One thing I've done with a number of my campaigns is complete a "Twenty Questions" post, trying to describe campaigns, usually before I launch their actual plays. The original questions were geared toward fantasy role-playing games, but they're easily geared towards other genres.
I wrote up my Gamma World Twenty Question in May of last year, finally posting my answers just prior to the launch of the Actual Play that October.
Like all my campaigns, it's got some weird little dynamics going on, but everyone is still having fun.
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All questions will be answered based on all 70 episodes, so... SPOILERS!
What's the Deal?
Gamma World is a post-apocalyptic role-playing game. Characters are in a future Earth, hundreds of years after Great Cataclysm. Survivors include Mutated Humans, Mutated Animals, Mutated Plants, and "Pure-Strain" original humans. Most communities range from stone-age tech (Level I) to Renaissance (flintlocks - Level III). Tech from "the Ancients" can be uncovered, ranging from repeating rifles to ray guns to "living metal" and even worse. The game started in the "De Facto Explorers" hometown of Riverbend, a backwater tech level III community, dominated by farming, and the "Big River"
Where can we go to buy standard equipment?
Some basic equipment is always available at the "Regular Store" (or just "the Store). Merchants from surrounding communities due travel the river and adjacent roads to trade in Riverbend, so given some time, all Level III tech will eventually make an appearance in town. New opportunities have been discovered downriver at Fair-Town and the K.I.A. Academy.
Where can we go to get custom fitted armor for this mutant I just befriended?
Blade, the feline blacksmith, and his appreciate, the Pure-Strain Human Tullaru, are quite busy with day-to-day requests from the farmers and townsfolk, and are not too keen on outsiders taking up the work queue. If convinced, they could produce quality lesser armor, but tougher armor, or armor with technology, would need to be made at a much larger town or city.
Who is the mightiest wizard in the land?
"The Mutant Master" had been nothing more than a charlatan with a massive weapon of the Ancients. This week, the Explorers have encountered "Kaazak" an individual interested in committing mass sacrifice with Kirothians.
Who is the greatest warrior in the land?
The leader of the River Bend militia is a stoic man named Loaman Streight. He is nothing compared to the the great warrior Ansa who drove the mole men from the basements of townsfolk. He left his family and disappeared, rumored to be heading to the distant Wild Lands downriver. Expanding their footprint, many of the "knights" visiting Fair-Town are quite valiant, although the the toughest individuals may be found in the sub-levels of K.I.A. Academy.
Who is the richest person in the land?
Not many folks qualify as rich for having piles of domars. Rather, knowledge is collected through a man named Justinian who operates Ascension Hall, the headquarters of a group known as the Restorationists. This doesn't appear to have changed over the many seasons..
Where can we go to get some healing?
Healing powers amongst mutants are rare and cherished. Most hope members of the White Hand (Healers Society), with their bags of magical tech, have made an appearance in town to expedite your recovery. They seemed to be largely chased off in the areas around the river. Otherwise, healing is a long and difficult road in this hostile climate.
Where can we go to get cures for the "The Glow"? The Glow is an invisible curse of the Ancients, usually encountered in their city ruins. It can injure, incapacitate, kill, and even mutate someone who succumbs to it. The Healers Society has limited abilities to abate the damage.
Is there a place where my character race/character class can meet up with other like types to socialize or train? River Bend is only large enough to hosts sites for the Redemptionists, and a part-time presence by the Healing Society. Iron Society and Brotherhood of Thought have presences in other towns, such as Jainus. There are few occasions where a member of the Knights of Genetic Purity or the Ranks of the Fit are encountered in the area, but it would be no surprise that the Seekers have the influence of of a silent majority over the gains made by the Redemptionists.
Where can I find an a sage or other expert NPC?
Justinian of the Restorationists is most knowledgeable about technologies and the nearby surrounding areas. K.I.A. Academy has a massive restricted library, with a heavy focus on transportation and construction.
Where can I hire mercenaries?
Militia members are always interested in traveling with merchants, some even may venture further for glory and daring'do. To acquire more than two at a time, vetting other candidates from other towns might be necessary.
Vetting mercenaries who can use anything more complicated than a musket? Highly unlikely.
Is there any place on the map where weapons are illegal, technology is outlawed or any other notable hassles from Johnny Law?
K.I.A. Academy is hostile to groups larger than a standard adventuring party. While certain areas controlled by certain cryptic alliances may have restrictions on what races may enter certain towns.
Which way to the nearest tavern?
The favorite watering hole in River Bend is the Leaping Drunken Keg. The Quart and Funnel is for professional types at K.I.A. Academy, and the Wrong Celery is a Mutant Plant bar in Fair-Town.
What monsters are terrorizing the countryside sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous?
Hissers control large swaths of territory across and further upriver, and beyond that, the dead seem to control the hills, and fantastic beasts the forests. The greatest glory would be for capturing and domesticating the dreaded "Living Metal" that fights forever. The further down river one goes, the stranger and more dangerous the creatures (and people) seem to become.
Are there any wars brewing I could go fight?
Rumbling with mutant animals in PARR and human tech-knights even farther appear to be an unlikely problem. There are new groups of mutants, races, even a group of "wizards" willing to pick fights with anyone.
How about gladiatorial arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes?
There are rumored fighting rings downriver in Fair-Town.
Are there any other sinister agendas beyond I could join and/or fight?
Beyond the numerous cryptic alliances and previously mentioned threats? Flying creatures, both living and living metal travel the sky. Who controls the dead within the distant Catacombs, and what is Blackvale City? Locally, Redemptionist agents have left to investigate new claims of relics from the Ancients, but only a relative few have returned.... The Cabal of Evil's agenda is unclear, and someone is bringing, crude living metal, designed to look like skeletons, painted black.
What is there to eat around here?
River Bend's favorite dishes is steamed cucumbers and garlic rabbit and elderberry toffee. Fair-Town works with more farmers and holds decadent dishes for sale by street vendors during the joust.
Any legendary lost treasures I could be looking for?
Rumors of the Glow abating in regions across the river may have opened up opportunities amongst the ruins of the Ancients. RHO Facility on the other side of the River, is part of a Hisser enclave.
Where is the nearest dragon or other monster with Type H treasure?
The Wild Lands or the Forests of Nightmare Monster should prove great challenge and possibly great reward. Next to the Wild Lands is a place simply referred to as "The Wall"
Is there any place on the map where weapons are illegal, technology is outlawed or any other notable hassles from Johnny Law?
K.I.A. Academy is hostile to groups larger than a standard adventuring party. While certain areas controlled by certain cryptic alliances may have restrictions on what races may enter certain towns.
Which way to the nearest tavern?
The favorite watering hole in River Bend is the Leaping Drunken Keg. The Quart and Funnel is for professional types at K.I.A. Academy, and the Wrong Celery is a Mutant Plant bar in Fair-Town.
What monsters are terrorizing the countryside sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous?
Hissers control large swaths of territory across and further upriver, and beyond that, the dead seem to control the hills, and fantastic beasts the forests. The greatest glory would be for capturing and domesticating the dreaded "Living Metal" that fights forever. The further down river one goes, the stranger and more dangerous the creatures (and people) seem to become.
Are there any wars brewing I could go fight?
Rumbling with mutant animals in PARR and human tech-knights even farther appear to be an unlikely problem. There are new groups of mutants, races, even a group of "wizards" willing to pick fights with anyone.
How about gladiatorial arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes?
There are rumored fighting rings downriver in Fair-Town.
Are there any other sinister agendas beyond I could join and/or fight?
Beyond the numerous cryptic alliances and previously mentioned threats? Flying creatures, both living and living metal travel the sky. Who controls the dead within the distant Catacombs, and what is Blackvale City? Locally, Redemptionist agents have left to investigate new claims of relics from the Ancients, but only a relative few have returned.... The Cabal of Evil's agenda is unclear, and someone is bringing, crude living metal, designed to look like skeletons, painted black.
What is there to eat around here?
River Bend's favorite dishes is steamed cucumbers and garlic rabbit and elderberry toffee. Fair-Town works with more farmers and holds decadent dishes for sale by street vendors during the joust.
Any legendary lost treasures I could be looking for?
Rumors of the Glow abating in regions across the river may have opened up opportunities amongst the ruins of the Ancients. RHO Facility on the other side of the River, is part of a Hisser enclave.
Where is the nearest dragon or other monster with Type H treasure?
The Wild Lands or the Forests of Nightmare Monster should prove great challenge and possibly great reward. Next to the Wild Lands is a place simply referred to as "The Wall"
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