1000 days in the desert from Lili B. on Vimeo.

Time’s passage is hard to measure in the Wastelands.  Days bleed into days with little cause to mark any one of them special.  We go about our business.  Scavenging and fighting.  Scratching out survival in the rocks and junk and muck.  Keen senses will notice windshifts through the moon cycles.  Still, it’s just a matter of hot days being hotter or cold nights turning colder.

Regardless, this digger reckons it’s been over a thousand days since he first wandered into that small ruined town, a mere spec of blasted rubble in desert seas.  Every lodge of wreckage was home to a scavenger… man or mutant, ghoul or manimal.  Before I began my excavations, I was homeless but curious in those first days.  My silent exploring always brought me back to rest my tired eyes at the metal shack of an elusive and wandering storyteller, Integral Danton ((Warren Ellis)).

Integral’s word-weaving brought me and others here in the first place.  His stories, passed by word of mouth or scratched out on bits of paper, spread enticing rumors of feisty and talented scavengers gathered together in a blasted corner of the world.

A unique niche of broken streets and twisted rails and a broken bunker in the sand.  A canvas stretched and nailed to its framework by the Founders:  NeoBokrug Elytis, Spider Mandala, Gutterblood Spoonhammer, Makaio Stygian, Ash Garden, and Caligo Serapis.  Its surface painted with detailed decay and dirty brushes held by many skilled hands in those early days.  My broken memory recalls most of the names…Slade Onizuka, Anamenti Ruxton, Lorek Eusebio, Aidan Cardiff, Robin Laffer, Spin Martin, Wyeth Greene, Pygora Acronym, Dallas Posthorn, Giuseppe Spicoli, Ephemeral Flan, Jubal Quintus, Jun Kuroda, l1zrdking Obscure, Zen Mechanique, Malus Nosferatu, Aki Shichiroji, Grady Etchegaray, Kezz Mauriac, and of course the aforementioned Integral Danton.

As the desert days passed and the Wastelands grew, many wandered in and out to be a part of this place. Some lingered for a long time, marking their presence through salvage and trade, building and fighting. Folks like Sandling Honey, barry Wiranata, Facemelt Loon, Ironblood Mechanique, Alan Beckett, Pietro Moskvitch, Raze Repine, Crias Rowlands, Ridley Hooper, Odonta Zemlja, Mollyblue Etchegaray, Grinx Raymaker, Hannibal Mercy, Isambard Portsmouth, and others. Too many names now to recall, keep track of, or even list all at once for this little bit of nostalgia.  But I almost remember each one that stayed for any long stretch of time to join us, to participate in this unique, diverse, and proud community of scavengers…the roleplayers, the gamers, the builders, the scripters, the shopkeepers.

Wandering through the Wastelands, I looked back over the thousand days I have called this my home.  I tried to remember all of those faces, here and gone, despite the passage of time and I wished them safe paths wherever they tread.  I looked around, grateful to those with us now, who bring their own set of skills to add to this messy painting. I also looked up at the explosions of light and color in the sky and smirked.  Fiery heralds and signs of celebration, ignited by NeoBokrug Elytis, to benchmark this very special occasion in our history.  And now, I simply look forward to the days that lie ahead.

Taunt The Mutant
Kicking things off, an old familiar face wandered back into the Wastelands, taking center-stage once more on the plywood platform of the Chaoseum that overlooks the Great Fissure.  Giuseppe Spicoli, wily hermit of Burnt Oak and tech-shaman of games and moving picture shows, returned to the Wastelands for its third birthday celebration, 1000 Days in the Desert.  The long day’s schedule of events, music, and games was organized by Red Xu, guitarist for Redzone, the Wastelands very own rock band, and who better to start it all off than Mr. Spicoli.

“That was a crazy audience” remarked Giuseppe when asked if he was surprised at the tremendous turnout for the infamous gameshow after its long absence.

Benjamin Bigdipper, enenra Ghost, and Aposiopesis Fullstop earned a spot on the stage, answering the most questions posed by Giuseppe to the assembled audience.  The three of them took turns at answering Giu’s clever trivia and testing their luck with the flashing images of the game board.  “It was hilarious that basically the same old folks (from past games) ended up on the show and only fitting that Ben would win.”

Afterwards, the contestants and audience piled into Giuseppe’s old bus and drove north over the sand and rocks to the Junkyard stage for the next event.

Radio Three Wastelands
Aposiopesis Fullstop took to the Junkyard Stage to conduct her clever game called Radio Three Wastelands.  The players: anyone in earshot of her boom-box.  Their challenge:  To guess the common theme shared between three unannounced songs she plays for the gathered audience.  ((Fans of Apo’s sets can follow her performances by joining the group, Apo’s Audio Atrocities. - S.K.))

With the contest complete, the Wastelanders rushed to the southwest for more musical entertainment in addition to the cornerstone event of our community.  Fight Night!

Fight Night Entertaiment at the Potato Farm
Upon arrival, the Wastelanders were greeted to a new site by the infamous Potato Farm arena.  A large wooden stage was elevated on twisted steel off to one side and facing the arena.  Sandbags lined the perimater of the platform and two dark figures were setting up their gear and equipment.  Electro-mechanical looms weaving and stitching sound and fury into a blanket of dark patterns for the Wastelander ears.  This was the electronic music of Knox Kappler and Flexy Raymaker.  ((For updates and news on in-world performances by Knox and Flexy, check out the website for their newly-named collaborative project called Unpractical Runway through the Ceiling. You can listen to their Wasteland set again at their site.  It’s called “Junkyard Destructions”- S.K.))

A large number of Wastelanders volunteered for Fight Night or watched the action from the perimeter.  Their blood pumping to the music as they gripped the chainlink fence with white-knuckled anticipation.   The metal walls and floors vibrating and pulsing…hungry for its weekly feeding.

Halfway through the lengthy and violent contest, the familar sounds of violin, guitar, electronics, and bass rolled in the air above us.  The Wastelands very own Redzone had taken the stage.  Cabaret Voltaire on vocals and violin, Red Xu on guitar, and Avomatsur Rustamova on keys and base joined and cheered the ongoing assaults as only they knew how via the music of Redzone.  ((For updates on Redzone news and performances, please join the redzone group and check out their recently redesigned website. - S.K.))

After the arena was cleared of bodies and the winners recieved their reward (full coverage of the Birthday Fight Night is forthcoming…), Wastelanders lingered around the Potato Farm to lick their wounds and listen to the hip-hop, electro, and indie tunes of DJ Rance Alva ((For updates on Rance’s performances in world, please join the DJ Rance Alva’s Fan Club or check out his blog. - S.K.))

As Rance wrapped up his set in the desert’s dying light, Karu Seetan was up next to take the stage while some Wastelanders journeyed southeast to the stone ball court of Cormac.

To be continued…

((Special thanks to Red Xu for organizing the day’s festivities and all of the Wastelanders that showed up to celebrate. Thank you to NeoBokrug Elytis, the Devs, and the many Wastelanders that have worked so hard on the game and the estate, calling it their home. Thank you to Lili Brink for the fantastic video of the Birthday and everyone that took photos! And a personal thanks to Integral Danton/Warren Ellis for the attention he gave to the Wastelands in its infancy and for attracting so many like myself to its ruined beauty. - Sandusky Kayvon))

Dassina Andel (3), Syruss Constantine (2) , Aposiopesis Fullstop (1)

Fighters were pitted against each other under the classical tournament system this week and matches were as follows:

Round One:

Combatants

Weapons

Map

Winner

Aposiopesis Fullstop Flayer CCIndy Pfeffer Crowbill

SOS CCindy Pfeffer

Remarks: Tight hand to hand combat. CCindy sustained saw damage, while Aposiopesis received damage from an errant step on a spike trap. Valiantly attempting to continue fighting, Aposiopesis fell shortly afterward.

Dassina Andel Kidney Burster Polo Molko Facecruncher, Nailgun

Careful Steps Dassina Andel

Remarks: Poison gas, mine and healing gas early on Polo. Match characterised by vigorous fighting on Dassina’s part, while Polo mostly evaded and ran in to traps in the process. Eventually switching to a nail gun, Dassina brought Polo down shortly after he ran in to one last poison gas trap.

Cigi Sahara Flayer VoidTraveller Seetan Flayer

The Spider VoidTraveller Seetan

Remarks: Tight fight and chase overall. Void took damage from a mine, but Cigi fell shortly afterward due to injuries sustained in combat.

Enenra Ghost FaceCrusher Syruss Constantine Flayer

Blunt Syruss Constantine

Remarks: Syruss’ short stature and bladed weapon placed him at a significant advantage over average height Enenra, who opted for comparatively short range blunt force weaponry. A tight fight with no traps triggered, Enenra made a valiant effort to survive and take down his opponent, however the difference between the combatants proved too much for him and Enenra fell to Syruss’ blade after an extended battle.

Redemption Round:

Aposiopesis Fullstop Flayer Polo Molko Kidney Burster

Inner Circle Aposiopesis Fullstop

Remarks: Again characterised by much pursuit of Polo, with minimal direct battle from both competitors. Aposiopesis became the hunter and Polo the prey as he chose not to exchange many blows at all with his Kidney burster - instead leading his opponent around the map in an effort to cause run-ins with traps (and consequent expiration). Aposiopesis managed to avoid such a demise and after a very long match, was able to bring about Polo’s end.

Cigi Sahara Flayer Enenra Ghost Facecrusher

Tron Raze Repine

Remarks: A tight but quick fight overall. Cigi took damage early from a saw, but Enenra took saw damage shortly prior to his demise from accumulated damage during the fight.

Round Two:

Cigi Sahara Flayer Aposiopesis Fullstop Flayer

Tron Aposiopesis Fullstop

Remarks: A close match. Closer to the end, Aposiopesis pushed Cigi in to spikes and Cigi stumbled in to a mine shortly afterwards, taking her down and out of the match entirely.

CCindy Pfeffer Crowbill Dassina Andel Flayer

Tron Dassina Andel

Remarks: CCindy received damage early on from a saw. Overall, tight fighting, though a spike and poison gas took CCindy out in short order after a considerably long fight.

VoidTraveller Seetan Flayer Syruss Constantine Flayer

Fogpit Syruss Constantine

Remarks: Featured an extensive gamble on healing gas between the two competitors. Eventually, Syruss won the opportunity to progress to the final round, as VoidTraveller finally succumbed to poison gas.

Final Round:

Syruss Constantine Flayer Dassina Andel Flayer Aposiopesis Fullstop Flayer

Shark Attack 2 3 1

Remarks:Poison early on all three competitors.  Syruss also received some saw damage while on his way to attacking Dassina.  Dassina fell some time after an extended flayer to flayer battle between herself and Syruss, along with some accumulated damage from arena traps.  Syruss then turned to face Aposiopesis, again making use of the Hooper Gambit in an attempt to outlast his opponent on the saw and gas ridden map.  Both competitors received more gas damage and put on a good fight, however one last saw took out Syruss, leaving Aposiopesis the victor.

(( Fight Night runs on the second, third and fourth Saturdays of each month at The Potato Farm, Hambone Slash, in The Wastelands, 3PM PDT. The above photo and other Wasteland event photos are available here - A.S.))

UPCOMING EVENTS: The second informational session for NeoBokrug Elytis’ Pathfinder pen-and-paper roleplaying group was delayed, and will now take place this coming Saturday from 10am SLT to 2pm SLT in Hambone Slash.  This week will focus on character creation and more detailed information.  Again, confirmed players should have their Core Rulebook on hand, and can feel free to take a crack at character creation before the session begins.  There is still room for standby players to get their foot in the door, however!   Show up to the session, or see the linked forum thread for more information.

Fight Night again returns to the Hambone Slash Arena at 3pm for another healthy dose of ridiculous brutality.

Thereafter, a Wastelands Public Works meeting will be held in Fort Stygian, at approximately 4pm SLT.  Since it also was postponed last week, there may be a lot to catch up on!

Yet another Movie Night has been slated for Saturday at the Burnt Oak Drive-In! Keep your eye out for an official announcement.

After everything else is said and done, Aposiopesis Fullstop will be DJing once again at  The Sledgepile owned by Syruss Constantine.

EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS: This week’s Fight Night featured an interesting new twist!  Instead of the usual one-on-one second round, there was first a five-man fight where the winner chose who to eliminate from the next round.  The remaining four contenders battled again, and the winner again chose who to oust from the competition.  The last three players fought to see who would win, who’d be second, and who’d fall first and take third.  Malice Shepherd won first place this week, with VoidTraveller Seetan in second place and Syruss Constantine in third.  All of the finalists eagerly chose their rewards in the form of special WL: Hearts.

Giuseppe Spicoli returned on Saturday to his post as Projectionist of the Burnt Oak Drive-In, where he inflicted the insane Japanese comedy “Detroit Metal City” upon his waiting viewers.  DMC is the story of  a quailing manchild musician who loved nothing more than sentimental love songs — nothing, perhaps, but the girl of his dreams.  However, he finds himself manipulated by a callous boss into becoming the snarling, hulking lead singer of a death metal band that sings of murder, mayhem, and rape, and must find some way to reconcile his dual-lives.

After the movie, DJ Aposiopesis Fullstop perched on the billboard over Syruss Constantine’s Sledgepile for another entirely-too-long set of music.

ESTATE NEWS: Hambone Slash plots are still available for rent!  See this Forum thread for more information, consult the Land Store to see what’s available, or IM or email NeoBokrug Elytis with any questions or comments.

NeoBokrug Elytis is still working away on the new recipes, items, and other surprises for the Wastelands game system.

RP NAME-DROPS: The Pirates have been seen out in force recently, rarely stopping in their scavenging rounds and clashing at least once with the Lost Outcasts.  A simple scuffle, or a brewing rivalry?

Aposiopesis Fullstop (2), Pirate Graves, Syruss Constantine

Fighters were pitted against each other under the classical tournament system this week and matches were as follows:

Round One:

Combatants

Weapons

Map

Winner

Aposiopesis Fullstop Flayer VoidTraveller Seetan Flayer

Bad Day VoidTraveller Seetan

Remarks: Poison on both fighters early, tight fighting overall. Spike  and poison on VoidTraveller.  After long fight in center of map, Void attempted the Hooper Gambit over an extended period of time, managing to prolong his remaining health until such time that Aposiopesis fell from a final dose of poison gas.

Malice Shepherd Flayer Syruss Constantine Flayer

The Spider Syruss Constantine

Remarks: None

Raze Repine Flayer Pirate Graves Flayer

Blunt Pirate Graves

Remarks: Long tight fight

Drake Shiras Fistwraps Oku Ghost Crowbill

One Sided Oku Ghost

Remarks: Saw and spike on Drake early, saw took him out in the end.

Redemption Round:

Aposiopesis Fullstop Flayer Malice Shepherd Flayer

Minefield Malice Shepherd

Remarks: Two mines on Malice early. Long fight, Apo falling first.

Raze Repine Flayer Drake Shiras Fistwraps

Russian Roulette Raze Repine

Remarks: The Arena took another victim as newcomer Drake found out the hard way that avoidance is a tricky matter in the midst of its various traps.

Drake Shiras Fistwraps Aposiopesis Fullstop Flayer

Russian Roulette Aposiopesis Fullstop

Remarks: Due to forfeit, Aposiopesis was pitted against Drake to determine whom should continue to fight against Raze for the third finalist spot. Drake was hit by mines twice and fell relatively quickly, again due to several additional run-ins with arena traps.

Raze Repine Flayer Aposiopesis Fullstop Flayer

SOS Aposiopesis Fullstop

Remarks: A moderately long fight ending in a pit for Raze, Aposiopesis emerging victorious and securing her place in the finals.

Round Two:

Oku Ghost Crowbill Syruss Constantine Crowbill

Love is a battlefield Syruss Constantine

Remarks: Oku took mine damage early and was able to take advantage of healing gas twice, but was eventually taken down as battle and accumulated poison damage took their toll.

VoidTraveller Seetan Flayer Pirate Ghost Flayer

Minefield Pirate Graves

Remarks: None.

Final Round:

Syruss Constantine Slugthrower, Flayer Pirate Graves Flayer Aposiopesis Fullstop Flayer

Squaredance 1 2 3

Remarks: Out of the gates, Aposiopesis immediately went after Syruss and they tussled for a bit until Pirate joined the fray.  The lengthy fight was fairly contained to non-trap areas and amidst the tight fighting between the finalists, Aposiopesis dropped first, leaving Syruss and Pirate to contend with eachother, flayer to flayer. Shortly after, Pirate also fell, leaving Syruss victorious.

(( Fight Night runs on the second, third and fourth Saturdays of each month at The Potato Farm, Hambone Slash, in The Wastelands, 3PM PDT. The above photo and other Wasteland event photos are available here - A.S.))