Prepper

The Ludens Fan, a prepper

Preppers are people who live alone or with their families, in isolated bunkers across the continental United Cities whom Sam can make deliveries to.

Overview

History

Back before the Stranding, a global network existed that had the power to transport items from any location on Earth to any destination, seamlessly linking individuals with anything they desired. This technology enabled real-time, long-distance communication, bridging vast geographical divides and connecting people from all corners of the globe. However, this convenience came at a cost. As physical presence and face-to-face interactions became less necessary, a trend towards isolationism and sedentary lifestyles emerged. The diminishing need for direct, physical contact led to a significant shift in societal behaviors.

Large segments of the population began to exhibit signs of social regression, advocating for the construction of barriers along their national borders, the rejection of refugees, and even secession from broader governmental structures. This was not merely a loss of faith in the state's capacity to manage crises and safeguard its citizens; it was a profound disillusionment with governmental authority itself. Many people started to perceive the government as not just inadequate, but as fundamentally opposed to the principles of personal freedom and individual sovereignty. Many of these individuals began stockpiling resources in personal shelters in preparation for an impending systemic collapse.

When the Stranding happened and America ceased to exist, their shelters became their homes. where they would live and they would die. But while they prepared averything, they hadn't prepared to live there forever, which is why they wound up relying on porters so heavily. During the years, Fragile Express become the leader for the delivery in the central region while Bridges do it in the eastern part, in the preparation of a three years expedition to reconnect America through the use of terminals of the Chiral Network.

However, it is only thanks to Sam's expedition that the Preppers of the various regions decide to connect to the network and become part of the reunified continent, the United Cities of America.

Interactions with Sam

They will appear holographically at their delivery terminals to converse with Sam and will typically not physically come above ground. If Sam takes too long to deliver or delivers damaged goods to a prepper, he will receive fewer likes from them for the delivery. Should Sam make more deliveries to a prepper and become more acquainted with them, they may join the Chiral Network and afterwards give him more items. If a prepper is not willing to join the Chiral Network, Sam may negotiate with them.

Also having more preppers united to the UCA allows constructing more structures that will help in the main story. The easiest way of level up a prepper is delivering him lost cargo additional to the orders that he gave or packages that other bunker facilities have for him. In all bunkers Sam can find shared and private locker with various items.

Besides, the preppers will give Sam plans for diverse vehicles, weapons, tools and more upgrades that will help to progress his expedition, making some parts more easy. Also some preparers will reward him with different materials for the well done deliveries, and even some will reward him with unique items like extra large blood bags or chiral boots.

After a prepper terminal is connected to the Chiral Network, Sam can use it to organize and print items while also providing him with a private room where he can rest.

List of preppers

• The Chiral Artist
• The Chiral Artist's Mother
• The Collector
• The Cosplayer
  • The Wandering MC
• The Craftsman
• The Doctor
  • The Medical Device Engineer
• The Elder
• The Engineer
• The First Prepper
• The Film Director
• The Junk Dealer
• The Ludens Fan
• The Mountaineer
  • The Mountain Guide
• The Musician
• The Novelist's Son
• Peter Englert
• The Photographer
  • The Photographer's Mother
• The Roboticist
• The Spiritualist
• The Timefall Farmer
  • The Environmental Scientist
• The Veteran Porter

Notes

• Preppers are most often not related to the main storyline of Death Stranding.
• The only preppers Sam meet in person throughout his journey are the Junk Dealer and the Chiral Artist.
• Some preppers are portrayed by celebrities like: humorist Conan O'Brien, film directors Jordan Vogt-Roberts, former Weekly Famitsu chief editor Hirokazu Hamamura, manga artist Junji Ito, producer Geoff Keighley, musician Daichi Miura, novelist Manabu Makime, creative director Sam Lake and Hermen Hulst, which, in some cases, reflect their prepper name.

Gallery

The Ludens Fan's bunker