References:
* Reginald Meatwagon: The original protagonist, a Finnish alcoholic gamer turned landlord, i inspired by youtuber which very reveal unhinged way of narration while streaming game
* Toll Bridge: "The toll for the bridge was a constant drain on Reginald’s already meager funds. It was like a subscription service for poverty, and Reginald was a premium member."
* Tenon V: A blend of Eastern European cheap vices and extravagant entertainment, blurring reality with drugs and VR/AR,
In eastern Europe cigarette and alcohol is cheap, while other society is fund their entertainment extravagantly. so mix it. we got Tenon V
* Shady Scientist's Chip: remember when Musk dude trying fund implant a chip to our brain so can stream music, but its was not continue for “reasons”. but as we know, some rule is merely suggestion for some people
* Quarantined Citizens in Derelict Buildings: Reflects inadequate government responses to crises and marginalization.
* Europe's "Disagreement" (Missiles, No Ground Troops): Parallels the US's delayed entry into both World Wars.
* OC (Homeless Money) vs. RM (Real Money):
Worthless money, During periods of hyperinflation, Zimbabweans used foreign currencies like the US dollar alongside the Zimbabwean dollar.
Or when German after WW1, they use Money for Wallpaper: The German Mark became so worthless that people used it for kindling or even wallpaper because it was cheaper than actual wallpaper. and people People needed wheelbarrows or even carts full of banknotes to buy basic goods like bread or milk.
* "Cry havoc and let slip the rats of war!": A twisted adaptation of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
* Fungi Outbreak: Inspired by plague games and real-world incidents like the Sverdlovsk Anthrax Leak.
* Conrad Murray/Ruthless Businessman: Inspired by "hustle culture" and the "American Dream" narrative, acknowledging the European roots of American expansion.
* Manifestation: The concept of attracting outcomes through thought and belief.
* Mammoth (PMC): Based on real-world PMCs like Blackwater and the Wagner Group, highlighting their political influence and profit from conflict.
* Housing Bubble Burst: References the 2008 financial crisis.
* Zion's Expansion: Mirrors historical events like the "Scramble for Africa" and Manifest Destiny, including the displacement of native populations.
* New World Council (NWC): A fictional precursor to the UN, similar to the League of Nations, highlighting the recurring failures of international organizations to prevent conflict.
* Crescent Alliance: Analogous to real-world alliances like NATO or the Axis powers.
* "I saw, I conquered. I depopulated, and my faction has a cool name: the Free World.": A twisted version of Julius Caesar's "Veni, vidi, vici," highlighting Zion's ruthless ambition.
* Dehumanization: Zion method to refer Tribal as sub human was the oldest trick in book to justify Conquest, we vs them. when Crusader fight Saracen they call them “Pagans” (?), when Rome and Greeks fight their neighbor in north they call them “barbarians”, when Japanese soldier fight to death instead surrender in ww2, Usa call them “Fanatic” when Usa soldier fight to death instead surrender, they call it “Heroic”.and the latest one when Afghan fighter repel soviet, they call them “holy warriors” when Usa invade. they call Afghan fighter as “terrorist”, insurgent, extremist. you name it.
Lore:
Zion Roman Revival
The Roman aspect of Free world is Arena, Gladiator and The elite bodyguard as “Amazon Pretorian”, there might a similarity like “Caesar Legion” in fallout. but zion army in not dress up as roman wearing red skirt in modern combat which opposite of effectiveness when you need blend in terrains. just but their culture and religion. to created sense of Superiority, Intimidation to enemy, and False sense of Belonging to his army
Bread and Games Edict
Happy and Well fed people less to revolt. that is kinda universal rule of human behavior, and even can effect a enemy as well. When Spanish Civil war. Francisco leader of Nationalist main propaganda is Food. when war broke. other side often fight with lack of food. so one attempt to sway enemy loyalty just show the enemy if you got food. when North america turn into Chaos. Zion fund Hydroponic Technology. which make him able to grow food based plant without rely on purifying the radiated ground.
And he gain the Arena things from Wu. Wu is symbol of Lizard Oligarch from old world. which like violent and lust for entertainment. while Wu is only bring the arena things to the Vassals. Zion upgrade it to the next level. turn old stadium into Gladiator arena. or simply make new one after found new resources and tech along the way.
which his people sanitized to violent since young. he secure his justification for conquest and secure his military recruitment.
Jozen and the Remnant of USA Fleets
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
having a fleets is one things. but maintaining it the is whole level.
Fuel, spare parts, and ammunition are constant concerns. Jozen's fleet relies heavily on scavenging, trade, and improvisation to keep going. until Jozen find a group of Pirates, they are originally bunch of scavengers at old naval bases or a straight rogue General, They have established small, hidden repair bases along the coast or rely on capturing resources from coastal settlements.
Jozen instead fight them all, he made a Unholy alliance with them. to secure the parts, first. just like all pirates they trying trap with jozen by keep the good stuff for themself. Jozen which dont had any choice just play along. Until Zion do his Nuke shenanigans on one most powerful Pirate in East coast. which make his entire port destroyed, including the warehouse. this created power unbalance, pirate now which no longer had leverange with Jozen. they slowly turn to rely on Jozen to keep their operation.
Jozen rivalry with Zion too. created stronger bonds with pirates which they dislike zion because the nuke things. until finally when Jozen find the Cities for Riches on pacific. they build for group of multi billionaires which already predict the ww3 but keep massing wealth. and they build own fortified city beneath sea. ,
Jozen and his pirate allies seized them. With access to vast gold reserves and advanced technology, Jozen transformed his capital into Aria, a beacon of pre-war ingenuity amidst the wasteland. This newfound power base would fuel his coming war against Zion.
Char:
Wraith: Reggie. grow up in dystopia society which morality is a just a suggestion. had bad childhood time. her Mom is addict and his father never back home. and Reggie had bad memory with Santa, Grown up Reggie find coping through games and drugs, until when fungi outbreak start appear. he start migrate to Finland to avoid being cannon fodder on endless war on east.
Uncle Fred: Conrad's mysterious advisor, a figment of his imagination. effect of psychosis,his past sins. combine with ambitions and bit of childhood ideals which still unfulfilled
Zion: A post-apocalyptic Mexico, after fail Attempt of Remnant of Usa government annex Mexico. they start back up rebel group to destabilize the region. among the rebel is a the tech hater, they believe if Tech is source of evil. before war average citizen had data chip on back of his head to monitor them. “think if they do crime. government is easily just replay the recording on the data chips to decide guilty or not”. but when Society collapse. some part on Mexico. their people still put Data chips on their babies. not for monitoring but for new ritual of passages. they call it tradition of their ancestors. who ironically they even don't know what its mean. When Tech hater rebel start growing influence they attack Zion village. think if they are the remnant of government oppressive symbol. then its lead meeting the young Zion with warlord Wu.
White Cat Curro: A tribal faction that worships a mutated cat. there is wacky attempt of our Scientist. A ray cat is a proposed kind of cat that would be genetically engineered to change appearance in the presence of nuclear radiation.
Philosophers Françoise Bastide and Paolo Fabbri originated the idea of a "living radiation detector” in 1984 as a proposed long-term nuclear waste warning message that could be understood 10,000 years in the future, (its real. check wikipedia)
after the nuke exchange and emp collapse. group of tribal found the “ray cat” but. they dont know the real propose of these cat as living radiation detector. so they worship the cat instead. because why not? and start call themself White cat Curro to distinct themself with other tribal in wasteland.
Jozen: Jozen are military scientist of Japan Home Defence. Jozen flee to Hawaii to avoid capture after mainland of Japan being overrun,with him he carry the Consciousness Project, the tech which make possible to transfer memory of human to a any Vessels,
then world experiencing the Emp Collapse which make him trap in the island. in there with other scientist he rebuild the society technology from scraps. and fix the abandoned military fleets in military port. at his peak of power. he on his last dying breath transfer his memory to a empty Vessel, and with his new body, the second Jozen start set sail to America.
Kassandra: She invented an avocado-cocaine fusion, and in post apocalypse Welcome to Brazil, she quickly secure her “invention” and sell it to locals warlord and gangs. she then manipulating the local faction to turn each other, in high rising level of South america. rivers become larger and deeper, and ships are for transportation,
Kassandra quickly monopoling the Ship industry while warlords are keep in drug state and kill each other, weaken themself. soon New dominant faction led by Kassandra , “Crimson Eagle” born. Kassandra notice the new rising naval power of Jozen and aware her vulnerability on water combat stuff. so she secure his alliance with Zion for her next game.
Corvo: married dude who later on give Alam infodumping about Zion scheme. his father and grand father is was Politician in Cascadia wasteland. and rumor is even before war. when Chaos brewing in region his father keep play it cool by stay neutral. when Zion army arrive. his father killed in battle when join Coalition against Zion. Corvo now become leader of Cascadia, he aware if Zion army cant stop in conventional way. so he buy his time by acting as his loyal dog
Bartolome: a Wasteland Pimp who become a warlord, pleasure seems are still a main currency in Las Vegas, Bartolome who operating on outskirt of the city often being underestimate by other. but Bartolome had a plan on his mind, food and water is crucial as lifeline of Las Vegas. so he use his "girls" as spy too. thanks for cybergenetic eyes which can capture photo with blink of eyes. he then poisoned all water purification of his rival and sell the intels for other factions. and we all know what going on when this kinda guy around. in next few years he is dominant power in las vegas. when Zion army arrive, Bartolome didnt had a chance to fight back with his girl army. so he submit to him,
some faction within Las Vegas didnt like Bartolome speak for Zion as Las vegas representative i mean. who the heck he is? then they start attacking Bartolome fun house, he then quickly ask help to Zion. ZIon then arrive to Las Vegas and quickly destroy any opposition. with this Bartolome then become leader of city as Zion vassal