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The Savant Empire

Page history last edited by Michael 6 years, 2 months ago

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     A synthetic narcotics cult, very powerful in the Grass Plains. The founders of the cult (just after the War) proclaimed their desire to dominate or destroy "Scientists"; but by now, that term pretty much includes anyone with any technology. The Empire is mostly drug-addicted slaves; the actual Savants are few in number, all descended from REDACTED . They've really only begun expanding outwards in the last twenty or thirty years.

 

Origin

 

Pre-War

 

      REDACTED at Brooks AFB, a few miles southeast of San Antonio TX (29.34 N, 98.44 E).

 

Post-War

 

     When the War came, half-a-dozen nuclear blasts shook the San Antonio area. The city, nearby refineries, and several military bases were all struck. REDACTED There was a good water supply, a couple dozen military trucks, some small arms (more than enough for 800 men), and good security around the perimeter; they preyed on refugees from San Antonio at first.

     Unfortunately for future generations, REDACTED, and began building a fighting force among the starving survivors in central Texas.

     As a group of insane men with anger management problems, they did not always get along. Their children were poorly-educated and abused; the second generation barely survived. By 2050 or so, the third generation was firmly in charge, and calling themselves the Savants. They inherited a small empire, built on slavery and raiding, with a core group able to produce and somewhat understand various mood altering drugs and substances. Sale or barter of methamphetamines, high-grade marijuana and petrochemicals (mostly for armaments or basic chemicals), are about their only "commercial" activities.

     Without going into all the detail, over 70 years or so the Savants grew in number to about 1000 members; their slaves and drug-addled soldiers numbered about 10,000. They controlled an area of about 4000 square kilometers (about 100 kilometers extending south from around San Antonio, mostly along the highways and rail networks). A couple of small refinery produced fuel and lubricants; pumping stations irrigated the land. Savant citadels existed in a few cities as far north as Dallas (renamed "Arid City"), where the labs at the former Baylor University Medical Center provided much useful equipment.

     REDACTED

     REDACTED

     REDACTED

     REDACTED

     REDACTED powerful explosions (bombs or missiles, the Savants don't know which) rocked Dallas and some other cities within the Savant Empire. REDACTED

     REDACTED

     In 2122 and 2124 further explosions rocked a few Savant facilities, and at least one team of REDACTED was destroyed. REDACTED labs at Arid City were sufficiently breached that the Savants quickly abandoned their stronghold in that city.

     A campaign of conquest and expansion began in 2125. REDACTED.

     In 2130, the Paladins arrived from California. The Savants struck a deal with them, allowing them to dominate Arid City and providing some equipment, in return for REDACTED

 

What Outsiders Know

 

     No outsider has reliably claimed to have seen the face of a Savant; they are supposedly all horribly deformed from radiation and inbreeding. They wear robes with massive hoods; pipes and hoses feed into the hoods from packs on their backs. The power of their minds is such that they have armies of thousands of men, dominated by mental force alone. Their psychic powers can protect them from disease, bullets and swords. The Savants jealously guard their land, where grass grows freely, where livestock range the plains, and where fertile earth is rumored to facilitate crops fit to feed tens of thousands. Powerful trading groups, such as the Cartel and the Clean Water Clans, have on occasion made forays into Savant country to trade for supplies, which if true means they are the only peoples known to have encountered the Savants and not fallen under their spell.

     Fifteen years ago, the Savants began a campaign to unify and dominate the Grass Plains, closing off the lush savanna to the outside world. Besides their psychic powers, they have advanced vehicles, and even a few aircraft. The more trusted units in their armies now carry assault rifles.

 

The Reality

 

       REDACTED

 

Population

 

     Only direct male descendants of the original REDACTED may be Savants - there are about 1000 of them. Paranoia and secrecy have kept their numbers low, but large harems have produced a sufficient number of Savants. They speak Unislang as their native language, but all but the dullest Savants can read and write Ancient (English).

 

Territory and Locations

 

     The REDACTED Brooks AFB, near San Antonio, is still their headquarters and main laboratory/storehouse. REDACTED, and warehouses with looted goods. Their territory stretches to roughly the Louisiana border.

 

Organization

 

     REDACTED

 

Equipment and Resources

 

     The Savants in particular wear full-length gray robes and hoods. Their symbol, the Third Eye, is printed on the front of the hood. A few senior, or more showy, Savants have arranged for lighting effects in their hood -- the Third Eye can glow white, and their eyes red! In the field, all Savants wear a backpack with a water bladder, gasmask filters and a tank of fentanyl gas; the filter hose and a water tube extend up into a gas mask worn under the hood. Also under their robes they wear vests of synthetic fabric armor. They pack either a semi-automatic pistol or a rifle, some ammunition, a medkit and some amphetamines. Other supplies are usually carried by a personal lackey.

     Production of amphetamines, synthetic opiates, and other drugs are a major industry for the Savants. Drugs derived from plants such as jimsonweed can be delivered via food or water, but mostly cause mental impairment.

 

Fentanyl, aka "perk" or "iguana"

     Approximately 100 time more potent than morphine, this synthetic opiate causes rapid numbing and unconsciousness. The effects don't last very long. 2 milligrams is a lethal dose in a normal adult human; a normal therapeutic dose might be as high as 0.1 milligrams. High doses produce unpleasant but temporary side effects; and the elderly, children, or persons with weak constitutions may die -- respiratory depression is the usual problem.

     Production of fentanyl is a complicated, sophisticated chemical process. While it's available in various forms, the Savants use an aerosol version. When used on the general population, about 15% of those exposed will die.

     Drugs used to treat opiate overdoses, such as Naloxone, can be used to counteract the effects.

     Game effects of fentanyl gas:  POT 15 vs CON. On a Special result, respiratory depression results, usually leading to death. On a regular successful result, the subject is rapidly unconscious for half-an-hour. Failure, the subject is woozy and anesthetized for 10 minutes (presuming they avoid further exposure). On a result of 96+, no effect. A gas mask will protect from the aerosol.

 

     Production of natural rubber from the guayule (/ɡwaɪˈuːli) plant has reached 400 kg per hectare under cultivation. Until recently, the Empire only produced enough for its own needs, but since 2138 they have made some trades with other groups -- the Cartel and Styx, mostly. The "waste" material (non-latex parts of the plant) are used to make alcohol or biodiesel.

 

     The mysterious drug Biovax has not yet been identified by any Project members, although there are hints that the Savants use it to increase family size.

 

Vehicles

 

     There are some old, rickety 20th Century vehicles operated by the Savants or their slaves; there are also about REDACTED vehicles in running condition, usually manned by two Savants. None of them are "tanks" per se, but even an armored car is a powerful item in the 22nd Century. Some examples are detailed here.

 

Aircraft

 

     None. 

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