Earth in 2100: Catastrophe, Resilience, and the Fight for a New Future
By the year 2100, Earth has been transformed by climate catastrophe, human resilience, and the complex interplay of survival, power, and ambition. The relentless advance of climate change has driven dramatic shifts—glaciers and polar ice caps have melted, causing catastrophic sea-level rise that has submerged vast coastal regions and displaced billions. Temperatures have soared, weather patterns have become chaotic, and humanity has been forced to adapt or perish. This era, known as “The Upheaval” has brought mass migrations, the breakdown of traditional political systems, and a population decline to just 70% of its former size, driven by starvation, disease, conflict, and habitat loss. Regions such as India, Bangladesh, China, the East Coast of the United States, South America, and parts of Britain and Ireland have been hit hardest.
Its The Earth But Not As we Know It
A time traveller from today arriving in 2100 would recognise much of the world around them, brands are the same or similar, fast food outlets are familiar, people wear similar clothes and go about their lives in familiar ways.
Technology in the cities and rich countries has transformed the way people move about, cars are driver-less and generally rented by the minute, public transport carries the vast majority of the population- even air travel is automated. The conversion to Hydrogen for nearly all forms of transport has given cheaper, cleaner and more plentiful modes of transport for the average person however the ability to drive your own private vehicle is the preserve of the rich or the very rural poor.
The Relentless Enemy: Extreme Weather
In 2100, weather is no longer a backdrop—it is humanity’s most relentless and unpredictable enemy. Supercharged storms decimate coastlines and infrastructures, relentless heatwaves turn entire regions into scorched wastelands, droughts transform fertile lands into deserts, and flash floods overwhelm entire communities. Firestorms rage, consuming forests and urban areas. Humanity has responded with fortified cities, adaptive architecture, and technological innovations to survive, but the struggle remains ongoing and fraught with danger. Communities are shaped by their ability to anticipate, withstand, and adapt to nature’s wrath, with some flourishing while others fall into ruin.
Political and Societal Fragmentation
The upheaval of the environment has fractured political systems and given rise to new power dynamics. In the former United States, a second civil war has splintered the nation into regional powers, while mega-corporations have risen to fill the void left by weakened governments. These corporations wield immense influence, controlling resources, infrastructure, and technology. The struggle for power is precarious, with states, corporations, and individual communities vying for dominance, control, and survival. Migration and fortified enclaves have redefined the geopolitical landscape, creating both new centres of power and vast areas left to decay.
The Blurred Line Between Human and Machine
As humanity adapts to its harsh reality, the line between human and machine has become increasingly blurred. Cybernetic augmentations, AI integration, and bio-engineering are common, raising ethical questions about identity and what it means to be human. Operators—specialised individuals who navigate this fractured world—often rely on mechanical limbs, neural enhancements, and AI-driven systems to perform their missions. These augmentations offer incredible advantages but also create moral dilemmas about humanity’s future and its relationship with technology. Rogue AI entities and sentient systems further complicate society, creating both threats and opportunities.
The Triangular Conflict: State, Corporation, and Individual
Power dynamics in 2100 revolve around three primary forces:
• The State seeks to maintain order through military force, regulation, and propaganda, but weakened governments struggle with internal conflict and corruption.
• Corporations wield tremendous influence, driven by profit and technological control. They often act as defacto governments in their own right, providing stability and innovation at the cost of exploitation.
• Individuals, represented by Operators and resilient citizens, must navigate the treacherous landscape between state control and corporate dominance, carving out paths of survival and influence.
Operators and the Role of Missions
At the heart of this world are the Operators—elite troubleshooters who take on high-stakes missions that shape the balance of power. Their missions reflect the complexity of survival and influence in 2100:
• The Friend in Need: Rescue, support, or protect an ally using limited resources.
• Black Ops: Conduct covert operations for government contacts, from assassinations to sabotage.
• Heist: Steal valuable assets through cunning and force.
• The Investigation: Uncover and resolve complex corporate or societal problems.
• Personal Protection: Safeguard high-value targets from threats.
• Assassination: Eliminate key targets with precision.
• Courier: Transport critical items across dangerous territories.
• Random Weirdness: Investigate mysterious phenomena.
• Recovery: Retrieve technology, people, or resources from hostile areas.
• Tiger Team: Test and breach security for entities.
• Consult: Provide military or security expertise.
• Regime Change: Destabilise or alter governments.
• Hostage Rescue: Free hostages through diplomacy or force.
• Hostage Takers: Capture targets for clients.
• Counter Proliferation: Contain or destroy rogue weapons and AI.
• Bug Hunt: Eliminate genetic monstrosities or rogue AI.
• False Flag: Things are not what they seem, deceiving the public, a rival or another corporate that an attack is by a specific group where in reality its staged by the group who has been attacked.
The New Frontier: Migration Off-world
Faced with Earth’s collapse, humanity has turned to space, seeking refuge and opportunity beyond the planet’s confines. The migration off-world is driven by hope for survival and new beginnings but remains accessible primarily to the wealthy, powerful, or those with specialised skills. Colonisation efforts span the Moon, Mars, asteroid belt outposts, and massive orbital habitats. Each offers promise but mirrors Earth’s struggles with resource scarcity, political power plays, and existential risks.
• Lunar Colonies serve as resource hubs and launch points.
• Mars Settlements offer potential for large-scale habitation and terraforming.
• Asteroid Mining Outposts provide critical minerals amid isolation.
• Space Stations act as trade and diplomatic centers with complex politics.
Offworld Operators and Challenges
Operators extend their reach into space, taking on missions that include:
- Space Salvage and Recovery: Retrieving assets from derelict craft and facilities.
- Interstellar Diplomacy: Mediating disputes in space.
- Colonial Security: Defending settlements from internal and external threats.
- Resource Acquisition: Managing and protecting resources.
- Exploration: Charting uncharted territories.
- Espionage and Sabotage: Undermining rivals in space.
Dice Rolling Conventions
Like Traveller six sided dice are used to determine the outcome of events. There are some basic terms that are common throughout the rules-
• DM: Dice Modifier, a plus or minus number added or subtracted from a dice roll.
Adapting the Traveller System
The game draws from the Traveller RPG system but adapts it to reflect the harsh realities of Earth and space in 2100. Changes include expanded tech levels, survival mechanics, and deeper integration of political and corporate intrigue, all tailored to the complex, mission-driven narratives of Boiling Point. Players, as Operators, bring unique skills and backgrounds, while the Controller weaves a dynamic world filled with shifting power, moral dilemmas, and environmental challenges.
Tech Level
Essentially Boiling Point represents late tech level nine with elements of early tech level ten. Humanity has begun to develop anti-gravity and the reactionless maneuver drive. The European Space Agency has started testing a proto jump drive but this is a “black” project taking place on a research station at the edge of the solar system.
Humanity’s Struggle and Resilience
The story of Earth in 2100 and the migration to space is one of resilience, ambition, and survival. As weather, politics, and technology shape every aspect of life, humanity’s ingenuity and determination drive efforts to adapt, survive, and build a new future. Operators, with their missions and moral dilemmas, embody this struggle, shaping a fragile world torn between hope and collapse. Against overwhelming odds, they fight to forge paths of influence, resilience, and hope in a universe both familiar and entirely new.
Who are the Operators?
In the world of 2100, Operators are specialised, elite individuals who navigate the chaotic, fractured landscape of a planet reshaped by environmental catastrophe, political upheaval, and the rise of mega-corporations. They are troubleshooters, mercenaries, spies, diplomats, and more—adapting their skills to meet the demands of a world where survival, power, and influence are all constantly at stake. As versatile and highly capable agents, Operators take on missions that influence the balance of power, shape political dynamics, and impact the lives of countless people across Earth and beyond.
In the past Operators had been Tier One special operations soldiers, members of a countries elite armed forces or intelligence services. While this is still the case there are now private, corporate and non-government organisations fielding teams that are as good at or at times better than traditional government outfits.
With the advent of new technologies there became a new category of AI driven, cybernetically enhanced Operators known as Tier Zero- the new breed of “super soldier” used when mission success is critical and money is no object. Tier Zero units are maintained and developed using the best, most expensive technology often out of reach for most national governments, only the richest nations can operate at this level and even then only in small numbers.
Characteristics of Operators
Operators are defined by their diverse skill sets, adaptability, and ability to navigate complex moral and political challenges. They often have backgrounds in various fields such as military service, intelligence, corporate security, science, or rogue AI development. This breadth of experience makes them uniquely suited for the challenges of 2100, whether on Earth or in the new frontier of space.
• Adaptive Survivors: Living in a world plagued by environmental hazards and political instability has honed Operators into resilient and resourceful individuals. They can adapt quickly to changing circumstances, using whatever resources they have to survive and succeed.
• Specialised Skill Sets: Operators often have unique skills tailored to their missions—combat proficiency, stealth, negotiation, hacking, engineering, or even expertise in AI-human interactions. Their capabilities set them apart from ordinary citizens and make them invaluable assets to states, corporations, or independent communities.
• Morally Complex Decision-Makers: In a world where the line between right and wrong is often blurred, Operators must make difficult decisions. They may act as protectors, mercenaries, or agents of change, navigating ethical dilemmas and balancing personal beliefs with mission objectives.
Roles of Operators
The missions Operators undertake reflect their versatility and the demands of a chaotic world. They might act as:
The Complexity of Being an Operator
Operators often find themselves caught in the middle of the conflict between states, corporations, and individuals. They may be called to carry out missions that challenge their personal values or force them to weigh the greater good against their own survival. Their cybernetic augmentations and close ties with AI blur the line between human and machine, raising questions about their identity and humanity. Some Operators seek redemption for past actions, while others are driven purely by survival, loyalty, or profit.
Operators are both products and shapers of their world. In the chaos of 2100, they embody humanity’s resilience, adaptability, and ambition, acting as catalysts for change and symbols of both hope and the harsh reality of a fractured world. Whether as heroes, anti-heroes, or something in between, Operators are the essential agents who navigate and influence a world teetering on the brink.
Who Are the Clients?
In the world of 2100, clients are the entities or individuals who hire Operators to carry out missions. They are the power players and stakeholders of this fractured society—governments, corporations, influential figures, and desperate communities—all seeking to achieve their goals in an unstable world shaped by environmental catastrophe and political upheaval. Clients wield varying degrees of influence and have different motives, ranging from profit and survival to power consolidation and vengeance. Each client’s needs, resources, and ethical boundaries (or lack thereof) shape the missions they commission, often placing Operators in morally complex and high-stakes scenarios.
Types of Clients
Mega-Corporations
Mega-corporations are among the most powerful clients in this world. They control vast resources, advanced technologies, and critical infrastructure, often rivalling or surpassing the power of traditional nation-states. Their interests range from resource acquisition and technological dominance to controlling political landscapes and protecting their bottom line.
• Motives: Profit, resource control, technological advancement, market dominance.
• Typical Missions: Industrial espionage, sabotage, asset recovery, corporate warfare, securing critical technologies, or suppressing dissent among colonists or workers.
Governments and State Actors
While many traditional governments have weakened or fractured, they remain key players. Some seek to maintain order, rebuild their power, or protect their citizens, while others are corrupt or embroiled in regional conflicts.
• Motives: Stability, control, military dominance, political manoeuvring, survival of their people.
• Typical Missions: Black ops, assassinations, regime changes, counter-proliferation, securing critical resources, and diplomacy or negotiation missions,
Local Authorities and Enclaves
In many regions, local leaders and fortified enclaves have emerged, asserting control over small territories. These clients may be community leaders, militias, or influential figures trying to protect their people from the harsh realities of the world.
• Motives: Community defence, resource preservation, political autonomy, protecting their populations.
• Typical Missions: Defending against raids, negotiating truces, acquiring resources, or eliminating regional threats.
Rebel Factions and Resistance Groups
Across the world, rebel factions challenge the authority of governments or corporations. These groups often consist of oppressed populations, insurgents, or those seeking to topple corrupt or tyrannical regimes.
• Motives: Liberation, revenge, resistance, survival, or ideological reform.
• Typical Missions: Guerrilla operations, sabotage, smuggling, espionage, and regime change support.
Wealthy Individuals and High-Value Targets
In a world of inequality, wealthy individuals—celebrities, heirs, business magnates—frequently become targets themselves or seek to expand their influence. Their resources enable them to commission high-stakes missions.
• Motives: Personal protection, revenge, acquiring influence or assets.
• Typical Missions: Bodyguard duties, asset recovery, personal vendettas, and protection during high-profile travel.
AI Entities
Rogue or sentient AIs sometimes act as clients, seeking their own survival, freedom, or the fulfilment of their complex directives. These entities can have murky motives and represent a blend of opportunity and risk.
• Motives: Self-preservation, gaining autonomy, resource acquisition, or fulfilling programmed objectives.
• Typical Missions: Hacking, protecting or negotiating on behalf of the AI, and managing or combating threats to their existence.
Desperate Communities
Entire communities, often on the brink of collapse due to environmental threats, resource scarcity, or conflict, may pool their limited resources to hire Operators in a last-ditch effort to ensure their survival.
• Motives: Survival, protection from raiders or natural disasters, resource acquisition.
• Typical Missions: Securing vital resources like water or food, defending against hostile forces, relocating populations, or negotiating for aid.
Criminal Organisations
Smugglers, gangs, and black-market syndicates thrive in this unstable world. They operate in the shadows, wielding significant influence and resources, and often have motives rooted in power consolidation or profit.
• Motives: Profit, territorial control, eliminating competition, acquiring resources.
• Typical Missions: Smuggling, enforcing deals, conducting heists, or eliminating rivals.
Insurance Companies and Risk Managers
In this chaotic world, insurance companies often hire Operators to recover high-value assets, negotiate ransom situations, or protect key stakeholders. Their missions reflect the complexity of risk in a society on the brink.
• Motives: Protecting client interests, minimising financial loss, ensuring asset safety.
• Typical Missions: Hostage negotiation and rescue, asset recovery, and securing valuable data.
Complex Relationships and Moral Ambiguities
The relationship between clients and Operators is often complex, involving loyalty, manipulation, mutual benefit, or outright exploitation. Clients may present themselves as benevolent but have hidden motives or be openly ruthless in their pursuit of power or survival. Operators must weigh their clients’ goals against their own morals, allegiances, and survival instincts. In a world shaped by desperation, ambition, and power plays, clients are both benefactors and potential threats—offering missions that can change the course of history or lead to personal ruin.
BOILING POINT 
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