Grounders



Grounders (also known as Grounder), is a term used by the 100 to describe a person who was born on Earth rather than in space. The Grounders alive today are descendants of humans who survived the nuclear apocalypse 97 years ago. Many of the 100 have negative views toward Grounders, just like a lot of Grounders have a negative view of the 100. They are the primary antagonist of Season 1.

History
Not much is known about their history on Earth other than them being descendants of humans who survived the nuclear apocalypse 97 years ago. According to Dante Wallace of the Mountain Men, the DNA of the offspring of the Grounders who survived on Earth outside Mount Weather evolved and adapted, making them basically immune to the radiation that still lingers on Earth, much like the people from the Ark (who became immune through exposure to solar radiation in space). It can be assumed that whatever was left of the human race after the nuclear apocalypse banded together and created the Clans we see in the show.

It was also assumed that all Grounders were a part of the same Clan. However, it was revealed by Lincoln that there is more than one Clan. There may be many if not hundreds more Clans.

Languages

 * See Grounder language

Executive producer Jason Rothenberg stated that the Grounders have their own language which is a Creole English that has evolved over three generations.

The Grounders often speak their language around their own. When they are around enemies they speak English.

This makes many Grounders bilingual.

This language has yet to be featured on The 100. In Season Two, Lincoln will teach Octavia some of this language to help her blend in as a Grounder. With Lincoln from The Woods Clan going to Luna's Clan, It can be assumed that all Grounder Clans speak this language.

The Woods Clan
The Woods Clan, is the unconfirmed name for Anya's clan. The Woods Clan is led by Indra, the Commander. The clan consists of units, one being led by Anya and another by Tristan.


 * Anya's warriors include guards, scouts, archers, and a large number of infantry. Lincoln served as a scout for Anya's unit.


 * Tristan leads a separate unit from Anya's. The Commander sent him to take control of Anya's unit, as punishment for her failure to deal with invaders.

In Pilot, a Dropship crash-landed on Earth in an attempt to see if Earth was inhabitable once again. Anya's unit reacted with hostility. One of the villages for The Woods Clan was inadvertently burned by the rockets launched by the 100. This began the conflict between Anya's unit and the 100.

At one point, this was the clan that agreed to try and make peace with the 100. However, it was ruined when Jasper saw Grounders in the trees with weapons at the ready and, thinking they were getting ready to attack Clarke, started shooting at the archers. It is unclear if Anya's archers meant to attack first or if they were waiting for the attack signal. The conflict between the two groups comes to a head when Anya's unit and Tristan's unit declare war and attack the 100. Anya’s and Tristan’s units both may have been completely wiped out by the rockets Jasper fired. However, this does not mean Anya’s Clan is wiped out, just her unit.

The Woods Clan and The 100 maintain a hostile relationship towards one another.

Characteristics
The Woods Clan seem to be fearless and show no mercy to their enemies.

Appearance
The Woods Clan are very much human and for the most part are the same as the 100. They have no known physical mutations. They seem no physically stronger or tougher than normal humans.

Attire

 * Members of The Woods Clan have often been shown in some type of armor. Most of the time their armor seems to be made out of a variety of materials such as: bone, leather, cloth, and animal furs. They often wear masks and helmets made out of: bone, wood, and a variety of other unknown materials. Many have war paint on their face and body.

Tattoos

 * Many of The Woods Clan members appear to have tattoos on their face and/or body. Little else is known about them. It is possible these tattoos indicate a status or rank in Grounder society. They could also just be decoration.


 * It is unknown if Luna's Clan practices this.

Disfigurements

 * The Woods Clan have their own unique set of markings on their bodies. These markings are self-made. Often times these markings look like welts on the skin as if burned. They have been seen on the top of a shoulder, or the shoulder blade. Where they are placed is most likely up to the individual.


 * Their purpose is to represent that individual's kills. Each marking represents one kill. This seems to be a great honor in The Woods Clan, as a Grounder brags about his markings, moments before he is killed. In The Woods Clan the young and old alike have these markings, if they've killed.

Territory
Little is known about their territory other than the fact that the 100 landed somewhere inside of Anya's territory. Anya and The Woods Clan are shown to be very possessive over their territory even to the point of demanding the 100 leave. This is shown in Fog of War, when the commander tells Jaha to inform everyone from Camp Jaha to evacuate from the camp or they will kill all of them.

The river seems to be a sort of border, indicating their territory is either near Mount Weather or near the 100's camp. If it is near the 100 camp, the Grounders most likely attacked Jasper because he was near Mount Weather and could have been thought to be an ally of the Mountain Men and was seen as vulnerable.

Luna's Clan
The clan is ruled by a Grounder named Luna. This clan is allied with The Woods Clan, and lives to the East. They live near the seacoast or across it.

This is the clan where Lincoln was going to take Octavia to in order to keep out of the conflict between The 100 and Grounders. However, Octavia decided to stay with her people instead of going with Lincoln. Lincoln decided to stay. He rescued Octavia and they were on their way there in the Season Two premier.

Nomadic Grounders
Nomadic grounders are generally grounders who have no clan. They travel across the Earth for many different reasons, some motives are to get to the City of Lights.

Notes and Trivia

 * Jason Rothenberg has stated that there are multiple groups of Grounders in the show; Water Grounders, Ice Grounders, Boat Grounders, and Mountain Grounders.
 * It can therefore be assumed The Woods Clan are Mountain Grounders and Luna's Clan are Boat Grounders.
 * Some Grounders, such as the Nomadic Grounders, are not included in this list
 * The creator of the languages for the HBO TV series Game of Thrones, created a Grounder language that will be featured in the 100.
 * Grounders do not share common lifestyles with the Reapers or the Mountain Men.
 * Grounders fear and war with both the Reapers and the Mountain Men.
 * Not all Grounders are "evil". Lincoln saved Octavia and believed what his people were doing to the 100 was wrong.
 * Anya says that the Delinquents are not the first to try to wipe them out.
 * This could be indication that the Reapers and/or the Mountain Men have tried.
 * Lincoln said: "East, to the sea, then across it, there’s a clan, allies of the woods. They’ll take us."
 * This means that Luna's tribe is an ally of the woods. Indicating Lincoln's people are called "The Woods Clan" or "People of the Woods".
 * Luna's Clan has no name as of right now. It is simply called "Luna's Clan".
 * A Grounder tells Clarke that the scars on their bodies serve as a tally for their number of kills in battle. Each scar equals 1 kill.
 * This custom may only be practiced by The Woods Clan. We have not yet met Luna's Clan.
 * Gaining these marks seem to be a great honor and highly prestigious act among The Woods Clan as one Grounder was boasting about hus many scars moments before his death.
 * Members of The Woods Clan serve in battle at a young age.
 * Tris was the first child Grounder shown on The 100.
 * Tris was Anya's second in command, despite her age.