WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia is still a wild backwater of racism and clan infighting, a region of scenic beauty and less than beautiful people. The rugged mountains appear to be mostly devoid of life, but on closer inspection the state teems with life in the secluded hollows and isolated mountain canyons. Most of West Virginia is composed of small towns and villages that are basically independent. Those along the borders may be allied, but for the most part its neutral ground. The bandits that infest these hills usually travel in small groups, are indifferently armed, and are usually not too experienced, bright or healthy. They can, however, be dangerous to those who let their guard down. None of the larger cities are intact, and little civic leadership is seen above the town and family level.

1) NUCLEAR TARGETS

Charleston, SS-17

2) MORROW PROJECT ASSETS

Unknown...

3) NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

Wheeling: Wheeling was one of the easternmost outposts of the once-great Maxwell's Militia (see Indiana for a complete description). When the empire crumbled some thirty years after the war, the garrison at Wheeling was left to its own devices. It prospered for a while, then fell into a stupor. In the last generation, Wheeling has recovered, now becoming a trade center on the Ohio River. Key to this is the intact I-470 bridge, one of the few for hundreds of miles in either direction. The bridge is heavily fortified on the eastern end and controlled by the 30 men of the militia. The city proper is only occupied by about 350 farmers and townspeople.

Glenville: The main enclave of security and civilization in eastern West Virginia is centered on the small Glenville State College campus. As the nuclear winter and the chaos reigned following the war, the survivors at the college managed to create a self-sustaining society that has prospered for the last 150 years. Before the war, there was a large SCA medieval recreation group active on the campus and in the post-chaos years their organization and low-tech knowledge were invaluable. Over the generations, the society of knights and knaves grew and became ingrained in the traditions of the locals. The people of Glenville have some cottage industries operating, mostly involving textile producing and gunsmithing. They also have a distillery to make alcohol fuel and a small shop where they reload empty rounds.

4) CENTRAL WEST VIRGINA

Charleston: The state's lone nuke was a dud. The SS-17 MIRV hit the I-64 causeway across the Kanawha River a few miles west of the city. The warhead did not explode properly and just blew a hole in the causeway and spread solid radiation thick around the immediate area, leaving fused remains of the missile still visible in the shallows even today. The former state capital is now mostly a collection of burnt-out and empty buildings with a brackish river running through it. Charleston is now held by a trio of bandit gangs. Relations between the gangs vary, as temporary treaties and backstabbing are common. At least two of these gangs trace their roots back to the originally residents of the city. In the aftermath of the war, groups of citizens protected their local neighborhoods, and over time they settled into their areas to stay. The largest gang has the unoriginal name of the "Charlestons", and are based around the old National Guard armory in the north side of the city. The armory has been converted into a fort. Rumors say that there is a huge cache of modern weapons somewhere in the city. The cache has remained untouched for 150 years.

Huntington: Caught in a refugee wave, Huntington was nearly destroyed. 150 years later, in most of the city signs of life are limited to a few crows and buzzards. Of humans, there is no sign except an occasional scavenger. However, the outskirts are home to a band of Robin Hood types known as the "Whitetails". They are about 60 strong and are based in the old Heritage Farm Museum south of the ruins of the city. The eastern suburbs are occupied by the "Skin Eaters". They earned their name from their ritualistic cannibalistic activities, which by now have become part of their religion. They are most active at night, although anyone entering their territory is fair game. The Whitetails pick them off whenever they have a chance, but normally avoid contact.

Beckley: The northern suburbs of this ruined city are home now of some 75 farmers. They are led by a man called "Moose". They are well-armed with a mixture of shotguns and flint locks.

Crab Orchard: Near this town, south of Beckley, deep in the coal mines of Wyoming County, is a craggy ridge known as Pine Baugh Mountain. Rumor has it that there is a secret pre-war base hidden down in the bowls of the mines on the crest of the ridge. Some even say that this is where President George H. Bush spent his last days, hiding out from a vengeful nation. In a small lake in the valley east of Pine Baugh Mountain it is said that Air Force One crash landed, backwoods trappers have claimed to have seen its rusting tailplane still sticking up out of the mud.

5) EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA

In this area there are a lot of little independent towns and a lot of isolated farms. Traders from the USA in northern Virginia can be found in almost every town, and the area often seems like a province of that empire.

People who have contributed to this entry:
John Raner