Following a nuclear war in 1959 the world has become a wasteland. The nuclear blasts, radioactive fallout, desertification of the land and the acidification of the oceans destroyed much of humanity as well as other forms of life. Some few survived and over time they slowly began the process of rebuilding. Animals evolved or were mutated and adapted to the harsh desert world they now occupied. Humans began to band together and new cultures and civilisations formed. It didn't take long for conflicts to emerge due to the lack of resources, drinkable water, food and means of powering machinery were scarce and became prizes to be fought for. Warlords rose to carve out their own kingdoms or form personal armies to prey on those weaker than them. They scavenged technology from the now fabled years before the bombs were dropped. Firearms, vehicles, tanks as well as other machinery were found and repaired or reproduced. Anyone who wished to survive is expected to fight and defend themselves to the death, anyone who can't was lost long ago.
Centuries have passed since the end of the world as we know it, now the worlds small human population clings to survival in settlements dotted throughout the great desert which was once continental Europe and Asia, they are mostly based around springs or wells which still occasionally appear to supply life giving water. Coasts are largely abandoned, the acidity of the sea and the leviathans that dwell beneath the waves make sea travel all but impossible. The roads between these settlements are dry, dusty and deadly. Roving bands of killers and outlaws prey on travellers, huge insects, reptiles or crustaceans roam the desert and will devour any unlucky humans they can catch. But still there is money to be made in transporting goods between settlements for those who are brave, crazy or desperate enough. These wandering traders, known commonly as "dust runners" drive vehicles of war, tanks mostly, without them they would be killed. All risk their lives in order to make a living in the hell that the world has become, but they provide a vital service and are rewarded with water, food or gasoline as well as the occasional additional perks that come with the job.
Thus enters Rick Buchanan, a dust runner who's going through a spell of bad luck. First he lost his last cargo to a particularly persistent group of bandits, then he ran afoul of one of the giant reptiles known to wander the deep sands, his crew was killed and his M4 Sherman tank was badly damaged. Only he survived, he managed to patch his tank up as best he could and limp into the nearest settlement. While his Sherman gets put back together he's looking for a new crew, that's where you come in.
The World
The game is set in our world, although it has almost completely transformed. Following the nuclear war the world went through extreme desertification which has turned most of the world into a dry, arid wasteland. The acidification of the seas is so extreme that no boats can be cast out to sea without their hulls being eroded completely and causing the vessel to sink. Our story is set in what was once Europe, news spreads of civilisations on other continents Asia and Africa through particularly brave merchants or adventurers. Long distance travel is a very dangerous affair and most people don’t leave the settlement that they were born in. Giant beasts roam the deserts of the world, mostly evolved or mutated versions of insects, crustaceans or lizards that exist in the world of today. In the seas there are huge leviathans that have evolved to survive in the acidic waters.
Technology ranges from primitive, almost stone age, up to modified or copied technology from before 1959. All the vehicles, weapons and other equipment are based on relics from the time before the nuclear war.
Settlements are usually ramshackle affairs, often with stockades or palisades surrounding them. Some even have gun emplacements or artillery/anti-tank guns that they use to fend of creatures or bandits. They are all settled around water sources, the size of the water source determining the size of the settlement. Some are run by bandits or warlords who rule with an iron fist, others have rudimentary democratic leadership.
Centuries have passed since the end of the world as we know it, now the worlds small human population clings to survival in settlements dotted throughout the great desert which was once continental Europe and Asia, they are mostly based around springs or wells which still occasionally appear to supply life giving water. Coasts are largely abandoned, the acidity of the sea and the leviathans that dwell beneath the waves make sea travel all but impossible. The roads between these settlements are dry, dusty and deadly. Roving bands of killers and outlaws prey on travellers, huge insects, reptiles or crustaceans roam the desert and will devour any unlucky humans they can catch. But still there is money to be made in transporting goods between settlements for those who are brave, crazy or desperate enough. These wandering traders, known commonly as "dust runners" drive vehicles of war, tanks mostly, without them they would be killed. All risk their lives in order to make a living in the hell that the world has become, but they provide a vital service and are rewarded with water, food or gasoline as well as the occasional additional perks that come with the job.
Thus enters Rick Buchanan, a dust runner who's going through a spell of bad luck. First he lost his last cargo to a particularly persistent group of bandits, then he ran afoul of one of the giant reptiles known to wander the deep sands, his crew was killed and his M4 Sherman tank was badly damaged. Only he survived, he managed to patch his tank up as best he could and limp into the nearest settlement. While his Sherman gets put back together he's looking for a new crew, that's where you come in.
The World
The game is set in our world, although it has almost completely transformed. Following the nuclear war the world went through extreme desertification which has turned most of the world into a dry, arid wasteland. The acidification of the seas is so extreme that no boats can be cast out to sea without their hulls being eroded completely and causing the vessel to sink. Our story is set in what was once Europe, news spreads of civilisations on other continents Asia and Africa through particularly brave merchants or adventurers. Long distance travel is a very dangerous affair and most people don’t leave the settlement that they were born in. Giant beasts roam the deserts of the world, mostly evolved or mutated versions of insects, crustaceans or lizards that exist in the world of today. In the seas there are huge leviathans that have evolved to survive in the acidic waters.
Technology ranges from primitive, almost stone age, up to modified or copied technology from before 1959. All the vehicles, weapons and other equipment are based on relics from the time before the nuclear war.
Settlements are usually ramshackle affairs, often with stockades or palisades surrounding them. Some even have gun emplacements or artillery/anti-tank guns that they use to fend of creatures or bandits. They are all settled around water sources, the size of the water source determining the size of the settlement. Some are run by bandits or warlords who rule with an iron fist, others have rudimentary democratic leadership.
