I just need to satisfy a curious idea about whether the ‘thing’ I’ve been rolling in my head is a Hack or is something else.
Here is the general idea: using the eruption of Mt St Helens as an event, I was thinking of what happens as the natural world recovers from such a cataclysm.
- there are already some cool documentaries which outline the recovery process and tell loads about first creatures to return, changing ecosystems, and patterns of predation
- whatever mouse civilization existed before the eruption is utterly and completely destroyed–no ruins, no relics, no survivors, no refugees
- the Spirit Lake was a central hub of civilization, but now that is the central point of recovery
So, I’ve been thinking of a few things to arrange this ‘thing’:
- map of the territory for GM–players have no remaining maps or known regions of the Spirit Lake and Mt St Helens topology
- history of mice civilization prior to eruption
- history of mice civilization in recovery period
- history, oath and duties of the Guard among the civilization
These are things I don’t see any reason to change:
- recruitment can remain identical–no need to alter that aside from describing the settlements from which mice might join the Guard
- character sheet, abilities, skills, wises can remain identical–no need to alter that aside from reminding players that volcanic ash is a resource for science, masonry, and medicine (possibly loads of other uses too)
- BIGs and rewards can remain identical–no need to alter that aside from mentioning the objectives are possibly adjusted to environment
These are the objectives of making a ‘thing’ like this:
- what makes up civilization? who is included/excluded?
- who has rights to claim unsettled territory? are there new forms of governance which can be tested?
- is the rationing/re-disbursement of limited resources a fair act? or should everyone be permitted to hoard what they find?
- can mice/should mice help other animals to recover from the eruption? do they have an obligation to help predators recover in the ecosystem balance?
So, is that a Hack? or is is just a Setting? I’m inclined to think of it as a Setting rather than a Hack; because, it doesn’t intend to alter any mechanical functions–only narrative changes are offered.