If a kidnapped colonist joins the faction that kidnapped them, what faction base would they be at?

[Choosechee]

So, a very important colonist of mine got kidnapped. He is engaged with one of my other colonists. He has very good skills and is a high-ranking royal. Unfortunately, I did not get an opportunity to rescue him or pay a ransom. instead, he got recruited into the faction who kidnapped him. I tried to invite him with the long-distance mod, but he refused. I want to forcefully get him back. However, I don't know what base he's at. So I have some questions. Will he be at the base that's closest to my base? Or will he be at a random base that's close to my base? Or, and I hope this isn't it, will he be at a completely random base that's on the map?

[Kittenpox]

I don't know much about how faction camps are generated/populated, but...
If you don't already have a https://www.rimworldwiki.com/wiki/Comms_console , I'd strongly recommend building one (and/or get the tech for it asap), as well as an https://www.rimworldwiki.com/wiki/Orbital_trade_beacon in the middle of your Silver stockpile.
That will at least give you the chance for getting a Ransom offer. Assuming they didn't bleed out while departing the map, of course.

[Choosechee]

Originally posted by Kittenpox:

I don't know much about how faction camps are generated/populated, but...
If you don't already have a https://www.rimworldwiki.com/wiki/Comms_console , I'd strongly recommend building one (and/or get the tech for it asap), as well as an https://www.rimworldwiki.com/wiki/Orbital_trade_beacon in the middle of your Silver stockpile.
That will at least give you the chance for getting a Ransom offer. Assuming they didn't bleed out while departing the map, of course.

He's joined the faction. Can you still get a ransom offer if they've already joined? Also, I said I tried to use the long-distance mod, and that requires a comms console, so...

[Astasia]

World pawns don't exist at any location, they are just stored on a list. The defenders of a base aren't generated until you attack, then they are randomly created like with a raid, potentially including world pawns of that faction. There is no way to "find" a world pawn, if you keep attacking bases or getting raided by the faction eventually you might see them spawn again, but it's not assured.

[Swordmouse]

Can confirm, I've had kidnapped colonists return as raiders of said faction.

There's hope you'll see them again. Or you can cheese it by spawning raids from that faction until you see them.

[Choosechee]

Well, shoot, I hope I'll see him again!

[ichifish]

Assuming it’s not a permanently hostile faction you might try allying with them and hoping he turns up as a trader (I assume that’s as likely as a raider, might be wrong). It would cost a lot in gifts but you could call in trade caravans, aid, etc. You might even be able to arrest him instead of shock lancing him. Would take a while but would make for a good long-game tale of intrigue and deception.

Or conversely, ally with all other available factions to make it more likely you get a raid from your pawn’s faction.

[pol]

yes! you can find kidnapped colonists at nearby enemy faction's base! but the spawn chance is not high, and they are hostile too, so bring a shock lance with you.
too bad for kyle, my good praetor. i think royal characters wont be there because psychic powers might mess up the spawn pawn code but im not sure maybe i was unlucky.
i searched 7 pirate's base and only found panther the regular miner right away at the first nearest base, but kyle... i can't tell what the hell those scumbags did to him. rip kyle i guess.

[ROE]

I've had royals captured and later show up at a camp I was raiding. It is possible.