| Type | Post-apocalyptic region |
| Economy | Scavenging and raiding |
| Features | Ecological collapse • Desertification • Scarcity of water |
| Inhabitants | Tribal societies • Scavengers • Raiders |
| Former territory | |
| Prominent societies | Technological relic cult |
Anjou is a post-apocalyptic region covering what was once the province of Anjou in France prior to The Fall in the late 20th century. After the cataclysmic combination of nuclear war and climate change resulted in global ecological collapse, remnant groups of survivors formed around the few oases of water in the region.
Anjou's landscape is a mix of arid deserts, depleted forests, irradiated wastelands, and crumbling infrastructure. Settlements are sparse, as most people cluster around the region's few lakes and rivers to eke out a meager existence. Survivors are forced to be scavengers, hunter-gatherers, and raiders to survive in the harsh environment.
The people of Anjou have reverted to tribal organization, as the scarcity of resources makes large concentrations of people unsustainable. Tribes typically consist of a single extended family or a handful of allied families. Rivalries and conflicts arise frequently across tribal lines, as well as within tribes themselves. Raiding is a common occurrence, as it is a way to acquire necessary resources such as water and non-perishable food from other groups.
Leadership is often based on strength and cunning, although elders and those with knowledge of the hazards of the land may also hold sway in their communities. Family bonds are essential, and kinship is often emphasized in order to maintain group cohesion and mutual aid.
The Anjou tribes have an oral tradition of stories and lore, often centered around the depletion of the land and its resources, and the remnants of technology that still exist in the region. Water is a critical factor in survival, and many stories involve the conservation and protection of sources of clean water.
The Anjouans are deeply superstitious, and myths often revolve around the idea that the people who inhabited the land before The Fall possessed knowledge and equipment that could restore the environment. This has fueled an underground trade in technology relics, often claimed to be devices that can purify water or grow food in the waste.
A powerful cult known as the Cult of the Machine claims to be in possession of a knowledge about the old world, specifically the technology required to restore the environment. The cult is centered around an artifact known as The Machine: an object of veneration claimed to have the power to cleanse water, eliminate radiation and renew life in the area. The cult leaders purport to be in possession of scientific knowledge that allows them to control the mysterious artifact.
The cult operates various facilities in Anjou, which tend to be more secure and better-provisioned than other settlements in the region. However, their resources are limited, and the leaders often use their position to attract followers and maintain their power. The cult's existence is fraught with controversy and animosity from rival tribes, who accuse the cult of lying, hoarding resources, and committing various forms of exploitation.
Despite the dangers and difficulties, Anjou remains home to those who find a way to survive in its harsh conditions. The land contains its own stories and mysteries, which continue to unfold in a world where every day is a struggle for survival.
