Pit Fiends

## Summary

### Overview

A bandit clan that rules over most cities and settlements in the western area of the Wastes, who gains their funding through arena competitions, extortion, and raids against the other ruling factions of the region.

## General Information

### Known Leader(s)

* Moore Blood (2124 - 2138)
* Moore Guts (2138 - 2141)

## Operations

### Headquarters

* Angel City

The **Pit Fiends** are a powerful bandit clan that governs a majority of the settlements within the western coast of the Wastes. While the Pit Fiends had their beginnings as a nomadic group of violent raiders and pillagers, it very quickly earned a reputation in extortion and gambling with the rise of it's most infamous leader; Moore Guts.

Currently, the Pit Fiends run an arena out of Angel City (their main settlement) known as The Snake Pit, where frequent competitions are held with prizes of varying value. The Pit Fiends demand that citizens living in Angel City pay taxes in order to avoid punishment, which often comes in the form of mandatory time in the arena as a gladiator. Many young people join the Pit Fiends as thugs in order to gain a higher standing in society, though the inner circle of the faction is very exclusive.

## History

### Origins (2118 - 2124)

The Pit Fiends can trace their beginnings to a small tribe of raiders in the Drylands in 2118. Lead by the stoic but famously ignorant Chief Briggs, the group would attack bands of lowly survivors for basic supplies. With only around twenty bandits among them, Chief Briggs was often reluctant to fight other bandit groups. As the raiders traveled and pillaged, one ambitious Rustrat among them known as Moore Blood speculated that Briggs' indolence would eventually lead to their downfall; likely at the hands of a much more powerful tribe. When he brought up his ideas with his comrades, they scoffed and defended their leader's actions. Saying that their tribe was "more like a bunch of buzzards than a group of raiders", Moore packed up and left in search of a more aggressive group of allies.

During his travels, he scoured the entirety of the western American Wasteland, only finding other small groups and larger groups that would not accept him. One fateful day in 2124, however, Moore was camping in a skyscraper in Angel City (which was mostly inhabited by urchins and scavengers at the time) when he was caught a thief trying to get away with his rucksack. After catching him and taking his bag back, Moore interrogated the thief and robbed him of all he had. His hostage reluctantly told him that he came from a large group of raiders outside the city who's previous leader died during an ambush. Without a proper authority figure, the tribe was falling apart and had resorted to thieving instead of raiding. Seeing an opportunity, Moore demanded that the thief bring him to the raiders so he could speak with them.

As they arrived in the camp, Moore saw that this group was made up of at least 50 men and women, and even had a small convoy among them. With the thief as leverage, Moore made a series of demands. As he negotiated to make sure these demands were met, the raiders started to realize that Moore wasn't like the other psychopaths and thugs that attacked their camp; he was meticulous and ambitious, as well as intelligent. As he gained their trust, more and more people started to realize that he could very well be their next leader. The following morning, the raiders had officially decided that Moore would be welcome as their leader.

### Rise of the Pit Fiends (2124 - 2125)

As his first order of business, Moore demanded that they move into the city and set up a bastion. While certainly difficult due to the unstable structures in the area and the small groups of survivors living there, he deemed it an important first step in growing the group. Over the next few weeks, Moore's gang constructed an outpost in the heart of the city under the still-sturdy freeway, fighting off the occasional thief. Some of the more capable hermits in the area were recruited as guards and workmen, while others were sent out to scavenge supplies. After months of construction, the raiders had built an impressive complex with guard towers, several living quarters, and even a training arena. Naming their headquarters "The Snake Pit" to intimidate would-be assailants, the raiders named themselves the "Pit Fiends".

In the early months of 2125, Moore and a handful of his greatest fighters tracked down Briggs' old tribe. Approaching them one hot day at their camp in an old gas station, Briggs immediately recognized his old accomplice and thought that he had returned to simply brag about his new gang. As a crowd gathered, Moore stated that he had no intent to gloat about the Pit Fiends, but simply came to allow his old family into his new life, as he claimed that even their differences could be put aside in order to come to a mutually-beneficial outcome. However, as Briggs' gang was packing their things excitedly, Moore silently ordered his men to gun down the twenty-or-so brigands as they were distracted. Now known as the Massacre at Blue Star, this violent and dishonorable event has become widely known as the dynamic beginning of the Pit Fiends.

### Earning a Reputation (2138 - 2140)

For thirteen years, the Pit Fiends scoured the desert around Angel City, while maintaining a foothold in the city. It was only when Moore Blood's young apprentice, Moore Guts, assumed his position as leader following his death due to heat-related illness. As more bandit groups appeared in the Drylands, the Pit Fiends realized that complete control of Angel City was necessary for their continued survival. Slowly but surely, the Pit Fiends began hiring more members to provide handiwork, supplies, and defense from attackers. In a bold move that outed their base of operations to the rest of the Wastes, Moore Guts ordered his men to advertise his gang as a competitive arena battle that would take place once a week. Posters and flyers began appearing on walls across the Wastes, telling of the great battles that people could watch and bet resources on. Meanwhile, members of the Pit Fiends began capturing animals and rival bandits and training them for the battle to come.

When the day finally came for the first competition, forty-six gladiators had been assembled; all promised food and shelter if they survived. The battle would take several stages. The first and second rounds were made up of either half of the assembled warriors fighting one another in a free-for-all melee brawl. Whoever survived until the end would be facing off in the last round. As the crowds cheered and placed bets, some bystanders announced outright that they would devote themselves to the Pit Fiends if they kept the fights as an annual event. By the end of the night, the gang had raked in a ridiculous amount of valuables from the spectators, and when the winner of the game was announced (a brawler that would turn out to be an esteemed gladiator in future years, going by the name of Knuckledragger) the Pit Fiends had made a legendary name for themselves. Once again, the intuitiveness of a great leader had allowed them to get ahead of the curve.

These fights would go on to become a staple of Angel City society, which was growing at an alarming rate. Buildings were constructed over the years and people flocked to the arena from all over the wasteland to live where all the action was at. Now with a city to run along with a gang to manage, Moore Guts made deals with the bulletpriests in the Gunfields to the south to supply the Pit Fiends with guns and bullets in exchange for more manpower to work the fields. Shortly afterwards, Moore would also win over the support from motor jockeys in Paradiso. With more and more support, the Pit Fiends were officially recognized by the United States Liberty Corps as a Tier One Threat to Americanization (Tango One Tango), meaning that they were officially a faction powerful enough to compete with the USLC.

### Maintaining Superiority (2140 - Onward)

As leaders continued to rise and fall in the Pit Fiends and as time went on, they only grew more powerful. Though they had many conflicts with the other factions of the wasteland (notably the Arizona Raiders and the United States Liberty Corps), the cult of personality that each leader of the gang held kept around a legion of supporters. Where groups like the aforementioned USLC relied on the brute force and meticulous fear-mongering to maintain support, the power that the Pit Fiends held was maintained by good advertising and public relations.

However, while the Pit Fiends definitely had to respect of many in the region, they were not seen as weak. Citizens of Angel City that did not pay their annual taxes were kidnapped by thugs and forced to fight in the Snake Pit for an amount of time that was directly linked to the severity of their wrongdoings. Those that had truly gotten on the nerves of the gang were often killed in the streets, while onlookers simply passed by without a second thought beyond avoiding getting blood on their pants. The warriors in the Pit Fiends army have also made a name for themselves among rival factions. Some chiefs in the AZ Raiders have been known order their men to retreat and wait for reinforcements when Pit Fiend convoys are spotted, due to the sheer firepower and armor that each vehicle is equipped with.

## Society

### Culture

The Pit Fiends are a very loosely-governed faction. Respect is given to those who earn it, and those who are respected usually end up being promoted. A higher ranking member who suddenly loses the respect of their peers might find themselves at the bottom of the board in an instant. Alternatively, a faceless rookie that sudden gains a a remarkable amount of recognition might have control over a warband the next day. Respect goes a long way, and even the de facto leader of the Pit Fiends can be replaced due to a lack of it.

Pit Fiends idolize those that can earn their share and look good doing it. A common fashion trend from the start of the Pit Fiends was the punk rock look; messy hair, tattoos, torn clothing, patches and pins, and (of course) spikes. Wealthier members might dye their hair, while lower ranking members simply shave their heads, partially or fully.

From a young age, members of the Pit Fiends are taught that if you want something, you should take it. If your boss is giving you a hard time, show him some muscle to prove you deserve it. If he beats you up, you clearly didn't want it enough. If you want a shiny new interceptor, you can earn it or you can take it. It all comes down to what you are willing to do for what you want. This ideal has made it's way into every aspect of Pit Fiend society, from politics to family dinners.

### Demographics

The Pit Fiends have always been generally inclusive to members of all races and backgrounds. While at it's beginning the faction was made up mostly of Gasgarglers and Rustrats, it has become very inclusive over the years. The only race that does not show any interest in the Pit Fiends are the Huskers, though this is likely due to their spiritual lifestyle that keeps them away from raiding and arena fighting.

## Organization

### Government

The leader of the Pit Fiends (sometimes referred to as the Moore) maintains absolute authority over the rest of the faction, able to make important decisions, wage battles, have individuals executed or banished to the arena, and much more. However, a person in this position can be forcefully demoted or removed from office if enough people fight to do so, leading to some short periods of unrest in the faction's past. Similarly, a new leader can be promoted simply by having enough support. These changes in power can happen at any time, though the culture of respect and fellowship that the Pit Fiends have usually makes armed uprisings in individual leaders' names rare.

Below the Moore is the rank of Cobra, which is essentially the highest military rank. Chosen specifically by the Moore when they are elected, there is typically only one Cobra in office at a time (though there have been some cases where there are more). The job of a Cobra is to directly command the fighting forces of the Pit Fiends, and to report all critical information to the Moore. Cobras are typically chosen not for their combat prowess, but for their intellect and strategic ingenuity. Like the Moore, Cobras can be demoted when the vast majority of the faction wishes to do so.

The last of the high-ranking officials among the Pit Fiends are the Vipers, who take control of the factions warbands. Sent into the frontlines of combat alongside the other warriors, Vipers take orders from the Cobra and make important tactical decisions during the course of battle. Typically, Vipers can be identified by a red painted stripe drawn horizontally across their eyes, though this is more of a cultural choice and not mandatory.

### Military Structure

Fighters in the Pit Fiend maintain are split into several different fighting groups.

* War Pigs: The main military strength of the Pit Fiends, the War Pigs are often assigned to warbands that travel into the desert on raids. They are also commonly found accompanying convoys to their destination, and are skilled in pursuit combat.
* Angel City Guards: Acting as both the police force in Angel City and security for the politicians among the Pit Fiends, the Angel City Guards are often reserve troops for the War Pigs who are taught to fight in close-quarters environments. The Angel City Guards are known to throw their weight around, and often engage in firefights within the city walls.
* Dieseldrinkers: The smallest division of the Pit Fiend military legion, the Dieseldrinkers are specialized armored units. In times of war, the Pit Fiends top brass often orders the use of the faction's armored fighting vehicles; including carriers, fighters, and tanks. The Dieseldrinkers are the pilots of such vehicles, and spend their lives training and customizing their rides for battle. They are seldom seen in public.

### Armory

The Pit Fiends are not particular about the equipment that their warriors use. Individual soldiers often scavenge their own weapon from the battlefields, modifying their killing machine as they do battle. There is a saying that the most skilled Pit Fiend warrior is the one with the most complex gun. The same goes for armor and equipment, though occasionally specialized units are given mission-specific items from their leaders.

As for vehicles, Pit Fiends tend to use modified rattlers and pickups as their main military vehicle; the former for fast scout units and the latter as light assault units. They may also use jeeps and flatbeds, though they typically only assign one per battle group. Convoys are typically made from several of the previously listed vehicles accompanying one or two rigs or trashers.

## Headquarters

The Pit Fiends are the most powerful faction along the west coast of the Drylands, so it goes without saying that they have a lot of outposts and camps in that region. They also maintain a reasonable foothold along the southern border of Craggy Pass and in the northwest of the Blooding Fields. While there are several Pit Fiend camps in the Badlands, the uneven terrain and heavy AZ Raider presence in that area has caused them trouble in the past, so headquarters are rarely established there.

The primary headquarters for the Pit Fiends is Angel City, naturally. While they maintain a presence in Paradiso and the Gunfields, those settlements are not under their governance, but merely have trade deals with them; Paradiso supplying cars and gasoline for water and manpower, and the Gunfields supplying weapons and ammo in exchange for workers and food. Sin City is rarely touched by the Pit Fiends, as it is full of bandits skilled in ambushing vehicles and groups of soldiers and the area has been looted of most of it's valuables already.

## Foreign Relations

Due to their high popularity in the region and scale of their army, the Pit Fiends are seen by most as a force to be reckoned with. Smaller bandit tribes rarely even think to oppose them, as the tribes that have not already allied with the faction stay far away from them. The Arizona Raiders are bolder than most, however, as they too have vast numbers and a strong foothold in the Badlands, as well as in the north of the Blooding Fields. Still, they know better than to engage in a war with the Pit Fiends. Occasionally, they will assault stray convoys that pass outside their territory, hoping to convince the Pit Fiends that it was the work of an unrelated gang.

The United States Liberty Corps sees the Pit Fiends as a threat to their goals and a liability. Since the USLC's primary objective is to liberate the wasteland and unite it under the American flag, having a powerful faction that profits off of the senseless bloodshed be one of the dominant groups in the area is a serious problem for them. There are countless USLC bounties on members of the Pit Fiends heads', including current leaders, former leaders, and even gilded warlords. While the two don't clash much due to the Pit Fiends tendency to stay away from the USLC's turf, it is likely that under stressful circumstances, the two factions could easily engage in a heated war.

The Hellhounds think surprisingly little of the Pit Fiends. On one hand, the two factions share an affinity to violence and bloodshed, but while the Pit Fiends commit their atrocities out of greed, the Hellhounds are driven mainly by hate and wrath. The two clash occasionally, but they do not have any outstanding opinions on one another.