Okay, so I've been mulling over a possible theory for a while now. Deciding whether or not i should share it on here, so here i am with my decision. I honestly believe its the strongest theory I have for ANY future involvement for the Brotherhood in any more Fallout games. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out and fit the pieces together but I wanted to share my 2 cents on the topic. [censored], its highly possible someone could have already thought this [censored] out but i'm going to post it anyways.

So, everyone knows that Fallout 4 has to be the most hyped game coming up. Bethesda will most definitely deliver on their promise, no doubt. But i'm concerned about how the BOS will fit into the game. They did play a huge role in 3, they will no doubt carry/extend it in 4. Ive seen it with elder scrolls, so its inevitable with fallout. Anyways, getting to the point here. Squire Arthur Maxson. This theory revolves around him.

I honestly believe that with the LAST descendant of Roger Maxson, Arthur Maxson, the Brotherhood will rise in power. I say this because theres no way the council would deny him the right to become High Elder only due to the fact he was literally raised by Elder Lyons (Remember the D.C. Chapter was cut off from the west for being selfless and acting as a police because of his leadership) just no way. The council did say they were still Brotherhood. They were not exiled. But cut off. Infact, I think the sheer fact he is being raised at the citadel is the most significant factor here. I believe Bethesda has set in motion a grand scheme. A new and improved power in the wasteland. They want to completely throw away the sole driving force of the Brotherhood of Steel, their most prime directive. Acquisition of technology, and replacing it with the strongest peacekeeping mutie destroying force in the wasteland, and expanding throughout the wasteland. Or perhaps taking the D.C. Chapter, and simply expanding that, rivaling the West, becoming the dominant power in the east.

Put yourselves in Arthurs shoes for a second here. Just visualize this and stay with me. Arthur is being trained by some of the best brotherhood soldiers, as well as the most selfless, extroverted, off-the-beaten-path leader the faction has possibly ever known, and even perhaps getting trained by the Lone Wanderer (possible that lyons asked him to train Arthur later on and use this as a device to mention him in 4) But my point is by him growing up in this chapter his mind is molding to their new knight-like beliefs and away from the traditional rules and directives of the BOS, and when reaching age and rank, will change the Brotherhood by utilizing the things he learned as a child. He will no doubt have a growing ambition to rise in the group, and I know he will hold power. With his changing of the brotherhood, he could possibly unite any splinter factions and drastically increase numbers. With numbers in mind, and him growing up during the events with the Lone Wanderer it is highly likely they will start to recruit people more openly. Maybe someone else can touch up on that, but i firmly believe he will stand against the introverted ways of the council, and want to change his ancestors ways as he will no doubt think that its outdated and is holding them back.

With the major setbacks of the Enclave, the relic that is the corrupted old world government will fall, and that will give the BOS the chance to earn its rightful place in the wasteland instead of hiding, and only benefiting/aiding themselves, the true face of the Brotherhood will show itself.

If youre confused, all im basically saying is that the new moral beliefs of the D.C. Chapter will be passed down to him. Theres just NO way he will sit and think "Hm. Nah. Screw this training. Screw people. Technology is more important." I personally can't see that. And neither can you.

Also, interesting Tid-bit of info on Elder Lyons you should read to gain more of a grasp on the specifics on how the council responded to his choice in D.C.

"The Californian corridors of Lost Hills erupted in rumor and speculation. Some claimed Owyn Lyons had "gone native", putting the needs of the people of D.C. above those of the Brotherhood itself; others saw him as a Brotherhood Elder finally exhibiting the selfless behavior that should serve as a model for the entire order. Caught in the middle, the ruling Elders made the only decision they could; they would still recognize Elder Lyons as a leader of the Brotherhood of Steel, and the Citadel as their D.C. headquarters. But all support from the West Coast was thereby cut off. If Lyons wanted to pursue his own agenda on the East Coast, he would have to do it alone."

Pretty general summary of my theory.

You honestly have to set yourself in Arthurs psychological state to understand this theory full force. I see it working. Arthur has humility, saying hes "just a normal boy" when discussing his "soul forged out of steel." Honestly i see this whole thing making a huge nod to King Arthur and the round table.

Born a natural leader, I say.

And before you even start throwing [censored] at me for contemplating such a ridiculous theory about the faction, its as good as it gets. IF this is indeed what happens then im hoping to god you will have the chance to absolutely destroy it. Im sure many will agree. Not many people liked the fact F3 made the faction choice for you. If you want to destroy the rising brotherhood go ahead. And bring the Enclave back with you perhaps? or maybe they aren't even gone. Side with them. Or completely start your own faction and take that power from them. Or if you're a Brother like me support them hahaha. Or perhaps they are already in power during the events of F4. Who honestly knows. Heres to hoping they learn from their mistakes and add in many, many, many more options.

Anyways, there are so many variations of this theory i've thought of, too many to put on this damn thread. Speculate if you want. Ridicule it. Hate it. Spit on it. Praise it. Change it. Or just simply ignore it. Honestly this was my chance to add in to this awesome community, and feel like a member. Ive been playing Fallout for years, i thought i would join in the fun. I hope this theory sparked some interesting thoughts for you reader. Thanks for checking it out, cheers.

Yeah a lot of people suspect that Arthur is being set up to be a leader of at least the BoS in DC.

But Lyons was exiled. Lost Hills cut him off and stopped supporting him. Sounds like exile to me. They might still see that Lyons is their leader but that's because he his their leader. Something they should know. They had been supporting him for many years but he refused to do is mission. There wasn't much else they could do about Lyons all the way in DC. And we know know the NCR BoS war was happening, by the time of Fallout 3.

Also if Bethesda does plan to have the BoS as some technological peacekeepers with Arthur as their leader. Then they will ruin the BoS. Also just because Arthur is a Maxson doesn't mean he automatically gets to be ruler of the BoS. The BoS have high-elders who have been running things for decades. Do you think they will just hand over that power?

The BoS back in California are all but destroyed and we have seen they are beyond change now. They don't want to change even faced with the truth by Veronica that they need to change they opt to kill her instead. The Midwestern Brotherhood could very well be a brutal facist military force who has long forgotten their history. Lyons and his people are pretty much on their own and lets not forget the Outcast.

The Outcast. If Arthur was some future Knight King of the BoS. One would think the Outcast would have grabbed him when they left the Citadel instead of weapons and other tech. They did not. The Outcast were supposed to represent the Original BoS back in California. Since they didn't take Arthur or even mention him. It's safe to say they don't give a flying Fig about the Maxson Bloodline.

What I theories is that Lyons was set up to lead the people to DC by a silent minority within the Brotherhood of Steel. A group of people like Veronica that wanted change but they stayed quite about it. Waiting for a chance to bring about that change. But over the decades things became worse and the leadership of the Brotherhood became more closed minded.

The minority stayed quite because the last time the idea of change was brought up the Elders ruled that there would be none and on top of that those who advocated, spoke out for change were to be sent on a mission East. They were to use airships that people warned would be dangerous if they encountered storms but the warning were ignored. The minority went on the mission and did indeed run into storms and were scattered and lost. Survivors would form the Midwestern Brotherhood of Steel.

Although there could have been a sinister ulterior motive behind the mission as in the Elders wanted it to fail so they could win a looming civil war without firing a single shot.. It could very well have been an unfortunate happenstance. That the Elders sent the minority because they were trying to make them happy by giving them the change to get out and explore.

But either way it failed and the vocal minority wanting change was lost. Those left in the West wanting change could have seen it as a deliberate act to remove the those wanting change. Reinforced by the Elders not bothering to search for the minority and freedom of though being more and more suppressed.

After John Maxson's Death which would have happened around the same time as the minority was sent away (after Fallout I) the High-Elders took control. The Maxson's becoming a figure head at best.

Many many years later, the Brotherhood's hostile closed minded world view had got them in trouble. War with the NCR was becoming a real threat. So the silent minority seeing that change is not going to happen at least in the West learned of the mission to DC to search for weapons tech. So they take it upon themselves to get as many like minded people as possible on that mission. They make it so Lyons is chosen. He might not have wanted to bring change but he is clearly open to it. Stings are pulled and people volunteer. Enough to make up the majority of the mission.

As they moved towards DC they test the waters for change. The first being the Pitt in which they took in many children. Lyons is for it. This would also see who wasn't for change, aka the ones who would later make up the Outcast.

When they got to DC they managed to convince Lyons that the people of DC needed help. Over the years the mission became to help the people of DC and not gather tech. And back in the West Arthur's parents are killed. The silent minority wanting change and learning of Lyons back in DC have Arthur sent to live with Lyons. Knowing that that would be their last chance to get him out of California since the NCR BoS was is all but inevitable. The Elders in Lost Hills don't give a flying Fig if Arthur is sent to DC. So they let it happen.

More years later (Lyons was in DC for 25 years, Arthur is ten years old) the Lost Hills Elders clue in that Lyons and his people aren't going to help. That they haven't be doing their mission and time had run out. Lyons is to far to send people to bring him back in line. Or the Circle of Steel. And they need all the forces they can in California to fight the NCR which greatly outnumbers them. So they just wash their hands of Lyons. They cut him off completely. Maybe thinking that on his own and without help, he will be killed by the Super Mutants and such in DC.

After all they would be just as aware of the failure of Project Purity and the loses to the Super Mutants since they had contract with Lyons for several of those 25 years. Kind of like "He wants to play hero in DC then let him. Lets see how far he gets without our help!" And we know they weren't doing that great before the Lone Wanderer showed up.

Then of course we have the Outcast who got pissed off with Lyons and broke away from his group, taking as much tech and such as possible. But as I mentioned before they didn't take Arthur Maxson. If he was so important to the future of the Brotherhood as a whole, they wouldn't have left him with Lyons.