[pea-jay]

Okay folks...I have seen it bandied around often enough, the references to MadMax, post apocolyptic banditry following a monster crash of civilization. But thats not what this thread is about.

No, let's for a minute, assume that civilization WILL totally and utterly collapse and most national governments cease to exist. Chaos ensues and there is fighting and famine and the whole nine yards. Before you start humming "we don't need another hero" my question to you is:

HOW WOULD YOU BECOME A WARLORD?

There are benefits here...women*...(relative) security...control over resources and so on. You would call the shots (in your area anyway) and could rule with an iron fist. I guess what I am trying to get at is what could one do if one:

1) knew there would be a complete crash
2) lived in a large urban area with a past history of violence
3) had that Macheavellian urge to dominate others
4) you were able to anticipate the coming crash, its ramifications and were able to stockpile and prepare.

Consider this an exercise...

Would you:

* buy and strategically stockpile large number of fire arms?
* stake out a certain territory with defensive and offensive vantage points? Gravitate to industrial/non residential areas?
* form a gang/cohort/band of likeminded individuals?
* offer "protection" to unarmed citizenry in your turf in exchange for resources (raw materials, food)
* seek out alliances with certain neighboring warlords?

Assume some time would be spent in clandestine preparations (pre-crash), semi open preparations (recruiting during a crash) and post crash (such as storming and retrofitting abandoned buildings).

Perhaps it would be better to have some ecological knowledge, like setting up small defensible agricultural plots (old factory roof maybe?) or jerry rigging alternative energy devices.


* * *

In anycase, this is just a hypothetical scenario...but if it does come play out that way, what would you do to become a warlord?

* special bonus points awarded for a female warlord scenario

[Doly]

I think it would massively help if you were a gangster already.

[Raxozanne]

I would like to set up a rural tribal culture with a made up religion. hehehe
You could set one up and make everyone prey to the wise old god *dyson* or something stupid like that. It would be mean but funny.

[Yavicleus]

I have put serious thought into buying enough guns to arm myself AND all of my immediate neighbors.

Not to become a warlord per-se, but to form a collective defense, because despite what some survivalists on this board might think, I think it would be pretty damn near impossible to mount any reasonable defense that is not coordinated with your neighbors.

[pea-jay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '*') form a gang/cohort/band of likeminded individuals?

[Ebyss]

I'd go for a multi pronged approach. First I would learn how to grow and keep food, and I'd get to work on that straight away. Second, I'd stockpile arms and ammo (hey.. we're going make believe violence and gore right?). Next, I'd get a group of friends together, male and female, who are all trustworthy, hardworking (and hopefully good looking). Then, I would teach only the women the secrets of growing food.. the men are only good for defense and building. We would ALL learn how to use guns, and would have snipers on shifts from all our vantage points, so anyone even attempting to get too close would be shot.

The advantage of teaching only the women the secrets of food growing is that they would stay in charge.. (Do I get the bonus points?)

A series of underground tunnels would be very handy in case of invasion or a need to trade with outsiders.

Preference would be given to metalworkers and craftsmen and women. Specialist knowledge in recycling old metal to make new bullets/arrows would be nice. Also, doctors would be most helpful.

[marko]

To pull off being a warlord, you certainly need an alpha personality type and skill managing people. Obviously you would need lots of street smarts as well. Experience with guerrilla warfare would help, too. The best candidates for the job will be the obvious suspects: police and military officers.

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('marko', ' ') The best candidates for the job will be the obvious suspects: police and military officers.

[UncoveringTruths]

You have got to be plumb mad dog mean!
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[uNkNowN ElEmEnt]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') have put serious thought into buying enough guns to arm myself AND all of my immediate neighbors