Faction Overview: Who are the Thrivers in Never Far Gone (NFG)?
Table of Contents
“It takes two flints to make a fire.”
If you found yourself in a post-apocalyptic world today, would you rather join hands with those around you to survive, or risk going at it alone? While the answer may vary from person to person, one thing is made clear as readers look closely at the foundation of Never Far Gone (NFG): “It takes two flints to make a fire.” Join us as we dive into the creation of Never Far Gone’s most prolific organization: the Thrivers.
Warning: This article may contain Spoilers! The following article is recommended for those who have completed Never Far Gone (NFG) OR who have a firm understanding of the events that take place throughout the story.
Who are the Thrivers?
The Thrivers, led by Miles Gether (the protagonist of Never Far Gone), are a group of survivors based out of a fortified elementary school in the Northern part of the Bronx. Although the group’s morality is questionable -at best- they’ve ultimately secured a reputation for being incredibly ruthless when dealing with adversity, yet their willingness to bring people into their ranks and barter with other groups in the city highlights their benevolence toward those who deserve it. Now that we know who the Thrivers are, it’s time to take a look at why they were created in the first place.
Following his return to the school near the end of Chapter 1: Insight, Miles encounters different people whom he takes under his wing. Although the number of people within the building continues to scale as the weeks pass, some of the people who hunker down in the school with Miles include:
Renata Caruso
Vito Caruso
Pancho “Jawbreaker” Ruiz
Derrick Simmons
Luca Silvio
Corver Whitlock
And many more…
It’s only after the events of Chapter 5: Yield to the New Order, in which Miles and his group have an encounter with bandits and a traitor within their walls, that he ultimately decides to create the Thrivers. This was done to strengthen their foundation and prevent other groups from taking advantage of their limited resources and relatively small presence.
“We can’t save everyone. But why not try?”
The formation of the Thrivers came with a variety of changes that only served to enhance the group’s security within the borough, including the creation of the Armory, the implementation of Nocturnal Patrols, the fortification of the building’s Exterior, and even renaming the building itself (which the group collectively refers to as the Consulate). Arguably the Thrivers’ biggest advantage comes from their influence over the Network of Traders, created by Miles Gether following the events of Chapter 6: Onboard. Although the Thrivers would’ve undoubtedly maintained a considerable amount of resources following the seizure of the Power Control Center (PCC) in Chapter 6, Miles’s decision to establish a bartering system within the city played a big role in fortifying their position as one of the most daunting factions in New York.
As we look deeper into the role the Thrivers play throughout Never Far Gone (NFG), let’s explore some of the group’s biggest advantages over other Factions they’ve encountered, as well as a detailed analysis of their weaknesses.
What are their Strengths?
Strong Influence
As previously mentioned, the creation of the Network of Traders, which is a coalition of the largest groups of survivors throughout the 5 Boroughs in New York City (the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island) brought together to barter with one another. This would inevitably ensure the survival of hundreds of people while simultaneously giving the Thrivers enough commodities to enhance their presence in the city.
Aside from forming an alliance with multiple groups throughout the boroughs, the Power Control Center (PCC) also gives the Thrivers the ability to safely transport commodities, building materials (for the Consulate), and people throughout the city.
Offensive/Defensive Capabilities
“Sometimes the thing you thought was the most brutal aspect of the virus, turns out to be the chink in its armor.”
The Thrivers, renowned for their militaristic approach to handling problems, have steadily maintained a reputation for being incredibly ruthless and efficient when it comes to dealing with their opposition. Although this is for a variety of reasons, ranging from the militaristic experience of Miles Gether to the extensive training provided to each member of the organization, the Thrivers have consistently displayed a seemingly relentless show of force that is nothing short of catastrophic for anyone -or anything- on the other side of the barrel. Some of the Thrivers’ biggest Offensive Capabilities are as follows:
Abundance of Weapons and Equipment (such as Communication Equipment)
Over half a dozen Convoy Vehicles on standby
Underground Access to the Entire City via the Metro System
Personnel for Hire (utilizing their Network of Traders to borrow people for certain endeavors)
While some might argue that a strong offense can trump a superior defense, the Thrivers have ultimately solidified their position of power by ensuring they have both. While their defensive capabilities are mainly tied to their primary sanctuary (known as the Consulate), this doesn’t take away from the fact that the Thrivers are still one of the most secure factions in the entire city. Some of the assets they’ve managed to scrounge up for their line of defense include:
The Overwatch Convoy
Rotating Security Patrols, especially at Night (referred to as Nocturnal Patrols)
Exterior Defenses (such as Reinforced Gates)
Interior Defensive (such as the Death from Above Trap and the Swinging Pendulum Trap, as displayed in Chapter 14: Overboard)
For a deeper look into the creation of the Consulate, as well as an overview of its layout and security measures, check out our article here.
Training Campground
Roughly 12 miles north of where the Consulate is located sits half an acre of leveled, secluded wilderness that has inevitably caught the attention of the Thrivers. Due to its remote location and ease of access, Miles Gether -utilizing the help of those with experience in marksmanship, such as Corver Whitlock and Luca Silvio- has turned this desolate parcel into a Training Campground used exclusively to enhance the survival skills of the Thrivers.
While Miles and Corver are the ones primarily overseeing the group’s ongoing marksmanship training (which is insinuated in Miles’s Journal Entry at the beginning of Chapter 11: Rendered when briefly talking about Vito’s shooting proficiency), there are a few other skills that are taught at the Campground, including:
Hand-to-Hand Combat Techniques
Bladed Combat
First Aid Procedures
Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
While created shortly after the events of Chapter 5: Yield to the New Order, following the formation of the Thrivers and the overhaul of their security measures, the Training Campground is meant to enhance some of the most important combat skills one can acquire in the apocalypse.
The Delegation
Amongst the Thrivers’ most notable strength is how they handle decision-making for the group as a whole. Following the chaos that ensued prior to the events of Chapter 7: Untapped Potential, as well as what occurs in Chapter 8: Rusty Beginnings, Miles ultimately decides to create a group that is best suited to oversee the decision-making process for the entire organization. This group (consisting of 7 of the most trusted Thrivers in the Consulate) is referred to as the Delegation.
Although not specifically mentioned in the book, it should be noted that there are a few variables that were examined prior to the selection of the Delegation members. Some of these variables include, but are not limited to, the following:
Time in the Group
Morality
Knowledge and Experience (both in the Apocalypse and prior)
Problem-Solving Skills
Rather than making decisions that are based on emotion, such as the decision to retaliate against the Revelers for the attack on the Thrivers in the Home Improvement Store in Chapter 8: Rusty Beginnings, Miles chose to establish the Delegation in an attempt to relinquish some of his control over the group. While there are times when Miles has superseded the decision-making process of the Delegation, as we see near the end of Chapter 12: No Way Out (which we’ll discuss further down below), some may argue that the creation of the Delegation has undoubtedly helped create internal stability and increased trust within the Consulate.
To get a better look into the creation of the Delegation, as well as a more detailed perspective into why they were chosen, check out our article here.
What are their Weaknesses?
Limited Number of Personnel
One of the Thrivers’ biggest disadvantages is the amount of personnel they’ve maintained over the course of their reign in New York City. As mentioned in Miles’s Journal Entry at the beginning of Chapter 10: Underwhelmed, the Thrivers ultimately managed to round up over 100 people at their peak -not including those posted in the Overwatch Convoy and at the Power Control Center (PCC) in Lower Manhattan.
While achieving so many occupants is not a small feat in itself, especially considering the strict Recruitment Process implemented by Miles following the betrayal of Simon Adams in Chapter 5: Yeild to the New Order, it’s important to remember that their numbers pale in comparison to some of the larger factions looming outside city limits (such as the Ravelers, who’ve managed to set up multiple locations throughout New York State). We’ll talk about this in more depth in the following section.
Being aware of this limitation, Miles and the Delegation have frequently used the group’s expansive Network of Traders to their advantage. When certain endeavors justify the need for “extra muscle” (such as the fortification of the Train Station Entrances along the Lexington Avenue Line mentioned in Chapter 7: Untapped Potential AND the Incursion of Troy mentioned at the beginning of Chapter 13: Concessions), the Thrivers use their excessive flow of commodities to pay for these services.
This not only allows them to save space in the Consulate, as they don’t have to house the extra personnel, but it also -literally- buys the group an opportunity to tackle even the most audacious operations that would otherwise be too difficult to accomplish with their limited numbers.
Limited Area of Control
When we take a look at how big the boroughs are, most readers may argue that the Thrivers have acquired a pretty sizable amount of control over a territory spanning just over 300 square miles. While a majority of that is either uninhabitable or out of bounds when it comes to the reach of the Lexington Avenue subway line (which the Thrivers gained control over following the events of Chapter 6: Onboard), the areas that the group does influence are still minute when compared to how massive the entire state of New York is.
Some groups, such as the Ravelers (ie. the Colonists), have established themselves throughout various towns and cities strewn across the state. This, inevitably, has allowed them to surpass the Thrivers regarding the following:
Numbers of Personnel
Trade Routes
Ambush Sites
Transport Vehicles
It should be noted that the lack of morality surrounding the Ravelers is undoubtedly one of the primary reasons they were able to expand their influence throughout the state in such a short period. Whether killing innocent people or using gore and violence to deter others from retaliation, it’s clear that the group’s control over various outposts throughout the nearly 55,000 square mile state has given them an advantage over the relatively small numbers being maintained by the Thrivers.
For an in-depth overview of one of the most unforgiving factions in Never Far Gone (NFG), check out our article on the Ravelers here.
Unstable Leadership
“The chain is only as strong as its weakest link, for if that fails the chain fails and the object that it has been holding up falls to the ground.”
A group is only as strong as its weakest link. As mentioned previously, there are moments seen throughout Never Far Gone (NFG) in which even the most rational individuals seem to lose control of their emotions. While understandable to some, especially those who handle conflict in an empathetic manner, it’s important to remember just how detrimental it can be to those around us if we’re unable to keep a cool head whenever things take a turn for the worst.
Although there are many examples to choose from that demonstrate the mental instability of some characters within the Consulate, there are two in particular that should be highlighted:
“That man almost had his life taken today, because his choice of retaliation was taken away from him by those who attacked us. I gave him that choice back, just as I’m doing for you now...”
The Execution of Simon Adams (and the Raiders)
After revealing Simon Adams -one of the first settlers within the Consulate- to be a traitor who had intentionally conspired against his own allies with a group of Raiders in Chapter 5: Yeild to the New Order, Miles ultimately decides to make an example out of him by having Simon publically executed for his betrayal. This was done by mentally manipulating Charlotte Kennedy, a charismatic leader with devoted loyalty to Miles and the rest of the Thrivers, into avenging her late fiancé (Jayden Walker) who was killed due to Simon’s cowardice during a Spectral Attack in the previous chapter (Chapter 4: Survive).
The same can be said about the Raider who had held Pancho (ie. Jawbreaker) at gunpoint near the middle of the chapter. While the threat could’ve been handled swiftly, Miles decided to provide Jawbreaker with an opportunity for revenge by issuing his handgun to JB. While both of these events, in themselves, aren’t the worst atrocities committed throughout Never Far Gone (NFG), they do illustrate both unnecessary violence and the emotional unpredictability festering in the minds of those who call themselves leaders of the Thrivers.
Initiating the Incursion of Troy
As one of the key moments in the story that demonstrates the power and militaristic efficiency of the Thrivers, the Incursion of Troy is arguably the most brutal act of violence committed by the group. While the assault was primarily initiated due to the heightened emotions of Miles Gether after witnessing the death of Vito’s father (Sergio Caruso) near the conclusion of Chapter 12: No Way Out, his impulsive decision to supersede the Delegation and launch the attack exhibits the mental instability growing within the top of the organization.
Although the operation proved to be a “brutally efficient altercation” (as mentioned in Miles’s Journal Entry in Chapter 13: Concessions), it undoubtedly led to one of the most jaw-dropping events considered to be the beginning of the end for one of the most intimidating factions in Never Far Gone (NFG). This event would come to be known as the Whitlock Coup.
Conclusion
With a reputation for occasional benevolence and militaristic approaches to resolving conflicts, the Thrivers have inevitably carved their name into the history books. Although the group’s limited resources and moral ambiguity have stunted their growth from reaching newfound heights as the story unfolds, the Thrivers have proven -time and time again- to be a dangerous adversary for those looking to bring harm to anyone within their ranks. As an empire born in blood, the Thrivers are undoubtedly considered, by many, to be one of the most elite factions in Never Far Gone (NFG).
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