Midwest BoS
Informal Names: BoS
Headquarters: Vault 0
Founding: Sometime before 2197
Citizens: Estimated 200,000
Languages: English
Governance: Feudal Totalitarianism
Governing Body Elder Council
Currency: Brotherhood Scrip, Bottlecaps
Military: ~10,000 capable warriors, including hundreds of Paladins
Research & Industry:Thousands of Scribes & civilian craftsmen
The Brotherhood of Steel in the Midwest is a vast empire born out of a splinter faction of the original Brotherhood of Steel.
”Separated by distance and ideology from the main Brotherhood forces, the minority was free to forge a new 'Brotherhood of Steel'. One that reflected the ideals they had strived for all along. However, one's future in the wasteland is never certain. For an old power has awakened, also bent on making this land its own. Life in the Brotherhood is about to change.”
- Fallout Tactics Intro
Background
Fallout Tactics
After the Master was defeated, the Brotherhood of Steel found itself with a dilemma between keeping their secretive nature or replenishing their ranks with new recruits from the Wasteland. The Elders ultimately decided to keep their technology for themselves, fearing history may repeat itself.
The Brotherhood constructed a fleet of aircraft with the intent to dispatch those that wished to share their technology, sending them East to locate and analyze the remaining super mutant forces. However, as they flew over the Rocky Mountains, the fleet encountered a violent storm; many men, including much of their leadership, was lost.
Thousands of miles away from the rest of the Brotherhood - with no way back - the survivors of an airship that crashed in Chicago began forming their own chapter, one which would hold the ideals they continued to hold. By the year 2197, the new Chapter eliminated the raiders and wildlife around Chicago, establishing the city as their base of operations. The locals, agreeing to be protected by this order, offered resources and manpower to the growing Brotherhood.
N14 Canon
”The region sees new laws established to ease humanity back into civilised life, laws that are strictly enforced by the combined patrols of Brotherhood soldiers and pacification robots. To speed the unification process, discrimination against mutants is outlawed […] Technology is slowly re-introduced into the land; irrigation systems are established bringing water to the barren soils for the first time in decades.”
- Fallout Tactics, Good Reputation EndingIn 2198, the Brotherhood sabotaged the Calculator’s plans to exterminate humankind and all other lifeforms on the surface. A hero of the chapter merged their mind with the machine deep in Vault 0, stopping the genocide and allowing the pacification robots to become auxiliary forces for the Brotherhood in the region. Not only was the discrimination of mutants outlawed, but they were given the ability to join the ranks of the Brotherhood.
By 2275 the Midwestern Brotherhood became an almost unmovable ruler of the region that they had managed to secure, choosing not to expand any further due to a mixture of internal politics and outside forces. Efforts were focused on developing and mapping every inch of their land, educating tribals while eliminating any threats within their borders.
The combat robots the Brotherhood was able to obtain was ultimately phased out over time due to the machines being deemed dangerous to the Brotherhood; instead being replaced by biological soldiers.
The Mission
Several years ago, an Elder broke off from the chapter, founding one of his own in the region known as Washington before the war. The Brotherhood in the Midwest, wanting to ensure this group didn't become something that would put themselves, and humanity, in danger, dispatched teams to observe this new chapter, and report their findings back to the Elder Council.
Culture & Society
Unlike the chapter of the Brotherhood from Lost Hills, the Midwest chapter focuses on using its technology to pacify areas and bring them under their control. Members of the Brotherhood act like nobles or royalty, lording over their territories in a neo-feudal system of governance. In their lands, the Brotherhood makes use of Brotherhood Scrip as currency, which has little value elsewhere.
Their swift and harsh response to criminal actions ensures obedience from the subjects. Making examples of outlaws is not uncommon, and the chapter’s leadership does not shy away from ordering public executions or collective punishment in order to maintain loyalty to their subjects and drive fear into those that oppose the Brotherhood. Collateral damage is usually dismissed and written off as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good of society.
While focused on warfare during their war with the Calculator, the Brotherhood's military branch (The Knights) and their technology-oriented branch (The Scribes) were distinct. However, as of now, those serving as soldiers are encouraged to learn skills with which to better society, including skilled trades, crafts, or the sciences.
Brotherhood Hierarchy
Initiates
Initiates are one of the most vital resources of the Brotherhood, these men and women have the chance to one day become a Knight or Scribe, and serve the needs of the chapter. These people were either recruited or they were born into this society, one thing is sure: They didn’t prove their worth, yet.
This role is generally not playable in the game due the nature of the chapter’s mission in the region, but people can join the ranks of the Midwestern Brotherhood during the round with the permission of its high-ranking members.
Squires
Squires have passed their trials and now are full members of the chapter. Their tasks include learning how to maintain their weapons & armour, while also assisting their assigned Knight or Paladin. They are expected to be able to deal with small threats, but aren't full soldiers of the Brotherhood.
Knights
Knights are the chapter’s basic foot soldiers and mechanics. Their duties range from performing simple repairs to fighting whole battles for the Brotherhood of Steel.
Paladin
Paladins are Knights who have shown themselves to be skilled fighters and leaders; as such, the Brotherhood issues them the best weaponry, and suits of Power Armour. They command both Initiates and Knights both on and off the battlefield, and are dangerous combatants in their own right.
Paladin Commander
Paladins who go above and beyond the call of duty can be promoted to a Paladin Commander; tasked with commanding forces during major battles or supervising smaller facilities. They are oftentimes personally overseen by the Elder Council, who ensure their authority is not abused and that they get their job done.
Scribes
Scribes are the scholars, engineers, doctors and researchers of the Brotherhood. Scribes maintain facilities, personnel and equipment, study technology and literature, and are the ones tasked with performing funerary and promotion ceremonies.
Falling outside of normal rank, Scribes directly report to the Paladin Commander of a facility, or a Head Scribe if one is present.
