Really interesting video, though I have to disagree with the zombie/fallout/nuclear part. At least in my case, it doesn't matter how likely the scenario is, and I'm not writing a story because it's the most popular kind of story in current year; I write it because I think I can make something different and interesting with it, which in turn inspires me. That said, I do agree that what's not explained is much scarier than what is. That's definitely something I'd like to keep in mind. I think there's plenty of ways people can put a different spin on it, and I wouldn't say its something to avoid. I personally find the idea of an atomic age apocalypse (sort of like Fallout, the game series) to be both fascinating and not presented deeply enough. Especially nowadays, when Bethesda seems more concerned about money than story. As for zombies, I think there's also plenty of ways to do that different. The Last of Us is just one example. Currently, I'm working on sort of a retrofuturistic post apocalypse, with a hint of the occult (since I do love injecting the paranormal into my work). What I'm aiming to do is take the elements I like from things like Fallout or Metro, but add what I feel was missing or change what I feel was done improperly. Make my own version, essentially.
@@northernexile I appreciate that. Currently in college for creative writing right now, so hopefully the wait on that won't be too long. Your story idea there was really intriguing as well, I have to say.
@Fable Wolfe I'd also love to read it and see what you do differently in your story, I myself want to start a storyline that's set in a post-apocalypse that has a bit of the Shannara Chronicles, Planet of the apes [REBOOTS] and the Walking Dead with a mix of the Metro series. Hopefully I'm able to make progress with it
I’ve been wanting to write a post apocalypse that made the wintertime last for 9 months instead of 3. I’m currently working on it now and a side project, but I hope it’ll one day become a cult classic, though I’m not writing it to become something like that.
Can I say, you gave me an epiphany with your statements on the post-apocalypse being a season of human history. It's the Winter where all the skeletons of Fall are laying bare and frozen, slowly falling apart. That was such a visual premise and it helped me a LOT in my world planning.
After about a decade of worldbuilding my P-A world I've finally pulled my finger out and started to write my novel. You're video was very helpful, thanks! I would add a couple of books to your reading list. The Earth Abides and On the Beach are two must reads for any fan of the subgenre. they're a bit older, but both are absolute bangers!
I am very interested in a scenario where everyone survives initially but all the support of modern industrial civilisation is suddenly removed. This is the “EMP” scenario where all power and electronics dies without warning. It would be fascinating to see how people interacted over diminishing resources as the world they knew crumbled back to the Stone Age, particularly over the first few days and weeks as things fell apart. I have yet to find a really good example. So often the EMP is just presented as a fact that needs no further explanation, is understood by the readers in the same way as zombies are (!) and all the main characters seem to be two dimensional preppers armed to the teeth. What I want to read about is how a normal person with no prior knowledge of EMPs, prepping or survivalists would behave, how they would adapt and survive against the odds. Maybe I should just write it myself.
@@andrewcrawford9643 Nice, I just know a lot of new weapons have electronics in them. It would be kinda cool seeing people go back to bolt action rifles and things.
Me too! I think that is in essence what the setting is, the apocalypse is fine, but its only what throws you into the most interesting part - the rebuild and the setting.
@@northernexile Have you Read Canticle of Leibowitz Canticle of Leibowitz is after a Nuclear War Catholic Monks try to rediscover science by rewriting the text of books that are preserved in their Monasteries. Because after World War III all the Normal Population burned books and killed scientists blaming Science for building the Nuclear Bomb. The Destruction of Knowledge is called the Simplification so Learned Men hid in Holy Monasteries. This Book Starts in Arizona where New Rome is the Head of the US Catholic Church. Leibowitz the Patron Saint of Electricians and the Founder of the Holy Order of Leibowitz is never shown in the Books but is being made a Saint in the First Chapters. Based off the Roman Catholic Church after the Fall of Rome.
@@covenawhite4855 I have just had a look online for this, going to start reading this weekend :) Thank you! I was looking for a read with the quarantine in full effect.
I know this comment is five months old, but whatever I view writing a post apocalypse the same way, you would write a fantasy setting the differences can be boiled down to having magic system, or not.
That background song is a compilation of apocalyptic guitar music over 10 hours long...nice choice, never though I would hear someone who would enjoy that kind of music....keep doin what your doin!
One of the things about the post apocalyptic genre that gives me the willys is not what's going after the apocalypse but what's happening before it. The build up to it. Watching society slowy begin to breakdown but also still feeling that there's a sense of order, but its slowly slipping. You get what I'm saying? Kinda like the atmosphere of the 1979 movie "Mad Max"
I’m working on my first worldbuilding project for an upcoming TTRPG campaign. I’ve had the campaign planned for well over a year and have spent most of that time figuring out the rules (as I homebrewed my own game system) and while I had a basic world and plot structure ready, I’ve really gotten into worldbuilding. It’s nearly 3am, I’ve been writing location lore for 4 hours, having a lot of fun, this video has helped, thanks!
Couple little nitpicks: The Last Of Us wasn't the origin for the 'cordyceps zombie', it's The Girl With All The Gifts. And the earlier Roadside Picnic inspired story is the movie Stalker by Tarkovsky (so you see the homage S.T.A.L.K.E.R the game gave)
I'm writing an apocalyptic story and ofc the nuclear war caused it, but it doesnt go into depth as why it happened, it focuses on the characters and their philosophies and their change. Also the main character doesnt talk much about the war that caused the nukes when hes in the far future, he simply just lives amongst a community and trying to find some hope, which there is but he also sees the evil. The point of my story is to show what having ptsd is like as a soldier of the past, the mindset of humans and the gray area. Also shows that alot of characters wont change even if someone saves them or they die. Cuz humans could be stubborn as hell. One of the characters I have is named James, he is rural man whos kids wont see him amd he has been listed as dying and hes just stubborn. He has a smoking problem and has lung issues and blood pressure issues. He's just a stubborn man who'll ofc evolve as a character but still hold his philosphy like nothing changed
Thanks for this, I was wanting to go with a nuclear winter, but you opened my eyes and helped me realize how often it was done... Now I’ve decided to create something that I call “Seasonal Takeover” where for any reason the author wants, a season (Winter, Autumn, Summer, Spring) partially or completely takes over the others and affects the world from thereon. However, I’m still gunning for winter.
Listening to your (very calming) session on the post apocalypse. I've had writers block for ages. The last week I've become really excited about a post apocalypse scenario that just makes me smile. The more you delve into the story the more fascinating things you can imagine that you would never have thought of. Aiming for a genre-defying, post apocalyptic modern classic. Wish me luck.
Thanks for the video!.... a useful tutorial for me for the mindmapping & outlining a tropical version of a post-Apocalypse adventure story set in Venezuela where I am currently based running online business enterprises. I had to listen very carefully with headphones on as I had difficulty with the accent.
To me, the most interesting story beat you can do in a post apocalyptic setting would be to NOT tell you what exactly the big apocalyptic event was. To keep it vague and make the audience fill in the pieces. Not enough to be able to create the full story in your head but enough to give you just the slightest idea of what had happened.
I actually started playing around with the toxoplasm idea a few weeks ago, out of the blue, remembering reading about how it can affect snails. I read the toxoplasm fungus thingy apparently already exists in most animals but needs cats to breed and It can control rats like 'zombies' to be eaten on purpose by cats. I automatically thought of it jumping to humans and just hear you mention for the first time it was done in The Last of Us. I have moved on anyway. Post apocalypse 'as wiping the slate clean' is something I kind of want to resist. Every great revolution or decisive moment is usually simultaneously characterised by rupture AND continuity, or it should do in a somewhat realistic setting. The post Apocalypse genre is also broad, chronologically speaking. You could have a story set around the immediate events or one generations removed and it would still be 'post' the apocalypse, but not necessarily bleak and gloomy. Plenty of room for hope. I might need to discuss some ideas, settings and choices later down the line with others, Do writers do that? Discuss ideas and progress?
Ive had this concept in my head for a story for a long time now, so im just gonna write the gist of it. Would love feedback Its very simple. One day, the power went out. Everything. Lights , phones , sinks, cars, even Air Conditioning. The first day was, quiet. The second day was not. By the third month, the world had settled to a constant, low hum of distant violence and crackling fire. The exception, however, was Florida. Thats what im gonna start the first chapter with. The concept is that some time in late 2019, the world was hit with a solar flare that caused everything requiring/using electricity stopped working. This lead to the total collapse of society, at least in America. The story is set in central Florida 3 months after this solar flare. Due to the pre-existing over population crisis, the flare sent the state into all out war. Neighbors against neighbors, friends against friends, brother against brother. Im still working out the actual stry, but id like feedback to see if i should even make one in this setting.
WHD PHD nice! This is really interesting. Is society going to degrade into a kind of feudal almost medieval system with guns and more melee weapons? How does the barter economy work? Think about Florida being naturally warm and a peninsula...it has natural defences and does not need electricity for heat. Hospitals though...that could get ugly. Such an interesting idea though. The Medicine Wars of the 2030’s has a ring to it xD
@@northernexile Not only medicine. Most of our food comes from industrial production. No machines means no tractors to farm the tons of food people need to eat. Even if Florida does not need heat they will eventually start to starve.
Listening to this while making a post apocalyptic version of a fantasy world where the surface is overcome by a magical corruption and the people have fled underground. really interesting to listen to.
I've been trying to write a post-apocalyptic story that's more about community building after everything went to shit. The type of apocalypse has even been kept vague since it's more about moving on in the new world than losing the old one
When my setting already has a small variety of zombie like creatures and nuclear wastelands a day Into it’s conception 😳 I’ve taken a liking to nuclear apocalypse and nature fights back end of the world as we know it scenarios. As well as magic and fantasy. So I kinda wanted to start making something with a little bit of all three 🤷♂️ After a strange alien life form was uncovered from the Moon. Humanity had unwittingly unleashed a great fury upon the Earth. As moon rock began falling from the sky. Humanity fought back, fires nukes, nukes fire back down to earth killing in waves. Suddenly the entire planet is changing, sinkholes around the world swallowing entire cities, nature itself starts killing hikers, the terrain itself caves way to massive ravines and canyons that stretch on for miles, with no bottom in sight. The aftermath is a shattered Earth, those who survived were spared the full extent of the beasts fury, or were altered to replace humans as a better version. Strange beasts and plant life fill the wastelands and gems containing magic properties have been spotted in various crash sites. There is great danger, but also great loot and wonders.
Update: I’ve thought a little more about this and thought I’d share my struggle haha. I originally had a plan to have tree “mimic” type creatures that would ensnare victims for consumption and turn them into plant based zombies, those trees still exist, just not the zombozos. Instead you should avoid getting close to any mushrooms or fungi, it won’t be a fun time for your mind or body, seeing as your body will be used to grow and spread spores to other areas and people. As for races, I’ve settled on a sort of elf like race for the time being, though aside from the pointed ears and living in forests aspects, their not really what most would call elves, they have the same lifespans as humans do and have no inherent magic to really speak of, though they are strictly carnivores and for now live as nomads, I have yet to work on a culture for these guys cuz I struggle with that a lot more. Apart from those there are also some nasty dudes who come out only at night, people who survived the events that created the sunken cities, who through exposure to supernatural crystals forming underground, adapted to survive in the harsh environment, tall, pale, with unnaturally long limbs and no eyes, but with an irritation to sunlight, these guys come to the surface for brief periods to hunt, it’s advised not to make a sound if you encounter one, though due to their rarity, it’ll probably know of your existence first. Tis all I share for now, I shall now re enter my cave and procrastinate some more
It’d be really interesting to read a story where the apocalypse was just a setting, but the genre was something like romcom or superpowers or literally anything. I wonder how that would work. I think that would be interesting.
That's fine! You can always put your own spin on it. In the Driftwood for example it is still a nuclear post apocalyptic setting, but that radiation is deemed as 'magic' by those in the world and so the apocalypse was caused by a magical explosion. Even thought the fallout is very nuclear.
I'm currently making a d&d game for my friends, it's set in our hometown after an experimental nuclear warhead unexpectedly infused the world with magic. My favourite detail so far is just that they're starting out in a small town built in the ruins of the school we all went to. I've set it up so it's almost a double apocalypse. Sure you have the big war a couple hundred years ago, but people living now don't really know that much about it. It's not a big factor in their lives - they just deal with the aftermath. They rebuilt cities from the scrap, elected new governments, made lives for themselves again. Unfortunately, most of that was down to one man, Nojac, who managed to unite people under his rule. Once he died, his kingdom fractured and war broke out. Now all the major players are trying to get themselves in power, and our hometown is caught right in the middle of it
The story I'm writing right now is kinda... unusual. I don't know if it can be said to be 'post-apocalyptic' or not. The apocalypse came maybe ten thousand (plus) years ago, and the ensuing Dark Age finally ended 1100 years ago. Civilization has come back, it's just lacking a lot of what was. The recent repopularization of the scientific process has basically started a kind of renaissance-parallel in their semi-feudal semi-16th/19th-century semi-tribal society. The thing about all that, is that even though it does matter to my story, my setting isn't really post-apocalyptic. My world isn't set in the ruins of civilization, my civilization grows crops twelve feet above the compressed debris of a people who once spanned the planet. A truly ancient highway provided the route of one of the Empire's greatest roads, spanning the continent from one end to the other. They didn't 'find' it, they built it in the rut that was there, on a bedrock of ancient concrete that was also there. That is their achievement, just an achievement only doable because it was done before by the long-dead. A tree none of them knew they were planting and none of could have lived to see the shade of. The old civilization died, only persisting in tiny pockets and half-remembered ideas and pieces of ancient technology, and, of course, the great scars in the landscape they left behind. But that, somehow, doesn't matter. They're dead and buried, they've been dead and buried for thousands of years. What dangers they left for their descendants, down so many generations it cannot even be said how many it's been, what few wonders still somehow stand, is all the people of the now know of them, and all I, as the author, will ever know of them myself. It's just history, put in perspective. Nothing more.
Hot take: Post apocalyptic world where dogs are gigantic, and every time they mate hordes of giant puppies devastate the landscape (much like they do my living room), forestalling any possibility of technological advancement. Everyone knows it's just a matter of time before the giant puppies come break your shit.
"Nuclear War is firmly in the rear view mirror..." I hate to say the obvious, but Putin disagrees. Interesting video, though. Thanks for it. It is also interesting to look at what was said a few years ago and at where we are now both socially and mentally as a race. Some of the old tropes still have mileage in them, but definitely need the artistic touch of a creative angle to be good.
I feel a post apocalypse story doesn't need to have hope for the future. The story could simply be about accepting what you have. Say you had a world where the main character was horrified by what happened and tried everything in their power throughout the story to get it back as much as they could. But in the end, they could learn to accept their new existence, and be happy with what they have, which is also a good life lesson.
I like to imagine apocalypses that are slower(eg zombie apocalypse or collapse of civilization) to have an order as it makes them most interesting for me. First there's chaos from the apocalypse, then fake order brought by the plentifullness of resources scavenged from the corpse of the world before, then those settlements eventually collapse from bad leaders or lack of resources or fighting others, then for a while there's chaos again, then settlements rise back up
I got a little scary of how your apocalypse, The Driftwood, is so similar with the idea that I had about days ago that motivated me to search about world building in post-apocalypse! LOL The difference is that in my apocalypse, the source and main event is a magical-alien asteroid that hit the Earth. And just dropping here my 5 cents around the topic: I think that somethings that can create even more immersion in the world building, to make the universe seems more realistic/natural, are: • Technology: food procurement, water extraction, medicine, communication, locomotion, and military (how do people survive) • Geography: climatology, urban and environmental areas, and politics (how does it looks the new face of the world) • Biomes: fauna and flora (who are the animals, monsters and nature itsefl) • Anthropology: races, societies and relationships (who are the living inteligent beings in the world and how they relate) • Economy: currency and exchange (what and how do people trade with each other) With these ingredients you can cook up the dangers, the mystery, intrigues, what is worthy fighting for, and the hope of a new tomorrow (perhaps).
I had this idea in mind for about 2 years ago for a post apocalyptic world. A mix of fallout/metro, but now I'm thinking of a economic crash that happened right before many natural disasters occurred and society just broke down.
I'm currently working on a very grungy-sci-fi/fantasy novel and while I love the nuclear winter ideas, I really wanna see more right after the apocalypse, grungy, nitty gritty settings.
I I agree with you fable Wolfe I grieve you with that I think doesn't matter what happens it's whatever is going to happen that's for our shared on this predict it he remembered did Elvis Presley so and Trade Center he wouldn't everything came true so that's that my Truman said someone said all things must come to end
I came across this vid while searching for ideas for my own setting, and i guess it couldn't hurt to share it, to see what those who see this might think. An alien race comes to earth to try and find themselves a new home, and wage war with humanity, to the point where the humans are so desperate that they blow the mothership out of the sky while it is in low orbit. This last resort makes it so that the wreckage of the ship rains down over earth, almost recreating the asteroid impacts that killed off the dinosaurs. This is the general Backstory for the setting. Love to hear thoughts xD
Bo Nielsen I really like it as it generates so many plot hooks. Now alien tech is all over the place, the world still exists but now both races have to live together...just to name a few. Where will you take it?
@@northernexile Hey man thanks for the answer. This is the setting i am writing up for my weekly tabletop game groups next game. But i might take it further, i have some ideas for it with a video game project i have had rattle around in my head for a while.
Honestly, this is a great video and helped me. All I'd say is that the interesting part is wrong, in my opinion. You said the Last Of Us found a way to make it good. I think any normal post-apoc stories can be nuclear fallout, zombie, or other average things. I say this because by adding to normal subjects they can become more interesting, It allows you to use your creativity although continue to make a compelling story. Post apocalyptic stories aren't always about zombies and mutants.. It's about the people. Not saying zombies are useless, they're an obstacle, which the PEOPLE have to get past. Besides that, I loved this video, very VERY helpful! Good job.
To me I generally like to hear more about the survival and political aspects of the apocalypse which is probably why I enjoy the Metro series (both books and games) and Fallout NV.
Weirdly enough the story I'm making starts with the cynet scenario but without the machines. Also, that isn't even the focus of the story I'm making. It's literally something that's on the side of the story itself. The focus is more on the advances of human technology throughout the apocalypse and how humans cause and recreate themselves through it. Also, the whole Skynet scenario is easily overcome by the 2nd or 3rd chapter in. lol So....yeah, very minor. lol
I really want to write a post apocalyptic story. The problem is I can't think of an virus idea. The idea I have look kinda similar to The Last of Us which sucks! Do you have any tips?
Have you looked at the Book Earth Abides. It is a 1940s Story of a Disease that wiped out 90% of the Population as told by the Main Character Isherwood Williams . It has 3 Parts Starting From Anarchy to a Society Rebuilding into Primitive Communities 1) "Part I: World Without End" 2) "Part II: The Year 22" 3) "Part III: The Last American" The Theme in the book is that Humans can survive in a Civilized Society without technology (Despite having more difficult society) and we may live with the hope people will rediscover old Ideas. Because Some Technologies and Scientific Knowledge is only useful during certain times of Civilization Development. Ish realizes that the former civilization is now completely gone. But he also wonders if the new world is that much worse off than the old world, and finds himself hoping that the new world will not rebuild civilization and its mistakes.
@@northernexile Awesome! What would be the easiest way to get updates on this? As someone who is currently working on the 2nd draft of their own book I know that life and other obstacles can lead to delays that can stretch for years. Your book concept is fascinating and I'd hate to miss it when it hits market. Hope to hear back from you.
@@kykel4948 As soon as it is done and ready there will be an announcement on the channel. I will likely actually release it chapter by chapter on Patreon as its just something I am doing for me. Hardly a magnum opus or anything xD
Here is mine: 30 years after a Nuclear apocalypse. The sun is blood red and there is constant screen of smoke in the sky. A community is thriving on their own, starting at a point where they are established but small led by a jaded but very capable protagonist and his adopted son who is a child soldier and has shown dark characteristics. They are approached by the son of the once Designated Survivor and Acting President who is rebuilding. They work together to rid the land of a cannibal tribe that has taken over. However, the leader descends from idealistic to obsessed when he is continuously forced to sacrifice people he loves for the sake of his dream. Comes to a turning point when he betrays our protagonist and has him killed for his dream. His son does not know about the betrayal and almost goes down a dark path due to his death but is brought back from the brink and decides to leave the community. Fast forward 10 years and our new protagonist has grown up and defeated the darkness and witnessed the New World that the President has created. Its a Utopia. The sky has cleared and the sun restored and gardens sprouting from the ground where there was once a wasteland. However when our new protagonist realizes the truth, he heads down a path of vengeance that collides with this Utopia he now sees and he has a difficult decision to make. Not sure how to end it and theres a ton of characters that add to the theme of loss but also how people cope with loss, and character growth.
Thanks! Your videos are great. I wish my kids had a teacher like you, instead of all the virtue drones...some individuals are good - on occasion. You heard about you and Martin Freeman, right? :)
If people using magic makes it easier for the things from beyond to creep closer, does the church send out hunting parties to kill rogue mages in the driftwood? Unless I misunderstood how the things creep by the use of magic
Mine is called gorge over grown basically 4 people called the elements of corruption destroyed a sub island to steamiture they called it trade poker it was the capital to trade so left with a clean slate with a few remnants of the Victorian steampunk world the gardens of artifacts had powers to grow mushrooms they battled for land but then fled away the premise of the game is to rebuild and create your own civilization with culture and don’t let the game there avious let settlements raiders the city of poker witch was my favorite to make because it has a big tilted statue of the creator of the world and the built on top of it you can also make your own store raid other city’s and towns steampunk is my favorite genre I love to see it used in the apocalypse oh and the fog were corruption monsters roam at night but is foggy with deadly creatures bug or small and I mean big
Dude. the first part is excellent - what has been done to deth, how to avoid cliches etc. the second part - you just broke all the stated rules and mash all the cliches into one world.
With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with Russia leader Putin threatening Nuclear strikes makes me think that a nuclear apocalypse is nearer that I would hope. 8/19/23.
Shit, I forgot to publish my comment and it disappeared. I only once made a post-apocalyptic setting, but tbh. it is more of an apocalyptic setting because you could say the apocalypse is not over yet. This setting is one of the things I lost when the Chinese hacked my computer a few months ago and my most fleshed out setting to this date. How fleshed out you might ask? Well, I rewrote physics and chemistry using old theories as to inspiration. The most important here is the theory of Abiogenesis as people once understood it. Essentially people thought that mice not only can come through be through birth but also can spontaneously form out of spider webs and hay. The setting is based on that. In ancient times the spirit Khor wished to create... but to create he had to pay a price. He started creating a world and it was beautiful, but it had no life. So he became life. He became a tree and invited all the other Gods to visit his world. Since then spirits (they are a mix of animist Ainu and Lovecraftian myth) would descend on the planet to play, but whenever they descend they forget everything, but once their mortal form dies they remember how they lived on the planet. (it's a flat world) Finally Asbżur the once best friend of the God creator descended down into his garden, but he forgot who he was, but Khor did not forget him. He gave him a form closest to his godly self and out of his flesh created him a bride. (basically Adam and Eve) They then ate the forbidden fruit giving them free will and sanity, but if something is granted it needs to also be taken and so Khor lost him and became a plant, a system to govern the world and nothing more. Only upon death did Abżur understand what he did. And so Abżur would descend down every generation trying to fix his mistake, soon his mortal form would have become something similar to Buddha or Jesus. Now the apocalypse. The world has a law known as the law of precedent. If something is done once by force it can happen spontaneously henceforth. Scientists noticed that humans seem to be the only thing incapable of being born through abiogenesis as such trough alchemy and blood sacrifice they "forced" the process. And the first imperfect human replica was born. Sadly it had set a precedent. Henceforth randomly plants would transform into Chunks of Eden, which then would disappear giving birth to those imperfect humans. Those new humans are aggressive at birth because that is their tendency, but if taught correctly can become no different from a normal human. There is 3 types: - Male/Patriarch - Female - Matriarch Females are the weakest and have no more physical strength than an average woman but like all New Humans can regenerate damage instantly as long as biomass is available. Patriarch is extremely physically powerful but can sacrifice their ribs and physical prowace to create Females which serve them without question. Matriarch, they are born if 14 creatures of the same type (male) are in aa Chunk of Eden. Matriarchs then are born as a hybrid of that creature and human and are the most powerful. A unique type of Matriarch is called Lilith as it's born from 14 human males and because of her origin can produce hybrids with humans. The main problem with the apocalypse is food. The "precedent" spreads throughout the world rendering farming impossible. Slowly more and more areas are affected and one day every tiny bit of plant will instantly transform into new Human as soon as it sprouts. The areas it spreads from is actually determined by a formula: Presence of God * Dimensional thinning Dimensional thinning is decided by how close one is to the spirit world. One is closer when one is near the edge or where the world-disc is thin. The presence of God refers too how close one is to the God-tree at the world center. How powerful each thing is can be determined by "magic", but not exactly. More by checking the raw power of magic. There is 2 types Alchemy and Spirit Magic, alchemy comes from God and Spirit magic from the Spirits outside. So the absolute power of each type of magic in certain spots can be used to calculate those values. Within the lore there actually was a book on it called "The great adventures of Matthias and Huang". Where 2 retired mages/scientists of their branch set out into the world to find whose magic is truly more powerful. The text was originally published because it is written as an adventure book where it mostly just tales the tales of their adventures traveling the world and is written in a non-chronological matter. Later the concepts in it were deemed heretical and the book is rather rare, but it holds a lot of the answers to the correct problems if one knows where to look. There is much more lore on this, but in all in my head. Damn those hcinese hackers.
I'm going to have to give this a read when I get a bit of time later xD But from what I've seen so far I really like the novel ideas - quite out of the box. The fact that the apocalypse is going on means that you can actually choose what kind of apocalypse its going to be - changing the post apocalyptic setting as you go :)Plus it gives the reader more of an appreciation for what came before. it seems very Borderlands but with the whackiness replaced with dark dark themes of control...very interesting stuff.
@@viorp5267 Yeah that goes along with fears about AI and augmentation, think the synths in Fallout 4 are a good example of the feeling you are going for?
@@northernexile Indeed, you don't fear them because they are dangerous or always hostile. You fear them because they are better compared in every single way to you. It's essentially existential dread. And the question if you have the right to fight for your survival in this situation. This is actually based of the Chimera Ant Arc in HunterxHunter 2011. That's when I got the idea.
Northern Exile, it's properly spelled "artifacts", NOT artefacts! Also, I came here for the thumbnail and I don't mind your fast-talking or Irish accent (I could be wrong, but I can't tell the difference with your voice!), but don't bribe people into a video with a thumbnail when the artwork is not included or part of the video, me personally - and some other people who are too nice to speak their HONEST minds - do NOT appreciate that, oh and it's properly spelled APOCALYPSE, not Acopalypse, not many people take the time and care to call-someone-out on their lack of spelling prowess!
You know what is funny about being a brazilian and try to write a realistic post apocalyptic novel? It's that you have all the componets already happen in the usual post apocalytic story, without even the bombs fell, and worst than that, Brazil isn't a target for nukes, i would be basically just describing daily lives of brazilians. Jokes aside... I find a simple solution, externalize the wasteland, Brazil wouldn't be a wasteland itself, in fact things would be more or less the same, what would happen is that the oceans would be the wasteland for Brazil, waters filled with pirates, and remnants of super power militaries seeking to plunder ships and smaller nations to rebuild their own nations. Most of the story would be pass in a submarine, Brazil isn't actually a saint in the story, the goal of this Brazil is scavange too, but different from the former superpowers Brazil doesn't seek resources, wich it already has a lot, but tech, (in other worlds, the whole brazilian civilization becomes the Brotherhood of Steel) and thats it, the Crew of Alvorada Submarine will travel all across the world, sometimes trading sometimes fighting for tech.
Really interesting video, though I have to disagree with the zombie/fallout/nuclear part. At least in my case, it doesn't matter how likely the scenario is, and I'm not writing a story because it's the most popular kind of story in current year; I write it because I think I can make something different and interesting with it, which in turn inspires me. That said, I do agree that what's not explained is much scarier than what is. That's definitely something I'd like to keep in mind.
I think there's plenty of ways people can put a different spin on it, and I wouldn't say its something to avoid. I personally find the idea of an atomic age apocalypse (sort of like Fallout, the game series) to be both fascinating and not presented deeply enough. Especially nowadays, when Bethesda seems more concerned about money than story. As for zombies, I think there's also plenty of ways to do that different. The Last of Us is just one example.
Currently, I'm working on sort of a retrofuturistic post apocalypse, with a hint of the occult (since I do love injecting the paranormal into my work). What I'm aiming to do is take the elements I like from things like Fallout or Metro, but add what I feel was missing or change what I feel was done improperly. Make my own version, essentially.
That all sounds really interesting :) I'd love to read it one day....occult post apocalypse is quite rare
@@northernexile I appreciate that. Currently in college for creative writing right now, so hopefully the wait on that won't be too long. Your story idea there was really intriguing as well, I have to say.
@Fable Wolfe I'd also love to read it and see what you do differently in your story, I myself want to start a storyline that's set in a post-apocalypse that has a bit of the Shannara Chronicles, Planet of the apes [REBOOTS] and the Walking Dead with a mix of the Metro series. Hopefully I'm able to make progress with it
Golden Lion GOD I’m also up for giving anything a read :) I never charge unless you want super in depth feedback. I’m just a greedy reader xD
@Northern Exile Thanks for the heart and I'd like to get some tips on how to start it's my first one
To me post apocalyptses most interesting part is not the winter but spring
YES ABSOLUTELY!
thank you for this comment, you just gave me the setting I was looking for but couldn't think of for my ttrpg
I am glad to hear.
I’ve been wanting to write a post apocalypse that made the wintertime last for 9 months instead of 3. I’m currently working on it now and a side project, but I hope it’ll one day become a cult classic, though I’m not writing it to become something like that.
@@maynardshellholeofrandom5069 Have you played Atomic Highway? I tis my favourtie post-apoc system, Cyberpunk 2020 is good for this too.
Can I say, you gave me an epiphany with your statements on the post-apocalypse being a season of human history. It's the Winter where all the skeletons of Fall are laying bare and frozen, slowly falling apart. That was such a visual premise and it helped me a LOT in my world planning.
After about a decade of worldbuilding my P-A world I've finally pulled my finger out and started to write my novel. You're video was very helpful, thanks!
I would add a couple of books to your reading list. The Earth Abides and On the Beach are two must reads for any fan of the subgenre. they're a bit older, but both are absolute bangers!
Never read On the Beach l, but will now, sir, if you're putting it alongside Earth Abides!
Thanks for the extra book recs!
hello ! who wrote those books? i want to read
Good luck on your book. And remember, if you get desperate, just throw a smutty love-triangle in there and itll climb to #3 on NYT Bestsellers
I am very interested in a scenario where everyone survives initially but all the support of modern industrial civilisation is suddenly removed. This is the “EMP” scenario where all power and electronics dies without warning. It would be fascinating to see how people interacted over diminishing resources as the world they knew crumbled back to the Stone Age, particularly over the first few days and weeks as things fell apart.
I have yet to find a really good example. So often the EMP is just presented as a fact that needs no further explanation, is understood by the readers in the same way as zombies are (!) and all the main characters seem to be two dimensional preppers armed to the teeth. What I want to read about is how a normal person with no prior knowledge of EMPs, prepping or survivalists would behave, how they would adapt and survive against the odds.
Maybe I should just write it myself.
I'd love that, I think the game Elex did something similar. I do wonder how fast things would diminish, are guns still working in such a setting?
Northern Exile Almost all small arms would function in an EMP scenario.
@@andrewcrawford9643 Nice, I just know a lot of new weapons have electronics in them. It would be kinda cool seeing people go back to bolt action rifles and things.
DashingNative I’ve seen ads of that... may have to try it when I’m done with Berserk.
Read lights out its a book about what your talking about and its awesome
I think the most interesting thing about Post Apocalypse is how society rebuilds
Me too! I think that is in essence what the setting is, the apocalypse is fine, but its only what throws you into the most interesting part - the rebuild and the setting.
@@northernexile Have you Read Canticle of Leibowitz
Canticle of Leibowitz is after a Nuclear War Catholic Monks try to rediscover science by rewriting the text of books that are preserved in their Monasteries. Because after World War III all the Normal Population burned books and killed scientists blaming Science for building the Nuclear Bomb. The Destruction of Knowledge is called the Simplification so Learned Men hid in Holy Monasteries. This Book Starts in Arizona where New Rome is the Head of the US Catholic Church. Leibowitz the Patron Saint of Electricians and the Founder of the Holy Order of Leibowitz is never shown in the Books but is being made a Saint in the First Chapters.
Based off the Roman Catholic Church after the Fall of Rome.
@@covenawhite4855 I have just had a look online for this, going to start reading this weekend :) Thank you! I was looking for a read with the quarantine in full effect.
I know this comment is five months old, but whatever I view writing a post apocalypse the same way, you would write a fantasy setting the differences can be boiled down to having magic system, or not.
That background song is a compilation of apocalyptic guitar music over 10 hours long...nice choice, never though I would hear someone who would enjoy that kind of music....keep doin what your doin!
Thank you! I have been writing a new post apocalyptic setting recently and it will be on the channel soon!
The driftwood sounds awesome. I'd love to read more about it.
Cheers man :) I will be sure to do a video on it next week, just tweaking a few art pieces and stuff.
This still brings me back! Joyful joyful writing.
One of the things about the post apocalyptic genre that gives me the willys is not what's going after the apocalypse but what's happening before it. The build up to it. Watching society slowy begin to breakdown but also still feeling that there's a sense of order, but its slowly slipping.
You get what I'm saying?
Kinda like the atmosphere of the 1979 movie "Mad Max"
11:53 lmao me in 2022 with Putin raising his nuclear weapons readiness like “they trained me back in kindergarten for this! Duck and cover!”
I’m working on my first worldbuilding project for an upcoming TTRPG campaign. I’ve had the campaign planned for well over a year and have spent most of that time figuring out the rules (as I homebrewed my own game system) and while I had a basic world and plot structure ready, I’ve really gotten into worldbuilding. It’s nearly 3am, I’ve been writing location lore for 4 hours, having a lot of fun, this video has helped, thanks!
Couple little nitpicks: The Last Of Us wasn't the origin for the 'cordyceps zombie', it's The Girl With All The Gifts. And the earlier Roadside Picnic inspired story is the movie Stalker by Tarkovsky (so you see the homage S.T.A.L.K.E.R the game gave)
I'm writing an apocalyptic story and ofc the nuclear war caused it, but it doesnt go into depth as why it happened, it focuses on the characters and their philosophies and their change. Also the main character doesnt talk much about the war that caused the nukes when hes in the far future, he simply just lives amongst a community and trying to find some hope, which there is but he also sees the evil. The point of my story is to show what having ptsd is like as a soldier of the past, the mindset of humans and the gray area. Also shows that alot of characters wont change even if someone saves them or they die. Cuz humans could be stubborn as hell. One of the characters I have is named James, he is rural man whos kids wont see him amd he has been listed as dying and hes just stubborn. He has a smoking problem and has lung issues and blood pressure issues. He's just a stubborn man who'll ofc evolve as a character but still hold his philosphy like nothing changed
Oh my gosh this is a freaking jackpot thank youuu, I didn't even know ppl MADE this kind of video aaaa
Thanks for this, I was wanting to go with a nuclear winter, but you opened my eyes and helped me realize how often it was done... Now I’ve decided to create something that I call “Seasonal Takeover” where for any reason the author wants, a season (Winter, Autumn, Summer, Spring) partially or completely takes over the others and affects the world from thereon. However, I’m still gunning for winter.
The Metro series does a great job of post-apocalyptic storytelling, the books and the games
And now we are back to the Coldwar era...
You: makes this video
2020: Hold my beer
hopefully 2021 will be fine
Listening to your (very calming) session on the post apocalypse. I've had writers block for ages. The last week I've become really excited about a post apocalypse scenario that just makes me smile. The more you delve into the story the more fascinating things you can imagine that you would never have thought of. Aiming for a genre-defying, post apocalyptic modern classic. Wish me luck.
I DO WISH YOU LUCK!!!
GGOOOOO YYYYOOOOOUUUUUUU!!!!!!!
Thanks for the video!.... a useful tutorial for me for the mindmapping & outlining a tropical version of a post-Apocalypse adventure story set in Venezuela where I am currently based running online business enterprises. I had to listen very carefully with headphones on as I had difficulty with the accent.
To me, the most interesting story beat you can do in a post apocalyptic setting would be to NOT tell you what exactly the big apocalyptic event was. To keep it vague and make the audience fill in the pieces. Not enough to be able to create the full story in your head but enough to give you just the slightest idea of what had happened.
I actually started playing around with the toxoplasm idea a few weeks ago, out of the blue, remembering reading about how it can affect snails. I read the toxoplasm fungus thingy apparently already exists in most animals but needs cats to breed and It can control rats like 'zombies' to be eaten on purpose by cats. I automatically thought of it jumping to humans and just hear you mention for the first time it was done in The Last of Us. I have moved on anyway. Post apocalypse 'as wiping the slate clean' is something I kind of want to resist. Every great revolution or decisive moment is usually simultaneously characterised by rupture AND continuity, or it should do in a somewhat realistic setting. The post Apocalypse genre is also broad, chronologically speaking. You could have a story set around the immediate events or one generations removed and it would still be 'post' the apocalypse, but not necessarily bleak and gloomy. Plenty of room for hope. I might need to discuss some ideas, settings and choices later down the line with others, Do writers do that? Discuss ideas and progress?
Ive had this concept in my head for a story for a long time now, so im just gonna write the gist of it. Would love feedback
Its very simple. One day, the power went out. Everything. Lights , phones , sinks, cars, even Air Conditioning. The first day was, quiet. The second day was not. By the third month, the world had settled to a constant, low hum of distant violence and crackling fire. The exception, however, was Florida.
Thats what im gonna start the first chapter with. The concept is that some time in late 2019, the world was hit with a solar flare that caused everything requiring/using electricity stopped working. This lead to the total collapse of society, at least in America. The story is set in central Florida 3 months after this solar flare. Due to the pre-existing over population crisis, the flare sent the state into all out war. Neighbors against neighbors, friends against friends, brother against brother. Im still working out the actual stry, but id like feedback to see if i should even make one in this setting.
WHD PHD nice! This is really interesting. Is society going to degrade into a kind of feudal almost medieval system with guns and more melee weapons?
How does the barter economy work?
Think about Florida being naturally warm and a peninsula...it has natural defences and does not need electricity for heat.
Hospitals though...that could get ugly. Such an interesting idea though. The Medicine Wars of the 2030’s has a ring to it xD
@@northernexile
Not only medicine.
Most of our food comes from industrial production. No machines means no tractors to farm the tons of food people need to eat. Even if Florida does not need heat they will eventually start to starve.
Listening to this while making a post apocalyptic version of a fantasy world where the surface is overcome by a magical corruption and the people have fled underground. really interesting to listen to.
It's always refreshing to hear accent from a fellow north-westerner.. Great content too, gona check out more of your clips now!
I've been trying to write a post-apocalyptic story that's more about community building after everything went to shit. The type of apocalypse has even been kept vague since it's more about moving on in the new world than losing the old one
When my setting already has a small variety of zombie like creatures and nuclear wastelands a day Into it’s conception 😳
I’ve taken a liking to nuclear apocalypse and nature fights back end of the world as we know it scenarios. As well as magic and fantasy. So I kinda wanted to start making something with a little bit of all three 🤷♂️
After a strange alien life form was uncovered from the Moon. Humanity had unwittingly unleashed a great fury upon the Earth. As moon rock began falling from the sky. Humanity fought back, fires nukes, nukes fire back down to earth killing in waves. Suddenly the entire planet is changing, sinkholes around the world swallowing entire cities, nature itself starts killing hikers, the terrain itself caves way to massive ravines and canyons that stretch on for miles, with no bottom in sight.
The aftermath is a shattered Earth, those who survived were spared the full extent of the beasts fury, or were altered to replace humans as a better version. Strange beasts and plant life fill the wastelands and gems containing magic properties have been spotted in various crash sites. There is great danger, but also great loot and wonders.
Update: I’ve thought a little more about this and thought I’d share my struggle haha.
I originally had a plan to have tree “mimic” type creatures that would ensnare victims for consumption and turn them into plant based zombies, those trees still exist, just not the zombozos. Instead you should avoid getting close to any mushrooms or fungi, it won’t be a fun time for your mind or body, seeing as your body will be used to grow and spread spores to other areas and people.
As for races, I’ve settled on a sort of elf like race for the time being, though aside from the pointed ears and living in forests aspects, their not really what most would call elves, they have the same lifespans as humans do and have no inherent magic to really speak of, though they are strictly carnivores and for now live as nomads, I have yet to work on a culture for these guys cuz I struggle with that a lot more.
Apart from those there are also some nasty dudes who come out only at night, people who survived the events that created the sunken cities, who through exposure to supernatural crystals forming underground, adapted to survive in the harsh environment, tall, pale, with unnaturally long limbs and no eyes, but with an irritation to sunlight, these guys come to the surface for brief periods to hunt, it’s advised not to make a sound if you encounter one, though due to their rarity, it’ll probably know of your existence first.
Tis all I share for now, I shall now re enter my cave and procrastinate some more
It’d be really interesting to read a story where the apocalypse was just a setting, but the genre was something like romcom or superpowers or literally anything. I wonder how that would work. I think that would be interesting.
This isn’t exactly what your describing, but the book series “Gone” by Michael Grant is similar to that theme, I recommend looking up a summary.
@@LordovImmortalion I'll check it out!
I'm building a post-nuclear world. I don't do zombies or AI so it was really my only option
That's fine! You can always put your own spin on it. In the Driftwood for example it is still a nuclear post apocalyptic setting, but that radiation is deemed as 'magic' by those in the world and so the apocalypse was caused by a magical explosion. Even thought the fallout is very nuclear.
I’m writing a story with a similar scenario
Ashton Hall nice! Wanna share what it’s about?
guess nuclear war is back on the menù
I'm currently making a d&d game for my friends, it's set in our hometown after an experimental nuclear warhead unexpectedly infused the world with magic. My favourite detail so far is just that they're starting out in a small town built in the ruins of the school we all went to.
I've set it up so it's almost a double apocalypse. Sure you have the big war a couple hundred years ago, but people living now don't really know that much about it. It's not a big factor in their lives - they just deal with the aftermath.
They rebuilt cities from the scrap, elected new governments, made lives for themselves again. Unfortunately, most of that was down to one man, Nojac, who managed to unite people under his rule. Once he died, his kingdom fractured and war broke out. Now all the major players are trying to get themselves in power, and our hometown is caught right in the middle of it
The story I'm writing right now is kinda... unusual. I don't know if it can be said to be 'post-apocalyptic' or not. The apocalypse came maybe ten thousand (plus) years ago, and the ensuing Dark Age finally ended 1100 years ago. Civilization has come back, it's just lacking a lot of what was. The recent repopularization of the scientific process has basically started a kind of renaissance-parallel in their semi-feudal semi-16th/19th-century semi-tribal society.
The thing about all that, is that even though it does matter to my story, my setting isn't really post-apocalyptic. My world isn't set in the ruins of civilization, my civilization grows crops twelve feet above the compressed debris of a people who once spanned the planet. A truly ancient highway provided the route of one of the Empire's greatest roads, spanning the continent from one end to the other. They didn't 'find' it, they built it in the rut that was there, on a bedrock of ancient concrete that was also there. That is their achievement, just an achievement only doable because it was done before by the long-dead. A tree none of them knew they were planting and none of could have lived to see the shade of.
The old civilization died, only persisting in tiny pockets and half-remembered ideas and pieces of ancient technology, and, of course, the great scars in the landscape they left behind. But that, somehow, doesn't matter. They're dead and buried, they've been dead and buried for thousands of years. What dangers they left for their descendants, down so many generations it cannot even be said how many it's been, what few wonders still somehow stand, is all the people of the now know of them, and all I, as the author, will ever know of them myself.
It's just history, put in perspective.
Nothing more.
Dude, this is an awesome idea, seriously....
11:33 Man, if only you knew what was coming around the bend... Lol.
Hot take: Post apocalyptic world where dogs are gigantic, and every time they mate hordes of giant puppies devastate the landscape (much like they do my living room), forestalling any possibility of technological advancement. Everyone knows it's just a matter of time before the giant puppies come break your shit.
Lmao 😂
This is either fucking adorable or its furry porn
@@maynardz03 It's adhorrible.
9:00 this is really heartfelt and touching advice that should also be applied to life.
"Nuclear War is firmly in the rear view mirror..." I hate to say the obvious, but Putin disagrees. Interesting video, though. Thanks for it.
It is also interesting to look at what was said a few years ago and at where we are now both socially and mentally as a race. Some of the old tropes still have mileage in them, but definitely need the artistic touch of a creative angle to be good.
This video should be more popular than it is. 👏👏👏
I feel a post apocalypse story doesn't need to have hope for the future. The story could simply be about accepting what you have. Say you had a world where the main character was horrified by what happened and tried everything in their power throughout the story to get it back as much as they could. But in the end, they could learn to accept their new existence, and be happy with what they have, which is also a good life lesson.
awesome info as always... the section with the silent hillesque back ground audio really emphasised your voice and point.
your scenario and mine that ive been working on are really really close! this is crazy. only a few fundamental differences.
Not sure whether this is good or bad xD
Really interesting thank you…!might need to amendthe comments about likelihood of nuclear war though!! Might be more interest now.
I like to imagine apocalypses that are slower(eg zombie apocalypse or collapse of civilization) to have an order as it makes them most interesting for me. First there's chaos from the apocalypse, then fake order brought by the plentifullness of resources scavenged from the corpse of the world before, then those settlements eventually collapse from bad leaders or lack of resources or fighting others, then for a while there's chaos again, then settlements rise back up
What makes me interested is that when they show little or none pre-apocalypse allowing the audience to make theories and such
I got a little scary of how your apocalypse, The Driftwood, is so similar with the idea that I had about days ago that motivated me to search about world building in post-apocalypse! LOL
The difference is that in my apocalypse, the source and main event is a magical-alien asteroid that hit the Earth.
And just dropping here my 5 cents around the topic: I think that somethings that can create even more immersion in the world building, to make the universe seems more realistic/natural, are:
• Technology: food procurement, water extraction, medicine, communication, locomotion, and military (how do people survive)
• Geography: climatology, urban and environmental areas, and politics (how does it looks the new face of the world)
• Biomes: fauna and flora (who are the animals, monsters and nature itsefl)
• Anthropology: races, societies and relationships (who are the living inteligent beings in the world and how they relate)
• Economy: currency and exchange (what and how do people trade with each other)
With these ingredients you can cook up the dangers, the mystery, intrigues, what is worthy fighting for, and the hope of a new tomorrow (perhaps).
2020 Lets make it happen
corona virus pandemic was the apocalyptic event...this pandemic will go on into the start of 2021.
I had this idea in mind for about 2 years ago for a post apocalyptic world. A mix of fallout/metro, but now I'm thinking of a economic crash that happened right before many natural disasters occurred and society just broke down.
Very interesting bro, thanks for your precious dtls & idea
No worries :) Hope it helps you in your work!
I'm currently working on a very grungy-sci-fi/fantasy novel and while I love the nuclear winter ideas, I really wanna see more right after the apocalypse, grungy, nitty gritty settings.
I I agree with you fable Wolfe I grieve you with that I think doesn't matter what happens it's whatever is going to happen that's for our shared on this predict it he remembered did Elvis Presley so and Trade Center he wouldn't everything came true so that's that my Truman said someone said all things must come to end
I came across this vid while searching for ideas for my own setting, and i guess it couldn't hurt to share it, to see what those who see this might think.
An alien race comes to earth to try and find themselves a new home, and wage war with humanity, to the point where the humans are so desperate that they blow the mothership out of the sky while it is in low orbit. This last resort makes it so that the wreckage of the ship rains down over earth, almost recreating the asteroid impacts that killed off the dinosaurs.
This is the general Backstory for the setting.
Love to hear thoughts xD
Bo Nielsen I really like it as it generates so many plot hooks.
Now alien tech is all over the place, the world still exists but now both races have to live together...just to name a few.
Where will you take it?
@@northernexile Hey man thanks for the answer.
This is the setting i am writing up for my weekly tabletop game groups next game. But i might take it further, i have some ideas for it with a video game project i have had rattle around in my head for a while.
I've been following your games workshop stuff. Searched for this, didn't even know you did this stuff
Honestly, this is a great video and helped me. All I'd say is that the interesting part is wrong, in my opinion. You said the Last Of Us found a way to make it good. I think any normal post-apoc stories can be nuclear fallout, zombie, or other average things. I say this because by adding to normal subjects they can become more interesting, It allows you to use your creativity although continue to make a compelling story. Post apocalyptic stories aren't always about zombies and mutants.. It's about the people. Not saying zombies are useless, they're an obstacle, which the PEOPLE have to get past.
Besides that, I loved this video, very VERY helpful! Good job.
Currently writing a dnd campaign focused around post nuclear nomadic trailer park cities
To me I generally like to hear more about the survival and political aspects of the apocalypse which is probably why I enjoy the Metro series (both books and games) and Fallout NV.
Thank you very much, well explained and useful!
Great presentation and insight. Thanks for the video!
I really like the concept of the Driftwood. You did a great job of making it unique and well thought out.
My worlds apocalypse was caused by supernatural events plus the small scale use of nuclear bombs, so the world isn't totally fucked
great video mane . rlly inspiring
Dn't Leave thank you very much :) my own post apocalyptic setting is now read on the channel too
Weirdly enough the story I'm making starts with the cynet scenario but without the machines. Also, that isn't even the focus of the story I'm making. It's literally something that's on the side of the story itself. The focus is more on the advances of human technology throughout the apocalypse and how humans cause and recreate themselves through it. Also, the whole Skynet scenario is easily overcome by the 2nd or 3rd chapter in. lol So....yeah, very minor. lol
I thought the Winged Flying beasts in Metro 2033 were Mutated Bats?
They probably are, but if you lived underground your whole life and saw that thing im pretty sure it would be a demon to you
Maynard Zervantian yeah, it actually makes sense now.
avoid fallout... names his society the commonwealth. -facepalm- Great info, definitely made me rethink some aspects of my story. thanks!
I really want to write a post apocalyptic story. The problem is I can't think of an virus idea. The idea I have look kinda similar to The Last of Us which sucks! Do you have any tips?
Seems like you can use a very topical virus for inspiration lol!
Have you looked at the Book Earth Abides. It is a 1940s Story of a Disease that wiped out 90% of the Population as told by the Main Character Isherwood Williams . It has 3 Parts Starting From Anarchy to a Society Rebuilding into Primitive Communities
1) "Part I: World Without End" 2) "Part II: The Year 22" 3) "Part III: The Last American"
The Theme in the book is that Humans can survive in a Civilized Society without technology (Despite having more difficult society) and we may live with the hope people will rediscover old Ideas. Because Some Technologies and Scientific Knowledge is only useful during certain times of Civilization Development. Ish realizes that the former civilization is now completely gone. But he also wonders if the new world is that much worse off than the old world, and finds himself hoping that the new world will not rebuild civilization and its mistakes.
@@_Dawsinn yeah I was thinking about that. I have a idea, but I don't wanna say it in case some mf steals it XD
@@covenawhite4855 wow the hell, that sounds crazy as hell! I like it
I actually really like the slide, thanks mate
Has your book come out yet? I would totally buy a copy of this.
Not yet I am currently a few chapters from the end...just trying to work out how to get everyone to that last set piece xD Thank you!
@@northernexile Awesome! What would be the easiest way to get updates on this? As someone who is currently working on the 2nd draft of their own book I know that life and other obstacles can lead to delays that can stretch for years. Your book concept is fascinating and I'd hate to miss it when it hits market. Hope to hear back from you.
@@kykel4948 As soon as it is done and ready there will be an announcement on the channel. I will likely actually release it chapter by chapter on Patreon as its just something I am doing for me. Hardly a magnum opus or anything xD
@@northernexile I'll be watching for it. It sounds awesome. Thank you for this great video.
something tells me it’s like the Wild West
Here is mine:
30 years after a Nuclear apocalypse. The sun is blood red and there is constant screen of smoke in the sky. A community is thriving on their own, starting at a point where they are established but small led by a jaded but very capable protagonist and his adopted son who is a child soldier and has shown dark characteristics.
They are approached by the son of the once Designated Survivor and Acting President who is rebuilding. They work together to rid the land of a cannibal tribe that has taken over. However, the leader descends from idealistic to obsessed when he is continuously forced to sacrifice people he loves for the sake of his dream. Comes to a turning point when he betrays our protagonist and has him killed for his dream.
His son does not know about the betrayal and almost goes down a dark path due to his death but is brought back from the brink and decides to leave the community.
Fast forward 10 years and our new protagonist has grown up and defeated the darkness and witnessed the New World that the President has created. Its a Utopia. The sky has cleared and the sun restored and gardens sprouting from the ground where there was once a wasteland. However when our new protagonist realizes the truth, he heads down a path of vengeance that collides with this Utopia he now sees and he has a difficult decision to make.
Not sure how to end it and theres a ton of characters that add to the theme of loss but also how people cope with loss, and character growth.
Thanks! Your videos are great. I wish my kids had a teacher like you, instead of all the virtue drones...some individuals are good - on occasion. You heard about you and Martin Freeman, right? :)
We are all in a post apocalypse
Great advice
Nah, I'm literally writing Fallout and Resident Evil but not copyright infringing. I'mma keep doing it.
well the relevency of nuclear war just came back
If people using magic makes it easier for the things from beyond to creep closer, does the church send out hunting parties to kill rogue mages in the driftwood? Unless I misunderstood how the things creep by the use of magic
Might be time to update that whole nuclear war bit. Looking at you Russia / Ukraine. Looking at you.
Call the skeleton cities The Boneyards?
Fantastic idea...but Fallout already has the Boneyard :( As that's what LA looks like post apocalypse
@@northernexile The Vault/s? Since it's hard to get into, but there's treasure inside.
The Ruins or Wrecks would be most likely. Humans name things simply
I’m making a huge movie
Check Out, DEATHMARK Book 1 by Michael Perinuzzi, Great Cyberpunk Novel
Mine is called gorge over grown basically 4 people called the elements of corruption destroyed a sub island to steamiture they called it trade poker it was the capital to trade so left with a clean slate with a few remnants of the Victorian steampunk world the gardens of artifacts had powers to grow mushrooms they battled for land but then fled away the premise of the game is to rebuild and create your own civilization with culture and don’t let the game there avious let settlements raiders the city of poker witch was my favorite to make because it has a big tilted statue of the creator of the world and the built on top of it you can also make your own store raid other city’s and towns steampunk is my favorite genre I love to see it used in the apocalypse oh and the fog were corruption monsters roam at night but is foggy with deadly creatures bug or small and I mean big
Not sure that some of this content aged well... especially the war stuff.
No one noticing how the thumbnail spelt apocalypse wrong? ACOPALYPSE FR FR XD
Dude. the first part is excellent - what has been done to deth, how to avoid cliches etc.
the second part - you just broke all the stated rules and mash all the cliches into one world.
Why does an English accent automatically lend credibility to a speaker?
With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with Russia leader Putin threatening Nuclear strikes makes me think that a nuclear apocalypse is nearer that I would hope. 8/19/23.
Dead reign zombies are good
lol slide at 10:19. I wish nuclear war was less likely. Slava Ukraini!
Shit, I forgot to publish my comment and it disappeared.
I only once made a post-apocalyptic setting, but tbh. it is more of an apocalyptic setting because you could say the apocalypse is not over yet.
This setting is one of the things I lost when the Chinese hacked my computer a few months ago and my most fleshed out setting to this date.
How fleshed out you might ask? Well, I rewrote physics and chemistry using old theories as to inspiration.
The most important here is the theory of Abiogenesis as people once understood it. Essentially people thought that mice not only can come through be through birth but also can spontaneously form out of spider webs and hay. The setting is based on that.
In ancient times the spirit Khor wished to create... but to create he had to pay a price. He started creating a world and it was beautiful, but it had no life. So he became life. He became a tree and invited all the other Gods to visit his world. Since then spirits (they are a mix of animist Ainu and Lovecraftian myth) would descend on the planet to play, but whenever they descend they forget everything, but once their mortal form dies they remember how they lived on the planet. (it's a flat world)
Finally Asbżur the once best friend of the God creator descended down into his garden, but he forgot who he was, but Khor did not forget him. He gave him a form closest to his godly self and out of his flesh created him a bride. (basically Adam and Eve) They then ate the forbidden fruit giving them free will and sanity, but if something is granted it needs to also be taken and so Khor lost him and became a plant, a system to govern the world and nothing more. Only upon death did Abżur understand what he did.
And so Abżur would descend down every generation trying to fix his mistake, soon his mortal form would have become something similar to Buddha or Jesus.
Now the apocalypse. The world has a law known as the law of precedent. If something is done once by force it can happen spontaneously henceforth. Scientists noticed that humans seem to be the only thing incapable of being born through abiogenesis as such trough alchemy and blood sacrifice they "forced" the process. And the first imperfect human replica was born. Sadly it had set a precedent. Henceforth randomly plants would transform into Chunks of Eden, which then would disappear giving birth to those imperfect humans.
Those new humans are aggressive at birth because that is their tendency, but if taught correctly can become no different from a normal human.
There is 3 types:
- Male/Patriarch
- Female
- Matriarch
Females are the weakest and have no more physical strength than an average woman but like all New Humans can regenerate damage instantly as long as biomass is available.
Patriarch is extremely physically powerful but can sacrifice their ribs and physical prowace to create Females which serve them without question.
Matriarch, they are born if 14 creatures of the same type (male) are in aa Chunk of Eden. Matriarchs then are born as a hybrid of that creature and human and are the most powerful. A unique type of Matriarch is called Lilith as it's born from 14 human males and because of her origin can produce hybrids with humans.
The main problem with the apocalypse is food. The "precedent" spreads throughout the world rendering farming impossible. Slowly more and more areas are affected and one day every tiny bit of plant will instantly transform into new Human as soon as it sprouts.
The areas it spreads from is actually determined by a formula: Presence of God * Dimensional thinning
Dimensional thinning is decided by how close one is to the spirit world. One is closer when one is near the edge or where the world-disc is thin.
The presence of God refers too how close one is to the God-tree at the world center. How powerful each thing is can be determined by "magic", but not exactly. More by checking the raw power of magic. There is 2 types Alchemy and Spirit Magic, alchemy comes from God and Spirit magic from the Spirits outside. So the absolute power of each type of magic in certain spots can be used to calculate those values.
Within the lore there actually was a book on it called "The great adventures of Matthias and Huang". Where 2 retired mages/scientists of their branch set out into the world to find whose magic is truly more powerful. The text was originally published because it is written as an adventure book where it mostly just tales the tales of their adventures traveling the world and is written in a non-chronological matter. Later the concepts in it were deemed heretical and the book is rather rare, but it holds a lot of the answers to the correct problems if one knows where to look.
There is much more lore on this, but in all in my head. Damn those hcinese hackers.
I'm going to have to give this a read when I get a bit of time later xD But from what I've seen so far I really like the novel ideas - quite out of the box. The fact that the apocalypse is going on means that you can actually choose what kind of apocalypse its going to be - changing the post apocalyptic setting as you go :)Plus it gives the reader more of an appreciation for what came before. it seems very Borderlands but with the whackiness replaced with dark dark themes of control...very interesting stuff.
@@northernexile The main theme is actually starvation and the feeling of being "an obsolete model about to be replaced".
@@viorp5267 Yeah that goes along with fears about AI and augmentation, think the synths in Fallout 4 are a good example of the feeling you are going for?
@@northernexile Indeed, you don't fear them because they are dangerous or always hostile. You fear them because they are better compared in every single way to you.
It's essentially existential dread. And the question if you have the right to fight for your survival in this situation. This is actually based of the Chimera Ant Arc in HunterxHunter 2011. That's when I got the idea.
Northern Exile, it's properly spelled "artifacts", NOT artefacts!
Also, I came here for the thumbnail and I don't mind your fast-talking or Irish accent (I could be wrong, but I can't tell the difference with your voice!), but don't bribe people into a video with a thumbnail when the artwork is not included or part of the video, me personally - and some other people who are too nice to speak their HONEST minds - do NOT appreciate that, oh and it's properly spelled APOCALYPSE, not Acopalypse, not many people take the time and care to call-someone-out on their lack of spelling prowess!
You know what is funny about being a brazilian and try to write a realistic post apocalyptic novel? It's that you have all the componets already happen in the usual post apocalytic story, without even the bombs fell, and worst than that, Brazil isn't a target for nukes, i would be basically just describing daily lives of brazilians.
Jokes aside...
I find a simple solution, externalize the wasteland, Brazil wouldn't be a wasteland itself, in fact things would be more or less the same, what would happen is that the oceans would be the wasteland for Brazil, waters filled with pirates, and remnants of super power militaries seeking to plunder ships and smaller nations to rebuild their own nations.
Most of the story would be pass in a submarine, Brazil isn't actually a saint in the story, the goal of this Brazil is scavange too, but different from the former superpowers Brazil doesn't seek resources, wich it already has a lot, but tech, (in other worlds, the whole brazilian civilization becomes the Brotherhood of Steel) and thats it, the Crew of Alvorada Submarine will travel all across the world, sometimes trading sometimes fighting for tech.
Do vid on post post
You talked about the apocalypse in a really interesting way, but on the other hand your book's plot and world are totally bland.
This didn't age well...