Birdonia
Overview
The Birdonia arc is one of the earliest dystopian stories in the Waldoverse. It chronicles the rise of Reginald Van Der Beak as he exploited a series of chaotic events to transform Waldonia into a police state under his control.
Summary
The arc began in August 2022, when Reginald Van Der Beak allegedly orchestrated the downfall of his rivals. Master Devlin found himself imprisoned in Waldgate on a seven-month sentence linked to the contaminated Dragon Brand Butter scandal and accusations of "aggravated buggery."
In a karmic twist, Devlin ended up sharing a cell with Harris Travers, who was already serving time for a crime he didn't commit. Travers' imprisonment stemmed from trickery by the Master and the Co-Editor, who let him take the fall for the contaminated butter scandal. Travers had foolishly and erroneously claimed responsibility for the Masters' Council and all its subsidiaries, sealing his fate.
Reginald’s Power Consolidation
With Master Devlin out of the picture, Reginald Van Der Beak seized the opportunity to consolidate his power. Taking over as CEO of Dragon Brand, he publicly promised sweeping reforms to win public trust. However, it quickly became evident that his real agenda was far more sinister. Reginald began reshaping Widdlington into a dystopian nightmare, molding it to reflect his twisted ambitions.
The Prison Break
Shortly after these events, Waldo resurfaced. Still sharing the same body as Harris Travers at the time, Waldo orchestrated a daring prison break. He freed both himself and Master Devlin from Waldgate, and together, they became fugitives on the run.
A Changed Widdlington
Though they had only been imprisoned for a matter of days, the Widdlington they returned to was unrecognizable. Reginald’s newfound wealth and power as a billionaire allowed his corporation, Bird Brand, to dominate every aspect of life. From owning media conglomerates like Wizney to retail giants like Waldmart, Reginald’s influence was absolute.
The most visible sign of his reign was the construction of the Birdonian Citadel, a massive, 1,700-foot brutalist tower that loomed ominously over the city. The area surrounding the Citadel, now called Volkov, had undergone a complete transformation. The once-familiar streets were replaced with Eastern European-style architecture, giving the district a distinct City 17 aesthetic.
The Orwellian Nightmare
Widdlington had become a true dystopia. Police patrols harassed citizens openly on the streets, while surveillance drones buzzed overhead. Giant screens broadcast Reginald’s face alongside endless streams of propaganda. The authoritarian atmosphere was inescapable.
Even Samuel Waldo was not spared. Forced to deliver daily speeches and announcements for the regime, he became an unwilling mouthpiece for the "birdbrained" propaganda machine. The once-proud spirit of Widdlington was crushed under Reginald’s oppressive rule, setting the stage for the resistance to come.
The Resistance
The Master, Waldo, and a small group of loyal allies launched a daring campaign of guerrilla warfare to undermine Reginald’s regime. Waldo spearheaded not only the destruction, but also the propaganda effort, plastering posters across Widdlington to inspire rebellion under the banner of “Waldo La Revolucion.” This grassroots movement rallied disillusioned citizens to their cause, building a growing resistance against the oppressive Birdonian state.
In response, Reginald unleashed brutal countermeasures. His forces bombed hospitals and escalated surveillance, trying to crush the uprising through sheer terror.
The Master’s Plan
Determined to end Reg’s tyranny, the Master devised an audacious plan. The resistance would infiltrate the Birdonian Citadel during Reg’s extravagant birthday celebration. The plot involved poisoning Reg’s birthday cake with avian flu, staging a medical emergency, and posing as paramedics to kidnap him. Meanwhile, Waldo would create chaos elsewhere in the Citadel as a distraction.
The plan was executed flawlessly. Amid the commotion caused by Waldo’s antics, Reginald was taken into custody by the resistance.
Reg’s Unrepentant Defense
Even in captivity, Reginald remained defiant. He insisted that his actions were necessary for Waldonia’s survival and implored his captors not to abandon Birdonia, which he declared the greatest achievement in the realm’s history. His impassioned arguments fell on deaf ears, and the resistance refused to relent.
Restoration of Order
With Reginald removed from power, the Master’s Council was swiftly reinstated. The oppressive atmosphere in Widdlington began to dissipate, and life started to return to normal. However, the physical remnants of Reginald’s regime endured. The towering Birdonian Citadel, now simply referred to as The Citadel, and the Volkov district remained as stark reminders of the dark chapter in Waldonia’s history.
Travers—who had largely sat out the events of this arc—arrived at the eleventh hour to claim credit for the revolution and also offered to serve as Reginald’s legal counsel.