London is in ruins. Here and there, a few major buildings were adequately protected. Certain communities have homes barely in need of repair. Parks and fields still have soil. The rest? Gone. Bridges have collapsed, most structures are missing pieces. There’s not a single reliable line of communication in or out, and hardly one within. Most water is unclean, as is all the air, and a hole torn in the sky exposes the survivors to deadly rays. Even in peacetime, the ‘calm’ period, it is said that something prowls the streets, and others wait in the Thames. Even so, it is not a calm period. Artificial Vampires – once-people – are everywhere, turned into unstoppable monsters with an endless hunger, and only one weakness; a fear of fire.
Out of the ashes of London, six communities have arisen, each headed by its own state with its own view of how the world should be remade. Whether they are fighting at any one moment is immaterial, each of them know that if they are to remake the world in their image, the opposing factions must be absorbed. This is with the exception of the ‘Survivalists’, who are simply a group of people attempting to maintain their autonomy, though most of them wouldn’t appreciate this autonomy being taken from them.
The surviving major factions are the Survivalists, a disparate collection of different militias and survivor groups. The Evolvers, under a philosophical conclave that seeks to rapidly adapt people to the new world through magic mutations. The Pilgrims, who wish to live in connection with magic as its own force and will. The Erudites, a stratified collegiate state dedicated to a rigorous understanding of the principles of magic. The Traditionalists, the remnants of the old-world government and radicals that filled in the gaps. With them are the Purists, an isolationist group with intent to purge the world of all magical corruption.
Across London, the strange effects brought on by the arcane bombing of the city has created pockets of dense magical energy, as well as areas left utterly uninhabitable by the damage caused to the area and environment. These regions are known as Anomalies, and are best avoided. The most notable are as follows.
- The Northern Wastes
North of London is an irradiated mass. Those who enter can expect violent mutations at best, and a slow, painful death at worst. - Chiswick
A stay in Chiswick is responded to with confusion. Memories falter, leaving only a vague sense of unease, paranoia, and nausea, along with strange red marks down the neck and back. - The Thames Barrier
There is something in there. Deep, sinister, and waiting. Everyone who even glances in that direction knows it, but trying to approach fills you with a knowledge that requires you to turn away. You can never remember what it is but you know it is important. Something is looking back, and you know you need to stay away. - The Eye
In a twist of fate, the London Eye has become a touch more literal. It’s watching you. It wants you to come closer, to visit, to see as it sees. All of London, lain out before you, ripe for the taking. Those familiar with the anomaly know to give the eye a wide berth lest its gaze settle on them, as those who heed its siren’s song do not return.
- Raynes Park
Something in the park gives and takes. Reports vary from magic manifest, to fairy tales come to life, to spirits, or a hag in the trees. Whatever it is, it makes bargains with those who come to it alone, and destroys anything that attempts to be built with permanence in its ‘domain’ - Croydon
No matter how hard one tries, they cannot enter Croydon. It’s clear people live there, it’s been seen, but any scouts who try get lost, and are found again somewhere, anywhere else. Sometimes even north of the Thames. - The Bridge Pass
Vauxhall bridge, and the road leading south from it, devours all that pass over or under. Never when in sight, but even the smallest glance away will be enough. - River-Snakes
Great serpents have been witnessed in the Thames. Long, slimy creatures with rows of needle-like teeth. They make river travel impossible, and worry those living on the banks. Those brave or foolish enough to trawl and eat an egg find them bitter, but not unpleasant, though they give lycans extreme sickness.
As of the First Summit, the Pilgrims have befriended a number of the River Serpents creating a symbiotic bond between them. - Common Portents
Clapham Common has been changed. A great triangular rune glows a sickly red, one that causes great distress to those near, piercing headaches and massive bleeding. From it, each night, something crawls. - The City
The City of London is wrong. Full of ██████ and ██████. All are recommended to ███████ or risk ████████