Family

Organization

Full Name :
The Family.

Purpose :
The Family was created, by an eccentric millionaire, in order to give a select group of humans protection and shelter from the upcoming World War III, in northern Minnesota. The entire community, protected by walls, was designed to be self-sufficient community including food, weapons, books and with a futuristic vehicle, the SEAL car, for exploration.

Modus operandi :
The Family and its Council of leaders, the elders, keep an eye open to rumors and such, of anything that could be a treat to their community. Additionally, they have regular meetings with allies to exchange information.

The Family’s main concern is to survive in the new apocalyptic worlds, and the threats are many: diseases, mutants, armies, bandits etc..

To operate efficiently and self-sufficient, each member of the Family (which consists of around 70-100 humans) has been given a title and assignment. There’s 15-18 warriors active at all times.

Extent of operations :
In case of rumors they send out a smaller group of so called Warriors to recon the situation. If the Warriors find the rumors to be true, they’ll attempt to destroy the threat by any means necessary. In case of something more imminent, they contact their allies and prepare for war, in which case an army will be assembled with individuals from all allied groups.

Although, an isolationist policy was kept at first, the Family Warriors have now made great changes to the outside world.

Relationship to conventional authorities :
In the beginning of the Endworld series, the Family was completely alone with no contact outside. After many years, the Family is part of the group it helped start – The Federation. The members of this group are considered allies of the Family, and protect each other against hostile outside forces.

Additionally, the Family is on very good terms with Las Vegas. The Family has no contact with many of the smaller local authorities of some unvisited cities, but remains a good relationship with some of them.

The Civilized Zone, Androxia and the Russians of the East Coast Empire are in a constant state of war with the Family. The state of Florida also used to be an enemy.

Bases of operations :
The Family has only one notable headquarters: their home, The Home, in the area of Lake Bronson National Park in Minnesota (which includes various blocks; a weapon arsenal (A), living quarters (B), a hospital (C), a workshop (D), a library (E) and a storage (F)). Members of the Family can travel freely within the countries of their allies.

Former bases of operations :
None.

Major funding :
None, the community doesn’t use currency, but is self-sufficient. Occasionally, borrows major equipment such as a jet plane or helicopters from their allies.

Known enemies :

• The Doctor, ally of Samuel II and residing in the Cheyenne Citadel (Cheyenne and Kalispell; “Citadel Run”, “Kalispell Run”), was probably their deadliest enemy.
• Dictator Samuel II of the Civilized Zone (East Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North Texas and Wyoming, “Denver Run”, “Armageddon Run”) was waging a personal war against the community of the Family, before he was killed.
• The computer tyrant Primator, of Androxia (southern Texas; “Houston Run”), desired the destruction of the Family since they stood against its plans of world conquest, but these died when it was destroyed.
• A permanent enemy of the Family and the Federation are the Russians of the East Coast, who control most of former eastern USA (Illinois, southern Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New England, New Jersey, South New York, North Carolina, southern Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia; “Boston Run”).
• The Dragons were enemies until they were all killed (southern Florida; “Miami Run”).

Certain City States have also troubled the Family Warriors a lot:

• Atlanta; which was controlled by the Nobility (“Atlanta Run”).
• Chicago; controlled by the Technicians.
• Detroit; now called Motor City and run by various gangs (“Boston Run”).
• Fox; home of the Ogres (“The Fox Run”).
• Memphis; controlled by the King and the Dogs of Hades (“Memphis Run”).
• Seattle; neutron bombed during the war and now controlled by the mutant Manta and his gang against the human rebels the Sharks (“Seattle Run”).
• St. Louis; controlled by the Leather knights (“Capital Run”).

Known allies :
The Federation and its leaders, which consists of the New Republic of California (California), The Moles (Minnesota), The Clan (Twin Cities; “Twin Cities Run”), The Cavalry (eastern South Dakota; “Dakota Run”) and later The Spartans (Iowa, “Sparta Run”).

Additionally, the Family is on very good terms with the 7 Families of Las Vegas, particularly the leading family (“Nevada Run”).

Membership

Number of active members :
The Family consists only of 70-100 members. Most are born into this community while others have sought it as a refuge from the outside world.

Number of reserve members :
None.

Organizational structure :
The Family has a somewhat feudal rule with the Elders as their ruling Council. Each individual has a position and a title related to their part in the society. Each ’department‘ or position has a leader that gives orders to everyone in times of crises. All Family members receive their title and job at the age of 16. The various positions, which help to keep up their self-sufficiency, are:

• Elder: this is the equivalent of a statesman and is a member of the so-called Council. The leader of the Elder’s Council is the man named Plato.
• Warrior: this is a member of the Family’s own security, police and military force. They are divided up into triads, within which each have their internal ranks, and the members of a higher triad (earlier Greek alphabet letter) have higher ranking than the lower triads. The triads do all the dirty work of the Family.
• Empath: this is the equivalent of a priest. Since the Family has full religious freedom (mixed Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism etc.) these members will often function as psychologists. Empaths are also those people of the Family who have extra perceptive abilities.
• Healer: this is the equivalent of a doctor or medicine man.
• Farmer: this class is responsible for bringing food for everyone in the community.
• Weaver: this class of people is responsible for washing and the making of new clothing for the entire community, which is often done after requirements.
• Blacksmith: this individual makes various technical and metallurgical works.

Known current Elders :
Plato, the foster father of Blade.

Known current Warriors (leaders first):

• Triad Alpha: Blade, Hickok, Geronimo.
• Triad Beta: Rikki, Yama, Teucer.
• Triad Gamma: Spartacus, Seiko, Shane.
• Triad Omega: Ares, Gideon.
• Triad Zulu: Simson, Sherry.
• Triad Bravo (Mutant Triad): Lynx, Ferret, Gremlin.

Known current Empaths :
Joshua.

Known current Healers :
None.

Known current Farmers :
None.

Known current Weavers :
None.

Known current Blacksmiths :
None.

Known former members :
The members that have died in service include Carter (Warrior in Triad Omega), Marcus (Warrior in Triad Omega) and Crocket (Warrior in Triad Zulu).

Membership requirements :
All inborn humans are automatically members of the Family community. Refugees from the outside world can become members by getting a recommendation from a Family member and after getting the vote to do so from the Elders Council. Most new members have become Warriors.

History

Founder :
Curt Carpenter (deceased).

Other leaders :
Plato.

Previous purpose and goals :
Its activities were always to ensure the security and safeness of the isolated Family Community. For the first hundred years no contact was kept with the outside world, but since the Family’s existence was threatened this changed into an involvement policy.

The Family is now not only working to protect itself, but also to change the outside world by overthrowing the tyrants by the help of the Federation. The original goals have expanded to work for a new world of peace and freedom.

Major campaigns or accomplishments :
The Family, or rather the Warriors, has changed the outside world to a huge extent. With the help of the Warriors’ diplomatic skills a powerful alliance named the Federation has been started.

The dictator of the Civilized Zone, named Samuel II, was killed, and a new non-militaristic regime was installed. His ally, the evil Doctor, was killed as were the majority of his mutant creations. Various expansionist local dictators, such as Manta, the Dragons and Primator have been killed.

The Russians of the East Coast have been dealt a great deal of trouble stopping their expansion.

The entire world has been changed into a more secure and free world thanks to the help of the Family.

Major setbacks :
Despite facing impossible odds, the Family has survived and won. Although situations have occasionally looked very dire and the end appeared near, their personal losses have not been great. Some individuals have died, but that has to be seen as a very small loss for the changes they have made.

Personnel and equipment

The Warriors :
These are the standard protector/warriors of the Family. At all times there will be Warrior members in the locals of the Family, but occasionally smaller groups, often Triads, are sent out on a mission of destruction, diplomacy or exploration.

Notable operatives :
See separate writeups for :

• Blade.
• Hickok.
• Geronimo.
• Yama.
• Lynx.
• Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

Resources :
20 (they have invaluable storages of books and weaponry).

Equipment:
A Family Warrior is equipped with any particular weapon of his own choice, and in which he/she is an expert. Usually he/she carries around the special weapon along with at least two reserve weapons, such as:

• High-end combat knife [BODY 05, Enhance (EV): 01 (Cap is 06), Descriptor: Piercing, Slashing].
• Shuriken [BODY 04, EV 02, Grenade drawback, Dart bonus].
• Uzi or Heckler & Koch MP5K [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 05, Ammo: 07, R#03, Advantage : Autofire].
• Steyr Aug 5.56 [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 06, Ammo: 08, R#02, Advantage : Autofire].
• Sawed-off Double-Barreled Shotgun 12 ga [BODY 03, Shotgun Blast (Range 02): 07, Ammo: 02, R#04, Recommended STR: 03, Drawback: Long Reload. Note : EV can be raised to 08 Diminishing by shooting both barrels at once, expending two Ammo and increasing Recommended STR to 04].

Additionally, the Warriors have the unique SEAL-vehicle to their disposal:
SEAL (Solar Energy-driven Amphibious Land vehicle) [STR 06 BODY 9, Flame Immunity: 02, Running: 06, Sealed Systems: 10, Solar Sustenance: 08, Swimming: 04, Thief (Stealth): 05, Limitations: Solar Sustenance has R#3; when this fails it means that the accumulated solar energy is used up and needs recharging, Stealth can only be used for hiding passengers in car from any outside viewer (black glass), Sealed Systems does not provide radiation protection].

Equipment for the vehicle includes .50 caliber Machine Gun (x2) [AV: 5,EV: 8, R#2, Ammo: as Belt fed], Built-in Bazooka (x2) [BODY 5, Range 5, Bomb 8], Anti-aircraft SAM Missile [BODY 2, DEX 8, AV 6, EV 12, Range 12, Thermal Vision 7, Flight 11, Bonus: IFF Function, R#2], Flamethrower [BODY 4, Flame Project 7, Ammo 5, Range 2, R#4], Note: The SEAL also contains extra ammo to the flamethrower, bazooka and the machine gun, but they have all to be manually reloaded from the outside of the vehicle. Note also that the SEAL doesn’t have Hardened Defenses and as such is very vulnerable against attacks from a well-aimed grenade, bazooka etc.]

Bibliography

First appearance :
Endworld-series I (“The Fox Run”).

Origin issue :
The basic details of the Family’s origin are retold in every Endworld book. Additional details are told in various books.

Significant issues :
“The Fox Run”: First contact with the outside world is made. Triad Alpha liberates captives from the Ogres in the city of Fox.

“Thief River Falls Run”: Triad Alpha is sent to Thief River Falls to search for medical supplies. Finds the Guardians instead and combat ensues. Triad Alpha returns home victorious, but empty-handed.

“Twin Cities Run”: Continuing the hunt for medical supplies, Triad Alpha travels to the twin cities St. Paul and Minneapolis. The area is ravaged by civil war and Family allies itself with one of the gangs, named ’The Clan’.

“The Kalispell Run”: A mysterious aging disease strikes the Family. Triad Alpha is sent out to find a cure. ’the Moles’ are encountered and later allied. Triad Alpha befriends one of the Doctor’s mutants, Gremlin. The disease is revealed to be an attack by the infamous Doctor.

“Dakota Run”: A Warrior, Geronimo, is hunted by ’the Cavalry‘ in the Dakota area. The Family later allies itself with this group.

“Citadel Run”: The Warrior named Yama is sent to the Doctor’s H.Q. in Cheyenne to recon. He ends up befriending a mutant fugitive, Lynx, and destroys the entire city using a miniature nuke. Triad Alpha are kidnapped and brought to Denver, capital in the empire of the Civilized Zone. The Doctor works together with Samuel II, leader of the Civilized Zone, but Triad Alpha manages to escape.

“Armageddon Run”: The final showdown between the Family and the Doctor. Combat between small groups of elite Warriors from various allied factions of the Family enter combat with the Doctor and his mutants in the city of Catlow. The Doctor is killed by Blade, hundreds of mutants are killed and around half of the elite Warriors are killed.

“Denver Run”: A small group of Warriors is sent to Denver, capital of the Civilized Zone, in order to kill Samuel II. The mission succeeds and the Family with its allies is no longer facing imminent destruction.

“Capital Run”: Rumors of a powerful Empire east of the Mississippi river reach the Family. Triad Alpha is sent eastwards and finds ’the Leather knights’ in St. Louis and that the Empire is the Empire of the East Coast Russians.

“Houston Run”: The legacy of the Doctor lives on as his mistress convinces the computer tyrant of former Houston, Primator, that the Family is a threat to its existence. Blade, Hickok and their three mutant friends, Lynx, Weasel and Gremlin, manage to destroy Primator and return home from the futuristic city of four million inhabitants.

“Anaheim Run”: A meeting is held in Anaheim, a city of the new Californian Republic, to make a large pact against the threat of the Empire of the East Coast Russians. The powerful Federation is formed, despite elite assassins trying to kill the leaders of the various factions (they are stopped by Warriors).

“Seattle Run”: An emergency signal from Seattle reaches Hickok. Blade looking for a reserve leader takes along Hickok, Yama and Rikki for a rescue mission to determine who is best suited. Hickok manages to destroy the mutants and their leader Manta and is appointed reserve leader of the Warriors.

“Nevada Run”: Family members are kidnapped and brought to Las Vegas. Triad Alpha is sent there to free the captives. It is all a plan by one of the ruling families for making the Warriors destroy the leading families. Instead, that family is destroyed and the Warriors, having ended a threat to the ruling family parts the city as their friends.

“Miami Run”: The Family is reached by a rumor that a group located in Miami, the Dragons, plans to destroy them. Blade, Hickok and Rikki are sent there to investigate, finds that the rumors were true and destroy the members of the Dragons.

“Atlanta Run”: Blade, Hickok and Rikki encounter the tyrannical ’Nobility‘ in the city of Atlanta, and free the oppressed by killing them the nobles.

“Memphis Run”: Rikki is captured in the vicinity of Memphis. Blade and Hickok are sent there, encounter ’the King and the Dogs of Hades’, kill them, and bring Rikki back home.

“Philadelphia Run”: Blade manages to destroy a new super weapon developed by the Russians in Philadelphia.

“Boston Run”: The Russians strike back as Blade is kidnapped from the Family. He’s taken to their capital Boston and attempt to brainwash him, but fail, and Blade succeeds in escaping home again.

“Sparta Run”: The Family meets the survivalist community of the Spartans in Sparta, Iowa. The Spartans have some hundred of Warriors for their protection and they are later voted into the Federation.

After the stories told in the Endworld-series comes a spin-off series, named the Blade-series. These books are about the Freedom Force, the strike force of the Federation, of which Blade is the leader, and are not covered here.

By : Dr. Peter S Piispanen.

Source of Character: The Endworlds-series by David Robbins.

Helper(s): Philip John Mason.