World & factions

World Overview

In this post-apocalyptic world, an unknown power source, referred to as "The Signal", is believed to have caused the cataclysmic event that led to the world's destruction. This Signal emitted a powerful wave that shattered cities, disrupted technology, mutated wildlife, and drove much of humanity into a feral state. Now, the survivors navigate a dangerous and unpredictable landscape, with remnants of the old world scattered across the terrain.

The Signal is still active, sending intermittent pulses that affect technology, mutate the environment, and create zones of chaos. The source of The Signal remains a mystery, buried deep within the earth or hidden within the ruins of ancient cities. Each faction has a different relationship with this mysterious power, shaping their goals and how they survive in the devastated world.

Factions Overview

1. The Survivors

• Description: The Survivors are ordinary humans who managed to survive the apocalypse with their humanity intact. They live in small, close-knit communities scattered around the world, relying on cooperation, resourcefulness, and a strong moral compass to navigate the harsh realities of the post-apocalyptic landscape.
• Culture and Values: The Survivors value community, empathy, and resilience. They believe that working together and maintaining their humanity is the key to survival. They are highly adaptable, learning to live off the land and make do with whatever resources they can scavenge. Despite the hardships, they cling to the hope of a better future and are driven by a sense of duty to undo the effects of The Signal.
• Goals: The primary goal of the Survivors is to locate and neutralize the source of The Signal to restore the world to some semblance of its former state. They seek knowledge of the old world, scavenging for technology and clues that might help them understand and ultimately reverse the effects of The Signal. They are also focused on protecting their communities and expanding safe zones.
• Leadership: The Survivors are generally led by councils or elected leaders who prioritize the community's needs. Decisions are often made democratically, with a focus on fairness and the well-being of all members.
• Interactions with Other Factions:
  • Deserters: Often find themselves at odds, as Deserters’ savage and selfish nature threatens the safety and stability of Survivor communities.
  • Miners: Share a tentative alliance, as both groups are more focused on survival and exploration than conquest. They often trade goods and information.
  • Imperials: Have a wary relationship, as the Survivors resent the Imperials' wealth and privilege but recognize their power.
  • Signallists: Actively opposed to the Signallists, viewing them as dangerous fanatics who are aligned with the very power that destroyed the world.

2. The Deserters

• Description: The Deserters are a ruthless faction of scavengers, smugglers, and raiders who profit from the chaos. Lacking empathy and driven by greed and survival instincts, they have become the most feared group in the post-apocalyptic world. They have no regard for others and take what they want by force.
• Culture and Values: The Deserters have little in the way of culture or societal structure. Their "might makes right" philosophy encourages the strongest and most cunning individuals to rise to the top. They value strength, cunning, and brutality. To them, the world is a resource to be exploited for personal gain.
• Goals: Their main goal is to survive and amass as much wealth and power as possible. They see the post-apocalyptic world as a free-for-all and are willing to do whatever it takes, including raiding Survivor communities, looting ruins, and kidnapping individuals for ransom or slavery.
• Leadership: Led by warlords or charismatic leaders who command loyalty through fear or cunning. Power is fluid and often contested, with frequent skirmishes over leadership and territory.
• Interactions with Other Factions:
  • Survivors: Predatory relationship; they often raid and attack Survivors for supplies.
  • Miners: Generally hostile but cautious; they know the Miners are well-defended and booby-trapped.
  • Imperials: Avoid direct confrontation with the Imperials due to their power and influence but are not above subterfuge or theft.
  • Signallists: They distrust the Signallists, seeing them as unpredictable zealots. However, they sometimes make temporary alliances of convenience, only to betray them later.

3. The Miners

• Description: The Miners are a faction of engineers, craftsmen, and survivors who have mastered the art of subterranean living and crafting. They live in vast underground networks, using their technical skills to create fortified settlements and advanced technology. They are highly knowledgeable about the land and use this to their advantage.
• Culture and Values: The Miners are practical, resourceful, and highly skilled. They value knowledge, craftsmanship, and independence. Their society is meritocratic, with positions of power given to those who demonstrate skill and ingenuity. They are proud of their self-sufficiency and often view themselves as the true inheritors of the old world's technological prowess.
• Goals: Their primary goal is to expand their underground networks and increase their technological capabilities. They are interested in uncovering and repurposing old-world technology, particularly anything that might help them neutralize The Signal or enhance their defensive and crafting abilities.
• Leadership: Governed by a council of master craftsmen and engineers who lead based on expertise and contribution to society. Decisions are made through a blend of technocratic and democratic processes.
• Interactions with Other Factions:
  • Survivors: Generally friendly, as they share a mutual respect and often trade resources and technology.
  • Deserters: Hostile; view them as a constant threat and have developed numerous defenses and traps to deter them.
  • Imperials: Maintain a neutral stance but are wary, knowing the Imperials could become a threat if they desire the Miners' technology or territory.
  • Signallists: Hostile; see them as a dangerous cult that threatens the safety and stability of their underground world.

4. The Imperials

• Description: The Imperials are a faction made up of the remnants of the wealthy elite and aristocracy from the old world. They have managed to maintain a semblance of their former lives, living in opulent, well-defended enclaves and their capital called Central City. They use their resources and influence to maintain power, often manipulating the other factions to serve their interests.
• Culture and Values: The Imperials are highly hierarchical and value wealth, power, and status above all else. They believe in their inherent superiority and view themselves as the rightful rulers of the post-apocalyptic world. Their society is marked by luxury and excess, a stark contrast to the desolation around them.
• Goals: Their primary goal is to maintain their power and privilege. They seek to control resources and territory and are interested in learning more about The Signal to either harness its power or protect themselves from it.
• Leadership: Led by a monarchy or oligarchy of powerful families who make decisions based on wealth, lineage, and political maneuvering. Power struggles within the faction are common, but external threats are usually met with a united front.
• Interactions with Other Factions:
  • Survivors: View them as useful tools or pawns, occasionally offering aid or resources to keep them compliant or to manipulate them into doing their bidding.
  • Deserters: Avoid direct conflict; sometimes use them as mercenaries or spies to further their own goals.
  • Miners: Neutral but opportunistic; they recognize the value of the Miners’ technology and may try to manipulate them into sharing their resources or knowledge.
  • Signallists: Hostile; see them as a direct threat to their way of life and power. They are willing to use their resources to eliminate Signallist threats.

5. The Signallists

• Description: The Signallists are a fanatical cult-like faction devoted to worshiping The Signal. They believe The Signal is a divine force or a message from a higher power and see themselves as its chosen emissaries. They are militaristic and often engage in aggressive, religious crusades to spread their beliefs and eliminate those they consider heretics.
• Culture and Values: The Signallists are deeply religious and dogmatic, with a strict code of conduct based on their interpretation of The Signal. They value obedience, faith, and sacrifice. Their society is highly disciplined and organized, with a focus on military prowess and religious fervor.
• Goals: Their primary goal is to spread the worship of The Signal and eliminate any who oppose them. They seek to harness the power of The Signal, believing it to be a gift that must be understood and utilized, not destroyed.
• Leadership: Led by a charismatic prophet or high priest who claims to have a direct connection to The Signal. This leader is surrounded by a council of generals and priests who oversee both the military and religious aspects of the faction.
• Interactions with Other Factions:
  • Survivors: Hostile; see them as heretics who refuse to accept the truth of The Signal.
  • Deserters: Occasionally make alliances of convenience, but generally distrust them, seeing them as too chaotic and self-serving.
  • Miners: Hostile; see them as blasphemers who hoard technology and knowledge that should be used to serve The Signal.
  • Imperials: Hostile; view them as corrupt and decadent enemies of their divine mission.