Minneapolis/St. Paul

Gang Focus:

Although this gang would seem to be named after the University of Minnesota team, it is actually because they run the underground beneath Minneapolis, including the semi-abandoned subway tunnels. They only come to the surface for the occasional food run, or to bring down potential recruits. As this is the case, even the humans tend to have an allergy to the sunlight. The Gophers are a very reclusive gang, and are not tremendously violent. They are however the only people that know the true layout of underground Minneapolis, and are an excellent resource; not talking to The Gophers before entering the underground can lead to a serious turf problems.

Leader:

RatBadger, an dwarf male that has spent a little too long underground. He knows the underground like the back of his hand, and knows places that have never seen before by anybody else. His background is entirely unknown, and has been in charge of The Gophers as long as can be remembered.

Lieutenants: 2

• Mole, a female human with surprisingly dark skin and hair. She loves the dark, but often leads the raids above ground.
• Footpad, an orcish male with almost no eyesight whatsoever. It is rumored he was implanted with an experimental sonar system.

Initiation Rites:

An initiate is led into a remote section of the tunnels, given two days worth of ration bars and is told to make it back to a specified point without using the surface. Those that make it back become part of the gang, those that do not are left to die. There are rumors of the ghosts of initiates haunting some remote tunnels.

Uniforms:

There are no uniforms or colors for this gang. Unofficially though, most wear dark blue, black and gray as the brighter colors tend to hurt their eyes. Most uniforms are very functional and have thick padding on the knees.

Symbols:

The symbol of The Gophers is that of a pupilless eye set in a large gaping mouth. This symbol is always found on a tattoo to identify members.

Territory:

Any underground areas in The Minneapolis Barrens Free Zone. Their HQ is rumored to be somewhere deep underground in hidden caves.

Operations:

The Gophers have almost no resources whatsoever. They steal from the richer surface dwellers during midnight runs, but are often found with dated equipment.

Foes:

The Gophers do not claim any real enemies, but there have been some turf wars with The Crypt Keepers. The Gophers are very lenient on who they allow into their territory, but they do insist on being notified ahead of time.

Uniqueness:

It is well known that The Gophers know of ways into and out of The Minneapolis Barrens, but they are not revealing any secrets. Surprisingly, if a member leaves to join the surface people they remain a member of this gang. Most will defend their secrets to the death even after leaving the gang. There has been only one incident of a person telling the police some of their secrets. Within the following night that individual disappeared into thin air. Later that week he was found in three pieces on a subway track.

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