Rustrat

Rustrats are a subspecies of human that survived the nuclear apocalypse. As Cleanbloods emerged from their fallout shelters completely shielded from the nuclear winter, so did the Rustrats emerge from their tunnels, basements and crevices. At their core, Rustrats descended from humans that could not find adequate shelter from the nuclear blast, but still managed. When they emerged from their holes to face the settled world, the Rustrats were faced with a shadow of their former home: the world had been born anew and it presented itself as a vast and dangerous wasteland.

Rustrats are mostly identical to pre-war humans, but are prone to benign tumors, small growths, and other minor disfigurations from lifelong exposure to small amounts of radioactive particles. Like humans, their skin and hair comes in many different colors. They can be found in most societies around the wasteland, and sometimes even live in and near the exclusion zones, given they have the right protection.

Rustrats have no overarching culture, as they are a very populous and diverse people. Not every group even considers themselves Rustrats, as shown in the case of the Maevites.

Biology
As previously stated, a common trait among greater Rustrat biology is their similarities to pre-war humans. With a wide range of physical traits, there is no one way a Rustrat can look. Many who live closer to the equator have darker skin and hair than those that live further North or South. Unlike some more mutated races, they are not immune to radiation poisoning and radiation burn.

Rustrats are often willing to do anything necessary to survive in the wasteland, and this fact has been the cause of many stereotypes and filthy jokes regarding their eating habits. Similarly, their name is derivative of their tendency to build settlements in the wreckage of collapsed buildings.

Cultures
Main article: Rustrat Subcultures

Since they are a widespread and diverse species, there is no one Rustrat culture. Instead, there are countless subcultures among the race that are unique and individual in almost every way.

Statistics

 * Rustrat: Race (1e)
 * Rustrat: Bestiary (1e)