Factionless Area Conditions

[kestrelwing]

I've been looking into creating some factionless characters, and had a few questions about everyone's general opinions on how bad conditions are for the factionless.

1. The books refers to the factionless taking the jobs no one else wants, like electricians, plumbers, janitors, factory workers, etc. At what age are these jobs made available to kids/teens? Are there workers' rights (whether they are actually upheld or not)? Who owns the factories/manages the factionless? How much are factionless people paid/what stores would their "points" work in?

2. Do the factionless have a color they stick to? Who provides them with clothing?

3. What housing is available? Are there shelters? Is there anywhere to shower? Are the abandoned buildings in good enough shape to stay warm in the winter? In the books, I pictured the factionless area as a slum (crappy apartments and ramshackle general stores and sketchy boarded windows) but on here it seems even more dire conditions abound.

4. What's the death rate in general (I know the death rate everywhere is 100% what with the whole mortality thing, but I meant more how common death is) and for children?

5. I imagine there's a pretty well-established blackmarket for drugs and such, but due to the dangers of living without a faction to protect you, what would be the percent of factionless that carry weapons?

I think that's it for now. Thankies!

[Admin Courtney]

1) I'm thinking any age could take those jobs, but if some factionless members weren't good at those jobs, they could be jobless and end up as the lowest of the low. Taking that in mind, I think Tony might have just refused to work for the factions, even if it meant money for him. I doubt they'd get paid fairly.

2) They'd take whatever clothing they could get. Some might get some from Abnegation people giving them hand-me-downs, or from searching through trash for old, thrown out clothes, which won't be in good condition.

3) Most would not be able to bathe often. Some might be able to afford soap if they had a crappy job, but would use it sparingly. Those without soap would find a stream and wash there. I don't imagine that they'd have assigned housing. Their area would mostly be slum. Crumbling buildings and such, since no one's bothered to repair or rebuild them. Tony explained a bit about shelter in the "Grand Tour" thread (my most recent post) to Everly.

4) As for death rate, the lack of food would lead to a lot of malnutrition, so a good number of people would die from starvation (especially those unable to work a job). Not many would live to be old, as medication is far too expensive for even one working many jobs to afford. So disease and famine would be the biggest death-causers. Tony, however, has managed to survive since birth. SO it is possible. But children probably wouldn't last, unless by chance. It'd be a high death rate, for sure. But a majority could also be lucky.

5) Those with weapons would have had to steal them. I doubt the factions would allow factionless to have any. Guns would be too risky, as they make too much noise. Knives would be most popular, as they aren't too difficult to come by. Some might steal kitchen knives from homes. Tony has one which he uses mostly for survival; not as a weapon. Unless necessary.


Hope that helps! These are good questions. They're making me think, too.

[kestrelwing]

1) Okay, so I'm gonna just have it be that Eli's looking for a job, but no one wants to hire a kid that has already failed initiation, and is too awkward and slow to interview well anyway.

2) Okay, cool. Eli's gonna keep his old clothes, or at least what clothes his parents let him keep, and have an Abnegation blanket and outercoat, both very worn.

3) Okay, that's useful. For those factionless that do hold down jobs, could there be one or two apartment buildings, badly kept up, but mostly repaired and run by enterprising factionless who want extra cash? I just want Eli to have something to maybe look forward to... If there's no chance at even having a home, I doubt he'll last long. A teen or twenty-year-old can survive on the street, but an older guy needs at least a room he can claim as his own.

4) Poor babies! When I make my girl character, I'm gonna have her ultimate goal be making a children's shelter.

5) Okay, I think Eli will have a dagger (from his friend) and a kitchen knife (stolen from home) and that should keep him fairly safe.

Sorry, most of that was just working out how this all affects Eli, but thank you so much for responding so quickly! It's super helpful, and I'm glad to be of some service as well. =)

[Admin Courtney]

1) Makes sense!

2) Lucky for him he can do that. I'm sure most factionless who failed initation have that option, then. So some do have clothes. There would be an unlucky few who have to live like Tony.

3) That works. I can make a board for those buildings, maybe. Or not. Haha. I'm sure Eli could survive. Tony moves from abandoned building to abandoned building, depending on the weather. Of course, he's used to it, so Eli would have to adjust. Tony could help him, if you'd like. They could both use a friend

4) Aw <3 That'd be a good idea. ORPHANAGE OMG

5) That would be beneficial!

And haha no worries! It's important stuff to know!

[kestrelwing]

Speaking of Tony and Eli becoming friends, I'm gonna make a plot thread about who'd like to start RPing with him... UGH SO MUCH STUFF I WANT TO WORK on. I'm gonna write my next bio(s) tonight, and plot Eli, and then I'll work my way into RPing a bit. And okay, that all sounds good. Thanks again!

[Admin Courtney]

I will definitely post there!
Haha I have a lot to do too. I just roleplayed everywhere I need to, but then I have to do some admin stuff, and add those locations to the forum. And I need should write up some information on the factionless under the plot so people will know if they feel like creating a character who is factionless later on.