much like Whisper Kin stalking the town in broad daylight. Scholars are calling these raider cousins Whisper Walkers because of their psionic ability to hide in plain view.

Additionally, a never-before-seen zombie took a final walk through town, flanked by more of the Revenants. The zombie, bleeding black faith markings of the Final Knights, was later determined to be a slain deacon from Club 33. It was observed to heal its guardians and grant them immunity to psionics, and emitted an anti-anomaly pulse when it was finally slain. It seemed to target priestly figures especially, and so this type of zombie is being called an Apostate.

Warlords of the Arena

Challengers played the first matches of the combat sport Warlord, sponsored by Ultimate Armory. Tecumseh emerged as the Grand Warlord of both the Single Stick and Sword & Board matches. Both matches were hard-fought, with the chaotic nature of the format keeping the crowd on the edges of their seats. Event security was vigilant, with no bombings or disruptions taking place.

Bluebands Clear Path to Spire Crystal Mine

A group of El Dorado’s recent arrivals cleared out a mining camp of its occupying zed, marking one more step toward being able to resume mining. Previous mining operations run by RAMCO were troubled by labor disputes. Hellions hope to operate this mine for themselves, and clearing out the camp marks a solid step in that direction.

Steamboat Party Hostility, Hellions Defend Trade Routes

A postal worker delivered and read aloud a harshly-worded letter from Prinx Florian (the Charming). The ousted royal and their supporters, the Steamboat Party, had negotiated resettlement of the nearby Razor Mounds territory and vacant Melancholy Hill (former stronghold of the defeated Gun Punkz). The prinx’s provocative letter, which decried Hellion interference in the succession, was received as a declaration of war without so many words.

Scouts spotted vehicles closing in on trade caravans in the morning, and the Hellions scrambled their own vehicles to defend. The Steamboat force was routed, with the Hellions taking no casualties and four out of five Steamboat vehicles destroyed.