Highpool is the first location (after the Ranger Center) that the player will explore in the game. The town mostly consists of dorms and has a problem with juvenile delinquency.
Description[]
Highpool is a small town safely tucked in the mountains and located near the Ranger Center. As such, Desert Rangers are familiar with it due to its nearby location. Its northern entrance is surrounded by a small desert, while a small creek waters the fields. The town has a cave entrance located in its west, near the creek.
A store in the middle of the town (apparently owned by "Mr. Jumbo") has a room that looks like a gaming hall and an infirmary further to the south provide basic services. The store also deals with the nearby Desert Nomads. The town consists of a high number of dorms (and as such a high number of delinquent teens). Judging by the faded photographs of children in there, the town used to be a summer camp called "Camp Highpool".
In 2087, Highpool started suffering from a water shortage on account of a broken water purifier, while one of the town children has mysteriously disappeared. It was also facing harassment from the raiders, whom the adults were trying to fight back against. The Desert Rangers arrived in the town while investigating the disturbances in the desert.
Layout[]
In the store, which is the largest building in Highpool, you can sell useless items (if you're starting out, you'll likely only have Hand Mirror which you can afford to get rid off). A note on the wall lists some tasks you can help with: fix the water purifier investigate Bobby's dog and find Jackie. Opening the locked door will cause a bunch of juveniles to appear and they will drop a Mangler upon death. The locked room only contains some notes to read and photos to see.
An infirmary in the south can be used to fix up your players (though you likely won't be needing it if you just started a new game). A nearby workshop will give you with substantial reward like a VP91Z 9mm pistol, some 9mm clips, a Leather Jacket and some cash, in case you use 1 Perception on the bed. Otherwise you'll only get some cash.
Find the cave in the southwestern corner between the 2 trees along the western wall by using Perception and rope, kill the rabid dog, Rex, and rescue Jackie, who will become the party's first NPC. Bobby is also in the very southwest corner of Highpool.
If you kill the Chubby Kid, an enemy named Red Ryder will appear. He is quite tough, but if you beat him he will drop a loot bag. If you grab that loot bag, Highpool will turn into a barren valley, and its doctor will vanish.
Maps[]
Sub Maps[]
- Community Center
- Workshop
- Cave
Encounters[]
Tasks[]
- Ask Bobby about Cave, Rex, Jackie
- Use Rope between 2 trees in the west
- If you slip in the river, Juveniles appear. If you kill them, you'll have to deal with the Chubby Kid and upon killing him, the Red Ryder.
Community Center[]
Encounters[]
- Store
- Juveniles
Tasks[]
- Shop at the store
- Open locked room, Juveniles appear
Store Costs[]
| Item | Buy | Sell |
|---|---|---|
| Book | $10.00 | $8.00 |
| Canteen | $10.00 | $8.00 |
| Crowbar | $15.00 | $12.00 |
| Gas mask | $150.00 | $113.00 |
| Geiger counter | $300.00 | $225.00 |
| Hand mirror | $10.00 | $8.00 |
| Jug | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| Map | $50.00 | $38.00 |
| Match | $10.00 | $8.00 |
| Pick ax | $75.00 | $57.00 |
| Rope | $25.00 | $19.00 |
| Shovel | $15.00 | $12.00 |
| Sledge Hammer | $25.00 | $19.00 |
| Snake Squeezin | $10.00 | $8.00 |
| Clay pot | $15.00 | $12.00 |
| Fruit | $30.00 | $23.00 |
| Jewelry | $100.00 | $75.00 |
| Engine | N/A | $375.00 |
Workshop[]
Encounters[]
Tasks[]
- Find items
- Engine
Infirmary[]
| Exam | Curing | Healing |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $50 | $5/CON |
Cave[]
Encounters[]
- Rex (Rabid Dog or Spiked Mut)
- Jackie
Tasks[]
- Use Match at cave entrance, Rex turns from a Rabid Dog to a Spiked Mut
- Use Climbing skill
- Kill Rex
- Rescue Jackie
Notes[]
- It is highly implied that Highpool has been a haunted town since the War and the people the Desert Rangers see are just ghosts. After the Brats are killed, the Rangers hear voices of children that they missed them. The faded photographs in the store and the laughter of children being heard after Highpool becomes desolated (with the Red Ryder's death), also point in this direction.