The Dead Zone: Worth the Trek?
"As we wrestle our way back into a state of normalcy, I'm certain that hardship will be a constant for us all. Look, we spent eleven years killing zombies and we became adept at it, but did we have to worry about making much money, or what bills we had to pay? We are rebuilding our lives anew, picking up the ashes and the memories to serve as a sort of cement. People who once had everything, now have nothing. Looters scavenging for deeds and legal records have stolen lives and fortunes, and how much has the government done? They're worried about the Laz coming up through the Mexican border, where they are making penal brigades stop the refugee flow. What I want to talk about is something else that concerns the government. Ever heard of the DZ?"
"It's the 'Dead Zone,' in case you haven't been watching the news. Several hundred feet of concrete walls, fences, guard towers, and two checkpoints - one in Bismarck, and Checkpoint Rivera on I-90 West in Montana. This thing was built in two years, starting in 2012 when the Military made its pushes. They used helicopters pulling bait, sound devices, and - depending on who you talk to - two-hundred cowboys and soldiers on horseback to herd a zombie horde into the target area that would become the Dead Zone. This horde numbered in the millions, and grew as they enclosed it within concrete walls. The only people left within the enclosed territory were a smattering of soldiers, squatters, and drifters; the Army didn't care too much about immediately culling the horde. Effectively, they made a 'Heart of Darkness' within the American interior."
"2017, and that's still the way it is. Derelict towns populated by their undead denizens, roving hordes scavenging for any living meal, hostile drifters and raider bands; this is the modern-day Wild West. To add to such a theme, General James Harkin and the National Crisis Committee announced the passage of the 'Reclamation Homestead Act:' the resettlement of the Dead Zone by way of land grants and migration. That's what should interest you - migration. The government is basically giving out land to whomever is brave enough to ride into the Dead Zone and carve out a homestead. They've even promised federal aid for safe-zones that can last longer than a year."
"If this sounds like it's up your alley, think carefully. One does not simply walk into the Dead Zone, lest they get torn to pieces, robbed, raped, and inflicted with every other act of violence under the sun. Settlers have to convoy up, like in the old days. The typical convoy is a mix of trucks, 4x4s, wagons, horses, and people on foot. Gas prices are through the roof, at least until the homesteaders can find oil deposits in the Rockies. The land is desolate, barren and a testament to our own destruction. There is strength in numbers, and strength in guns; this is a given that we all (should've) learned during the war. Drifting solo into the Dead Zone is a death sentence."
"If you feel up to it - or if you're just plain crazy - there's a convoy leaving Bismarck on the Fourth of July with the intention of setting up a safe-zone around where I-26 and I-94 intersect. They've got financing from a new oil company that just opened up - Brown Energy Incorporated. As of right now, the convoy's just embarking from its conceptual stage, in that they have some vehicles and personnel cobbled together, but they're looking to add on more. Indeed, assume that this is an open recruitment offer on their behalf. Expect a day-long trip at best, and a week at the worst; roads are still clogged from the evacuation traffic deathtraps from back in '04. When you get there, don't be expecting to prospect, either. You've got a home to set up."
"As I wrap up this article, let me touch up on what these 'safe-zones' actually are. They are not technically government facilities; these are private ventures for the most part. The Feds define a DZ safe-zone as: 'a fortified location consisting of at least forty-five individuals, with the ability to sustain itself and defend from attacks by the undead.' You're setting up a town, and you're defending that town from being overrun by the undead. We all know what happens when the undead get past the gates, so this part is actually harder than getting to the damn settlement. You gotta grow your own food and be able to gather water from a source - that means by farming, hunting, and even drinking out of a stream. Gotta keep order too, and keep the figurative and literal shit from stinking up the place."
"Well, that's it for my spiel. Like I said, if you're looking for a new start or some more 'adventure' in your life (like the past decade hasn't wetted your whistle), then head to Bismarck. The Army guys will point you in the right direction; just ask for the Brown Convoy. After that...you're on your own."
What Is This?
Yeah, zombie RPs are getting overdone, it seems. i mean, look at NS and TV and movies. All you've got are the same unique bands of unique people in a land wracked by the undead. Somehow, a bunch of shambling corpses can bring about the total collapse of civilization, leaving the survivors to just...survive, for 90 minutes or seven seasons. While my RP follows in a similar vein, the difference is that society hasn't totally collapsed. In this next paragraph is a rundown of the revised history portrayed in this RP. If you are looking for supplementary information, here are some links to Return of Saturn, my original RP.
A virus known as 'Laz' popped up sometime between '03 and '04, in Southeast Asia. Thanks to our connected world, Laz was able to gain a foothold on every continent, which directly threatened public order in every nation on the face of the Earth. The current year for the RP is 2017,
and Laz has yet to be fully eradicated. As for the good ole US of A, they've largely brought an end to the rampaging hordes that once dominated the major population centers. A military government arose in '07 in the face of a de facto abdication of high-level government officials. Stabilizing their safe zones and crushing two insurrections, the military launched an offensive from both coasts which eventually retook the majority of the contiguous 48, save for the aforementioned "Dead Zone." Elsewhere in the United States, the majority of the able-bodied population is transitioning from military service to civilian work and the military government is slowly - but surely - re-introducing democracy and civilian government.
The plot of this RP can be divided up into two different portions: the journey through the Dead Zone, and the establishment of a safe zone. The characters are a motley collection of survivors with different skills and stories, all bound together by the allure of wealth and opportunity in the Dead Zone. Some are running towards a new life; others are fleeing something. Every single one of them has witnessed firsthand the horrors of the Reclamation War, and it's likely that many - or all - of them have a military background and experience from the war. Marinate long and hard on what kind of character you have in mind, research what weapons they might prefer, and invent something unique.
As for the convoy, I will be opening an additional application for vehicles. Due to the current state of affairs, gas is expensive, which means that motor vehicles aren't the only methods of transportation present. Bicycles, horses, wagons, and foot traffic will all be common. The movement of the convoy is limited in this regard.
Applications
Remove the parentheses, please.
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[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age (28-32):[/b]
[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b]
[b]Skills:[/b]
[b]Likes (Optional):[/b]
[b]Dislikes (Optional):[/b]
[b]Fears (Optional):[/b]
[b]Goals (Optional):[/b]
[b]Hobbies (Optional):[/b]
[b]Sexuality (Optional):[/b]
[b]Immediate Family (Optional):[/b]
[b]Pre-Existing Relationships with Other Characters (Optional; be sure to talk it out with other players if you so choose to):[/b]
[b]Birthplace:[/b]
[b]Nationality:[/b]
[b]Education:[/b]
[b]Role in the Convoy:[/b]
[b]Preferred Vehicle Placement:[/b]
[b]3 RP Samples:[/b]
[b]Basic Background (2 or more paragraphs):[/b]
[b]Primary Weapon:[/b]
[b]Secondary Weapon:[/b]
[b]Sidearm:[/b]
[b]Notable Equipment (What gear are you not caught dead without):[/b]
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[b]Vehicle Type (big rig, 4x4, etc):[/b]
[b]Carrying Capacity:[/b]
[b]Picture/Detailed Description:[/b]
[b]Armaments (If any):[/b]
[b]Defensive Modifications:[/b]
[b]Purpose (Think long and hard about this; a Ford Mustang would hardly fit in with a convoy traveling through perilous territory):[/b]
Rules
The rules are rather self-explanatory, and if you have RP'ed with me before, I assume that you know how to maintain a proper level of decorum on NS.
1. As OP, my word is final.
2. My designated Co-OPs are extensions of my authority.
3. Be respectful in the OOC. If you have an issue with someone, bring it to me if you cannot resolve it.
4. Observe all standard RPing rules (no godmodding, powerplaying, etc).
5. Be realistic with your weapons. Are assault rifles common? You bet, but ammo is not so common - or constant. Each bullet is priceless, and spraying and praying will dry up your ammo reserves quickly. I expect y'all to research what weapons your character might be carrying.
). Just a tag. I have exams for the next two weeks and if I don't end myself I may be looking to get back into RPing to a certain extent for at least a certain time maybe. It's nice to see all of you guys still at it!
