Packrats
From Exanimus The Wiki
Answering the call for a nomadic clan I present an outline for The Packrats.
Survivng mostly by their wits and mobility rather than number or might, The Packrats are an affiliation of nomadic scavengers. They are not out to save the world, or bend it to their will, they are only out to survive the only way they know how, by salvaging and trading.
The group structure is more of a loose affiliation rather than a unified clan. There is no head, or center of the group, but rather small parties which group together for safety during scavenging runs. The lack of any central power gives all Packrats a great deal of freedom, and gives the whole organization a lot of fluidity, thus keeping them mobile.
Even without a central power there is a code of conduct which is expected for all Packrats. 1. Be a benefit to the group. In other words dont be a liability. 2. Everyone who does their fair share, gets their fair share. 3. Do not fight other Packrats 4. Seek profits, not conflicts.
As stated, Packrats will not engage in combat, either with undead or with survivors, wantonly. Combat is a means to an end, not the end itself. A group of Packrats will most often run or avoid a potentially hazardous situation if there is nothing, or little to be gained from it. Packrats will not actively seek conflicts with other survivors, but will fight to defend themselves and any laid claims from immediate threats, human or zombie.
The Packrats as a whole will seldom engage in open conflict as a whole against other groups of survivors, but instead, if provoked, engage in embargos, trade restrictions, clean sweeps/scorched earth, or even hit and run assualts and other forms of subterfuge against hostile territories and clans.
Due to the extreme amount of freedom available to its members, "membership" is highly restricted. Before someone can call himself a representive of the Packrats, he must prove that he is a benefit to the group. Most importantly, he must be trustworthy. When out in a party, a Packrat must know that the others are watching his back and not trying to stab it. He must also show that he is not a liability, and liability comes in many forms. Being too weak or incompetent to defend himself, being overly violent or hostile to either group members or other survivors, being overly rash or unconscious of dangerous situations. Finally, he must be willing to work and have skills that would be of value to the group. Packrats most value skills that aid in salvaging and manufacturing, and anything that allows them to remain quick and mobile (such as automobile mechanics). Though some combat skills are nessecary, they are not highly valued.
If a memeber becomes too much of a liability, or does not pull his own wieght, then he may be expelled. Expulsion isnt really a formal event, rather if people dont like working with an individual, they dont take them on their runs. Eventually, they find a new home somewhere else. If someone becomes too much of a problem and causes open trouble for the association, he may be issued a hit, which consists of a vote for execution. Anytime a Packrat sees anyone who has been issued a hit acting as a Packrat member he is authorized, if not obligated, to execute him.
Where it comes to dealings with outsiders there are two core philosophies shared by most Packrats: Take advantage of every opportunity Nothing in life is free
This is best described through hypothetical situations.
If a group heard a call for help at an overrun barricade, their priority would be more likely to go for the salvage rather than to rescue the survivors.
If they ran into a lone straggler they would escort him to a safe spot if he offered to aid in their scavenging until they got there.
If they ran into someone with a large amount of gear or materials, while they wouldn't kill him, they would try to exploit any opportunities to acquire it.
Lastly, the overall goal of the group, after surviving of course, is to be the primary avenue of shipping and trade through the zombie infestations. They seek to have branches in every city/fortification, and be the best manufacturers and scavengers around.
