The reasons for a dog to become a Stray are many: abandonment, the death of their human, they can simply be born in the streets or they could even have had a home once, loving or not, but for whatever reason chose to run away from it. Each dog has its own particular story to tell. What is common to them, though, is that they are survivors, and find their way through everyday life by scavenging, stealing or depending on the kindness of the humans and dogs around them. 

Other dogs tend to call them ¨Lost dogs of Canidale¨.

Unlike the other factions, strays are the only true loners. They do not have a leader.

They were not always in Canidale. In fact, if we want to talk about stray dogs in this town, we need to travel back to many years after both the Farmstead and the Pets factions were already formed. With the city thriving economically due to farming and mining, many people were attracted to it and to neighboring towns. Quickly, and without much organization, the human population increased drastically - and so did the dog population.

Dogs began to either loose homes, be given away, or simply run away due to different conditions. No one truly knows when the populations increased or what caused it to grow. Perhaps they took inspiration from one another and wanted to view the world through their own lense. Without having to rely on a human. Though that was a big price. 

Others could have lost their families, become lost, or simply ran away from bad conditions. It was always a varied scene.

The growth caused the town to establish a pound. Many dogs found their loved ones and families thanks to it. However, it soon began to gain a reputation of a being a death wish. Many dogs who entered never came back. Where did they go?

From then on, there was a delicate dance between the strays and humans, that still lives to this day. 

*A stray does not NEED to have a focus on one task. They can simply do as they please.

Scout

These dogs have been trained to keep an eye on the other factions, as well as to alert other strays and junkyard dogs about any changes in Canidale. They are silent in their work, and tend to go unnoticed by the unwatchful.

• Your character spots Canine Control roaming the streets in the area. Do they alert other dogs? Or are they more of the belief that, out here, it’s every dog is on their own?

Scrapper

These tend to look out for other strays. Used as a line of defense against humans and the other factions if they are pushed. 

• Canine control has cornered a fellow stray! Will your dog jump in to help them escape?

Thief

Having been trained to go unnoticed like the Scouts, these dogs dip into human homes through doggy doors or across the farmlands - stealing what they can carry to bring to the Junkyard where the Strays have started to call home. They also can be used to locate anything of interest for the faction's benefit.

• One of the local farmer’s market stands has meat on display and it looks mighty unattended…. Would your dog attempt a heist in broad daylight? Do they enlist the help of other dogs for it?

• How does your character reconcile their actions with their sense of morals? Do they ever struggle with feelings about this?

Medic

Though their 'knowledge' of medicine is natural, these dogs are there to treat injuries. They learn from watching Vets at the farm, and while they cannot do what humans do - they are there for their fellow Strays' well being. As they do not have the luxury of humans at paw for their health.

• ¡Emergency! Your character must provide medical assistance to a fellow Stray despite limited resources. How do they manage?

• Does taking care of others under these difficult circumstances take an emotional toll on your character? 

Scavenger

The hunters and gatherers of the Strays, these dogs raid bins OR hunt for food for the hungry mouths of the Stray population. Working together to feed many dogs is no joke.

• How does it go? A man’s trash is a scavenger’s treasure…? Has something like this ever happened to your character?

*Note that these are not the same as jobs like the other factions. They are more of what your characters has more skills with*

**Since strays are loners, they do not have a faction leader and no laws set in stone. Instead, they follow and give advice to one another. It is not a must to follow them, but surely helps to avoid conflict. If you are caught by one of the factions, it will become rather hard to escape issues with them in the future. Reputation can be damaged but also restored.**

1. A crime that results in blood, murder, assault, or such dark crimes are to be immediately put to trial by the Canine Council. although, strays do not have a representative among the council. So overall, that becomes rather hard. Make a run for it?. *Please note the group if you are wanting to have a plot involving something in this law.

2. Stealing is frowned upon by the factions.

3. If you are afraid of humans, avoid interaction as much as you can. Biting should be the last resort. Always.

4. Don’t get too close to humans emotionally, unless you want to risk becoming a pet.

5. Although not forbidden, avoid getting romantically involved with pets. Their owners seem to mind it a lot.

6. Most strays try to avoid unnecessary fights. Self defense is acceptable reason to be fighting.

Disclaimer: These laws are meant as in-game laws, but as the creators of your character you can make them purposely break these laws which if desired/if caught will result in trial and punishment by the Council.