There are several notable factions working within the city of Arcadia. For good or for evil, these are the groups that influence the metropolis's major events.

The Unaffiliated (The Rabble)
The common people of the city. The worst off live in ditches, on street corners, in alleys, or squatting in abandoned buildings. These survive by scavenging, eating whatever scraps they can find among the city's refuse. Most aren't quite that bad off, but many are close. While none have any real power, these are the people that run the city's small stores and shops. Artisans and craftsmen eke out a living where they can. A few do manage to run profitable businesses, including bars, brothels, and casinos, though this is rare without any connection to an existing Corporation.

Gangs

Not every member of the rabble is content to live in squalor, powerless and vulnerable. And so gangs are common in Arcadia, each gang staking out their "turf" on the city streets. Inside their range of authority, they manufacture and sell drugs, shakedown local businesses, and offer "protection" to area residents in order to make money. Clashes are common rival gangs (turf borders aren't exactly registered with the city). The more intrepid gangs have even been known to raid corporate storehouses (leading to massive reprisals against the rabble). Many gangs have dreams of achieving the power and resources of a Corp, but in reality, this is more wishful thinking than anything else.

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Corporations

The label "Corporation" was merely an appellation adopted by the warring factions after Gregory Larkin's death. Though they do manufacture and sell goods to the people of Arcadia, these "Corporations" are little more than fronts for giant criminal organizations. Their power is most felt in the city because of their total control over city government. In a much more real way, however, their ability to rule comes from their hoarding of as much pre- (and post-) war technology as possible.

There are six main Corporations (or "Corps" as they are commonly referred to) fighting for dominance. The only stability in the municipality comes from the severe distrust and fear each organization has for the others. Any serious move for power by a single group is interpreted as a threat by the remaining Corps, leading to a temporary alliance against an organization daring (and foolish) enough to try extending its reach too far. And so, direct confrontations are shunned in favor of "black bag" operations when necessary. These are conducted by unconnected third parties (generally members of the Freelancers Guild) to preserve an appearance of innocence. Black bag ops include designs such as the ransoming or assassination of a rival Corporation's high-ranking officer, the theft of a particular piece of technology, raiding vital resources, or destroying an enemy's important equipment.

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The Freelancers Guild

A coalition of mercenaries who have formed what basically amounts to a 22nd century labor union. It is often simply referred to as "The Guild". Members of the guild (called "Freelancers") must adhere to a strict code of conduct and business practices designed to protect both the group and its members. Since all Corporations take advantage of the services that the Guild offers, it is permitted to exist, and is even protected. Freelancers are considered the best of the best, experts in their fields selling their talents job by job. It is a good way for a skilled veteran to become rich. Unfortunately, it's an even better way to end up dying young.

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City Government

Arcadia effectively functions as an independent city-state. It exists as a self-contained entity in which the government was created to rule, and the people exist to both serve and be served. The City Council is Arcadia's sole official ruling body. It enacts the general statutes, manages its public utilities, and directs the city's law enforcement branch, the Arcadia Security Force (this city's "police" department). Newcomers to the city realize quickly that despite all appearances, this is not a municipality governed by the rule of law. The old rules of the United States no longer apply. There is no Constitution. Police generally arrest at a whim (though they know to stay clear of anything involving the Corporations). Arcadia's courts are tuned for expediency, not justice. There are no appeals and generally only the well-connected manage to avoid conviction.

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The Church of the Holy Fire

What began as a post-war cult has since grown to become one of the most widespread religions in Arcadia. Legend has it that this faith was started shortly after the holocaust by a man named Malcolm who claimed to hear the voice of God (non-believers often refer to the order's founder as Mad Malcolm and its followers as Mad Malcolm's Minions). The church's tenets teach that the nuclear catastrophe was in fact God's wrath against the sins of humanity. First and foremost was man's reliance on soulless machines and technology, which members of this faith swear to forsake. Only by devotion to simple manual labor and constant prayer can followers find their way into eternal bliss after this life. Many especially devout members of the clergy have been known to gouge out their eyes, cripple limbs, or inflict especially torturous pain upon themselves to demonstrate their heavenly devotion.

The corporations and government actually welcome the general sense of order that the Church of the Holy Fire brings to the city. Its believers are more focused on the next life than the harsh laws and oppression of this one. The only downside they find is how little interest members have in their products.

Scavengers

A general term applied to the adventurous souls who head out into the scorched earth in search of pre-war tools, machines, weapons, and any other items that can fetch a good price back home. Travel into the wasteland is a fairly perilous occupation, so Scavengers are typically a sturdy lot. Every one of them holds dreams of "the big find", that well-preserved cache of military hardware, state-of-the-art electronics, or some other incredibly valuable resource.

Wastelanders

There are still those who -- for principle, religion, or other reason -- shun the cities and inhabit the wasteland. It's not hard to see why city dwellers refer to them as "Wastelanders". They do manage to scrounge a living out there, either by farming, hunting the few animals they can find, or scavenging. Long-term exposure to radiation means extremely short life spans and few births, so while they survive, wastelander villages almost never thrive.

Raiders

Among the Wastelanders are those who are not content to live in simple peace by providing for themselves. Instead, the violent and greedy come together under wasteland warlords and take by force the fruits of others' labors. Raiders commit their entire lives to stealing what they themselves cannot (or will not) produce. They are not known for their bravery or great intellect, though a few more enterprising raider groups have been known to make incursions into the outer rim of Arcadia.