In 2136, humanity attempted the largest nuclear weapons test in history.

The experiment was intended to test a new generation of nuclear technology capable of producing an unprecedented amount of energy. Instead, something went catastrophically wrong.

The detonation created a phenomenon known as The Aftershock—a chain reaction that spread across the planet, damaging ecosystems, destroying cities, and permanently altering living organisms.

The world wasn't simply irradiated. It changed.

Within months, strange abilities began appearing in humans and animals.

Approximately 80% of the surviving human population eventually developed supernatural abilities.

These people became known as Awakened.

Humans weren't the only ones affected, animals were changed as well, some developed powers similar to humans, others underwent dramatic mutations.

Some animals became enormous, intelligent, or extremely dangerous.

These creatures are collectively called Wildborn.

The remaining 20% of humanity never developed powers.

They are called Unawakened.

They aren't necessarily helpless, in fact, many Unawakened communities became extremely skilled at surviving without supernatural abilities.

Some communities have developed technology specifically designed to counter Awakened abilities.

One of the biggest advantages available to Unawakened people is Awakened animals.

Certain Wildborn can be domesticated or bonded with humans.

These animals are called Tamed.

A powerless person might travel with a superpowered animal companion that protects them.

Most modern civilization collapsed during The Aftershock. Large cities became wastelands, forests consumed abandoned cities, entire regions became uninhabitable.

But humanity didn't give in to despair.

Over the following decades, survivors rebuilt. Human civilization eventually became a collection of settlements, fortified cities, wandering tribes, villain organizations.

Fortresses

Large fortified cities designed to protect civilians from Wildborn.

Their walls are enormous, and both Awakened soldiers and conventional weapons defend them.

Free Cities

Large settlements where Awakened and Unawakened live together.

These tend to become centers of trade.

Wanderers

Groups that travel constantly instead of living in one location.

Wild Territories

Regions where humanity has almost completely disappeared.

These areas are dominated by powerful Wildborn.

Some contain creatures so powerful that entire settlements avoid them.

The worst areas affected by The Aftershock are called Dead Zones.

The strange energy left behind by the disaster makes these places unpredictable.

Dead Zones contain: Mutated ecosystems, Abandoned military facilities, Strange weather, Extremely powerful Wildborn, Ruined cities, Valuable technology, Rare materials, and Dangerous anomalies.