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A New Story, a new land

This time we find ourselves in the Wastelands.

The band of Mercenaries, being cooperatively lead by Axel Hunter, and Buddy, The ex UAC Marine, started out in the town of Rockville, Maryland. It was a normal day out in the wastelands, just like any other day in the Wastes. The town hadn’t been raided by Bandits, the Sheriff caught Tommy Ratchet’Slinger, the Mechromancer, and his trusty robot side-kick “Daniel Ratchetcliff”, getting themselves into trouble, yet again.

“Looks like you boys found yourselves some trouble again, eh Tommy?” Sheriff Dean asked, arms folded across his chest as the Stockade was locked tight around Tommy and Daniel.

“Sheriff! I swear I was going to pay for the metal! Daniel just doesn’t have a very good concept of timi-,” Tommy would start trying to talk, but the Sheriff would interrupt him swiftly

“Save it Tommy… I’ve heard all of your excuses before, and I ain’t fixin’ to hear it again… You know the routine by now, you either pay the fine, or you’re gonna sit in the Stockade for awhile…” The Sheriff would say crossing his arms.

Meanwhile just a small way north, Clive, nearly pushing thirty years old, was starting his morning in Rockville… He had a nice breakfast, had a cup of his favorite psychotropic tea, and was ready to start the day! Clive would leave his house and gently wander South. Accompanied by no one but his thoughts, and his focus for the day! Today was the biggest day of the week! Today was the day he was going to approach the Foreman, and ask for that big promotion to assistant Foreman! He was already a supervisor, what would just another title be to this Waster?

As Clive walked, he saw a man, quite a muscular man, carrying a duffle-bag, dressed in green, and looking quite like the soldier. The man was walking into Louie’s bar, as expected… Every Soldier heads to Louie’s when they’re in town… He stopped quickly, hearing a low, ominous growl beside him coming swiftly from the alleyway. He looked over, to be greeted by an Alaskan Malamute, which bore its fangs, snarling viciously at Clive. The dog’s snarling would soon be cut off, it’s view being obstructed by a Leather Trenchcoat, draped around a hooded figure, a voice would emerge from the hooded figure, “Bear, sit.” The figure would command, kneeling to the dog. “I’ll get you inside,” it would say again, standing.

“I-I don’t think dogs are allowed inside of Louie’s bar sir.” Clive would interject nervously, observing the sign on the outside that said “NO DOGS ALLOWED”, almost looked like the sign was specifically OF said Alaskan Malamute as well… The figure would give Clive a passing glance, before heading into the bar. Clive would disconcert himself with the figure, and the dog, heading further down the street to his job.

As Clive continued on his walk, he saw the Sheriff, standing by the Stockades with two men locked in tight, trying to talk their way out of crime yet again. Only the Sheriff knew what trouble those two were trying to weasel their way out of again.

“Alright, Sheriff, I don’t have the money, but maybe I can work it off, like normal right?” Tommy would ask, surrendering himself to a punishment far beneath his obvious skill level… The man built a robot afterall. The Sheriff would think for a minute, before giving a nod to the man, sighing of course at the thought… Could have used the fifteen bucks directly, but this would have to do as well.

“Alright Tommy, you’re going to the Forge this time…” The Sheriff would say pointing to Clive who wasn’t too far away. “Go follow him, he’ll show you what to do.” The Sheriff would say, releasing the Stockades, letting Tommy and Daniel chase after Clive.

At the Bar, Buddy the Ex UAC Marine, would sit down looking to the bartender, giving a small nod. “What’re ya havin’ there bud?” The bartender would say, cleaning a glass idly as most bartender NPC’s do.

“Bur” Buddy would say simply, sitting at the counter with his duffle-bag, his M1911 at his hip, and his armor in his bag. The Bartender would seem a bit confused by the order of “Bur”, but would promptly understand it, getting Buddy a glass of Beer, placing it down. Shortly after Buddy’s order had been delivered, he would see a taller figure enter the bar, draped in black, and wearing a Kevlar vest. The figure would walk over to the wall, pushing the corner of it open, reaching out the door and undoing something promptly. In would walk, the Alaskan Malamute named Bear.

The Tall figure, named Axel, would walk over to the bar, his dog on his heels, leaning against the counter, he would look to Louie, and simply say

“Just need a glass of water… And a Bowl of water for the dog,” putting a few dollars on the counter, the bartender would sigh, seeing the dog for the third time this week, at his bar counter… He had given up trying to tell Axel to keep the dog out of the bar, it was hopeless… The first time Axel put a gun in his face, the second time, the dog jumped across the counter, and tried to rip his throat out… He wasn’t fixing to find out what trouble would come if he tried this time… It was a slower happy hour, and the newest patron didn’t seem to care about the dog.

The Bartender would fill the orders, the glass of water being promptly downed, while the dog made a proper mess out of the bowl of water. Buddy finished his beer, heading off to find some food… Maybe the Buffalo Rad Wings, had something. Upon entering the fire damaged establishment, he would see a very, very happy waitress… Despite the fire damage that was still present. Upon ordering some chicken to go, the kitchen suddenly caught fire… Again... Buddy would leave it… Heading down the street, to the Chinese restaurant, and getting an order of Chicken from there instead, and this time the place didn’t spontaneously combust.

Meanwhile at the Forge, Clive was approached by Tommy, and his robot Daniel, both of which asked who they talk to about work. Clive would simply point to the foreman’s office, which had no clear path to get too… Clive would start another pot of tea, sharing some words with Tommy, before telling him he just simply had to, “Take the stairs up to the Foreman’s office.” Tommy would wander the factory, talking to various workers, who couldn’t hear him, before losing his patience, pulling off one of their earmuffs.

“It’s back the way you came, in the main office…” The worker would say, pointing Tommy in the direction of the Main Office. Upon inspecting the office, very thoroughly, he would find that Clive, was now up in the Foreman’s office, but he couldn’t find out how! He looked to Daniel Ratchetcliff, commanding the robot to throw him up to the office. The Robot would have no other choice, throwing Tommy up through the window! He was more than happy to oblige his masters command!

Upon entering the office, Tommy would, be Tommy and fly off the handle, screaming and cursing at the Foreman, and Clive equally. Clive would offer Tommy a cup of tea, and promptly have said cup of tea ripped from his hands, and then said cup of tea would be tossed out the window… Landing in the Forge full of molten metals… As luck would have it, this cup of tea would be the straw that breaks the Forge’s back… The Forge promptly going critical, and threatening to explode.

Buddy would find himself at the Forge, only arriving at the scene as every worker began to bail out of the Forge. He would turn to leave, seeing a figure jumping from rooftop to rooftop. An Alaskan Malamute following the path that the figure jumps. Buddy would follow, and would promptly be followed by Tommy, who was being followed by his robo-buddy Daniel. The trio following the figure would arrive at a fence, promptly breaking it down.

Clive would go home, because he’s had enough of this shit for one day… Upon arriving home, figuring the worst part of his day was over, and that he was going to be jobless in the morning, he would look at the front of his house, smiling proudly at the home he lived in, and his wonderful wooden fence… Only for the fence to be promptly smashed through by a man with a Duffle-Bag, and a Robot that he had just recently seen at the Forge. Clive has had enough of this shit and begins repairing his fence, once it’s repaired, he goes up to the roof of his house, sitting alone and watching the Forge go critical, only to suddenly see the dark cloaked figure, sitting on the roof with him, with a scoped rifle. The man would offer Clive a .22 pistol, telling him that he could take it, and help him in a minute, to kill the Sheriff… Or he could leave it, and forget what he saw. Clive was confused, before seeing the Sheriff and two Deputies, and would promptly decline the offer, but tried to keep the pistol, only to be met with a flintlock pointed at his head.

Clive would return the pistol and get off his roof, seeing Daniel and Tommy, yet again in trouble, except this time, he would be facing jail… The Deputies would be arresting Daniel the Robot, while the Sheriff arrested Tommy. As the Sheriff tried to arrest Tommy a loud crack would pierce the sky… A Deputy dropping dead. The Other Deputy would look in terror, as the man next to him dropped dead, the Sheriff trying to pin the death of the deputy, on Tommy himself. Clive would see this and find it ridiculous! Buddy would hear this and also find it ridiculous, but he was gearing up for a fight… Literally. Buddy was in his armor now!

Clive would draw the .22 Pistol, aiming at the deputy, while Buddy went to grab the Sheriff. Tommy withdrew his Sawed-Off Shotgun, and tried to fire it pointblank! The barrel would fire, but somehow Tommy missed at pointblank range with a Shotgun…

The Sheriff would break free from the grab of Buddy, retreating to a safer position, as Daniel the Robot attacked the other Deputy, killing him (The Deputy) quickly! Another loud crack would pierce the sky, the Sheriff would stutter for a second as he with-drew his Snubnosed Revolver, a wound appearing on his abdomen as an unseen gunman would shoot him.

Buddy would charge shortly after, swinging with a pair of Spiked-Brass-Knuckles at the Sheriff, his massive Strength, and body-mass paired with the spiked knuckles (And a Nat 20) causing the Sheriff’s head to explode! Literally! Tommy would vomit at the sight of the blood, unable to believe what had just occurred! The man’s head exploded! Daniel and Tommy would start looting promptly, it’s still the wasteland afterall, and laws of the waste dictate that, if someone is dead, their stuff is free game.

Tommy would take the Sheriff’s badge, calling dibs on it, before a slick hand would move, taking the badge off of him. He would turn to see the cloaked figure, now with no hood, revealing his elven features, holding the Sheriff’s badge, tucking it into the pocket of his jacket.

Clive would take the Sheriff’s keys, heading back to the Town Square with Daniel and Tommy in Tow. Buddy and the Elf, would stay at the end of the Cul-de-sac, hanging out waiting for the return of the other two, since they now all had the blood on their hands.

At the Station, the trio would try to figure out how to go about looting the Sheriff’s office, only to find the front door locked, and the station ablaze. Clive would unlock the door, opening it, just to be hit with back-draft from the fire, combined with the sound of several bullets exploding in the back of the Sheriff’s office. The trio would decide it best, not, to go into the Sheriff’s office, as they turned to leave. They would see several dozen deputies, and Lawmen, heading down the street, guns drawn and upon seeing Tommy and Clive, they would look at the duo, demanding Tommy put his hands up. Clive would hold up the keys to the Sheriff’s office… That was a bad move, the Lawmen and the Deputies, would all now draw on Clive! Clive would throw the keys, shouting “Sorry!” and the trio would run away. The Lawmen, and Deputies running after the trio, would be forced into cover, Tommy having drawn his SMG, spraying a majority of his Magazine at the pursuers.

Hearing the Gunfire, Buddy and the Elf would promptly start moving, Clive running back to his house, to gather some personal effects, before running after the rest of his new friends. The Elf would point out a side path, saying they could use the forests for cover, Clive and Tommy taking the idea, and literally hiding in the forest cover. Buddy would do the same, since his outfit was green, and the Elf would… Just kinda, casually walk down the maintenance road with his dog on it’s leash.

The Lawmen, and Deputies would stop at the opening to the Maintenance route, pointing a flashlight on the Elf, looking around, asking quickly. “Have you seen a Robot, and two other men come through here?” The Elf would shrug, looking at the new Sheriff, and Deputies, shaking his head promptly.

“Haven’t seen anyone except my dog, officer.” He would say, turning to leave as the lawmen continued running, not walking on the maintenance path, instead heading towards the highway. The group would re-group, on the maintenance path. Axel taking the lead through the woods, getting the group to a clearing, the group would ponder upon their situation. Clive would note that the group could travel a mile through the night, to get to another town, known as Quarry-Mill. Axel and Tommy would point out that there was a path off to the left, very close in proximity to their current location.

The group would take the path to the left, that was very close in proximity… They found a dilapidated house, deciding to use it to stake up for the night, and have safety, but upon entering there were noises from the second floor… A shuffling sound, of sorts, would move through the hall. Buddy would look up the stair case, seeing a figure shuffle off to the right. Clive would begin fortifying the house, starting with the kitchen door, and upon attempting to work on it, would be assaulted by Shamblers! The lowest tier of zombie, but they typically attacked in droves. Clive would jump back to safety, Daniel taking the charge, and attacking the zombies in the kitchen. Buddy would move upstairs promptly taking the opportunity to do what he did best, and said the most.

“RIP AND TEAR!” Buddy would shout as he charged into a room, upon entering three Shamblers awaited him, but he dispatched them with ease. Meanwhile at the kitchen door, Daniel had moved away, heading up the stairs after Clive had set up a trip-wire, made of some copper wiring he had found. Unfortunately Daniel made short work of this, his robotic legs snapping the wires like Twine. Axel retrieved his Flintlock pistols, firing two shots at the Shamblers in the kitchen, easily dispatching the first two.

Buddy would move through the second floor, assisting Daniel in an assault in another room, Daniel having taken some hits from the Shamblers within. Clive would investigate the basement door, wondering what was within. Upon opening the door… He would find a basement, with no stairs, and within the basement, fifty Shamblers shuffled blindly through the darkness, before Clive shined his flashlight on them, and firing his .22 Pistol. Tommy would assist Axel in cleaning out the kitchen, shooting at the rest of the Shamblers with his 9mm Submachine Gun. Axel would move up the stairs, promptly assisting in clearing the other rooms.

Clive would barricade the door to the basement, in fear that the zombies would start piling up World War Z style, and start getting through the door. Tommy would head into the kitchen, but not to get himself a Snack, but instead he would find the fridge, again not getting himself a snack. Axel, Daniel and Buddy made short work of the second floor’s Shamblers, dispatching a small horde. Clive would call up to Buddy, knowing his brute strength may assist in barricading the door.

Buddy took the opportunity to slide the fridge across the first floor, ramming it through Clive’s barricade like it was made of Balsa wood, putting the fridge in front of the basement door, before finally stating that he had one more room to search. Clive would point out to the group, that there was a large chest in the basement, stating that it was a good loot opportunity.

Buddy would move to the final room on the second floor, opening it and finding nine more Shamblers. He would turn them into Zombie Bowling pins, slamming the first one with his shoulder, killing it instantly, and knocking the other eight down!

Down the road, a loan elf roamed the night, a Cyberpunk, hearing the sound of commotion from a note-worthy location. Upon entering a dilapidated house, he would find guns immediately drawn on him from Tommy, and Clive, a Shotgun from one side, and a .22 Pistol from the other… He would state that he meant no threat, but stated that he was interested in the loot in the basement… He would be perceived as a threat, and a scamp…

Buddy would be joined in his assault, by the new elf Daneryl (Or something like that), and Axel the trio of which would make short work of the rest of the zombies, before heading back downstairs. Axel would claim a couch as his own, beginning to undo the scope from his rifle, ever so casually. The rest of the group would contemplate the basement, and how to proceed. They would all conclude that the best way to proceed would be to fire wildly into the basement at all of the zombies, they had more than enough bullets luckily. Buddy would push the fridge, THROUGH The doorway, crushing a large portion of the zombies, before standing defensively, just in case any other zombies tried to get up. The group would begin firing, dispatching a fair few zombies, before Axel joined in with his rifle, asking buddy to kneel, so he could use his shoulder as a stand. The group would continue firing into the basement, clearing the zombies finally, and leaving a basement full of death, and a chest.

Upon entering the basement, the group would find the chest to be locked, with an older lock, rust having taken its toll on the chest. Axel would make this lock a literal thing of the past, hitting it with his Kukri, causing the lock to break away harmlessly. Within the trunk, they found a box of grenades, ammo galore, and then everyone sort of scattered… Except Axel… He stayed behind while the group searched the house, picking up some cash and jewelery.

The group would find a large UAC Panic room, unable to find the code Tommy would begin punching in random numbers, because he has no patience for technology despite being a Mechromancer. After many failed attempts, the keypad locked him out, permanently… Buddy mentioned that in his time in the UAC, the only way to unlock a keypad in this case, was to have a “Level A Security Card”. The group would frantically search everywhere in the house, Axel would just let his dog in, Axel had no time for the groups worries, he had a dog to care for.

The group would search high and low, before finally finding a number, on the ceiling above Axel’s couch. They figured they could find the code to the keypad now! Unfortunately, Tommy had locked out the keypad, therefore the key was useless. The group would sleep through the night, only left to wonder what mysteries the large box held for them.

When dawn finally broke, Axel was the first awake, letting Bear out in the backyard to go to the bathroom. The group arose from their crappy slumbers, having spent the night trying to find any sign of the keycard, feeling defeated, and like their efforts with the Panic Room, were all for not. As Bear came in, he carried a decrepit hand, in which a keycard was found! A level “A” UAC Security Card! The group would scatter to the attic, opening the room hastily. Axel would be the first in the room, picking up a .44 Magnum, with 6 Shells loaded, but 5 had been fired… Four bodies, two children, two adults, were on the ground, each with their skulls destroyed. The group pondered upon the bodies, wondering where the fifth shot went… Upon closer observation they found a sign of what may have happened.

Two large bite marks, in the bones of one of the children… Tommy would take a computer peacefully, before the whole group, except Axel who had left the room to admire the .44 Magnum, would look up, seeing a Nest of webbing, which was alive with the movements of smaller spiders, before a large leg crossed over the nest. The group would bail out, Clive continuing to run to kill the Generator to the house, which Tommy had gotten up and running the previous night. Buddy, Axel, and Tommy, held High Explosive Grenades in hand, preparing to throw them… Their timing was perfect, they threw the grenades, Clive threw the switch. The door slammed shut to the Panic Room, the spider’s massive leg, being severed before it could rear its ugly head. The Panic room would fall from the attic, crashing into the second floor… Then from the Second, to the first, and from the first, to the basement… Resting, silently… No movement from within…

The group would take this time, to leave the house… Their first full day of travel was upon them, and it was going to be quite the adventure that this group had gotten themselves into… The wastes are pretty wild, but for this group? It was going to test their mettle, and the group would find out, when Darwinism comes, were they going to adapt and overcome? Or would the Wastelands chew them up, like it does to most adventurers, and spit them to whatever fate had in store for this group;

A Juggernaut, who wore all green, and his EO-Tech Bomb Armor was even greener. He went by the name Buddy, and his favorite thing to do to his enemies? “RIP! AND TEAR!”

An innocent Waster, named Clive, who up until now, had his hands clean of conflict, clean of blood, but now his hands were soiled with the blood of a Sheriff, and the blood of the undead.

The Dynamic, Cybernetic Duo, Tommy Ratchet’Slinger and DAAAAMN Daniel Ratchecliff, who were back at it again, with causing all the trouble. Wielding Shotgun, Claws, and a Pretty Sweet SMG.

An Elven Hunter, who went by “Axel”, and his Alaskan Malamute “Bear”, a duo who dwelled in the shadows, with rifle and pistol in hands, ready to take down the people who were marked for death.

And the Cyberpunk Daneryl, an elf who happened to show up to the right place, at the wrong time, and nearly lost his head twice because of it, but for some reason decided to stick with this group, because it’s better than being alone.

STARRING!:

BIG BRO! AS CLIVE THE WASTER

LIL’ BRO! AS TOMMY AND DANIEL! THE DYNAMIC DUO!

BIG BRO’S FRIEND! AS DANERYL! THE ONLY PERSON WITH A COMPLICATED NAME!

LINJ T. KLOWN! AS BUDDY! THE DOOM MARINE/JUGGERNAUT!

AND

DM! AS AXEL AND BEAR! THE HUNTERS!

Also Starring!:

DM! AS EVERYTHING IN THE WASTELAND THAT WANTS TO KILL THE GROUP!

#D&D Homebrew #D&D shenanigans #Custom Tabletop #tabletop shenanigans #D20 Homebrew #D&D Stories #Wasteland Stories #Wasteland #Apocalypse D20