Contents

Existence – The short version

Existence is a role-playing game that introduces a research directed learning system. The setting for Existence is the remnants of western civilization after the economic collapse of 2010. Material, energy and spirituality all exist, but the over structure of social mechanism has broken down to leave people isolated with access to resources, but without the knowledge base of how to work together.

Assumptions:

1. Local dependence for tangible items like food, fuel, clothing and shelter.

2. Electricity can be generated but the power grid does not operate unless the flow is provided using small-scale power technology (solar, wind, micro-hydro, etc.). Fossil fuels are not available.

3. Banking system is gone. The monetary system has suffered hyperinflation – barter exchange is required for both goods and services.

4. The Internet may be accessible for some, but the majority of useful information comes from the minds of the people and from books that have been sequestered.

5. The government superstructure has dissolved into chaos – local people have the individual responsibility and the means to govern and provide for themselves.

6. Gaia has undergone irreversible climate change and local weather patterns remain unpredictable.