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Dear Diary,
I just got a message from Slurry. He has located a blueprint of the studio. He is unsure when he will get it to me as he got hired by some tourists. So I figured it's time you, RDR, get an overview of the Applewood Wasteland Factions. You may already know them, but you are reading my diary and so you get my thoughts on them.
First off, these factions all exist in the Thirty Mile Zone, or TMZ. It is the area of the Equestrian Wasteland locally known as Applewood, or the Applewood Wasteland. That you may have figured reading this or whatever. It actually was called that long before due to the very noticeable “Applewood” sign that is viewable from most places in the TMZ. This area stretches from the Santa Marenica Crater to the West, Marebank in the North, A desert set known as Maretropolis to the South, and The Industrial Zone to the East.
Within this area there are 5 major gang factions… at least that I’m aware of at this moment.
The main two gangs, the ones Variety says are on the verge of war, are the Orange Oscars (Double Os) and the Golden Globe Apples (GGA). Rival Gangs who were once a single gang 20 years back. I think it was called the Fruit Stars, but when the leader died without choosing which of her daughters would lead the gang... things devolved to a civil war. Fruittiedale was a kind mare. Tried to recruit me to her gang, I declined.
The Double Os operate out of Winnyland. The only MoM hub to not bear the name Fun Farm… I think it was a theme park before the ministries. It also houses one of the three major Applewood film studios. Their leader is Orangedale.
The GGA operates out of Stable-Tec Studios. Yes, they do use the studio once used by Stable-Tec… the one that made the Stables. They use the Lower Lot since the theme park proper (aka the Upper Lot) is overrun with feral ghouls. Their leader is Appledale.
The third major gang is the Mareily Hillers. I’ve mentioned them before. They were the residents of Stable 83. Which was located near the Mareily Hills Housing Development. Only wealthy A-Listers of Applewood were given admittance to that Stable. Unfortunately, one of the 2 megaspells sent to Applewood missed their intended target and hit the Stable before it could be closed. Most of the residents ghoulified. Under the tutelage of Chieftain Xinkra they have a gang that mimics the structure of the zebra tribes.
Next up is The Slummy Scums. It's not technically a gang, but has to operate like one to survive. Slurry is a member of this gang. They operate from a series of settlements in the Applewood River… predominantly one known as Riverbed to the south east. They are the guides of Applewood. From history to safe passages of travel, they know just about everything. Their leader is known as Slimeball.
Most other gangs allow them passage through their territories as the Scums are neutral to the conflicts of Applewood. However, if interacting with the other gangs, Scum members are often treated worse than/with the same scorn born towards ghouls. Slurry also mentioned a more hostile rivalry with the Mareily Hillers... Though the Scums can still pass through their territory, they are not allowed in Mareily Hills proper.
An odd thing about the Scums is they prefer being dirty and smelly... not quite sure why... They do clean up before taking any tourists out into the city. Their armor usually has air fresheners built in and they tend to use stink based weapons. Slurry says it is to disburse enemies rather than kill them. The Scums use a unique dialect of Equestrian called Slum Speech. I’m not quite sure how to speak it myself, but Slurry says his name is "Urryslay" in that dialect. I prefer Slurry.
The last gang is more of a raider faction. While Raiders exist in Applewood... Like the Fair Flat Apartments group, only one has a name that is widely known: The Lizard Pones. They operate from somewhere in Vaspones Rocks. Some famous rock formation out in the desert. They all act like caveponies and wear lizard, alien, or other odd costumes. They get a mention since they at least try to interact with the rest of Applewood civilly. They bought the scary movie costumes I let Action sell. However, they do not hesitate to attack and pillage wastelanders and caravans passing by their territory.
Then there are the non-gang factions. Smaller communities who are just settlements for non-gang ponies. There are 4 that I know of... well 5, but I'm not sure the 5th is real...
Due to the incomplete MAS-EBS towers in Applewood we don’t get DJ Pon3’s broadcast. In place of him, we have Variety News Network Radio. The DJ is known as Variety. A reclusive mare who plays a lot of movie soundtracks. She took over from her father Varsity. She commands a small army of ponies known as Observers. Personally I’ve never seen them, but Slurry says they are strange folk. All earth ponies in suits. No mane, no tail, same cutie mark… a pair of binoculars. Spooky.
Out of the Applewood Skyport is the settlement of Avant Garde. Slurry says they operate out of a downed Raptor. Until the sky’s cleared, the only pegasi in Applewood came from there. Not sure if they are Enclave or Dashites.
On the edge of the Industrial Zone, typically the last trade hub before entering the San Palomino Wasteland, is the settlement of Clockwork. It is situated in an old clock manufacturing factory... I think it was Clockwork & Turner Watches, but due to a decayed sign and wasteland renaming conventions, it got rebranded "Clockwork"...as the rest of the sign fell. Slurry was also looking into some stuff for the settlement leaders, Hour, Minute and Second... They think there is a stable under the factory.
Downtown houses Stable 64. I think they are an independent settlement... I know its Action's home stable and he never said they met the same fate as many of the other stables you hear about... I just don't really know much about them. I think he said the Overmare was named Noir.
Then there is the newest faction… well newer than NHS. The Applejack’s Rangers. I don’t know much about them, but Forrest is a member of this faction. They recently arrived from out east. I don't even know the name of their leader and I'm too intimidated by Forrest to ask...
Lastly, there is us here at Nuclear Horseman Studios... Nuke Horse Studio or NHS work too. Out of the ruins of Warmer Mare’s Studios, Comic “Action” Sans has made an attempt to revitalize the Equestrian entertainment Industry. They already started broadcasting something called “The Storyteller” over Variety News… and they occasionally host a podcast called “Rad Meter Podcast”. Not quite sure if this counts as a faction... as members of NHS belong to other local factions.
Action is from Stable 64, Chris is an ex-raider, Coolman is either ex-Enclave or a Dashite (too awkward to ask), Ivory is from Tenpony (High class hotel my family stayed at once before offically moving to Manehatten from Bucklyn, now its some bastion of high society), Forrest is one of those AJ's Rangers, Starry is an Alicorn like Luna and Celestia... faction of origin unknown (afraid to ask), Cadet is part of the Sunshine Caravan (trade caravan, no specific base of operation in Applewood), Chokfi.... um... she's a bunny. I think that's all of them.... Wait there is a Turtle they found in the sewers... Looney... second talking, pet-like animal in the group... and this other creature... not sure what species he is (too socially awkward to ask)... I think he goes by Strike... faction of origin unknown.
I think that is it… now when I mention a faction you won't be as confused.
Your Informed Friend,
Megaspell
Owner/Mascot/Custodian/PR Pony of Nuclear Horseman Studios
P.S. Stupid Megs! I forgot the faction I'm not sure exists. That desert set I mentioned... its been an off and on settlement for years. If Variety News is telling the truth, a bunch of cooky ponies with odd abilities operate out there. Like something straight out of a comic book... kinda like the set itself... Maretropolis is from the Power Ponies Comics. The elusive leader is just called Mayor Mare. I think there might just be a miscommunication between Variety and her Observers on this one. Sounds too surreal...
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