Radio Free Ash
Broadcasting Hope Across the Dead Frequencies
In a world covered by volcanic ash and nuclear winter, civilization survives in isolated valley settlements separated by toxic ash storms. The only connection between communities is Radio Free Ash: an independent pirate radio station broadcasting from an armored rig roaming the ash dunes. The station broadcasts weather warnings, missing-persons messages, news, and records from before the fall. But warlord factions seek to locate and destroy the broadcast rig to control the flow of information across the wastes.
“This is Radio Free Ash, broadcasting on 104.5 FM. To the survivors in Sector 4: the ash storm is clearing. Hold out. You are not alone.”
- DJ Echo, Voice of the Wastes
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1. Setting Overview and Tone
The world is gray, cold, and quiet. Thick volcanic ash blankets ruined cities, while radio waves are the only thread keeping human community alive.
The broadcast rig, named The Signal, is a heavily armored 18-wheeler equipped with a diesel generator, a high-power transmitter, a vinyl record archive, and defensive machine guns.
Tone: Heroic, melancholic, urgent, and humanistic. Focuses on communication, community resilience, and freedom of speech.
Sensory Pillars:
- Sight: Gray ash falling like snow against dark red horizons. The warm amber glow of vacuum-tube transmitters inside the broadcast van. Spiked antenna towers silhouette against dust storms.
- Sound: The static crackle of emergency radio frequencies clearing into a human voice. The rumble of a heavy diesel engine. The soothing vinyl pop of pre-war music.
- Touch and Smell: Gritty ash on clothing. The smell of hot diesel exhaust, ozone, and fresh coffee inside the studio.
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2. The Airwaves
The Frequency Band (104.5 FM): The primary channel for daily broadcasts, emergency alerts, and survivor family messages.
The Relay Network: Hidden repeater stations mounted on mountain peaks across the wasteland that amplify the signal.
The Dead Zone: Unshielded valleys where volcanic dust blocks all radio signals.
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3. Factions
The Radio Crew: DJs, technicians, and guards dedicated to keeping the airwaves free and open to all survivors.
The Iron Censors: A militarized warlord empire that executes anyone caught listening to unauthorized radio frequencies.
The Listener Network: Thousands of isolated survivors in bunkers and villages who rely on the station for survival information.
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4. Unique Mechanic: Broadcast Signal
Track Broadcast Signal Reach from 0 to 6.
Signal Modifiers:
- Elevating antenna mast / deploying repeater: +1 Reach
- Transmitting for >2 hours from same location: +1 Reach (Risk: Location Exposure)
- Severe ash storm interference: -1 Reach
Reach Consequences:
- 0-1: Localized transmission (5 miles). Safe from detection.
- 2-4: Regional coverage. Connects multiple villages; warlord direction-finders actively tracking.
- 5-6: Wasteland-wide coverage. Massive morale boost to settlements; warlord strike team en route to location.
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5. Character Archetypes
The Voice (The DJ)
You speak to millions of hidden listeners, maintaining morale and reading emergency messages.
- Drive: “Keep the broadcast alive so isolated survivors know they are not alone.”
- Approach Distribution: Force 1 | Finesse 1 | Mind 2 | Presence 3
The Rig Driver
You navigate armored vehicles through toxic ash drifts and outrun warlord interceptors.
- Drive: “Keep The Signal moving and out of the Censors’ sights.”
- Approach Distribution: Force 2 | Finesse 3 | Mind 1 | Presence 1
The Signal Tech
You maintain high-voltage transmitters, repair broken antennas, and deploy hidden repeaters.
- Drive: “Maximize broadcast range while jamming warlord tracking frequencies.”
- Approach Distribution: Force 1 | Finesse 2 | Mind 3 | Presence 1
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6. Starter Scenario: The SOS from Valley 9
During a live broadcast, DJ Echo receives an emergency SOS call from a medical bunker in Valley 9: an outbreak of ash-lung requires immediate plasma supplies, but the valley is surrounded by Iron Censor patrols.
The crew must drive The Signal into range, coordinate a relief convoy over the airwaves while evading direction-finder squads, and broadcast a public call to arms to turn back the Censor blockade.