Mitheral
"Growf!"
Note: I am actually aiming at a steampunk feel with an Age of Piracy setting and Wild West setting mixed together. “Magical” below actually has a technological explanation that is far beyond the understanding of the current civilization. Antigravity is present, but is beyond anyone’s comprehension. Most advanced technology comes from salvage.
Global Warming, overuse of natural resources (fossil fuels and such), war, and disease of the 21st century left the Earth in a state that would have been unrecognizable to earlier generations. The polar caps are long gone. Coastal cities now lay underwater and mostly serve as coral reefs, metal structures long since corroding away to nothing. The population of the Earth is a mere fraction (about 0.3%) of what it once was with large regions of the Northern hemisphere left uninhabitable.
Technologically the world has changed radically. After World War III the world was thrown into a Dark Age. Only in recent decades has science begun to reach pre industrial levels. Currently the technology of the world resembles the late 19th century with some anomalies. Without fossil fuels light and heat are derived from green sources like wind, water and solar. Yes, solar power has survived, even flourished. Plus some botanical sources - exotic plants that produce electricity ‘naturally’.
Transportation is either by foot or on land. Trains exist, but they are usually drawn by animals and much more limited. The fastest way to travel is by air, more specifically by dirigible. Solar power has made propulsion far more efficient. A ‘magical’ substance known as stardust can extract helium from the air or water.
Few humans live outside the protection of city states without the protection of a colonial fort. Most who do - other than scavengers with ships or skimmers - hold a status much like mountain men. The others are Range Guides, legendary warriors who travel the wastelands and shun technology.
Your Character
You are a scavenger with an air skimmer, eking out a living by prospecting, scouring old ruins for ancient artifacts or materials that might be traded for wealth - usually in the form of rare metals or gems. (Only large city states mint money.) Scavenging requires a Letter of Marque to operate in a city state’s area. If caught without such a letter while operating in their territory the punishment is severe.
The image below gives an idea of the size I am thinking of, though it is a bit larger and a lot ‘cleaner’ - and lacks a dirigible.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/00/df/b4/00dfb418cf424751eb0a89194fe84938.jpg
Or maybe this one
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QrCIcruLL4o/maxresdefault.jpg
This one is just … graceful. (Yes, it is the one from the Mortal Engines movie.)
You will find yourself competing with larger vessels manned by scores of men. Often such companies are unscrupulous. Some are outright pirates.
Alternatively: You could be without a ship and looking for work, desparate for work even. He already has all the technical skills he needs, but once you see his CS you may note he is lacking in pilot skills. You do NOT have to be honest about your skills. Maybe you have more of a prospecting talent. Truth is, he thinks he doesn’t need anyone.
My Character
My character gives off the vibes of a ‘new’ scavenger, possibly new competition. He is ‘odd’. He doesn’t buy any of the usual supplies. He sells very little, not enough to make ends meet. (That would suggest he has a stash somewhere.) But what he does sell is always in working condition. Sooner or later he is going to catch the attention of the bigger ships. When that happens, everything he has will become theirs. He seems like he would be more at home in some library - though he doesn’t look like it. He’s a giant of a man standing over 6 and a half feet tall.
Plot
Well, as implied, it is only a matter of time before my character becomes a target. Odds are he will be followed in hopes of determining where his stash is - or where he is getting his artifacts. Your character can either offer him good advice, or try to get rich off him. You might even try to team up. That clunker of his looks like he can barely keep it afloat.
Posting
3rd Person Past Tense
Decent literacy
I typically manage about a page per post.
PM me if interested.
You will need a CS for your character. Have it ready please.
