Shepherd's Flock

The Shepherd's Flock are an extremely eclectic group of Marauders. While most Marauders have little ideology beyond predatory nihilism, the Flock claim allegiance to a bizarre form of millenial christianity. According to their leader, a crazed religious preacher named Adelbert, the bible teaches that all things are of God and thus there is no sin, so murder, kidnapping and plundering are all equally as holy as charity and servitude. This insane ideology would usually appeal only to the socially marginalised and insane, but there are plenty of people who fall into these categories in post-war Poland. Not all of the members of the Flock genuinely buy into this ideology. Some are more traditional Marauders who seek only plunder and violence and join with the Flock in order to be part of a larger force, while others are frightened of the Flock and believe submitting to them is a less dangerous option than flight or fighting. But continuing service with the Flock is so traumatising, even for those who are performing the violence, that many who sign up for pragmatic reasons end up "converting" to the Flock's esoteric beliefs. Despite its devotion and focus on religionm The Flock lacks any organised theology, so violent disputes about doctrine are not uncommon. Although most members of The Flock are Polish, some members of NATO and Warsaw Pact armies have also joined the group.

The Flock does not have a permanent base - it moves around in the area north of the ruins of Wroclaw, usually split into three to four large groups of 100-150 Marauders with assorted civilian hangers on, and smaller squads of 5-15 Marauders in wider ranging patrols. As winter approaches, Adelbert has promised that he will bring The Flock to a promised land where they will be sheltered from the vicissitudes of the upcoming season. Adelbert has no clear vision, and is hoping that luck or divine grace will provide.

The symbol of the Shepherd's Flock is three crosses in a row. It is often daubed across their vehicles or left as graffiti on walls of settlements they have visited, but in some cases they will erect three crucifixes, often with the corpses of their victims on them.

The Shepherd's Flock always offers its victims a chance to convert, but to do so they must kill one in ten of their own members. Many take this option, and the trauma of being forced to kill is often the first step in succumbing to the collective psychosis that constitutes the Flock's ideology.