New Haven

"*To the north, lay our hovel
Lands being tilled, water and shovel
Beneath where the devils pry
We found home, bloodshed and fire*"
―Capt. Rivera
**New Haven**, also referred to as the **safezone**, is a large trading hub based in the center of Torrington, Idaho.

Economically and militarily it is one of the most powerful groups within the Rocky Mountains, keeping a tight control of the area surrounding Torrington.

## Overview

Upon formation and acquiring a decent foothold within Torrington, New Haven quickly developed into the area's dominant group. It is one of the few places within the Rocky Mountains where trading, resources, and most importantly, safety is ensured.

New Haven is well-militarized in order to protect its resources; its checkpoints are heavily guarded and its militia is outfitted with better quality firearms than your usual survivor might have. New Haven is also quite strict when it comes to entering and leaving the safezone, with rules of conduct within the safezone being heavily enforced and non-New Haven personnel being searched upon entry.

## Backstory

During the initial outbreak within the United States, the local police (working alongside the National Guard) set up a quarantine zone around the city of Torrington. This brought about questions within the local population, with some finding it odd that the National Guard would even focus on a town of that size due to the fact that Torrington was a small city with only a population of around 1000 people.

As the virus ravaged the country, things in Torrington were generally under control. No one was allowed to leave or enter the quarantine zone, essentially isolating the town from the outside world. The quarantine zone remained under the control of the National Guard for around two years until there was a security breach within the perimeter which is when all hell broke loose and the city overran.

The National Guard, seeing order fall so fast and fearing for their own safety, decided to pull their forces out and abandon the city, leaving the citizens and police to fend for themselves. Seeing the outer city fall so quickly, the citizens and police that survived the initial onslaught banded together and were able to recoup some of the area that was lost within the city.

After regaining some control, survivors of the outbreak set up a new safezone within the inner portion of Torrington calling it **New Haven**, believing that they can protect themselves, and offer protection and safety for others to come as long as they bring business and/or resources.

## Ideology

Like many groups, New Haven has it own ideology and attitude. They are heavily against working with the military (or any governmental entity) because of how the National Guard abandoned them years prior. New Haven prefers to worry about themselves and to handle business in a way they see fit, believing that they can survive in the harsh conditions by maintaining order and control within the safezone and surrounding area.

## Notable Members

* **Henry Pearce**—Founder, First Governor of New Haven *(Killed, 2010)*
* **Martin Rivera**—First Captain of the New Haven Guard *(Went missing during scavenging run, 2011)*