BigLoki's Rules

There have been so many hypothetical situations, and so many debates as to what form of government people will use, and so forth. So I have decided to write my "rules" down, along with the thinking behind them. This may help to explain some of my theories in these threads, maybe help someone else peg down their expectations, or maybe even help me see if anyone thinks along the same lines as I do; because I gotta say: at this point, I feel like I may be subhuman in my thoughts about survival. Post apocalypse, in my mind?, not all men and women are created equal anymore. It's a cold hard reality, but a reality to me anyway.

Category 1: Nomadic
Smaller group composed mainly of my family, friends, and possibly a few stragglers that we have picked up along the way. In this scenario I assume leadership, because that is generally how things are right now with most of this group. In addition to family dynamic, I have survival experience, weapons experience, and quite frankly... I planned every-damned-thing.

Group is no more than 20 people, most likely. There is no need for a governmental set-up. I am in charge, but I have never been, nor can I see the benefit to being a dictator. All input is welcomed, and from the onset, the rules will be discussed, and laid out. Not because my expectations are complicated; but because they will also serve as guidelines to handle future possible situations.

The idea, to me, in surviving, also includes rebuilding. With this in mind, growing the group is a very real possible event, and usually will be encouraged. This is also a main contributing factor in the rule set. At this point, they are still rules, as there are not enough of us to start making "laws". Semantics, I know, but it's an important line to me.

1) Everybody contributes, nobody slacks.

Common sense to most of us, but still worth mentioning. With whatever happened to drive us to this, every able body will be needed in such a small group; to accomplish even the most mundane of tasks. Everyone pulls their weight. This not only helps us for the immediately obvious reason of getting things done as quickly and competently as possible; is also saves from dissent among the group later. Nobody likes to string along the lazy.

2) Bring it to me.

When you disagree with my leadership decisions. If you think I am mistaken in my reasoning. If you believe me to be unfair, or harsh. If you have a better idea, or way of doing something. Bring it to me. We'll figure it out. Leadership to me is more about guiding a group, than controlling it. I have no desire to be "all powerful" in anyone's mind.

3) In times of crisis, act now, question me later.

If we encounter a harmful scenario, and I say "run"... then friggin' run. Don't argue the point while standing there. Argue with me while we're running, and I'm perfectly ok with that. Again, to some this will seem like common sense, to others it will seem Dictatorial, but I don't care, these are my rules.

4) What's yours is yours.

Your own belongings are yours. Nobody, myself included will infringe on your ownership of them. If I can't trust you to have your things, then I don't trust you to be in my group; so you simply won't be. I don't agree with the thinking of "total community property", and I will not abide it in my group.

5) What's ours, is ours.

Items like food, and water are shared items. To be specific, this pertains to after you are part of the group. If you arrive with your MREs, and ramen noodles, they are yours to do what you will with. Once you are part of the group, scavenging does not imply ownership. It is "ours". This pertains to everything from a 2 liter of Pepsi from the mini mart, to the cache of weapons you miraculously stumbled upon. There will be no "cherry picking" on a scavenging run, there will be no "I found it, it's mine" mentality.

6) Meals are communal.

Food will be rationed at all times. When in abundance, the rations will be larger, but still rationed. When supplies dwindle, obviously we will suffer. (This does not apply to your own personal gear that you arrived with.) We will prepare meals, and eat as a group. Those on watch, or on an errand, and due back; will have their share set aside for their return, or when applicable, their meal will be brought to them. Water (when supplies are low enough to require rationing) will be rationed out once a day, be careful.

7) I have final say.

I will listen to any input, or insight. However, in the end, I will decide. This is mainly referring to people wishing to join, and potential property disputes. I will do my best to be fair, as is my nature; but it's not a democracy, so don't break out the ballots.

8) Arrival.

If you are deemed to be part of the group, all of the above rules immediately apply to you, without exception.

9) Departure (voluntary).

You are welcome to leave if you feel you will do better on your own, or as a smaller group. When you leave, you will leave with your own belongings, and whatever your rations would have been given our supply on hand. I wish you the best, but don't return.

10) Departure (involuntary)

You must have really ****** up. If you are alive, this means I don't deem you a threat to the group at a later date. You will leave with what you have in your personal gear. Nothing more. If another chooses to give you something, they do that on their own, and from their own personal gear. The term "ours" means exactly what it implies, and you are no longer part of that. Do not attempt to return. Any who choose voluntarily to leave with you will be afforded the same civility as any other voluntary departure.


This covers the basics. In a group of this size, I see no need to complicate it, or detail every possible scenario. When something I didn't lay out happens, rules (2) and (7) will suffice to cover it.


Category 2: Small settlement.

Nothing fantastic, just enough people, and a situation that has allowed us to build. 20-50 people.

1) Everybody contributes, nobody slacks.

Common sense to most of us, but still worth mentioning. With whatever happened to drive us to this, every able body will be needed in such a small group; to accomplish even the most mundane of tasks. Everyone pulls their weight. This not only helps us for the immediately obvious reason of getting things done as quickly and competently as possible; is also saves from dissent among the group later. Nobody likes to string along the lazy.

2) Bring it to me.

When you disagree with my leadership decisions. If you think I am mistaken in my reasoning. If you believe me to be unfair, or harsh. If you have a better idea, or way of doing something. Bring it to me. We'll figure it out. Leadership to me is more about guiding a group, than controlling it. I have no desire to be "all powerful" in anyone's mind.

3) In times of crisis, act now, question me later.

If we encounter a harmful scenario, and I say "run"... then friggin' run. Don't argue the point while standing there. Argue with me while we're running, and I'm perfectly ok with that. Again, to some this will seem like common sense, to others it will seem Dictatorial, but I don't care, these are my rules.

4) What's yours is yours.

Your own belongings are yours. Nobody, myself included will infringe on your ownership of them. If I can't trust you to have your things, then I don't trust you to be in my group; so you simply won't be. I don't agree with the thinking of "total community property", and I will not abide it in my group.

5) What's ours, is ours.

Items like food, and water are shared items. To be specific, this pertains to after you are part of the group. If you arrive with your MREs, and ramen noodles, they are yours to do what you will with. Once you are part of the group, scavenging does not imply ownership. It is "ours". This pertains to everything from a 2 liter of Pepsi from the mini mart, to the cache of weapons you miraculously stumbled upon. There will be no "cherry picking" on a scavenging run, there will be no "I found it, it's mine" mentality.

6) Meals are communal.

Food will be rationed at all times. When in abundance, the rations will be larger, but still rationed. When supplies dwindle, obviously we will suffer. (This does not apply to your own personal gear that you arrived with.) We will prepare meals, and eat as a group. Those on watch, or on an errand, and due back; will have their share set aside for their return, or when applicable, their meal will be brought to them. Water (when supplies are low enough to require rationing) will be rationed out once a day, be careful.

7) I have final say.

I will listen to any input, or insight. However, in the end, I will decide. This is mainly referring to people wishing to join, and potential property disputes. I will do my best to be fair, as is my nature; but it's not a democracy, so don't break out the ballots.

8) Arrival.

If you are deemed to be part of the group, all of the above rules immediately apply to you, without exception.

9) Departure (voluntary).

You are welcome to leave if you feel you will do better on your own, or as a smaller group. When you leave, you will leave with your own belongings, and whatever your rations would have been given our supply on hand. I wish you the best, but don't return.

10) Departure (involuntary)

You must have really ****** up. If you are alive, this means I don't deem you a threat to the group at a later date. You will leave with what you have in your personal gear. Nothing more. If another chooses to give you something, they do that on their own, and from their own personal gear. The term "ours" means exactly what it implies, and you are no longer part of that. Do not attempt to return. Any who choose voluntarily to leave with you will be afforded the same civility as any other voluntary departure.

The only additions will be that now we need a set guideline for infractions. The group is larger, and less just friends and family. Expectations, and consequences must now be laid out in plain view. Mainly so that everyone is aware of them, but also so that actions are not viewed as overly harsh, or surprising. The offenses, and consequences are clearly listed, what people choose to do with them is a choice that they have made for themselves.

A) Minor offenses:

- Assault (fighting, not a clear attack)
- Minor dereliction of duty (unauthorized personnel substitutions, slack of duties, subpar effort, failure to obey the reasonable requests of a supervisor, showing up impaired)
- Minor theft (nothing detrimental to the good of the group, nothing that is considered a weapon, nothing that is of serious value to the owner)
- Cherry picking (keeping desired items from scavenging runs for yourself in secret)
A "case" will be heard by a volunteer mediator. The accuser, mediator, and accused will meet and a determination will be made. Very simple, very clear cut. The mediator's decision will be final.

Possible sentencing:
- 1 week 1/2 food rations.
- Replacement of property with something of similar value for offender's own belongings.
- 1 week undesirable duty.
Any and all of these may be implemented at the same time. Repeat offenses will increase the duration of ration reductions, and undesirable duty by one week for each repeat offense.

Record is cleared after 24 months. 4 offenses in 24 months will upgrade to a Serious Offense.

B) Serious Offenses.
- Habitual minor offenses
- Attack (an unprovoked assault, "jumping" an individual)
- Child abuse (hitting or striking a child to the point of injury, willfully jeopardizing the safety of a child)
- Indecent advance (Grabbing a person of the opposite sex in an unwanted sexually explicit nature, groping a person of the opposite sex, Attempting to isolate or trap a person of the opposite sex for purposes of unwanted sexual contact)
- Serious Theft (theft of something that brought harm to, or potentially brought harm to the group, theft of a weapon, theft of a valuable personal item) - Destruction of settlement property. (Harming a structure, harming a machine, harming equipment)
- Serious dereliction of duty (Not showing up for duty, leaving in the middle of duty, neglect of duties, showing up for duty severely impaired)
- Soliciting contact (meeting willfully with those outside the group without the knowledge of leadership)

A "case" will be heard by 3 volunteer mediators. A 2/3 vote must be reached to be found guilty.

Possible sentencing:

- 2/3 rations for 8 weeks
- 8 weeks undesirable duty
- Banishment (all personal gear is yours to take, you will have one hour to round it up, say your goodbyes, and leave. Any who choose to leave with you will be afforded the same civility as a voluntary departure.)
- Replacement of stolen property with something of equal value
- Pulling victim's duty while victim recovers
- Barred from substance use (alcohol, drugs)
- Confined to camp (1 month-indefinitely)

Record does not clear. 3 Serious offenses will upgrade to a Grave offense

C) Grave offenses: - 3 serious offenses
- Arson (willful, and intended setting fire to a building, or structure)
- Sabotage (Willfully destroying critical equipment or property, conspiring to bring harm to the camp)
- Rape
- Murder (willful and malicious. A person can through circumstance, end another's life, and not be found guilty of murder)
- Molestation of a child
- Assault with a weapon (Attacking another group member with a fire arm, bladed instrument, or any other instrument willfully, and with intent to cause serious bodily harm, or death.)

A "case" will be heard by myself, and 2 other prominent group members. We will hear all evidence, including REQUIRED victim statements, and any witnesses. I will decide guilt or innocence after hearing all that is pertinent to the case, and discussing it with the other prominent members.

Possible Sentencing:
- Aggressive Banishment. ( Your personal belongings may, or may not be forfeit. Any who choose to leave with you will be treated as involuntary departure candidates, any attempt to return by you, or those who leave with you will result in a "fire on sight" order, this will be a standing order posted with all guards upon your departure.)
- Forced Relocation. ( You will be taken under armed guard, and cuffs to a location no less than 100 miles from the camp. Your personal belongings may, or may not be forfeit. Any who choose to leave with you will be treated as involuntary departure candidates, any attempt to return by you, or those who leave with you will result in a "fire on sight" order, this will be a standing order posted with all guards upon your departure.)
- Execution. (A firing squad will be assembled of no less than 6 group members. 3 rifles will be loaded with "blank" rounds, 3 will be loaded with live rounds. This is so that any who are selected to carry out execution will have deniability in causing the death of the sentenced. I will load the rounds myself to insure secrecy, and that this information is kept from the executioners.)

Any group larger than this will be ran by a board of elected members, numbering no more than 5. They will be elected every 2 years, with no allowance for a longer term without an election. They will still work at their normal jobs when their leadership duties allow. Compensation in the form of rations, or whatever established currency will be no higher than skilled labor, or any other valued skill. Those rules and such will be established at that time, not by myself alone.