Catalyst Castle

Here's the next Weekly World. This technically makes two in the same week. Last week's world was late and didn't get posted until Monday, but I wanted to go ahead and post again today rather than getting behind. Once again, string these randomly generated elements together into a workable setting and plot. See previous Weekly Worlds here.

Here are the setting elements:

Setting: Medieval
Tone: Pulp
Things: Disaster, Mechanic
Tech Level: Post-Apocalyptic
Place: Hospital

And here are the plot elements:

Opposition: Tragic Villain
Plot Action: Convince (Strong) Pollution
Plot Action: Win (Religious) Launch

Again, before you read further, I challenge you to take 10-20 minutes to develop these elements into a workable fictional setting and plot, and post your results in the comments below. After you’re done, you can come back and read my interpretation of these elements.


My Weekly World: Cult of the God Seekers

After nuclear war brings an end to civilization as we know it and leaves the Earth a burning wasteland, the surviving remnants of mankind struggle for survival. Lacking access to advanced technology, a new dark age begins. Men pile up the ruble from devastated cities to construct castles and fortresses. The strongest warriors set boundaries and establish themselves as new kings and barons. Times are difficult, and often the line between life and death rests on the edge of a sword.

Only a scant few individuals retain any knowledge of advanced technology. These mechanics are revered as wizards, and are considered both an asset and a threat by the common people. A group of mechanics has established a religious order called the Cult of the God Seekers. They preach that god abandoned the world when the cataclysm occurred, and that he no longer believes mankind wants his aid. They claim that the only way to reach god and ask for his aid is to launch a rocket into space.

The heroes, a band of traveling warriors and scholars seeking knowledge of the old world, discover that the God Seekers will cause a terrible tragedy if they succeed in launching their rocket. The launch will release very strong pollutants that will quickly destroy the already unstable atmosphere and bring an ultimate end to all life on Earth. What’s worse is that Bishop Krow, the leader of the cult, knows this will happen. Years ago, Krow’s family was brutally murdered at the command of a local king, when Krow refused to build a mechanical army for the king. Now he seeks to end his own life and take vengeance in one fell swoop. The heroes must hurry to convince the local populace of the imminent danger, and rouse them to action to prevent the launch, while they take on Krow in his mechanical fortress.


What do you think? Be sure to post your own take on the elements in the comments if you haven't already.