The Taangali Wastes | Post Apocalyptic Science Fantasy Setting

You can ride for 1000 days in any direction and wherever you end up, the details might be different but the story is always the same: Taangali used to be something… and now it is not.
Vote for this world to become the focus of The Way of Worldbuilding on October 6th. 2023.
Follow along with the development of our world here:
🔸 Worldbuilding Project | Secondary Channel 🔸
/ @dawnofvictory2289
Thanks to the following artists for contributing their work!
Mark Kolobaev | www.artstation.com/mous
Sergey Vasnev | www.artstation.com/sergey_vasnev
Leonid Koliagin | www.artstation.com/leonidkoly...
/ leonid_koliagin
Alex Ichim | www.artstation.com/alexichim
David Tilton | www.artstation.com/tiltond
/ davidtiltonn
Dmitry Vishnevsky | www.artstation.com/dimon
Alejandro Burdisio | www.artstation.com/burda
/ alejandroburdisio
Darek Zabrocki | www.artstation.com/zabrocki
/ darekzabrocki
Kunrong Yap | www.artstation.com/krypt
Raja Nandepu | www.artstation.com/raja
raja.nandep...
Xiangzhao Xi | www.artstation.com/tiejiang
Lok Du | www.artstation.com/lokdu
Dunhuang Chen | www.artstation.com/dunhuangchen
Jan Ditlev | www.artstation.com/ditlev
BYNDE | www.artstation.com/bynde
b.baumhauer...
Kait Kybar | www.artstation.com/kait
www.kaitkybar.com
Max Bedulenko | www.artstation.com/mb14
Yuri Hill | www.artstation.com/hill
Christian Bravery | www.artstation.com/thebrave
/ savagebites
Calder Moore | www.artstation.com/caldermoore
/ caldermoore_
/ calder_moore
Fredrik Giro | www.artstation.com/fredrikgiro
Hans Park | www.artstation.com/hanspark
Jannis Mayr | www.artstation.com/joblyn
/ jannismayr.concept
Pascal Blanche | www.artstation.com/pascalblan...
Joan Pique Llorens | www.artstation.com/joanpiquel...
www.joanpiquellorens.com
Joakim Ericsson | www.artstation.com/joakimeric...
Mark Kolobaev | www.artstation.com/mous
Brandon Gobey | www.artstation.com/brandongob...
/ brandongobey
Wadim Kashin | www.artstation.com/septicwd
Liang Mark | www.artstation.com/liangmark
Charles E J Downman | www.artstation.com/charlesdow...
Dominik Zdenkovic | www.artstation.com/dominikzde...
/ dominikzdenkovic
The Templin Institute. Investigating alternate worlds.
New episodes every week.
Other Divisions & Branches:
🔹 Patreon | / templininstitute
🔹 The Templin Commissary | shop.templin.institute
🔹 Twitch | / templininstitute
🔹 The Templin Archives | / @templinarchives
🔹 KZbin Membership | / @templininstitute
🔹 Submit Your Episode Idea | ideas.templin.institute/
Communications & Media:
🔹 Website | www.templin.institute/
🔹 Discord | / discord
🔹 Facebook | / templininstitute
🔹 Twitter | / templinedu
🔹 Instagram | / templininstitute
🔹 Subreddit | / templininstitute
🔹 Mailing Address | Unit 144 - 919 Centre St SW Calgary, AB T2E 2P6
Ending music "Battle Forever" used under license from Shutterstock.com.

[@TemplinInstitute]

Welcome to the Taangali Wastes! A reminder that this video represents the beginning of our world, not the end. It is a rough roadmap that will inevitably be changed and be expanded over the course of this series. We got a long way to go, but if you want to follow our progress, check out the secondary channel where our world (whichever one wins) will be created. 🔸 Worldbuilding Project | Secondary Channel 🔸 kzbin.info/door/J4J_ClDpEKREfMIgnvU1rg

[@Acradius]

"What if we took every Death World in 40k and smashed them all together?" I was solidly in the "military space" camp, but Taangali may just sway me. I really like how it was implied that the world has changed hands from one interstellar group to another's many times. It gives even more reason for a lot of variety on one planet. We'll have to see how all of these look on Friday!

[@sztellanora]

Really neat amalgam of ideas for a setting. However, in order to be able to imagine it fully, I'd like to ask what exactly causes oases to become part of the wasteland, and territorries thought uninhabitable to suddenly revitalize? Without a firm explanation, it just seems random, or a convenient plot device. Also, how is it that even with the help of motorization and magic, humans haven't able to eradicate the monsters in thousands of years? Are they constantly being brought in from off-world for some twisted reason? Otherwise this setup would seems absurd after so much time.

[@subgum3403]

4 moons stationary for s while (period of time) changes happen when they shift

[@TemplinInstitute]

@@Acradiusthis is one of the dangerous parts of reading the comments. The implication that the world changed hands wasn't actually my original intention, but I like it better than my idea.

[@beaumartinez8705]

I really like the convoy idea. Some mysteriously disappear, or are perhaps raided by other convoys.

[@johnsilverman656]

When a final choice is made, I sure hope you’ll make a wiki of sorts where we can deep dive the setting

[@Grathew]

I wonder if worldanvil would sponcer that. As that's their whole stick.

[@Penguinmanereikel]

@@Grathewor Campfire

[@adammcclelland5746]

That makes both of us.

[@comentnine1574]

@@Grathew I prefer a wiki to be honest.

[@Grathew]

@@comentnine1574 The problem with worldanvil pages is the creator not the platform. The platform is a better setup than Fandom IMO.

[@VictorKiithsa]

This worlds feels like you can bring one of those 80's metal album covere to life. A world where a dark sorcerror in a tower raising cybernetic undead being challenged by a man on a motorcycle with nothing more than a shotgun, a sword, and no self-preservation instinct makes sense. I love it, please people, let this be the one developed. I have a feeling this could really blend science and fantasy together in a beautiful way unlike anything before.

[@tv9mpeti]

I want this to be a setting for a TTRPG so badly.

[@dalemeier8910]

Definitely a good candidate for Free League's Mutant Year Zero RPG.

[@NathanielSimpson1481]

You may want to look at "Titansgrave: The Ashes of Valkana" warning there is a play through of the published campaign if you watch it

[@oscarfry324]

i want a game

[@AN-oz3ch]

If this appeals to you, you might like Kenshi. Although it's not tabletop

[@tv9mpeti]

@@AN-oz3ch yeah, I'm familiar with it. Never played it though, video games are just simply not the medium for me. But I do like its lore.

[@dard1515]

With the diversity of the factions, there could still be military fiction happening, just at a smaller scale. And with the mention of some factions trading with the galaxy, you can get space opera too. Just hinting at the scale of the wider universe and leaving that door open for people to have fun with

[@TemplinInstitute]

Yeah that was something we tried to force as many times in this video. Many setting seems so averse to leaving things just a little open ended. Not that every one should, but you know what I mean.

[@chimera9818]

@@TemplinInstituteyou can imply it is true size galaxy universe that in later in the timeline could become into space opera

[@JohnnyElRed]

@@TemplinInstitute Yeah. Many times people use genres not as useful descriptors, but as strict guidelines.

[@somerandomschmuck2547]

@@chimera9818 this worked out pretty well with Endless Space and Endless Legends.

[@lukehawkins3607]

So unique! Imagine Fallout and Mad max had a whole plethora of love children on a vast world with multiple biomes. The wastes can be anything!

[@bluebonic3497]

with a smattering of 40k. I especially like the idea that Taangali is tenuously connected to the greater galactic community in some tiny and individual circumstances. Makes me think of Mars Mechanicum raiders raiding earth before the Emperor told them to cut that shit out

[@Sibliseidan]

And some Naussica/Gibli on top.

[@azexnewmai3607]

And some Shadow and Bones

[@kapitankapital6580]

I think that's the problem I have with it, it's very reminiscent of lots of other things, but doesn't really seem to have an identity of its own that I can see. What's the USP? Why should I read/write/watch something in this setting as opposed to in Mad Max, or Fallout, or Mortal Engines?

[@lukehawkins3607]

@@kapitankapital6580 because its so random. The world is so fractured that anything could come out of the wastes. It doesnt have to be anything from those IPs. Anything from daemon possessed refugees to rampant Android Soldiers to a vile beast or an exiled rebel leader pr a combination of any of them. Plus the power dynamic is so less black and white than most of those IPs. The dynamic of the convoys means even a nominally good faction can be forced into shady dealings to get by or to survive any kind of threat. Imagine Immortan Joe having to make a deal with a more positive faction because of wild animals or some other kind of obstacle. Its far more versatile than other IP.

[@occultatumquaestio5226]

Well, I was not expecting it to be that level of detailed already. I'm quite impressed. And I like that fact that Taangali is a completely different world altogether rather than taking place on Earth is a plus for me for this genre. While very chaotic there is much potential to see where it could go. I greatly look forward to seeing the other candidates.

[@adammcclelland5746]

What kind of animals would Taangali have, do you think.

[@dr0g_Oakblood]

I hope this gets revisited at some point even though it lost, I love post-apocalypse stories so much more than military Sci Fi lmao.

[@heliosdik1931]

It seems like a post apocalyptic universe with the character (mentality/geopolitics/scale) of the Bronze Age. Everything is so isolated yet so connected and a political or ecological upheaval can have tremendous consequence for many distant lands and civilizations. Reminds me of Conan, which is not surprising given the bronze age influence. To sum it up, I cant wait to se what you cam do to this setting, it provides so wide and unique palette of possibilities and archetypes. I am hyped.

[@Logan4546b]

When the setting candidates were originally announced I firmly supported the Space Opera one and the others didn't really appeal to me all that much. But this premise is actually really interesting. It's still too early for certainty, but I might even rethink my original choice by the time the final vote comes.

[@baneofbanes]

The space opera is still gonna win. That’s basically the bread and butter of this channel and most of its viewers.

[@ranger4367]

I was the same space opera military is my first choice and I think it still is however this video is making it tempting 😂 I also love post apocalyptic and this one sound unique

[@adammcclelland5746]

Not me. I was hooked by 'Post-apocalyptic Science fantasy' and I'm still staunchly Taangali Wastes.

[@andrewreynolds912]

​@@baneofbanesexactly military space operas are amazing

[@nyalan8385]

But so common and so over done, this one allows for something new to be said for once

[@BoisegangGaming]

Honestly this just feels so much more interesting and unique than the Military-SF setting that will unfortunately win the poll. It just is full of potential for themes and storylines beyond just "oonga boonga humanity stronk".

[@forestwells5820]

One thing I like about this one is it doesn't feel as depressing. It seems like post-apocalyptic is almost always full of strife and pain, with little if any joy. This feels like it's a world that has found that joy, even as some elements of life remain difficult. You can have an uplifting tone while still having danger. So I think it's a good candidate.

[@subgum3403]

Yeah its long time afyer the rebiuld helps

[@chimera9818]

Most when make it forget that our world is post apocalyptic we just forget it (the Bronze Age collapse and fall of western Rome were apocalyptic events to the people in their time we lives in the post apocalyptic of them but even in the short term stuff weren’t easy and nice but not all was doom and gloom)

[@melikwalker296]

So this is basically a combination of Mad Max Fallout 4 and Homeworld deserts of kharak that's the type of feel I'm getting here

[@veronicatazri9092]

Very heavy "Numenera" vibes One of my favorite settings, wish they'd make more books and games. These remnants of something Greater always leave so much to be discovered or explored in universe

[@empyreal_lord]

More??? Aren't there like...thirty-odd splatbooks plus novels?

[@robertkeaney9905]

I got Kenshi vibes. But Numenara is probably a better fit.

[@treebush]

⁠@@robertkeaney9905what is Kenshin and numenura?

[@robertkeaney9905]

@@treebush Kenshi is a glorious wasteland katana wielding RPG video game made by a weeb, it sometimes goes on sale on steam and is definitely worth checking out. Numenera is an super lore heavy tabletop RPG that was made by an acclaimed D&D writer. It is also set in a wasteland. ' Numenera has better writing than Kenshi. But since it is a tabletop game it doesn't have Kenshi's sweet soundtrack.

[@Takuteira]

@@empyreal_lord more needs to become vast like superhero stuff.same for gene wolfe etc.

[@GmodPlusWoW]

Taangali sounds super-promising for a pen-and-paper RPG. To quote Miracle of Sound, I can hear the drums in the distance... discord on the air... WITNESS!

[@calvineagar1863]

The hype is real Edit after watching: Just dreams and wishes, nothing more, but this world sounded so lit and got me so hooked that I want to be a part of an Inkunzi version of it. Roleplpaying as a Glade, a Convoy, a beggar on the outside, or merchant on the inside in semi-real time with other people, wowza. For now, just the idea of it, the world of Taangali itself, is very awesome enough :)

[@Jaydee-wd7wr]

Mar Mar!

[@atticusthegamingllama8302]

Mars!

[@calvineagar1863]

@@Jaydee-wd7wr But look at all the fun we've had in Taangali, look at Toad God, I gave you this, I gave you EVERYTHING!

[@Jaydee-wd7wr]

@@calvineagar1863, I was going to say how weird it is that the 3 of us have our own little cult of Marcy Wu under a video about a sci-fi apocalypse but when I think about it Amphibia kinda is that so it’s not that strange.

[@calvineagar1863]

@@Jaydee-wd7wr What is Amphibia besides a dystopian-post wasteland science fantasy setting anyways ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@DefrostedChicken]

You know, my prediction was that the military sci-fi setting would win, but I think this one's got potential

[@matthunt7992]

fallout, WH40K, horizon ZD, Dune... so many many combinations of EPIC sci-fi story. I LOVE IT!

[@empyreal_lord]

Mad Max meets Numenera with something of a classic Sword & Sorcery vibe. I like it a lot!

[@AsmodeusInflect]

Man, the convoy idea is great. Spending months travelling and never quite knowing if your destination is actually going to be there, or what state it'll be in with tons of _things_ you probably should leave alone along the roadside.

[@wickerbotterthewizard707]

I think the contrast between civilizations with and without space fleets would be pretty big in this setting. It wouldn't surprise me if the resources of Taangali provide only so much in the efforts of space travel, making those resources sought after by powerful factions. While not stated specifically in the video, I'd imagine convoys that actually acquire the riches of Taangali's heavens would get the best deals from the empires it trades with. And being that Taangali is a human colony world stretching back thousands of years into its past, the most ancient ruins would not likely be purely in the Wastes, but in orbit.

[@Aphfaneire]

I'm pretty hyped about this one. I could imagine a mish mash of Final Fantasy the Spirits Within, Mad Max, Necromunda Ash wastes (40k), 80s sci-fis I've forgotten the name of, Mortal Engines and so many more. The innumerable cataclysms, the mysticism, the toxic and the barbarism can all lurk in the vastness. At the same time the machinations of great powers, the scheming and rivalry can play out in the face of a rolling narrative bearing down in the world. Lone heroes, false misiahs, and a plucky band of miss fits can all rise through the narrative to inhabit different corners of the world. While I prefer hard scifi and space opera a little more than fantasy settings, there's scope for many overlapping takes within such a world. Very impressive, kind of jealous. It is sparking several ideas for me already 😍

[@A_Khajiit_Has_Wares]

This is some great stuff! Love the “build your own city-state” aspect to it.

[@salihnu]

For my personal taste it is a bit overloaded. It has a little bit of everything, but for me at least it lacks the one standing out thing. Something that makes it unique. Star Wars has the Force, Fallout has the Nukes and Vats, MAD MAX has its cars, and Dune has Spice. Something unique to the setting would be really cool, otherwise, I fear that it could drown in a sea of ideas and too many similarities and homages. I am looking forward to the next episode! You got me on the edge of my seat!

[@thelittleredhairedgirlfrom6527]

This sounds like it’d be an amazing TTRPG

[@chaosfire321]

Veeery interesting. A sort of blend of Mad Max with Fallout, 40k, and Lancer. I love it! One idea I have is to have the planet be star sized. A truly gargantuan world, maybe a megastructure, to really hammer in how Taangali's home to endless cultures and no matter how much any one petty kingdom or city-state expands, they will always be *petty*.

[@comentnine1574]

Maybe it could be like Nexus from Wildstar a world that is just as much as a machine as it is a planet.

[@AW-wf2dx]

Listening to all of the three starting tonight. My first impressions for this one: - LOVE the cargo train/caravan culture notion - the narrative really came alive during that sequence - Setting feels too much like RIFTS, in that it is trying to be all things to all people - Magic feels a bit tacked-on - "camping in Banff" lol

[@unheardbroom3233]

Taangali is looking really fun, I always love diverse and complex factions so the city states and the convoys are looking promising

[@JohnnyElRed]

I think most apocalyptic works center too much on the "apocalypse" part, if that makes sense. It's actually nice to see a setting where civilization it's well in its period of rebuilding itself. It reminds me of Robert E. Howard's Hyborian Age, millenia after Atlantis and the great cataclysm changed the shape of the planet. Here we have new nations rising, and old threats coming back to life. Or maybe new ones? Maybe there is even room for a wanderlusted "savage" of the grim and desolated peaks of the far noth to start his journey around Taangali, in search of what civilization has to offer.

[@sjo8470]

I recently stumbled across your channel and watched each of the three ideas you presented. This introduction to The Taangali Wastes was quite incredible, even though a decision has already been made. I genuinely hope that you will be able to actualize this setting as a project someday.

[@omegaaesir9447]

Now I haven't interacted with the likes of Warhammer of Mad Max, but I'll give it too you that this setting has me interested. I like how you gave details to flesh the world out, but were careful to not make it too specific as to let there be room to grow. I can't wait to see the next settings Also team Toad God

[@ioannestheiberian3955]

Gives me Dune mixed with Fallout vibes. I really want to explore the city states. This could be my Classicist in me but I do love me a good self governing city!

[@kevinsurget8571]

In my opinion, this one is very free and can be home to a thousand tales, and there is a good bedrock for an epic in the making. I thought it would be mostly grim, but it seems like it is more a way of creating independent nations that share a distant origin and had many mystical elements to dive into.

[@SacredGumby]

I loved the first half, but then it just kept going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and you get the picture. A lot of it was great ideas but there was just way too much STUFF

[@Iso20227]

This was actually really interesting. I’ll admit that a post-technology apocalyptic wasteland isn’t exactly my cup of tea, but even still, I can enjoy some good worldbuilding and a good story. And this sounds like it has amazing potential for both, and for even more.

[@dorianzane2548]

The description of the Convoys in particular made my imagination light up like crazy. The narrative potential is enormous.

[@RomLoneWolf23]

This definitely reminds me of Palladium Games' Rifts, which is an awesome gonzo science-fantasy kitchen sink where you can literally find anything from Mad Max with Mechsuits to Demons and Super-beings. The whole "Every city-state has its own story of what Taangali used to be" thing makes me think the post-apocalyptic world could be the result of multiple worlds, from different dimensions, colliding together to form one chaotic mess of a world, bridging together multiple universes.

[@ash_from_youtube9387]

I‘ve been having so much fun developing this world independently of Templin. I‘m actually happy it lost otherwise I never would have got the chabce. Though I will always be curious what Templin would have come up with

[@TaeTy45]

You had me at Toad God, let's do this!

[@hun1on138]

I have a bad feeling that as soon as he said that this is the "hard" option it would already be set in stone.

[@johnecoapollo7]

Me too. Especially since the easiest option seems to be the Space Opera one.

[@hun1on138]

@@johnecoapollo7Both Stellaris series were that, so probably not going to pick that one.

[@baneofbanes]

@@johnecoapollo7I mean it’s pretty obvious that the space opera is going to be the winner.

[@thelittleredhairedgirlfrom6527]

Yup. I saw a lot of people legit saying they chose the easiest option.

[@mmcb2910]

This was my favorite idea in the poll and I think it will likely remain my vote. I love the idea for a deeply developed but also kind of random universe, and the variety of themes and motivations possible makes this a world with infinite potential.

[@Reoh0z]

"'Cause we got a great big convoy Rockin' through the night Yeah, we got a great big convoy Ain't she a beautiful sight"

[@reptiliangeek8414]

I was absolutely certain that fantasy or space opera will be the only ones that I would consider as options for my vote and my piqued interest. Man did I not expect just how fun you people could make post-apocalypse for me, with all the different conflicts, genres and possibilities for storytelling. Now I am excited beyond reason to see what you can do with the genres I actually like!

[@michaelwilson6358]

I'm reminded of the RIFTS setting by Palladium. A beautiful awkward mess resulting from trying to cram every single cool trope from the late 80s / early 90s into a single post-post-apocalypse RPG world.

[@1000nod]

Mad max, star wars and Lord of the Ring role into one. I LOVE IT. also you guys know barrstar

[@avenpreston2001]

i love the idea of nomadic convoys growing so large they form governments yet stay nomadic and can change the tide of war of these massive city states

[@scw5098]

I like how this setting seems to draw from the Aeldari Craftworlds in Warhammer 40k scaled down to a planet size. The last dying scraps of a once magnificent empire slowly decaying away to infighting, a hostile and brutal environment and the sheer desperation of a people knowing they’re on the edge of extinction. Any loss of life is catastrophic, but especially so with the death of a bastion being a stark reminder that the end is coming no matter what, which gives the people near unbreakable resolve to defy it. Good stuff and can’t wait to see your next proposal.

[@arvidholmberg6526]

It is a testament to the Institutes mastery of world building that the choice I placed as third still sounds something I’d be pumped about. Great job! Can’t wait to see more!

[@snapdragon8144]

I know I'm late but this is my favorite out of the three.

[@foolsgold6533]

This is history in the making...maybe

[@adammcclelland5746]

I'm addicted to this video. The Taangali Wastes sound like an awesome setting and the art you used to depict it is epic. I would love to see what art you create if you go with this. Taangali is totally getting my vote on friday. I want to know the very second that voting starts.

[@actang9429]

this setting feels like a mix of rimworld with the lore being marvels battleworld

[@alexandroutsos5990]

did we win the lottery or am I dreaming. This is so quick I need more time to think about the options. the main tenants of worldbuilding are barely logged into my noggin yet. I hope whatever I vote for will be constructed in the future. Love the team you guys are amazingly talented and more importantly dedicated to the fans.

[@raymondjacobs1955]

Taangali Wastes reminds me a lot of Gamma World but starting from a vastly more futuristic and technologically advanced planet. I think this gives this setting many more possibilities than the near future post Nuclear War ravaged Gamma World.

[@Esteban10191]

I enjoy the hint that it might be a post apocalypse in recovery. I don't think anyone has done that story well and I like the direction of this story. I enjoy almost every theme shown.

[@Dan19870]

I really like this world you've created. It feels like a perfect blend of Mad Max, Fallout, Metro and Stalker. Small bastions of civilisation cut off from moderately civilised cities by dangerous mutated hordes, clouds of radiation, unfathomable terrors and the ever present threat of Raiders. The services of Master Mechanic's and their apprentices are highly sought after when a caravan/convoy that's been mauled by Raiders, Mutants or the Elements roles into town to barter or resupply the garrison.

[@tristemsaris7739]

I'd be down for this world becoming a real fleshed out story. It sounds like this wonderful cross between MTG, Fallout and Final Fantasy.

[@zacmarulo8721]

The Taangali Wastes feels like a post-post apocalyptic world rather than a post apocalyptic one. A post apocalyptic story deals with the immediate aftermath of the apocalypse like mad max. Enough time has passed for a new normal to replace the old like the hunger games, thus making it post-post apocalyptic.

[@crowpathos9554]

I already have a feeling the space opera one would get the most attention due to the audience of this channel but I would hope for a miracle to occur to make this one win the votes cause this one just sounds so cool.

[@this_isnt_patrick]

So far, very good. Can’t wait for the other scenarios.

[@henryefry]

My one complaint is the thing with the morals of the convoys. Since time immemorial people have always gone to the aid of ships in distress. The ocean wants to kill you and only with the help of strangers does anyone stand a chance of surviving. Even in WWII after ships were sunk, the victors would go and pull survivors from the water

[@kapitankapital6580]

I would strongly suggest adding the concept of independent "runners" (or whatever term you want to use), single cars that make the routes between the smaller settlements or smaller deliveries that a proper convoy couldn't or wouldn't take on. I think it not only makes sense logistically, but it also creates some much needed character opportunities.

[@fakjbf3129]

Dune + Fallout + Mad Max + Warhammer 40k, definitely an interesting combo!

[@JJ-ml9sj]

Thanks guys, this is excellent inspiration for my own sci-fi writing project :)

[@TemplinInstitute]

happy to hear it!

[@NP3GA]

Okay, okay, okay big applause, this is awesome

[@wrathjacobcurtis.6092]

I love this one the hole post apocalypse wasteland thing always gets me.

[@vladimiravich7260]

A few minutes in and I already love the idea of this setting. Roving clans of Nomads scavenging across a wasteland to trade with vast city states. To add to this setting, you could have a more sci fi themed explanation for why magic exists. Technology indistinguishable from magic, perhaps Nano-Machines that are present in the ambient environment but can create magic-like effects when commanded by certain people? Similar to the Dust from Endless Space. At the same time I am biased toward this setting as I am currently running a TTRPG in a homebrew world that has ALOT of things similar to The Taangali Wastes. Only major difference is that its heavily influenced by the works of Nihie Tsutomou and takes place aboard a massive decrepit shell world the size of Jupiter. One that was also the heart of a massive galaxy spanning empire before falling to ruin. Stable civilizations can only exist in walled zones called Cells while the rest of the world is a metal wasteland of various artificial biomes that are haunted by hostile machines and aliens.

[@syn-frohboss3640]

Damn I love it. Combines my favourite aspects of all apocalyptic universes

[@fireymissile]

This is such a cool world with endless possibilities within every facet you've introduced. I can already imagine the narrative of a convoy with internal politics where one faction pushes for sacking a city due to dwindling resources and the other pushes exploration. All the while, part of the megaship of the convoy has been occupied by the Things in the Wastes and have formed their own territory, and there is now a frontier within their own convoy which has been in battle for decades. Perhaps these Things have evolved, even. There is endless potential for storytelling with this one. I really love science fiction fantasy settings but a lot of them have very set themes for the entire world. This just feels so open. My pick for sure.

[@LorreKeeper]

...dammit, I am hooked hard on this idea. I wanna say it'll be tough to top this prompt, but knowing y'all, I'm sure you'll have some ways of making the other 2 prompts hit just as hard

[@rudinipl4012]

I'd love for it to win, becouse it would combine sci-fi and fantasy, which would give you an opportunity to show of the most wordbuilding techniques

[@bradwolf07]

I'm really liking this one

[@jtvatsim1498]

Reflecting on what was presented: [] Unstable world, apparent natural disposition toward decay; ever in danger of being reclaimed by the wastes. [] An archipelago of order and civilization, adrift in an ocean of chaos; held together by independent merchant fleets. [] Despite the concentration of power in the largest city states and convoys, even single individuals have the ability to disrupt the balance. Natural questions: [] What happened to the rest of the Solar Federation core worlds? Why is Taangali cut off from the rest of the universe? [] Why is Taangali's environment in flux? Dead areas coming back to life; and living ones dying out... almost as if the planet is an organism itself?

[@anon-yw4wd]

Sounds almost like Thundarr the Barbarian crossed with Mad Max. Pretty awesome.

[@trollsmyth]

The Seventh Motor Insurrection... the Gladiator Kings... the Curly Folk... Marvin's Blood Machine... the Toxic Steppes... Wonderfully evocative! The others are going to have to be pretty fascinating to steal my vote from Taangali. I'd love to see this world built around themes of loss and sacrifice; things cannot be conserved or maintained, the Second Law of Thermodynamics reigns supreme, and it's always a question of what you're willing to sacrifice to save the larger whole from destruction. Sometimes you need to lose everything in order for that "everything" to become something new that can survive, but will that new be better? Or even equal to what you had before? Toss in sorcery that requires blood sacrifice and pacts with the more esoteric beings of the Wastes... Yeah, right now, I think this one has my vote.

[@justinhamilton2334]

This feels a lot like the Warhammer 40k galaxy shrunk down to a single planet, and I mean that as high praise.

[@rorag111]

Funnily enough, one of the worlds I'm conceiving of is also a post-apoc science fantasy setting. Templin's is way more detailed (even with just what's shown) and want to go in a very different direction than me, but it's a nice yardstick to measure against. Also, thanks for all the great inspiration art, it's a trove!

[@Hatsuzuki808]

I think this setting would be better if it dropped the space travel aspect, because once you have one city-state/faction that draws interstellar attention, it'll either gain technological dominance, or someone from the outside will do so, unless the world has no value, in which case there's no point in having that element in the first place. And worse, if you introduce a whole universe, it risks sending the focus off-world, which would result in exponentially more worldbuilding and discarding the setting you started with.

[@Br0ck3n]

I am 3 minutes in and I already love the idea... This is good. Hope it gets fleshed out more :)

[@khebba6683]

was gunna go for the space opera one but this does sound like a lot of fun.

[@timmorris8932]

This sounds like an amazing "Gamma World" setting.

[@levipascua8403]

Children of the wilderness Brave and adventurous

[@tynandugdell1258]

Absolutely love this idea, but a few elements feel like they could be toned down just a fraction. Prime convoys consisting of “hundreds of thousands of vehicles” stands out, particularly given the inherently resource poor nature of any post-apocalypse setting. Anything that large would be so unwieldy and internally fragmented that I struggle to see it lasting more than a few weeks at most (without some sort of extraordinary circumstances)

[@VABJMJ]

One thing I always wanted to do is make a setting that goes from bronze age fantasy up to full space opera over time, going through the history of the civilizations that rise and fall starting in an initial prime planet.

[@michaelrix4156]

This would be an awesome dnd setting.

[@UnreasonableOpinions]

This one would seem to be a very good candidate for a broad setting suited for pen and paper games or anthology storytelling, since it has the useful trait of allowing a wide range of mini-setting to suit stories and to permit a lot of self-directed exploration, while still having a distinct tone and an explicit undercurrent of danger to provide narrative tension.

[@michaelmccreet]

Definitely not what I expected, which was something like a post-apocalyptic Shadowrun. I don't know if I like it, it feels like it's everything and also nothing, because there is just so much going on. Maybe that is a good thing, but it does feel a bit 'wide as an ocean, shallow as a puddle", though I suspect the actual building of this world (if it gets picked) will flesh all that out. I think it has potential, it just wasn't what I expected from the genres.

[@BiggusWeeabus]

Still flabbergasted that this one was the least picked option

[@joshuamueller3206]

Sounds like the Grandchild of Mad Max, Warhammer 40000, WWI, and a Dark Fantasy.

[@papanoble8378]

I think this setting should be colourful. As if it was drawn by mœbius. So if you were to commission artwork. Please try and add colour. Not just beige or orange

[@black2burn211]

you basically just did a better version of my "sky cities on mountain peaks" air ship and poison cloud world. well done:)

[@vampwriter]

In my opinion, Templin, I'd reduce the obvious ground power you're going for and put more of a reliance on air power. If things on this world are as bad as they appear on the ground, then turning to airships for trade and the majority of military might would be the far more logical response. Why risk your trade goods with raiders on the ground, which there are likely to be more of, as well as the nasty creatures that are abundant, then take your trade to the sky and rely more on airships. Like we have mass transport firms here on Earth, they'll probably need companies that do the same on Taagali. Fewer creatures and even rarer sky pirates. They'll still need small convoys to guard the main transport but not nearly as much as they would on the ground. The ships the pirates have access to will probably be ramshackle and outdated from being salvaged with black market parts to try to keep an edge, but more than likely will more often go after smaller targets of opportunity than risk a larger air convoy. Possibly like in Cyberpunk there may be those roaming clans that travel from city-to-city that often provide workforce on a nearly predictable schedule. Not to say they won't need a ground contingent with air power you need ground power as well to guard the roads. With the very laws of physics going out the window they'll probably also need sophisticated detection equipment both up high and ground bound to help convoys avoid possible roving pockets of weirdness as well as other threats both mundane and beastial.

[@thatautistrob]

Okay, I really hope we see an OperationThundershark reference in each of these intro videos.

[@gabrielandradeferraz386]

THUNDERSHARKS NEVER DIE

[@blacksun3920]

Definitely feels like somebody gave a very brief overview of Warhammer 40 to someone who had no idea what a space marine is. There's a lot of story hooks that could be picked up on but no one has written a book for the black library yet so to speak. Aka, promising and I want to hear more but still able to be taken in so many directions. Definitely like the idea of focusing on an area and developing the world from there.

[@dariusgunter5344]

I think the idea of focussing at first on one continent is a good idea but I'd love to see the whole world at least roughly. Also I think this world has huge potential to include the institute, as a secretive faction, trying to figure out what is happening and diving into these wastes to find the source of it all. Oh and a faction of people who delve into the wastes or live there would be cool, like not monsters but normal people, they die in droves but managed to survive by embracing the weirdness, it's people swell by outcasts and sometimes they swell in power as someone like a wanderer finds real power in these wastest.

[@lukasprazak7362]

This sounds very interesting. It's also somewhat similar to my own post-apocalyptic setting, which is more steampunk inspired but there are a few common elements (city states surrounded by wasteland, travelling trading states, remains of interstellar empire). Well I guess whether this setting wins or loses it's a win for me, because I either get to see it or alternatively I won't get a feeling that my setting is unoriginal.

[@avsbes98]

I'm not yet sure if this is going to be my favourite setting, but it does get Bonus Points for not being the generic 08/15 "Earth after the Cold War went hot" Post-Apocalyptic Setting, but instead a Sci-Fi Post Apocalyptic setting.

[@alexm-e4910]

I have the feeling that I’m going to desperately want the Institute to do all of these settings and have a devil of a time choosing between them

[@khayyin359]

I love the feel of this one! I'm wary about how many times "X has done Y for thousands of years" came up, though. That's a LOT of time for anything to exist without significant, revolutionary change (whether for a society, or just a method of doing business, like convoys). With all this chaos, it doesn't necessarily need that long for details to be lost to history, so please keep an eye on that as you develop this setting (if you do).

[@issacrice4025]

Techno wizardry can always be a really cool aspect of a world or setting as long as it stays reasonable and consistant