Unaffiliated

The majority of the population isn't part of any particular faction, choosing instead to try and live without the conflict that comes between opposing factions. For those that do choose to remain unaffiliated, there are two major groups that they can be classed as: civilians and drifters. Civilians are people that live in the safety of Stronghold, and usually have passes that allow them to enter and leave the city at free will. On the other hand, drifters are people that live outside of Stronghold for various reasons. These people generally do not have passes into the city, and instead must struggle to survive on their own.

Listed below is further information on each type of unaffiliated group:

Civilians are regular people living in the safety of Stronghold's walls that have no affiliation ties with any faction. Whatever business they choose to go about, they tend to avoid the conflicts of the city, as well as the chaotic world outside the walls. The society of Stronghold is heavily based around a person's wealth and occupation of supplies, and people are judged based on their place in society. However, all civilians share one similarity: they all have passes that allow them access in and out of the city.

The Rich	Peope with power, wealth, and influence are highest in society, and live in the Inner Citadel in the heart of Stronghold. They thrive in a world free of Infected, and many have grown so comfortable with their lifestyle, that they've been swayed by the Military to believe there is no virus outbreak that plagues the world There is No War in Ba Sing Se. Most are completely blind to what's going on in the world, and very rarely cross paths with the part of society struggling under Military rule.
Corporates	Corporations are run by the rich and funded by the Military, and are mostly what are responsible for keeping Stronghold a thriving society. They are the ones funding the Military, creating food, providing water, and manufacturing supplies. People that work for corporations are all about money, and have very little consideration for the poor residents of society.
The Poor	The majority of society are considered poor and destitute, just barely able to scrape by. Although they are guaranteed safety in Stronghold, nothing else is guaranteed for them. Food and water is heavily rationed, priority placed on those with money to bribe officers. Healthcare is nearly nonexistent, and comfort goods are given only to those able to provide for the Military. Many choose to live under the Military's thumb because the only alternative is trying to survive outside the walls.

Drifters are people that, for whatever reason, do not have residence inside Stronghold, and have no affiliation ties with any faction. The reason for them to live outside the city walls varies, and can be because they were banished by the Military, they simply do not want to live under the tyranny of the Military, or they are a Level V Infected with no interest in rejoining society. Whatever the reason, some choose to live alone, while others choose to live together in different colonies for safety and protection.

Solos	Some drifters prefer to live alone, surviving off supplies they can find and defending their own block of territory in abandoned towns and facilities. While it's the hardest lifestyle in terms of safety, it also means they are not required to look after and care for others. These are generally, but not always, people that have been exiled from Stronghold. Solos also tend to do a lot of trade with Eclipse, as it's harder for them to find supplies on their own.
Colonies	While some drifters prefer to live alone, most end up finding groups of people to live with. Increased safety and larger amounts of supplies makes this lifestyle much easier for drifters, although with it also often comes the requirement to protect everyone in the colony. Not all colonies are the same, and vary from colony to colony, and leader to leader. Colonies will often stake out their own territory for defense, and sometimes butt heads with Eclipse members that are looking for supplies to loot.
Mercenaries	Mercenaries are exceptionally skilled and adept drifters that have been hired by the Military to take part in elimination of Infected nests and areas. The Military would never admit to hiring drifters to do their dirty work, but they simply aren't as skilled at living outside in high threat areas like drifters are. Mercenaries are regularly supplied with weapons and ammunition by the Military to take on such tasks, and in return for their service they are offered minimal protection by the Military. Some are even given passes that allow them to enter Stronghold, just not hold residence there.

The Military

Click to View the Hierarchy & Rank Descriptions The Military is the dominant faction in both Stronghold as well as the area surrounding it. Not long after the outbreak first took place, they took command of both security as well as leadership, violently overthrowing the government to instill themselves in a place of power. To this day they continue to rule over the land with an iron fist, choosing to follow the ideaology of "The end justifies the means". Security is their primary concern, rather than the welfare of their citizens, and they do whatever is necessary to ensure that. They've created a dog-eat-dog system, a world where only those rich enough to afford basic supplies are able to survive and even thrive.

Keeping Stronghold safe from the Infected is the Military's number one concern, and their aggression towards the virus knows no bounds. Ordinary people have been known to be snatched from the streets and taken away at the mere rumour they may have been infected, never to be seen again. Even their own kind are thrown away should they pose a threat to the Military's control. The hierarchy within the Military is very strict, all officers expected to take commands from their superior officers without second guessing their decisions. Democracy is a dead word in today's world; tyranny is the only thing that survived.

Flag Rank Officers are the top brass in the Military: the top dogs that call all the shots. They're unknown to the public, even to most members of the Military; faceless masters of command that create the laws that govern Stronghold, as well as the punishments that put rebels in their place. Their anonymity is what makes them such a frightening powerhouse, even to people in the Military. The only thing that's certain is that no one should ever make them angry. Punishments are swift and lethal, putting to rest any attempt at rising against their will, which they use to rule over Stronghold with an iron fist.

All Flag Rank Officers are NPCs played by the Staff Team

The Corporate Branch is the Military sector that operates directly out of the Inner Citadel in the heart of Stronghold. It's the branch that contains all the high ranking officers that are known both to the public, as well as internally in the Military. They are the ones directly responsible for ensuring that the will of the Flag Rank Officers is followed, as well as ensuring that the city remains under proper control by the Military. Those further down the hierarchy have the luxury job of acting as police in the rich districts, where crime is few.

Authority	Besides the Flag Rank Officers that control Stronghold, high ranking officials of the Corporate Branch are those that are directly responsible for keeping the Military running. They manage the two other branches of the Military, and have authority over everyone else in the Military of lower rank than them. Their commands are not to be questioned, and it's not uncommon for someone to face deadly consequences should they choose to disobey a member of the Corporate Branch.
Luxury	The members of this branch live in and work out of the Inner Citadel, the walled area at the heart of the city that is the most protected from outside hazards. It completely encases all the rich districts, and as it requires a higher level of pass to enter, crime is few and far between here. Because of this, the Corporate Branch is the most luxurious position to be part of in the Military. Very rarely do they deal with Infected.
Secret Service	Those in the Corporate Branch that aren't high ranking officials are tasked as being the police force of the rich districts. They can also take the form of bodyguards to the rich and famous. However, no matter what position they're chosen to guard, they're also the acting Secret Service to the Military. They're directly responsible for eliminating any organization or person that's deemed a threat to the Military's rule.

The Security Branch deals with law inside of Stronghold, making them the Military's police branch. They are responsible for keeping law and order inside of the city's walls, and are the branch that are most likely to butt heads with the Jabberwockies gangs. The Security Branch patrols the streets, at which time they also investigate criminal activity and other illegal activities. They are also the ones that would respond should they recieve a tip that someone in the city was recently bitten and needs to be taken care of.

Criminal Activity	The Security Branch deals with any criminal activity in Stronghold, especially any activity that comes from one of the Jabberwockies gangs. They are authorized to use any means necessary to eliminate a threat, and while arresting people isn't unheard of, it's much more common for them to shoot first and ask questions later. After all, the Military answers to no one.
Bite Reports	The Military offers rewards for anyone that turns in their neighbour should they believe the person was recently bitten and infected. The Security Branch take such tips very seriously, and will immediately dispatch officers to see whether or not the report is true; after all, they work very hard to keep the infection out of Stronghold. While most times they will test the reported person for infection, it's not unheard of for them to simply pack the suspected bite victim up and ship them outside the city walls.
Law Enforcement	The Security Branch are just glorified police at the end of the day, and they handle all internal manners in Stronghold. Any laws that are passed by the Flag Officers are to be upheld by the Security Branch, maintaining that everyone that lives in the city are respectable citizens. They are also the ones responsible for "judgement": meaning, there's no other form of justice in Stronghold besides the Security Branch officers.

The Task Force Branch is responsible for guarding the walls and ensuring that no Infected are allowed to get anywhere close to Stronghold. They are also responsible for Military duties that lie outside the walls, such as hunting down Infected nests to eliminate, or simply patrolling surrounding areas to keep them as safe as possible. This branch often butts head with Eclipse, as they regularly come into contact with one another, as well as any troublesome drifters that get close and try to cause trouble.

Checkpoints	Stronghold has two gates that lead into the city, and both have Military-run checkpoints guarding them to ensure that only people with passes are allowed into the city. The Task Force Branch is responsible for manning the checkpoints, as well as patrolling the walls to ensure that no Infected are closeby or trying to make their way inside. They are authorized to use whatever means necessary to keep unwanted people out of the city.
Patrols	The grunts of the Task Force Branch are usually assigned to patrolling the areas surrounding Stronghold. They are responsible for ensuring that no new Infected nests have popped up, as well as keep areas close to the city clear of both Infected as well as anyone that might pose a threat to Stronghold. It's not uncommon for them to run across drifters, especially drifter colonies, and their response is usually to demand the drifters either pay them for protection, or be forced to vacate the area.
Nest Elimination	Those in the Task Force Branch that are much more skilled and specialized are given the task of seeking out Infected nests and eliminating them. Military officers with this duty are usually specialized with their skills in certain weapons, such as sniper rifles, bomb detonation, and more. They are well trained in how to properly take out Infected, and very rarely mess up and get bitten. They're also required not to head out unless they're in a group; anyone that heads out alone is subject to punishment.

Jabberwockies

Click to View the Hierarchy & Rank Descriptions Jabberwockies is a group of loosely-related gangs that occupy the streets of Stronghold, often getting into direct conflict with the Military. They prey on the poor and destitute, stepping on others to claw their way to the top. They thrive on chaos and discord, and while they do not consider themselves in direct opposition of the Military, they also do not feel the need to fall in line with the Military's rule. They often have inner conflicts, fighting with one another for territory and money. Although they all use the same alias, each gang is under a different leadership, and none of them answer to one another. Alliances between them exist only as temporary measures between leaders.

There are four gangs that use the name Jabberwockies, all of which are named after different suits in a card deck and all can be found in different districts in Stronghold. Although their territories are generalized based on the different districts in the city, it's not uncommon for them to fight each other for territory expansion. Each gang is individually run by different leaders with members unrelated from one another. When they are not busy fighting the Military, they are often fighting each other. Jabberwockies are often involved in more violent and out-in-the-open crimes, such as drug and weapon trafficking, armed robbery, assault, and more. The faction's hierarchy and ranks are fluid and based on strength and aggression.

The Hearts Gang is often considered to be the most ruthless of the groups, dealing in human trafficking and exploitation of the less fortunate. In a dog-eat-dog world, people with power and a little too much time on their hands enjoy the thrill of having direct power over another human being, and it is these kinds of people that this gang directly preys on. They know the price of a life, and they charge through the teeth to allow the rich and powerful to get their hands on someone that would not be missed.

Sex Trade	The most obvious form of income for the Hearts Gang comes from human trafficking in the sex trade. However, they very rarely search for people to force into their servitude. Instead, they offer it as a way for the poor and destitute to earn both money and food, all for the simple trade of selling their bodies for sex. Unfortunately once someone has made the choice to become part of the sex trade, it is very hard to remove the gang's claws from their back. Those that fight a little too hard might find themselves being used for one of the gang's other uses.
Organ 'Donations'	Although healthcare is nearly nonexistent, those with a lot of money to spend are still able to get their hands on healthcare that can take care of any ailments they may have. The darker side of the healthcare system is the need for organs to be used for transplants, and the Hearts Gang is the one to call for aquisition. Victims that aren't useful for anything else are carved up, their organs stolen and sold on the black market to those that can afford it.
Human Consumption	The most grotesque income for the Hearts Gang comes from selling human meat for consumption. In a world that often lacks food, it's no surprise that many have turned on their fellow humans in an effort for survival. While some with no access to actual food may come searching for a relatively cheap food source, most of the buyers come from the rich that want to try something exotic and taboo.

The Spades Gang at first glance doesn't appear to have any specific area of expertise, but if there's one thing they're good at, it's preying on the depravity of the human soul. Humanity's desire for something illegal, taboo, and exciting is what drives them to do what they do. Drug trafficking is their specialty, while they also dabble in unique entertainment that's sure to both delight and horrify its audiences. The Spades Gang tends to hide more in the shadows when it comes to their activities, avoiding the Military when they can.

Drug Trafficking	Drugs are rare and hard to come by, which only makes them that much more valuable to people that use them to escape the real world. The Spades Gang are adept at being able to create and distribute drugs, and often prey specifically on the poor residents of Stronghold. One of their specialties is a drinkable drug made out of the venom of Infected. As it is not directly inserted into a person's veins, it will not turn anyone who drinks it. It does however bring on interesting side effects... With the possibility of death. It is an incredibly popular drug with the rich.
Infected 'Shows'	It isn't a surprise that in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by Infected, some people are looking for exciting, illegal activities to pass the time. The Spades Gang capitilizes on the rich's fascination with the world outside the Stronghold, and often hold underground 'shows' to both delight and horrify their audience. From forcibly turning someone into an Infected to letting a pack of Ferals rip someone apart, their shows are both gruesome and terrifying; the perfect mix for those who are curious enough to pay the price.
Illegal Fights	One thing the Spades Gang really enjoys earning income from is hosting illegal fights that both rich and poor alike can attend, watch, and bet on. Hosted fights always change in nature based on what is popular, and also change location regularly to avoid Military activity. From human vs human to human vs Infected, they have it all.

The Clubs Gang is, unironically, considered to be the most violent of all the gangs. Their love for violence comes from dealing with weapons of all kinds, and as such they are also the most aggressive when it comes to staking territory and standing up against the Military. They believe in brute force to take what they want, and aren't above hurting innocents if the payout is worth it. They also will often travel outside Stronghold to raid drifter camps for supplies, as they are the most equipped to deal with Infected.

Weapon Trafficking	The Clubs Gang's speciality is trafficking weapons of all kinds, from guns stolen from the Military and Eclipse, to clubs covered in barbed wire made for armed assaults. They have a special fascination with weapons, even though generally they are not equipped with enough knowledge to create their own. Instead they rely on stealing what they can, distributing and selling illegally to any that has money to buy from them. Of course, most of their sales ends up going to the other Jabberwockies gangs.
Robbery & Assault	Although they deal in weapon trafficking, most of the Clubs Gang's income comes from armed robbery and assault. This often brings them into direct conflict with the Military, as they are indiscriminate with who they target. Rich, poor, corporate, private enterprise; so long as there's money to be gained, the Clubs Gang will be the culprit behind the attack. Assaults and robberies will almost always be armed, and killing any who try to stand up to them is certainly not beneath them.
Raiding	The only gang to really venture outside Stronghold's walls, the Clubs Gang often goes on raids to surrounding areas looking for drfiter camps. They are violent and aggressive in raiding drifter camps, stealing any supplies they can and killing any who try to fight back. Because of the Military's lack of interest in people that live outside the city, both solo drifters and colonies make for easy targets with little retaliation.

The Diamonds Gang loves luxury, extravagence, and aflluence; they are the criminals that most desire to be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Out of all the Jabberwockies, they are the ones that are the least likely to cause open altercations with the Military, choosing instead to hide their criminal activity behind walls of fake legality. Money still exists in a world that is just barely clinging to life, and the Diamonds Gang wants to own all of it. They're just very good at hiding their intentions and ambitions.

Gambling	The biggest source of income and the most legal of all the gang's activities, the Diamonds Gang mainly focus on gambling in the city, owning most of the casinos currently operating inside Stronghold. They offer an escape from the cruelties of every day life, preying on the rich that have just a little too much in their pockets. It's all fun and games until the money runs dry, because the Diamonds Gang aren't afraid of brutally punishing those that can't pay up the totality of their debts.
Money Laundering	Mostly taking care of the other gangs' money, as well as the rich that play heavily in the black market, the Diamonds Gang are experts are hiding the origins of dirty money that exchanges hands in the underground. Because money is distributed so sparingly, it's usually not difficult for the Military to be apraised of illegal activity going on. However, this gang knows how to hide money properly and get away with it, and as such their services are critical to anyone not quite on the legal side of the law.
Forgery	Money is not readily available inside Stronghold, mostly held by the rich and the greedy corporations that make the world go round. The need for money to buy food, water, and living quarters makes many desperate for money, and the Diamonds Gang preys on that need. They are well versed with forgery of any kind, and while many employ their services, they are careful to cover their tracks so they cannot be tracked by the Military as the source of forgery.

Eclipse

Click to View the Hierarchy & Rank Descriptions A smuggler's group that lives outside Stronghold, Eclipse is a group that often acts as direct opposition to the dystopian rule of the Military. They smuggle goods inside the city walls to people that are struggling, putting them as a rebellious force threatening the Military's iron rule over its citizens. However, they also sell goods to anyone that seeks them out; anything anyone could ever possibly need, they have for sale. From weapons, to restored vehicles, to supplies such as food and water: everything is available for sale for the right price. They are not a charitable group, and money must exchange hands before anything is delivered, smuggled, or sold.

Eclipse resides in a fortified compound known as the Junkyard, large barbed-wire covered walls protecting them from Infected attacks, as well as any outsiders looking to cause trouble. Only people that have something to give to the group, something worth the group's time, is allowed to join them. No freeloaders are associated with Eclipse. Everyone has their own tasks and responsibilities in the group, and they live together as a small society completely separate from Stronghold and the Military. Their main customer base comes from drifters also living outside the city walls, as they provide a hub of resources useful for anyone. They don't discriminate in their customer base either; Jabberwockies even often utilize their smuggling captabilities.

Sometimes classified as the more 'general' branch of the group, as well as the branch that high-ranking members are part of, people in Total Eclipse usually have more experience than everyone else in the group. They are looked up to for wisdom and knowledge, and usually they have more authority over anyone else in the group. The members of Eclipse that tend to the camp and protect it from Infected attacks are also classified as being part of this branch, and are the first line of defense against attackers.

Leadership	The higher ranking members of Eclipse provide leadership for the group, and their word dictates what direction the group will take. While their authority is to be respected and listened to, they are also avidly against an authoritarian-style rule like the Military has. Because of this everyone in the group is always guaranteed the right to voice their opinions, and large decisions that would impact the group as a whole is generally open to feedback from the community as a whole.
Experience	Older and more experienced members of Eclipse are given ranks of high standing, and are valued for the knowledge that they can bring to the group as a whole. Many provide guidance for the high-ranking members, while others are responsible for training new people that join Eclipse. Everyone is expected to give back to the group in some way, so the members that are more experienced watch over new members to make sure they learn necessary skills and don't pose a threat.
Protection	People that don't have any skills that would land them in one of the other branches, or people that simply wish to take an active part in the group's defense are tasked with protection duties. Most of the weapon-wielding defensive units patrol the Junkyard's walls and gate, while some may be sent with other members of Eclipse on their jobs to keep them safe. While protection is usually aimed towards Infected attacks, there is always the possibility that an attack may come from another faction.

Those that enjoy danger and adventure, or are useful with their hands, are usually part of Solar Eclipse. Those in this branch are the ones responsible for traveling long distances across the land, looting abandoned towns and facilities where supplies might still be available. When new equipment is brought back to camp, those with mechanical skills are responsible for getting everything in working order to be sold or kept for internal use. People in Solar Eclipse are also the ones handling face-to-face business with potential customers.

Looting	Even though nearly a century has passed since the outbreak first began, many surrounding towns and other facilities are still filled with useable supplies. Many locations have been avoided due to Infected nests, but as the need for supplies grows more desparate, Eclipse has grown more bold in collecting such supplies. Weapon specialists and others adept at avoiding and/or killing Infected are tasked with traveling No Man's Land, looking for abandoned supplies caches. These supplies are then used amongst Eclipse members, the excess sold for profit.
Restoration	Working vehicles are extremely rare to find. Out of the many that still line the streets of abandoned towns, most have rusted down to a state where they are no longer repairable. Eclipse are often the first to get their hands on those that can be fixed up. Specialized people within the group that have the mechanical skills to work with vehicles are responsible for getting them up and running again. The best are kept for internal use, while the rest are either smuggled into Stronghold or sold to drifters.
Engineering	Firearms are still regularly manufactured for the Military, but very few are available to the public. Control over firearms allows the Military to solidify its rule, after all. As such, Eclipse specialize in both stealing and smuggling weapons out from Stronghold, as well as fixing up abandoned weapons they find. Guns in particular are highly prized by drifters, and because of this they make up the majority of Eclipse's sales. They also often sell gun parts to those that can fix their weapons on their own.

As implied by its name, the members in Lunar Eclipse often operate under the cover of darkness. They are the ones responsible for smuggling goods in and out of Stronghold, and because of this, many of them still have ties inside the city that allows them to move goods without suspicion. For those that do not have contacts or passes, they are still usually very good at finding a way inside regardless. Lunar Eclipse members operate with a need for secrecy, so most of them do not deal directly with those outside the group.

Supplies Smuggling	The largest portion of Eclipse's profit of course comes from smuggling, as they pride themselves on being a smuggler's group. Life inside the city walls, while safe, is harshly limited by the Military. Their job is protection, not a good living standard, and so many civilians often look outward for ways to get extra necessary supplies. Eclipse provides anything for a price, and members of Lunar Eclipse are trained heavily on how to smuggle goods into Stronghold without being caught.
Pass Forgery	With the Military having checkpoints at both the entrances to Stronghold, passes are the only way for people to both enter and leave the city legally. Because of that, having a pass is incredibly coveted by drifters and anyone else looking to get through the checkpoints. Eclipse members are adept at forging legal passes, generally from people that have died and are otherwise of no consequence to the Military. Forged passes are usually used by Eclipse members for smuggling, but they are often sold at high prices to drifters wanting to enter Stronghold.
'Coyote' Smuggling	A lesser known operation of Eclipse, those with skills at stealth and deception are tasked with smuggling people out of Stronghold. Usually people with little money and no legal pass out of Stronghold, there are people that often wish to escape the brutal regime of the Military but otherwise can't. Eclipse specialists are nicknamed 'coyotes' to hide their identities, and for the right price, they will smuggle anyone out of Stronghold. Getting someone in is a task that's usually too dangerous to risk.