[HoE] Populations [Kind of long]

[Matthew Steflik <grifflik@stny.rr.com>]

Steve Crow wrote:

> Just as a note, Leedsville, in the Doomtown SB, has a population of 300.
> Plus there are at least two communities of mutants (normal types, and the
> Chosen) within an undefined distance (10-30 miles?)
>
> It is described as a prospering community with fields full of crops, if
> that's any help.
>
>
And Darrin Bright wrote:

> Actually, wars DON'T keep population down. Population is more directly
> linked to food availability.
>
I agree with Darrin on this.  The game takes place long enough after the
actual war and post Reckoner activity for the population to start making
a comeback in "clean" areas.  The rate would be dictated more by
available food and water supplies regardless.  The community of
Leedsville as described in Steve's post is an example of a community on
the comeback.
In my own campaign (set in and around Arizona), good food and water are
often harder to come by than the right caliber bullet, and good trading
skills dictate a posse's survival.  I've had communities of a wide range
in size and prosperity, but has always been based on available clean
food and water supplies:  Dango (Near Scottsdale - built around trucking
distribution center): pop. about 350 - walled town with prosperous trade
with some livestock and a clean water supply; Oracle: pop. about 150 -
isolated and heavily defended - some trade with agriculture/hydroponics;
NeverVille (Near Tucson): pop. about 50 - not much trade,  mostly
muties.  Fencepost (isolated trading post built around a rest area on
the road to Colorado): pop. about 20.
I did some more poking through pinnacle product  as well.  Here are some
more of their population stats.  Near Wichita (Leftovers): pop. around
80; Nouveau Baton Rouge (Hell or High Water): pop. nearly 200; Trinity
Springs (Apocalypse Now!): pop. about 100; Belknap (Red Reckoning): pop.
about 1,000.  Here also, size seems to have been dictated by relative
isolation and available food and water.  I hope these examples can put
the original question into some perspective.  At least, that's my take
on it.

Matt Steflik