Humanity's Grave

          Climate change fueled hurricanes swelled to epic proportions spreading from the south to the farthest reaches of the north. Droughts led to uncontrollable wildfires leaving a barren wasteland in their wake. Seasons collapsed unto themselves as temperatures rose and fell like the vast destructive tides. Summers lasted for years only to change on a whim to the freezing weather of a snow-covered world. With unpredictable seasons ravaging the landscape growing food and rearing livestock became difficult at best. Violent storms leveled washed away farmlands in the east. Draughts left soil dry and barren, unable to support crops. Extreme climate changes killed off all but the heartiest of livestock.     Many insisted on following faith rather than religion leaving science at a disadvantage. The science community worked tirelessly to come up with a solution. The answer lied in genetically altering seed and animal to withstand the new world that developed around them. In society's foolish arrogance in changing the natural world, science unleashed a devastating virus that killed more than half of the population. The F1D9 virus spread across species infecting plants, animals, and humans alike.   A genetic-based virus, it broke down one's DNA until the host no longer functioned. Some found themselves immune claiming to be the righteous chosen of God. Those that did survive the effects of the infection found themselves forever changed. In some, it accelerated their evolution, creating plants that hunted like predatorial animals or turning livestock into monsters. Humans who survived either devolved into mindless beasts or discovered the virus left behind certain gifts.   As the population dwindled manufacturing slowed, supply chains collapsed causing even the strongest governments to fall. In their panic, people looked to higher-power based faith for answers, blaming science for the plight of society. New dogmas grew in abundance, each one calling upon the end times depicted in ancient texts of old forgotten beliefs. Despite their diversity, the new faith-based beliefs found a common enemy in those that lived beyond what the infection of the virus bestowed upon them. A purge grew out of a desire to purify the world of the Abomination of those cursed to survive F1D9.   Left in ruin, more than a generation later society existed as a shell of its former self. without central government marauders, gangs, and violent zealots overran the decaying cities that once housed the hustle and bustle of society. The places of industry and human advancement now vast wastelands of cruelty and sorrow. In small pockets behind large walls, some communities grew. Using whatever they could find to recreate some semblance of what humankind lost. These Walls provided little in the way of comfort or safety instead giving its inhabitants a brutal existence.