Modular and Shy discuss how the world ended. And stuff.

[shycat]

Okay, so I realized there are a couple of things we need to establish before we can discuss the finer points. Actually we pretty much only know that an apocalypse occurred. Heh.

But in what world? Was it our world? If so, when? Was it present day? Ancient Rome? Medieval, even? Maybe the Black Death ended up being far more severe, and some fantastic component either caused or came of it.

Or we could go forward; was it a futuristic society that imploded due to nanotechnological "difficulties"? Or maybe these future people separated society into the worthy and unworthy, and these "worthies" left the world to join/create a collective entity (sort of like The Last Question by Asimov), abandoning Earth to the "unworthies." Unfortunately, the "unworthy" class was mostly made up of the dregs of society, so all hell broke loose and instead of uniting to fix things, anarchy reigned and civilization basically collapsed and people broke off into nomadic hunter-gatherer/scavenger tribes. We'd be picking up much later, of course, when humanity is making a second go at civilization.

(By the way, you're welcome to combine, add to, or shun any of these ideas; I'm honestly just typing whatever pops in my head, lol.)

Also, how realistic or fantastic are we talking? Going back to the fantastic element/component idea, we could say that a mundane world saw the rise of humanity, but the fall of civilization squeezed a drop or two of magic out of the earth, or the hands of some stingy god, or what have you. Maybe it's in the form of some substance so valuable that it brings mass amounts of people together, and society starts making a comeback that way.

I'm getting way ahead of myself. So anyway, I was really just trying to ask: What is this post-apocalyptic world like, and why? And then ideas just started flowing and suddenly I'm flying across the keyboard like a court reporter. So I'll give it a rest now so you can talk. x]

[Modular]

Thank you for your correspondence. I'm thinking North America present to near future of this world would be suitable as far as setting and time frame. There's a lot less to frame out as far as physical/geographical/ reference when it comes to a time we're acquainted with already. I'm thinking some derivative of the effect that the bubonic plague had on Europe, nothing so gruesome as the virus = zombie stuff but just a devastating disease that indiscriminately killed millions, resulting in a global collapse in monetary systems, a resurgence of barter, farming and trade, a simplifying of lifestyle associated with the loss of high technology, with some leeway concerning other forms of technology. I think it's safe to say that of the smattering of humanity left, there's no more people left to run wall street or anything like it, but there are things like rudimentary radios, firearms, simple gravity fed plumbing and whatnot. I think we can safely take liberties with that for plots sake. Fledgling society indeed, I think twenty years from today is good.

I like the idea as far as your "worthies and unworthies". Perhaps the well to do have been either holed up in a bunker or some such thing to live with their self contained little enclave to leave the rest of humanity to thrive without their outmoded concepts of contentious/ war driven leadership. Which brings me to something you mentioned; the fall of civilization (as we know it today) and the rise of humanity. Fascinating choice of words. While it will be no utopia, the trappings of modern civilization i.e. the hyper unfocused lust for consumption and value sickness is eradicated because now we suddenly are aware of things besides media and ourselves. A return to quasi colonial/ victorian era sensibilities and practices will undoubtedly have an effect on the human psyche as far as returning back to... I guess... a primary process mode of thought and living. We now have neighbors we know, not out of the need to keep up appearances, but out of genuine necessity and willingness for human contact. Toiling in a field for a farmer is no longer delegated to growing food for an agricultural corporate entity, it's for his family and whoever else he can trade with, the lost arts of sewing, letter writing, tanning, brewing and distilling are now valued as trades because for the first time in ages, we desire to know them.

I'm on board with the mild fantastic element you described, only if you are. I'm not really leaning in any direction with it considering I can adapt without reasonable accommodation.

That's all I can come up with for now. I really am excited about the prospect of writing with a competent writer such as yourself. Thank you for your time and consideration.


Regards,

modular

[shycat]

All right, modern-day plague it is. I don't see any element of fantasy in the vision I'm getting of this, so we'll scrap that. The bubonic plague took about 30% of society, but I'm thinking that this new strain would have taken at least twice that. We hit out first billion around 1800, so that means 85% of present-day society would have to be wiped out to get a similar number.

I think it would be interesting if we tossed in the human decline factor to the pre-apocalyptic civilization. If you consider our wonderful modern-day (mis)use of resources, it's not hard to see how overpopulation and over-exploitation of the ecosystem would have inevitably led to widespread panic, civil war, barbarism, and general pandemonium. Then this plague happens out of the blue, and suddenly the world is quiet again. Of course, then there would be rumors that the virus was actually man-made and intentionally released by some individual or organization that felt the world could do with a bit of elbow room. Maybe those are the people that are holed up somewhere, having given themselves some sort of antidote to ensure their survival. I don't see where they would come into the role play though, besides being background noise and a fallback if the plot runs thin. But I feel like this decline would cast a nebulous irony over the story and add some depth to the history of this world. And it would really pour acid over the infrastructure and leave it less recognizable, which I find appealing in modern role plays.

Regardless of what caused it, people wouldn't be in any rush to rebuild their lost society, travesty that it was. In fact, I think that those who were trying to rebuild the technologically dependent society of yesterday would be shunned, possibly even crucified by the overwhelming majority that feared a return to their war-bitten society, and favored turning to a simpler lifestyle. Like you said, there would be a resurgence of skill-based commerce, but there would be the added struggle between those who want to rebuild and pick up where they left off, and those who felt that this devastation was a lesson, or, for the godly sort, a blessing.

Mkay, now the question is, just how long ago did this apocalyptic plague burn through civilization, compared to the starting point of the story? Considering the vagrant you had in mind, we're talking several years at least. Do you have a number in mind?

Anyway, my brain is currently blackmailing me for sleep so I'm gonna go do that now. I'm sort of stranded away from home at the moment and in the process of planning and executing my great escape, so I might be slow these next few days. But don't worry, I haven't lost interest! It's just life kicking me around a bit, that's all. :P

[Modular]

... the question is, just how long ago did this apocalyptic plague burn through civilization, compared to the starting point of the story? Considering the vagrant you had in mind, we're talking several years at least. Do you have a number in mind?

I'm thinking five years after the plague runs through the population, It's not too far removed to have people being complacent from time, nor so recent that there's still havoc in the streets. As you mentioned, the world is quiet again, humanity is taking it's first tentative steps at salvage and rebuilding. I like the fact that you mention the "godly sort" where in just such a situation, groups of people who are used to operating and communicating with one another are more likely to have survived. Therefore; groups like church congregations, survivalist groups, or the errant commune be they frothing and mad or peaceful and dormant, will have a place in this world as well.

I believe that the ideological conflict between groups and individuals will be an excellent plot device as far as the different folkways and beliefs towards the reestablishment of humanity as you explained. This vagrant will be a bit of a blank slate as far as allegiance, making contact with any one or number of these groups/ settlements an interesting bit of storytelling. A man is trying not only to seek out others, but determine whether or not these others are anything he wants to seek or become a part of once found.

Less importantly, do you have any geographical preference concerning the setting? Furthermore; what manner of character did you have in mind yourself?

I sincerely hope all goes well with your escape efforts. Until then.

[shycat]

Five years sounds good. I don't really have a geographical preference; my only requirement is that it isn't too far south, because I like seasons (they doesn't exist down here). If you have a particular city (since I figure we'll start somewhere urban, if the vagrant is traveling towards civilization) in mind, let me know.

I've been considering about four different characters right now, and I plan to throw them all on the table and see which ones end up standing and which roll over the edge. I generally like to juggle a number of characters and let the direction of the role play decide which ones will become main characters and which ones will shrink from the limelight.

Concerning my scarcity: I've hardly had much free time since getting back home, between hunting down jobs and filling out applications and trying to get settled in. I can't promise I'll be on every day, but know that I haven't lost interest.

[Modular]

Sounds excellent. As I said, please take whatever time you need. I'm in no hurry at all.

[shycat]

Mkay, so. How would you like to go about this? Thread, PM, email? None of the above?

If there are no other details you want to add, we can go ahead and jump in. The characters that I've dreamed up for this role play are already dancing around on my brainwaves, unbidden, ready for some post-apoc action! Heh.

[Modular]

I'd like it to be a thread, if you don't mind. Would you like to make the first post or would prefer I did?

[shycat]

I can start it; I've got my opening post fairly planned out, I just need to get it down in words. I'll send you the link as soon as the thread is up.

[Modular]

Lovely. Until then.