| Event | Collapse of global industrial civilization |
| Outcome | Societal breakdown • Resource scarcity • Reversion to primitive technology and living conditions |
| Trigger | Climate change • Resource depletion • Bioengineered pandemics |
| Factions | Powerful factions vying for control of advanced technology |
| Majority | Population struggling to survive in harsh new reality |
"Fallout" is the term used to describe the catastrophic collapse of global industrial civilization that occurred in the late 21st century, triggering a prolonged, worldwide dark age. Unlike the nuclear war that devastated the world in the primary timeline's Fallout universe, this "Fallout" was the result of a confluence of environmental, technological, and sociopolitical factors rather than atomic weapons.
The seeds of the Fallout were sown by decades of reckless industrialization, resource extraction, and environmental damage throughout the 20th century. Unchecked greenhouse gas emissions fueled rapid climate change, leading to rising sea levels, droughts, famines, and mass displacement of populations globally.
At the same time, the overuse of antibiotics and the emergence of deadly, genetically-engineered pathogens led to repeated, uncontrollable pandemics that killed millions. Coupled with dwindling reserves of fossil fuels, minerals, and other key resources, the global economy and industrial infrastructure began to crumble in the 2070s and 2080s.
Faced with social unrest, economic collapse, and environmental catastrophe, many nations turned inward, abandoning international cooperation. This accelerated the breakdown of global supply chains, trade networks, and governance structures. By the 2090s, industrial civilization had essentially ground to a halt across most of the planet.
The aftermath of the Fallout disaster was a prolonged, worldwide "dark age" marked by the collapse of centralized governments, the breakdown of infrastructure, and a reversion to more localized, agrarian societies. Most advanced technologies were lost, with the majority of the population living in conditions reminiscent of the pre-industrial era.
Pockets of relatively advanced technology remain, however, often tightly controlled by powerful factions vying for dominance. These include remnants of military forces, corporate conglomerates, and emerging warlord states. Access to functional machinery, power, and transportation is highly coveted, leading to constant conflict and struggles for resources.
The most technologically advanced factions include:
These groups utilize a mix of pre-Fallout equipment, jerry-rigged machines, and rare, functional electronics. Advanced weaponry, vehicles, and communications are prized assets that can tip the balance of power.
For the majority of the population, day-to-day existence is a constant struggle for survival in the bleak, post-apocalyptic landscape. Food, clean water, medicine, and other basic resources are scarce, leading to widespread malnutrition, disease, and violent conflict between communities.
Environmental damage and climate change have also taken a devastating toll, with large swaths of the planet rendered uninhabitable. Radiation, toxic spills, and ecological collapse are ever-present dangers. Diseases, both old and new, ravage populations that lack access to modern healthcare.
Banding together in small, fortified settlements is often the only viable means of ensuring a reliable food and water supply. However, these communities are constantly under threat from raiders, warlords, and other predatory factions seeking to seize their resources.
The Fallout disaster has left an indelible mark on the psyche and culture of the surviving populations. Nostalgia for the "old world" and its technological wonders exists alongside a deep-seated mistrust of centralized authority and a fear of industrial progress run amok.
Art, literature, and storytelling in the post-Fallout world often grapple with themes of loss, resilience, and the struggle to rebuild in the face of overwhelming adversity. The few remaining pockets of advanced technology are viewed with a mix of awe, reverence, and trepidation - reminders of both the promise and the peril of human ingenuity.
As the generations pass, the details of the catastrophic events that led to the Fallout may become obscured, transmuted into myth and legend. Yet the harsh realities of this dystopian future continue to cast a long shadow over the lives of those who must navigate its perils in the present day.
