New Earth: The Rocky Mountain Region

This is where I'm going to set my upcoming Untold campaign (they always say to write what you know about):

NEW EARTH: THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION

While the great plains are inundated by Flux-storms, there is a region along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains (in what was once known as Colorado) where life persists. The Apoc High-bred base beneath Cheyenne Mountain known as NORAD is the only bastion of civilization in this wild land, just south of the ruins of Colorado Springs.

All communications and satellite telemetry ceased when the Event occurred, cutting the base off from the rest of the world. However, it didn't take long for the true magnitude of the catastrophe to come to light. Soldiers retreating from the adjacent army base told of the unnatural storms and the horrors they brought. After the worst of the storms had abated, scouting parties returned with the shocking news: Only those who had taken refuge in NORAD survived.

As bad as that was, the scouts discovered something even more disturbing: the arrival of what is now known as the Splinter of Ai. The Event transported a fragment of Ai to the region, a floating miles-long "island" of hilly forests (complete with streams and lakes). The interior of the Splinter is riddled with tunnels and caverns, some used by the L'na, while others are inhabited by wild creatures.

The Splinter of Ai floats between 200 and 300 feet above the ground, and it moves randomly about the Rocky Mountain Region during the night. Some nights it moves only a mile or two, while other nights it covers a hundred miles. As of yet, there has been no discernible pattern to its wanderings.

At dawn, the massive roots that dangle from its rocky underside reach down to bury themselves into the earth to draw sustenance for the Splinter, only to withdraw at sunset. During the day, the roots can be climbed, serving as a bridge between New Earth and the Splinter of Ai. As the L'na have no control over where the Splinter ends up at dawn, there have been times when it anchors itself to the ruins of one of the cities (such as Colorado Springs, Denver, or Pueblo). In these instances, the L'na become extremely vigilant, as undead, flux horrors or worse try to climb the roots in search of prey.

Many of the L'na spend their time researching magical rituals in the hopes of returning the Splinter to its place of origin. Others, especially the younger L'na, explore the region in search of excitement and new experiences.

About thirty years ago, a tribe of Apoc Churls crossed the mountains and settled in the valley at the foot of Pike's Peak. When the NORAD High-bred made contact, the tribal elders claimed that they were called to that place by a spirit called Manitou. There has been some trade between the two breeds of Apoc, but the Churls of the renamed Manitou tribe are very secretive about the valley. High-bred scouts have determined that the Churls have built structures over numerous springs in the area, often using the ruins of the town for materials. What occurs in these structures is a secret known only to the tribal elders. Not even the L'na, with whom the Manitou Churls have developed a close friendship, have been able to glean any information about the springs.

The Rocky Mountains are home to terrifying monsters and Apoc animals, some of which come down to the lowlands in search of prey. The easiest target is the Manitou tribe, as they live out in the open. While most of the time the Churls can defend themselves, there have been years when hordes of creatures threaten them. In these instances, they often call upon the aid of the L'na, or (if the Splinter of Ai is far away) the NORAD High-bred. A recent scourge of mountain varms required the Churls to call upon both the L'na and the High-bred to eliminate the devilish vermin.

The turbulent area along the Flux-storms to the east is an unstable region of transforming terrain, flux horrors, and nomadic Churls that have been deposited in the area by Flux Portals. Many of these nomads are highly aggressive, and often suffer from mutations. The L'na, Manitou Churls, and NORAD High-bred know to avoid contact with these savages.

The newest development in the Rocky Mountain Region is the arrival of the Kliks several months ago. A Flux-storm raged in the area between the ruins of Colorado Springs and Denver, and when it dissipated, an entire Klik Node had appeared. While there hasn't been direct contact yet, the Kliks have apparently set their sights on the ruins of Colorado Springs....