Squalor

Introduction

The year is 2387. Earth has rapidly deteriorated into a ruthless and primitive place. Nuclear explosions in Russia and Japan killed off millions in 2385. A major tsunami carrying nuclear waste from those explosions wiped out the entire west coast of North America, leaving a toxic marshland. A deadly mutation of whooping cough exterminated most of South America, India, and Australia. This series of tragedies has resulted in Earth's continents being defined as a group of uninhabitable land masses, the largest livable part in North America being about the size of Alaska.

       This nation is called Acirema, which is ‘America’ backwards, because of the apocalyptic status of the country. The government has been reduced to a frail copy of its former glory, and the minuscule population of Acirema is ruled by a corrupt and dishonest bunch of politicians.

       Living in the Street is exceptionally rough. In the Street, if you aren't protected, rich, or both, you're poor. Most in the Street are so poor, they live off of garbage, because no one would even think of giving them a handout. When you're cold, homeless, starving, and miserable, it's a hard place to be, but some survive. The smart ones learn the different way of getting food. Stealing. Because there is no other option. But if you get caught, the punishment is practically a death sentence.

       Every criminal, from common pickpocket to murderer to counterfeiter to kidnapper, and even those who are innocent, receive the same fate. The Cages. A long row of cells beneath the Coliseum, the Cages could be no better than a prison cell, or as good as a small apartment in the Knob. Those thrown in the Cages are made to fight, in what are essentially glorified battles to the death. Not everyone dies in these matches, but most do. The ancient Romans of 3000 years ago held bouts similar to these, but the modern versions are twice as gritty, twice as deadly, twice as exciting, and twice as terrifying.

       Gladiators who win their fights several times over can be be given things such as better living quarters, high-tech armor, and better weapons. Sometimes Gladiators are so adept they can win their freedom back. This has happened exactly twice in the whole history of Acirema. However, if you lose, you die, because there are no second chances in the Coliseum.