Dark Revelations - The Role Playing Game

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Hodgepocalypse Africa - Part 2 - Africa in the New Era

ASC Leiden - Rietveld Collection - East Africa 1975 - 05 - 033 - A wall of the ruins of Great Zimbabwe - Masvingo, Zimbabwe.tif., Aart Rietveld collection., Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

While it’s a huge continent, there are a few things that are deemed universal:

· Bugs are a fact of life. Much of the native flora and fauna has been transformed by the experience and are often replaced by an insect equivalent. It is possible to tame some of the larger more natural bugs as mounts and train them for their own purposes. Most local inhabitants go on regular bug hunts.

· Technology is somewhat common. There were a lot of weapons dumped onto the continent before the Time of Revelations and many of them were reversed engineered over the centuries.

· A common transport is a pickup with a heavy machinegun on the back.

Car with machine gun.JPG., Dickelbers., Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unportedlicense.

· Magic is also common. It often is used to fit a niche that cannot be covered by common technology.

· Psychic powers are uncommon, but usually have a connection to the Void Covenant. This makes most people wary of psychics.

· Roads are common. Not only was a ton of money invested into them just before the Times of Revelations, road bugs are common on the continent and are obsessed with keeping them maintained.

A note about Cultures.

When I originally did this project, I pulled on a ton of culturally specific info.

This time around, I will be minimizing cultural info for the following reasons:

1. The Hodgepocalypse– we had a cataclysmic level event that decimated entire tribes and peoples.

2. History Transformation – things change over time and people may mix into new social units.

However, what I will add is ways of writing your people into the narrative:

1. I’m not specifying which culture King Mbulazi of the Dumisile Empire represents. It could very well be your people that are his ancestors.

2. Likewise with the Brothers of the Blood Sun Kingdom. You could be coming from one of the tribes that sought favor and now hold a relatively prominent position.

3. If you’re in an area that is controlled by the Void Covenant, it’s up to you to decide if your people are converted into sect sapiens or are still human. Additionally, you get to decide if you have joined the void covenant or have become plucky rebels.

4. The kingdom of Yala’s Sector head aren’t listed by tribe, but on personality. Perhaps they are your descendants?

5. Your people could be unaligned by any of the kingdoms and have migrated into a new location where you have setup a settlement/migrate with your herd animals of choice (either conventional or something from the Times of Revelations).

6. Since this is the future, you could have either yourself or a close personal relative act as a “spirit guide” for your character based on your own experiences.

Mkuze Ghost Mountain (vicinity) 03.jpg., Ad Meskens. full acrediations to him, this is not public domain Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Hodgepocalypse Africa - Part 1 - History and Overview

A lot of this was written decades ago and a lot of cultural stuff has changed.

The main purpose of posting it is to ask for feedback and update it so it makes more sense in a more contemporary setting.

If any offence is taken, I am sorry as the other reason I'm posting it is to get rid of any problematic material in it's final form. Feel free to be critical.

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History - Africa Before the Hodgepocalypse

At the dawn of the 21st century, Africa was on the cusp of a new era. Emerging from decades of struggle, the continent had begun to witness the fruits of its labor – a burgeoning middle class, improved education systems, and better infrastructure. Crucially, Africa had fostered significant trade partnerships, notably with China, India and Russia. However, poverty and developmental challenges persisted.

The economic transformation during this period was nothing short of extraordinary. Visionary leaders dismantled trade restrictions, inviting investments from multinational corporations, and cultivating robust ties with Eastern economies. This infusion of capital, combined with rapid technological advancements, sparked an era of unprecedented growth and prosperity.

Various nations underwent profound transformations. Breaking away from post-colonial borders, some countries redefined themselves along more culturally resonant lines, while others engaged in territorial disputes influenced by external powers.

The Time of the Void

The Hodgepocalypse reshaped Africa dramatically with the sudden return of magic. In a cataclysmic event, a massive obsidian portal materialized in the heart of the Sahara Desert, unleashing a surreal horde of techno-organic insects upon the continent. These insects wrought havoc, consuming and devastating everything in their path. Even before their arrival, they carried plagues, further weakening already vulnerable regions. Northern Africa soon fell under their dominion, creeping southward until the Great Schism.

Yet, this insect invasion was just the tip of the iceberg. Across the continent, other bizarre and monstrous creatures descended, plunging the world into chaos.

The Salvation of the Dead

In an unlikely turn of events, salvation emerged from the desolate lands of the northern Sahara. Rising from the ashes, a group known as the Bhaalists, armed with ancient, salvaged technology that included ancient tanks, waged a relentless war against the insect invaders. Their ferocity and ingenuity halted the insects' advance and may have prevented their expansion beyond Africa.

Rescued by Apophis

In the lands once known as Egypt and Sudan, collectively referred to as Duat, salvation arrived in the form of Apophis. This enigmatic hero, variously described as a demon, a dragon, a wise elder, a military genius, or even just a person with a towel, rallied the survivors. Apophis established order, laying down the foundations of an enduring empire, vowing that it would withstand the test of time.

Southern Africa during the Times of Revelations

The Night of Worms

Among the many extraordinary invasions during this era, the most devastating was the Night of Worms. Thousands of otherworldly worms spilled from a dimensional rift, targeting the Johannesburg region. They voraciously devoured everything in their path, including the heart of the city. Not even the central government's fortified bunker, designed to withstand nuclear bombardment, could shield them. A colossal worm breached the bunker, annihilating the entire cabinet, sealing the fate of South African governance.

The Brothers United

Far to the south, a kingdom of unparalleled power rose to prominence, sending shivers down the spines of even the bravest heroes. Ruled by a demonic duo, these brothers, Sibuba-Sibanzi and Napakade, hailed from a formidable tribe in another dimension renowned for its power and ruthlessness. While Sibuba-Sibanzi excelled as a warrior, Napakade proved a mastermind in tribal politics. Their unique unity set them apart, as they worked seamlessly as a team, in contrast to the infighting common among demons. Their rise, however, was short-lived in their original dimension, as a rival faction framed them for a failed assassination. Fleeing through a rift, they arrived in our world during the Times of Revelations, conquering swathes of territory, while others sought their protection.

Mbulazi's Rise

Amid this chaos, a young chieftain named Mbulazi emerged as a beacon of hope. Rejecting submission, he rallied his people to thrive amidst the turmoil. Drawing upon their traditions and history, he preached a doctrine of resilient survival. Witnessing the Brothers' power, Mbulazi made a painful choice: they would embark on the Long Trek to evade these unnatural conquerors.

Decades of hardship awaited Mbulazi's followers. They faced hostile beings, new diseases, and countless trials, forcing them to wander until they reached the ruins of Zimbabwe. Here, amidst the ancient relics, they discovered magical artifacts that finally offered stability.

But Mbulazi's ambitions extended beyond survival. He yearned for greatness, harnessing their survival skills and newfound magical knowledge to unite his people under his rule. Officially, their military buildup aimed at reclaiming their homeland, yet this rationale quickly expanded to encompass the conquest of new territories. The Dumisile Empire had risen, casting a shadow over South Africa unlike any the world had ever seen.

Today, South Africa remains the battleground for an epic clash between demons and humans, a struggle that rages on into the present day.

Monday, July 25, 2022

Pumping Auto - Part 6 - Mortal Car-nage

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1541805369

Our Opponent.

With such epic catch phrases as backs are for stabbing! and Bjorn Take the wheel.

We finish our epic battle against construction equipment and test out the rules by fighting an undead charioteer.

#dnd5e #dungeonsanddragons #apocalypse #drevrpg #cars

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Pumping Auto - Part 5 - The Fast and the Shuffled

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1535027241

Our heroes finally put together their car (1 Shuffalo engine) and end up in an arena where they are fighting an Automated Front Loader named Mr. Crunch.

#dnd5e #dungeonsanddragons #apocalypse #drevrpg #cars