THE CLANS

The Clans of LA are an integral part of the communities survival.  Clans generally don't have a strict code, or set of guidelines, and usually only serve to purposes.  That of a governing body, and protection.  Within each clan their are small families, very similar to the nomadic tribal system, this is due to the large amounts of disenfranchised nomads that make up a large portion of the Lost Angelino population.  It is the clans main job to settle disputes within a clan, and to try and keep disputes between clans (such as territory, salvage and trade right, etc..) to a minimum.  Depending on the clan, leadership is usually gained by one of two ways......... chosen leaders, or trial by combat.   Not everyone in Lost Angeles belongs to a clan, and those who don't are generally loner's, and treated with contempt by those who are.  These individuals receive no benefits of a clan, they get no protection, and their salvage rights are not considered valid.  These people often make the best guides, especially if you want to get around in LA without clan knowledge.  Unfortunately many of these individuals are insane, and finding one trustworthy enough to get you where you want to go can be more hassle than just dealing with the clans.  For those belonging to a clan, life is a bit simpler, but they have to abide by the laws of the clan, and turn over a percent of profit to the clan itself, which is usually goods acquired from the trade of salvage.  Most clans practice communal childbirth, then the child is separated from its parents and raised by the entire clan.... often to be traded as slaves to pirates, nomads, individuals, and even corporations.  At least once a year there will be a clan gathering, where all the clans get together for three days of celebration, trade, and the settling of disputes.  This gathering is vital, as it keeps smaller disputes from erupting onto war between the clans.

THE NORTHERN CLAN:
The Northern Clan is the largest, and controls the largest part of Lost Angeles.  They have a large amount of resources and generally have good ties with all other clans except perhaps the Cannibal Nation.   The majority of the clan are salvagers, and sweep the ruins in their territory constantly.  They also have most of the technical know how, and much of the Northern clan's territory has at least tentative electricity and running water.  The majority of the clan is made up of immigrants and former nomads, although the clan leader (David Cockney) is a former engineer, and LA native.  The leaders of this clan are chosen, and that leader will stay in place until it deemed he is no longer fit to lead.  David has been the leader of the clan since it was formed.  The rules of the clan are simple, in David's words "don't start nothin, there won't be nothin".  The clan demands a ten percent take and deals with most serious offenses by banishing the guilty party.

THE WISHERS:
This clan inhabits the eastern section, along the rim of the ruins, made up of mostly immigrants trying to find there way into America, and those banished from society trying to figure out how to get back.  Referred to by the other clans as the Wishers due to their apparent "wishing" they were somewhere else, these men, women and children will scream and beg  to tourists from rooftops, gathering under the memorial section of bridge that extends into Lost Angeles.  This clan isn't really respected, as they are viewed by the other clans as lazy, really doing nothing to further their own, or anyone else's cause.  Many members of this clan are mentally unstable and eventually leave to become loner's, other's join up with other clans.  For new arrivals to Lost Angeles, this is probably what will be their first home, as most are so shocked upon arrival to do anything but look back upon the world, visible from the rooftops.  There is no real leader to this clan, as most of the time it is to unorganized and the membership changes too often.

THE SOUTHERN CLAN:
Controlling the south side of LA, this clan is made up of mostly criminals on the run.  They rely on theft, and small raids for most of their resources, they scavenge a bit, but for the most part live off what they can steal from other clans and those foolish enough to trespass on their territory.    For this reason the area below sea level controlled by them is mostly untouched.  This clan is the source of the most conflicts with the outside world, as well as with the other clans of LA.  The leader of this clan is a woman named Maria Sanjen, a former Mexican pirate, she won the role of clan leader in trial by combat.  Many wanted criminals of the US, Canada, and Mexico make LA their home, safe from police and all but the most resourceful bounty hunters.

THE CANNIBAL NATION:
The Cannibal Nation dwells in the center of Lost Angeles, and is mostly made up of native Los Angelino's left over from the quake.  These people are insane, and their name is literal.  It is said that after the quake, small pockets of survivors, cut off, forgotten by  society, and starving turned to cannibalism in order to stay alive.  For most this was the final straw in a series of horror that finally drew them over the edge.  To travel through the center of Lost Angeles in any party smaller than 10 is suicide, even still the have been known to attack parties of 50 moving through their territory, as well as make "food" raids on other clan's territories.  This is where all the crazies go, and the sight of them is scary enough, many have filed their teeth, and all eat human flesh.  They usually attack in small groups of ten or less, but if you really make them angry (such as when Militech sent in a squad of solo's to retrieve data from their old office) they can attack full force, swarming from everywhere in droves.  They generally don't have the supplies, or know how to operate machinery, so their territory is without water and electricity.  The only boats they use are rafts and canoe's, and even if they manage to take a power boat, they will still just paddle it around usually.  They scavenge what they can use, and trade with no one.  These are the most dangerous people you could possibly encounter in Lost Angeles.