Flag (optional): Adamas Flag

Description/History: In 2221, the Brotherhood of Steel officially packed up shop and moved out of California due to the elders becoming increasingly wary of a growing NCR. Rather to risk all-out war with the NCR, they decided to head eastward, into the land that was formally known as the Pre-War state of Texas, a land that would prove to the Brotherhood's paradise and future land of their fledgling nation.
After what seemed to be an eternity of traveling, the Brotherhood of Steel had finally found its new home: a major Old-World city known as Houston. It was here the Brotherhood settled down, regrouping their forces and beginning again. Various vagabonds, ruffians, and tribals were ruthlessly assimilated into the rapidly strengthening Brotherhood. They rebuilt Houston (renaming it "Varset"), thrived off its land, and spread throughout much of the Pre-War state, claiming other major cities such as Austin and Dallas.

It wasn't all so easy however. An army of mutants under the command of a Super Mutant named Attis, a mutant who harbored strong resentment toward the Brotherhood, led a resistance movement against the recently-arrived Brotherhood. Though Attis and his army were beginning to become a real threat to Brotherhood expansion and domination of the region, the Brotherhood eventually broke the back of Attis' rebellion, leading to the collapse and assimilation of the mutant army. This happened in a number of ways, the chief being the Brotherhood's military and technological might, as well as the large schism that occured within Attis' army created by the large number of mutants who didn't hate the Brotherhood or want to fight, instead wishing to cooperate with them.

The final blow to Attis' rebellion came when the fledgling Special Forces group of the Brotherhood known as the Sentinels managed to infiltrate and capture Attis himself. The Brotherhood had a public (and highly publicized) execution of the anti-Brotherhood leader, destroying the already-crumbling moral of the rebellion. The Pro-Brotherhood mutants took over the faction, and formally rejected Attis' beliefs, claiming him a heretic and a terrorist. With that, they opted for total surrender, hoping their conquerors would have mercy.

Surprising enough, they got their wish. Upon seeing the combat prowess of the Super Mutants, rediscovering the reason for their creation, and the fact the mutants not only surrendered peacefully and labeled Attis a terrorist, the Brotherhood had a change of heart for their now-conquered enemies. Instead of killing or enslaving them, they offered them a choice: Join the Brotherhood as full members, or leave in peace. Upon seeing this act of mercy towards a conquered enemy, the mutants readily joined up. In time, the Mutants and the humans of the Brotherhood began to see each other as just that, Brothers. This would lead to a sort of bond between the two peoples, one that has not been broken yet.

13 years had passed, and the Brotherhood and their new mutant brothers grew into a powerful people. It was then a social revolution of sorts occurred. With the casting off of the Codex of the Brotherhood, many felt that they were more than just merely the Brotherhood of Steel. Feelings of nationalism overtook the masses, reaching up to even the highest of the Brotherhood's ranks, even unto the High Elder of the Brotherhood at the time, Geoffrey Harlond. High Elder Harlond decided to rally the people to this cause of independence from the old ways, and by way of striking down those who opposes him, a new nation were born, a nation known as the Adamas, with High Elder Harlond being crowned as their ultimate leader, and the first Chancellor.

Years passed and Adamas grew. The force of the military's technological and martial might, it expanded across a great portion of the Pre-War state, ruthlessly cutting down any who might dare to resist the newly-forged Adamas’ iron will and assimilating the broken people into citizens of the new nation. The Adamas was finally beginning to look like a proper nation, and the people rejoiced at their success.
It was during this time Harlond passed away mysteriously, leaving only his apprentice and a vacuum of power in his absence. The nation mourned, and built many statues of Harlond as a way of showing reverence to the first Chancellor of Adamas.

More misfortune soon ensued. With the Chancellor, the de facto ruler, dead, the generals of the army clambered to get the most coveted position in Adamas. On the brink of a civil war, a man by the name of Aiden Griff, the late Harlond's apprentice, stepped up and ceremoniously claimed the title of Chancellor due to the revelation that Harlond had groomed the man from a small child especially for this task, and left a holotape detailing his wishes. The people rallied behind their leader's apprentice, and Griff officially took the mantle of Chancellor.

Many years passed after that. Various chapters of former Brotherhood of Steel members made their way to Adamas, ranging from various sizes. One of note is the Mojave Brotherhood of Steel chapter, who shortly after the 2nd battle of Hoover Dam, ventured toward Solus in order to seek refuge under the new regime. But Adamas was not Brotherhood as the wayward Chapters soon found out. Though they were welcomed with open arms into the fold, the former Brotherhood Chapters had to summarily renounce their ties to the Brotherhood of Steel and swear fealty unto Adamas and the Chancellor. They accepted.

17 more years came and went. The Chancellor was no longer a young man, but not quite old either. McNamara, the former elder of the Mojave Brotherhood of Steel, is now Chancellor Griff's right-hand man, and follows him unerringly. The Chancellor himself has taken up an heir of his own as well, the lead operator of PSICOM, a faceless man known only as Scorch.

At present, Adamas and its Chancellor are eager to find out the fate of the

Government Type: Completely Authoritarian, but with a monarchy of sorts. The Chancellor is considered the most high, and his word is law. All answer to him, and disrespect to the Chancellor is punished severally. There is however a democratically chosen council of elders that act as advisers to the Chancellor, though in reality, that is all they are: advice givers.

Under the Chancellor are his handpicked viceroys, who serve as his governors of the different sections of Adamas. Viceroys are generally picked from generals in the military, though at times have come from the civilian/political sector. Under the viceroys are the rank of Duke, which acts as a Senator and Mayor of smaller areas of Adamas, such as individual cities.
Local government officials are chosen via democratic vote with a majority ruling.

Economy: The economy is relatively capitalist, however, the government of Adamas does not allow for big corporations whatsoever. Any business that large is under the direct control by the government or, as in the case of the arms market, the military. This policy was designed to ensure that despite any sort of individual prosperity, the nation's economy was firmly in the hands of the Government.

As far as economic strengths, some of the major things Adamas relies on are its fishing and agriculture industries, though the focus is steadily shifting towards the manufacturing and construction industries.

Adamas also takes great pride in its arms market, where they mass produce various kinds of weapons and armors for different sorts of reasons.

Culture: The culture of Adamas is almost like one would find in a feudal era, with many different things resembling the serf system. A staple of Adamanite society is the caste system of Adamas, which include the slaves, lower class, middle class, military, upper class, nobility,and finally, Chancellor. Despite the caste system, Adamas seeks to provide the best medical care and education possible so as to increase the future prospects of the nation.

The people of Adamas are an odd sort. If one should visit, they would see a very distinct influence of feudal Japan's culture within Adamas' borders. Things such as kimonos, yukatas, and other various sorts of different influences are quite commonplace and considered the norm. This is due to the first Chancellor, Harlond, who had a fascination with the culture from his readings about them in various libraries across, and in the end drew heavily upon them when he began the process of forming the nation.

The architecture in Adamas also greatly resembles something from a feudal time. Many structures and streets are made of stone and brick, and many statues of military leaders, viceroys, and the past and present Chancellors line the streets, especially in the larger cities.

Another staple of Adamas' society is something they kept from their days and the Brotherhood, their love of technology. Technology has been integrated into as many facets of life as the government of Adamas could possibly manage, and they are always looking for new ways to improve and integrate it into their daily lives.

However, there is one difference from a feudal era. As much as possible the lower, middle, and upper class are to be treated equally, and the old "We are all brothers" mentality from the Adamas’ days as the Brotherhood of Steel remains just as strong now as it did back then, with it being almost a focal point in society.

Military:

The Military of Adamas is a major part of the nation itself, and as such, pride themselves on being as strong as possible. Like in the Brotherhood days, the ranks of Knights, Paladins, Scribes, etc. have remained mostly the same, though a few noticeable changes have been made here and there. There are three branches of the military, and a fourth Special Forces branch.

Adamas Army: This is the land branch of the military, and the biggest. Consists of Initiates, Knights, Paladins, and a new rank, Guardians. Armor usually is a T-51b suit painted in either desert or urban camouflage. Weaponry includes, but is not limited to, pulse or plasma rifles, different types of Gauss weaponry, Plasma defenders, Tesla canons, and the occasional higher-tier conventional military-grade firearms. Vehicles in use by the military are a Post-War variant of the Humvee.

Also serving with the various squads of the army is a single Mr. Gutsy or Sentry bot. Another important thing about military units is there are always at least 2 Super Mutants holding places in the squad, a subtle move by the Chancellor not only to increase combat effectiveness, but also an attempt to integrate them more and more into the lives of the people of Adamas as well. Adamas seeks to take advantage of the Super Mutants' natural abilities such as their strength and endurance, and their weapons and armor reflect this goal. In addition to the standard T-51b Power armor suit, Adamas actively constructs a larger variation of the suit to accommodate the larger Super Mutants; and their armament consists of heavy weapons such as Super Sledges, Gatling Lasers, and Plasma Casters. They are also normally the ones using the Tesla Cannons as well.

Adamas Navy: On par with the Air Force, the Navy consists of old Pre-War US vessels such as destroyers and the like. In times past, the Navy was used to defeat various pirate gangs that plagued the land before the Adamanites arrived.

Adamas Air Force: The Air Force consists of Pre-War and Post-War Huey designs for the helicopters, and a few Pre-War Cessna A-37 Dragonfly model jets. Also used in the Air Force are various cargo planes and bombers.

Special Operations: Sentinels

Sentinel operatives are the best of the best Adamas has to offer. They only serve the Chancellor, taking orders from no one but him. They are commonly used as assassins and infiltrators for the most dangerous of missions. Armor is a U.S variant of the Chinese Stealth Armor, reinforced with ballistic mesh and ceramic plating. Weaponry varies from mission to mission, but the most commonly used weapons are Gauss weaponry, and pulse-based rifles. Operatives do not have a personal life, and are training for combat almost constantly. Also of note is that no mutations are allowed or considered to be Sentinel operatives, even with the support Super Mutants get.

The thing that stands out most about them is the fact that they rarely take their helmets off, only doing so when absolutely necessary, such as eating in the field (and even then, only with fellow Sentinel units around) and hygiene activities. In any event, they will never do any of these things publicly, always opting to do them either secluded from other soldiers/civilians or with fellow Sentinel units. They also have the habit of being rather emotionless, which has led to a sort of urban legend that they are some sort of machine or apparition.

The most well-known Sentinel is an Operative known only as Scorch, and is the heir-apparent of the Chancellor.

Views on Mutation: Mutants are a rather interesting topic in Adamanite society. Originally, mutants were considered nothing more than abominations that needed to be purged from the world, and were generally treated exceedingly harshly. However, when the current Chancellor took office, he pushed his own views on the society, viewing them more as an asset rather than scum needing to be purged. Ghouls gained the status of the lower-class citizenry, quite the step from being killed openly in the streets for sport or being used as slaves. Many find work in the construction business, their superiors finding their radiation resistance invaluable. While some still look unfavorably on them, they are now considered citizens are have all the rights a normal non-mutate might, though prejudice still remains a problem especially in the outer regions of Adamas.

Super Mutants however, are a completely different story. In short, Adamas humans have a high respect for Super Mutants and view them as no different from themselves, facts they are highly proud of. Adamas was built on the backs of both humans and Super Mutants, making the two groups into one people. The very idea of Super Mutants having the same rights as humans in Adamas isn't even a question, it's a undeniable truth. Any other idea regarding them is tantamount to heresy and is taken as a personal affront to all Adamanites and what their nation stands for. In Adamas, Super Mutants and humans have a very strong bond that goes back generations and discrimination against them of any kind warrants a severe punishment. To Adamanite humans, Super Mutants are no different than themselves and anything done against them they take as a personal affront. The same can also be said of Adamanite Super Mutants, who view their human compatriots in the same light and are exceedingly proud of the bond they share and the nation they all came together to create, not as two separate groups, but as one, whole people.

Views on Slavery: While the citizenry are not allowed to be put in any sort of slavery, no one truly cares about it so as long as one of their own is not subjected to it. This means that while they can't become slaves themselves, there is no law banning the use of slaves from other sources. As such, nations that utilize slavery are looked upon the same by Adamas as those nations who choose not to do so.

Population: 1,000,000

Territory: http://imgur.com/SFmX4aO(In the dark blue covering the majority of Texas)

Faction name: Alaskan Confederation

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zYyyCDxW6NzU.kc927qDVVMXk

Flag (optional):

Description/History: The Alaskan Factions have rarely agreed on many things, a form a Central Government for instance. However when they turned to those who'd represent them best they looked no further than the Arctic Rangers. For despite all the disagreements the other factions held regarding them, mostly from Raider Factions who've fought against them. Or those miffed that they weren't considered to represent the State. That believed themselves better than petty squatters. No most Factions understood that during times when the fate of Alaska itself was at stake they could at least trust the Rangers. Who have almost always stood up for what is right. And have fought selflessly for the rights of Alaskans.

So when it came to pass that a message was received that went out on every channel to all who could listen; Alaskans themselves listened in shock as others had survived in the far flung regions of America they turned to the Rangers to lead them. So with Delegates from every Faction accepted in the Coalition all those but Slavers and exceedingly violent Raider types. As well as those who attempted to destroy this alliance at least once before. Mainly those in Juneau.

The Alaskan Delegates set out to attend this Meeting of Nations. Standing by their side is The Bush Company. Clan Bearhorn. The Peoples of Nome and Nomadic Natives. The Sourdoughs, a collection of individuals Medicine Men, and Women who hold great esteem. The Grindhouse Orchestra, another band of Raiders, that while more violent seem to at least back this alliance, if only in word. And The Vanderbilts (OOC Yup Barron is back and so Is Basilio though I have yet to decide what role they will play other than mere mentions), though like the Grindhouse Orchestra they only provide verbal support. And have yet to assign any possible Delegates. And the Dragon Zars, a mercenary group out of Dutch Harbor. And of Course the Autleeir Tah. Who have only thus far supported the Alliance in word. And have sent only two of their kind as Delegates.

Government Type: I have no idea what that would be called? Could use some ideas.

Economy: The main exports of Alaska is fish, furs and mined ores. Though there are many other forms of goods sold, leather and even chitin from the highly armored, Armored Ants the guardians of a Queen, who periodically sheed to regrow new chitin. It is basically a lightweight Armor plate, which has about the same protection as combat armor. It is unknown what gives it such properties but it’s a valuable asset to those who discover it’s potential. Most of Alaska uses Military grade Ammo as currency. 9 mm as pennies, 10 mm as nickels, 357 magnum as dimes, and 44 magnum as quarters, with 5.56 $1, 20 gauge $5, 12 gauge $10, 45-70 $20, 308 $50, and 50 MG, as $100. There is of course more ammo types, but these will be the most commonly made for currency. And there of course would be non military grade rounds of these used in everyday life.

It isn't until relations were formed with outside neighbors that bottle caps have been used in foreign trade.

Culture: Many in Alaska have a Survivalist nature and ethics, passed down by their ancestors. Others worship gods of beast and men. The Raven, Ghost Wolf, and Great Mountain Bear are such creatures. Many work hard laboring in fields harvesting crops, and others spend days, weeks out on the hunt. In places most would consider nightmarish. The people of Alaska are not to be underestimated they have lived lives that most men would have long died from, whilst still remaining friendly to each other.Many hunt, and survive off the land, giving many a respect for nature, seen in very few places. Some tribes, offer totems to gods, as thanks for good harvests, and nothing goes to waste.

Religion varies some worship gods of nature, and some are indifferent. If you want to know more local Flora and Fauna read my Alaskan Fan Lore, it’d be too much to list it all.

Military: The Military is provided by the collective Alliances and is 10% of the Population, whereas the Troops are the percentage of that ten percent. Rangers offer Mostly foot soldiers Privates, who have some years of service, up to Sergeants. While there is quite a few higher ranking Soldiers like those in the Arctic Wolves the highest ranking and exceptionally skilled. It is a known fact that many of the Rangers, as low ranked as they may be are still crack shots. That isn't the issue, specialized training or high quality equipment is in short supply. Leaving only a select few eligible for proper promotions.

Most of the Rangers aside from the Arctic Wolves. Are armed with whatever they have. Usually it's something from home or a weapon they bought. Mostly bolt action weapons. Bolt Action Rifles, Shotguns, Pistols. Any weapon that can be made into a Bolt Action. Revolvers and Shotguns. And L96A1 Sniper Rifles. Armors include Leather and Hide armors as well as Security Vests much like those found in Vaults. As well as Armors like the NCR uses the medium sets though obviously in Ranger colors.

The Arctic Wolves make up only 1% of the force that the Rangers provide. But are armed in the best gear they want. BARs, L96A1s, http://blackdonner.deviantart.com/art/TKRF-848H-Thornweld-Sniper-Rifle-413786628?q=favby%3AVATROU%2F60296454&qo=9, http://c-force.deviantart.com/art/Sniper-Rifle-Entry-308214882?q=favby%3AVATROU%2F60296454&qo=7, Shock Gauntlets. Dragonovs, M14, Bushmasters, Remington Shotguns like Serbu Super Shorty or Hunting Shotguns, PKMs, Desert Eagles (Which aren't common), Trench Guns, http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/55631/?, Mosin Nagants. Mostly WW2 Era weapons, Russian and Chinese Weapons as Russia is so close. And Alaska does have a history with them. Albeit quite an old one. Their Armors are the Arctic Ranger Dusters. In all some of these weapons will be held by one Ranger, things that aren't all too common or are full auto. The percentage the Rangers offer is 35% of the Military allotment.

Clan Bearhorn offered soldiers as well. Highly decorated men and women who are regaled in their deeds. Who actively seek great fighters and large battles in which to die honorably. Their Weapons are quite varied unlike the Rangers they don't have as many decent weapons. Most of their arsenal is junk weapons or that salvaged from ruins. Same for their armors. Some are made with leathers and furs, with plates of scrap metal. Medium armors like Security Vests, and NCR like armors. And heavy armors made of full metal some worked by smiths to be like the armors of Old. Full Plate articulated joints. They make up for 25% of the Military.

The Peoples of Nome offered various groups of hunters and trappers. With Bolt Action weapons and Leather or Fur armors. Mostly whatever weapons and armors they have which isn't all that much. They are 20% of the Military.

While The Bush Company has given their services as Assassins and Spies. Armed in Light Armors with Melee and Suppressed weapons. They make up for 15% of the Military.

The Dragon Zars have at price offered Soldiers as well. Equipped in Medium and Heavy Armors, they use Heavy weapons. Machine Guns, LMGs, Assault Rifles. They are 5% of the Military.

Views on Mutation: Much of Alaska is Mutated. From the plants and animals to some of the people living there. While most don't have much of a prejudice against Mutated beings. Those like Ghouls or the Autleeir Tah regard humans with disdain.

Views on Slavery: Slavery while practiced is illegal in Alaska. And those found practicing it are either killed or ran off.

Population: Tier 3: Medium Technology 2,500,000(NCR)

Faction name: The Midwestern Ecumene
Flag (optional): http://imgur.com/n8BEzOt

http://columbia-rp.wikia.com/wiki/File:Blank_usa_map-1-.gif

Description/History: The Midwestern Brotherhood was originally founded by a rouge group of Brotherhood dissenters who believed that the Brotherhood was too closed minded and stuck in their ways. After traveling to the Midwest sometime after the events of Fallout 1, they established themselves as an independent faction in that region: operating very differently from the Brotherhood back West, such as allowing for the recruitment of wastelanders and a desire to bring expand and bring order to the lands under their control.

Years later the Midwest encountered a fearsome enemy in the likes of the Calculator: a corrupted robotic AI system bent on "pacifying" the wasteland of all life forms. After a bloody conflict with the robotic menace, the former leader of the Brotherhood, Simon Barnaky, merged his brain with that of the Calculator's AI systems: becoming the calculator himself. With Calculator and Brotherhood forces joined, Barnaky expanded Brotherhood territory from Chicago all the way to Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado, and began a systematic enslavement and "containment" of all mutated "non-pure" life forms. The feared Midwestern Inquisition being his instruments for the rooting out of genetic divergence within the population.

Under Barnaky, the Midwest became a large Empire spanning nearly half the continental U.S., and his harsh measures left thousands of mutants imprisoned or dead. However, the end of Barnaky’s reign came very quickly and surprisingly when an unknown and highly contagious plague struck down from northern regions, infecting a large proportion of the population. Unable to combat the viral enemy with either containment or quarantine procedures, the Brotherhood’s citizenry began dying off in droves. At the same time, a massive malfunction in Vault Zero’s systems caused the immediate death of Barnaky, and the destruction of the Vault, which left the Midwest leaderless and lost without their veritable God-king.

However, a new leader arose from the ranks of Barnaky’s once greatly feared Inquisitors, and was able to rally the Brotherhood together. Realizing that they could no longer hold the vast majority of their empire together, the new leader (who would become the Brotherhood Patriarch) led the Brotherhood on a migration to the core region: which was once the states of Pre-War Illinois and Missouri. Deciding to abandon the administrative capital of Chicago, the new capital was declared to be the city of “New St. Louis” and the rebuilding process began in earnest.

After seeing the destruction and near complete annihilation of their people, the Midwest had a rapid change of heart concerning their mutant comrades, and under direction from the Patriarch, a new doctrine of toleration and peace was preached. Welcoming of the new regime change and forgiving of past transgression: mutants, ghouls, humans, and deathclaws began to rebuild their shattered society side by side. Finally wiping away the hated stain of Barnaky’s reign of terror.

Many however, still clung to the old ways despite this turn of events, and worshipped Barnaky in secret: plotting to overthrow the new Government and restore a policy of mutant extermination. These Barnaky loyalists (both human and deathclaw) went into hiding, taking up positions in the government and military, and all the while biding their time.

Steadily however, prosperity began to return to the region. Crops were sown, houses and farms were built and plowed, the cities of Jefferson and New St. Louis were expanded and further built up, and scouting expeditions were sent north to reclaim their northern territory by Chicago. While the threat of the Barknaky fifth column remains very real, troubles also stir in the north as the brave men of the Midwestern Recon Corp fight off raiders and terrible abominations inhabiting the ruins of Chicago and the land surrounding it. If the newly reclaimed nation is to survive it will have to look to consolidate its position, and deal with threats both internal and external.

Government Type: The Ecumene is unofficially a “Theocratic Cultural Hegemony,” which is a fancy title which essentially just means that a ruling body (with religious significance) makes the rules and cultural norms for the larger majority of citizens. The most important way this features into play is the laws regarding the treatment of mutants and the enforcement of racial toleration under penalty of death.

The ruling body of the Midwestern Brotherhood is the "Synod" of Elders, which is overseen by the Patriarch of the Brotherhood: who is "first among equals" on the council. While a position of great respect and spiritual importance, the Patriarch is not a dictator and does not necessarily hold more power than the rest of the Synod. The Synod itself is composed of several hundred “High-Elders” who collectively represent a diverse mix of the various 'races' within the Brotherhood: including humans, ghouls, super-mutants, and deathclaws. The

Synod sets laws and acts as the highest authority for the Brotherhood on both executive, legislative, and judicial matters.

The territory of the Brotherhood is also split up into various smaller provinces, which are ruled over by Paladin-Lords (not unlike a feudal state). By far the most powerful of these Paladin-Lords is the super-mutant Paladin-Lord of Jefferson: the second largest city in the Midwestern Brotherhood.

Economy: The two most significant exports of the Midwestern Brotherhood are the advanced technologies they produce (sale of military armaments is heavily curtailed, but more peaceful technological products are readily traded) and, perhaps most importantly, agricultural products. The territory of the Ecumene is immensely fertile, and has been for quite some time. The area is, for the most part, green and relatively lush and temperate in comparison to other post war regions. This has allowed the Midwest the opportunity to take great advantage of the fertile soil and thereby produce a variety of crops both for domestic use and trade. Including (but not limited to) corn, wheat, cotton, beans, and other various food products.

Both of these exports (technology and agriculture) are traded to tribal peoples and other national groups that the Brotherhood has contact with. The two major rivers (and the various smaller ones) which flow through Brotherhood territory, the Missouri and Mississippi, are heavily utilized for the transportation of goods both up and down river largely through the use of river boats and barges. Like the NCR, the

Midwest also has a limited system of raillines which are used to transport goods and people via freight trains.

Culture: The Brotherhood is a society based heavily around agriculture: as the soil of their home is surprisingly fertile. Most of the common people are either farmers, or their work is tied in some way to agriculture. The only two major cities are the capital at New St. Louis, and the city of Jefferson. The rest of the territory is dotted mostly by small hamlots and villages, with some larger towns acting as "capitals" of provinces. The Brotherhood, despite its past, is also completely tolerant of mutations. As might be expected, prejudice against mutates (or humans for that matter) is outlawed. As a result, the Midwest is a unique sort of culture where mutates and humans live together in relative peace.

The Midwestern Brotherhood is also heavily religious. Originally, when Barnaky held control, he was worshipped as a veritable living god. Following his defeat though, a different polytheistic religion has taken the place of the Cult of Barnaky. Little is known about the religion, except that it involves the worship of a pantheon of vague spiritual deities, which tend to represent facets of life in the Midwest.

As a side note, the culture of New Saint Louis is heavily based in extravagant pageantry and political posturing (largely to the complex and scheming politics of the Synod and its associated bureaucracy, which is collectively called the “Midwestern Curia”) and the citizens of the capital typically dress in more ornate and richly fashion than those of more rural areas.

Military:
Regular forces:
The military of the Midwestern Brotherhood is composed of the Knights, Paladins, and other supplementary forces of the Brotherhood's military arm which form its core of professional soldiery made up of humans, ghouls, and super-mutants. While common people within the Brotherhood may be conscripted in times of war, this is typically not done unless there is a time of great need. In which case the various farmers and common people will trade in their plows and shovels for rifles.

Otherwise, the Knights and Paladins operate in a sort of quasi-feudal system. Owing their loyalty to local Paladin-Lords, and protect these lands in the case of a raider incursion or other such small threat. In the case of a larger war, the capital will call upon these Paladin-Lords to send their Knights to form a greater army, from which a commander would be appointed to take control of the national army.

Some Knights however, don’t necessarily owe loyalty to a particular Paladin-Lord and instead form a standing force commanded by the government in New St. Louis. These forces are typically assigned to protect roads, patrol the borders, and make offensive incursions into raider or hostile territory if needed.

In addition to its regular military forces, the Midwestern Brotherhood also retains control over the remnants of the Calculator's army. While the ability to produce them constantly in great numbers has been eliminated with the destruction of Vault Zero. The MWBOS still retains factories in New St. Louis which are able to produce these robots. Since the Calculator has been destroyed, the robotic army is now overseen by an advanced AI system located in a bunker in New St. Louis. These robotics forces range from the common Humanoid Robots, to the more rare (and powerful) Behemoth Class robots, which can be the size of houses.

Deathclaws are also a powerful asset to the Brotherhood's military, and while they do not fight as regular soldiers: deathclaws are used to great effect to both weaken an enemy's morale, and to act as powerful close-combat specialists. Their bravery and lust for combat often means they are deployed to the front lines of an engagement.

Armaments: Most Knights and Paladins are issued standard laser rifles or plasma weapons, with heavier shock troopers being armed with weapons such as the gatling laser, minigun, or missile launchers. Conscripted forces (should they be present) are usually armed with assault rifles or similar weapons.

The armor used by both Knights and Paladins (super-mutant, ghoul, and mutant) is the Midwestern Power armor, a post-war version of power armor uniquely created by the Midwest. While more durable than combat armor, its roughly equivalent to T-45d in terms of durability.

Air Force: The Midwest maintains a force of Hellion fighter jets, which are piloted by highly skilled individuals. They are rarely deployed, but are sometimes used for shock and awe effect on hostile tribes or raider groups.

Navy: The Brotherhood essentially doesn’t have a navy in the traditional sense, as they are land-locked and the territories around the Chicago area are sparsely populated and under-used (making a full time naval force in the Great Lakes impractical). They do however, maintain patrol boats and smaller river-warships for patrolling the rivers in their territory and securing their trade posts and river-based shipping.

Unique Forces:

The Midwest maintains a few unique cores of specialist military forces including:

The Cataphracts: A specialist band of unusually heavily armored super-mutants (heavier power armor than standard knights or Paladins wear) whos job is typically to handle the roughest of combat situations. Using both ranged and melee weapons.

Deathclaw Hunters: Packs of deathclaws in specially fitting ‘deathclaw’ armor which charge enemy ranks and deal great havoc and damage with their razor sharp claws.

Midwestern Recon Corps: Lightly armored forces typically used for scouting and recon duty. The majority of the Recon Corp is deployed in the northern part of the country near the Chicago and Great Lakes region. They are expert trackers, scouts, and skirmishers (when needed) and maintain an outpost in the desolate and uninhabited ruins of Chicago.

Honor Guard: The “elite of the elite” which is drawn from the ranks of the Paladins. They are armored in ceremonial power armor with flowing capes and ornate helmets which indicate their status. They are the personal household guards of the High-Elders and, most importantly, the personal protectors of the Patriarch of the Brotherhood.

Religion: The Brotherhood’s religion is rather strange and esoteric. Originally, when the Midwest was an Empire under Barnaky, Barnaky was worshipped as a living God. However, after his fall the Midwest, in an attempt to wipe Barnaky’s memory away forever, replaced the cult of Barnaky with a new religion based more on naturalistic gods. The Patriarch is the highest religious authority, and various Brotherhood Ministers (who replaced the once feared Midwestern Inquisitors) attend to religious duties, as well as serving as local judges.

The cult of Barnaky however, was not completely extinguished, and while it is officially outlawed, there are some who still practice it in secret.

Total Military Numbers (subject to change, I’m just throwing out numbers here):

Knights: 20,000 Midwestern Knights (humans, mutants, ghouls)
Paladins: 7,000 (humans, mutants, ghouls)
Mutant Cataphracts: 200
Recon Corp: 3,000
Deathclaw Hunters: 300
Deathclaws: Unknown number since technically all deathclaws are fighters.
Honor Guard: 1,000.
Calculator Robots: 10,000 (total for all types)
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Army: Roughly 40,000 total.
Available numbers for conscription: 40,000-50,000 relatively untrained commoners.
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Hellion Aircraft: A hundred or so maybe?
Naval Vessels (river boat craft): Several hundred at least.
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Views on Mutation: Completely tolerant of all mutations, and readily welcoming of them.

Views on Slavery: The Midwest’s views on slavery is rather complex, and something of a dark mark on its otherwise good record. Slavery against “innocent” humans and mutants is officially outlawed. Enslavement of raiders and other enemies of the Midwest however (prisoners of war etc.), is seen as just and proper. This has unfortunately various led to instances however (although not necessarily under sanction from the government in New St. Louis) of Midwest forces attacking tribals and other outlying groups based on a trumped up casus belli, and enslaving the inhabitants.

Typically most slaves either work the Midwest's plantations, or serve as household servants.
Population: 1.8 Million

Name: The Directorate of Cascadia, commonly known as Cascadia.

Location: http://s1368.photobucket.com/user/Bricker98/media-full//DoCMap_zps860cfbcb.png.html

History: Before the war, the Northwest Commonwealth, which contains the territories that are now the Directorate of Cascadia, was a relatively troublesome and independent Commonwealth. Ever since the United States first grouped together the Northwestern States into their Commonwealth, the region has looked unfavorably upon the federal government and their policies. The anti-war, peace-loving, environmentalist population of the Northwest, which had been greatly affected by the Hippie movement, constantly contravened and protested America's ever-increasing foreign military involvement and violation of the environment for the dwindling resources that the world still yielded. The Northwesterner's choler only increased as the United States invaded Mexico on the grounds of protecting American interests, causing large-scale riots to overthrow the so-called tyranny of the federal government.

Meanwhile, the military worked to increase its presence in the Northwest Commonwealth, moving a great deal of forces into the Salish Sea area. This was a response to both the region's riots and the growing power of China and its satellite states, which required a greater Pacific military presence to keep in check. Soon after, as tensions erupted between Europe and the Middle East, China began invading other Asian countries, and Pakistan declared a war on India over Kashmir, refugees flooded into the area, fleeing war. While the Vancouver, Canada area was flooded by Punjabis fleeing the Indian-Pakistani war, Seattle and Olympia received an overwhelming amount East Asian refugees, coming both from China itself and the countries which it was trying to subjugate. The sudden influx of population caused severe unemployment, subsequently sparking a general sense of frustration and leading to higher crime rates as well as more organized rebellions.

The powder-keg that was the Northwest exploded with the onset of the Sino-American war. Nearly all of the trade that the Northwest Commonwealth handled was with the with the East Asian satellite states of the People's Republic of China, and after the war began trade was completely abandoned with all of them. This led to an even more rapid economic collapse of the Commonwealth, along with even higher levels of unemployment. Rioting hit the Commonwealth like it never had before, and American soldiers leaving through Seattle (which, before the annexation of Canada, was the main city through which soldiers traveled to Canada) were openly assaulted on the streets by the over-disgruntled locals. The situation only worsened when the federal government began to imprison East Asian-Americans (mostly Chinese-Americans) under no charges in internment camps which, in some extreme cases, were even used for arms testing and other inhumane government purposes. As tensions continued to escalate, violence erupted all across the Commonwealth, with much of it aimed at the government. With no patience left for the Northwest and its tantrum, the federal government declared martial law within the Commonwealth- a move which also helped the war effort in Alaska.

Massive camps were set up to hold both rioters and Chinese-Americans, curfews were enforced, rights were suspended, legally grey government testing increased, and soldiers were sent Northwest not only to pass through to Alaska, but also to quell their own kinfolk. The situation continued like this for a good deal of time, with the annexation of Canada only further complicating things, and the military began to get the population in line through strict military control. Martial law, however, could not save this Northwest from its next greatest challenge, one which shocked the entire globe- the Great War.

The Northwest, being a hotspot of military activity just before the war, was hit rather hard, with most Chinese warheads detonating in the cities which hugged the Salish Sea. The lack of enough Vaults in the region severely hampered the locals' survivability in the wake of the Great War, as the vast majority were topside when armageddon came. The nuclear fire obliterated all society and infrastructure west of the Cascades, whilst the east was soon ravaged by the environmental effects of nuclear fallout. Just like the rest of the world, the Northwest was a lawless stretch of land for the first handful of decades post-war. Whilst villages existed in the sprawling wilderness of the inland territories, away from the ruins and radiation, the port-cities which had once housed the majority of the population had become dark places of burned metal, radiation, and unspeakable beings. The gently rolling waves of the Salish Sea, which was surrounded by cities and therefore was surrounded by nuclear destinations, became infested with crooked sea-life belonging only to nightmares and legend in the past. Meanwhile, the dense fog that the sea had always bestowed upon its shores had turned radioactive and corrosive, and bouts of wicked acid rain forced man and beast alike to take shelter.

After a few years, as the level of radiation started to lessen, men started to reappear in the great ruins of cities past. At first small urban tribes formed, trading and communicating only with others within their respective ruins. The sea became the main source of nourishment, and some of the first things to be rebuilt or repaired by the locals were fishing vessels to ply the waters. Before long, these ships led to the establishment of trade and communication between the various ruins, leading to the quicker exchange of ideas, technology, and goods, allowing society in the Salish to quickly advance past the dark age that had been thrust upon it through Chinese fire. Trade over land was abandoned in favor of trade via sea, and before long society in the Salish set itself into a vacuum of sorts. The port cities gained a knowledge of one another, and to more easily face their competitors in trade and warfare, the tribes which dwelled within each ruined city consolidated with their neighbors overtime to form city-states.

Each city preserved different ideals that were present in the pre-war Northwest or adopted new practices to aid their survival post-war. The first great city to arise from its own ashes was the city of Seattle, the largest in the region pre-war. Before the war, the city had served as the center of the martial law operations, and as a result many of the survivors were soldiers or pre-war government employees. As the tribes consolidated into a city-state, the old traditions of military rule and strict hierarchy were carried over to the newly-formed government, with the military and leadership being closely intertwined. An almost totalitarian rule was applied to the citizens of Seattle, and a republic with limited voting was established, led by a Consul and the Diet. The government's experiments in the area pre-war left an impression on the populace, and the first Consul of Seattle was indeed a government-trained geneticist from before the war, by now an old man.

In an attempt to quickly establish itself as the dominant party in the Salish region, the Seattle government hammered the quite malleable populace with grand ideas of nationalism. The people of Seattle looked back to their military lineage (because, as previously mentioned, many of the survivors were military personnel), how they had survived the nuclear holocaust, and their Native American roots. A sense of supremacy was instilled in the populace via propaganda, and the government soon set into motion a variety of practices to 'purify' the local populace in order to have them be able to survive and thrive in this new world. A very in-depth eugenics program, engineered by the first Consul and laced with strong feelings of nationalism, was set into motion. Widespread karyotyping and other genetic tests were forced upon the populace, and the members were placed in one of fives castes. Castration, artificial insemination, selective breeding, and the elimination of carriers of both 'bad genes' and mutants became a staple of the local culture, all in the name of the betterment and purification of the population.

Meanwhile, northward over the Salish, the city of Vancouver started to rise from the ashes as well. Armageddon had left the city with a Punjabi majority (descendants of the refugees from Pakistan and India pre-war) and the peaceful, tolerant Sikh religion that the residents practiced greatly affected the cities development. Unlike Seattle, which had united its populace under dreams of might, purity, and nationalism, Vancouver's people united under the idea of widespread peace and prosperity guided by religion. At first, the population united under various merchant clans who traded their goods (and others') all across the Salish, but as the city of Seattle united, the merchant-princes saw a great danger, and consolidated as well. After its formation, the city-state became a promised land of sorts for drifters, tribals, and nomads all across the Salish, with all of them looking for a peaceful and fulfilling life of equality, something that Vancouver now stood for.

Not too far west, the city of Victoria became an established entity as well, though it formed through different means than Seattle and Vancouver. Unlike the others, which had formed from an agreement between local tribes, Victoria was conquered by a foreign power and made into its home. After the war, a small Chinese fleet had been left without leadership in the Pacific and its leader, an ambitious admiral by the name of Yue Fei, decided to continue the war against America independently. The Chinese fleet made landfall on Victoria island and established a small, hopefully temporary home port of sorts in the city. After extensive scouting via warship and expeditions, however, it was established that there wasn't even an America to war against, nor was there a People's Republic of China. So instead, the small fleet and its seamen decided to settle down, forming what would in the future be known as New Taiwan and establishing the Fei Monarchy to rule over it.

For years, these three city-states engaged in both trade and battle with one-another, all via the Salish Sea. Other smaller settlements sprung up in the area as well and were constantly conquered and lost by the grander city states through a violent and predictable cycle. Contact with the outside world, known as the Inner Territories, was surprisingly minimal, with the Salish entities being entirely too focussed on one-another to look inland. At first, war was waged with the great warships of the old world and the veritable stores of power armor and laser weaponry of times long past, but as both of those decayed, they were replaced. Most battle took place in the Salish Sea itself, as all notable powers were well within the range of naval bombardment and invasion. At first, wooden galleys fitted with ancient naval guns and other ordnance reigned supreme in warfare, but as the cities each attempted to get an advantage over the others and the populace called for higher living standards, the fire of industry ignited all throughout the Salish.

Before the war, the region had already been an industrial hub, making the reestablishment of industry to be surprisingly easy. Factories were brought back from the dead, at first powered by coal brought from out east and then through hydropower as dams on the vast Northwestern watersheds were rebuilt just for that purpose. Ore for smelting and metalworking was suddenly in high demand, and all eyes turned first to the Olympic peninsula and then to the Cascade Range. Both areas had been largely ignored by the city-states in the past, but with their land now worth exorbitant amounts, conflict broke out over them. War hit the region hard, and unlike the past where the three main regional powers engaged in skirmishes over trade routes and settlements, this was true and total war. With many of their pre-war military armament spent or worn down and the process of industrialization only partially complete, the powers no longer had the luxury of fighting their wars with fast, powerful blows to minimize the damages of sustained conflict.

Inefficient, highly experimental weaponry, rusted and broken-down pre-war ordnance, wooden, wind powered ships, and even swords and the like were widely used, and much of the population was mobilized. Progress was slow, the effort draining, and the casualties high, with the peasantry growing increasingly disgruntled and fearful. Extremists of both the political Left and Right attempted to take power, reactionaries called for an end to both industrialization and war, separatists triggered civil wars of independence, and outside tribal forces seized the opportunity presented and started raiding the collapsing Salish cities. The once orderly borders of the region which showed only three powers now was an extensive rainbow of independent villages and cities, each one trying to further their own agenda in the chaos. This went on for a considerable amount of time, thirty years in fact, before an outside force came to change things for better or for worse.

This did not come in the form of a nomadic army or a foreign nation, but rather in the form of a plague. Most likely coming from across the Rockies, this plague was brought to the Cascade Range by migrating tribals and traitors, where it was caught by soldiers who were fighting over control of the range. Like it always does in war, this disease then spread like wildfire, being carried over long distances by combatants moving to friendly and enemy cities alike, where the locals then caught it. A mass extinction came about, with the foreign disease striking down thousands of innocents and combatants alike. The great Salish war machine which had run uninterrupted for years screeched to a halt as armies whittled themselves down and the city-states became unable to make a complete effort at war. The region, which had once been the most densely populated in the known post-war world, was demolished and left devoid of citizenry.

Eventually, the plague burned itself out through natural means, and the death toll began to quickly slow. Every city-state had been affected, every city-state except one- New Taiwan. Victoria Island, being (of course) an island, was completely isolated from the infected regions, and once news of the plague spread, the Fei Dynasty shut down its ports and began systematically blowing everything within a few miles of its shores out of the water. After laying in stasis for some time and completely avoiding contamination, the ruling monarch mobilized his units, hearing that the plague had burned itself out. By now, New Taiwan at least had industrialized, with the city of Vancouver being the region's first industrial centre. Having planned this ever since the plague had struck seven years past, the island-nation's fleet had been bolstered with domestically constructed pre-dreadnought era steam-powered ships, which would set into motion the development of Salish watercraft in the future. Meanwhile, it's land forces had also been trained in preparation for the war and assigned standard-issue equipment of considerable quality, rather than the ragtag armament that had been used for the last four decades.

The war, which was truly a great many wars declared upon every entity in the Salish region simultaneously, was over surprisingly quickly. Unlike the other cities, New Taiwan hadn't suffered or crumbled, and its recent military advancements and superior organization, numbers, and training allowed it to almost immediately steamroll all foes. The might of New Taiwan was awe-inspiring in comparison to its counterparts, and it came out victorious in just two years of war, laying siege to Tacoma, Bellingham, Vancouver, and Olympia only after decimating the smaller cities and villages. Under the treaty known as the Generous Accord by the victors, all former governmental entities who capitulated and swore vassalage to the Fei Dynasty and its newly-formed Salish Empire would be spared, while all who continued to resist would be deposed and subsequently executed for treason. Unsurprisingly, most bent the knee, and in two month's time stability finally came to the region, this time brought about by an all-powerful absolute monarch.

With the competition now non-existent, the Salish Empire's first moved was to spread its reach out to encompass the Olympic and Cascade Ranges, and before long the materials extracted allowed the region's industry to truly start. The process was a rapid one, and over time the population, which now experienced a higher standard of living, skyrocketed, though it failed to reach its pre-plague numbers. The cities were expanded and renovated to accommodate the need for industry, and eventually each one became its own jagged, steel-grey beast, spewing forth the fires and smokestacks of gritty progress. While most were uncomfortable under the rule of the Fei Dynasty, everyone was exhausted of war, and instead the citizens threw themselves viciously at their work. Trade with the outside world started in earnest for the first time, with merchant fleets trading away industrial goods in exchange for luxury and agricultural ones.

Technological jumps were made rather quickly as a great many researchers and scientists worked with government funding to rediscover or replace the great technologies of the time before the Great War. Electricity became standard for city-dwellers, medicine was brought back into circulation and even improved upon, railways ran between the grand port-cities and connected them to more inland regions, ships of increasing efficiency sailed upon the Salish, agriculture and aquaculture became more organized, and various military advancements were made. The citizenry lived a relatively free life, though a foreigner could have noted that taxes were rather severe, and for the most part people were satisfied with their lives. The only armed conflicts carried out were either defensive operations against tribal aggressors and the controversial annexation of the Communist-run city-state of Portland and its outlying territory.

The Salish Empire saw three monarchs come and go before serious trouble struck the region once again. After the most recent monarch of the Fei Dynasty passed away, the throne was passed on to the oldest of his three sons. Trouble arose however, as the young man rose to the throne and it became apparent that the man unfortunately had a mental disability. The new monarch was entirely incapable of ruling the realm, and many of the feudal lords below him began calling either for his resignation, at which point his younger brother would replace him, for the appointment of an elected regent to take his place as the de facto ruler of the Empire, or even for complete independence from the realm. It wasn't long before war engulfed the entire region once again, this time waged with new-fangled modern armaments including domestically produced power armor, robotic machines, swift and powerful destroyers, half-conventional half-gauss demirifles, and large batteries of mobile artillery. The city of Seattle was the first to initiate the war, calling for complete independence, and before long some of the other cities followed suit, though all of their wars were separate from one-another. Meanwhile, the cities of New Taiwan, Vancouver, Olympia, and all of their vassals stayed loyal to the incumbent and rightful Emperor, fighting against all of the other city states in a patchwork of associated wars that they would inevitably lose.

The wars lasted just three years, with the incapable Emperor who sat upon the throne making a great many strategic mistakes, leading to the obliteration of his fleet early on. From there, the war went quickly, and indeed most combat was between the city-states who were looking for independence, rather than against the throne itself. While the war was a relatively quick and easy one, a great many atrocities were committed, mostly by the city-states of Seattle and Tacoma as they used the war as a pretense to commit genocide against their eternal rivals- Communists and mutants. The infamous Sack of Portland saw the unnecessary death of a great many non-combatant Communists while the Purge of Vancouver saw the extinction of every slightly-mutated individual, of which the city harbored many. By the time New Taiwan was seiged and the throne submitted to the release of all vassals in the treaty known as the Expulsion of Dominion, the ideas of nationalism and independence had gripped the populace like they never had before.

Unlike in the earlier periods of independence, there were not just three major powers, but rather a large variety of them. Each one joined into alliances with one or another for a short time before breaking it and finding new allies to war alongside. Militaries became smaller and more efficient, allowing war to exist in a form which was less damaging to economies, and many full-time military companies sprung up across the Salish. In addition to the standard wars over trade power, territory, and the like there were also a series of Wars of Unification, each with varying success. For years the Salish region remained in this form, independent, powerful, war-centric, and self-centered. Trade, industry, and war were all paramount in Salish society, and the three were oftentimes interconnected. Technology rose at an unprecedented rate, quickly surpassing that of the only other known nations, the New California Republic and Alaska, and trade with other entities along the Pacific coast became more common.

Eventually though, this era too came to an end as the city-state of Seattle, whose nationalist ideals had become pan-Northwestern ones, allied itself with the similarly far-Right state of Tacoma and the opportunistic Lord of Bellingham to create a Salish-spanning Confederal Republic with Seattlite far-Right values. After procuring the services of a great many mercenary forces, Seattle and its allies declared war to subjugate and unify all other Salish entities under a common constitution. While some of the other city-states did indeed long for another Salish Empire of sorts, all of them resented the policies that Seattle hoped to instill, namely the infamous Eugenics programs which had been practiced on Seattle's own population for near two-hundred years now. Knowing that they would stand a better chance united, the defending city-states formed a coalition to ward off the aggressors, and so began the Sixth War of Unification.

This war dragged on for seven years, involving the entirety of the region. Early-on in the war a stalemate was reached in the form of a military line of sorts just north of Bellingham and another one south of Seattle and Tacoma. Trench warfare broke out and artillery caused the highest casualties as each side endlessly bombarded one-another. Eventually, a breakthrough came in the form of a nobleman and his nomadic army of mercenaries out east being hired by Seattle to cross through the Cascades and take Vancouver from the rear. The move succeeded, and the forces of Bellingham were able to push through the now-disorganized Vancouver line and demolish its military. With the north being taken care of (after Bellingham and the eastern nobleman set up a defensive force on the eastern shore of the Georgia Strait to prevent a New Taiwanese landing), the aggressors were able to turn all of their forces southward and first overrun Olympia before moving on to drive the cities of Aberdeen, Centralia and finally Portland, which was nearly destroyed by Seattle as it slaughtered its most hated rival.

After the defeat of the last defending city (Portland) Seattle proceeded to call all of the now-defeated leadership to the Space Needle (now called the Obelisk), where it drafted the Concord, both the peace treaty of the Sixth War of Unification and the constitution for the new Concordant States of Cascadia. With many of the losing lords finding the treaty more than fair, the Concord was unanimously agreed upon and signed, with each ruler of each city-state retaining their own life and wealth. Eighteen years later the Concordnt States of Cascadia have grown to encompass not just the Salish region, but also a great deal of the now-defunct State of Washington.

Government: The Directorate of Cascadia can be most accurately described as a federal and directorial republic. Being heavily inspired by pre-war governments, the Directorate is composed of three branches of government, the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The legislative branch is made up of a bicameral legislature called the Diet which is divided into and upper and lower houses, respectively referred to as the Upper Diet and Lower Diet. The Lower Diet is made up of 100 Speakers who are directly elected to it by the popular vote of citizens with the right to vote (accounting for 23% of the population). Tied to no single state, the Speakers are supposed to represent the will of all Cascadians in the government, though most of the time this boils down to only representing eligible voters. As far as their governmental powers go, the Lower Diet possess all powers which one would expect from a lower house and little more.

Meanwhile, the Upper Diet serves as the upper house, and is made up two Representatives per state, amounting to a total of 20 Representatives. Out of the two Representatives per state, one is elected by popular vote by the voting population of that State and the other is appointed by the Governor, who is similarly elected by the State's population but has to be confirmed by the Lower Diet. The Representatives of the Upper Diet are supposed to represent their respective state's wants and needs, performing all of the standard actions one would expect from and upper house along with appointing the new Director each year from a pool of five candidates which are chosen by popular vote. In Cascadia, the Upper Diet is viewed as a very powerful governmental body and carries a great deal of prestige. Their terms last ten years, with elections happening every year to replace one of the elected Representatives (the Governor-appointed Representatives can be dismissed and appointed at the discretion of their respective Governor, though they must serve for a minimum term of 6 months before being dismissed).

Next up, the Judiciary branch is made up of the Paramount Court and the Lesser Courts, with the former overseeing the latter. The members of the Paramount Court, of which there are nine, are appointed to their station by the Directors and are tasked with interpreting the Concord, handling national cases of great consequence, and appointing judges to serve in the Lesser Courts. All-in-all, the Paramount Court isn't a powerful governmental body.

Finally, the Executive branch is made up of two different bodies, together being made of eight different people. Rather than having one paramount figure in the Executive branch, the Directorate of Cascadia has many. The first and foremost of the two bodies tasked with the management of Cascadia is the Directorate, oftentimes called the Council of Directors. This body is made up of seven Directors serving seven year terms, with one spot being opened and subsequently filled every year. The Directors are elected from list of five candidates supplied to the Upper Diet by the voting populace and subsequently elected by the Upper Diet. Tasked with administering the realm and together acting as the Heads of Government, the Directors rarely leave the Obeslisk, being required to stay close at hand to make lighting-quick votes. The Council of Directors is, therefore, the de facto supreme power in Cascadia.

The second body of the Executive branch is an actual singular position, the Consul. In the Concord, the Consul is referred to as a 'Reserve Power', and this is a rather accurate description of his powers and duties. When there is no State of Emergency, the Consul essentially has no power whatsoever, only being able to sit in on the Council of Directors and call an Audit on the government, which must be approved by popular vote. However, if a State of Emergency is declared or both the Upper and Lower Diet to activate the Consul's powers, he gains the ability to seize almost absolute power, amending the Concord, disbanding the Diet or Directorate, taking control of the military, and doing many other things as he sees fit.

States: Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, Tacoma, Central, Olympia, Portland, Cascade, Columbia, Bellingham, and Yakama. Description for each are a WIP.

Economy: The economy of the Concordant States of Cascadia is a mainly industrial one, with the vast majority of the population working as factory workers. Generic manufacturing of a great variety of products, both necessary and luxury, is the specialty of Cascadia, and rather than focussing on one manufactured good or category of manufactured goods, the focus is kept rather broad. In the great industrial port-cities of the Salish, raw material are brought in in bulk and manufactured goods are shipped out in a rather basic and utilitarian system. While most lumber and ore are supplied to the factories from domestic locations (from 'out east', as most citizens will say), the amount available is not great enough to completely fill the factories, and foreign raw materials are still in demand.

The government regulates the economy through a series of Mechantilist devices and policies which are designed to keep all raw materials sown within the country stay in the country and ensure that all goods exported are indeed finished goods which are in surplus. Exceptions are made for the agricultural sector in particular, as the population of the Salish cities depends greatly upon Californian foodstuffs and textiles to stay alive and productive. Shipbuilding and military supply fabrication are both quickly rising sectors in Cascadia as foreign demand keeps increasing for military goods.

Culture and Related Domestic Policies: The Salish culture has been an isolated and unadvlterated one since its formation in the first years after the war. Stuck in a partially-circumstantial and partially-self induced state of isolation, the city-states bordering the Slaish and their territories developed in a cultural vacuum, with little to no outside influence. Each state (or city, rather, as the vast majority of the populace lives in the ruins of cities past) has a rather unique culture of its own, ranging from the totalitarian, elitist, far-Right culture of the southern Salish to the tolerant peaceful culture of the northeastern Salish, and even to the hybrid survivalist Chinese-Canadian cultures of the westernmost reaches. In more recent years however, Salish nationalism has become the de facto culture of the Salish region, a result of the largely Seattlite government and their policies. A conscious attempt has been made through propaganda and other similar avenues to merge the patchwork of colorful cultures into a single value-and-belief system, with that system being Salish Nationalism.

The goal and driving-force behind Salish Nationalism has always been the betterment of the human species so that it can adapt and thrive in the new landscape that it was presented with after the Great War. The Salish people (that is, those who were born in the region immediately surrounding the Salish Sea) are portrayed as being the people who are destined to bring humanity back to a secure, comfortable, and formidable state once again, and are hailed as being the single most resilient, determined and intelligent society on earth making them natural choices for the famed 'Restoration'. To better prepare themselves for the challenges ahead, they must become one and the same, adopting a strong national identity and unifying with one-another through a bond stronger than any steel. Conditioning of the Salish people must also be exercised, which brings up the policies enacted in the Concord which have since rapidly developed Salish culture.

The most notable of these policies, and indeed the most controversial and socially impacting one, is the grand eugenics practice known commonly as the Great Induration. First invented and put into practice by the first Consul of Seattle oh-so long ago, the Great Induration is the process through which eugenics is widely practiced on every civilian of the Directorate of Cascadia. First off, every man, woman and child (eventually every child at birth, as the first generation dies off and the need to test advlts become null) is karyotyped and put through a series of other genetic tests, at which point they are given an average score based on their frequency of favorable and un-favorable genetic traits. Depending on the subject's score, they are placed into one of five castes, which are given at birth and last until death- no exceptions. The castes are titled with letters from the Greek alphabet, with their dominance going in descending order as follows: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon.

The lowest caste, Epsilon, is full of the dregs of the gene pool along with those experiencing anything more than extremely mild mutation. These individuals, considered to be both an unnecessary drane on resources and a detriment to the Salish gene pool and its future condition, are immediately Culled (killed for the betterment of future generations) at birth or otherwise hunted down and systematically executed, which is the case if the subject is born off record or is foreign. Epsilons are nearly unheard of in Seattle, where the Great Induration has proceeded for many generations, something which is oftentimes viewed as a testament of the system's effectiveness. The next highest caste, Delta, are individuals who harbor slightly less severe traits but are considered useful enough to continue living and consuming resources. In a way, all Delta's are indeed slaves, belonging to either the Diet or a State from birth and being raised as uneducated laborers, servants, farmers, fisherman, or low-level factory employees. Though they aren't Culled, Deltas are still considered too degenerate to continue to reproduce and dirty the gene pool, and are therefore castrated at birth.

The next highest caste, Gammas, make up over fifty percent of the Concordant States of Cascadia's population. Unlike the two before it, the Gamma caste allows its members to experience full rights and grants them individual independence, making it so that they cannot be owned. Most occupations are open to Gammas, with most serving in the manufacturing or military sectors, and they are afforded ten complete years (age 5-15) of government-funded schooling, making them moderately educated. Gammas are allowed to have one child per couple through natural means, while their sperm or eggs are collected on a relatively regular basis to facilitate the productivity of Cascadia's revolutionary breeding program. Betas, who sit above Gammas, make up the elite and intelligent level of Cascadian society. Granted a full 15 years of government-funded education (3-18) with the option for up to 10 more years if they prove themselves, Betas are groomed from an early age to act as managers, educators, businessmen, military officers, mechanics, or other similar occupations. Aloud to have two children naturally, their sperm and eggs are harvested very regularly. The economic security and well-being of Betas is usually ensured, as their services are in high demand relative to their availability.

The highest caste, Alphas, are made up of the top three percent of the populace in terms of genetic excellency. As long as they marry only other Alphas, no limit is placed on how many natural children they can have, and while their sperm and eggs are harvested every once in a while, the marital restraint is enough in itself to ensure that Alphas will continue to better themselves over generations. Employed as very high ranking military officers, government employees, scientists, mathematicians, and business elites, Alphas are given 20 years of government-funded advanced education (0-20, with the first two or three years being arguably arbitrary 'conditioning', which attempts to affect child development early-on). They are granted advanced rights by the Diet and possess legal precedence over the other castes. Nobleman who managed to retain their status after the Concord was enacted are de jure Alphas, though the genetic Alphas and the noble Alphas generally resent one-another, and noble Alphas have recently begun identifying themselves as 'Primes', rather than Alphas.

The caste system is made physical and visible through the presence of different-colored scarves (in the winter or in colder regions) or armbands (in the summer or in warmer regions). Epsilons, being Culled at birth, never get the chance to wear their color, which is officially white. Meanwhile, Deltas wear black, Gammas wear green, Betas wear blue, and Alphas wear red. Culturally, the divide is a rather large one. Epsilons and Deltas are largely shunned and hated by all other castes, sometimes being considered less than human. Segregation against Deltas is widespread, and to even be near one is extremely uncomfortable for their betters. Gammas and Betas are experience the shortest rift, with the two societies being roughly accepting of one-another. Marriage between the two, though rare, is legal, and a cordiality between the two is usually observed. Above them all, the Alphas possess a strong sense of elitism, and rarely associate themselves with any of the lower castes, collectively deemed haughtily as 'Misfortunates'.

The other major policy of the Great Induration that has recently impacted culture involves the so-called 'Exchange'. The Exchange is the system through which the government (specifically the Ministry of Induration) harvests the sperm and eggs of the upper three castes for use in the first three steps of the Great Induration, deemed Artificial Genetic Selection, Artificial Development, and Artificial Grooming. One of the first technologies developed in the Northwest (truly, it was discovered in 2076 and perfected only after the re-formation of Seattle) was the process known as Artificial Development, an evolution of In Vitro fertilization. The development was a revolutionary one, allowing an egg and one or more sperm to fertilize outside of any organic tissue (something which can be done today), but then continue to develop in an artificially-created, fully functional womb, before being born independently of a mother. The process is a highly controversial one, but it is generally accepted by Seattlites and is a key tenet of the Concord.

Before Artificial Development takes place, anolysts will pair sperm and egg with one another to provide them with the best projected outcome in a process known as Artificial Genetic Selection. Then In Vitro fertilization and subsequently Artificial Development occurs and a child is produced through highly unnatural means. Afterwards, the parent-less child is put through Artificial Grooming, which places him or her under the care of a government-hired woman for the first three years of its life, then under the care of a hired male-female pair for the next 10 years, and finally under the care of a professional facility (which also handles schooling) until the individual's education is over with or, in the case of Deltas, until they are thirteen, at which point they are made into independent individuals. If Seattle is to be used as an example, the resulting offspring, who grow up without parents and instead are raised by their peers as well as professionals, are largely similar and fiercely loyal to the government. Considering the fact that a new generation of individuals all across Cascadia being raised under these ideals is just now coming of age, the future years promise to be ones dominated by utilitarian unity and nationalism.

It should also be noted that over the centuries the culture vacuum that the Salish region experienced gave rise to an entirely new language. This language, known as Salish, evolved over a long period of time from the English, Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, Punjabi, and regional Native American languages, most of which were brought by immigrants pre-war. While the English and Salish languages share a great many words and have the same sentence structure, they are distinct enough that an individual who only knows only one cannot effectively understand or communicate in the other.

eligion: Religion in the Salish region has become largely extinct in all places other than Vancouver, which remains devoutly Sikh, and the land east of the Cascade Range, which still holds Christian ideals. A general since of spirituality still remains in the region, however, with many believing in various forms of an undefined higher being or supernatural force. The government itself oftentimes expresses its belief in a form of fate or some other higher direction, referring to it as the 'Winds' or 'Tides'.

Military: WIP

Technology: High

View on Mutation: In the Directorate of Cascadia, mutation is viewed as a plague on humanity and an impediment to the Restoration. Anyone with anything more serious than extremely mild mutation is either culled at birth or hunted down and subsequently killed. Meanwhile, those with mild mutation are not allowed to reproduce and spread their filth to future generations. Generally, Cascadians view the elimination of mutants to be a glorious cause, one which will surely lead to the betterment of humanity in the future.

View on Slavery: While slavery is officially illegal in Cascadia, some foreigners may view that policy hypocritical or redundant, as the government seems to actively practice it. However, this is a bit of misinterpretation, as the observed 'slavery' is officially only practiced on Deltas, who are castrated and forced to live out their lives as property. Officially, the Directorate of Cascadia does not recognize that these individuals are human, and treats them as property and little else. With that said, however, slavery is disallowed as far as other castes are concerned, and Cascadia is mildly opposed to foreigners using slavery independently of a developed eugenics program. While Cascadia prefers to eliminate it's mutants, it is not opposed in any way to others using them for slave labor.

Population: Approximately 1.5 million

Faction name: Columbian Union

Flag (optional): http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130625222903/fallout/images/9/98/BoS_flag.png

Description/History: Description/History: In 2254 the Brotherhood of Steel council decided to send a contingent of members to the East Coast to recover as much advanced technology as possible due to their quickly waning power on the west coast. They had Paladin Owyn Lyons lead the expedition accompanied by his friend Scribe Reginald Rothchild. A minor task they were given along the way was to check and see how well the Midwest chapter had faired. Accompanying Lyons were several other veteran soldiers and scribes who would be pivotal in setting up the Brotherhood in DC.

Before they arrived in the Capital Wasteland they made a couple stops along the way. The first was in Chicago where they only found a ruined city littered with debris and bunkers of what looked like a nation tearing themselves apart. It looked like a Brotherhood once existed there but not one anyone would like to be associated with. Another stop was in the Pitt. Seeing how terrible the city had become under the control of the local raiders Lyons for the first time felt compassion towards people other than his brothers. In a single night the Brotherhood wiped out anyone who opposed them taking unmutated children to join the ranks. In the process they only had one casualty.

The Brotherhood arrived in 2255 and within the first few months turned the Pentagon into the Citadel and used it as their base of operations. It was stocked with plenty of pre war technology and supplies such as weapons and T-45d power armor, enough to allow them to set up a sustainable operation. It was the discovery of Liberty Prime that was Lyons’ claim to fame. Upon hearing this the Brotherhood back home promoted him to Elder so he could establish a permanent chapter in the Capital Wasteland. They also found a new breed of Super Mutants in the area. Due to the threat Lyons asked for more supplies and reinforcements from the west which allowed the chapter to grow without accepting wastelanders into their fold. However, the communications finally stopped after his superiors informed him that they were abandoning California. Afraid that some of his people would also want to follow them never told anyone in his chapter and pretended that he was still receiving orders from them.

The chapter mingled with other local factions and groups in the area. They provided assistance to James and Catherine with Project Purity, but after quite some time of no results they deemed the project a failure and withdrew all support from the Jefferson memorial. For a time Knights also protected the people of Megaton but eventually abandoned that as well as both groups didn’t see eye to eye. One beneficial relationship was with a man named Three Dog who operated a radio station. They Brotherhood could use the Galaxy News Radio building as a fortress and broadcast propaganda on the radio in exchange for protection. As time went on and the problems of the wastes diminished the forces of the Brotherhood they stopped contacting other factions and kept almost all of their forces in the Citadel as they had no one left to spare.

With no orders coming in from the west Lyons focused his efforts on the super mutants more and more making it an obsession for him. Several Knights and Paladins saw this as a waste of resources and men that would eventually ruin the chapter. In 2276 after Lyons refused to allow anyone to go to Fort Independence to to scavenge for some of their technology a group of members rallied behind Henry Casdin taking a large amount of supplies with them which is a large reason as to why the Brotherhood’s power diminished. This group became the Outcasts but never found much success. These outcasts began scrouging the waste for technology like the original mission entailed. Afraid that a similar event could happen Lyons told the rest of his members that the original Brotherhood no longer existed and had moved away a long time ago. Although many were upset with their leader they stuck with the Brotherhood. 2277 was the year things would finally turn around. After the schism Lyons was forced to begin recruiting wastelanders into the ranks of the Brotherhood. Even though he was selective the results were never impressive because the recruits were the ones sent out into the field to fight the Super Mutants.

In 2277 James also attempted to restart Project Purity getting lost in the process. His son, now known as the Lone Wanderer, in an effort to find him ended up running into Sarah Lyons and her combat unity Lyons’ Pride. He would help the Brotherhood and Three Dog at GNR spreading their broadcast across the wasteland. He would later return to the Citadel with Dr. Madison Li after the Enclave had taken over the Jefferson Memorial. Even in their weakened state Lyons decided that they must stop the Enclave. Having lived through the events of 2242 he felt they could not bring anything good with them and they had to be stopped. He gathered all his forces in the Citadel and prepared them to fight the Enclave while tasking the Lone Wanderer with retrieving the GECK from Vault 87. The task did not go according to plan and the Enclave ended up capturing the Lone Wanderer and the GECK after they infiltrated Vault 87. Lyons, believing the Enclave’s attempt to activate the purifier was nefarious, order the newly jury rigged Liberty Prime to assault the purifier followed by The Lone Wanderer and Lyon’s Pride. The Enclave unprepared for such an attack crumbled under the robot and retreated to Adams Air Force base. The purifier was activated but at the cost of the Lone Wanderer’s life.

For a couple weeks after the assault on the Jefferson Memorial the Brotherhood used Liberty Prime, their distinct advantage, to rout Enclave forces who had stuck around. The Enclave ended up luring the Brotherhood into a trap at a satellite relay station where they bombarded the robot with an orbital platform completely destroying it. At this same time the Brotherhood was also hand delivering water for free making a strain on resources that weren’t there. This made fighting the Enclave very difficult so hunkered down and waited. It turned out that the Enclave deemed DC as a lost cause and took all their materials and resources and left Adams Air Force Base leaving only pre-war technology behind such as airplanes and the mobile base crawler.

Without the looming threat of the Enclave the Brotherhood quickly shifted their focus on helping the people of the wasteland. It was the perfect time to capitalize on the Enclave’s defeat. They continued handing out free water even though it strained resources, but the strict rules who can and cannot be allowed into the Brotherhood was lifted They had an influx of wastelanders wanting to join the ranks from across the Capital Wasteland seeing it as an opportunity to join the best faction. In reality their power was stretched very thin and an attack from a threat like the Super Mutants would be devastating. Lyons with the help of his daughter began to strategically drive the Super Mutant threat out of DC. With the help of the Lone Wanderer they discovered the source of the mutants and knew that would have to be dealt with eventually. Raiders, although numerous, were not difficult to rout provided that those attacking them did not underestimate them.

By 2280 the Brotherhood laid claim to the entirety of the Arlington area and some of the surrounding locations. Much of the debris was cleared out and the buildings there were repurposed so they could be put to use. The L.O.B. Enterprise building was converted into a factory to produce ammunition for the military and trading with outside communities. The Arlington Library was used to store all archives of the Brotherhood along with the continued storing of pre-war books. After a trade agreement with Megaton was set up in order to obtain farm goods that were recently planted they made use of Mama Dolce’s machinery to process and distribute the food. The Super-Duper Mart was also repaired in order to sell food to wastelanders not associated with the Brotherhood. The cemetery was now used to bury the fallen of the Brotherhood of Steel. Grayditch could be considered the first civilian community set up by the Brotherhood. As more people became interested in joining they needed a place to house them as they kept arriving. Although Grayditch was derelict it was a good place to put people as several houses and a diner already existed. Over time other wastelanders desired residence there due to its booming success as a town.

In 2281 Megaton was incorporated into the Brotherhood’s territory used as a farming community. Rivet City followed in 2282. The residents were moved out due to the safety hazard of living in a ship that was falling apart. They would eventually become the first new residents of DC. At the same time National Mall had all of its Super Mutant populations eradicated and the repurposing of its buildings went into effect. In 2283, with three civilian communities under their banner, Lyons officially decided that the group was no longer the Brotherhood of Steel. For some time wastelanders had been calling the area the Capital Union, so for a while the name was used. The other communities so unused to this kind of organization wanted to take part as well to bask in the benefits. By 2285 the Union’s grasp encompassed all of the Capital Wasteland using some of the existing communities and creating new ones at places like Old Olney. They also converted locations like Fort Independence and Fort Constantine into useable military bases to police their territory. Rivet cities marketplace was moved to lawn of the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the Capital Building becoming the largest shopping center in the area.

As the Union set up more communities in the north they started to be harassed by a group of raiders called the Ravens. The raiders were unorganized as usual and poor fighters, but they seemed to be endless in number. Scouting missions discovered that the source of the raiders was the pre-war city of Baltimore. Elder Lyons promoted a strategic defense plan against the raiders as to not spread resources thin like they once did many years ago. He died in October 2286 at the age of 84. Once his daughter became the Elder of the autocratic state she ordered the eradication of the Ravens. An army of 1,000 Knights and Paladins (half their military at the time) marched into Baltimore ready to fight the aggressors. The most surprising thing was how much more populous the city was; this was easy to take advantage of. Many of the local citizens joined the Union’s cause and after a few weeks of fighting the raiders had either fled or surrendered. Sarah, not one to let an opportunity slip between her fingers, declared that the city now belonged to the Union. The adverse effects were felt immediately, but with some time they could be cured and the city would become a thriving trading location. Around the same time she also changed the faction’s name to the Columbian Union feeling that the term Capital only compared the Union to the defunct Capital Wasteland.

As the Union’s numbers and power grew more the strain on the manufacturing of the state became more apparent. Using knowledge from before the war it was decided that the city of Philadelphia needed to be incorporated into the growing Union. Initial reports showed that the interior and functioning parts of the city were controlled by a large community of ghouls. Sarah was even less tolerant of ghouls than her father and decided that a swift military takeover would be the best course of action. The Union forces sailed down the Delaware river under the cover of the night and successfully infiltrated the town. The ghouls were helpless and fell overnight, any who survived were forced to work on the city metro tunnels. The surrounding communities were also forced to join the Union. To the tens of thousands of people living in the squalor of Philly suburbs this was good news. The factories were immediately put into use making goods from power armor to canned beans.

Over the next decade it was the focus of the Union to rebuild the infrastructure of the three major cities they controlled. Metro tunnels in DC were repaired by ghoul workers and one line was even made operational again after they learned the technology from the surviving presidential metro. Plumbing and electricity became a reality again in the larger parts of the city. Major roads were installed between the three cities and plans for rail transportation began. Everyday immigrants petitioned to join the Union and were granted citizenship. Many fishing towns were set up along the Delmarva Peninsula. With the announcement of meeting of nations Sarah hoped that she would be able to find new neighbors and trading partners who could help increase the stability of the state.

Government Type: An autocracy ruled by one High Elder, the current High Elder being Sarah Lyons. The High Elder now has their own personal council that meets and decides new laws and mandates. Both these meet in the newly built http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120925163639/anno2070/images/c/c4/Science_forum_ingame.png which was built where the White House once stood, It is a 3 layered building made of steel and blue tinted glass and lights, at the top a waterfall flows down the side of the building and leads into a large pond that is the main component of Platinum Park. The Capital Building is used for the local government of Washington.

Economy: The spread of fresh water due to project purity allowed agriculture to explode in the Capital region. Megaton has become a massive supplier of beef and crops. There are more Brahmin in Megaton than there are people. Between Paradise Falls and Old Olney tons of field have been planted leading it to be called the ‘Sea of Corn’.

Philadelphia is the manufacturing center of the Union. Whether it is cement, canned food, or power armor it is likely produced in Philly (Except robots which was set up in the Capital Wasteland). Baltimore is the major trading hub connecting the manufacturing and agriculture parts allowing for seamless trade.

Nuka-Cola has become a valuable commodity that many people desire. Tourism is sought out whether it is history in Washington, Leisure in Tennpenny, or music in Baltimore. The use of Tesla Coils in Olney Powerworks has allowed for an excess of affordable power across the states. Canterbury Commons is the most important hub in Washington where most caravans pass through.

Culture: The Culture is very dedicated to the history of the Union. The National Mall was one of the first things rebuilt in Washington. The Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial were left intact out of respect for those people. The museum of history was turned into the Museum of the Columbian Union where Liberty Prime’s defunct head now resides.The Museum of Technology was also rebuilt to show the importance that technology has in the Union. The Vault-Tec tour was turned into the Lone Wanderer tour detailing his journey. The Capital Preservation Society was moved into the National Archives along with many important documents of the Union. The Arlington cemetery was rebuilt and is used the same way as it was before.

Social class is still prevalent in society. After Tinker Inc.became the dominate robot producing company in the region the CEO (Tinker Joe) took residence in Tennpenny Tower and constructed a small tourist town around it. Luxuries such as pools and a casino can be found there among other things like a small shopping complex and the Nuka-Cola museum. With the reopening of the Nuka-Cola Company the soft drink has left an impression on much of the citizens. Nuka-Cola memorabilia can be found across the entire nation with vending machines found all over the place. The new Nuka-Cola is completely synthetic due to the obvious lack of its 17 different fruit flavors. Regardless of flavor the carbonation makes it taste better.

Baltimore’s fascination with the Raven has exploded after the apocalypse. The original raider gang that controlled the city was named the Ravens and forced their culture onto the people living their, and once the Brotherhood decimated them the culture remained. The many present rowhouses have flags of ravens and paintings of ravens. A new jazz music used Ravens as an influence. Anything symbols use the raven and purple and black colors. Clothing is also mainly purple and black. Since the city was controlled by raiders for such a long time the people are very timid and reclusive. Outsiders find their time there to be very curious and odd.

The absolute destruction of Philadelphia and its conversion into a mainly manufacturing city hasn’t allowed for a distinct culture to emerge there.

Radio is incredibly important in the Union.

Military: The acquisition of Philadelphia allowed the Union to begin production of power armor. Since T-45d was made from steel it could be made from scrap material taken from the skeletons of buildings. While T-51b can be produced it is more expensive and difficult to make. Enclave technology is instead used by elite forces and researched by scientists and engineers in hoped they can make use of the technology in the future.

The standard soldier is equipped with T-45d power armor and laser weaponry. Initiates still use recon armor and conventional weapons though they are trained with energy weapons. The more elite troops like Paladins tend to wear T-51b armor and carry heavier weapons like miniguns and gatling lasers.

T-45d Infantry - 38,000
T-51b Paladins - 6,000
Shocktroopers (Enclave technology) - 1,000

Views on Mutation: Super Mutants are taken as a serious threat and shot on site. Ghouls aren’t even second class citizens. They are forced to take the worst work and a blind eye is turned to all crime against them. Animals, like Brahmin, have their purposes.

Views on Slavery: Does not have slavery in the sense that people are property, however, things like POW and prisoner work are welcomed in the Union. Ghouls could be called third class citizens. Many of them are forced to work on plantations. Many of them volunteer to maintain the metro tunnels throughout Maryland and Philadelphia. Even though the work is difficult it keeps them away from the normal humans.

Technology: Very High

Population: 575,000 split amongst 3 city-states being Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
Washington - 50,000
Baltimore - 175,000
Philadelphia - 350,000

Nation name: The Pitt
Flag (optional):
Description/History: Before Ashur's Takeover: The Pitt was once the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Following the Great War, survivors established a settlement on the remains of the city center (Downtown) at the confluence of rivers. The rivers seemed to provide a clear resource, and enough of the city was cleared by the bombs that a new settlement could be established. However, radioactive material and unidentified mutagens mixed into the groundwater, causing it to become slightly mutagenic and highly carcinogenic. As a result, the people in the new settlement began to change gradually over time.

The changes were subtle, not nearly to the degree of the super mutants or the various Wasteland creatures, but over the next 140 years, their effects became visible. Starting from the first few years, children were often born with strange growths or extra limbs. The mutations never went far beyond the occasional hunchback or cleft palate, but it wasn’t long before the vast majority of the residents of The Pitt developed some sort of physical deformity in their lifetimes. Although many children were born "clean," the older they became, the more likely it was that a mutagenic problem would manifest as they developed.

The most disturbing change that the environment caused was not nearly as noticeable as the physical deformities. The infected water and poisoned sky began to cause neurological damage to those exposed to it. People became more hostile, violent, and short-tempered; they became known as "Wildmen." Their emotions began to run out of control, often teetering on primal. In severe cases, mutated humans devolved into hunched, savage beasts nicknamed "trogs." Over the first 50 years, The Pitt quickly degenerated into a dangerous urban jungle; even cannibalism was not uncommon.

Rumors of the horrors of The Pitt spread throughout the Wasteland, and all travelers knew to avoid it at all costs. However, The Pitt became one of the most self-sufficient communities in the Wastes. Although their self-sufficiency relied on the citizens occasionally eating one another, they nonetheless functioned without trade or export.

In 2255, Star Paladin Lyons of the Brotherhood of Steel led the Scourge, a large-scale military action that wiped out nearly the entire population of The Pitt. In a single night, the Brotherhood swept through the city, eliminating any resident who put up a fight. Although the intent of the Scourge remains unclear, several unmutated children were taken from The Pitt by the Brotherhood and placed into initiate training. The motivations for the Scourge are unclear to this day, but many in the Brotherhood note that it was a marked change in the way the Brotherhood operated. Additionally, it is known that something was recovered from The Pitt during the Scourge, although to date it would seem that only Elder Lyons knows what it was.

It is said that one man, Ishmael Ashur - a Brotherhood of Steel Paladin from the Scourge - stayed on in The Pitt, seeking to bring law and order to the unwashed masses and creating an underclass of Pitt slaves in the process, guarded by Pitt raiders under his personal command. However, in the decades following the events of the Scourge, nobody has heard anything from The Pitt. Travelers who have gone to investigate have not returned, and no survivors have emerged.

Ashurs Takeover: , Ashur founded the new city of The Pitt because he was touched by the tenacious locals who had endured great hardship before, during and after the Scourge. Another reason being the fact that it contained the only operational steel mill the Brotherhood had ever run into, allowing the Pitt to produce its own equipment. To gain control, Ashur formed his own gang and using his Brotherhood training and expertise quickly began killing the leaders of remaining raider gangs to establish dominance. Raiders who did not rebel were incorporated into his gang and numbers swelled, his control over the Pitt grew to the point where his territory extended to most of the ruins. Ashur transformed his raider gang into a functioning government under his autocratic rule, rebranding his gang an "army" with the most fierce raiders becoming his lieutenants. With the Pitt firmly under his control, Ashur and his guards occupied a mostly intact skyscraqer called Haven as his palace to watch over his city.

However, it wasn't long before he realized that raider gangs would not be enough to allow his new civilization to grow. In order to achieve this, Ashur soon started to use slaves (whom he insists on calling "workers" to remind them that they all have a chance at freedom, no matter how slim) as labor and admits he hates to do this, but claims "it has to be done" since most citizens of The Pitt are unable to have children due to the Troglodyte Degeneration Contagion. Most of the non-raider population was enslaved forming a "working class", managed by a brutal "upper class" largely composed of raiders to watch over them and punish dissent. The Pitt began to slowly rebuild, the slaves made great progress in making things operational in the Pitt again - Ashur eventually started importing slaves and hiring raiders from outside the Pitt area to accommodate the growth

The Pitts Expansion: Upon reaching the point at which the Pitt could be considered a wasteland Super power, Ashur took it upon himself to rebuild the society that surrounded him. He ordered recons of his massive army of raiders to expand outward in every direction. When they reported back, they told of civilizations that were emerging. Ashur then mobilized his army to annex the regions around him. His army tore through Ohio like a plague. They devastated and ravaged all those that stood in their way if they refused to peacefully be annexed into the Pitts control.

Eventually upon reaching the end of Ohio, he continued until he control Ohio, Michigan, and West Virginia.

The Cure: After years of research, once expanded. Ashur focused on one of his main problems. The Disease that plagued his land. Instead however, he had greater ideas in place, upon discovering the legitimate cure for the disease he synthesized the cure from his daughter into something that could easily be distributed all across the Pitts territory. However, Ashur also had the disease itself synthesized into a air based mutagen giving him the ability to release the disease as he saw fit as a weapon to oppose all that defy his rule.
The cure was then distributed in small portions throughout the Pitt, however the cure was kept under lock down, never being released to the public only distributed by Ashurs soldiers.
Government Type: Autocracy. Ashur rules over the Pitt with an iron fist. As the years have passed, Lord Ashur has, of course, grown old, as has his daughter, Marie Ashur. Marie of course due to her being single handedly responsible for the cure of the disease that plagued the Pitt, is loved by all. Ashur of course, due to her being his daughter is grooming her to be his successor upon his death.
Economy: The Pitt is known for it's weapons and armor manufacture. With easily the largest steel mill it has become the largest distributor of the armaments on the east coast. They are also extremely well known for their slave trade which they also have the largest of on the East coast.
Culture: (Took this from Andros old sheet as I couldn't think of something to write for the culture) The Pitt itself remains a hellish industrial location. While the organization and “civilization” of the raiders has improved, they are still in essence raiders through and through. Vicious executions of rebellious slaves are commonplace, and within the Pitt itself the gladiatorial style games of slaves against slaves continues to abound as a mainstay of entertainment for the non-slave residents. The games have been moved to Heinz Stadium in Pittsburg, and have been expanded.

The culture of the Pitt thus remains violent and its people seem to be living in a sort of industrial/steam punk civilization. Lord Ashur however, keeps his raiders in check, and they are far more organized than their cousins in say, the Capital Wasteland. All in all however, it is not a place for the weak of heart or those with overly moral sentiments.
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