The Outcasts
Freezing in the dark, they chose liberty over the warmth of tyranny.
The Outcasts represent a splinter faction within the city of Frostpunk, formed by citizens who rejected the authoritarian rule of the Mayor and the harsh discipline enforced by the Church or the Engineers. Driven by desperation and a desire for autonomy, they fled into the frozen wasteland surrounding the New London, establishing hidden camps to survive outside the central heat source's reach. Their existence serves as a constant reminder of the city's fragility and the high cost of survival. While some view them as traitors who abandoned the collective effort, others see them as freedom fighters resisting tyranny. Their presence forces the Mayor to make difficult choices regarding security, resource allocation, and the moral boundaries required to keep the city alive.
- Affiliation
- Independent / Anti-Mayor
- Location
- Frozen Wasteland (Periphery of New London)
- Origin
- Dissidents from within the City
- Primary Motivation
- Autonomy and Freedom from Oppression
- Status
- Active Threat or Potential Allies depending on choices
Lore & Background
The Outcasts emerged when the pressure of survival became too great for certain citizens to bear. Whether driven by the brutal rationing of food, the harsh labor demands, or the suppression of dissent by the Church and Engineers, these groups decided that life under the Mayor's rule was no better than death in the cold. They severed their ties with the central city, venturing out into the blizzard to carve out a precarious existence on the fringes. Living without the benefit of the Generator's heat, the Outcasts developed unique survival strategies, often scavenging ruins or relying on makeshift shelters that offered little protection against the elements. Their society is loosely organized, bound more by shared desperation and mutual distrust of authority than by strict laws. To the Mayor, they are a drain on resources if they return seeking aid, but to themselves, they are the last bastion of human free will in a world demanding total submission.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled like a wounded beast as Kael pulled his tattered cloak tighter against the biting frost. Behind him, the distant glow of New London's Generator was a mocking beacon—a promise of warmth he had been told to reject. 'They call us cowards,' he whispered to the group huddled in the ice cave, their breath pluming in white clouds. 'But they forget that we chose to freeze rather than kneel.' Outside, the snow began to pile up against the entrance, sealing them in once more. There was no food left, and the cold was already claiming the weak, yet Kael looked at the faces of his people with a fierce resolve. They were not dead yet, and as long as they drew breath, they would not be slaves.
Reader's Guide
The Outcasts are a faction born from dissent, representing those who could no longer endure the strict control and suffering imposed by the city's leadership. Their primary goal is to maintain their independence and survive without submitting to the Mayor's authority. Members of this group are typically former citizens who were pushed too far by harsh laws, forced labor, or religious dogma. They operate in small, scattered bands across the frozen wastes, often scavenging for supplies or hiding from city patrols. In the conflict surrounding New London, the Outcasts act as a wildcard. The Mayor must decide whether to hunt them down as threats to social order, ignore them to conserve resources, or attempt to negotiate their return. Their presence highlights the moral dilemma of survival: is it better to live in freedom and face death, or survive under oppression?
Did You Know?
- The Outcasts are not a single unified army but rather multiple independent groups scattered across the wasteland.
- Their existence often triggers specific events where the Mayor must choose between sending patrols to capture them or ignoring the threat.
- Some Outcast members may eventually return to the city if conditions improve, while others remain permanently lost in the snow.
- The faction serves as a narrative device to explore themes of freedom versus security within the game's moral framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are The Outcasts?
The Outcasts are a splinter group of citizens who fled New London to reject the Mayor's authoritarian rule and harsh discipline. They established hidden camps in the frozen wasteland, prioritizing their personal freedom over the safety provided by the central heat source.
Why did they leave the city?
Driven by desperation and a desire for autonomy, these dissidents chose liberty even if it meant freezing in the dark rather than living under tyranny. They believed that survival without oppression was more valuable than warmth enforced through strict control.
What is their role in the game's story?
They serve as a constant reminder of the city's fragility and the high cost of maintaining order through authoritarian means. Depending on player choices, they can act as either an active threat to New London or potential allies against other dangers.
How does their story end?
Their fate is not fixed; it depends entirely on how the Mayor interacts with them during the game's progression. They may be driven back into the ice through conflict, or they might be integrated into society if the player offers them a chance at redemption.
Why are The Outcasts important to the city?
They represent the moral dilemma of whether survival justifies the loss of freedom and human rights within New London. Their existence challenges the Mayor's authority and forces players to question the true price of keeping the city alive.
More in Ideologies & Factions
Elsewhere in the Frostpunk universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record