The Look and Feel of Altered Reality
Altered Reality uses a modern setting with the drastic twist of the failure of technology. Players are encouraged to make the most of this, but the following guidelines exist to help support you in organising character design, clothing and appearance, as well as the style of a groups base camp.
In general, we have taken inspiration from films such as "Book of Eli", "Reign of Fire", "28 Days Later" and books such as "Walking Dead" and the "Zombie Survival Guide".
General Overview
The most important things players should focus on are:
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No modern electronics work; mobile phones, laptops and even battery watches do not work. Anything with a microcircuit is dead, but basic electric torches and batteries do still function, although are exceedingly rare.
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Nothing new has been manufactured for over six years. Clothes are usually old, worn and slept in. Occasionally they are stained with blood.
Living in the World
Although firearms are not readily available in Britain, there are a great many relics and replica from medieval times and the World Wars. Survivors are often equipped with an odd mixture of modern motorbike armour, century old military equipment and museum swords. Gas masks and improvised shields are also useful lines of defence for those willing to take a stand against the infected.
Food is not yet a rarity, but hunger is commonplace. Food supplies are measured in weeks and months, but even with the population reduced so drastically, there is still not enough to last for the years to come.
Currency takes the form of "Barter Items", useful trinkets that can be traded for goods or services. Survivors will need the ability to carry such items, as well as bandages, drugs and other useful things. Clothes should be hard wearing and be able to protect you from the elements.
Given the surplus of clothes in the modern world, clothes are readily available, but washing machines and detergent are not. Clothes are dirty and often practical, but occasionally personal taste and fashion win over camouflage and protection.
Armour shows the wearer is likely more interested in actively fighting the hordes, or is looking to battle other survivors, those people are able to look after themselves and are often regarded with suspicion depending on the amount of armour they wear - ballistic protection is unnecessary against the infected.
Gas masks offer limited protection against the 'flu-like spread of BIR. Those who seek to defend against the Shamblers (and worse) would do well in finding someone capable of cleaning the filters of such headwear.