Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

[azato]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

Snowy winters has all but disappeared from this area. The temperatures are much too warm. During the winter, temperatures have shifted up 20-30 degrees. The rest of the year the temperatures have shifted up 10 degrees.

[azato]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

Farming has its particular challenges. There are now a number of insect species that threaten both crop production as well as personal safety. Probably the most obvious change is the introduction of some very large insects. The can vary from poodle size to draft-horse size. Farmers method for handling these pests vary. Some make use of dogs to scare away these intruders. Some farmers work with introducing species that prey on crop eaters. Some “green” farmers attempt to plant special “crops” that will hopefully attract the insects from their grain crop, or perhaps repel them all together (think marigolds). But most farmers just shoot them.

[azato]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

Migration is a fairly common sight in the area. A number of insect and mammalian creatures travel North and South, depending on the seasons. This is a threat on two fronts. The first is the herbivores that make the migration will eat the crops, if given an opportunity. The second threat is predators that follow the herbivores. These include, but are not limited to, reptilian stalkers that resemble dinosaurs. The ‘saurs vary in size from that of a dog to that of an ostrich (think voliciraptor).

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

with the major climate change, how has this affected the growing seasons? also how about rainfall? is water an issue?

[azato]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

Of all the ‘professions’ beloved of all is the story-teller. Anybody who brings news from other places can often expect a free dinner. People who have interesting stories (PS: Story Teller) especially from far away places can often have their room and board paid for. This of course requires them to spend multiple hours each day applying their trade in order to receive “payment”. Truth is not as important as entertainment. People look for a way to escape from their current troubles, and people are grateful for a good laugh, scare or even cry.

 

Given the appetite for entertainment, it is no surprise that theatrical performances are a rave. None of the cities in this area has a theatrical troup. Instead, traveling performers go from city to city applying their trade. Throughout the year productions of modern (our current time) and ancient plays are performed throughout the mid-West. So well received are the troupes that the can travel unmolested no matter where they go. Even the Badders welcome them with open arms. Of course, for the Badders, special plays were written. They consist of 3 Stooges type humor with the action performed by “Badders” (neo-men in costume) against foolish and stupid humans.

 

 

 

Since no one city has the combined talent to put on these plays, actors have always been drawn to a small town south of Decatur, Sullivan, Illinois. The theater company has been able to make a successive business in playing to audiences for hundreds of miles. They are the movie stars of this new era. The plays range from serious to humorous. The most successful productions are musicals.

Thus, characters taking the PS:Acting and KS:Plays could expect to enjoy a certain amount of “political immunity” and enjoy the good will of many people.

[azato]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

with the major climate change' date=' how has this affected the growing seasons? also how about rainfall? is water an issue?[/quote']

 

Spring produces some very violent storms. During this time people are concerned about tornadoes and hail. Such storms are more frequent and more violent. There is enough rain during this time to provide for the crops (provide storms do not take them out) lakes and cisterns. The August through October time period is very dry and hot. About December, the gentle rains come along with very "spring-like" mild temperatures. Luckily, the planting and harvesting times come months earlier in the year than the do today.

[azato]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

Springfield

 

 

The city of Springfield has not fared very well after the alien invasion. The majority of the population is best described as sub-human. While some live above ground, most dig underground dwellings – with tribes occupying often complex tunnels under ruined buildings. These devos (de-evolution) have poor vision in bright light but excellent night vision as well as increased auditory and olfactory capabilities. They are very omnivorous, willing and able to eat almost anything living, even their own kind. While cannablism is very common, it is rarely practiced against ones family or tribe.

 

Tribe and families often ‘war’ against each other. Since the technological capabilities are fairly low (clubs, spears, various modified junk) there generally is generally no large scale destruction. While they lack the knowledge of tactics that more advanced races/groups have, they are very capable in a sneaky cunning sort of way.

 

Unfortunately the intelligence of these people is quite low. They are unable to be very inventive. They are incapable of literacy except on a very primitive hieroglyphic sort of way. Trading does occur at times, but most of the other races fear to interact with them (for good reason). Sometimes, though a merchant will get lucky. A trade of some metal tools will be rewarded with a piece of valuable technology.

 

These people are very superstitious, for good reason. The central part of the city is inhabited by a race endowed with mental powers. This groups, whom for now I will simply term Espers (gotta give them a real name later), use their powers upon the devos. They regularly take the devos on as personal slaves. The Espers are not plentiful in number, and have no hope of increasing much in number since their fertility rate is so low. They are dependant upon the devos for labor and to supply their basic needs. In return, the Espers do watch over the devos and ensure that nothing of great consequence occurs that may threaten to unbalance the cart.

 

The expedition from Decatur cut into the holy part of Springfield. The Espers knew that the devos could not take on the armed force and so plied the minds of the devos to fight a guerrilla war. Some devos, under direct control of the Espers executed a plan to inpire fear in dread among the Decatur troops. Thus with a mangling of a couple scores of bodies, the Espers were able to convince Steven not only to avoid ever coming close to Springfield ever again, but also to return the booty. Make no mistake, the Espers are not nice people. The only reason they did not take on a campaign to utter destroy the invaders was simply because they did not have the capability.

[clsage]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

Since no one city has the combined talent to put on these plays, actors have always been drawn to a small town south of Decatur, Sullivan, Illinois. The theater company has been able to make a successive business in playing to audiences for hundreds of miles.

 

Hmmm...Given that the current theatre building here (Sullivan) was

first built (if memory serves) in 1918 then renovated in late 2003-

early 2004, do you see the performances still in the same basic

venue or are they back to being 'players on the green', like the days

of Shakespeare ? Obviously the touring groups would use 'pagent

wagons', be they of Elizabethan style or more like the carny style

from the mid to late 1800's in the American West.

 

Hmmmm....Now you've gone and made me have to think about what

structure(s) here would last another 100 years (or more).

 

-Carl-

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

Unfortunately the intelligence of these people is quite low. They are unable to be very inventive. They are incapable of literacy except on a very primitive hieroglyphic sort of way. Trading does occur at times, but most of the other races fear to interact with them (for good reason). Sometimes, though a merchant will get lucky. A trade of some metal tools will be rewarded with a piece of valuable technology.

 

parts of this sound like the current state of the Illinois Legislature!

maybe things wont change that much

[clsage]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

Springfield

These people are very superstitious, for good reason. The central part of the city is inhabited by a race endowed with mental powers.

 

Being superstitious, do the Devos' venture at all into Oak Ridge

Cemetery, home of the Lincoln Tomb ? If so, I wonder how they

view the bronze bust of him in front of it....Do they perhaps still,

based on some long lost memory before the invasion and their

degradation, visit the site and touch the busts nose seeking a

blessing of good fortune ?

 

-Carl-

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

so many local legends and odd bits of trivia that could be incorporated.

 

heres one that I always found amusing

 

in rural mclean county, not sure exactly where, would be easy enough to check on though, and its a public place.

 

there are 2 cemetaries dating to the late 19th century accross the road from each other, one is strictly for democrats, the other strictly for republicans.

 

west of bloomington theres a one lane tunnel under a stone railroad bridge that also dates to the late 19th century, its long been said to be haunted. Ive through this a couple of times actually.

[azato]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

If I understand the terminology correctly, I would say 'on the green'.

 

I think any structure in Illinois can last indefintely if (this is a prioritized list):

1. The roof is maintained

2. The exterior is maintained

3. The foundation (if brick) is maintained.

 

I have done a bit of photography on 'dying' barns and I am of the conclusion, based on nothing but anecedotal evidence, that once the roof goes it is a very short time until the whole structure falls apart.

 

If people repace the roofing material as needed and keep up on painting and insure that water does not run to the foundation they have done quite a bit to ensure a buildings longevity.

 

But that does not consider:

Termites

Carpenter ants

Flooding

 

 

 

 

Hmmm...Given that the current theatre building here (Sullivan) was

first built (if memory serves) in 1918 then renovated in late 2003-

early 2004, do you see the performances still in the same basic

venue or are they back to being 'players on the green', like the days

of Shakespeare ?

 

 

Hmmmm....Now you've gone and made me have to think about what

structure(s) here would last another 100 years (or more).

 

-Carl-

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

heres an interesting question, whats the oldest structure still standing in central IL?

 

Fort Creve Couer?

 

one of the college buildings, doubt at ISU, I think the oldest there would be Cook Hall, which is 1900ish

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

ran accross this page that might just save somebody from rummaging for some information.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois

about like an encyclopedia entry, but having it in one place is handy.

it answered a couple of questions I had about resources if nothing else

[azato]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

I never got to that level of detail.

 

I think that would make a good plot hook. Perhaps actually giving somebody Luck, free of charge, for actually successfully accomplishing it!

 

Perhaps there is a group of captive 'people' who have made the attempt but failed. Are these people treated well or not? Perhaps one of those unlucky people escape and are able to make it back to 'civilization'. Or maybe a local boy, to prove his manhood, decides to make that trek and the PCs are commissioned to stop or find him.

 

Perhaps the cemetery is host to a particular group or maybe the religious cult. Having dug up the graves they array themselves with the baubles of the deceased and have made decoration with the skeletal remains. The tomb itself provides the scene for grisly feasts and rituals.

 

Or perhaps....

 

Being superstitious, do the Devos' venture at all into Oak Ridge

Cemetery, home of the Lincoln Tomb ? If so, I wonder how they

view the bronze bust of him in front of it....Do they perhaps still,

based on some long lost memory before the invasion and their

degradation, visit the site and touch the busts nose seeking a

blessing of good fortune ?

 

-Carl-

[azato]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

Denizens of Springfield. Shameless stealing.

[clsage]

Re: Beta World: Central Illinois (plains)

 

Denizens of Springfield. Shameless stealing.

 

And more shameless theft...A Morlock from Surbrooks site:

 

http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptationsbook/hgwells/morlock.html

 

-Carl-