On July 17th, 2010, the world as we knew it came to an end. In the space of just days, all of our fears came to pass at once - though none from the sources we were watching. Massive destruction came to the U.S. without terrorists. Climate change came fast and hard, and it had nothing to do with fossil fuels. Financial markets imploded and the wealth we thought was there evaporated, reminding us that it was all imaginary wealth to begin with - and it didn't have a thing to do with stock markets or interest rates or the complex machinations of monetary policies.
All those modern concerns, so vast and important one day, were replaced virtually overnight by older, smaller concerns: Who will keep me safe while I sleep tonight? Will I eat tomorrow?
Ashes is a setting for Ultrablamtacular that puts the players into a world wracked by apocalypse. But this apocalypse doesn't require any human or supernatural causes, just the unpredictable, uncaring, unstoppable progress of geology. On that Friday in July, the supervolcano lurking beneath Yellowstone erupted, covering most of North America in a blanket of ash, and plunging the world into a years-long darkness and and winter. Billions died, and some said they were the lucky ones. Characters in Ashes are those unlucky ones - the survivors.
To make characters for Ashes, it might be useful to guide players with a specialized template. This template will help players focus on the important questions a survivor of the eruption would need to know.
My name is ___________________________ Before the world ended, I used to be _________________________ I was in ____________________ when Yellowstone erupted. I survived the first days by _______________________________ Since then, I have become ______________________________ I made my way to ____________________ (for/by/because) __________________
Then use the answers here to help you fill out the standard Template, as usual.
Not every player will want or need to use this template, but it will help many players answer important questions:
Ashes is about transformation. That's why the questions focus on what the characters used to be and what they have become. The world has changed, and anyone who was around before seven seventeen has to have changed with it. The world has become harsher, wilder, and deadlier. What have the characters become? Those questions are answered during character creation. The campaign will answer the question, “What will they become now? What changes will they make in their world?”
The eruption created several direct hazards to survivors. Almost the entire western United States was covered in a blanket of ash. No place on the continent is free from the ashfall. The ash presents hazards to plants and animals, including people.