The Setting

WHAT HAPPENED?

The year is 2120. It's been a little over 100 years since the world went to nuclear war that nearly destroyed the planet, and the human race. Nonetheless, people survived. If the human race is one thing, it's stubborn. They began to rebuild their world, fighting against nature and deadly radiation. They built safe havens. Dome cities. They found a way to filtrate fresh air, though it didn't stop small amounts of radiation seeping in. People became ill and died. Others passed on their blood and eventually the new humans found some tolerance to the radiation.

But that's not all that happened.

Humans began to be born with extraordinary abilities. They could manipulate the air, fire, electricity, and even people's fears. These people became the Abnormals. Feared and reviled from a species nearly lost, strict laws were passed that kept Abnormals in check. Monitored. They were injected with a chip that, with a single scan, revealed their type, class, and background. Jobs discriminated against them. Housing rejected them. People drove them out and away, pushing them to the lowest social circles. Laws do not permit Abnormals to run for office. Abnormals cannot hold any positions of leadership outside their own circles. Abnormals cannot marry Normals, despite most Abnormals being born from "Normal" couples. Abnormals can be fired without notice, or reason. Abnormals who do not disclose their status can be criminally charged for withholding it. The list goes on.

Most Abnormals turned to crime or working in the slums to try and survive. Others refused to be complacent and organized to protest the oppression. Two prominent organizations with two very different points of view formed: The Underlanders and The Sanctuary Network.

The United States
The United States is no longer as it used to be. What's left is controlled by a government called The Federalists. The rest is called The Outside and is deemed dangerous, filthy, and to be avoided. There are 4 regions in the Federalist US. Each region is separated by check points that require scanning your ID to pass through.

Region 1: This region is reserved for people in the Federalist government. This is where the Federalist president resides. This region has strict laws for access. Lay people cannot go in, and those inside cannot easily go out.

Region 2:

Region 3:Du Pont is the capital of Region 3 with it being the largest and most populated city. Other dome cities exist in the areas that were once capitals of the states.

Region 4:

The Outside
The Outside is anywhere in North America not controlled by The Federalists. It's a land of unknown and superstitions to Federalist citizens, often referred to as "untamed" and "badlands." The Outside has villages, settlements, and colonies spread throughout. These people do not live within the safety of domes and are exposed to leftover radiation, hot spots, and fall out, causing a higher rate of mutations and abnormalities - including Abnormals. Village levels of technology ranges, but is usually primitive in nature. Each place plays by their own set of rules. The people who live in The Outside are referred to as "Toppers", because they stayed above ground after the devastation.

Mutations are rampant in the Outside and cancer rates are high. It's not strange to see people or animals with additional or disfigured appendages or with two heads, for example. There are also less noticeable mutations like rampant infertility in people with uteri. The extent of the biological changes are yet unknown, except some discernible changes in the observable characteristics and much higher tolerance to radiation. Toppers' acceptance of mutations is dependent on the specific village. Some Toppers leave disfigured infants to die while others will raise them as normal.

Living creatures weren't the only ones affected. Plants have also mutated. There are some plants in The Outside that produce a psychedelic high desired after in the regions. There is an underground market for these plants, berries, and nuts. Other vegetation are not so sought after. There are plants and trees that are toxic and will burn the skin. Their ashes ruin land and make it uninhabitable. Toppers are familiar with the lay of the land. If you're from a dome city going into The Outside, you'd better be careful.

Toppers are able to move into Federalist territory, but there is an extensive cleaning process and treatments to rid them of harmful radiation.