While the apocalyptic war rendered Earth's surface uninhabitable for a protracted period of time, many survived in underground shelters, bunkers, and cities. But with the surface
abandoned, no help would come for those stranded underground. The shelters broke down, radiation seeped in, and the occupants were forever altered. Most died outright to radiation
poisoning. Many others suffered hideous damage. Offspring birthed deformed, generally lesser, dysfunctional beasts. But the high rate of mutation induced by the radiation also had
its positive effects, if they could be called that. New, positive extremities in the human form developed, both physical and mental. While the majority of the population at first
could only birth and die, later waves drew more from the successful mutations as those humans survived to breed.
When radiation seeped into the shelters, most society had crumbled. However, since then, extremely powerful individuals who have benefited immensely from positive mutations have arisen into powerful positions at the head of "networks". These individuals, known as "Bosses", have recognized their superiority and the potential of having underlings working for them. Some leverage these facts ruthlessly, seeking merely the expansion of their personal power, while others are more benevolent in their demeanor. Nonetheless, these networks are the formative elements of society on this new Earth. They aren't overarching as they carefully select new entrants to ensure good performance and utility (and in turn, perhaps without full knowledge, healthy offspring). This leaves a good proportion of the underground's population as wild scavengers who fend for themselves.
Just as the civilization left behind on Earth has begun to get itself back on its feet, the civilization that left it behind has returned, seeking to exploit the Earth once again. Such efforts endanger the networks, and while there is no coordinated resistance between them, nearly every network is offering its own, independent resistance.
When radiation seeped into the shelters, most society had crumbled. However, since then, extremely powerful individuals who have benefited immensely from positive mutations have arisen into powerful positions at the head of "networks". These individuals, known as "Bosses", have recognized their superiority and the potential of having underlings working for them. Some leverage these facts ruthlessly, seeking merely the expansion of their personal power, while others are more benevolent in their demeanor. Nonetheless, these networks are the formative elements of society on this new Earth. They aren't overarching as they carefully select new entrants to ensure good performance and utility (and in turn, perhaps without full knowledge, healthy offspring). This leaves a good proportion of the underground's population as wild scavengers who fend for themselves.
Just as the civilization left behind on Earth has begun to get itself back on its feet, the civilization that left it behind has returned, seeking to exploit the Earth once again. Such efforts endanger the networks, and while there is no coordinated resistance between them, nearly every network is offering its own, independent resistance.
