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Fallout Factions: The Brotherhood of Steel - Culture

  • May 12, 2016

    You're welcome Borom :)

    And yeah, Phil! It reminds me a bit of how the Spartans would train their children vigorously at a young age. I don't see the Brotherhood killing any babies, but god damn. At least train your children to use a pistol before sending them out into live combat!

    It's odd, because they obviously want the children to learn how to fight, but instead of giving them a part to play in the combat situation, the children are to simply...observe? Never mind that they'd likely be cowering the entire time, but wouldn't it make sense to at least train and arm the children before putting them in the line of fire? At least that way they have a fighting chance. Otherwise it puts all the responsibility on the player and that's not good for anyone. Sure, Fallout children are immortal, but looking just beyond that mechanic, things become a little more baffling. 

  • Member
    May 13, 2016

    This Is... ah, you know the rest. Is there anything else in BoS culture which reminds you of Sparta?

    So to clarify the children just come along to watch? Is this indicative of the Brotherhood's "look at the size of my dick" thing they have going on? Like, they are so short of people to impress that they turn to kids and brainwash them early, creating a psychological superiority situation in the minds of these youths? I'm sure there is a better word for this, but the children probably end up idolising the Knights and Paladins, no? 

  • May 14, 2016

    I didn't realize how much I had written until I posted, so fair warning, you might want to get comfy, maybe bring some tea. 

    Is there anything else in BoS culture which reminds you of Sparta?

    Not off the top of my head. The only thing I really know about them is that their children were trained young, and trained vigorously. 

    I think you're right though, the children do end up idolizing Knights, Scribes, and Paladins, especially since as Initiates, they're slated for those positions. Maxson says it himself, in fact:

     Initiates train and learn to become knights or scribes [Source].

    And I think the reason Maxson left out Paladins is because:

    The ranks of the Paladins are reinforced through promoting veteran Knights of exceptional combat aptitude. It's generally impossible to become a Paladin any other way [Source].

    So. Paladins are just hard things to be. The player of course gets a very quick promotion because...reasons? Sometimes it feels like the game trust-funds us players a bit by just handing us good shit. But anyway! Something interesting I came across is that training methods actually differ depending on which chapter of the Brotherhood you're talking about. 

    Loyalist chapters keep their initiates sheltered and train them until they become competent fighters.

    Rogue chapters may deploy their initiates in actual combat after they complete basic training (as is the case with Owyn Lyons' chapter and the Chicago renegades) [Source].

    As much is implied by Proctor Quinlan's terminal in FO4 where he describes Maxson's rise to the top of the Brotherhood. Maxson was raised (at least partially) by Sarah Lyon's rogue chapter in the Citadel and actually killed two raiders at age 12 while on a training patrol. Maxson saved his squad who was apparently just escorting him, but it was still referred to as a training exercise. 

    What's cool is that Maxson organized a treaty between the Brotherhood Outcasts of the Capital Wasteland when he was only 16, and refocused the Brotherhood to its old ways. 

    1. When Squire Maxson took over... well, I didn't like the changes he made to the Brotherhood. Some said it was a return to our ancient traditions. Maybe so [Source]

    2. The ideology of the Brotherhood was reformed, in a return to the roots for the Brotherhood of Steel in general.

    This would reasonably make them a Loyalist chapter, but Loyalist chapters are known to keep their initiates sheltered. So, I think we're left to assume that Maxson did make some small changes here and there, overall becoming more of a hardass and dick-waver. 

    And just something slightly off topic for fun, check out this final quote from Quinlan's writing:

    Arthur Maxson is happy to be one thing... the perfect human specimen, an example of everything a human being can achieve. Assisted, even enhanced, by advanced technology, but still very much human [Source].

    Is Quinlan referring to the technology that the Brotherhood possesses? Or maybe they're working on synth-like technology, similar to what was implanted in Kellogg. Assisted, enhanced, but still human. Makes ya think. 

  • Member
    May 19, 2016

    All very interesting, especially the trust fund. In TES there is a reason it all falls into your lap. Doom Driven and all. Yet in Fallout there is not as yet a deeper reason is there? How would it even work if there was one? 

    Just so we are on the same page, you are referring to F4 Maxson creating that treaty? Has that changed your perspective in any way? From my perspective they now appear deeper than what is presented. Like TES lore it appears one needs to dig to find the gold.

    That last is fascinating. How would the Brotherhood as a whole welcome such augmentation?

  • November 1, 2016

    Image result for Fallout 4 brotherhood of steel ranksHere is an image of the ranks that I found