Activists

"Down with capitalism!"
"Roll on the revolution..."

Some kids are just different. They're not interested in playing out; they don't care for the latest clothes, and games, or toys; they're weird. Not many people understand kids like this... but then, not many people understand politics.

As an Activist, you are a kid who definitely does understand politics. It has always been something special to you, unlike most others today, who couldn't care either way who they vote for (if they vote at all). Your particular field of interest is socialism, and what it has to offer your country.

What You Look Like

Taking after your (metaphorical) forefathers, you go in for unique clothing. Typically this will be something representative of the point you are trying to make. For example, if you are at a demonstration protesting over the care of orphans, you may wear ragged clothing, to symbolise what you are saying.

Males will wear clothing which identifies them as Activists; usually long overcoats with some kind of political sign adorning the sleeves. They will wear their hair tussled, and often have beards, or at least a small goatee. Boots are popular, as are propaganda leaflets accidentally left visible in coat pockets.

Females are more relaxed in their attitudes towards dress than those of most other gangs. For example, most find skirts acceptable, and many colour their hair. The predominant colour of clothing is black, but that is a common choice across all gangs for whom individuality is important.

SubCulture

Activist culture is based around the concensus of anti-capitalism. That is the single thing which unites all members. Without it, the gang would be an anarchic collection of rebellious, immature individuals with no purpose. However, with this focal point, the gang can be quite effective in achieving its aims.

These aims are usually simple, achievable goals. Holding rallies to gain new members, protesting at a major location without being arrested, organising fund-raising schemes, communicating with like-minded individuals in other cultures. All of these are difficult in the restrictive ISA, but clever organisation make them possible. The gang, then, has learned that to survive, its members must co-operate to achieve anything.

Individually, its members are unusual kids, those who never fit in at school. Most are pretty clever, and know what they're doing here; some are just rebellious teenagers looking for a cause to vent their anger with. Turnover of members is high; a lot join thinking they know what they're doing, and end up being scared off by the other's fanaticism.

Your gang maintains a wide network of contacts with other socialist organisations across the ISA, and to a lesser extent, the world. This gives it access to considerable resources in its fight against capitalism, and although terrorism has not yet been considered as part of its arsenal, it is something you would be expected to take part in if it ever became a reality. Your fighting skills should not be neglected just because you use your head more than most.

Belonging

Among the dedicated members, there is a strong sense of fellowship and comraderie. These are usually the older kids who've been here for years and know the gang inside out, who aren't intimidated by the extremist ideas some of the nutcases propose. New members can expect someone to be watching out for them, to help them ease in if they're having trouble. The gang in general is one of the more caring organisations, looking after its members if they're prepared to give something back in return.

Joining the gang was pretty tough, though. You slowly integrated with a few gang members at school, and after being taken along on a few marches, you were formally invited to join the gang. The older kids made sure you were made of the right stuff, though. It wouldn't do to have just any punks in the ranks, and you've always got to make sure the gang isn't being infiltrated by other organisations.

If you attend marches fairly regularly, and help out others if they need it, you can expect to be looked after well, and enjoy a reasonable standard of living in one of the gang's several owned dormitories across the city.

Allies & Enemies

Your greatest allies are the Zealots, who see your cause and their own as being pretty much compatible. Therefore, you often merge on particularly large rallies or at important events, to give your messages extra weight. Your gang also has close ties with the Einsteins, some of whom share your political ideology, and the EcoRaiders, who you also share beliefs with.

You are not on quite as close terms with the GoldenKids, who symbolise everything you despise about the state you live in. You rarely clash, but it is well known that you have little in common and would not like to end up sitting next to each other on a night out. You also have frequent quarrels with the Rads, who you see as watered-down versions of yourself. Their beliefs are weak compared to your own, and although you sometimes both turn up at the same rallies, you do not enjoy being in each others company.

Slang

Dorm : dormitory, shared living space
Sweet : sarcastic way of describing capitalist life eg. "Oh, very sweet"
Call : to hold one is to hold a rally

YoGang Skill: Call (INT)

This is your ability to convey your political or other message to the masses with maximum effect. If you're attending a rally in an organisational role, use Call to decide how much you contribute to the day. A bad roll is likely to mean an oversight on your part - the police might turn up early and bust you before you even get going. Such events lose you status in the gang. A better roll will mean you outfox the corps and maybe even get publicity on cable or the net.

You can also use ½ Call as a bonus to any TECH rolls in situations where you are rigging devices to convey your message more effectively. For example, you may be splicing into Channel 7's cables to hack coverage of your event into the middle of their news show. In this situation, you would use the Call bonus.

As an alternative (you choose either this or the TECH bonus upon creation) you can use ½ Call as a bonus to INT when writing or designing propaganda, or conveying a public message. As an example, if you are putting together a news piece to be put out on the net, you could use the bonus to improve its quality.

If You're an Activist

Pick three things...

Small tech kit
Cable splicing kit
Propaganda leaflets
Stun gun
Contact on medium-sized news channel
Portable v-term
Charisma (+1 bonus when recruiting new members)