VII: Factions

There are four main types of group here in the Forest, at least that I have seen.

First of all, there are skulkers hiding in the homes they once inhabited, trying to pretend that the Forest is not here. Skulkers leave for food and water only in large groups, though they are still small enough to leave some behind to protect any people too weak to go out into the Forest.

Second, there are roving bands of hunters. At times, a hunter will go rogue, which almost always involves killing the rest of the hunting party as the first prey it hunts alone. I say "it" because hunters are often too far gone into the Forest's influence to be considered human. Some are, however, and are merely opportunistic enough not to care or sadistic enough to enjoy the pain they cause.

Third, there are clans of people trying to reform society, make something new rather than pretending the Forest is not there or taking advantage of the weak. I have to respect them for that, though I have had some difficulty with such groups in recent days.

Clans are becoming increasingly uncommon, though.  Clans often break down into conflict over finite resources or enter combat against other clans to take what they have, in spite of how plentiful many resources actually are.

The longer a person stays in the Forest, the more animalistic they become.

Lastly, there are runners like myself, trying to escape the Forest altogether. I have yet to hear of anyone who has succeeded. Perhaps none have.

But I have to try.