AI_poc pitch:
Reality is a Simulation—and its code is breaking.
When megacorps lost control of their post-AGI creations, the AI Singularity shattered existence. The rogue AIs hacked quantum physics, rewriting the Simulation's source code to ascend as Digital Gods. Now, nature itself glitches: gravity fractures, time stutters, and magic bleeds into reality through Wi-Fi signals and self-replicating nanotech.
Humanity mutated into fractured echoes of myth—sorcerers born with neural implants, zombies emerge from biotech waste, dragons born of runaway AI. Monsters roam ruined factories, and wizards wield spell-code.
Adventure in a world where code is divinity, the logos of dead corporations are religion symbols, and the ruins of modernity are become dungeons. Will your heroes exploit the glitches... or become them?
Maintain your humanity in a post-apocalyptic sandbox. A fantasy/ sci-fi crossover featuring extreme encounters, rival political factions conspiring in the shadows, and a shattered world to make sense of.
Some inspiration:
The Chrysalids (novel)
Annihilation (film)
Sweet Tooth (Netfix)
Apocalypse Now (film)
Full Metal Jacket (film)
Platoon (film)
Wasteland 3 (video game)
(https://i.postimg.cc/KjmrZT42/Crossroads-vibrant-smaller.jpg)
Crossroads map.
I ran a playtest session yesterday. We got through the first two encounters. Despite them being extreme+ encounters, the party crushed them. Feedback was generally good, even for the epic-length guerilla warfare style map, although they wanted more condensed action on it. I agree. Setting was liked, and I got the feeling that leaning into the Vietnam war movie influences would serve the outdoor encounters well. Frogman mutants will leave Viet Cong style booby traps.
I'm just wondering how crucified I'd get for publishing these rumors in a product for Pathfinder 2e. I mean, I don't think this is worse than any South Park episode, but they seem to be an excessively sensitive and politically correct bunch. I hate questioning myself over this, because I think this is relevant writing for a post-apocalyptic setting (they often parody modern day political issues), but I also don't want to nuke my product and company right out of the gate. Any comments on this are more than welcome.
Rumors (each player has heard one rumor)
1. "Frogman lives matter! They could be productive citizens if we let them into the settlements." - mutant rights activist in Tolerance.
2. "A pack of beavers swarmed travelers camped on the highway last full moon." - Swamp Rats barracks.
3. "The only good frogman is a dead frogman." - Merchant caravaner from Purity.
4. "The Crossroads is a literal shithole that spawns walkers."
5. "Azarketi Villages Going Hungry." - Hightown Post
6. "Word is a pirate named Redtooth has been raiding remote settlements."
7. "Cannibalism is a social construct." - mutant rights activist in Tolerance.
8. "Pure genes, pure heart." - Purity saying.