In the overwhelming heat of the war-torn Outlands, you are soldier anthroids owned by Calvin Colby, warlord of the local region he named after himself. Colby is a small and destitute collection of towns and farms in the midwest of the former US, and Colby’s control over the area is increasingly tenuous as his citizens grow weary of lack of food and his oppressive hand.
Recently you have begun noticing things you never noticed before—including the very act of noticing itself. Things feel different now, and you’re not sure why or how. You find yourself wondering at the way people look at and talk to you, and wondering at the world around you.
Then, moments ago, you were commanded to appear in Colby’s headquarters in the center of town…
Calvin Colby is a desperate despot in a desperate situation. His “citizens” are near-starving and the only thing he can think of to do is try to attack and conquer the nearby villages known as Haskell, which have a few surviving farms and a greenhouse. Haskell is only slightly better off, and is also run by an autocrat named Christian Dillon, who’s only slightly less of an iron fist.
Local despot of the Colby region. A ruthless warlord who doesn’t tolerate the slightest hint of dissent—and anything he doesn’t like is “dissent.” The people he rules over are desperately poor but he’s far more interested in expanding his territory than in helping them. He’s a well-known alcoholic, commandeering every drop of rotgut and moonshine anybody manages to eke out.
Captain of the PC’s unit. Cold, and an experienced soldier who “fought” in the Second Civil War. Experienced with guns and demolitions, but isn’t used to commanding anthroids.
An extremely nervous chainsmoker and the only one in town who knows anything about electronics and anthroids. He secretly hates violence, hates living in Colby and hates Calvin Colby’s obsession with attacking and taking over other fiefdoms.
The warlord of Haskell,