A
The Walking Dead Universe RPG
Campaign
New Orleans. While essentially an island between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, just speaking the name of the city tends to evoke all the senses. Wander through Bourbon Street, where neon lights flicker above the laughter of revelers, blending with the soulful strains of jazz drifting from every corner. The French Quarter enchants with its cobblestone streets, wrought-iron balconies draped in vibrant flowers, and the irresistible aroma of freshly fried beignets mingling with rich café au lait. Jackson Square buzzes with the energy of street performers, artists, and fortune tellers, all set against the backdrop of the stately St. Louis Cathedral. In the Garden District, centuries-old oak trees stretch their limbs over streets lined with grand mansions and gardens lush with ivy and blooming magnolias, offering a serene escape into the past. Along the Mississippi River, steamboats chug lazily, their paddle wheels splashing rhythmically, while vintage streetcars rattle through the city, connecting its diverse neighborhoods and rich history.
At least, that's how it used to be... On August 20th, 2010 amid news reports of a virus that caused the dead to rise, Tropical Storm Fay began building in the Caribbean and moving northward. Over the next 6 days, those not concerned with other matters watched as it strengthened. While it remained significantly smaller than Hurricane Katrina, the city and the entire region were still recovering even after five years. On August 26th, the day after Wildfire was declared a pandemic, Hurricane Fay struck hard, devastating New Orleans once again.
Now, the once bustling streets (at least those not covered in water) of New Orleans now resemble a ghost town. Buildings lie in ruins, their shattered windows and crumbling facades evidence of the relentless fury of both the storm and the subsequent undead onslaught. Debris litters the streets, blocking passage and serving as potential hiding spots for lurking walkers. The French Quarter, once a vibrant hub of culture and life, now stands eerily quiet, its alleys and courtyards haunted by the echoes of past revelry. In the Garden District, once-manicured gardens have been overrun by weeds and decay, while the grand homes serve as precarious shelters for the few survivors struggling to eke out an existence amidst the chaos. Along the Mississippi River, abandoned steamboats drift aimlessly, their once-cheerful paddle wheels now silent symbols of a world forever changed.
Crescent Tales is a story told using The Walking Dead Universe RPG from Free League Publishing (based on their Year Zero Engine ruleset)
The players awaken in a ward of Ochsner Baptist hospital after weeks of delirium, unconsciousness or coma. They must band together to strengthen and escape the hospital into an unknown world to build their lives anew. Along the way they'll learn more about themselves, learn to survive, build a community, and make a life for themselves in the midst of the apocalypse. How the tale develops though, is shrouded in the mist.