Get High Falls
Falls run from the Infinite Loop, cascading over a small field on the East side of town. No one knows exactly what component is mixed in with the water, but whatever it is, it completely alters your state of mind. As soon as it combines with whatever chemicals were left behind from the abandoned factory buildings, a stunning iridescent gas forms and creeps across the land. Heavy, sitting close to the ground. After inhaling it, you find yourself lose track of time. You begin to lose yourself, your surroundings, even your companions. They seemingly dissipate from your side, as you’re trapped in a trance, continuously walking through the fog. Even the strongest minded succumb to its potency. Suddenly, you arrive at your destination. Your place. Your very own fantasy world. A perfect combination of all of your deepest wants and desires. The best trip of your life, and perhaps - your final.
If one could fly over Get High Falls, they’d be able to escape the gaseous hallucinogen. They would be able to see bodies aimlessly walking, the fog’s next victims, to a central point, not too far from the falls themselves. All of them, congregated, into a single area, where reality and fantasy blur together. Somewhere in the midst, resides a hocus. Single handedly controlling the zombie like victims in their delirious state, becoming a leader of the pack of sorts. They handle population control regarding who is next in line to get slaughtered, who’s flesh do we use for food the next week... You know, just your average post apocalyptic meal prepping. And if those in the trance can’t tell the difference between a succulent chicken versus rotting flesh, why waste perfectly good food on them? It’ll taste amazing to them regardless.
Some say it’s a divine blessing. Others - a curse. Those who manage to escape the fantasy, come crashing right back down to reality. Nothing in the current state of the world could ever live up to the experiences they had while hallucinating. Ab-sol-ute-ly nothing. What’s the point of fighting so hard to survive? Why not just let the fog continue to let you be happy and at peace for once? No dangers, no threats, no hostility... at least that’s what it feels like. And that’s all that matters, isn’t it? Even those self aware, those who know it’s all just an illusion, they still come back. Because for the first time in their life, they aren’t afraid of what’s to come. They’re not worried about the creatures lurking wherever, the other people waiting to mutate them around the corner. They just feel this high, this indescribable feeling, and to be able to feel that until the end of their road, even while knowing it’s all a lie, it's worth it. Because honestly, any chance of escape from this hell of a world, real or fake - you’ll take it.
Demographics
The gas affects any of those who breath it in, some species more than others. It does not discriminate against ethnicities or wealth and will welcome any victim within range with open arms.
Government
- Controlled by a single hocus.
- One law: Do not venture too far from the surface where the fog doesn't reach. Higher elevations in multistory buildings are not effected by the fog, as well as some underground tunnels that have little to no leaks from the surface.
- All belongings are handed over to the hocus whether you're aware of the exchange or not.
- At least once a month, someone is sacrificed. Their flesh is used to feed the rest of the population, along with whatever leftovers, scraps, rotten food, small rodents, etc are available.
Industry & Trade
There's honestly not much. Inhabitants simply exist for a living, acting out their fantasies through their hallucinations. Secluded from everyone else in their own little fantasy world. However, there is speculation that the hocus is in contact with gangs up in Maplehood, exporting solutions from the Falls in return for resources and protection.
Infrastructure
No further known development has occurred.
History
When the Apocalypse happened, all of the tanks holding various different chemicals spilled across the land and soaked into the ground. After the formation of the Inner Loop, the actual chemical makeup of the Falls was forever altered. As the falls and the chemicals in the ground combined, they released an iridescent gas that covered the surface. It looked dazzling - truly a beautiful sight to see. Every so often, people would wander into the fog, and well... disappear. Nothing was known about the area until around 30 years ago - someone supposedly escaped from the fogs grasps. Or perhaps they were one of the very few immune to it to begin with.
They spoke of a cult residing there. For whatever reason, the inhabitants appeared to be under some sort of spell, like dazed zombies. They described an older hocus who they claimed to have ran the whole shebang. That the effects were different than the ones produced by the drug lords up in Mapplehood. Weaker, but perhaps more sinister, as they lulled you into a false sense of safety indefinitely.
The stories piqued interest. More and more people ventured into the land to discover what was happening. There were more reports about the cults, the hocus' appearance, the effects of this mysterious yet beautiful fog. The details seemed to change every time.
Geography
The Falls reside on the Eastern side of the land. Rundown buildings, a few underground tunnels. There's even reports of a functional gas station, though good luck getting to it in the fog. The land is overgrown with different plants and herbs, all transformed from the various mixes of chemicals in the soil. There's a couple of open fields here and there, even a small pond filled with chemicals, and even more mysterious plants.
The fog is thicker in the East and thins out toward the West. It thins out along the South border but spills a little into the North. As the light reflects upon the fog from different angles, it gives off an iridescent color. Without even experiencing the effects of the fog itself, you become entranced, simply because of how beautiful it looks.
Natural Resources
- Solutions from the Falls
- Medicinal herbs
- Poisonous plants
- Various chemical solutions - both destructive and healing
Type
District
Population
The hocus generally keeps the known/affected population between 200 to 500. Because the fog naturally brings its victims to a central area, there aren't too many known stragglers on the outskirts of the land.
Included Locations
Related Reports (Secondary)
Comments