Survivalists
A group consisting of society’s misfits; those who either could not or would not be part of the establishment. This faction believes in helping each other and those in need, as well as preparing for any further disasters that may befall them. Gadget's auto shop serves as the group’s headquarters. Here they hang out and meet to discuss important issues ranging from how to aid the homeless or what new tools or techniques then can devise to survive the hell of San Lazaro. Most of the group members are either too poor or too distrustful of cybernetics to have any implants installed, making them even more alienated from a society that has become obsessed with cyber-technology.
Kyanna “Artemis” Osei
Artemis combines physical strength and skill with an enviable intellect. Originally from the Midwest, as a youth, she was a brilliant student and an excellent basketball and tennis player. She later won archery gold in the University Games and represented the U.S. at the 2036 Taipei Olympics. She graduated with a PhD in computer science and joined a local startup as a software engineer. She rose to the position of VP of engineering and established herself as a leading expert in encryption.
Artemis is of African American descent, her parents hailing originally from Ghana. At 5’11’’, she is tall and powerfully built. She is currently in a relationship with Seeker; the pair share a love of prepping and the wilderness. Now in her mid-30s, Artemis is a very able and stealthy hunter, though she’s yet to reach her partner’s expert level. She generally arms herself with a recurve bow and a selection of arrows, knives and axes.
Artemis combines a friendly, welcoming persona with a commanding will. Fiercely loyal, she will often intervene in arguments and protect her friends.
Mou-Man "Gadget" Ko (高無名)
A fifth generation Chinese American, Mou-Man has lived in San Lazaro all his life. The family have owned Auto Technical Solutions (ATS) for decades and he has worked there since he could hold a wrench. Those who know him call him “Gadget” for all the tools and devices he modifies and builds in his spare time.
Gadget is in his fifties; small in stature and weathered from decades of long hours and hard work. He divorced five years previously but his two sons still live in San Lazaro and visit every other weekend. Gadget is also very supportive of local youths in need of work and shelter. Youngsters from past and present form a kind of adopted family centered around the ATS workshop. Two of his favorites are Lucky and Thug, who remain eternally grateful for their mentor’s generosity.
As a mechanic, Gadget combines traditional skills with technical innovation. He has also developed a device that allows him to control computers and cybernetic systems. The Remote Intercept Cyber-Hacker (RICH) has proved very useful on several occasions. Outside the shop, Gadget is a well-practiced marksman and he favors an old-fashioned M1918 Browning Auto Rifle.
Madoc “Lucky” Lee
Born to an Irish mother and a Chinese father, Lucky was orphaned at age 10, and has since made a living for himself on the streets. That life was forced upon him, but he embraced it with a smile, as he does all things. He always seems to escape tough situations by the skin of his teeth — even when everyone expects him to fail — and this reputation has earned him his nickname.
Intelligent and compassionate, Lucky enjoys helping those in need, and does what he can to protect them. He is a fast learner and a diligent worker, despite being a little flighty. He is not afraid of getting his hands dirty and will often venture into places that others avoid. He isn’t above petty theft, but will always try to ensure that no one gets hurt in the process. He is more than capable of defending himself, often outwitting those who underestimate him due to his size and age.
Lucky is 19. He is 5’8’’, very quick, agile and able to sneak past anyone or anything. His favorite weapon, a collapsible recurve bow, is equipped with nonlethal kinetic pulse arrows.
Valinda “Seeker” Vasquez
Seeker is an expert tracker who can find and forage like no other. The daughter of Peruvian immigrants, she has spent her whole life in San Lazaro. Seeker was just a teen when she lost her father during a family camping expedition. She took his death hard, but it taught her a valuable lesson and she is now supremely well-organized and well-prepared. The tragedy did not put her off the outdoors, and she is a longstanding member of the San Lazaro Wilderness Club. Her practical abilities are also greatly valued in her regular job as a nurse at San Lazaro University Hospital.
Seeker is in her early 30s; 5’2” and solidly built. Although she can be cold and logical, as a nurse, she also has a caring side. Seeker’s most important relationship is her ongoing romance with a fellow Survivalist, Artemis.
After a lifetime spent in the wild, Seeker is skilled in tracking, hunting, trapping and foraging. Exceptionally agile and dexterous, if Seeker doesn’t want to be seen, she won’t be. She’s typically armed with a sling, a machete, and various knives; she prefers not to use guns.
Sergiy Vovk (Cергий Bовк)
Sergiy is an intellectual problem-solver with a dark side. Hailing originally from Ukraine, he was forced to leave during the conflict with Russia in the 2020s. He first arrived in the U.S. 20 years ago on a visitor’s visa and, when it ran out, decided to make his home in San Lazaro anyway. Sergiy was a successful concert pianist in Kiev, but, when the Russians invaded, his affiliation with the Ukrainian resistance attracted a lot of unwanted attention. He had no choice but to leave.
Sergiy is in his 50s; a tall, lean man with gray hair. His once-priceless hands are now calloused from all the odd jobs he has done. He can seem quite cold and gruff, but is fiercely loyal to his friends. After a few shots of vodka, Sergiy can become opinionated and rowdy. When truly riled, he will unleash hell on his foes.
He met the Peacemakers’ Bolt through her aunt, and taught her piano for a while. The pair are still close; in fact, he treats her like a daughter. A thinker and a warrior, Sergiy is highly valued by the Survivalists.
Maverick "Thug" Jones
“Thug” used to be an appropriate nickname for the big man. Scars and tattoos cover his face and arms; he’s tall, muscular and weighs in at 230 pounds. He carries a 4-foot-long steel pipe wherever he goes: not the sort of guy you’d want to encounter in a dark alley. But Thug is a different man now — his nickname has become ironic.
Not much is known about his childhood, other than that he was a high school dropout who got involved with a gang. At 18, he was arrested for a serious crime and sentenced to 10 years before being released early for good behavior. His time in jail helped him to see that he didn’t want to waste his life. Now 28 and released less than a year ago, he has vowed to stay on the right path. Humble and kind, Thug appreciates his close relationships with the other Survivalists. He’s grateful that they’ve given him a chance and will step up to protect his compatriots.
Thug despises any sort of ranged weapons, much preferring the reliable pipe he affectionately calls “Rusty.” While in jail, he acquired some implants that enhance strength, vision, and hearing.
Maria "Ranger" Gutierrez-Rivera
Ranger was born in the US to parents who immigrated from Oaxaca City, Mexico. After university, she immediately began a career as a park ranger, rising quickly through the ranks at Big Trees National Park. Now a Supervising Ranger, she teaches educational programs at the visitor center to students from elementary to high school level. Ranger is divorced but has a ten-year-old-son named Miguel, sharing joint custody with her former husband. When the crisis began, she was teaching at a seminar in San Lazaro and became trapped there.
Ranger is now forty-three, 5’ 2’’ tall and in excellent physical condition. She uses a state-of-the art crossbow issued to all rangers by the government. It is equipped with various bolts that can stun, cause extra damage or ignite/extinguish fires.
Ranger is an optimistic, happy, bubbly person who relates especially well to children. She has previously met Buck at regional law-enforcement conferences in San Lazaro. As a young ranger, she assisted in the operation to rescue Seeker, during which Seeker’s father was lost. Ranger has always kept in touch with the family and harbors some guilt about being unable to save the whole family.
Ranger is also a member of the Peacemakers.