Nation Building NY Safe Area - CS

[Lord Bradorian]

Name -

Appearance - (Desc/Pic)

History (Whatever length) -

Personality (Whatever length) -

Agenda (Isolationist, expansionist, belligerent, pacificist, mercantilist, outriders (looting outside the safe area like nomads)) -

Settlement

Name -

History -

Agenda -

Location -

Population (x≤60) -

Politics (known enemies, allies, loyal to old military regime, loyal to new civilian regime, rebel against new civilian regime, loyal to oneself, rogue) -

 

[Ashy_OCdesigns]

Name:
Arlo Caster

Appearance:
A string bean of a man, lean and wiry. Otherwise, Arlo has greasy, but curly shoulder length hair tied back in a braid. His eyes are yellowish-brown, protruding and almond shaped, while his hair is brown. His skin tone is sienna, but has been tanned from the sun. Arlo also enjoys wearing cargo, often wearing cargo shorts and a short sleeved cargo hoodie, with hiking boots. Arlo is seen carrying knives on his belt as well, and they are sharp. Arlo is a bug bite magnet, and has multiple scars from scratching the bug bites too hard. He has one on his cheek, and multiple running down his arms and legs. He has also managed to cut himself once or twice. As a result, Arlo looks feral.

History:
Arlo was born to a mother and father in 2024 and actually had a pretty good life before everything went to garbage. He was an only child, and didn't stand out in school. His grades were average, he didn't really get into fights, and he had neither a ton of friends or none at all. He wanted to learn everything he could from his parents. He often read a lot, and asked observed everyone around him.

Arlo's parents died during the collapse, and as a result, Arlo took everything he learned from both his own experience and his parents', and started doing anything he could to survive. Whether that was raiding bodies, or teaming up briefly with whoever he could, he'd do it. He was neutral to the war, and people usually left him alone for this reason. He never made many attachments either, and mostly just sort of wandered around while also trying to stay safe.

Personality:
Arlo is a quiet, but pragmatic and desperate. Willing to do anything for his survival, Arlo enjoys learning from people, and tries to keep his temper in. As a result of this quieter persona, Arlo is a listener and a watcher, but not very friendly. If times call for it, Arlo can get creative, and step into the spotlight as opposed to staying a little more in the background. In spite of Arlo being opportunistic, he doesn't actually want power, he just wants to hold out.

Agenda:
Arlo is an Outrider, as he believes in using human bodies and other things however he can, whether for food, warmth, or any supplies he finds on the body. He believes in using anything he can find, and using it to his advantage. He doesn't believe in supporting any one person's request for power, nor does he oppose them. The only thing he'll actually loot is corpses, and anything found near or around the corpse.


Settlement ( see Crocodile 's character sheet)
Name:
Dracoburg

History:
Dracoburg is the settlement built by Jacob Draco and his followers that he deemd the Committe of Public Safety. The group has worked heard at trying to restore the regions maritime capabilities to make it more useful for their needs in moving about and potentially fishing. They need the food for their own efforts but also know it can be bartered for fertilizer and other needs with other groups. All efforts in the region go to making it a secure zone to demonstrate that the Committee knows what it is doing and the Chairman Draco is the correct choice as the new leader of the Safe Zone.

Agenda:
Dracoburg's agenda is the Committee of Public Safety, Jacob Draco's ideal of a new revolutionary government to handle the problems of the population. He finds the military and civilian governments failed, requiring something new in their place to build a new world. He does hope to lure the exiled military gov types into his service or supporting him. He believes that they will be integral to his desires to form a new nation out of this joke of a survivor camp society. The Committee members are indoctrinated into his ideals and expected to serve loyally under the Chairman and his schemes for his new world order.

Location:
Echo Bay, Westchester

Population (x≤60) -
60

Politics:
The Committee of Public Safety follows Jacob Draco who seeks to emulate Napoleon in forming a stable society while also putting himself firmly at the top as Chairman of the new government. He both praises and berates the civilian government, all the while reaching out the the military exiles. The Committee is entirely self-serving in their mission to take over the Safe Zone if not simply becoming a major player in its control and administration.

 

[Crocodile]

Name - Chairman Jacob Draco

Appearance - Chairman Draco favors a uniform to suit his appetites for power and influence. He had it made by his loyal followers and this look has established the general dress code for members of the Committee of Public Safety. His hair is believed to have been turned silver in the consumption of experimental anti-rad drugs sold on the market by various companies trying to get rich on the crisis. He is pale, physically fit with cold blue eyes. He usually has some form of perfume or cologne to suit his orderly appearance even if it had to be pressed from locally grown flowers.


History - Jacob Draco was a college student focusing on history and political science. He had a fascination with revolution and was seeking to pursue a doctorate with a focused dissertation on revolution and the governments that follow. Since the collapse, Jacob initially spent a lot of his time publishing a local newspaper or decrying the military government in the safe zone as measures continued to grow more draconian. When the civilian government moved in, Draco attempted to join it but was promptly pushed out by many who viewed him as power hungry or too idealistic. Disgusted with this, Draco became a rabble rouser and espousing his ideals of a new society, leaving the main area to relocate with a band of followers in Echo Bay. They now broadcast into the Safe Zone and send in people to give speeches or rally support. Beyond this, Jacob is working to ensure the self sufficiency of Echo Bay while he establishes himself as Chairman Draco.

Personality - Some people would call Jacob Draco mad or having delusions of grandeur. Some see him as a wannabe Napoleon seeking his opportunity to seize power for himself. Jacob would just smile at this and admit he does want power. He is a man focused on his plans and admittedly won't deny he seeks power. The world of old is dead and the new world needs to be built. He is highly educated and manipulative, seeking to influence and control others to expand his reach until he cannot be ignored or pushed out again.

Agenda (Expansionist) - Jacob seeks to pull all the territory and manpower he can under his control. He feels he has the drive and vision to build a new nation. The ruins of the old world are the foundation upon which he wants to build. He has formed a group of followers around himself called the Committee of Public Safety as its undisputed Chairman, being the guiding voice. Jacob broadcasts daily into the Safe Zone, sometimes recorded and sometimes new to lure more followers into his fold or to replace losses from the Committee in their own efforts.

Settlement

Name - Dracoburg

History - Dracoburg is the settlement built by Jacob Draco and his followers that he deemd the Committe of Public Safety. The group has worked heard at trying to restore the regions maritime capabilities to make it more useful for their needs in moving about and potentially fishing. They need the food for their own efforts but also know it can be bartered for fertilizer and other needs with other groups. All efforts in the region go to making it a secure zone to demonstrate that the Committee knows what it is doing and the Chairman Draco is the correct choice as the new leader of the Safe Zone.

Agenda - Dracoburg's agenda is the Committee of Public Safety, Jacob Draco's ideal of a new revolutionary government to handle the problems of the population. He finds the military and civilian governments failed, requiring something new in their place to build a new world. He does hope to lure the exiled military gov types into his service or supporting him. He believes that they will be integral to his desires to form a new nation out of this joke of a survivor camp society. The Committee members are indoctrinated into his ideals and expected to serve loyally under the Chairman and his schemes for his new world order.

Location - Echo Bay, Westchester

Population - 60

Politics - The Committee of Public Safety follows Jacob Draco who seeks to emulate Napoleon in forming a stable society while also putting himself firmly at the top as Chairman of the new government. He both praises and berates the civilian government, all the while reaching out the the military exiles. The Committee is entirely self-serving in their mission to take over the Safe Zone if not simply becoming a major player in its control and administration.

 

[Trektek]

Name - Lord Isaiah Holloway (Formerly Issac Holloway)

Appearance -

When out of his armor, Issac favors the period outfits that he has collected from the museum pieces and his own personal collection.

History- Issac Holloway was a major history buff and avid historical recreationist. Every weekend, he would partake in mock battles, living out his historical dreams of the time period.

With the fall of society, he knew that he could do better. Gathering up first those that he participated in the mock battles and other greater historical reenactments, he first formed a small group.

As time went on, with the further collapse of government, both military and civilian, he absolutely knew that it was time to expand his "Kingdom".

Isaiah and his Knights gathered others to their cause and expanding their territory.

Starting from a local museums and taking over surrounding parks and buildings, turning them into makeshift "castles".

Though the more elite members of their society wear fuller medival armors and ride horseback, not all of their organization does so. Amd actual modern contrivances are not ignored.

Merely the medieval aesthetic and semi-lifestyle has been adopted to survive in this harsh world.

Personality (Whatever length) - Isaiah believes that what worked in the Medival Era, can work today. After all, it worked easily for hundreds of years. And he was just the man to do it. After all, he spent years of his life studying the time period and reliving ancient battles. If there was anyone that could do it, it would be him!

A selfish and vain glorious man, he seeks to revive ancient customs and to form a dynasty in this post apocalyptic world.

Agenda Expansionist- Lord Isiah Holloway wishes to expand his territory and forge out a full kingdom, gifting lands to his fellow Lords so that he might proclaim himself King over the land.

Starting out in Suffolk, he knows he can gain large swaths of farmland, further drawing more people to his cause.

Settlement

Name - New Kingsland

History - New Kingsland's heart is a museum that has been converted into a makeshift castle. The surrounding land has much farmland from the Eastern lands of Suffolk. It's been slowly expanding and it's leaders are Lords, followed by Knights, then workers and lastly, serfs.

Agenda - New Kingsland plans to expand to all of Suffolk before moving to Nassau and Queens to claim all of Long Island. Then Isiah will crown himself King and land will be divided among the other Lords so that they can have their own mini Kingdoms.

Location - Riverhead, Suffolk

Population- 60

Politics (rogue) - The Medieval model is one that they aspire to and seek to improve their sphere of influence and expand their territory away from others.

 

[AlphaBlueWolf]

Name: Amanda "Mandi" Bennett​

History: Before the collapse, Amanda was a cop and handled several cases involving kids, getting them help or out of dangerous situations. And after the collapse she did the same, helping reunite children with families. An officer from the military had arrived to help her with the situation, and they grew to be quick witted friends and eventually, wished to stay with each other forever. It was around the time when mutants started appearing on the scene that Amanda got pregnant with his child.

She was one of the first people to give birth to a mutant baby. Or, rather, she would have, but there were too many complications and no medicine or understanding of how these new mutants worked. So, the baby died. At least, that's what her partner told her when his military friends came to pick up the child. She never even got to hold her before the military swept her up and left her with a shaky explanation that she knew wasn't true. Of course, she couldn't stay with him, and she broke things off and ran as fast as she could.

After that she was sent into a depressive episode. She used any resources she had available to her to look for her child, but she couldn't find any trace of her. There was nothing. She was gone, completely. She never found her, and she honestly believed that she had ended up dead. That the military had killed what was new, unexplainable, and freakish to them. But she had been perfect to Amanda.

Amanda lost hope for her daughter, and instead joined the effort to topple the military regime on its head. She was one of their best. She had the training from her years as a detective backing her, plus she still had her gun from back then. She was what one could only describe as an assassin. A cold-blooded killer. She was angry at the military and used the chance to take out her frustration on them with each assignment she got. She grew a reputation as one of the best mercenaries and assassins in the collapsed world.

But everything changed for her in one moment. She'd been doing a raid, the same as usual. Kill who she needed to kill, get intel, and secure the area. She did not expect to find a mutant baby among the area. They must've taken this one like they'd taken her daughter. It made her heart ache and reminded her of what laid beneath the anger and sadness and frustration. She decided to stop what she was doing, stop her work killing, and raise the innocent life like she would her own daughter. She went far, far away from the settlement, and started renovating a long forgotten abandoned zoo. And things grew from there. Soon enough she found more mutant children in various ways and figured that she would resolve to make a safe haven for mutant children so that none would have to grow up scared, or without the love of a nurturing environment. No more would be taken like her daughter had.

Over the years she's taken in many different mutant kids and tailored the zoo to fit their needs. Because of her pregnancy she has somewhat mutated as well, not to the extent of the kids, but she has heightened strength, endurance, speed, and senses, and it has helped greatly in keeping up with the kids and repairing the zoo. However, in recent months, people have tried contacting her to help topple the next regime, knowing her instrumental performance in toppling the last one. However, she's stated every time that's she retired, and that she doesn't do that line of work anymore. And, besides, she has her kids to take care of.

Personality: Amanda is a witty, no-nonsense girl. She can be a bit guarded and not easily trusting of people, which leads to a somewhat aggressive nature. She's protective of her kiddos and will do anything for them. She's fearless, scrappy, ready to get into a fight and create solutions for problems. She's a tomboy, ready to get her hands dirty, as well as crafty. She's always knee deep in some project or another for the kids. She's a fighter and a survivor. She will not hesitate to shoot a bullet through your skull if you threaten one of her kids.

On the flip side, she's exactly the parental figure the mutant kids need. She's kind, soft and nurturing towards them. She teaches them to survive, but also how to just be kids. She can be stern with her rules, but it's just to protect them. She's everything a parent should be for the mutant kids she took in.

Agenda: Amanda is a bit of everything, people would call her. A jack of all trades. But one thing is for sure about her. Her main priority is her kids. The mutants always come first in her book, so she has taken on many roles in order to make sure they are safe and have everything they need to live a long life. She likes to stay away from other settlements primarily but will travel to one if she needs supplies. She does not like to kill others, or start unnecessary conflict, but if it's between you, and the safety of her kids, she's choosing the latter. She loots anything and anywhere she can for supplies and will hire mercenaries to collect mutant kids who need safe passage to the Sanctuary. But if she can't get a mercenary to do it, she'll gladly go herself, even into other people's settlements, making potential enemies in her pursuit to give every mutant kid and safe and nurturing life.


Settlement
Name - The Sanctuary

History - The Sanctuary started as a home for Amanda and her adopted kid, somewhere that they would not be bothered, but it quickly turned into a place where all mutant kids could exist safely. Her area consists of the zoo and a stretch of land beyond it. Her area is bordered off by fencing and signs warning against entry.

Agenda - The Sanctuary's agenda is always to take in and care for mutant children who need a safe place to live and have nowhere else to go. They will take in every kind of mutant, no matter what they look like and what their care will entail. They all exist as one happy family.

Location - Rochester, Monroe County

Population (x≤60) - About a small class full of mutant children and anyone willing to help raise them- 22

Politics- Amanda will always be loyal to only herself, her mutant kiddos, and the people that choose to help her give the kids a safe life. If you help her, she'd be willing to pay it forward and help you in exchange, though she will always weigh that task with her priorities as a caretaker. Her kids always come first, and if it's something that puts them at risk than she will not even entertain the thought. Though she herself is an enemy to the old government regime and will not help anyone who is ex government. She's heard of the corruption within the new civilian regime but stays out of it and to her little corner. If they don't bother her, and don't threaten any mutants, she doesn't care about what happens in that side of the world.

 

[Lazaro1505]

Name - James Gunderson

Appearance -

History (Whatever length) - Gunderson used to be an surgeon in the past before things have gone hill with the arrival of the apocalypse, a man who was motivated more by his personal greed and selfishness that he couldn’t care less what happens to someone as long as he was being paid. But after the collapse and no longer having the luxuries of what a modern society had, as well as seeing how easily he could die and witnessing just how cruel others can be when surviving, this realization had knocked him back down from his high horse and back down to earth. And so, he had decided to lend his aid as an surgeon in order to help those who need his help, as well as training others in order to properly treat wounds using what they had at hand. As time went on, James had more and more individuals who stuck by his side, and while few at first joined him as they were more focused on more important matters like survival or running the civilian government, his influence has grown enough to have a considerable amount of individuals following right behind Hames.

Personality (Whatever length) - James Gunderson is a ambitious and hardworking man, often dreaming of a brighter future and doing his best in order to try and strive towards such an future. He seeks to helps hide in need, having a more kind heated nature to him but isn’t entirely blind to what is happening around him, staying somewhat cautious of others unless proven otherwise. Nonetheless, James Gunderson is an individual who is always looking for the chance to help further his ideals of a more peaceful future, whether it be training others to become doctors or aiding the sick and weak, he’ll certainly try his best.

Agenda - Pacifistic: James is a man who is no stranger to the cruelty of mankind, having witnessed it firsthand time and time again with the everyday struggle in order to survive in these current times. Such sight has sickened him, and so, he seeks to create a more hospitable apocalypse where one does not have to worry ever single moment of their life whether or not their day would be last, create an age that, by through his efforts, humanity can prosper as a species. Although, he is more than willing to defend his own people if need be… but he will never resort to violence unless it were to be in self defense.

Settlement

Name - New Hope

History - New Hope used to be far smaller of a settlement when James first taken hold in it, James doing his best in order to preserve and maintain the medical equipment kept with Lenox Hill Hospital. But as time went on, more and more joined his cause… James even having to hire guards to protect the hospital from more hostile individuals seeking to bring harm to the members of the hospital.

Agenda - Those that make up the settlement of New Hope

Location - Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City

Population (x≤60) - 42 (27 medical staff, 15 Guards)

Politics - Being a group of medics known to treat those who require help, the settlement of New Hope isn’t particularly loyal to one flag, with many of its medical staff members often taking a oath not to harm others as well as treat others as best that they can.

 

[Obsidian]

Syprus Hayes
~ Herald of the Reformation ~

​

~ History ~​

Before the nuclear war, Syprus served as a military chaplain within United States Army, accompanying Army units throughout the world and providing religious services for the living and dead alike. When the nuclear war was declared, Syprus happened to be stationed at Fort Hamilton within New York City, and he witnessed the obliteration of the Old World himself from within the safety of a military bunker. After the annihiliation of the Old World was complete, Syprus and his fellow soldiers stepped out of their bunker, and, as he did so, he truly believed he had just stepped into Hell itself.

The horrors he witnessed in those first few days were things far beyond anything he had ever seen or imagined before or since. To say his faith was shaken would be an understatement.

As a member of the United States military, Syprus was quickly drafted into the service of the remnant United States Government in New York, bearing witness to the tyranny unleashed upon the city from the side of the Tyrant. During his service, his role as a non-combatant chaplain was permanently suspended, and he was quickly trained in the ways of war and combat. Despite this change of duty striking at the very heart of all Syprus thought to be good and true in the world, such virtues were long torn from him the moment he saw the New World in all its wickedness. He was deafened by the cries of the suffering and the innocent, blinded by the sight of cruelty and malice abound all around him. The good man that was Syprus withdrew within himself, unable to bear the realities of the New World, leaving behind something that could only be described as a servile drone.

His recollection of his service to the Tyranny remains... hazy, but he thinks he hurt people. Innocent people. Even killed them. All that he knows for certain is that, when the Tyranny fell, Syprus was one of those cast into exile by the new administration. Rather than follow the loyalists, however, Syprus slipped away and walked into the desolate northern wastes alone. He is uncertain as to why he chose to do this, but, thinking on it now, he believes he was guided to do so.

After a week of ceaseless struggle, gripped by starvation and deathly thirst, Syprus saw something upon the horizon that he thought to be tricks of his dying mind. A great, towering Cathedral stood amongst the scorched ruins of Albany. Incredibly, the Cathedral survived where nought else did. Seeing something so holy suddenly stirred something deeply buried within Syprus. With what energy he had left, he walked toward the monument, and did not stop until he stood within its marbled halls, before the golden altar of the Lord. What stirred within Syprus finally manifested itself, his spirit finally breaking free after years in darkness, and his knees buckled under him as he fell before the judgement of God.

"My Lord," Syprus whispered, his voice hoarse and weak. "Forgive me, for I have sinned."

"In place of your Light and Grace, I have spread nothing but darkness upon this Earth." Syprus says, tears brimming in his eyes, finally feeling all he had wrought fall upon him at once. "I repent, My Lord. I repent for my sins, I repent for turning from you in my darkness moment, and I beg for your forgiveness now... in my final hour."

Death was coming for him. He knew it. He could feel it. Days without food, water or shelter, he knew he would die here. His strength failed him, dropping him to his hands, his cold and shaking arms straining to keep him up. Not long now.

"I beg for your forgiveness, My Lord. Your forgiveness and your mercy." Syprus croaked, his vision growing dark and fuzzy. "Please, My Lord. Do not let my wickedness be my final acts in this life. Spare me, My Lord. Please, spare me, and I swear to you that I will live the remainer of my life in service to you, and walk only in your Light. Grant me... the chance... to do... what I should have done... all this time. Please... forgive me..."

What anyone else would expect to be their end, this time was not. Syprus was not alone in the Cathedral that day. Others had been there, drawn to the Cathedral as he was, and they bore witness to his confession before God. Those who saw Syprus took him, and nursed him back to health. Once he had regained his senses, he could not believe he had been saved. Overcome, he broke down in tears. By the kindness of strangers, and by the Grace of God.

He had been forgiven, and granted a second chance at life. This time, he would not fail.

~ Personality ~​

Syprus is the devout Herald of the Reformation, bound by a sacred oath of service to the Lord. In a plea before God, at the edge of Death, Syprus swore to serve the Lord in life should he be spared of Death. Believing that the Lord had heard his plea and agreed to the pact, Syprus now devotes himself totally to the righteous path. Of course, he is both mortal and fallible, and is all too aware of this. Sin and wickedness swarm the Earth, corrupting all it touches, and Syprus must both resist and push back this tide of darkness. Despite his religious duty once compelling him to be a non-combatant, he is no longer so restricted. The Lord spared him, a man of war, for a reason. He and his followers now live in a dangerous world, and only by surviving may they spread the Light and Grace of the Lord across the Earth.

~ Agenda ~
Proselytism​

Syprus wishes only to do the Lord's work on the Earth. As Herald, it is his sacred duty to spread the Light and Grace of the Lord, to any and all. Syprus is all too aware that there are many dark forces in the world, those who have surrendered to the sins and vices of this devastated world, who seek only to revel in its many depravities. Syprus must show the Light of the Lord to all. He must guide those who seek salvation, convince those who remain hesitant, and destroy those who seek to snuff out the Light.

Settlement

~ Name ~
Sacred Heights

~ History ~​

Established a year ago, Sacred Heights was founded by Syprus and a handful of other wasteland survivors, who were all inspired by the enduring miracle of the Cathedral's survival from nuclear war. Believing the Cathedral to be a holy site, Syprus and his small group of followers decided to settle within the Cathedral, and form themselves into a group devout to the Lord, their God, taking to calling themselves the Reformation. Over the past year, others have also found themselves drawn to the Cathedral, and Syprus, following in the teachings of the Lord, generously took in these wayward souls. Sharing food and water and shelter, these wanderers soon became converts to the faith, and joined the community. A small town slowly grew around the Cathedral, the town that is now known as Sacred Heights.

~ Agenda ~​

The faithful within Sacred Heights stand with their Herald and his holy mission, but they too have their own needs and concerns:
~ The faithful look upon the Civilian Administration of New York with suspicion. The Tyranny of the former United States Government is one that will not soon be forgotten, and the faithful fear for what may come should the Civilian Administration continue down its wicked path.
~ Sacred Heights, grown much over the past year, requires some proper development. Restoring the City of Albany has been a matter much talked about since the beginning of the Reformation, turning these decaying ruins into a Holy City. Achieving this would bring much fame to both the Reformation and its Herald.
~ While the Nomads have been a problem at times, they are nothing compared to the threat of the Marauders. The faithful concern themselves with this growing threat, one that crawls frighteningly close to their home. The Herald is bound by a sacred duty to protect the faithful. Should he succeed in this duty, the faithful would be most grateful.

~ Location ~
Albany, in Albany

~ Population ~
60

~ Politics ~​

Sacred Heights has a shaky relationship with the Safe Zones. Practically speaking, the faithful have wished to become a part of the Safe Zones since its founding, wishing to share in the mutual benefits of such an alliance with the regional power. But in recent months, Sacred Heights has hesitantly reversed this policy, distancing itself as the Civilian Administration echoes the same policies adopted by the previous United States government. Instead, Sacred Heights seeks to strengthen its own autonomy, and form new partnerships and alliances with other settlements and organisations not currently enthralled by the Civilian Administration. Friendly settlements further north draw particular attention.

Beyond this, Sacred Heights does respect the work of New Hope and of the Sanctuary. They do the Lord's work, even if they do not realise it.

The Committee of Public Safety is looked upon with the same suspicion as the Civilian Administration, seeing the echoes of an even darker past resurfacing in this 'Chairman.'

Once a soldier of the Tyranny, the Herald is not as hostile to his former comrades as many other leaders in the region. Should they renounce their old alligences and embrace the righteous path of the Lord, the Herald would gladly welcome any former soldier into the Reformation, an offer that has been taken by some.

 

[AlwaysCrashing]

Name: Amaruna


Honorific: Satguru


History: Not much is publicly known of Dorian Rutherford’s former life before he joined the Eternal Bliss Congregation and this most certainly by design. The fact that he had a previous history as a mountebank with libertine morals who dealt in confidence scams and tall tales is something that is kept from the core group of devotees at Shambala. From his own account when he first came across Gopala Acharya Rāhula’s traveling ministry he was skeptical as anybody else, but the guru’s impassioned pleas for humanity to cast off its karma and seek enlightenment struck a chord deep inside Dorian Rutherford. He joined the fledgling organization shortly after. This is narrative is contest by critics such as Gaganna who attest that Dorian had ulterior motives behind his decision to join the organization; the primary one of these being is that the adoption of a Spiritual Name allowed Dorian to craft a new identity to hide from those he spurned in the past. Dorian completed his initiation into the Congregation and accepted the new, spiritually focused name of Amaruna. It should be noted that the lexicon of Eternal Bliss Congregation is comprised of reappropriated Sanskrit words and phrases that are often give new meanings. The name "Amaruna" combines elements of love, affection, and eternal devotion. "Ama" is said to represents affection and love, while "runa" signifies devotion and a sense of indebtedness. Together, the name embodies the essence of love that is both tender and eternal. Amongst the initial wave of devotees Amaruna was initiated into the fold by Rāhula himself and slowly earned the master’s favor through his seemingly selfless devotion.

At some point during the travel to what would become Shambala Rāhula became seriously ill and became isolated from the community at large. In his absence Amaruna began cultivating an image of himself as the Gopala Acharya closest intimate and thereby de facto successor. He eventually gained enough sway to control which devotees had access to Rāhula, ensuring that those that were critical of his ambitions were barred from seeing the spiritual leader. Despite the upstart’s efforts Rāhula became increasingly critical of Amaruna in private correspondences; had he lived long enough it is almost a certainty that he would have most likely banished Amaruna and his clique from the Congregation. However, Rāhula entered into a coma that he could not be roused from and died a few weeks later. Shortly after Rāhula's earthly journey reached its end Amaruna began propagating that his former master in addition to naming him as the rightful successor granted him the divine mantle of Satguru, the Perfect Master. This led to a schism within the group in which Amaruna emerged victorious scattering his enemies to the wind.


Personality: Amaruna exudes a charisma that draws the insecure towards him, leaving them mesmerized by his very presence. His devotees are often left with a sense of reverence and awe in his presence. Amaruna can be said to embody the very essence of a spiritual leader. He can speak with such eloquence and persuasiveness, that in the right circumstances he is able to sway even the most skeptical minds to his way of thinking. His sermons are often comprised of an equal mixture of profound spiritual insights, grand promises of salvation, and veiled references to his own divine nature. Amaruna has a certain captivation with beauty and in his teachings also emphasizes the importance of beauty as a reflection of the divine.

Behind this charismatic exterior, however, lies a deep well of covert narcissism. Amaruna's belief in his own divinity is more than just a facade; he genuinely sees himself as a Living God, chosen to guide and protect his devoted followers. This profound sense of self-importance makes him intolerant of any challenge to his authority or teachings. Amaruna's narcissism is evident in the way he surrounds himself with an inner circle of loyal followers who constantly validate his actions. He craves adoration and unquestioning loyalty from his devotees, expecting them to surrender their will to his divine guidance entirely. While Amaruna may outwardly project an air of benevolence, it is solely directed towards those who remain unwavering in their loyalty to him. For those who dare to oppose his teachings his benevolence quickly transforms into vindictive retribution.


Agenda: Expansion. As the Eternal Bliss Congregation expands its influence into neighboring territories, its conflicts with other communities are becoming more frequent and, in some cases, more violent. Amaruna's desire for absolute power has driven him to clash with all those who resist his influence.



Settlement

Name: Eternal Bliss Congregation

History: The post-apocalyptic Eternal Bliss Congregation was founded by Ira Anwar, former Religious Studies Professor at Columbia University. The elderly Anwar witnessing the unprecedent devastation of the current age came to the conclusion that a new religious movement was required to form a bulwark against what he saw as the quickly approaching return to barbarism; only a proverbial city on a hill could prime future generations for peace. During his lifetime Anwar incorporated tenants of numerous Eastern, Vedic, and New Ages religions into his burgeoning theology; his teachings primarily delt with how one could achieve a state of enlightenment.

Rechristening himself Rāhula and taking the title of Gopala Acharya. "Gopala" refers to "protector of cows" or "caretaker of beings," symbolizing his upcoming role in guiding and nurturing devotees. "Acharya" denotes a respected spiritual teacher or preceptor, highlighting his new role as a spiritual guide; he called his movement the Eternal Bliss Congregation. Rāhula accumulated a core following of devotees during his travels throughout the five boroughs, but any attempt to establish a permanent community was disrupted by local powers often through shows of force. After a period of persecution, the group settled in Greene County around the ruins of a long-abandoned Mahayana Temple; they called their new settlement Shambala and began cultivating agriculture.

It is here that Rāhula in failing health and spending more time in secluded meditation became acutely aware of the danger posed by one of his earliest followers Amaruna. It eventually reached Rāhula that in his absence Amaruna was in the process of forming his own personality cult. In stark contrast to Rāhula’s teachings that any devotee could under the right circumstances achieve enlightenment Amaruna was preaching that there could be only one “Satguru” or Perfect Master and that person was a divine individual Amaruna’s covert narcissism was laid bare as it was readily apparent to Rāhula that Amaruna was equating himself to the divine. Rāhula was in the process of compromising a polemic against Amaruna when the Gopala Acharya abruptly entered into a coma that he would never be roused from. It is heavily suspected by those who escaped into exile that Rāhula was poisoned.

In the aftermath of Rāhula’s death Amaruna solidified his power by indeed proclaiming himself to be “Satguru” and therefore the rightful successor to Rāhula. However, this did not deter a brief conflict that ensued between Amaruna and a devotee by the name of Gaganna. Gaganna a former secretary to the Gopala Acharya possessed fragments of this unfinished polemic in which Rāhula proposed that should he die no one devotee could replace him; instead, a governing body should be erected to interpret his teachings and spread them to the world. Possessing these fragments allowed Gaganna to rally oppositionists against the revisions to Rāhula’s teachings. Gaganna was ultimately on the losing end of this conflict and his clique were subject to self-imposed exile or death if they remained; Gaganna himself narrowly escaped capture and as of today travels from settlement-to-settlement publishing salacious pamphlets decrying the current state of the Eternal Bliss Congregation.

With his main internal opponents’ now outcasts to the community or dead the Eternal Bliss Congregation, now under the control of Amaruna, has transformed into a rigid and authoritarian society centered around the worship of their self-proclaimed Satguru. Amaruna's cult of personality has grown to extreme proportions, with his followers believing him to be a divine being with absolute authority. In Shambala, the settlement founded by Rāhula, life has become increasingly oppressive and tightly controlled. Amaruna's decrees govern every aspect of the community, and dissent is met with severe consequences. Devotees are no longer encouraged to seek enlightenment on their own but instead are taught to blindly follow Amaruna's teachings without question.


Agenda: Proselytization. The Perfect Master has once again revealed himself to this fallen world and enshrined Himself as the Living God here in the material realm. Devotees, having been cleansed of their karma through His Grace are thusly expected to spread the fruits of His Knowledge across this darkened land. Only when all accept Him and free themselves from their accumulated karma can everlasting bliss be achieved. Heretics and Apostates will be forced to kneel before Him in supplication and renounce their wickedness or face destruction of both the mind and the spirit.


Location: Shambala (Former Mahayana Temple, Greene County, New York)


Population: 58. (50 devotees live within the Shambala Settlement itself, while eight devotees (consisting of four couples) have been approved to migrate to surrounding communities on a permanent basis in order to convert their inhabitants). Members of the Eternal Bliss Congregation are often seen wearing flowing robes that often incorporated a variety of earthy hues,


Politics: Satguru Amaruna teaches that everything that comprises the material world is inherently wicked unless it is used in glorification of the divine. So, in essence devotees are free to take possession of anything deemed essential in furthering this mandate without accruing karma. A devotee therefore need not obey secular authorities, though they may feign adherence to local powers if it furthers the spreading of Knowledge to the uninitiated.

That being said, the Eternal Bliss Congregation under Amaruna’s tenure has been much like a weathervane in offering conditional support to whatever secular power currently holds hegemony over the organs of the state. Relations between the Congregation and Civilian Administration is strained.

There are persistent rumors of an alternative community forming outside the purview of the Satguru. This community is said to be heavily inspired by Gaganna's writings if not lead by the man himself and driven by a desire to preserve the true teachings of Rāhula.