The apocalypse, as used in fiction, generally means the destruction of civilization, leading to a drastic reduction of knowledge and physical capabilities. This is reflected historically, such as when Mycenaean (early Greek) civilization fell and the region lost literacy itself for centuries. The setting itself, which is often the primary antagonist, is defined by scarcity and extreme challenges, where life is scrappy and hard.
Common Causes of Civilizational Collapse
For designers, choosing the cause of the apocalypse defines the entire tone and available resources of the campaign. Causes can range from Natural Disasters like famine, extended drought (which ended empires like Akkad and Harappa), meteor strikes, or massive volcanic eruptions causing worldwide climate change. The destruction can also be biological, caused by a Plague/Disease far worse than the Black Death; a disease that killed most food plants, for instance, would certainly destroy modern civilization's food base.More fantastical causes include massive numbers of Zombies or a Magical Breakdown. However, a magical apocalypse might have less far-reaching effects—unless magic itself was limited or eliminated. Conversely, a Nuclear War or atmospheric ruination is likely to leave a setting best played with "sticks and stones," as Albert Einstein implied.
The Harsh Realities of Survival
The focus of a post-apocalyptic setting must be on scarcity and survival. Life is violent and unpleasant, placing massive strain on survivors, as seen in Mad Max and various zombie settings. The difficult realities to remember when designing these worlds include:- Transport is Primitive: Horses are often quickly eaten, leaving only bicycles, donkeys, or mules for transport. Long-distance travel is rare and extremely dangerous.
- Health is Fragile: Even a minor injury or bruise might cause death due to the complete lack of modern medical care.
- Basic Necessities are Luxuries: Hygiene, beauty products, and many complex modern medicines are entirely unavailable.
- Violence is the Norm: Armed and lethal raids are common, and life is violent and unpleasant.
- Social Stress is Extreme: Survivors are often forced to interact with people they fundamentally disagree with to survive, and the individualist usually fails the fastest—everyone needs help to survive.
The Fundamental Question
The ultimate power of the post-apocalypse setting is not the destruction itself, but the way it forces players to confront the most fundamental questions of human nature. As designers, we must recognize that a long campaign cannot sustain a constant, desperate Sequence of survival. Instead, the apocalypse serves gives the DM the freedom to:- Define the Scarcity: Decide which resources are truly gone (e.g., fuel, knowledge, magic), and which remain (e.g., pre-apocalypse artifacts, unique skills).
- Control the Focus: Use the massive devastation as a fixed backdrop to elevate the importance of human stories—the rise of new communities, the restoration of lost knowledge, or the search for a new 'safe haven.'
- Choose the Scale: Determine whether the goal is grim, desperate survival (suited for a Sequence of play) or a decades-long narrative of rebuilding (suited for a Campaign).
Your Turn: How have you incorporated an apocalypse into your setting?
