JunkRats
The JunkRats are a small group of surface survivors composed of Adrian, Lucy, Gabriel, and Zariah.
The group consists primarily of former Runners who once worked for The Underground. After separating from the settlement, they began operating independently across the ruins of the Surface.
The name JunkRats originated as an insult used by people within the Underground to describe scavengers who spent their lives searching through the debris of the old world. Over time, the group adopted the term themselves.
Overview
The JunkRats operate throughout the ruined city surrounding the crater settlement.
Using their experience as former Runners, they navigate abandoned infrastructure, collapsed streets, and dangerous urban environments in search of supplies and shelter. Their familiarity with the surface allows them to travel through areas most Underground patrols avoid.
Because they no longer operate under the authority of the Underground, the group functions independently and survives using whatever resources they are able to recover from the ruins.
Origin of the Name
The term “JunkRat” began as a derogatory nickname used by citizens of The Underground.
Runners were often viewed as expendable scavengers who spent their time digging through scrap piles, abandoned buildings, and ruined machinery left behind after The Collapse. As a result, many people began referring to them mockingly as rats digging through junk.
The group later adopted the name themselves, turning what was originally meant as an insult into a symbol of their independence.
Activities
The JunkRats primarily survive through scavenging and exploration of the surrounding city ruins.
Typical activities include:
- Searching abandoned structures for usable equipment
- Recovering scrap materials and tools
- Navigating collapsed infrastructure
- Avoiding or defending against Forsaken encounters
The ruined city environment remains extremely dangerous, with unstable buildings, blocked streets, and frequent Forsaken activity making travel unpredictable.
Members
The core members of the JunkRats include:
Zariah was never formally assigned to the Runner program within The Underground. Despite this, she worked alongside Adrian, Lucy, and Gabriel during surface expeditions and eventually became part of the group.
Relationship with the Underground
The JunkRats are no longer affiliated with The Underground.
Their activities on the surface and separation from the settlement place them outside the authority of its leadership, and interactions between the group and Underground patrols are often hostile.