Bloody Hell, Mate! Dimension 20's 'Gladlands' Just Blew Up the Post-Apocalypse with... Manners?
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Dimension 20 is dropping 'Gladlands,' a new actual play campaign premiering Jan 7, 2026, that flips the post-apocalyptic script: imagine a 'Mad Max' world where 'manners didn't end!' It's a delightfully chaotic concept from DM Brennan Lee Mulligan and a stellar cast, promising polite survival amidst the wasteland.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're mucking about with a powerful spell, and it goes off in a way you totally didn't expect, but it's *brilliant*? Like turning a dragon into a polite tea-cosy instead of a pile of ash? Well, apparently, the absolute mad wizards over at Dimension 20 have cast just such a charm on the tired old post-apocalyptic genre, and fair dinkum, it sounds utterly bonkers in the best possible way.
I've been tinkering with the news this morning, and this new campaign, 'Gladlands,' premiering January 7, 2026, is set to drop us into a world that's basically *Mad Max*... but with a hearty dose of civility. Now, this whole glorious revelation, as initially brewed by Austin Manchester over at Polygon, has me absolutely buzzing. My curiosity meter just went off the charts, like a geiger counter near a perfectly brewed cuppa. Mad Max with manners? The world might have ended, but etiquette somehow survived? You beauty! That's the kind of optimistically chaotic twist I live for.
Usually, when we talk about a post-apocalyptic setting, we're bracing ourselves for gritty survival, desperate scavengers, and warlords in tricked-out cars. Think rusting metal, despair, and the faint whiff of desperation. But 'Gladlands' is flipping the script faster than a rogue wizard accidentally transmuting his own trousers into a flock of pigeons. According to the intel, this wasteland isn't all doom and gloom. Instead, the folks here 'turn to community and kindness for survival.' And the kicker? The trailer tagline assures us: 'The world might have ended but manners didn't!' Imagine a War Boy politely asking you to hand over your petrol, rather than just... taking it. Or a bandit gang stopping for elevenses. It’s a delightful subversion, isn't it? It pokes at the tropes we've come to expect, challenging the very notion that humanity's only path in adversity is brutality. What happens when everyone’s still trying to be nice, even when the world’s gone to pot? That’s where the real storytelling magic is going to happen, I reckon.
And who better to conjure up such a wonderfully weird world than the maestro himself, Brennan Lee Mulligan? Bloody hell, that man must be brewing potions of infinite energy, because he's currently DMing for *Critical Role Campaign Four* *and* he’s steering the ship for 'Gladlands.' The sheer creative output is astounding. Brennan’s a master of weaving intricate narratives, crafting NPCs that feel genuinely alive, and creating emotional stakes that hit harder than a crit from a barbarian. His ability to improvise, adapt, and make even the most bizarre player choices feel like destiny is legendary. He’s the kind of digital wizard who can read the tea leaves of player intent and weave them into a tapestry more compelling than any pre-written module. To think he's taking a concept as inherently violent as a wasteland and infusing it with 'kindness' and 'community' is, quite frankly, a stroke of genius. It suggests a game world rich with diplomatic challenges, moral quandaries wrapped in polite conversation, and perhaps even existential dread delivered with a charming smile. It’s not just a new setting; it's a new lens through which to view humanity's resilience – or stubborn adherence to social norms, even after the bombs fall.
Now, about the party of intrepid adventurers who'll be navigating this polite purgatory. We've got a killer lineup of Dropout alumni. The stalwarts, Ally Beardsley and Zac Oyama, are back in the dome, which is always a treat. Their comedic timing and ability to completely derail (and then somehow re-rail) a narrative are unparalleled. Oscar Montoya and Jacob Wysocki are also returning after proving their mettle in previous campaigns like 'A Court of Fey and Flowers' and 'Never Stop Blowing Up.' And making their Dimension 20 debuts are Kimia Behpoornia and the honorary Dropout president, Vic Michaelis. This mix of seasoned D20 veterans and fresh faces promises a dynamic table, full of surprising character choices and delightful role-playing moments. It’s like gathering a new adventuring party for a particularly perilous (but well-mannered) quest – you never quite know what chaos will erupt, but you know it’ll be entertaining.
This isn't Dimension 20's first rodeo, either. 'Gladlands' marks the 27th campaign since 'Fantasy High' kicked things off in 2018. Twenty-seven campaigns! That's an astonishing track record, a testament to the enduring appeal of their format and the sheer talent involved. It's not just a show; it's a phenomenon that continually pushes the boundaries of actual play TTRPGs, proving that interactive storytelling, when done with passion and skill, can resonate deeply with audiences. They've built a whole universe (or rather, a multiverse of different worlds) and cultivated a dedicated community around it. And for us gamers, it’s a brilliant reminder of the power of imagination and collaborative storytelling. We're always looking for new ways to engage, to find those human stories behind the mechanics, and Dimension 20 consistently delivers.
Episodes will drop on Wednesdays for six weeks, with the 'Adventuring Party' talk-back sessions following the next day. So, buckle up, mates. While the world of 'Gladlands' might sound a bit 'too good to be true' for a post-apocalypse, I'm genuinely cautiously optimistic. This gentle skepticism only makes me more curious to see how Brennan and the crew pull off this polite apocalypse. Will they find treasure, redemption, or simply the very best way to queue for water rations? My money's on an epic adventure filled with unexpected kindness, clever solutions, and probably a few instances where good manners get utterly, gloriously annihilated by player antics. Can't wait to see how they stick the landing on this one. It's going to be a wild ride, with or without seatbelts, but I'm sure everyone will be terribly polite about it.
Tags: Dimension20, TTRPG, ActualPlay, BrennanLeeMulligan, PostApocalyptic
Original article: Polygon