In 2007 the STE virus broke out. The original origin is still unknown, with theories ranging from a monkey-born pathogen to biological warfare. What is known is that within six months most major cities had been evacuated, and within two years the world's societies had completely collapsed. Only a few thousand people survived in the United States, most of them your average joes.

The year is now 2017. Ten years have passed since the initial outbreak. Survivors have begun to create their own small communities. One such community exists on a small college campus in Kansas, at a private religious school named for the patron saint of Kansas.

The people that have settled down at St. Marys' have come to terms with the end of modern civilization. They have running water, electricity, and fresh food from a garden. They have also elected their own small congress, four elders who help make the major decisions for them.

Another group in the area have made an unsteady truce with the folks at St. Mary's. These people roam the countryside, looting homes and hunting. They live a much wilder life, and have a harsh way of handling things. People who just can't cut it are left on their own, so they don't slow down the ones who are fast enough and strong enough. They made a truce with the people of St. Mary's, though it is based almost entirely upon the need for trade. The sedentary people of St. Mary's need supplies from the outside world, as well as meat, and the nomads often need showers, fresh fruits and vegetables, and sometimes just a place to stay. While the trading system works, it is often tense when the two groups live together.

St. Mary's has five main buildings and a gymnasium. Two of the buildings are dormitories where the survivors have made their homes. The main building contains a library, and serves as the meeting place for everyone. When nomads come to stay, or the rare survivor from another outside group, the fourth building is their home. It consists entirely of classrooms, but many of them have been modified with mattresses and blankets.

The school is located south of Emporia, Kansas, a few miles west of the Verdigris river. There are many towns within a few hours drive, but the school is isolated enough to avoid most of the zombies that still inhabit the towns.