The Macuahuitl Commune.
The Saw wielding Libertarian Syndicalists hiding in the Alabama woods are often referred too as the Macuahuitl Commune. They are not communists, however, more like mostly non-capitalistic communitarians. They don't actually have an economy, they have syndicates/corporations that make poles, scavenge metal or stone, sharpen them, and fit them all together in a horrifying cacophony of ripping pain. They are powered by rhubarb grown in huge quantities in syndicates/corporations hidden in the woods, they exchange gifts, goods, and services with no real promise of return, rather, the knowledge that if they give others what they need then need something themselves, they will get it without issue.
Structure
The Commune is very Libertarian in their organizational structure. They have a generally in-charge guy, currently named Fluffy Dave. He is not really in charge of anything, he just prevents infighting between war-bands or syndicates. Fluffy Dave, in particular, has put down a syndicate uprising in the rhubarb sector. "Put down" as in run up on the six secessionists and bashed their faces in with a claw hammer. They don't have a functioning tax system, and by extension, no police or army, so the leader has to put down rebellions personally. Beyond that, there are self-coordinated groups that, motivated by a sense of community and the expectation of future favors, will fight in their own styles to defend the community, or provide essential goods or services.
Assets
The singular asset owned by the Forest People is the massive communal dwelling from which their name comes from. It was originally a massive wedding tent, used as the last semi-four-walled stable structure in the old state of Alabama. It was continually fortified with sticks, stolen boards, tarps, about sixty square meters of sheet metal, a spool of barbed wire, a pile of car rims at one point, even a moat. They also don't own, technically, a pile of scrap metal, old tools, and a bunch of sticks that they occasionally improvise into sawlike weapons. They also don't own those sawlike weapons, they communally share it.
History
The Commune was established by a family of farmers and craftsmen that began to distance themselves from most of society once the plague started down in South America. Unfortunately, all the guns eventually broke down as they hid in hot, humid woods, or ran out of ammunition after about fifty years of use against bandits and Cannibals, so they resorted to knives, hammers, clubs, and eventually improvised melee weapons. Sawlike things, swung in a drawing motion while running towards the enemy and banking away at the last minute. Made of scraps of metal, sticks, boards, bones, and whatever else, once a man was literally beaten down with a sharpened kitchen sink, these savage weapons earned notice from the Naming Committee of the Terran Reconquest Expedition, as did their sharing, and these two attributes combined into their name.
After a few years of relative peace, the territory of these Forest People was invaded by a particularly loud Lyncherman Cult Sect, the Societal Avengers, and the resulting war, known as the Noose Incursion, was won after about two months of guerrilla warfare explained in the military section, the invaders pulled back, only for the Commune to be immediately be attacked by the Nodd Squad, who were defeated also, but at a large cost, as much of the forest was set on fire and forced the Commune's warbands to fight in the open and take casualties. They will have to adapt or become a skull in someone else's throne.
Territories
The geographics of the Commune revolve around the grove of pines in the center of the Alabama woods. These trees shelter their cabins, grow-ops, and scavenging expeditions. The forest is bordered on three sides by a river whose name has been lost to time. The other side runs up on the Appalachian mountains. The Commune can't actually take over any more territory, reasons in the military section, so this is all they have.
Military
The military of The Forest People is small but powerful, in an unconventional sense. They fight as individuals, using the forests and some old traps to break up the enemy troops into small bands. Afterword, they have individual warriors wait in duck blind like huts and sprint out and attack them. They are armed with hammers, saws, wrecking bars, spears, knives, swords, and the improvised macuahuitls that give their nation their name, leaving their shocked enemies in their wake, bloodied and scared. Seconds later, another member of that area's war-band swings by and strikes another invading fighter. This strategy is inherently defensive, relying on surprise and prepared positions, so it is weak to huge numbers or coordinated use of fire. Their reliance on run-up-and-bash style killing makes them weak to fighters with melee weapons with stopping power, such as the Pitchfork Bois of The Nodd Squad nomads. That particular fight will need its own breakdown.
All in all, a solid force for how it is used, but likely overspecialized, and weak in many situations. We the Nodd Squad couldn't take their home from them, given their new alliance with the Iron Bros, but I'm not betting this little gem will last much longer with the Martians heading their way.
Religion
While technically secular, the members of the Commune were raised as Southern Baptists. The worship of the Gallows God or praying to shamanistic spirits is forbidden. Newer influences from Broism are creeping their way into the group psychology of the Commune after they formed an alliance with the Iron Bros to repulse the Nodd Squad.
When there is not enough, share what you have.
Founding Date
Year 11 post-infection.
Type
Geopolitical, Tribe
Alternative Names
The Forest People. (Common name.) The Macuahuitl Commune is just a name given to them by the Terran Reconquest Expedition.
Training Level
Semi-trained
Veterancy Level
Recruit
Government System
Tribalism
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Gift economy
Currency
The official currency of the Commune is rhubarb. They are grown in massive quantities in cabin grow-op corporations, or syndicates, call them what you will, separate from the main commune. This Rhubarb is exchanged in stalks, jars of jam, and pie. It also may and may not be laced with cocaine.
Location
Neighboring Nations
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