The Stronghold
The Oakwood ranch was originally built as a hideout for a wealthy celebrity. When Anna bought it, it already had a 2 meters (around 7ft) brick wall surrounding the main buildings, with a steel gate protecting the entrance and small watchtowers in the corners.
Map:
Buildings:- The main building is a two-story house. The first floor contains a large kitchen joined with a dining room, one whole wing is turned into a large food storage. There is also a small living room with the wood heater. Second floor contains four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Under the house there is a small cellar, that can be used as a short time shelter in case of a tornado.
- Barn - large barn used both as a stable for the horses and as a storage for hay, straw and fodder for the livestock
- Armory - small building in the middle of the courtyard, containing all the weapons and ammunition. Armory is locked all the time and only Anna and George have the keys.
- Shed - simple wooden shelter for all the tools and equipment. Part of the shed is designated for the diesel generator.
- Well - a deep well suplying fresh water
- Henhouse, pighouse and a cowshed - wooden shelters for the animals, with fenced coops.
Supplies
FoodThe survivors need around 7 units per day.
Live hens – eggs = 1 unit/day
Live cows – milk = 2 units/day
1 grownup pig = 250 units (50-60 days)
1 grownup cow = 600 units (150 days)
Livestock: 30 hens, 12 pigs, 20 cows
Storage – 1400 units (flour, cans with various things, oil,…)
Basic supplies- Firewood – 30 m3 (1000 ft3) – 12 months’ supply for heating during winter and hot water during all year
- Planks – small amount of planks for repairing buildings, fences,…
- Nails, rope, candles
- Food for animals - hay, straw, grains, corn. Horses can live off current supply + grass for 6 months (but can survive on grass only), pigs for 6 months, hens for 9 months, cows hay + grass 12 months (but can also survive on grass only).
- Fuel for diesel aggregate – 4 large 500l/260 gal tanks, enough for 400 hours of operation
- Engine oil
Advanced supplies- Medical – antibiotics (for full 20 full treatments), operating equipment (5), painkillers (50)
- Mechanical – diesel aggregate with spare parts, indoor wood heater (heating + water)
- Various – batteries, matches, wire
Tools- Tools for taking care of the animals - pitchforks, buckets, baskets
- Axes, hammers, chainsaw, regular saw
- Toolbox with spanners, pliers, etc.
- Tools for gardening - shovels, hoes, spades
TradeCigarettes, alcohol - around $4000 worth pre-Apocalypse
Weapons- 5 M16A4 assault rifles + 15000 rounds 5.56×45mm NATO
- 10 Glock 31 semi-automatic pistols + 15000 rounds .357 SIG
- 2 semiautomatic shotguns Beretta 1301 + 2000 rounds
- 1 AWM sniper rifle + 1000 rounds .300 Winchester Magnum
- 5 Raptor FX3 crossbows + 2000 arrows
- Machetes, axes, knives
Vehicles- 5 horses
- A small tractor
- 1 SUV - belongs to Ethan
- 1 pickup truck - belongs to Anna
Survivors (7 adults + 1 infant)
Anna May (43) – the owner of the ranch
Ever since she was a little girl, Anna was a huge fan of post-apocalyptic stories. Whether it was a book, movie, TV show, comic book or anything else, she read it breathlessly, not as a fiction, but as a description of possible future. Thinking about the end of the world has became a hobby for her - she would come up with various scenarios and then spent hours figuring out what she would do.
When she got married and had a son, she didn't have that much spare time anymore, but when her husband died from a bacteria resistant to all common antibiotics, her interest in the matter has been reignited.
Her parents were rich real-estate magnates which meant she had nearly unlimited trust fund. During the last worldwide economic crisis, Anna could see all the signs of the society being close to the collapse. The danger was averted back then, but Anna decided that she needs to be truly prepared, not just fantasize about it.
She bought the Oakwood ranch and started a long journey to make it a self-sustainable safe house, collecting a few like-minded people along the way.
Ethan May (26) – Anna’s son, studied medicine and works as a physician
Ethan’s father died when he was very young, so Ethan spent most of his life only with his mother. Her enthusiasm for prepping influenced him mostly in a negative way - while he won't say it out loud, he thinks his mother is a bit crazy, and he definitely doesn't believe that the end of the world is coming.
His grandparents’ money allowed him to study one of the most prestigious university and he became a doctor at the age of 24. At the time, he was already dating Rachel and soon married her. His mother thoroughly approved his career choice (it is useful to have a doctor in a family when the society collapses), but she isn't too happy about Rachel, as she is a damsel used to life in a big city, with nearly useless education and not very positive attitude.
Ethan is currently taking a vacation, spending some time with his wife and daughter at the Oakwood ranch.
Rachel May (24) – Ethan’s wife, majored in history of art, currently a housewife
Alex May (6 months) – Ethan’s and Rachel’s daughter
Bob and Mary Colbright (35, 38) – married couple, hired by Anna as farmhands
George Andrews (41) – hired by Anna as farmhand, weapon enthusiast, ex-military
George has always been a fighter. Ever since he was a child, he used any excuse to fight other children, often older and bigger than him. After being kicked out of high school and almost ending up in jail, he decided to join the military. The army life finally taught him to control his temper (at least to some extent) and George discovered his love for guns of any kind.
He served for over 15 years and saw all kinds of cruelty that one human can do another. This made him believe that everyone has to be responsible for their own safety - no one else can keep you safe other than yourself. When the society first shook during the economic crisis, George saw that a lot of people were on the brink of turning into violent monsters. Luckily, the crisis was averted back then. But he wanted to be prepared for when the next one inevitably comes.
When he met Anna, he felt like he had finally found someone who understands his fears and his urge to be prepared. He joined her on the Oakwood ranch and while she took care of being stocked with food, tools, having livestock to be self-sustainable and finally some people to help out with all that, he made sure that the newly built armory is as well-stocked as he could manage. He bought guns and ammunition, legal or ilegal, with Anna’s silent approval.
He is a bit irascible, but willing to give his life for his friends’. That is when he actually manages to make some friends, not everyone has patience to withstand his temper.
Edward Moore (36) – hired by Anna as handyman – amateur mechanic, plumber, electrician, carpenter and anything else needed
The Lore
“Come on, ride faster!” Anna shouted to George, who was way behind her again. She laughed, she knew how much he hated horse-riding. But he did agree with her that horses were extremely useful means of transportation in various crises, so he continued to learn, frowning and cursing along the way. Anna slowed her mare so he could catch up with her, and enjoyed the afternoon sun with her eyes closed.
“If there wasn’t an infant on the ranch, we wouldn’t have to ride so far,” he growled when he finally reached her, tottering from side to side as he tried his best to remain in the saddle.
Anna rolled her eyes. She had gotten used to his tempers, but sometimes she just ran out of patience. “I am not going to kick my granddaughter out. And you look like you still need a lot of practice anyways.” George grumbled something, but she wasn’t listening to him anymore. “I think this is a good spot.”
Nodding, George got off the horse, obviously relieved. He looked at the animal with distrust. “Shoo,” he waved his hands, when the horse came closer to him, wanting some treat.
Anna giggled. “Maybe you should tie him to something, so he doesn’t run off. Unless you want to walk all the way back, of course.”
“That might be better,” George mumbled, but tied the reins to a tree. Finally showing some excitement, he took out his Glock and handed it to Anna. “Well dear lady, I hope you have enjoyed mocking me. Now it’s my turn. I think that tree will make a good target,” he pointed at one pine about thirty meters from them. There was a steep slope behind it, so bullets wouldn’t go flying around in the forest. Not that it would matter, there were never any people around in these woods.
Anna shrugged. “Don’t be so certain.” She took the gun and tried to remember what he had been teaching her. She squeezed the grip and switched the safety off. She knew that there is already a round in the chamber - it didn’t seem too safe to her, but George always said that carrying a gun with an empty chamber has about the same effect as carrying a brick in your holster. Straddling a bit, she pointed the gun towards the tree and gently pulled the trigger.
The horses neighed, they were used to the ranch being used as a shooting range, but still they didn’t like the noise much. Other than that, her shot had little effect, the tree remained unharmed.
George laughed. “Now who is it that needs practice?”
“Shut up.” She took a deep breath and aimed more carefully. Exhaling, she pulled the trigger again and this time a small explosion of bark on the trunk appeared. “Aha!”
“You just got lucky. Again,” George said, but she saw he was smiling.
