Hello all,
Well here is another pile of my ideas and thoughts on future Fallout settings.
Sometimes I do wonder if its healthy to focus so much energy on writing projects like these that never get far, especially when there are mods and TCs that are in production and could do much more with extra hands.
I already help Surf Solar with his project "What Remains" and I still want to help out Lexx with his FNV expanded mods, but sometimes I just can't resist letting my thoughts on this subject go.
Despite all the mangling the franchise has gone through I still love it a lot and one of my biggest wishes in life is to become a designer like Tim Cain and Chris Avellone one day and actually getting to work on a Fallout game that will really be published
Anyway, I hope people like it and that I get responses.
Even if you do not like it or think some things can be done better I still would like to read your responses.
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The Player
The player starts the game as a recently made slave by the Caesar's Legion, rather than having a specific background like being a Vault Dweller like in Fallout 1 the player is questioned/gets to choose his or her own background.
This can be neutral without cons and pros or one of the various backgrounds that come with startup bonuses and penalties, these options include being a Vault Dweller.
To keep the game in character the player makes his or her face through an in game mechanic similar to the system used in Fallout New Vegas.
After having done this two years of slavery follow which are broken up by interludes during which the player can make decisions that determine skills and traits.
The game really starts when the player is transferred from the camp where he or she has lived for all that time to a new temporary camp the Legion has set up after they were forced to flee Eastwards.
Like all other slaves the player is locked up in a cage with someone else; a dying Vault Dweller.
The Vault Dweller asks the player to help him get some water and make his last moments tolerable, in return he gives the player his Vault uniform and Pip boy 2000, unless the player is a Vault Dweller himself/herself and already has these items.
(note: perhaps the dying Vault Dweller recognizes the player as being another Vault Dweller from the same Vault he is, or another Vault. He sees kinship in the player anyway)
The dying Vault Dweller reveals that he has secretly modified his Pipboy to send a distress signal with the hope that it might reach anyone listening.
It is however to late for the Vault Dweller but the player might be able to use it and escape.
Alternatively, if the player is a Vault Dweller himself, the dying Vault Dweller modifies the player's Pipboy to send a distress signal.
This makes getting a Pipboy important at the start of the game.
Once the player has send the distress signal a militia group attacks the Caesar Legion's camp, quickly dispatches the Legionnaires and frees the surviving slaves including the player.
The militia soldiers identify themselves as the Rangers, an anti slaver organization that fights slavers like the Caesar's Legions and frees their captives.
They provide the player with some information such as where he/she is, revealing that the player is far from his/her home and is in the former state of Texas.
The Rangers give the player some supplies and a weapon and suggest that the player goes to Lone Star, the new capital of Texas.
Johnny
One of the first characters the player could potentially meet.
Johnny was a reservist National Guardsman before the War and was a marksman, being proficient with loads of rifles and assault rifles.
He and his squad were called up to secure important locations during the civil unrest crisis, preventing these from being overrun by protestors or possible Chinese agents or sympathizers who would seek to undermine order whenever possible.
Only then the War happened and Johnny and his fellow Guardsmen took cover in any nearby basement or reinforced military structure.
While they had some supplies to hold out for a while their shelter provided inadequate protection and radiation started to seep in.
When the worst of the effects were over Johnny and the others started to look for more survivors, only exposing themselves to more radiation and released mutagens.
Traxus
Traxus is a Super Mutant mercenary and a former member of Attis' expedition to Texas which brought a group of Super Mutants to the region. He was one of the fortunate ones who was on the surface and outside of Los when the Vault Tec vault blew up and destroyed the entire city above it.
After the survivors came together and started to look for a new place to live Traxus traveled for some time with them until the hit Austin and took up residence there.
Traxus doesn't mind humans that much and perhaps he has more wanderlust than the others as he did not settle in Austin and instead traveled throughout the region, offering his services as an enforcer or mercenary to anyone who could pay his price.
What Traxus' original name was before he was dipped he doesn't even remember himself or he simply chooses not to use that name any more.
Traxus did have a brother who like him also became a Super Mutant and traveled to Texas, after Traxus left the main group his brother did settle in Austin but the two kept contact with each other until recently when Traxus' brother disappeared.
Traxus' brother tried to become a caravan trader and set up business between Austin and surrounding settlements, it is most likely that he disappeared during one of his trade journeys.
TASK
A special police modified Mr Handy, TASK was used by the Austin police’s anti terrorist department, designed to locate and dismantle explosives and traps. To suffice in this role TASK is equipped with an enhanced sensor package.
TASK was also used for administrative tasks such as computer maintenance and is therefore programmed to operate computers and other electronic devices.
Currently the robot is located in its docking stations in the ruins of the Austin main police station and it is programmed not to move beyond a certain range from it.
Paladin Cage Blackwood
Cage Blackwood is a Brotherhood paladin who has grown disillusioned with the Brotherhood of Steel, finding its policy of not getting involved with the wasteland matters and politics something that would sooner or later would come back to haunt the Brotherhood.
He holds the stagnation that nearly destroyed the Brotherhood as an example on their self imposed isolation.
However that does not mean Cage believes that the Brotherhood should be going around doing 'good deeds', or sharing their knowledge and technology randomly.
Just taking a more active role in order to further their interests.
Considered a ‘troublesome’ element by his superiors Cage Blackwood was sent Eastwards with several other paladins to locate the Texas Brotherhood of Steel which Lost Hills has lost contact with around the time of the NCR-BOS war and bring them back into the fold.
Catherine Rivas
Rivas is a combat medic assigned to the NCR expeditionary forces sent to San Antonio to take control of the Sunset Route which is critical to NCR resupplying.
When the player meets Catherine she has been gone for years from home, having had little contact with her family.
Vandez (working name)
I have Vandez in mind as somewhat of a Spanish or Latin playboy, had he been born before the great war he would probably have moved around in many social circles and high society, found in various night clubs, bars, and casinos, impressing the ladies and making the men jealous. (the latin lover stereotype)
Vandez is a charmer, the so called ‘lover rather than a fighter’, and he prefers to settle disputes with words rather than with weapons but should the push come to call he is quite skilled with his fists, the knife and handguns.
Though a likeable scoundrel Vandez can occasional cause problems when his past catches up with him such as one of his many enemies or former lovers. He is also a pick pocket and takes use of an opportunity when it presents itself, even when the player has not authorized it.
Ashiak (working name)
A rather cunning and deceitful creature, Ashiak is a tribal shaman the player comes across during the visits to the more tribal regions of Texas. Her elaborate dress up and body paint makes it clear she is not a regular tribal and she makes it clear she is not one either.
Though she understands little of technology other than basic devices and of course weaponry she is hardly impressed or superstitious when people try to intimidate her with advanced know how or machinery, considering these little more than distractions to the mind.
Ashiak has a connection to a mysterious tribal cult called the Daughters of Hecate and has been sent as an advanced scout to the East to make contact with the tribes there and monitor the movements of the Caesar’s Legion which she hates with a passion.
Ashiak would be even more in tune with nature than a survivalist as Johnny, knowing what plants are beneficial and which are poisonous and capable of concocting a variety of recipes of stims, drugs, and poisons.
NPCs (so far)
The Ricochet Brothers
Despite their name the Brothers are actually traveling entertainers, performing gun tricks, music, songs, and jokes in return for food, drink and caps to keep them going.
Currently one of the brothers is suffering from an infection and he desperately needs help, unfortunate the other brother doesn’t have the caps to pay for the medical costs.
The player can help them out and in return receive some gear, the caps they do have, or get some gun training.
Cecil
An addict who hangs around Four Winds, when the player meets him he is suffering from chem withdrawal and he asks the player to help him get inside the trailer where the local doctor stores his medicines and drugs.
The player can do so but can also inform the doctor of Cecil’s intentions who then confronts Cecil on this, beating some sense in the boy.
If the player helps Cecil to stay addicted he will eventually become a highwayman who harasses travelers for caps and things of value to pay his dealer.
If the player helps Cecil break the habit (this would require multiple confrontation) Cecil eventually manages to get through his cold turkey and cleans up his act, eventually becoming the doctor’s assistant and getting medical training.
Factions
Lone Star Republic
The biggest free nation in what is left of Texas, the city of Lone Star was built on top of the ruins of Abilene by Vault Dwellers and wastelanders that were already present or were later invited to join the growing community.
Originally already enjoying some economic strength thanks to the energy provided by surviving wind farms Lone Star’s position increased when they started to manufacture weapons, ammo, and other gear for their own defense force as well as commercial products.
Like the NCR Lone Star has its origins in the old world ideals of freedom, liberty and form of government. It is led by a president and a senate elected by the people that are elected every four year, it is divided in separate branches.
Though almost founded at the same time as the NCR Lone Star has suffered somewhat less of corruption as it lacks the size and influence of powerful economic players that the far larger NCR does. On the other hand it has done very little to assist other settlements in the state or rebuilding of the wasteland itself, preferring to keep its resources and assets close at hand.
Though it may sounds less intrusive and territory grabbing than the NCR back in the West critics have rightfully accused Lone Star of being stubbornly conservative and even more focused on its own interests than the NCR which at least has done some part in rebuilding parts of the US South West.
Lone Star politicians strongly believe in self reliance and only grudgingly formed a military alliance with the People’s Republic of Killeen and other settlements when the Caesar’s Legion was threatening to overrun West Texas.
In general believing itself to be the best of Post Nuclear civilization that rose from the ashes of the Old World, Lone Star was rudely woken up from this dream when the pursuing NCR followed the Legion into Texas and the two governments met each other.
NCR shared various similarities with Lone Star yet expanded outward instead of isolating itself, gaining control of large territories and resources which it was developing into an infrastructure.
Lone Star was a nation founded on Pre War ideals and values like the NCR, had garnered great economic strength, yet suffered little from the corruption and political differences that were slowly dragging NCR down.
Lone Star fears possible annexation by NCR if NCR manages to expand into Texas, and NCR sees a possible rivaling government and economic power in Lone Star if it manages to throw off its conservative attitude and convince other settlements to unite under one flag to oppose the NCR.
Like NCR slavery is forbidden in Lone Star and it is a nation governed by law rather than warlords and despots, making it popular with a lot of people in Texas who seek a life free from oppression and slavery but who have little realization of the other side Lone Star’s politics.
Lone Star Rangers/Texas Rangers (undecided yet)
Perhaps the biggest symbol of justice in the wasteland of Texas, the Rangers are a group of men and women who seek to bring order and law into the wasteland and fight crime and slavery whenever possible.
The rangers are no fans of tyranny and aid those who seek to escape it or overthrow it though they themselves in general try to stay out of political matters.
Many settlements and local governments support the rangers and bases and safehouses can be found throughout parts of Texas. It’s not unusual for when a ranger retires that he or she takes up the position of sheriff in a town to help its people and keep down the crime rate.
Despite sounding like vigilantes the Rangers believe in the rule of law and that justice should be found in a court and not by the hands of an angry mob. This has resulted into some animosity from time to time but in general no one questions the word of a ranger as they have proven themselves to be more honorable, brave and fair than most people in the wasteland.
The Rangers are open to all as long as they do not have any criminal records and even Ghouls and very rarely the occasional Super Mutant has become a member of this small but proud organization.
The Rangers are the sworn enemy of the Legion and seek to dismantle and destroy it whenever possible, freeing slaves and bringing them to safety whenever they can.
(the Rangers are what the Desert Rangers in the Mojave were before they decided to be absorbed by the NCR).
People’s Republic of Killeen (working name)
Somewhat of an anachronism in Texas or the United States for that matter, Killeen (Fortress Killeen) was founded by survivors of Killeen and Chinese POWs who managed to escape the internment camps at Fort Hood just before the bombs hit.
Despite the severe distrust for each other the survivors had little choice but to work together to survive the suddenly changed world and the danger and anarchy it held.
Using material recovered from the destroyed base and the city a basic fortified settlement was established that in time would expand into size and design as the population within increased.
Killeen is a somewhat of a democracy but it is a military nation, ruled by a government that is made up of former military officers who have served the as soldiers for at least several terms before they are allowed to run for government official.
Service is not mandatory but in general those who choose not to serve or cannot serve as looked down upon and have limited chance to rise into social status.
While companies such as trading groups and banks exist within the republic they are strictly monitored by the government who seek to prevent the scale of corruption that happened in the governments before the war caused by corporations and international banks that had become to influential.
Still despite this strict control officials are most definitely bribed and manipulated from time to time and the government’s anti corruption policy is more an ideal than a truly attainable goal.
Economically the Republic depends on the trade of salvaged goods though it seeks to expand its food and manufacturing capabilities beyond being self sufficient and could eventually become an economic power house.
Killeen also offers protection and education opportunities to outside settlements in return for goods and resources but imposes strict rules and regulations on those who that desire these services.
Like Lone Star, the republic also deals in weaponry but depends more on what they can salvage than manufacture themselves.
Most of this weaponry and gear is intended for own use.
The people of the republic are somewhat distrusted because of their mixed background and focus on military rule.
When the Legion entered Texas it tore through the state until it was halted by the big settlements Lone Star and Killeen who were able to resist the invasion. Reluctantly both settlements formed an alliance in order to fight the Legion and there are still critics on both sides who believe that the alliance was a bad idea.
(still not completely happy about some parts of this idea)
The New California Republic
The NCR won the second battle of Hoover Dam and came out nearly unscathed, though they suffered losses during the battle and afterwards they managed to overcome this, growing stronger in the process.
Though unable to annex New Vegas as the leaders back in Shady Sands had intended the NCR had managed to gain full control of Hoover Dam and a road into the East. NCR diplomats even managed to convince the rulers of New Vegas to put caps and resources back into NCR expansion, convincing them it would be in their own interest as new markets and customers would present themselves the further NCR went East.
This optimism wasn’t completely justified as despite the deaths of Caesar and his Legate the Legion still proved to be a powerful and resourceful foe as the NCR entered their lands.
NCR expansion was slow at best as it tried to convince settlements to join them while driving the Legion further Eastwards, even worse was the fact that Legion started to practice a burned earth strategy, destroying infrastructure and razing entire settlements to the ground to prevent the NCR from capturing these.
So next to having to set up longer supply routes Westwards the NCR also had to rebuild bridges, roads and settlements while advancing on the Legion’s positions.
Fortunate for the NCR at the time it was the Legion’s increasing internal conflicts that would hinder the Legion from forming a united front against the NCR and others who now targeted the Legion for revenge. This divide in the Legion’s unity allowed NCR forces to take on Legion factions separately, destroying they more easily than they would have had the Legion remained together.
The Legion’s response was of course severe but it was never again on the same scale as the second battle of Hoover Dam and the NCR continued to spread through Caesar’s former lands as the Legion could do nothing else but to retreat and dig themselves in.
Though perhaps military quite successfully the NCR was rapidly losing the hearts and minds of the people back in NCR territory. The victory over Caesar’s Legion during the second battle of Hoover Dam had been a boost in morality but this was rapidly overshadowed by the fact that NCR’s expansion still continued to drain resources and lives as it cross the Colorado, and on top of that the Legion still wasn’t completely destroyed.
Corruption is also still wide spread as Brahmin baron and trading houses seek to increase their influence on the NCR senate, and the divide between the poor & the powerless and the rich & the powerful is increasing daily.
An attempt to sent troublesome elements Eastwards to colonize the new territories has not been received well.
Frontier towns and settlements are not doing much better, they have to pay taxes and amounts of resources to maintain the spread out NCR forcers and interests and receive little in return.
A lot of settlements still do not get enough protection from outlaws and mutants wildlife which the NCR has promised, and little is done to help with locals problems that prevent settlements from thriving while laws and legislations are thrown upon them.
Some settlements believe that they may be better off without the NCR and govern themselves, an action the NCR senate opposes as it fears that if it allows settlements to leave the NCR that it will lose control of profitable resources or those considered necessary and essential to the NCR such as Hoover Dam.
As a result the NCR is on the verge of a civil war.
Then discovery of rival governments in Texas such as Lone Star and the People’s Republic of Killeen have not helped to improve this matter and some senate members fear that these outside powers might make use of the NCR’s current problems to further destabilize what they consider to be a threat to their own influence and interests.
The NCR has set up an outpost in the pre war city of San Antonio, having taken control of the historical San Antonio Station which serves as the current end station to the NCR’s railways that lead back West to Los Angeles/the Boneyard, a critical supply route on which the NCR depends for its control and expansion in the lands beyond the Colorado river.
The station now serves a military headquarter and local administrative center but it is also an outpost to monitor the Caesar’s Legion in the region, especially the largest group that has settled in the ruins of Corpus Christi/The Corpse.
Several refugee camps can also be found in San Antonio, home to NCR settlers who seek to establish themselves in Texas, and survivors from various parts of Texas that were destroyed when the Caesar’s Legion invaded and started to pillage and burn settlements.
Others have come from Austin which they were forced to leave when the Master’s Army invaded when looking for Super Mutants.
Caesar’s Legion
The second battle for Hoover Dam proved to be a disaster for the Legion, the original Caesar was assassinated right before the battle by an outsider and Legate Lanius would fall at the same assassin’s hands later when the NCR stormed his camp during the fight.
Despite Caesar’s planned line of succession his ideals did not prove to be the strong motivation that would keep the Legion together, it has been his ruthlessness that had done so and without it and Caesar’s own staff his former commanding officers started to fight amongst themselves of who should rule the Legion now.
The officer next in line to Lanius died while fighting the NCR as it headed into Arizona and the following Caesar was assassinated by one of his subordinates when his campaign to take West Texas failed after the siege on Lone Star proved to be disastrous, killing many Legionnaires in battle.
Afterwards the top ranking officers of the Legion split the empire in portions with each of them appointing themselves the rightful heir to the original Caesar. Some of these heirs remained in the former lands of the original Caesar such as Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Utah and Colorado, while other parts crossed the great radioactive no man lands into Texas, seeking to establish a new empire there.
The most powerful of these would be emperors headed south after the failed attempt to take control of Lone Star, eventually coming to a former pre war metropolis which was now known by its residents as the Corpse.
There the Legion took control of a nearly intact sports stadium, converting it into a fortress and calling it Numitor after the father of Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of ancient world Rome.
Currently several groups of Caesar’s Legion are present in Texas, between attacking settlements and caravans for resources and slaves the Legion targets each other in an attempt to make the weaker party join the stronger party or to completely destroy the other that would pose an obstacle on path to a successor to the position of Caesar.
The Texas Brotherhood of Steel
Nearly a century ago a brotherhood expedition led by Rhombus left Lost Hills to pursue a rather well organized group of Super Mutants into Texas in order to determine what their goals were and if the Super Mutants continued to be a threat to the BOS back on the West Coast.
Rhombus himself led the group of Paladins that followed the Super Mutants’ leader Attis to a destroyed Pre War metropolis where he was captured by the insane leader of a Ghoul cult.
Attis was later freed by an unnamed hero who also sought to stop Attis and gave this person the means to pursue Attis into a hidden Vault before succumbing to the wounds caused by an attack.
The other members of Attis expedition had discovered an intact Vault that had served as a prototype to the larger hidden Vault the Super Mutants had been looking for, and in it they discovered a cache of technology and weaponry the Brotherhood had never found in other parts of the wasteland; holographic devices, electrical weapons, unique design defense robots and Power Armor suits.
Realizing that it was too much to take with them back to the Lost Hills installation the Brotherhood instead set up base in the Vault, becoming the Texas chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel.
Even when news reached of Rhombus’ demise the chapter decided to stay as there were still a lot of Pre War resources for them to discover and they had established relations with neighboring settlements and tribes which had worked very favorably for the chapter.
Contact with the Brotherhood in the West has always been sporadic at best conditions and the Texas chapter lost complete contact when the Brotherhood-NCR war started, being completely in the dark about this conflict.
Some Brotherhood members choose to organize expeditions back to the West to re establish contact but after several of these disappeared without a trace (most likely being intercepted and killed by the Legion) all efforts to make contact with the West were suspended for the time being.
Because of the distance between the chapter and the BOS main base of power some differences have crept up over the years, some of them being that the Texas chapter continues to trade knowledge and some technology with the outside in return for things they want, occasionally even giving aid to those they consider worthy of their help.
The chapter also from time to time recruits outsider they consider to be most gifted and able to become a member of the Brotherhood.
Now that the NCR has entered Texas contact with the West is once more possible. The Texas chapter still does not know about the animosity between the NCR and the BOS back West and the NCR is not planning to inform them of this, at least not until they are ready to take on the Texas chapter.
If an outsider would inform the Texas BOS of the war there would be a good chance that the Texas chapter would destroy the NCR’s presence in Texas.
The Followers of the Apocalypse
The Followers’ role during the second battle of Hoover Dam was not forgotten after that conflict and relations somewhat warmed up between the two organizations despite that some NCR officials sought to downplay it.
The Followers were allowed to stay in New Vegas and were even allowed to establish camps and outposts in other NCR settlements, as long as they stayed out of NCR politics and no let their opinions be said to loud.
When the Legion was broken Eastwards and the NCR crossed the Colorado river the Followers felt it their missions to follow as well and aid those who had suffered under Caesar’s rule, helping settlements to rebuild and become self sufficient and ensure that they were not trampled down by NCR expansion.
Especially tribes who were nearly destroyed or absorbed by the Legion received a lot of Follower help with trying to find their own identity again and trying to coexist into another rather than falling back into tribal warfare.
As the Followers feared the NCR started to ‘rehabilitate’ theses sometimes displaced tribes to prevent them from becoming as problematic as the Legion was while at the same time seek to annex their lands.
After the NCR expanded into Texas stories and reports of the chaos and destruction the Legion had left in its wake to deter NCR pursuit also reached the ears of the leaders of the Followers. Realizing the anarchy and destruction the Legion had caused the Followers decided to organize an expedition to this distant and unknown land to help the people there.
Reminding the NCR of the help they gave during the second battle of Hoover Dam, the Followers were allowed to accompany the NCR forces that would eventually set up base in San Antonio to secure the Sunset Route on which local forces depend for supplies. They themselves setting up camps and outposts in the rest of San Antonio while under protection of NCR.
Lone Star Trade Outfitters
The biggest trading organization of Lone Star, the Trade Outfitters deal in a variety of goods, from water and fuel to medicine and food.
They are sort of like the Crimson Caravan of the Texas region.
On this moment I have not decided yet if they also handle the transport of weaponry and gear manufactured in the Lone Star manufacturing plant of the weapon manufacturers handle their own caravans.
Horizon Traders (working name)
A smaller trading house that competes with the Lone Star Trade Outfitters for supply contracts in Texas.
Not much yet on their background yet.
The Master’s Army
More than a generation ago a group or organized Super Mutants that was led by one of the Master’s Lieutenants named Attis came to Texas to look for a Vault that according to records might contain a cure for sterility caused by mutation as well as a stockpile of advanced weapons and technology Attis wished to use to restore the Master’s vision and make Super Mutants the dominant species of the wasteland.
This plan did not work out and Attis and many Super Mutants were killed when the hidden Vault was destroyed by an unknown hero, leaving the survivors shattered and disorganized.
In time more Super Mutants, fleeing the growing NCR and the Brotherhood of Steel in the West came to Texas to try to build a new life for themselves.
These Super Mutants together with the occasional group of Ghouls and very rarely regular humans united into groups and communities, in time establishing their own settlements and outposts, forgetting the Master’s dream of Super Mutant dominance with the exception of some hardliners who wished to continue it in any way possible, resorting to raids and even slavery of regular humans.
These hardliners would most likely die out, either finding their death in battle or in the wasteland and no longer bother the more peaceful Super Mutants who rather sought co existence or isolation.
Unfortunate for them a new Super Mutant leader would rise up who believes it is better for the Super Mutants to go out fighting while trying to claim the wasteland for themselves rather than slowly dying out in the wasteland trying to live some meager existence.
In the ruins of the Old World ######, the new Super Mutant leader found his tool for conquest and rebuilding the Super Mutant forces; an abandoned crawler-transport that were once used to transport rockets and other spacecraft to launch pads.
Like the Enclave ####### had his Super Mutants and captured Ghouls engineers convert the crawler into a mobile fortress, equipping it with armor and weapon systems.
A massive scoop was also installed that would ‘suck’ up resources and survivors from the settlements #####’s fortress would crush under its tracks, supplying him with equipment, weapons, and possible slaves.
###### is now using this behemoth of destruction to overrun settlements and outposts were Super Mutants are suspected to live, scooping them and up and forcing them to join the Master’s Army.
######’s goals are most definitely insane and most likely unattainable but he will do a lot of destruction and causing many casualties before he is finally stopped.
Note: the Master’s Army’ strength is not in numbers but in weapons, they aren’t a very big group and will in general stay around their mobile fortress for protection.
(this idea is of course inspired by one of the original ideas that had been intended for Fallout 2 before the final version was decided)
The Texas Hellrazors
One of the two biggest raider groups the player would encounter during the game, and their strength various depending where the player encounters them.
The first groups would carry relative simple weaponry and gear so not to overwhelm a low level player while the groups met later on carry much heavier firepower and better armor.
(perhaps some kind of custom made armor could be modeled for them)
The Hellrazors are the mortal enemies of the Trashers, the second biggest gang.
The Trashers
The second biggest raider group in Texas, like the Hellrazors they are also found in various numbers throughout the wasteland and attack travelers, caravans, and occasionally military forces.
During the game the Trashers would be the explosives obsessed raiders, using dynamite, grenades, grenade launcher and any heavier explosive firing weaponry they come across.
The Copperheads (working name)
This would be the smallest raider group in the game compared to the other groups but it would be infamous for the fact that its members used poisoned blades and spears during combat and use gear and clothing that hides them amongst the background, making it extra difficult for the player to see them beforehand.
One of my ideas is that the Copperheads are actually related to tribals and that they are somewhat feral, as a character in the setting might say “Just above the level of animals”.
However they are not stupid.
The Vultures
These would be the most desperate raiders in the game, usually targeting groups or individuals which they perceive as weak and follow in the tracks of more powerful raider groups and pick through whatever these leave behind during their raids.
Their gear is a mish mash of whatever they managed to find or steal and they don’t have real powerful weaponry.
The Vultures are sometimes targeted by other raider groups when they have something the more powerful groups want or if they have the idea that the Vultures are growing to powerful for their liking.
The Claws
Another raider group, no description for them yet.
Poseidon Energy
The big energy corporation which was mentioned before in Fallout and which holdings the player visited in the previous games such as Helios One again makes an appearance and this time plays a strong role in the storyline, but separate from the Enclave organization it is normally connected with.
The corporation controlled various energy concerns before the war, dealing in fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and oil, but also power stations such as nuclear power plants, and experimented with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar
Next to that its various laboratories also did research into new types of weapons and other technologies such as computers.
As in the previous games holdings of Poseidon Energy can be found in the region, the regular gas stations and perhaps some power plants, but also one of their big oil refineries and those mentioned laboratories.
Having strong connections with the pre war government these research facilities were given extensive protection that spared them from the great firestorm.
Its these laboratories and the secrets they contain that play a role in the storyline.
Note: this is no like the Big Empty facility that appeared in the ‘Old World Blues’ DLC, so no wacky immortal scientists still doing bizarre research centuries after the war.
Robot City
Robot City is to be a new machine faction introduced in Fallout Texas, a civilization of machine intelligences that are descended from AIs that were created by corporations and universities before the Great War and who managed to survive the Great War.
Their city resembled the ‘city of tomorrow’ as envisioned by 50’s futurists and science fiction artists; large skyscrapers, suspended roads, monorails, and of course flying cars and robots. Despite the appearance the city is not intended for human occupants and it is located in or near the radioactive no man’s lands where humans normally do not venture.
I don’t have Robot City in mind as an ‘essential’ location the player needs to visit but the city expands on the lore of Fallout and tells what happened to some of the AIs that were around before the War.
The machine intelligences are normally indifferent to humans and mutants, not caring about affairs of the wastelanders and driving those off who approach Robot City, occasionally trapping some for questioning and experimentation.
During the time period of the game a discussion has broken out amongst the various AI regarding human expansion. The no mans lands no longer provide the isolation the machine intelligences prefer and the debate is now if the AIs should either make contact with humans and mutants, brokering some kind of deal, or if the AIs should use their vast knowledge and resources to clear out the region of wastelanders to ensure the safety of the city.
Robot City also has other problems such as an increasing number of robots that drop off the network and turn against the AIs and the city.
Ideas still in development;
The Four Winds
A symbolic name of a small outpost which was inspired by the pre war cross roads where it is located. A pre war bar and grill is also located here and took the town/settlement name as a new name for the establishment.
This is most likely the first location the player gets to visit after leaving the Legion camp at the start of the game.
Fort Worth/Dallas
No ideas yet but most probably a ruined metropolis
Abandoned oil fields/Poseidon Oil refinery
A relic and memento to the energy crisis of the past, after the oil ran out the oil fields were abandoned and fell into general disuse. Occasionally Poseidon used the old shafts to dump chemical and toxic waste underground which had mutagenic effects on underground dwelling life.
Parts of the buildings and towers have been dismantled by various communities after the War to be used for the construction of houses and buildings.
Raiders also from time like to use the ruins as temporary bases.
Despite the time past the refinery is relatively intact with only a few sections broken down or collapsed, this is due to the security system that still functions.
It had been installed before the War to deter saboteurs and Chinese agents though it is far more complex than would have been necessary for even a facility of this size.
Unknown to everyone after the War is the Poseidon Energy research facility that is located underneath the refinery. The facility like the security system still functions after all this time and contains various secrets and supplies.
Well here is another pile of my ideas and thoughts on future Fallout settings.
Sometimes I do wonder if its healthy to focus so much energy on writing projects like these that never get far, especially when there are mods and TCs that are in production and could do much more with extra hands.
I already help Surf Solar with his project "What Remains" and I still want to help out Lexx with his FNV expanded mods, but sometimes I just can't resist letting my thoughts on this subject go.
Despite all the mangling the franchise has gone through I still love it a lot and one of my biggest wishes in life is to become a designer like Tim Cain and Chris Avellone one day and actually getting to work on a Fallout game that will really be published
Anyway, I hope people like it and that I get responses.
Even if you do not like it or think some things can be done better I still would like to read your responses.
* * * * *
The Player
The player starts the game as a recently made slave by the Caesar's Legion, rather than having a specific background like being a Vault Dweller like in Fallout 1 the player is questioned/gets to choose his or her own background.
This can be neutral without cons and pros or one of the various backgrounds that come with startup bonuses and penalties, these options include being a Vault Dweller.
To keep the game in character the player makes his or her face through an in game mechanic similar to the system used in Fallout New Vegas.
After having done this two years of slavery follow which are broken up by interludes during which the player can make decisions that determine skills and traits.
The game really starts when the player is transferred from the camp where he or she has lived for all that time to a new temporary camp the Legion has set up after they were forced to flee Eastwards.
Like all other slaves the player is locked up in a cage with someone else; a dying Vault Dweller.
The Vault Dweller asks the player to help him get some water and make his last moments tolerable, in return he gives the player his Vault uniform and Pip boy 2000, unless the player is a Vault Dweller himself/herself and already has these items.
(note: perhaps the dying Vault Dweller recognizes the player as being another Vault Dweller from the same Vault he is, or another Vault. He sees kinship in the player anyway)
The dying Vault Dweller reveals that he has secretly modified his Pipboy to send a distress signal with the hope that it might reach anyone listening.
It is however to late for the Vault Dweller but the player might be able to use it and escape.
Alternatively, if the player is a Vault Dweller himself, the dying Vault Dweller modifies the player's Pipboy to send a distress signal.
This makes getting a Pipboy important at the start of the game.
Once the player has send the distress signal a militia group attacks the Caesar Legion's camp, quickly dispatches the Legionnaires and frees the surviving slaves including the player.
The militia soldiers identify themselves as the Rangers, an anti slaver organization that fights slavers like the Caesar's Legions and frees their captives.
They provide the player with some information such as where he/she is, revealing that the player is far from his/her home and is in the former state of Texas.
The Rangers give the player some supplies and a weapon and suggest that the player goes to Lone Star, the new capital of Texas.
Johnny
One of the first characters the player could potentially meet.
Johnny was a reservist National Guardsman before the War and was a marksman, being proficient with loads of rifles and assault rifles.
He and his squad were called up to secure important locations during the civil unrest crisis, preventing these from being overrun by protestors or possible Chinese agents or sympathizers who would seek to undermine order whenever possible.
Only then the War happened and Johnny and his fellow Guardsmen took cover in any nearby basement or reinforced military structure.
While they had some supplies to hold out for a while their shelter provided inadequate protection and radiation started to seep in.
When the worst of the effects were over Johnny and the others started to look for more survivors, only exposing themselves to more radiation and released mutagens.
Traxus
Traxus is a Super Mutant mercenary and a former member of Attis' expedition to Texas which brought a group of Super Mutants to the region. He was one of the fortunate ones who was on the surface and outside of Los when the Vault Tec vault blew up and destroyed the entire city above it.
After the survivors came together and started to look for a new place to live Traxus traveled for some time with them until the hit Austin and took up residence there.
Traxus doesn't mind humans that much and perhaps he has more wanderlust than the others as he did not settle in Austin and instead traveled throughout the region, offering his services as an enforcer or mercenary to anyone who could pay his price.
What Traxus' original name was before he was dipped he doesn't even remember himself or he simply chooses not to use that name any more.
Traxus did have a brother who like him also became a Super Mutant and traveled to Texas, after Traxus left the main group his brother did settle in Austin but the two kept contact with each other until recently when Traxus' brother disappeared.
Traxus' brother tried to become a caravan trader and set up business between Austin and surrounding settlements, it is most likely that he disappeared during one of his trade journeys.
TASK
A special police modified Mr Handy, TASK was used by the Austin police’s anti terrorist department, designed to locate and dismantle explosives and traps. To suffice in this role TASK is equipped with an enhanced sensor package.
TASK was also used for administrative tasks such as computer maintenance and is therefore programmed to operate computers and other electronic devices.
Currently the robot is located in its docking stations in the ruins of the Austin main police station and it is programmed not to move beyond a certain range from it.
Paladin Cage Blackwood
Cage Blackwood is a Brotherhood paladin who has grown disillusioned with the Brotherhood of Steel, finding its policy of not getting involved with the wasteland matters and politics something that would sooner or later would come back to haunt the Brotherhood.
He holds the stagnation that nearly destroyed the Brotherhood as an example on their self imposed isolation.
However that does not mean Cage believes that the Brotherhood should be going around doing 'good deeds', or sharing their knowledge and technology randomly.
Just taking a more active role in order to further their interests.
Considered a ‘troublesome’ element by his superiors Cage Blackwood was sent Eastwards with several other paladins to locate the Texas Brotherhood of Steel which Lost Hills has lost contact with around the time of the NCR-BOS war and bring them back into the fold.
Catherine Rivas
Rivas is a combat medic assigned to the NCR expeditionary forces sent to San Antonio to take control of the Sunset Route which is critical to NCR resupplying.
When the player meets Catherine she has been gone for years from home, having had little contact with her family.
Vandez (working name)
I have Vandez in mind as somewhat of a Spanish or Latin playboy, had he been born before the great war he would probably have moved around in many social circles and high society, found in various night clubs, bars, and casinos, impressing the ladies and making the men jealous. (the latin lover stereotype)
Vandez is a charmer, the so called ‘lover rather than a fighter’, and he prefers to settle disputes with words rather than with weapons but should the push come to call he is quite skilled with his fists, the knife and handguns.
Though a likeable scoundrel Vandez can occasional cause problems when his past catches up with him such as one of his many enemies or former lovers. He is also a pick pocket and takes use of an opportunity when it presents itself, even when the player has not authorized it.
Ashiak (working name)
A rather cunning and deceitful creature, Ashiak is a tribal shaman the player comes across during the visits to the more tribal regions of Texas. Her elaborate dress up and body paint makes it clear she is not a regular tribal and she makes it clear she is not one either.
Though she understands little of technology other than basic devices and of course weaponry she is hardly impressed or superstitious when people try to intimidate her with advanced know how or machinery, considering these little more than distractions to the mind.
Ashiak has a connection to a mysterious tribal cult called the Daughters of Hecate and has been sent as an advanced scout to the East to make contact with the tribes there and monitor the movements of the Caesar’s Legion which she hates with a passion.
Ashiak would be even more in tune with nature than a survivalist as Johnny, knowing what plants are beneficial and which are poisonous and capable of concocting a variety of recipes of stims, drugs, and poisons.
NPCs (so far)
The Ricochet Brothers
Despite their name the Brothers are actually traveling entertainers, performing gun tricks, music, songs, and jokes in return for food, drink and caps to keep them going.
Currently one of the brothers is suffering from an infection and he desperately needs help, unfortunate the other brother doesn’t have the caps to pay for the medical costs.
The player can help them out and in return receive some gear, the caps they do have, or get some gun training.
Cecil
An addict who hangs around Four Winds, when the player meets him he is suffering from chem withdrawal and he asks the player to help him get inside the trailer where the local doctor stores his medicines and drugs.
The player can do so but can also inform the doctor of Cecil’s intentions who then confronts Cecil on this, beating some sense in the boy.
If the player helps Cecil to stay addicted he will eventually become a highwayman who harasses travelers for caps and things of value to pay his dealer.
If the player helps Cecil break the habit (this would require multiple confrontation) Cecil eventually manages to get through his cold turkey and cleans up his act, eventually becoming the doctor’s assistant and getting medical training.
Factions
Lone Star Republic
The biggest free nation in what is left of Texas, the city of Lone Star was built on top of the ruins of Abilene by Vault Dwellers and wastelanders that were already present or were later invited to join the growing community.
Originally already enjoying some economic strength thanks to the energy provided by surviving wind farms Lone Star’s position increased when they started to manufacture weapons, ammo, and other gear for their own defense force as well as commercial products.
Like the NCR Lone Star has its origins in the old world ideals of freedom, liberty and form of government. It is led by a president and a senate elected by the people that are elected every four year, it is divided in separate branches.
Though almost founded at the same time as the NCR Lone Star has suffered somewhat less of corruption as it lacks the size and influence of powerful economic players that the far larger NCR does. On the other hand it has done very little to assist other settlements in the state or rebuilding of the wasteland itself, preferring to keep its resources and assets close at hand.
Though it may sounds less intrusive and territory grabbing than the NCR back in the West critics have rightfully accused Lone Star of being stubbornly conservative and even more focused on its own interests than the NCR which at least has done some part in rebuilding parts of the US South West.
Lone Star politicians strongly believe in self reliance and only grudgingly formed a military alliance with the People’s Republic of Killeen and other settlements when the Caesar’s Legion was threatening to overrun West Texas.
In general believing itself to be the best of Post Nuclear civilization that rose from the ashes of the Old World, Lone Star was rudely woken up from this dream when the pursuing NCR followed the Legion into Texas and the two governments met each other.
NCR shared various similarities with Lone Star yet expanded outward instead of isolating itself, gaining control of large territories and resources which it was developing into an infrastructure.
Lone Star was a nation founded on Pre War ideals and values like the NCR, had garnered great economic strength, yet suffered little from the corruption and political differences that were slowly dragging NCR down.
Lone Star fears possible annexation by NCR if NCR manages to expand into Texas, and NCR sees a possible rivaling government and economic power in Lone Star if it manages to throw off its conservative attitude and convince other settlements to unite under one flag to oppose the NCR.
Like NCR slavery is forbidden in Lone Star and it is a nation governed by law rather than warlords and despots, making it popular with a lot of people in Texas who seek a life free from oppression and slavery but who have little realization of the other side Lone Star’s politics.
Lone Star Rangers/Texas Rangers (undecided yet)
Perhaps the biggest symbol of justice in the wasteland of Texas, the Rangers are a group of men and women who seek to bring order and law into the wasteland and fight crime and slavery whenever possible.
The rangers are no fans of tyranny and aid those who seek to escape it or overthrow it though they themselves in general try to stay out of political matters.
Many settlements and local governments support the rangers and bases and safehouses can be found throughout parts of Texas. It’s not unusual for when a ranger retires that he or she takes up the position of sheriff in a town to help its people and keep down the crime rate.
Despite sounding like vigilantes the Rangers believe in the rule of law and that justice should be found in a court and not by the hands of an angry mob. This has resulted into some animosity from time to time but in general no one questions the word of a ranger as they have proven themselves to be more honorable, brave and fair than most people in the wasteland.
The Rangers are open to all as long as they do not have any criminal records and even Ghouls and very rarely the occasional Super Mutant has become a member of this small but proud organization.
The Rangers are the sworn enemy of the Legion and seek to dismantle and destroy it whenever possible, freeing slaves and bringing them to safety whenever they can.
(the Rangers are what the Desert Rangers in the Mojave were before they decided to be absorbed by the NCR).
People’s Republic of Killeen (working name)
Somewhat of an anachronism in Texas or the United States for that matter, Killeen (Fortress Killeen) was founded by survivors of Killeen and Chinese POWs who managed to escape the internment camps at Fort Hood just before the bombs hit.
Despite the severe distrust for each other the survivors had little choice but to work together to survive the suddenly changed world and the danger and anarchy it held.
Using material recovered from the destroyed base and the city a basic fortified settlement was established that in time would expand into size and design as the population within increased.
Killeen is a somewhat of a democracy but it is a military nation, ruled by a government that is made up of former military officers who have served the as soldiers for at least several terms before they are allowed to run for government official.
Service is not mandatory but in general those who choose not to serve or cannot serve as looked down upon and have limited chance to rise into social status.
While companies such as trading groups and banks exist within the republic they are strictly monitored by the government who seek to prevent the scale of corruption that happened in the governments before the war caused by corporations and international banks that had become to influential.
Still despite this strict control officials are most definitely bribed and manipulated from time to time and the government’s anti corruption policy is more an ideal than a truly attainable goal.
Economically the Republic depends on the trade of salvaged goods though it seeks to expand its food and manufacturing capabilities beyond being self sufficient and could eventually become an economic power house.
Killeen also offers protection and education opportunities to outside settlements in return for goods and resources but imposes strict rules and regulations on those who that desire these services.
Like Lone Star, the republic also deals in weaponry but depends more on what they can salvage than manufacture themselves.
Most of this weaponry and gear is intended for own use.
The people of the republic are somewhat distrusted because of their mixed background and focus on military rule.
When the Legion entered Texas it tore through the state until it was halted by the big settlements Lone Star and Killeen who were able to resist the invasion. Reluctantly both settlements formed an alliance in order to fight the Legion and there are still critics on both sides who believe that the alliance was a bad idea.
(still not completely happy about some parts of this idea)
The New California Republic
The NCR won the second battle of Hoover Dam and came out nearly unscathed, though they suffered losses during the battle and afterwards they managed to overcome this, growing stronger in the process.
Though unable to annex New Vegas as the leaders back in Shady Sands had intended the NCR had managed to gain full control of Hoover Dam and a road into the East. NCR diplomats even managed to convince the rulers of New Vegas to put caps and resources back into NCR expansion, convincing them it would be in their own interest as new markets and customers would present themselves the further NCR went East.
This optimism wasn’t completely justified as despite the deaths of Caesar and his Legate the Legion still proved to be a powerful and resourceful foe as the NCR entered their lands.
NCR expansion was slow at best as it tried to convince settlements to join them while driving the Legion further Eastwards, even worse was the fact that Legion started to practice a burned earth strategy, destroying infrastructure and razing entire settlements to the ground to prevent the NCR from capturing these.
So next to having to set up longer supply routes Westwards the NCR also had to rebuild bridges, roads and settlements while advancing on the Legion’s positions.
Fortunate for the NCR at the time it was the Legion’s increasing internal conflicts that would hinder the Legion from forming a united front against the NCR and others who now targeted the Legion for revenge. This divide in the Legion’s unity allowed NCR forces to take on Legion factions separately, destroying they more easily than they would have had the Legion remained together.
The Legion’s response was of course severe but it was never again on the same scale as the second battle of Hoover Dam and the NCR continued to spread through Caesar’s former lands as the Legion could do nothing else but to retreat and dig themselves in.
Though perhaps military quite successfully the NCR was rapidly losing the hearts and minds of the people back in NCR territory. The victory over Caesar’s Legion during the second battle of Hoover Dam had been a boost in morality but this was rapidly overshadowed by the fact that NCR’s expansion still continued to drain resources and lives as it cross the Colorado, and on top of that the Legion still wasn’t completely destroyed.
Corruption is also still wide spread as Brahmin baron and trading houses seek to increase their influence on the NCR senate, and the divide between the poor & the powerless and the rich & the powerful is increasing daily.
An attempt to sent troublesome elements Eastwards to colonize the new territories has not been received well.
Frontier towns and settlements are not doing much better, they have to pay taxes and amounts of resources to maintain the spread out NCR forcers and interests and receive little in return.
A lot of settlements still do not get enough protection from outlaws and mutants wildlife which the NCR has promised, and little is done to help with locals problems that prevent settlements from thriving while laws and legislations are thrown upon them.
Some settlements believe that they may be better off without the NCR and govern themselves, an action the NCR senate opposes as it fears that if it allows settlements to leave the NCR that it will lose control of profitable resources or those considered necessary and essential to the NCR such as Hoover Dam.
As a result the NCR is on the verge of a civil war.
Then discovery of rival governments in Texas such as Lone Star and the People’s Republic of Killeen have not helped to improve this matter and some senate members fear that these outside powers might make use of the NCR’s current problems to further destabilize what they consider to be a threat to their own influence and interests.
The NCR has set up an outpost in the pre war city of San Antonio, having taken control of the historical San Antonio Station which serves as the current end station to the NCR’s railways that lead back West to Los Angeles/the Boneyard, a critical supply route on which the NCR depends for its control and expansion in the lands beyond the Colorado river.
The station now serves a military headquarter and local administrative center but it is also an outpost to monitor the Caesar’s Legion in the region, especially the largest group that has settled in the ruins of Corpus Christi/The Corpse.
Several refugee camps can also be found in San Antonio, home to NCR settlers who seek to establish themselves in Texas, and survivors from various parts of Texas that were destroyed when the Caesar’s Legion invaded and started to pillage and burn settlements.
Others have come from Austin which they were forced to leave when the Master’s Army invaded when looking for Super Mutants.
Caesar’s Legion
The second battle for Hoover Dam proved to be a disaster for the Legion, the original Caesar was assassinated right before the battle by an outsider and Legate Lanius would fall at the same assassin’s hands later when the NCR stormed his camp during the fight.
Despite Caesar’s planned line of succession his ideals did not prove to be the strong motivation that would keep the Legion together, it has been his ruthlessness that had done so and without it and Caesar’s own staff his former commanding officers started to fight amongst themselves of who should rule the Legion now.
The officer next in line to Lanius died while fighting the NCR as it headed into Arizona and the following Caesar was assassinated by one of his subordinates when his campaign to take West Texas failed after the siege on Lone Star proved to be disastrous, killing many Legionnaires in battle.
Afterwards the top ranking officers of the Legion split the empire in portions with each of them appointing themselves the rightful heir to the original Caesar. Some of these heirs remained in the former lands of the original Caesar such as Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Utah and Colorado, while other parts crossed the great radioactive no man lands into Texas, seeking to establish a new empire there.
The most powerful of these would be emperors headed south after the failed attempt to take control of Lone Star, eventually coming to a former pre war metropolis which was now known by its residents as the Corpse.
There the Legion took control of a nearly intact sports stadium, converting it into a fortress and calling it Numitor after the father of Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of ancient world Rome.
Currently several groups of Caesar’s Legion are present in Texas, between attacking settlements and caravans for resources and slaves the Legion targets each other in an attempt to make the weaker party join the stronger party or to completely destroy the other that would pose an obstacle on path to a successor to the position of Caesar.
The Texas Brotherhood of Steel
Nearly a century ago a brotherhood expedition led by Rhombus left Lost Hills to pursue a rather well organized group of Super Mutants into Texas in order to determine what their goals were and if the Super Mutants continued to be a threat to the BOS back on the West Coast.
Rhombus himself led the group of Paladins that followed the Super Mutants’ leader Attis to a destroyed Pre War metropolis where he was captured by the insane leader of a Ghoul cult.
Attis was later freed by an unnamed hero who also sought to stop Attis and gave this person the means to pursue Attis into a hidden Vault before succumbing to the wounds caused by an attack.
The other members of Attis expedition had discovered an intact Vault that had served as a prototype to the larger hidden Vault the Super Mutants had been looking for, and in it they discovered a cache of technology and weaponry the Brotherhood had never found in other parts of the wasteland; holographic devices, electrical weapons, unique design defense robots and Power Armor suits.
Realizing that it was too much to take with them back to the Lost Hills installation the Brotherhood instead set up base in the Vault, becoming the Texas chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel.
Even when news reached of Rhombus’ demise the chapter decided to stay as there were still a lot of Pre War resources for them to discover and they had established relations with neighboring settlements and tribes which had worked very favorably for the chapter.
Contact with the Brotherhood in the West has always been sporadic at best conditions and the Texas chapter lost complete contact when the Brotherhood-NCR war started, being completely in the dark about this conflict.
Some Brotherhood members choose to organize expeditions back to the West to re establish contact but after several of these disappeared without a trace (most likely being intercepted and killed by the Legion) all efforts to make contact with the West were suspended for the time being.
Because of the distance between the chapter and the BOS main base of power some differences have crept up over the years, some of them being that the Texas chapter continues to trade knowledge and some technology with the outside in return for things they want, occasionally even giving aid to those they consider worthy of their help.
The chapter also from time to time recruits outsider they consider to be most gifted and able to become a member of the Brotherhood.
Now that the NCR has entered Texas contact with the West is once more possible. The Texas chapter still does not know about the animosity between the NCR and the BOS back West and the NCR is not planning to inform them of this, at least not until they are ready to take on the Texas chapter.
If an outsider would inform the Texas BOS of the war there would be a good chance that the Texas chapter would destroy the NCR’s presence in Texas.
The Followers of the Apocalypse
The Followers’ role during the second battle of Hoover Dam was not forgotten after that conflict and relations somewhat warmed up between the two organizations despite that some NCR officials sought to downplay it.
The Followers were allowed to stay in New Vegas and were even allowed to establish camps and outposts in other NCR settlements, as long as they stayed out of NCR politics and no let their opinions be said to loud.
When the Legion was broken Eastwards and the NCR crossed the Colorado river the Followers felt it their missions to follow as well and aid those who had suffered under Caesar’s rule, helping settlements to rebuild and become self sufficient and ensure that they were not trampled down by NCR expansion.
Especially tribes who were nearly destroyed or absorbed by the Legion received a lot of Follower help with trying to find their own identity again and trying to coexist into another rather than falling back into tribal warfare.
As the Followers feared the NCR started to ‘rehabilitate’ theses sometimes displaced tribes to prevent them from becoming as problematic as the Legion was while at the same time seek to annex their lands.
After the NCR expanded into Texas stories and reports of the chaos and destruction the Legion had left in its wake to deter NCR pursuit also reached the ears of the leaders of the Followers. Realizing the anarchy and destruction the Legion had caused the Followers decided to organize an expedition to this distant and unknown land to help the people there.
Reminding the NCR of the help they gave during the second battle of Hoover Dam, the Followers were allowed to accompany the NCR forces that would eventually set up base in San Antonio to secure the Sunset Route on which local forces depend for supplies. They themselves setting up camps and outposts in the rest of San Antonio while under protection of NCR.
Lone Star Trade Outfitters
The biggest trading organization of Lone Star, the Trade Outfitters deal in a variety of goods, from water and fuel to medicine and food.
They are sort of like the Crimson Caravan of the Texas region.
On this moment I have not decided yet if they also handle the transport of weaponry and gear manufactured in the Lone Star manufacturing plant of the weapon manufacturers handle their own caravans.
Horizon Traders (working name)
A smaller trading house that competes with the Lone Star Trade Outfitters for supply contracts in Texas.
Not much yet on their background yet.
The Master’s Army
More than a generation ago a group or organized Super Mutants that was led by one of the Master’s Lieutenants named Attis came to Texas to look for a Vault that according to records might contain a cure for sterility caused by mutation as well as a stockpile of advanced weapons and technology Attis wished to use to restore the Master’s vision and make Super Mutants the dominant species of the wasteland.
This plan did not work out and Attis and many Super Mutants were killed when the hidden Vault was destroyed by an unknown hero, leaving the survivors shattered and disorganized.
In time more Super Mutants, fleeing the growing NCR and the Brotherhood of Steel in the West came to Texas to try to build a new life for themselves.
These Super Mutants together with the occasional group of Ghouls and very rarely regular humans united into groups and communities, in time establishing their own settlements and outposts, forgetting the Master’s dream of Super Mutant dominance with the exception of some hardliners who wished to continue it in any way possible, resorting to raids and even slavery of regular humans.
These hardliners would most likely die out, either finding their death in battle or in the wasteland and no longer bother the more peaceful Super Mutants who rather sought co existence or isolation.
Unfortunate for them a new Super Mutant leader would rise up who believes it is better for the Super Mutants to go out fighting while trying to claim the wasteland for themselves rather than slowly dying out in the wasteland trying to live some meager existence.
In the ruins of the Old World ######, the new Super Mutant leader found his tool for conquest and rebuilding the Super Mutant forces; an abandoned crawler-transport that were once used to transport rockets and other spacecraft to launch pads.
Like the Enclave ####### had his Super Mutants and captured Ghouls engineers convert the crawler into a mobile fortress, equipping it with armor and weapon systems.
A massive scoop was also installed that would ‘suck’ up resources and survivors from the settlements #####’s fortress would crush under its tracks, supplying him with equipment, weapons, and possible slaves.
###### is now using this behemoth of destruction to overrun settlements and outposts were Super Mutants are suspected to live, scooping them and up and forcing them to join the Master’s Army.
######’s goals are most definitely insane and most likely unattainable but he will do a lot of destruction and causing many casualties before he is finally stopped.
Note: the Master’s Army’ strength is not in numbers but in weapons, they aren’t a very big group and will in general stay around their mobile fortress for protection.
(this idea is of course inspired by one of the original ideas that had been intended for Fallout 2 before the final version was decided)
The Texas Hellrazors
One of the two biggest raider groups the player would encounter during the game, and their strength various depending where the player encounters them.
The first groups would carry relative simple weaponry and gear so not to overwhelm a low level player while the groups met later on carry much heavier firepower and better armor.
(perhaps some kind of custom made armor could be modeled for them)
The Hellrazors are the mortal enemies of the Trashers, the second biggest gang.
The Trashers
The second biggest raider group in Texas, like the Hellrazors they are also found in various numbers throughout the wasteland and attack travelers, caravans, and occasionally military forces.
During the game the Trashers would be the explosives obsessed raiders, using dynamite, grenades, grenade launcher and any heavier explosive firing weaponry they come across.
The Copperheads (working name)
This would be the smallest raider group in the game compared to the other groups but it would be infamous for the fact that its members used poisoned blades and spears during combat and use gear and clothing that hides them amongst the background, making it extra difficult for the player to see them beforehand.
One of my ideas is that the Copperheads are actually related to tribals and that they are somewhat feral, as a character in the setting might say “Just above the level of animals”.
However they are not stupid.
The Vultures
These would be the most desperate raiders in the game, usually targeting groups or individuals which they perceive as weak and follow in the tracks of more powerful raider groups and pick through whatever these leave behind during their raids.
Their gear is a mish mash of whatever they managed to find or steal and they don’t have real powerful weaponry.
The Vultures are sometimes targeted by other raider groups when they have something the more powerful groups want or if they have the idea that the Vultures are growing to powerful for their liking.
The Claws
Another raider group, no description for them yet.
Poseidon Energy
The big energy corporation which was mentioned before in Fallout and which holdings the player visited in the previous games such as Helios One again makes an appearance and this time plays a strong role in the storyline, but separate from the Enclave organization it is normally connected with.
The corporation controlled various energy concerns before the war, dealing in fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and oil, but also power stations such as nuclear power plants, and experimented with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar
Next to that its various laboratories also did research into new types of weapons and other technologies such as computers.
As in the previous games holdings of Poseidon Energy can be found in the region, the regular gas stations and perhaps some power plants, but also one of their big oil refineries and those mentioned laboratories.
Having strong connections with the pre war government these research facilities were given extensive protection that spared them from the great firestorm.
Its these laboratories and the secrets they contain that play a role in the storyline.
Note: this is no like the Big Empty facility that appeared in the ‘Old World Blues’ DLC, so no wacky immortal scientists still doing bizarre research centuries after the war.
Robot City
Robot City is to be a new machine faction introduced in Fallout Texas, a civilization of machine intelligences that are descended from AIs that were created by corporations and universities before the Great War and who managed to survive the Great War.
Their city resembled the ‘city of tomorrow’ as envisioned by 50’s futurists and science fiction artists; large skyscrapers, suspended roads, monorails, and of course flying cars and robots. Despite the appearance the city is not intended for human occupants and it is located in or near the radioactive no man’s lands where humans normally do not venture.
I don’t have Robot City in mind as an ‘essential’ location the player needs to visit but the city expands on the lore of Fallout and tells what happened to some of the AIs that were around before the War.
The machine intelligences are normally indifferent to humans and mutants, not caring about affairs of the wastelanders and driving those off who approach Robot City, occasionally trapping some for questioning and experimentation.
During the time period of the game a discussion has broken out amongst the various AI regarding human expansion. The no mans lands no longer provide the isolation the machine intelligences prefer and the debate is now if the AIs should either make contact with humans and mutants, brokering some kind of deal, or if the AIs should use their vast knowledge and resources to clear out the region of wastelanders to ensure the safety of the city.
Robot City also has other problems such as an increasing number of robots that drop off the network and turn against the AIs and the city.
Ideas still in development;
The Four Winds
A symbolic name of a small outpost which was inspired by the pre war cross roads where it is located. A pre war bar and grill is also located here and took the town/settlement name as a new name for the establishment.
This is most likely the first location the player gets to visit after leaving the Legion camp at the start of the game.
Fort Worth/Dallas
No ideas yet but most probably a ruined metropolis
Abandoned oil fields/Poseidon Oil refinery
A relic and memento to the energy crisis of the past, after the oil ran out the oil fields were abandoned and fell into general disuse. Occasionally Poseidon used the old shafts to dump chemical and toxic waste underground which had mutagenic effects on underground dwelling life.
Parts of the buildings and towers have been dismantled by various communities after the War to be used for the construction of houses and buildings.
Raiders also from time like to use the ruins as temporary bases.
Despite the time past the refinery is relatively intact with only a few sections broken down or collapsed, this is due to the security system that still functions.
It had been installed before the War to deter saboteurs and Chinese agents though it is far more complex than would have been necessary for even a facility of this size.
Unknown to everyone after the War is the Poseidon Energy research facility that is located underneath the refinery. The facility like the security system still functions after all this time and contains various secrets and supplies.
Or even people at the other side, if it exists! 
