‘Barren,’ a post-apocalyptic worldbuilding project by Keegan Francis, imagines an alternate
history where civilization ended in nuclear conflict, and mutated animal life rapidly
evolves to rule over the irradiated wastes left behind.
A retro-future that calls to mind the worldbuilding of the Fallout series, the project reveals
a world where human survivors must contend with biological horrors created by their own
folly.
So, for this entry into the archive, we’ll travel across the wastes, creating a ‘survival
guide’ of sorts to the creatures that roam this desolate world.
And if you want to help support and build this project, there’s a link to the artist’s
Patreon down below.
Now, let’s cross into an alternate timeline, and witness the broken world of Barren…
We’ll begin with the basics of mutant biology.
In nature, animals change over time due to random genetic mutations allowing certain
members of a species to better adapt to their environment and pass on their genes.
The irradiated environments of Barren speeds up the rate of these mutations considerably.
As a result, animals in this alternate timeline now evolve to fill new niches with alarming
speed.
Just a few generations after the world’s end, most species of animals now look unrecognizable
compared to their prewar ancestors.
With evolution sent into overdrive, many familiar species will die out in this new kingdom of
fierce competition.
Beyond ambient fallout, the most extreme mutations are brought on by an irradiated strain of
illness called Nukrosis — which subjects its host to even more rapid evolutionary changes.
While the disease often results in advantageous mutations, it simultaneously reduces the host’s
lifespan — making it more of a curse than a blessing.
The Nukrosis infection has become a widespread issue in various regions, contaminating a
significant percentage of the postwar biosphere.
The region we’ll be exploring in this video was once the United Kingdom.
Yet the green landscapes of old have been replaced by a grim wasteland of silent decay.
The people’s spirit remains hopeful, however, resulting in the region’s nickname: “The
Unbroken Kingdom.”
For among the small pockets of survivors, hope is the last defense against the dangers
of the new world…
In the new reality of the Unbroken Kingdom, farms of old no longer exist — with most
domesticated animals unable to survive in the merciless new paradigm.
Instead, new animals have assumed the role of livestock in the settlements that have
risen from the ashes.
The mighty Bulwark are a widespread species of farm animal that are quite docile, despite
what their horns and tusks might suggest.
These mammals are related to prewar cows, namely the Holstein Friesian (hol-steen free-zhen)
and Highland cattle breeds.
With adults known to weigh well over a ton, Bulwark are classified as megafauna, and have
the tenacity needed to endure the unforgiving postwar reality.
Taking a closer look at the Bulwark’s hide, we can see that their thick, leathery skin
acts as a kind of natural body armor.
While they retain the familiar pattern of their bovine ancestors, the Bulwark’s protective
hide is closer to that of an Old-World rhino.
Postwar farmers rear Bulwarks on the fertile fields around a region called “New Yorkshire”
— making the area one of the more prosperous in the Unbroken Kingdom...
Yet Bulwarks aren’t the only new farm animal found within the meager settlements of the
Kingdom.
The uncanny Bonehens are a common sight in this new world.
Their cretaceous-esque features make them well adapted to the harsh environment, with
the bonehen’s spikes helping them stay cool during heatwaves.
Bonehens serve as the replacement for the chickens of the old world — and have changed
much from their tame predecessors.
Their beak is deceptively strong, designed to crush eggshells and other discarded scraps
for an easy source of protein.
Comparing a Bonehen’s feathers to the plumage of an old-world chicken, it becomes clear
that the Bonehen’s feathers are significantly fused and matted.
Their makeup is almost more akin to the hardened scales of a reptile than the soft plumage
of a bird.
Due to a shortage of food, the surviving government has released posters urging civilians to rear
Bonehens as a source of sustenance.
While eating a mutated species like a Bonehen is a viable means of staying alive in desperate
times, the long-term effects of consuming such meals remain to be seen...
Just beyond the fences, far more dangerous lifeforms prowl the ruined countryside.
In some regions of the Unbroken Kingdom, hazard signs warn travelers to stay clear of nearby
Zadger nests.
Mid-sized predators, the Zadgers are a well-known threat found all across the former British
Isles.
With bone-crushing jaws and a poisonous barb on the end of their tail, Zadgers are the
bane of unwary travelers who stray too far from the path.
Yet surprisingly, these deadly animals are the descendants of the harmless prewar badger,
which grew in size and ferocity to adapt to an unforgiving world.
Modern Zadgers are almost entirely hairless, giving them a wrinkled appearance.
Closer analysis of their glabrous (glay-brus) skin indicates their baldness is likely due
to an amino acid substitution in a hair growth associated protein.
An analogous prewar mutation had occurred in naked mole rats, resulting in their characteristic
lack of visible fur; while unsettling in appearance, the mole rats were not dangerous.
But in this world, with creatures like Zadgers on the prowl, roaming the wilds can be a serious
mistake.
And more frightening things than Zadgers have evolved in the Unbroken Kingdom.
For woodland animals aren’t the only things that have been mutated in the new world.
Some humans have been changed as well, transforming into a new species of predators.
Characterized by their long frame, claws, and almost vampiric features, these dark reflections
of humanity — known as the Nukula — haunt the barren wastes like vengeful ghosts.
The Nukula can vary in many ways — with most being frail and sickly, forcing them
to become ambush predators.
These slow Nukula hide in ruins of pre-war buildings, feeding on explorers who delve
too deep.
For the Nukulas still possess their human intelligence, able to set traps to lure and
ensnare their unlucky victims.
And in other parts of the Unbroken Kingdom, rarer and more dangerous variants of Nukula
have emerged.
Fearsome Nukula are faster and bulkier than their slow relatives.
Unlike their smaller counterparts, Fearsome Nukula are roaming predators as opposed to
their scavenger cousins.
As a consequence of this lifestyle, the arms of Fearsome Nukula have become larger and
more heavily muscled — and their hands now end in grasping talons used to ensnare prey.
Their jaws and teeth have also evolved — and are now strong enough to break through the
hides of the tenacious animals that roam the countryside.
Analysis suggests the Fearsome Nukula’s extreme mutations come from the Nukrosis disease.
While Nukrosis makes them apex predators, the illness also shortens their lifespan — meaning
their numbers are few…
A more common lifeform can be found a bit closer to the ground.
Dillo-pigs are animals that prove not all organisms in this new age are quite so frightening.
A pervasive species capable of reproducing quickly, these animals are often found on
the outskirts of settlements.
Like prewar rodents, Dillo-Pigs proliferate in large numbers, and are quite adept at scavenging
for food.
Unlike most prewar rodents, however, Dillo-Pigs have evolved thick armor plating on their
backs to shield against the predators of the wastes.
These hardened scales resemble the protective leathery shell of old-world armadillo species
— from which the Dillo-Pigs get their nickname.
Dillo-Pigs are also known to create concealed nests within prewar ruins, which they retreat
into when threats arise.
And with thousands of miles of abandoned piping still present underground, Dillo-Pigs have
plenty of room to make their burrows.
Thankfully, the Dillo-Pig is one of the few animals left in the world that could be considered
pet-like due to their harmless nature and relatively cute appearance.
Those who make their homes in the ruins of urban areas must deal with other types of
animals.
Goldwings are a species of city-dwelling bat associated with the growing region of New
Yorkshire.
Despite their somewhat startling appearance, Goldwings aren’t aggressive towards humans.
The descendants of prewar bats, they feed primarily on insects and other small organisms.
Their name comes from the golden hue of their vibrant wings, which might serve as camouflage
against the ambient light of cities.
Most Goldwings hunt by hanging off lampposts and staying completely still, waiting for
pests to run into the open — only to end up as an easy meal.
Because Goldwings feed on disease-carrying pests, they’ve been marked as an asset by
the government of the Unbroken Kingdom, and are considered a protected species.
As a result, the hunting of any Goldwings within the limits of New Yorkshire will earn
offenders a hefty fine…
Just beyond the outer limits of urban areas, scavengers lurk on the edges of civilization.
The Rotfowl are massive birds that stand taller than a person, and feed on any carcass that
come their way — no matter how rotten… or how fresh.
Often seen feasting upon remains from local skirmishes, they have earned the nickname
‘birds of war.’
The descendent of a pre-war bird of prey, the Rotfowl have become larger and more terrestrial
than their ancestors — having converged upon a towering body plan similar to the fearsome
Cassowaries of the old world.
To match their unpleasant diet, their beaks have become sharp and hook-like.
Yet Rotfowl actually play a key role in decomposition within their environment.
Like vultures, the function they serve within the food web might be unglamorous, yet it
is fundamental to various ecosystems.
For Rotfowl don’t just affect the health of the Unbroken Kingdom.
Studies of their migratory patterns indicate that Rotfowl travel across the North Sea once
a year, roaming in large groups to other lands during the height of their mating season.
Genetic mutations are responsible for most of the fauna found across the Unbroken Kingdom.
Yet the greatest horrors of the wastes are in fact the result of prewar experiments conducted
by a company called Biophage.
A clandestine organization with a long history of ethical and moral violations, their story
begins long before the war started.
Originally formed as a pharmaceutical corporation, the company found its sales began to falter
over the decades.
Everything changed, however, when Biophage was taken over by one Dr. Ellingham, a successful
businessman with no background in biology… and no intention of engaging in ethical science.
Under his leadership, Biophage pivoted to become a company on the cutting edge of prewar
bio-engineering.
The exact nature of the early prewar company experiments is largely unknown.
And perhaps that is for the best, for what we do have on record is bone-chilling…
Not long before the outbreak of the war, Biophage, under the oversight of Dr. Ellingham, began
experimenting with medical rejuvenation.
Unit 1-51 would be one of these many attempts.
Nicknamed ‘Ankle Biters,’ some of these experiments could be considered technically
successful, as the Ankle Biters were able to regrow lost limbs as intended.
Yet the result were lifeforms that could no longer be considered human.
Still, Biophage might have increased the scale of these experiments were it not for the violent
collapse of prewar society.
Yet not all experiments were destroyed during the war.
Some creations of Biophage escaped into the barren waste — and have been able to carve
out a niche in the brutal new natural hierarchy.
Today, perhaps no lifeform in the Unbroken Kingdom is more dangerous than the seldom-seen
Biophage experiment that stalks the open plains.
Vespores are ruthless bioweapons capable of horrors far beyond any naturally-evolved form
of life.
While the original intention behind their creation remains unknown, the results of the
experiment are visible to all.
Vespores hunt with a stinger-like appendage capable of spearing fast-moving prey.
Once an animal has been speared, the Vespore then prepares to digest the unlucky creature.
The internal anatomy of a Vespore allows them to digest prey directly through their abdomen
— making them extremely efficient, as they are able to feast while on the move.
The terrifying behavior of the Vespore coupled with its elusive nature has caused it to take
on an almost mythical status in the minds of some survivors.
For not many see a Vespore and live to tell the tale…
Aside from terrifying monsters, there is a quiet sadness that the world of Barren evokes.
It is hard not to read through the project and feel a certain melancholy for all that
has been lost.
Bustling towns.
Healthy forests.
Clean rivers.
Much of the world as it existed before the apocalypse has changed utterly, and might
never return to normal.
Yet the people of this alternate timeline have adapted to the changes, much like the
strange fauna that now roam the wilderness.
The Unbroken Kingdom might be an unfamiliar landscape, but so long as its people continue
to endure, it will never be a broken one.
There’s much more to the ‘Barren’ project than I was able to cover in this video.
If you want to see more from the world of ‘Barren,’ you can support Keegan Francis
on his Patreon down below, to access bonus content and help the project continue.
And as always, thanks for watching.
If you enjoyed this entry, please lend your support by liking, subscribing, and hitting
the notification icon to stay up to date on all things Curious.
See you in the next video.