Slavery

Slavery is a lucrative business in the post-War world. Although many larger pockets of civilization have outlawed slavery, smaller dictators allow the purchase and sale of other human beings.

Slavery also happens to be one of the most controlled businesses in the post-nuclear world. Nearly all slave trade in New California is done through the Slave Guild, a collection of older slavers who decide prices and organize capture hunts. Anyone caught capturing or selling slaves without the blessing of the slave guild is usually executed. Since the Guild holds so much power, it often controls smaller towns were it operates, although from behind the scenes. Members of the Slave Guild have a distinctive tattoo covering most of their face, making them readily identifiable to both friend and foe, allowing the guild to make fast judgments when someone without "the tat" has a tribal up on the auction block.

As of 2241, the head of the Slave Guild is Metzger, whose headquarters is in the Den.

Appearances in games
Fallout 2 is peppered with slavers, most notably in The Den. The player is able to join slavers for extra cash, but his/her Karma will take a beating, and he/she will be branded permanently which ruins reactions of certain NPCs.