Badlands

The Badlands is a vast arid region that extends across the states of Northern and Southern California, in the West Coast of the New United States of America. This desert surrounds most of Night City.

History
Beyond Night City and its surrounding suburbs, there is a wide-open space of endless dry Californian scrub, punctuated by the occasional abandoned town or dry lake bed. The Badlands, as it is often referred to, were formed at some point during the 2020s because of the persisting drought Northern California was suffering, turning much of the region beyond Night City into a desert.

The Badlands has been a place that few Night Citizens have ever willingly ventured out into, save for the hardy nomads who have always crossed the desert in their huge and well-protected caravans, as well as the plenty of dangerous gangs that plague its open roads. During the Time of the Red, the Aldecaldos set up a camp on the outskirts of Santo Domingo, from which they ran an expansive trade and transport network, often hiring themselves out to guide people across the desert and transport goods. It was during this time that many refugees from the Fourth Corporate War reclaimed abandoned towns and cities not far from the urban sprawl of Night City.

By 2077, nomads were not the only ones who called the Badlands their home. A gang made up mostly of exiles from local tribes and families known as the Wraiths resided here in great numbers, being the ones responsible for the corporate transport disappearances in the region. Anyone that crossed into their territory without armed transport wouldn't likely survive.

In 2077, Saul Bright's family of Aldecaldos camped on the outskirts of Night City in hopes of finding new employment.

Overview
These vast plains outside of Night City make the metropolis look more glamorous in comparison. However, there's still life and golden opportunities out there.

Unchecked resource extraction and derelict oil fields dominate in the north. Wastelands full of chemicals and landfills reign supreme in the east. Acid rains are a result from the massive pollution, this guarantees nothing will ever grow there anytime soon, perhaps ever, while the winds carry the unbearable stench that makes sure Night City doesn't forget this place exists. The south side is comprised of mostly desert. Due to Biotechnica's many protein farms, as well as the Jackson Plains power plant, this part of the Badlands is less apocalyptic than the rest. Some even think it's safe around here, but let your guard down for a second and it'll eat you up alive.

North California

 * Northern Oilfields
 * Eastern Wastelands
 * Southern Desert
 * Laguna Bend

South California
Note: Locations in the Southern Californian section of the Badlands are only accessible during The Nomad, the introductory quest for characters with the Nomad lifepath.
 * Los Padres County