Does DFRPG more and more resemble a super hero game to you

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

Indeed, there has been the assertion that D&D itself is post-apocalyptic. An apocalypse is a major plot point in the Dragonlance campaign setting.

4th edition D&D's "default" Points of Light setting (and recommendation to GMs when designing their own setting) is after the end of the Golden Age, when everything is plunged into chaos, and fell monsters roam the land. Civilization clings to existence in small patches and pockets (points of light in the darkness) constantly under threat from monsters.

This of course explains all the ruined buildings filled with monsters hovering over treasures that you can't buy off-the-shelf, and why everyone's sheep are always being eaten by ogres or whatnot. Civilization doesn't have the resources to fix this at a governmental level and relies of random citizens, because Civilization is barely clinging to existence or is struggling to rebuild itself.

Its a good idea that nicely explains a lot of fantasy gaming tropes.