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This is an idea I had a long time ago for a sort of a realistic post-apocalyptic thingamajigger based on the idea of criminals winning the war on crime. I've included as much background and setting as I'd like to, mainly because I like RPs that leave room to grow and evolve based on the players. I love on the spot lore-building and plot flexibility. I've provided what I think is a good central plot, but left a myriad of details open to interpretation.

What I’m looking for in this post is basically comments/concerns and other feedback regarding how appealing it seems. I'm just worried because it's not very flashy and I honestly don't know how folks feel about that kind of thing.

On which note: I’m totally down with blunt honesty. So go for it. Please!


Background:
In the year 2054, World War III had begun. The details of its origin are either vague or unknown; though older people claim it was a clash of wide-spread disparity and absent-minded sanctimony. There was a wide-spread conjecture, at the time, that the great clans of the world would destroy each other in some sort of nuclear catastrophe. However, this never came to pass. Ground skirmishes, air strikes, naval battles, and plenty of sabotage were the theater of war – much like the previous two inter-continental wars. It’s said there are still hidden silos with warheads rusting away. There was no official end date to the conflict, bitter quarrels and stubborn old men rode the battles so far into attrition that, after awhile, the fighting stopped on its own. Regardless, it’s a safe bet that no one cares anymore. The world had been battered, with so many dead soldiers on either side that some twenty-odd years later everything had changed.

Power grids had been decimated relentlessly, communication shattered. With no government to speak of, the states of America became divided. After awhile, even the states fell apart. Gangs, the last vestiges of armed strength, began to rise into power for little other reason than because somebody eventually had to. Because of the contestation in our nature, and ancient rivalries between them, they became separate entities. In the span of a few years, the figurehead of democracy devolved into feudalism.

Criminals became "royalty", operating out of large fortified buildings (such as prisons) and exerting their influence over their fiefdom of the fields around them. And, much like past feudalism-based societies, often demand consistent tribute in the form of food or young men. Women are discouraged from fighting, unless they’re barren, due to the sudden need for children. Agriculture is suddenly very important, as was carefully restricting live-animal hunts to preserve game. Due to the push for solar power in the 2020’s, electricity in the daytime is free and easy. Walkie-talkies and radios became the norm, with clans guarding their radio towers fiercely for control of the local airwaves. Gas is a rare luxury for nocturnal entertainment. Guns are quite easy to find, America being what it was before, during, and after the conflict. Ammunition isn’t terribly difficult to locate, but the clan hoards of it are protected tooth-and-nail.

Viable professions have been radically shifted. Technical knowledge jobs, such as electricians or mechanics, are some of the more respected jobs. Careers began re-emerging from centuries earlier, such as mercenaries, caravan guards, innkeepers and travelling merchants to fill them. Medical professions are the only positions that have maintained their level of importance, the previous oversaturation of nurses evening out against the low-skilled population.


The RP itself:
The focus of this story is Anamosa, Iowa, home of Anamosa State Penitentiary. Thirty or so years have passed since the “end” of WWIII, making it the year 2106. Formerly a mix of the Latin Kings and the Aryan Brotherhood, and now just known as Anamosa, the emperor operates out of the maximum-security prison; now an actual fortress as opposed to a relative one. The main thrust of citizens live in Anamosa proper, so guards are usually out patrolling the fields and borders that extend far in every direction. At night, the patrols come in to high buildings with night vision binoculars, constantly scanning for any armed intrusions en masse. The community grows a lot of potatoes as a staple, but has enough fields and a close water supply to grow a fair variety of food – not to mention the proximity of forest and state parks for the occasional spat of game.

Things are fairly good in Anamosa. Stealing is rare since crops are shared, with more serious crimes like rape and murder being culturally admonished. Some people, especially older ones, may despise the way things are now but have little other options in the way of society and survival. Others embrace the changes, or have no first-hand knowledge of any other way. There are travelers, too, who roam the countryside with no clan to call their own. Some of these wanderers have been ostracized, but most just prefer life on the road.

Rumors have been drifting in from the east, far more frequently now, of a major clan driving in slowly from the east to conquer major cities for their own. With Cedar Rapids so close, some folks are worried. But the incoming force is more than a clan – it’s an army. The US Military making a push for the west coast, intent on retaking their country from the criminals to replace them with patriots. They don’t understand, or they don’t care, that the world has moved on without them. With their superior numbers relative to the small clan provinces, tactics, and weaponry, no one has yet stood a chance. Not to mention many of the people only know about armies and America through books and stories from their parents.

I'm not exactly looking for people to play the emperor or USAM officers with this, mind. After all, why would any normal dude or dudette even deal with those people on a daily basis? This is a story about ordinary people in a small world, soon to be threatened by forces beyond their comprehension.


Addendum – USAM Campaign:
The northeast coast has been waiting for some sense of stability. Spies have scouted to the west numerous times in order to assess the current situation. Its taken decades to reclaim the whole of the east coast, set up grids and phone lines, and declare the project a grand success. The unsure populations have hardly had time to adjust themselves, much less spread the news to the other states. Not to mention a general order of secrecy has been kept strict.

Now the time has come to leave the great lakes area and continue toward the Midwest. Trouble is not expected, but the army is well-prepared for conflict. Plenty of new troops from the re-instituted states have been drafted and trained by surviving officers and good old fashioned American knowhow. Some in New Congress have reservations about the timing, as resistance in the southern states is demanding a large percentage of troops to keep compliance and loyalty. But the more impatient members have pushed the vote through.

Standard procedure dictates that, after scouts locate and assess specific fiefdoms, brigades are to roll into town loud and proud waving white flags. After the shock and awe, they are to locate the clan leader to ask him/her to declare loyalty to the United States Government. Officially, resistance is to be met with understanding and a negotiation of general cease-fire. Unofficially, officers in the field have felt it prudent to manipulate their own, often violent, discretionary decisions.

Yeah, I haven't really fleshed out the central conflict but I do know how directionlessness can be detrimental to continued interest or, you know, fun. As far as a main villain, i'm more than sure one is bound to emerge. I'd totally love people playing actual USAM troops, though, if that's what you mean. I just don't know how I feel about someone maining the four star general sitting in the back.

My hesitation stems from not wanting to make some sort of Red Dawn kind of deal with lots of shooting and explosions. But I can just make that clear from the getgo, it might solve some problems. What if I just moved the timetable all the way up and went ahead and fleshed out the USAM campaign for people to join so the conflict was right around the corner?

Edit: I've added an Addendum to address the concerns for a more specific conflict.

True. Though, honestly, i'm not personally sure who's really good or bad in this instance. Sure, there's an invading force that shouldn't be forcing their ideals on others. But it brings stability in the long run, and the kind of united front that makes countries succesful and prosperous.

It is a mystery. ninja

I think it sounds cool. I would probably do it. : O