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Post-Apocalyptic Roleplay: Building a City Like Crystalia

Creating a vibrant, self-contained city for your post-apocalyptic tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) campaign requires a careful balance of exploration, societal tension, and intrigue. Inspired by the dome-covered metropolis of Crystalia from the Under the Dome D&D campaign, here are actionable insights to help Game Masters (GMs) craft a living, breathing city where every street corner hums with danger and opportunity. You can learn more about Under the Dome on our weekly live chats as we continue to explore this amazing setting. You can get a brief in the video here. I also have begun to add to the world with a new monster here.

1. Structure Your City Like a Living Ecosystem

To build a city that feels authentic and immersive, think of it as a layered ecosystem. In Crystalia, towering crystalline spires house the ruling Grind Barons, while the lower levels—the Brocks and the Undercity—are rife with societal decay and resource cultivation. This layered structure not only adds verticality to the setting but creates a stark visual and thematic division between wealth and poverty.

Tip: Use verticality and interconnected spaces (like bridges, tunnels, and hidden passageways) to promote dynamic exploration and tactical combat possibilities.

2. Infuse Political Drama Into Every Facet of City Life

The Grind Barons of Crystalia—warlike industrial tycoons who control essential resources like water, food, and military power—represent different factions vying for influence. Players may be drawn into the web of political espionage, betrayals, and alliances.

GM Strategy: Create factions with distinct ideologies and agendas. Let player choices influence the shifting power dynamics between them.

For example:

• House Oothis: Guardians of magical learning and dome technology.
• House Grenkalis: Overseers of the city guard.
• House Moosheeni: Masters of water resources and fish hatcheries.

3. Balance Chaos with Exploration Opportunities

The wilderness surrounding Crystalia is filled with danger: the Sea of Blades with its razor-sharp grasses, the Bog of Eternal Acid, and the dreamlike Carnival of Chaos​​. Such locations offer vital scavenging opportunities but at great peril.

Narrative Hook: Use city entry and exit points as checkpoints where characters must negotiate, bribe, or fight their way through corrupt guards. This keeps travel between city and wasteland meaningful and risky.

4. Create Intrigue-Filled Neighborhoods

Each district of Crystalia has its own personality and dangers. From the elite Spires to the gritty underbelly of the Brocks, players should feel a shift in tone and risk with every location change.

Neighborhood Examples:

• The Spires: Home to Grind Baron families, political intrigue, and high society galas​​.
• The Brocks: A dangerous slum where criminal gangs thrive​​.
• The Fleshwarrens: A nightmarish quarter where body modifications are an art​​.

5. Tips for Running Political Drama in a Post-Apocalyptic Setting

• Player Agency: Let players shape political alliances.
• Rumors and Blackmail: Introduce secrets that characters can discover or leverage. Allow enterprising characters to enter their own rumors to make changes in the city.
• Consequence-Rich Choices: Whether siding with a faction or playing them against each other, player actions should have lasting consequences.

Final Thought:

The city of Crystalia offers GMs a blueprint for crafting a city brimming with intrigue, societal division, and endless adventure opportunities. By layering exploration, resource scarcity, and political drama, your players will be drawn into a complex and thrilling post-apocalyptic experience they won’t forget.

Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!!