The Drop Outs are a nomadic Outlaw Group on the Dark Side of VOI 700 D, consisting of approximately 30 members. Known for their rejection of strict societal norms and the hierarchical structures of other outlaw gangs, they embrace a lifestyle of independence and anarchic freedom.

The origins of the Drop Outs trace back to the time before the Great War, when they were labor convicts, sentenced to grueling penal work for crimes against the Free State of Settlers. These individuals were forced to build the Trade Route, their labor overseen by the Guarding Troopers, the predecessors of the Federal Sheriff.

Each member bore a mark of shame tattooed under their left eye, symbolizing their crime:

• Circle: Theft
• Lightning Bolt: Sabotage
• Slash: Violence
• Triangle: Fraud

In 2628, the group, initially numbering 45 members, staged a daring escape from their mobile prison. Overpowering the Guardian Troopers guarding them, they fled into the Dark Side. Since then, their numbers have dwindled due to clashes with Deputies of the Local or Federal Sheriff, who replaced the Guardian Troopers, and internal violence.

• Deaths in Shootings: 8 members were killed in conflicts with federal authorities.
• Mysterious Deaths: 7 members were found murdered, likely by the Jane Mendoza Gang, their ongoing rivals.

The Drop Outs live by the motto: “Free as the universe—only ruled by nature’s law.” This philosophy is tattooed in Latin (Libertas sicut universum—sola natura legibus regitur) on the back of every member as a symbol of their defiance against the regulated life of the Federal Confederation and even other outlaw factions.

Unlike the Jane Mendoza Gang, which thrives on organized crime and control, the Drop Outs prioritize personal liberty and reject the rigidity of any governing body. They do not engage in organized crime but take advantage of those who fall into their grasp, through robbery, kidnapping, or extortion. They are not Robin Hoods; they are anarchists, surviving by any means necessary.

Their independence also extends to their relationship with the Native Tribes. While they don’t consider themselves hostile toward the Natives, they refuse to abide by the Peace Treaty’s regulations, seeking to live unfettered by any authority.

The Drop Outs operate with a loosely democratic leadership system akin to historical Earth pirates. They elect a captain to lead, but this leader can be replaced at any time if they fail to uphold the group’s ideals or misuse their power. This flexible structure reflects their commitment to accountability and equality, while still maintaining their anarchic values.

The Drop Outs are nomads, traversing the Dark Side on their mounts, Duskriders—massive, blind creatures from the Northern Region. These creatures rely on advanced echolocation to navigate the pitch-black terrain, making them ideal companions for the Drop Outs.

To protect themselves from the extreme cold, Drop Outs wear reinforced spacesuits scavenged from the spaceship Last Frontier. These suits are modified with a thick layer of Korozo fur for insulation, and their helmets are replaced with Korozo skulls, lined with fur on the inside to shield their faces from the biting winds.

A hallmark of the Drop Outs’ resourcefulness is their use of Spider Web Traps—large, sticky, nearly invisible nets strung between rocks and outcroppings around their campsites. These traps are highly effective at catching prey or unsuspecting intruders. Victims caught in the webs are often robbed, taken hostage, or worse.

The Drop Outs do not manufacture their own weapons. Instead, they rely on ambushes and trades to acquire arms. They refuse to engage in the black market, avoiding the influence of the Jane Mendoza Gang.

Living on the Dark Side demands a versatile diet. The Drop Outs hunt and forage for food, utilizing their Spider Web Traps and their intimate knowledge of the region.

• Korozo: A primary source of meat, hunted using their traps.
• Zapor and Naka Tula Snakes: Often caught in webs and roasted.
• Dark Sea Fish: Scouts occasionally venture to the Dark Sea to fish.
• Bero Hiki Worm and Earth Cockroaches: Roasted and eaten as a delicacy.

The Drop Outs produce their own alcohol using the Bero Hiki Worm. The worms are fermented with honey and grains stolen from the Federal Courier Service Caravans.

Recipe:

• Boil the worms to extract their natural sugars.
• Combine the extract with wild grains and dark honey in a sealed container.
• Let it ferment for two weeks in a cool, dark environment.
• Strain and distill to produce a potent, earthy schnaps.

The Drop Outs hold a deep disdain for the Jane Mendoza Gang, seeing them as oppressive and antithetical to their ideals. As one Drop Out famously said, “They don’t mind their business; they try to let you be their business.”

This tension often leads to violent clashes between the two factions, as the Drop Outs resist any attempt by the Jane Mendoza Gang to assert control over their territories or activities.

• Unpredictable Antagonists: Use the Drop Outs to create high-stakes encounters, such as ambushes on the Trade Route or in the Ralar Region.
• Survival Challenges: Their Spider Web Traps and nomadic lifestyle add layers of danger and intrigue to wilderness exploration.
• Moral Ambiguity: Their anarchic nature offers opportunities for players to navigate complex moral choices—are the Drop Outs enemies, allies, or simply survivors of a broken system?

• The Dark Side
• Region Ralar
• Gamma Age
• Federal Confederation
• Outlaws
• Jane Mendoza Gang