Welcome

Rena

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During the Pandemic and near destruction of the planet, agriculture came to a complete stop, crippling the world’s food sources. As if all the other problems were not enough, food became nearly impossible to find, and the problem only got worse as time wore on. In light of the scarcity, the survivors have learned and adapted. Scavenging food is a very, very, important skill and key to the survival of most stragglers. Even the best hunters find it difficult in current times and the average hunter spends a number of hours a day looking for food, often without catching anything.

Survival is the key objective. Most stragglers have long since thrown ethical ideals to the winds in their quest for sustenance. Food is paramount; cares for the animals or other people will simply have to wait.

Hunting, scavenging, and trading are the three most common ways of obtaining food. Each individual's methods vary with his capabilities. Skilled thieves take what they need, skilled hunters kill what they need, skilled craftsmen trade for what they need, and so on. A rare few people have managed to herd clusters of animals, effectively farming them. Those who do seek such a profession must be wary; they can easily become the target of street gangs and/or one or both hegemons. The hegemons produce their own food themselves, having redeveloped primitive agriculture. They take cruelly to competition and often destroy stragglers who appear to be too successful. Fortresses also produce their own food, but it is strictly rationed there.

Stealing food from other individuals is extremely common. In rare cases, some stragglers or gang members even resort to the ultimate form of theft and cannibalize their fellows. Gangsters also seek food from the hegemons, who may distribute rations in return for loyalty. The obvious advantages of a dependable food supply easily outweigh any ethical considerations.

Some flora and fauna escaped the devastation of the Fallout, though most species are now extinct. The plants that survived have made a remarkable comeback and are quickly growing over the ruins of the city. Unfortunately, many of these plants are toxic, and eating from them is not recommended; there are a few plants that are still good to eat, and most stragglers quickly learn which.

Some individual animals are immune to the Walker virus, but most are not. Hunters must be careful to avoid eating infected meat (it's just as dangerous as being bitten). One must also be careful to spot animals that have gorged themselves upon fallen Walkers, because they may carry the infection as well. Infected animals are usually easy to spot, as—like humans—they rot superficially; the problem is the temptation. The other danger is that recently infected animals may not exhibit the feral behavior and ghoulish appearance, but they also carry the virus.

Your character's ability to find food is imperative to his survival. There is no fast food restaurant feeding him burgers, no barista brewing his coffee. There is only a deer sprinting down the street. He’d better hurry; it looks like he may have competition.