A Faction-by-Faction Guide to Dressing the Part
Whether you’re a new player stepping into our world for the first time or a seasoned veteran looking to polish your kit, this blog post will help you capture the heart of our dystopian setting.
In our previous post, we talked about how to genre your costume—embracing the grit, grime, and storytelling details that make your character come alive in a world shaped by sun, wind, and survival. Now, we’re diving deeper into the details with a focus on one of the most important aspects of fitting in: dressing like you belong.
This post is all about the factions—how they shape the world and how you can reflect their identity through your costume. Every stitch, fabric, and accessory is a chance to show where your character fits within the larger story. Whether you’re part of a scrappy, resourceful group of scavengers or a disciplined faction with a uniform aesthetic, this guide will help you look the part and help tell your character’s story through what they wear.
Ready to find your place in the factions and make those first impressions count? Read on…
The Jays
Dust-Covered Caretakers
The Jays are practical and grounded. Their gear should reflect their close relationship with the land and their commitment to tradition.
Key Materials: Worn canvas, faded denim, burlap, and leather.
Key Pieces:
Overalls or patched work pants.
Wide-brim hats or headscarves to keep the sun off.
Gloves that look like they’ve planted crops or handled livestock for years.
Hint of Blue: A subtle nod to the blue jay in their crest, maybe a bandana, sash, or stitching.
Footwear: Sturdy work boots or worn-out hiking shoes. Mud optional, but encouraged.
Accessories: A battered gardening tool strapped to your belt, or maybe a satchel filled with herbs and seeds.
The Trumans
Industrial Powerhouses
The Trumans are the steel-driving backbone of Iron City. Their gear screams functionality, durability, and a refusal to quit.
Key Materials: Heavy denim, canvas, leather, and metal.
Key Pieces:
Mechanics’ coveralls or tool belts.
Welding goggles or protective masks.
Leather aprons with hammer loops.
Elbow grease stains, real or fake.
Footwear: Steel-toe boots that have seen better days.
Accessories: A wrench or small hammer strapped to your belt. Bonus points if it looks like it’s both a tool and a weapon.
The Tel’Veracians
Cryptic Curators of the Broadcast
The Tel’Veracians are archivists and scholars, blending mysticism with old-world tech. They should look like they’ve crawled out of a ruined Blockbuster with purpose.
Key Materials: Tattered wool, synthetic fabrics, and scavenged plastics.
Key Pieces:
Long coats or cloaks with patchwork patterns.
Headpieces like headphones repurposed as crowns or static-riddled visors.
Layers that evoke a mix of scholar and scavenger.
Footwear: Simple shoes or boots, practical but nondescript.
Accessories: Film reels, cracked VHS tapes, or small screens patched into your costume.
Bonus: Tel’Veracians live in nearby salt caves, so to really look the part, consider adding salt stains or a dusty coating of dried salt to your kit.
The Iron Rail Collective
Wasteland Conductors
The Iron Rail Collective are train fanatics who blend industrial grit with nomadic flair.
Key Materials: Heavy wool, denim, leather, and steel.
Key Pieces:
Striped rail-worker hats or soot-streaked bandanas.
Vests with sewn-on patches of old railway logos.
Gloves that look like they’ve handled hot engines.
Layers that suggest a life on the move; coats that flap in the wind, or gear rolled up and strapped to your back.
Footwear: Sturdy boots covered in dirt or stained with soot
Accessories: A pocket watch, a piece of railway track as a weapon, or a lantern with a flickering flame.