The Swamplands
The shores of Lake Browning and the Gulf Coast are cut off from the rest of the Boomlands by a line of fallout zones that stretch from Omaha to Waco with only a handful of safe routes between them. The geographical isolation from the rest of the Boomlands may be part of the reason The Swamplands has a reputation for being a backwater, though the actions and attitudes of some inhabitants certainly don't do much to refute their reputation as the hicks of the Boomlands.
Camps here tend to be geared toward basic survival, with securing uncontaminated food and water taking up the bulk of their resources. Camps located on key levees, causeways, and bridges often supplement their income by collecting tolls and providing guides or drivers, while those along the shore dive for salvage in drowned cities that are cool enough. There are also rumors of camps living in and possibly attempting to resurrect some of the derelict oil refineries along the coast.
Camps here tend to be geared toward basic survival, with securing uncontaminated food and water taking up the bulk of their resources. Camps located on key levees, causeways, and bridges often supplement their income by collecting tolls and providing guides or drivers, while those along the shore dive for salvage in drowned cities that are cool enough. There are also rumors of camps living in and possibly attempting to resurrect some of the derelict oil refineries along the coast.
Geography
The Swamplands stretches from southeast Missouri to what's left of Louisiana. From there it follows the shore of the flooded gulf coat into Texas. Except for a swath of farmland around Joplin, Missouri, most of the area is swampy and prone to flooding, with levees and causeways often representing the only ground that's mostly dry. Even these often have sections that are partially submerged where you just have to follow the markers (if there are any) and hope you don't veer off into deep water.
Localized Phenomena
The "Radstorms" that roll across the Lake from Parts Unknown include thick black or rust-colored rain, lightning with a greenish tinge, and heavy static that can disrupt radio signals. Radstorms absorb and discharge radiation, often clearing the radiation out of one area only to drop it on a formerly clean zone.
Climate
Hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. Hurricanes are common along the coast and those father north have a busy tornado season where most of the twisters are coming straight from a hot zone. Water is always suspect here due to Radstorms and Lake Browning currents constantly stirring up and moving around pockets of fallout. People who live along water source that drains into Lake Browning typically know the exact point beyond which you cand drink the water and eat the fish without having to check radiation levels first.
Fauna & Flora
The radiation floating across Lake Browning from Parts Unknown has led to a high rate of mutation and several stable mutant species. These include:
- Giant Catfish: Every fisherman and diver in the Swamplands has a story of running into a catfish the size of a school bus. There's a rumor that the catfish remember faces and hold grudges.
- Glassback Carp: These carp have translucent scales that allow you to see the organs underneath. Otherwise they are normal carp and edible if they're not irradiated.
- Reelfoot Eels: These large eels nest in submerged buildings and are attracted to electrical fields. Geiger counters often go crazy when Reelfoot eels are nearby.
- Six-Legged Frogs: These are so common that kids catch them and keep them as pets.
- Atomic Copperhead: These snakes' venom sacs have mutated to store radiation, which means victims have to deal with radiation burns as well as poison.
- The Beast: Lots of people believe that there's something very large and scary living in Lake Browning, but the name is the only thing that's consistent from one story to the next.
History
In the aftermath of the Boom, the people in the Swamplands who'd avoided drowning in their fallout shelters went up: stilt houses, camps built on bridges, levees, and causeway exits, and even a few camps based in the upper floors of tall building sticking out of the lake. As the lake cooled off and settled down, some camps moved to boat cities built from barges and houseboats.
People
Places
Everything Else
Alternative Name(s)
The Shore, The Bayou, Big Muddy
Comments