What would the effects of a Nuclear war have on Deadlands?

[The Vampire Fish]

We know the how much chaos there was in the underworld that was cause by WW1 so my guess is that WW3 will be much much worse and will be the cause of the next Great Maelstrom.

What do you guys think the effects will be like on the underworld if WW3 or any form of Nuclear war happens?

[Nazfool]

Have you read through Ends of Empire? I think that might give you some fine inspiration for radioactive hijinks across the Shroud. Granted, the circumstances are bit less...mundane...then conventional warfare. Then again, in the real world, nuclear weapons are pretty fucking horrible on their own. Anyhoo, check it out.

[marin]

See also Dark Kingdom of Jade Adventures, for a brief look at the Shadowlands of Hiroshima.

[LordCrimson]

We know the how much chaos there was in the underworld that was cause by WW1 so my guess is that WW3 will be much much worse and will be the cause of the next Great Maelstrom.

What do you guys think the effects will be like on the underworld if WW3 or any form of Nuclear war happens?

Well, an awful Maelstrom is a given, since dropping the bombs on Japan did that and those were just a couple of (comparatively-speaking, of course) "piddly little atomic weapons" on a pair of cities. Nuclear war would involves millions upon millions of immediate deaths and many millions upon millions more in radiation-induced and/or starvation-from-nuclear-winter deaths.

On the other hand, if Stygia was able to respond quickly, they would have WHOLE CITIES of fresh-across-the-Shroud Wraiths for the Legions to harvest and either draft into service, moliate into barghest packs, or soulforge. Which they'd probably need, given the likely viciousness of the resulting Maelstrom and the Spectral Armies.

[Ajax]

On the other hand, if Stygia was able to respond quickly, they would have WHOLE CITIES of fresh-across-the-Shroud Wraiths for the Legions to harvest and either draft into service, moliate into barghest packs, or soulforge. Which they'd probably need, given the likely viciousness of the resulting Maelstrom and the Spectral Armies.

That seems like it would be trying to recruit people during a Category 5+ Hurricane but with acid. And most of the the people you are trying to recruitt are almost certainly going to be bat-shit crazy cannibals bent on eating you. Oh, and you are also very likely going crazy yourself.

Throw up a cordon. Kill anything that tries to get out. Think "Trying to Avert the Zombie Apocalypse, Already in Progress " not "Biggest Best Yard Sale/Pool of Eager Volunteers Ever"

[wander]

Tbh, outside of what was seen in End of Empire, it's gonna be a bit of both really...

[AkatsukiLeader13]

To begin with, kick off a Great Maelstrom to make all past Great Maelstroms and the horrors birthed by the Holocaust combined look like a mild summer storm. Millions would die in the Skinlands, either by the direct effects of the bombs, radiation and fallout, or from the collapse of society that would likely happen after such a war. Many of those poor souls would flood the Shadowlands, utterly taxing the Hierarchy's ability to handle all these new wraiths. The ranks of Specters would swell and lead to major Specter assaults across the Dark Kingdom of Iron, further straining the Hierarchy's resources.

Gods help them if the Smiling Lord decides to pull another jackass stunt at that time. It would likely shatter the Hierarchy.

In short, it would be the darkest moment Stygia ever witnessed and possibly its final moment.