The West Coast of NA

[Dr Megaverse]

So I live on the west coast and I'm a little sad at the gap of info there seems to be in cannon sources about CA and NV. Aside from some mentions of NA Preserves in CA, Bandito Arms in NV, and the possible location of Ixion in northern OR/southern Canada it seems pretty underdeveloped. I know canonically it says this area suffered under huge tidal waves and the Yosemite volcano ash, but AZ and CO would have had it just as bad from the ash, and there are still people in AZ and CO and up and down the eastern coast. Anyone know of any cannon sources I've missed or has anyone come up with info for those areas?

I myself have always envisioned the southern CA deserts as having some vestiges of civilization, and I often wonder about cities like Reno which might have survived due to high elevation.

[TechnoGothic]

South CA would most likely have Vampires as a major problem.

Overall the areas are left more Vague and Open for Player Groups to have a place to do their own thing away from the CS's control and influence. Which I'm all for. We know from New West and Spirit West, we have very small terroritories run by groups, towns, or would-be kings. Usually barely the size of a county or just a City itself.

[Dustin Fireblade]

There are two major Native American Preserves on the west coast. Not a lot of details on them, but it's a starting point.

[Shark_Force]

South CA would most likely have Vampires as a major problem.

well... of course.

[boxee]

Wait I thought california ended at SF and then it was Seattle, there is something in the middle, that is hogwash, next you start talking about a land where a mouse formed an enchanted kingdom.......

[keir451]

So I live on the west coast and I'm a little sad at the gap of info there seems to be in cannon sources about CA and NV. Aside from some mentions of NA Preserves in CA, Bandito Arms in NV, and the possible location of Ixion in northern OR/southern Canada it seems pretty underdeveloped. I know canonically it says this area suffered under huge tidal waves and the Yosemite volcano ash, but AZ and CO would have had it just as bad from the ash, and there are still people in AZ and CO and up and down the eastern coast. Anyone know of any cannon sources I've missed or has anyone come up with info for those areas?

I myself have always envisioned the southern CA deserts as having some vestiges of civilization, and I often wonder about cities like Reno which might have survived due to high elevation.

I rifted in a group from another Earth, one where the Apocalypse didn't happen. They started calling themselves the New Bear Republic, they're based around a technological corporate giant called VTU (Vega Technologies Unlimited).
VTU opertates out of massive mile jigh arcologies that look like five sided pyramids and are as deep as they are tall.
Their capital city is called Negro Angeles (that's pronounced Neh grow, not NEE grow) or "the city of Black Angels". VTU's CEO and owner is Nathanial Quigley, an ex-army 19 Kilo (M1 Abrams crewman), an ex-Army General and onetime President of the US (he was constantly re-elected until he just sick of the job and quit), who's reputed to be over 120 yrs old (born in 1984).
VTU once produced a competitor to the GB called the Dark Boy, it uses a thermo reflective armor and a very nasty plasma cannon. As the military chose the GB instead, the Dark Boy became a "VTU only" unit.
In their original time line VTU was also a major competitor to Triax and Cyberworks, as it was in the Rifts time line as well, but VTU "fell" during the Dark Ages too (A subject that is countered by Quigley himself, so it is somewhat debateable) .
VTU was also one of the main suppliers of military harware to the US military, their motto is "If it's good enough, it's NOTgood enough!!", as they take the "Technologies Unlimited" part of their name very seriously. For every tech item they produce for the "regular markets" VTU has at least one(more likely multiples) of superiror design that only they use.
By my story line, VTU controls the majority of California and is actively repairing the Hoover Dam, they have a population to match that of the entirety of the CS and are rapidly building up their military forces (each Arcology is also a factory unto itself, all in the undeground levels).
They have an active Coast Guard as well as their US Army & Navy serving them, under Quigley the Air Force was folded back into the Army as the Army Air Corps once again.
Equipment wise VTU has gear equivalent to or even a couple of centuries ahead of what he CS has.

[Dr Megaverse]

I rifted in a group from another Earth, one where the Apocalypse didn't happen. They started calling themselves the New Bear Republic, they're based around a technological corporate giant called VTU (Vega Technologies Unlimited).
VTU opertates out of massive mile jigh arcologies that look like five sided pyramids and are as deep as they are tall.
Their capital city is called Negro Angeles (that's pronounced Neh grow, not NEE grow) or "the city of Black Angels". VTU's CEO and owner is Nathanial Quigley, an ex-army 19 Kilo (M1 Abrams crewman), an ex-Army General and onetime President of the US (he was constantly re-elected until he just sick of the job and quit), who's reputed to be over 120 yrs old (born in 1984).
VTU once produced a competitor to the GB called the Dark Boy, it uses a thermo reflective armor and a very nasty plasma cannon. As the military chose the GB instead, the Dark Boy became a "VTU only" unit.
In their original time line VTU was also a major competitor to Triax and Cyberworks, as it was in the Rifts time line as well, but VTU "fell" during the Dark Ages too (A subject that is countered by Quigley himself, so it is somewhat debateable) .
VTU was also one of the main suppliers of military harware to the US military, their motto is "If it's good enough, it's NOTgood enough!!", as they take the "Technologies Unlimited" part of their name very seriously. For every tech item they produce for the "regular markets" VTU has at least one(more likely multiples) of superiror design that only they use.
By my story line, VTU controls the majority of California and is actively repairing the Hoover Dam, they have a population to match that of the entirety of the CS and are rapidly building up their military forces (each Arcology is also a factory unto itself, all in the undeground levels).
They have an active Coast Guard as well as their US Army & Navy serving them, under Quigley the Air Force was folded back into the Army as the Army Air Corps once again.
Equipment wise VTU has gear equivalent to or even a couple of centuries ahead of what he CS has.

Very interesting! I especially like the GB with a plasma cannon! Did the arcologies rift in with them or did they build them? I have to admit it would be pretty interesting to be a player group making a trip to buy some Bandito Arms stuff and then deciding to continue on to "see what's over the mountains" and run into a super power with 500 story arcologies!

[Blindscout]

I myself have always envisioned the southern CA deserts as having some vestiges of civilization, and I often wonder about cities like Reno which might have survived due to high elevation.
I rifted in a group from another Earth, one where the Apocalypse didn't happen. They started calling themselves the New Bear Republic, they're based around a technological corporate giant called VTU (Vega Technologies Unlimited).
VTU opertates out of massive mile jigh arcologies that look like five sided pyramids and are as deep as they are tall.
Their capital city is called Negro Angeles (that's pronounced Neh grow, not NEE grow) or "the city of Black Angels". VTU's CEO and owner is Nathanial Quigley, an ex-army 19 Kilo (M1 Abrams crewman), an ex-Army General and onetime President of the US (he was constantly re-elected until he just sick of the job and quit), who's reputed to be over 120 yrs old (born in 1984).
VTU once produced a competitor to the GB called the Dark Boy, it uses a thermo reflective armor and a very nasty plasma cannon. As the military chose the GB instead, the Dark Boy became a "VTU only" unit.
In their original time line VTU was also a major competitor to Triax and Cyberworks, as it was in the Rifts time line as well, but VTU "fell" during the Dark Ages too (A subject that is countered by Quigley himself, so it is somewhat debateable) .
VTU was also one of the main suppliers of military harware to the US military, their motto is "If it's good enough, it's NOTgood enough!!", as they take the "Technologies Unlimited" part of their name very seriously. For every tech item they produce for the "regular markets" VTU has at least one(more likely multiples) of superiror design that only they use.
By my story line, VTU controls the majority of California and is actively repairing the Hoover Dam, they have a population to match that of the entirety of the CS and are rapidly building up their military forces (each Arcology is also a factory unto itself, all in the undeground levels).
They have an active Coast Guard as well as their US Army & Navy serving them, under Quigley the Air Force was folded back into the Army as the Army Air Corps once again.
Equipment wise VTU has gear equivalent to or even a couple of centuries ahead of what he CS has.

Great Stuff there, Keir!

And stuff like this is EXACTLY why I love the fact that there are still some ill or un defined areas of the world of RIFTS! It leaves a place for GMs to get creative without dealing with the tedium of smacking down rules lawyers and meta-gamers and there protests of "whaaaaaa that's not what's there!".

Keir, would you mind PMing me or posting the stats for your Dark Boy? I'd like to see what all it entailed and (if you wouldn't mind) possibly use it in a game I'm planning.

Did you happen to be a 19Kilo at some point? I was a 19Delta when I was in, some of the best friends I have to this day where some of the Kilos that I scouted for.

[Grinning Demon]

So I live on the west coast and I'm a little sad at the gap of info there seems to be in cannon sources about CA and NV. Aside from some mentions of NA Preserves in CA, Bandito Arms in NV, and the possible location of Ixion in northern OR/southern Canada it seems pretty underdeveloped. I know canonically it says this area suffered under huge tidal waves and the Yosemite volcano ash, but AZ and CO would have had it just as bad from the ash, and there are still people in AZ and CO and up and down the eastern coast. Anyone know of any cannon sources I've missed or has anyone come up with info for those areas?

I myself have always envisioned the southern CA deserts as having some vestiges of civilization, and I often wonder about cities like Reno which might have survived due to high elevation.

I also attribute to lack of information on California to KS being from Michigan. My mom's side of the family being from there (MI), I know they aren't particularly fond of the west coast especially California. That might be one of the reasons that such an important area in the real world has pretty much been written off as vampire infested with a couple of native americans for measure.

[Dr Megaverse]

So I live on the west coast and I'm a little sad at the gap of info there seems to be in cannon sources about CA and NV. Aside from some mentions of NA Preserves in CA, Bandito Arms in NV, and the possible location of Ixion in northern OR/southern Canada it seems pretty underdeveloped. I know canonically it says this area suffered under huge tidal waves and the Yosemite volcano ash, but AZ and CO would have had it just as bad from the ash, and there are still people in AZ and CO and up and down the eastern coast. Anyone know of any cannon sources I've missed or has anyone come up with info for those areas?

I myself have always envisioned the southern CA deserts as having some vestiges of civilization, and I often wonder about cities like Reno which might have survived due to high elevation.

I also attribute to lack of information on California to KS being from Michigan. My mom's side of the family being from there (MI), I know they aren't particularly fond of the west coast especially California. That might be one of the reasons that such an important area in the real world has pretty much been written off as vampire infested with a couple of native americans for measure.

Heh. Why am I NOT suprised? I'm originally from the afore mentioned vampire ridden deserts of southern CA and it's a shame we desert rats get tagged with the "southern Californian surfer bum" lot. Not that I have anything against the surfer bums, but I get how folks confuse us lol.

[Jorel]

So I live on the west coast and I'm a little sad at the gap of info there seems to be in cannon sources about CA and NV. Aside from some mentions of NA Preserves in CA, Bandito Arms in NV, and the possible location of Ixion in northern OR/southern Canada it seems pretty underdeveloped. I know canonically it says this area suffered under huge tidal waves and the Yosemite volcano ash, but AZ and CO would have had it just as bad from the ash, and there are still people in AZ and CO and up and down the eastern coast. Anyone know of any cannon sources I've missed or has anyone come up with info for those areas?

I myself have always envisioned the southern CA deserts as having some vestiges of civilization, and I often wonder about cities like Reno which might have survived due to high elevation.

I also attribute to lack of information on California to KS being from Michigan. My mom's side of the family being from there (MI), I know they aren't particularly fond of the west coast especially California. That might be one of the reasons that such an important area in the real world has pretty much been written off as vampire infested with a couple of native americans for measure.

I'd attribute it to unfamiliarity, not anything against any area of the country. Seems like a harsh stance to put on Kevin's doorstep. Maybe your speaking for yourself and your family, but I don't think Kevin has ever said anything to that effect. There are a lot of area's that aren't covered, and what is covered is largely done by Freelancers, not Kevin.

[Jorel]

Also a lot of theories are that California should be as decimated as anything on the East Coast.

[boxee]

It is an oppertunity. I ran a rifts game once years back. The players were on the run from the CS. They started in Lonestar in prison, the experimental studies, so was horror. They managed to escape during a riot. They started heading west away from the CS. One of the players was an elf, he had heard of a kingdom of elves liking in giant magical trees, redwoods. So they started heading there.
On the way they had a few adventures, one was an evil kingdom in cafilornia ruled by a female adult dragon Milificent, and a nightlord named Beast (evil version). Anyway the nightlord liked the fairy tails so decided to make all of the cartoons into reality, a very twisted and evil reality.
The players managed to save a few of the maidens in distress Wendy, Jasmine, and Tinkerbell. The heroes has all met very bad endings. The Lost Boys joined Hook, Aladin was killed by Jafar, the seven dwarves were enslaved and forced to mine for the wealth of the kingdom. The players managed to escape but were hunted and had bounties on their heads.

[Grinning Demon]

So I live on the west coast and I'm a little sad at the gap of info there seems to be in cannon sources about CA and NV. Aside from some mentions of NA Preserves in CA, Bandito Arms in NV, and the possible location of Ixion in northern OR/southern Canada it seems pretty underdeveloped. I know canonically it says this area suffered under huge tidal waves and the Yosemite volcano ash, but AZ and CO would have had it just as bad from the ash, and there are still people in AZ and CO and up and down the eastern coast. Anyone know of any cannon sources I've missed or has anyone come up with info for those areas?

I myself have always envisioned the southern CA deserts as having some vestiges of civilization, and I often wonder about cities like Reno which might have survived due to high elevation.

I also attribute to lack of information on California to KS being from Michigan. My mom's side of the family being from there (MI), I know they aren't particularly fond of the west coast especially California. That might be one of the reasons that such an important area in the real world has pretty much been written off as vampire infested with a couple of native americans for measure.

I'd attribute it to unfamiliarity, not anything against any area of the country. Seems like a harsh stance to put on Kevin's doorstep. Maybe your speaking for yourself and your family, but I don't think Kevin has ever said anything to that effect. There are a lot of area's that aren't covered, and what is covered is largely done by Freelancers, not Kevin.

I said that it might be one of the reasons. I love Socal (born and raised here) and so does my family (since my mom, ya know moved here from Michigan), I'm just saying I've visited many different areas of Michigan over the years and always received an icy reception when I said I was from California, so to each their own. I also doubt familiarity is an issue, since Rifts just takes a region and gives it a background and history all it's own, regardless of modern history.

The facts speak for themselves, in 45+ books for Rifts there 's been about a paragraph written about California/West Coast.
Everyone is free to draw their own conclusions based on that fact.

[Jorel]

I've read many mention of California, not just one paragraph. It is referenced a few times in multiple books. I even recall reading Kevin saying he left that area undeveloped on purpose for player groups to have an area they can develop their own version of, without having to rewrite because a book made something else occur there. And again, it should all be devastated and the coast should be changed, just like in Madhaven.

[Grinning Demon]

I've read many mention of California, not just one paragraph. It is referenced a few times in multiple books. I even recall reading Kevin saying he left that area undeveloped on purpose for player groups to have an area they can develop their own version of, without having to rewrite because a book made something else occur there. And again, it should all be devastated and the coast should be changed, just like in Madhaven.

Well there's a couple of sentences throughout several books that might add up to a paragraph, but that's it.

Using the "hey I left it blank to YOU the players can develop it" is a cop out I think (if KS ever even said that). Why not leave countless other areas "blank" (Russia, Japan, Africa, Australia, South America) for the same reasons? The answer is KS and/or the writers found those place interesting to themselves so they decided to write about them. Do the people at Rifts hate California/West Coast? Probably not. But it is interesting just how little has been printed about the region.

[keir451]

I rifted in a group from another Earth, one where the Apocalypse didn't happen. They started calling themselves the New Bear Republic, they're based around a technological corporate giant called VTU (Vega Technologies Unlimited).
VTU opertates out of massive mile jigh arcologies that look like five sided pyramids and are as deep as they are tall.
Their capital city is called Negro Angeles (that's pronounced Neh grow, not NEE grow) or "the city of Black Angels". VTU's CEO and owner is Nathanial Quigley, an ex-army 19 Kilo (M1 Abrams crewman), an ex-Army General and onetime President of the US (he was constantly re-elected until he just sick of the job and quit), who's reputed to be over 120 yrs old (born in 1984).
VTU once produced a competitor to the GB called the Dark Boy, it uses a thermo reflective armor and a very nasty plasma cannon. As the military chose the GB instead, the Dark Boy became a "VTU only" unit.
In their original time line VTU was also a major competitor to Triax and Cyberworks, as it was in the Rifts time line as well, but VTU "fell" during the Dark Ages too (A subject that is countered by Quigley himself, so it is somewhat debateable) .
VTU was also one of the main suppliers of military harware to the US military, their motto is "If it's good enough, it's NOTgood enough!!", as they take the "Technologies Unlimited" part of their name very seriously. For every tech item they produce for the "regular markets" VTU has at least one(more likely multiples) of superiror design that only they use.
By my story line, VTU controls the majority of California and is actively repairing the Hoover Dam, they have a population to match that of the entirety of the CS and are rapidly building up their military forces (each Arcology is also a factory unto itself, all in the undeground levels).
They have an active Coast Guard as well as their US Army & Navy serving them, under Quigley the Air Force was folded back into the Army as the Army Air Corps once again.
Equipment wise VTU has gear equivalent to or even a couple of centuries ahead of what he CS has.

Very interesting! I especially like the GB with a plasma cannon! Did the arcologies rift in with them or did they build them? I have to admit it would be pretty interesting to be a player group making a trip to buy some Bandito Arms stuff and then deciding to continue on to "see what's over the mountains" and run into a super power with 500 story arcologies!

The arcologies rifted in with them, VTU is a fairly tolerant place (yeah right!) they allow any and all manner of D-bees to live in their cities so long as they obey the laws, but the overall punishment for law breaking is death. The Dark Boy is actually a competitor to the GB, not a GB w/ plasma cannon .
We also have the US Coast Guard working for them, so VTU can mount effective defenses against the Horune and Nuatyll even if recruiters say you have to be 6 feet tall so if your ships sinks you can wade to shore. (My Dad is retired CG so I can get away w/that joke).
We even developed a whole set of "Beach OCCs" (it IS Cali after all), we have sports such as Demon Shark surfing, Beach Bums, Beach Bunny's, Beach Toughs, etc.

[boxee]

I rifted in a group from another Earth, one where the Apocalypse didn't happen. They started calling themselves the New Bear Republic, they're based around a technological corporate giant called VTU (Vega Technologies Unlimited).
VTU opertates out of massive mile jigh arcologies that look like five sided pyramids and are as deep as they are tall.
Their capital city is called Negro Angeles (that's pronounced Neh grow, not NEE grow) or "the city of Black Angels". VTU's CEO and owner is Nathanial Quigley, an ex-army 19 Kilo (M1 Abrams crewman), an ex-Army General and onetime President of the US (he was constantly re-elected until he just sick of the job and quit), who's reputed to be over 120 yrs old (born in 1984).
VTU once produced a competitor to the GB called the Dark Boy, it uses a thermo reflective armor and a very nasty plasma cannon. As the military chose the GB instead, the Dark Boy became a "VTU only" unit.
In their original time line VTU was also a major competitor to Triax and Cyberworks, as it was in the Rifts time line as well, but VTU "fell" during the Dark Ages too (A subject that is countered by Quigley himself, so it is somewhat debateable) .
VTU was also one of the main suppliers of military harware to the US military, their motto is "If it's good enough, it's NOTgood enough!!", as they take the "Technologies Unlimited" part of their name very seriously. For every tech item they produce for the "regular markets" VTU has at least one(more likely multiples) of superiror design that only they use.
By my story line, VTU controls the majority of California and is actively repairing the Hoover Dam, they have a population to match that of the entirety of the CS and are rapidly building up their military forces (each Arcology is also a factory unto itself, all in the undeground levels).
They have an active Coast Guard as well as their US Army & Navy serving them, under Quigley the Air Force was folded back into the Army as the Army Air Corps once again.
Equipment wise VTU has gear equivalent to or even a couple of centuries ahead of what he CS has.

Very interesting! I especially like the GB with a plasma cannon! Did the arcologies rift in with them or did they build them? I have to admit it would be pretty interesting to be a player group making a trip to buy some Bandito Arms stuff and then deciding to continue on to "see what's over the mountains" and run into a super power with 500 story arcologies!

The arcologies rifted in with them, VTU is a fairly tolerant place (yeah right!) they allow any and all manner of D-bees to live in their cities so long as they obey the laws, but the overall punishment for law breaking is death. The Dark Boy is actually a competitor to the GB, not a GB w/ plasma cannon .
We also have the US Coast Guard working for them, so VTU can mount effective defenses against the Horune and Nuatyll even if recruiters say you have to be 6 feet tall so if your ships sinks you can wade to shore. (My Dad is retired CG so I can get away w/that joke).
We even developed a whole set of "Beach OCCs" (it IS Cali after all), we have sports such as Demon Shark surfing, Beach Bums, Beach Bunny's, Beach Toughs, etc.

Can you please post them?

[Jorel]

I've read many mention of California, not just one paragraph. It is referenced a few times in multiple books. I even recall reading Kevin saying he left that area undeveloped on purpose for player groups to have an area they can develop their own version of, without having to rewrite because a book made something else occur there. And again, it should all be devastated and the coast should be changed, just like in Madhaven.

Well there's a couple of sentences throughout several books that might add up to a paragraph, but that's it.

Using the "hey I left it blank to YOU the players can develop it" is a cop out I think (if KS ever even said that). Why not leave countless other areas "blank" (Russia, Japan, Africa, Australia, South America) for the same reasons? The answer is KS and/or the writers found those place interesting to themselves so they decided to write about them. Do the people at Rifts hate California/West Coast? Probably not. But it is interesting just how little has been printed about the region.

Plenty of large regions in the countries you've named have been left exactly like California, untouched or barely referenced.

[Grinning Demon]

I've read many mention of California, not just one paragraph. It is referenced a few times in multiple books. I even recall reading Kevin saying he left that area undeveloped on purpose for player groups to have an area they can develop their own version of, without having to rewrite because a book made something else occur there. And again, it should all be devastated and the coast should be changed, just like in Madhaven.

Well there's a couple of sentences throughout several books that might add up to a paragraph, but that's it.

Using the "hey I left it blank to YOU the players can develop it" is a cop out I think (if KS ever even said that). Why not leave countless other areas "blank" (Russia, Japan, Africa, Australia, South America) for the same reasons? The answer is KS and/or the writers found those place interesting to themselves so they decided to write about them. Do the people at Rifts hate California/West Coast? Probably not. But it is interesting just how little has been printed about the region.

Plenty of large regions in the countries you've named have been left exactly like California, untouched or barely referenced.

Right. But none in North America.

[Jorel]

I've read many mention of California, not just one paragraph. It is referenced a few times in multiple books. I even recall reading Kevin saying he left that area undeveloped on purpose for player groups to have an area they can develop their own version of, without having to rewrite because a book made something else occur there. And again, it should all be devastated and the coast should be changed, just like in Madhaven.

Well there's a couple of sentences throughout several books that might add up to a paragraph, but that's it.

Using the "hey I left it blank to YOU the players can develop it" is a cop out I think (if KS ever even said that). Why not leave countless other areas "blank" (Russia, Japan, Africa, Australia, South America) for the same reasons? The answer is KS and/or the writers found those place interesting to themselves so they decided to write about them. Do the people at Rifts hate California/West Coast? Probably not. But it is interesting just how little has been printed about the region.

Plenty of large regions in the countries you've named have been left exactly like California, untouched or barely referenced.

Right. But none in North America.

Plenty of area in North America is left open for interpretation.

[keir451]

For Boxee; Unfortunately the ideas are not mine they belong to my GM, I use them at his sufferance. All the stats are in his head, not on paper. What I can tell you is that they control all the way up to Washington State and technically they have only one Arcology, called Valiant Tower, at Negro Angeles.
They have a population of about 50 million spread out thru the territory, they also use a lighter, but completely reversable, form of the Juicer Augmentation (no side effects after detox).
They generally stick to the coastal regions, not because they don't have the tech, they just don't care.
They are generally aware of most forces on or about North America, but don't choose to interact with most of them, with the exception of the CS whom they hate with a thermonuclear passion, literally. VTU is not afraid to nuke the CS if they feel like it.
They are also involved in an active effort to exterminate the Vampire threat in Mexico their methods are...questionable. Including wholesale nuclear weapons usage or (depending upon setting) their Earthcrusher sattelite, a massive MAC cannon capable of hurling a VW sized slug of nickel iron at .99 of light.

In other settings VTU was pre Rifts and part of the "official history" and they had multiple towers around the world, including the main one, called Vengance, down at Midway Island. Quigley is/was a follower of the Druidic path and (some how) designed his towers with Protection Circles around them so when the Rifts flared to life the circles activated preserving the towers.
Security in any tower is obscene. Players can access the main floor and nothing else unless they have a VTU access card. The underground factory levels are patrolled by VTU security 'Bots that can rebuild themselves (high levels of nano tech) and are protected by forcefields as long as they are in the building.
Each tower is also controlled by a VTU Quantum AI.

[dragonfett]

IMHO, I figure part of California will have been split off from the mainland from an earthquake by 101 PA.

[boxee]

For Boxee; Unfortunately the ideas are not mine they belong to my GM, I use them at his sufferance. All the stats are in his head, not on paper. What I can tell you is that they control all the way up to Washington State and technically they have only one Arcology, called Valiant Tower, at Negro Angeles.
They have a population of about 50 million spread out thru the territory, they also use a lighter, but completely reversable, form of the Juicer Augmentation (no side effects after detox).
They generally stick to the coastal regions, not because they don't have the tech, they just don't care.
They are generally aware of most forces on or about North America, but don't choose to interact with most of them, with the exception of the CS whom they hate with a thermonuclear passion, literally. VTU is not afraid to nuke the CS if they feel like it.
They are also involved in an active effort to exterminate the Vampire threat in Mexico their methods are...questionable. Including wholesale nuclear weapons usage or (depending upon setting) their Earthcrusher sattelite, a massive MAC cannon capable of hurling a VW sized slug of nickel iron at .99 of light.

In other settings VTU was pre Rifts and part of the "official history" and they had multiple towers around the world, including the main one, called Vengance, down at Midway Island. Quigley is/was a follower of the Druidic path and (some how) designed his towers with Protection Circles around them so when the Rifts flared to life the circles activated preserving the towers.
Security in any tower is obscene. Players can access the main floor and nothing else unless they have a VTU access card. The underground factory levels are patrolled by VTU security 'Bots that can rebuild themselves (high levels of nano tech) and are protected by forcefields as long as they are in the building.
Each tower is also controlled by a VTU Quantum AI.

Its all good, sounds like a fun area.

[TechnoGothic]

In one of our games ... we placed in LA as a Superhero City.
With 55% of the population HU2 Mutants. Bionics was very popular too, with 40% of the population converted... Though 75% of the cyborgs were like T-800s with brains (used Star Marshels from PW but as Humans instead of wolven) The other 25% of cyborgs were Cyberai models (PW-sb).

[Balabanto]

As far as I am concerned, the model for California should be Afro Samurai. Heavily asian influenced, small communities and villages with moderate populations, one or two big cities, and vast wastelands filled with mad scientists and small petty puppet dictators.

[Failgoat]

As far as I am concerned, the model for California should be Afro Samurai. Heavily asian influenced, small communities and villages with moderate populations, one or two big cities, and vast wastelands filled with mad scientists and small petty puppet dictators.

this is cool, with the addition of a small nation that i created based on the discovery of a pre rifts state of the art hospital, guess it could fit as one of the "big cities" in your vision. i like it.

[Wōdwulf Seaxaning]

I had thought about a transplanted Russian colony in Oregon or the old Tacoma area. Was thinking about creating a D-Bee/Human city in NorCal where a colony ship rifted into the area crashing & creating a giant pit. The survivors & local human n' D-Bees built a city with in it. Still need to work on it.

[keir451]

I had thought about a transplanted Russian colony in Oregon or the old Tacoma area. Was thinking about creating a D-Bee/Human city in NorCal where a colony ship rifted into the area crashing & creating a giant pit. The survivors & local human n' D-Bees built a city with in it. Still need to work on it.

I once did the "colony ship" route, wasn't bad but then again I wasn't able to flesh it out as much as wanted. Good luck with yours!

[keir451]

As far as I am concerned, the model for California should be Afro Samurai. Heavily asian influenced, small communities and villages with moderate populations, one or two big cities, and vast wastelands filled with mad scientists and small petty puppet dictators.

I like this! This is where Rifts Japan should have gone.

Naah, too cliched. Do something original for once. Besides Afro Samurai sucked wind.

[Blue_Lion]

I am from western washington my self it whould be nice to see a area that i know in rifts, but i think lack of familarty is a problem, most of the focus is on eastern US a little in the middle part but the west coast is left alone. What i do know is that deserts are in eastern washington and orgon so vampires may be comon. I see roaming bands of vampires that come north to washington in the winter (real short days) and south in the summer (days real long.) There is refence to a tech indian tribe in washington. But realy should be more with a large miltary base (joint base Lewis McCord) large navy depot in breminton and construction facities of places like Boeing you do have the base for a high tech nation. Lots of asian influnace as well so i could easly a more asain influance maybe some hidden martial arts camps. Lewis Mcord is the main fielding sight for strikers (light inftry units with advanced apcs.) It whould be hard for some one not famailar with the area to write a book on it climet changes from a non tropical rain forest on the west side of the montians to a desert on the east. Much of the cost whould be lost when the water level whent up. My home town of Hoquiam is 10' above sea level at the air port. But then you hit hills and montians where most the rain whould be droped then on eastern side of the montains you whould hit the 2/3 the state that is a desert. People on the east coast forget how much space there is over here and that there is more to the west coast than CA and Seatle.

I think i might just work on some idea for something to do.

[Balabanto]

As far as I am concerned, the model for California should be Afro Samurai. Heavily asian influenced, small communities and villages with moderate populations, one or two big cities, and vast wastelands filled with mad scientists and small petty puppet dictators.

I like this! This is where Rifts Japan should have gone.

Rifts Japan was published way before Afro-Samurai ever existed. Plus, the broad mix of cultures and races (Genetically altered third arm warriors, crossbred cyborgs, rock and roll parties) fits the West Coast of the USA far more than the stratified nature of Japan. As soon as I saw it, it was like "Rifts Cally! Ohhh, yeah!"

[Balabanto]

As far as I am concerned, the model for California should be Afro Samurai. Heavily asian influenced, small communities and villages with moderate populations, one or two big cities, and vast wastelands filled with mad scientists and small petty puppet dictators.

I like this! This is where Rifts Japan should have gone.

Naah, too cliched. Do something original for once. Besides Afro Samurai sucked wind.

You have a funny idea about atmosphere vs. storytelling. Who cares about the "Story" of Afro Samurai? That's not important for this purpose. Only the BACKDROP really matters.

[keir451]

As far as I am concerned, the model for California should be Afro Samurai. Heavily asian influenced, small communities and villages with moderate populations, one or two big cities, and vast wastelands filled with mad scientists and small petty puppet dictators.

I like this! This is where Rifts Japan should have gone.

Naah, too cliched. Do something original for once. Besides Afro Samurai sucked wind.

You have a funny idea about atmosphere vs. storytelling. Who cares about the "Story" of Afro Samurai? That's not important for this purpose. Only the BACKDROP really matters.

I didn't care much for the backdrop either. IMO Afro Samurai is a bad choice for Rifts California.
(Just finished re-watching Afro Smaurai. Yep, just as cliched as I remember. )

[Dr Megaverse]

Also remember that California is sometimes referred to as the "bread basket of the west" because the central valley is quite fertile ground. I could see many small warring nations trying to control the food production areas. Could make for an interesting regional game. The high elevation of northern Nevada and the Sierras would make a great stop against the waves from the Pacific and IMO would leave most of the cities intact. I kind of imagine northern Nevada being written like southern Idaho/Wyoming. Lots of cities still intact but with monster problems (I.E. Black Flying Monster Men). A great opportunity for prospecting (read scavenging ) game styles...especially the Artifacts O.C.C. from Dinosaur Swamp.

[Nether]

So I live on the west coast and I'm a little sad at the gap of info there seems to be in cannon sources about CA and NV. Aside from some mentions of NA Preserves in CA, Bandito Arms in NV, and the possible location of Ixion in northern OR/southern Canada it seems pretty underdeveloped. I know canonically it says this area suffered under huge tidal waves and the Yosemite volcano ash, but AZ and CO would have had it just as bad from the ash, and there are still people in AZ and CO and up and down the eastern coast. Anyone know of any cannon sources I've missed or has anyone come up with info for those areas?

I myself have always envisioned the southern CA deserts as having some vestiges of civilization, and I often wonder about cities like Reno which might have survived due to high elevation.

I rifted in a group from another Earth, one where the Apocalypse didn't happen. They started calling themselves the New Bear Republic, they're based around a technological corporate giant called VTU (Vega Technologies Unlimited).
VTU opertates out of massive mile jigh arcologies that look like five sided pyramids and are as deep as they are tall.
Their capital city is called Negro Angeles (that's pronounced Neh grow, not NEE grow) or "the city of Black Angels". VTU's CEO and owner is Nathanial Quigley, an ex-army 19 Kilo (M1 Abrams crewman), an ex-Army General and onetime President of the US (he was constantly re-elected until he just sick of the job and quit), who's reputed to be over 120 yrs old (born in 1984).
VTU once produced a competitor to the GB called the Dark Boy, it uses a thermo reflective armor and a very nasty plasma cannon. As the military chose the GB instead, the Dark Boy became a "VTU only" unit.
In their original time line VTU was also a major competitor to Triax and Cyberworks, as it was in the Rifts time line as well, but VTU "fell" during the Dark Ages too (A subject that is countered by Quigley himself, so it is somewhat debateable) .
VTU was also one of the main suppliers of military harware to the US military, their motto is "If it's good enough, it's NOTgood enough!!", as they take the "Technologies Unlimited" part of their name very seriously. For every tech item they produce for the "regular markets" VTU has at least one(more likely multiples) of superiror design that only they use.
By my story line, VTU controls the majority of California and is actively repairing the Hoover Dam, they have a population to match that of the entirety of the CS and are rapidly building up their military forces (each Arcology is also a factory unto itself, all in the undeground levels).
They have an active Coast Guard as well as their US Army & Navy serving them, under Quigley the Air Force was folded back into the Army as the Army Air Corps once again.
Equipment wise VTU has gear equivalent to or even a couple of centuries ahead of what he CS has.

I really liked the background info you put there.

Though i am almost absolutely positive that the reason only the east side is as fleshed out as it is, is because thats where KS and crew hung out and know. Kind of sad that they still only focus on that area so heavily vs giving us some more sources from around the world or even just west coast. Canada is the 2nd largest body mass on the planet and there is barely anything listed for it.

[keir451]

More VTU!
VTU was established by Quigley after his retirement from the Army at the age of 40 in 2024 at the rank of General, during the next ten years Quigley pushed VTU into the spotlight by such acts as buying out the Saudi oil Fields and crushing the Oil MArket by reselling gas at $1.00/gal and Deisel at $.50/gal.
He also established VTU's headquarters on the island of Midaway after purchasing it from the US government.
One of his first products for the Army was the Bandit ATV, a four wheeled low slung ATV that used 4 seperate powerful electric motors in each wheel and mounted a new style of railgun called the "Shredder", the Shredder uses a block of EC coated metal and literally grinds it up as it feeds the slivers into the firing chamber.
10 years into his running of VTU Quigley was elected president by a majority victory even though he wasn't running. At that time the National debt had skyrocketed and the partisan politics had even the most die hard politician fed up with it. When the ballots were all collected the majority of people had actually written Quigley's name down as their preferred choice. The Electoral college, fearing a riot if they chose the losing candidate, and realizing that by law Quigley held the majority in the Electoral College as well, confirmed Quigley's election as President of the United States for 2035.
Quigley's Presidency lasted for the next 10 terms as he was re-elected by majority each time and the Governement altered the Presidential Term limits.
During his tenure America experienced a massive reshaping of it's entire system from the top down and a gain in prestige that had not been seen since the end of WW 2. He eliminated the national debt by using his personal fortune to purchase the Moon and the City of Los Angeles. He then rolled the entire US military into the slums of LA and cleaned them out and began construction of the new VTU tower and the city of Negro Angeles.
At the end of his 10th term Quigley voluntarily quit the Office of the Presidency saying he'd had enough of this and went back to running VTU.
During the next 20 yrs as the New Cold war took shape VTU became involved in the space race with it's creation of the Earth Crusher Orbital Weapon Station. A massive orbital weapon station capable of firing a nickle -iron slug the size of a VW Bug at near luminal speeds. In response China built their "Son Of Heaven" particle beam array and the U.S. built their response to the "Son of Heaven", the Mjolnir Solar Laser. This ended up in a triple detante as the Son Of Heaven was aimed at the Earth Crusher, the Mjolnir was aimed at the Son of Heaven and the Earth Crusher was aimed at Beijing.

[Mech-Viper Prime]

WARNING I WILL RAMBLE also, I liek Commas.

I joined the board just to put in my two cents on this topic.

First off, the main fault in CA is a slip fault. That means that LA would one day be next to/in SF Bay Area. California will never "fall into the ocean" so, quit saying that, it makes you sound stoopid.

Second, I think KS like most of the rest of America dosen't like CA very much but, it is the most populous state in the union like it or not. I have been annoyed about this for years.

There is far more to CA than the beach, Hollywood or, San Francisco. San Diego would be gone as would, Los Ageles, most of the OC including The Mouse kingdom. Things get funny when you get into the desert. Being from the Inland Empire I am a bit familiar with it. Lots of mountains, not alot of dormant volcanos. In So Cal look at the mountain and vally towns, there would still be many people there. The buhzzzzilllion mile high tidal waves are ridiculous so I envision the Ley Lines erupting with a force much like a magic tidal wave. In this senario you can wipe out low flat land cities with ease. The Corona Hills would suvive and they are littered with modern ruins of homes and communications sites not to mention the access shafts for the DWP tunnels. March Air Reserve Base still has low bunkers in the hills near Riverside. The people of the desert are a funny lot. In "real life" often enough they are armed to the teeth, paranoid and, very mobile. Desert rednecks, go with that. Camp Pendleton it can't be all gone, it streches from the south Corona Hills to the beach and, it's full of Marines with tanks. If there is ONE place in California that needs a story it's Death Valley, Scotty's Castle, ghost towns, craters, natives, forbidding landscape and, the name! Not far from Death Valley (a hundred miles or so) is a place called Hawthorn NV. It's a bunker farm, just bunkers as far as you can see, think of all the cool/scary stuff that could be in those bunkers! Back to LA for a minute. Griffith Observatory, what great place for a villian or, monks. Haven type mutants are not out of the question, as there are subways and sewer tunnles in LA, fill them with giant ants! Now up to Nor Cal. Look up the "ghost fleet Suisun Bay" run with it. The ships could be hurled inland, they would be excellent forts. In my game Reno and Carson City are mostly unharmed due to the sheltering effects of the Sierras, also Tahoe is not a volcano. For a bit of local color Lovelock Cave in Lovelock NV had a myth of "red haired giants" that might be intresting and Mig Alley USA once operated out of Reno Stead airport. With all due respect I know little about Oregon and Washington (wasn't One Eyed Willy from Oregon).

"speed is just a question of money, how fast do you want to go?"

thanks for the info and Welcome to the boards.

[Mech-Viper Prime]

anybody got thoughts on Vegas?

[keir451]

anybody got thoughts on Vegas?

Fallout: New Vegas Run around in T-51B power armor slinging plasma at giant Rad Scorpions and Deathclaws.

[Mech-Viper Prime]

anybody got thoughts on Vegas?

Fallout: New Vegas Run around in T-51B power armor slinging plasma at giant Rad Scorpions and Deathclaws.

i use a shotgun with the knockdown perk now that is fun

[Dr Megaverse]

anybody got thoughts on Vegas?

Fallout: New Vegas Run around in T-51B power armor slinging plasma at giant Rad Scorpions and Deathclaws.

i use a shotgun with the knockdown perk now that is fun

Lol, my most recent playthrough is actually what got me to thinking about Rifts Earth West Coast .

And it's all about the Remnants Armor and the Q-35 Modulator

[Nether]

Well one good thing about the west side being unfunished is it does really allow groups to put stuff out there they want.

My main group has chosen to build thier base out on the west coast and work from there. Part of the reason as well, is with the CS and FoM (dunscon) both trying to expand, if you build to close to them they will eventually want to go to war with you and wipe you out, and considering the group now has a CS strike force dedicated to hunting them down, they didn't want to be to close to thier military so they can just 'run' back to base and get a whole pile more of dudes.

[gaby]

I think The New Navy would have outposts on the west coast.

[Dr Megaverse]

I think The New Navy would have outposts on the west coast.

This was an aspect of the NN I always kind of felt was neglected. Their island bases make sense for their seclusion, but it makes sense to me that they would have at least way stations on the west coast, especially because it's left so underpopulated and sparse.

[Nether]

I think The New Navy would have outposts on the west coast.

This was an aspect of the NN I always kind of felt was neglected. Their island bases make sense for their seclusion, but it makes sense to me that they would have at least way stations on the west coast, especially because it's left so underpopulated and sparse.

It always felt like they never wanted to have anything to do with mainlands, but i do agree they should prolly have some outposts posted on the coasts of continents all over the world. And eventually they could grow them into city fortresses that take in all human like peeps they can find, which would also make them the authority in the world to what is happening all over, not to mention communicatoins. I know they are navy, but overall it would just make sense that it might be in thier best interest to try and reclaim a chunk of the world for 'humanity' (use sparsely) and move into taking back the states at least. They don't really have to worry about war with the CS because the NN is just to strong and big for them to even consider it, not to mention CS can't even tough most of thier resources and supply lines.

[Mech-Viper Prime]

yup the good old New Navy waste of book space

[Chronicle]

I like the west coast ideas. The California Islands would make a remarkable setting for teh players to experiment with.

[Dr Megaverse]

I think The New Navy would have outposts on the west coast.

This was an aspect of the NN I always kind of felt was neglected. Their island bases make sense for their seclusion, but it makes sense to me that they would have at least way stations on the west coast, especially because it's left so underpopulated and sparse.

It always felt like they never wanted to have anything to do with mainlands, but i do agree they should prolly have some outposts posted on the coasts of continents all over the world. And eventually they could grow them into city fortresses that take in all human like peeps they can find, which would also make them the authority in the world to what is happening all over, not to mention communicatoins. I know they are navy, but overall it would just make sense that it might be in thier best interest to try and reclaim a chunk of the world for 'humanity' (use sparsely) and move into taking back the states at least. They don't really have to worry about war with the CS because the NN is just to strong and big for them to even consider it, not to mention CS can't even tough most of thier resources and supply lines.

I'd say they would especially have an interest in the west coast because after all they're displaced Americans.

I like the west coast ideas. The California Islands would make a remarkable setting for teh players to experiment with.

Much like Florida I'm sure that with the changing coastline many many more islands and barrier islands have popped up. This is a fantastic idea!

[Mech-Viper Prime]

I think The New Navy would have outposts on the west coast.

This was an aspect of the NN I always kind of felt was neglected. Their island bases make sense for their seclusion, but it makes sense to me that they would have at least way stations on the west coast, especially because it's left so underpopulated and sparse.

It always felt like they never wanted to have anything to do with mainlands, but i do agree they should prolly have some outposts posted on the coasts of continents all over the world. And eventually they could grow them into city fortresses that take in all human like peeps they can find, which would also make them the authority in the world to what is happening all over, not to mention communicatoins. I know they are navy, but overall it would just make sense that it might be in thier best interest to try and reclaim a chunk of the world for 'humanity' (use sparsely) and move into taking back the states at least. They don't really have to worry about war with the CS because the NN is just to strong and big for them to even consider it, not to mention CS can't even tough most of thier resources and supply lines.

I'd say they would especially have an interest in the west coast because after all they're displaced Americans.

they should be they dont