Shelters are temporary dwellings used by scavengers in Rivertown and beyond.

Location

Shelters are located throughout the city and are often impermanent structures, often simply debris piled up to provide some protection from the elements. Shelters fall apart due to poor construction, and heavy wind or weather; the MPD tear down shelters when they come across them, confiscating goods and evicting or incarcerating the occupants. As a result, shelters can exist one day and be gone the next.

Buildings in good condition often provide shelter for scavengers. The MPD note these locations and return to them often in an effort to keep them uninhabited.

Condition

The condition of shelters is highly variable, dependant upon the materials available and the know-how of the person constructing the shelter. Many shelters consist of nothing more than a piece of sheet metal leaned against a wall; others are much more elaborate and may contain multiple "rooms," storage space, and even rudimentary plumbing.

The age of a shelter also usually has some bearing on its condition. Some well-hidden shelters are years old and have been constantly improved.

Inhabitants

Shelters are either vacant or occupied by scavengers, though not necessarily the one(s) who created it. It is commonly believed among scavengers that one should not occupy any shelter for more than two consecutive nights and that it is better to continually be on the move. This practice keeps scavengers alert and aware, and naturally prevents them from becoming overburdened by hanging onto unnecessary possessions.

Contents

The contents of a shelter will vary greatly, depending on a number of factors. Some semi-permanent shelters are well-stocked, while many others will be barren. Of course, the others run the gamut between. Sometimes goods are in plain sight and other times they must be discovered and recovered from hiding places.