Hidden 6 yrs ago 6 yrs ago Post by RancidHall
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RancidHall

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Sleeping Dogs Lie



Of course the world ends. It happens quickly, faster than anyone could predict. The Red Plague hits a world already on the brink of collapse. Extreme climate change, global economic crises, increasing conflict between old and new superpowers. When the pandemic comes, the last thin veneer of stability crumbles.

One billion people die in the first year.

Utter panic reigns supreme, solidarity between nations is non-existent. Wars break out over the last, dwindling resources of the world. For the first time since 1945 nuclear weapons are used in armed conflict. Mushroom clouds rise from east to west.

Everyone tries to save themselves. The rich and powerful start monumental projects to escape the surface of the dying Earth: going deep underground, to the bottom of the oceans, or into the cold darkness of space. The seats in these final lifeboats for mankind are desperately few. For most of the world’s inhabitants, there is no way out.

Once it’s all over, Earth is still.

Nature invades ruined cities. Winds sweep through empty streets turned into graveyards. Time gnaws the windows off skyscrapers, panes falling to the ground in a slow rain of glass. Yet life remains. Slivers of humanity survive the Apocalypse. In the Ark, a small settlement at the edge of a dead city, the people live.

You are the spawn of humanity, but not quite human.

You are twisted fun-house images, mutated freaks. Your bodies and minds have incredible powers, but you are unstable. Fragile. None of the people are over 30 years old. Except the Elder. Your leader, but not like you. One of the Ancients. For years on the road he has warned you: always be on your guard, find shelter, stay low, or the Rot will get you. Or something even worse.

So far, you've obeyed his commands.

But the safe days are over. Food is running scarce, and the fight for what’s left is turning violent. You starve. Out in the Zone, factions are forming, bosses on top and slaves at the bottom. In the middle, fixers who try to turn a profit from anyone and everyone. And the Elder can’t stand up on his own anymore. Hope wanes.

It’s time to venture out once more.

To explore the Zone, to search for artifacts and knowledge. Build, grow the land, seek out others, create a new civilization on the ruins of the old one. Seek your origin. No children are born to the people – if you do nothing, you will perish.

Maybe, one day, you will find the Eden of legend, the Ancients’ haven from the encroaching hellscape. That’s where salvation and truth await, the stories say. Maybe it’s all fairy tales. It doesn’t matter. You have no choice.

This is the beginning.
This is Year Zero.










Hidden 6 yrs ago 6 yrs ago Post by acuodancer
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acuodancer

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Hidden 6 yrs ago 6 yrs ago Post by Moonbound
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Moonbound Weird Circumstance Troubleshooter

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Hi.
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