The Badlands, an area known for its unwelcoming and hostile environment, sits below Equestria. Although its environment is unfavorable for most ponies, here lies a refugee settlement aged by time. Chipbowl, once known as a refugee camp during and after the Great War, had been vibrant with instrumental potential. Years after the Gardens of Equestria, Chipbowl has transformed itself into a small-vibrant village for families of all species. As the environment isn’t and ideal area for the locals of Chipbowl to entertain themselves with, the residents had introduced themselves to the world of music. Genres such as bluegrass, blues, and jazz had gained popularity within the settlement; thanks to a popular duo named “Freebird”. The duo composed of Birdie, an earth pony, and Bassline, a gryphon. The duo had gained popularity in Chipbowl with their upbeat-blues-like style of music. However, as the years had passed, the duo fell into a rut.

The duo spent their whole lives revolving around the same ponies every day. Each performance the duo played; the same audience attended. The local bands and rivals the duo faced; unchanged. Every morning and night, the duo heard the same greeting; “good morning” and “goodnight”. The feeling of repetition had grown onto the duo. Their inspiration for writing and playing music slowly dwindled. However, hearing the stories of elders who had fled from Equestria to Chipbowl, had inspired them once again. There was a world outside of Chipbowl; an even bigger one that wasn’t surrounded by jagged rocks. Knowing very little about Equestria and what it may hold, the duo packed their instruments and traveled into the unknown. Living the life of experiencing no violence, conflict, or knowledge outside of Chipbowl had been a culture shock for the duo. With the dread of going back home, the duo has no choice but to face the wasteland.