INDEPENDENT NATIONS

The Zealots
[hider=The Zealots]
[b]Nation[/b]: The Zealots
[b]Location[/b]: New York City
[b]Icon[/b]: [img]http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/357/a/8/fo_zealots_by_aaronmk-d8az3gh.png[/img]
[b]History[/b]: The history of what would be considered that of the Zealots is itself intertwined with the identity of the Jewish community that survived the Great War and the factors to its survival. Primary of most are the communities that gained access to the Vault nuclear shelters. Seeking refuge in these, thousands of Americanized Jews obtained refuge on the fringes of New York or outside, waiting out the effects of the fallout for several generations before their shelters opened.

The other factors are those who were caught in the middle of New York's hot summer. Although the effects of ghoulification had not been realized during the Hot Summer and New York City's reactor melt downs it seeded the factors which ultimately created the big Apple's future, oldest-living Jews.

The Zealots as they would become did not come to fruition immediately after the Jewish vaults open, but became a slow evolution, spawned from self-defense from the Judaic communities.

On leaving the Vaults in the year 2175 the Vault-born Jews stumbled into New York, innocent to the threats posed by the war-ravaged and polluted city. Though armed, the scattered survivors found it difficult to survive in the fierce jungle. But by providence often afforded to the Hebrew people they were reunited with the old-world Jewish Community.

The ghoulified Jews were led by a man going by the name of Leonard Rothman. Claiming himself to be a Kohen – a descendant of the first High Priest Aaron, brother of Moses – he lead a community of roughly two-hundred old-world ghouls in the heart of Queens. Recognizing their brothers, they invited them into their community, offering protection in numbers and an ultimate means of survival, even if for the Queens Ghouls life was hardly kind to them.

Over the next several decades many of Leonard Rothman's followers died or succumbed to the ultimate rabid nature of being a ghoul. Reducing their numbers over time from two hundred to just short of thirty-five. The humans continued to persist.

Between 2175 and 2273 the Jewish population of Queens did manage to grow, either in from raider bands surrendering to the defenders of the Jewish community or simply by slow – if anemic – population growth. The expansion of the community afforded them to spread out, occupying the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and The Bronx.

These early communities kept close relationships, relying on each other for mutual self defense against the hostile elements of greater New York, all the while trading in scrap and chems with coastal merchants who sailed up and down the East Coast in old pre-war ships or boats cobbled together from scrap. The extensive urban debris of New York provided a wealth of not only supplies and weapons left behind by the National Guard and crews who were deployed to contain and lessen the effects of the Hot Summer, but the knowledge of the surviving old-world Jews in professional fields allowed for the production of higher-end manufactured goods. In a sense the community propped itself on the production of home-made pharmaceuticals and chems sold to the merchants at a good profit. Often times the interests of self defense called for raiding, which brought in additional supplies, as well as slaves traded abroad. But even their efforts were strained, and parts of their communities fell into mismanagement as the Jewish community began to fall back into centralized areas.

In the defense of their communities however the Jews of Queens came into contact with one raider who simply referred to himself as “Dogballs”.

Taken in as a casualty of a failed raid against them, Dogballs was shot through the head with a rifle. However by unfortunate luck the raider was not dropped for dead and slipped into a coma from his injuries. Retrieving his corpse the defenders found the body still retained vitals and urgently dressed his wounds. Surrendering him to the ghouls they presided over his unconscious corpse, pensively waiting for him to come to as they debated his fate. It was a year before Dogballs came around.

In the year 2275 he came to. His recovery came as a shock, forcing many to hail his return from death as a miracle. So much so the ghoulish kohen Leonard Rothman came to visit him. Sitting down with him, Rothman discussed the raider's life. And offered him salvation as God saw fit to keep him alive, for whatever grand humor that would serve. Dogballs apprehensively accepted.

Though outcasted as per his lack of faith Dogballs tried his best – if at the insistence of Rothman – to do so. He was offered and given much, food, shelter, an education by the Rabbis; as per the mounted pressure by the descendants of the Jewish vault community on Kohen Leonard. And it was Dogballs he turned to to address many of the problems the communities faced. It is often wondered if his missions were a means to kill the raider, or to force him to prove himself. But the kohenim has remained silent on the matter.

Dogballs was the one to set foot into the sewers of New York, to slay the great ghoul alligator The Leviathan who had set up a nest there and who had eaten many a traveler or scavenger. And it was Dogballs who had met the super mutant named “Goliath” that promised to lead an army on the Jews. For all the monsters and threats that faced the community it was Dogballs who was chosen to act. And it was Dogballs who began to volunteer.

In 2277, Dogballs accepted conversion to Judaism.

To his followers this was a monumental decision, and in their eyes legitimatized him as a great man. To those that had followed him distantly this made him approachable. His renown exploded at his conversion as he was now not just an outsider, he was a brother. As part of his conversion he renounced his old raider name of Dogballs and adopted the name Solomon.

Solomon's followers flocked to him, in effect forming a fourth tribe in the three-borough territory of the Jews. Renowned for an almost fanatical devotion to Solomon as an almost messiah figure they adopted the name of Zealots. They echoed his statements to forge a unified kingdom for their people. The ending of all threats. Construction of a great temple. And most grandest of all: a return – an aliyah – to the promised land across the mysterious dark sea.

Many of the old-world ghouls treated this decree with cynicism. But were helpless to do anything but watched as the three communities of Queens, The Bronx, and Brooklyn folded into the Zealot's flag.

Over the next several years Solomon lead a borough-by-borough campaign on the wild boroughs of New York. In doing so he forced out the communities who lived within, enslaved the others, or forced the conversion of the gentile populations. His acts of forced conversion came under heavy fire from the old-world ghouls who contended that their faith was simply not a ideology, but a way of life and an identity. They demanded Solomon should respect that.

It is a argument that Solomon responded with, “we must install a fear of Jews in defense, and in effect encourage mityahed.” Relationships between Solomon and the old-world Jews has remained stressed ever sense.

The occupation of New York by the Zealots became final by 2283. Solomon encouraged the process of mityahed, which increased his number of supporters. To rest many of the tensions between him and the old-breed of Jews, Solomon met with Kohen Leonard and prepared to law more defined and reformed “legal” rights to this first-convert Jews he brought in, and under which circumstances they could convert under. The most pressing of this new legal frame-work that new converts may only be taken in if they marry a formal Jew.
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[b]NCR FACTIONS[/b]

[hider=Klamath]
Name: The State of Klamath

Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon

History: Klamath is one of the most boring, yet prosperous, states of the NCR, populated by tough frontiersmen who trade Gecko Pelts, Farm Goods, and Bhramin with the Hub, choosing not to make waves, but at the same time, using its position in the fringes of NCR territory to its advantage, being close enough to have a say in how the Republic runs itself, yet far enough to retain a measure of semi-independence, which it uses to promote its own policies. While the Brahmin Barons maintain power in the state, it is much less than elsewhere in the NCR, due to competition from a rival bloc, that of the free peasant smallholdings situated along the frontier. These smallholdings, settled by veteran soldiers, were large enough to sustain said veteran soldiers and their arnament, but small enough not to count as an estate, and thus prevent the spectre of aristocracy.

Not merely that, but whenever the Agri-Barons tried to buy out said farms, or try to take them over some other way, the veteran soldiers would either band together and gather money and resources to defy said Agri-Barons, or, if faced with continued pressure, threaten to take up arms. It also didn't help the Barons that the State Government was controlled by these frontierspeople and smallholders, and, though the Federal Government had allowed the Brahmin and Agri-Barons free rein in the amount of acerage and herds that they could have, the Klamath State Authority had other ways of preventing their expansion through the use of zoning laws, state citizenship requirements for tax breaks on goods that can be bought and sold, and other state laws and loopholes.

This would have made Klamath disliked, if not for the fact that 1.) it was so distant, and 2.) the fact that it was economically unimportant to such places as the Hub, and 3.) the fact that Klamath kept the Gecko Pelts, Skin, and Meat flowing into the Hub, as well as other goods. It also didn't hurt that not only did the smallholders control the state militia, but they provided some of the bravest and most hardened volunteers for the NCR Army, especially in the Mojave Campaign. And it was said Mojave Campaign that provided the root of new frustrations.

The people of Klamath did not object to expansion, per se; what they objected to was expansion for the benefit of a few people and interests. If there was any direction to expand, it should be northward, towards land empty of most inhabitants except for cannibals, where, despite the effects of radiation, many fertile places remained. Not merely that, but they also saw how corrupt the NCR had become, and while they would never entertain outright treason, they would, however, act on their own within the legal framework of the NCR. And so, the Northern Exapnsion plan was developed; Klamath will, using its own resources, but with the support of the NCR Government (acquired through their representatives in the Senate), expand North into Oregon...

...Taking not only the fertile lands there, but also the 14 Hydroelectric dams in the area, some of which should either be intact, or repairable. These would provide an alternative to Hoover Dam. An ambitious project, but even a partial success can raise Klamath's profile, and thus the power it can bring to bear in the NCR Federal Government, as well as help defend against the other states. Not merely that, but the smallholding system, if extended, would create a class of landed, free, and relatively wealthy peasants that can counteract the existing power blocs, and support further reforms in the Senate.

Or so, it is assumed; but plans often go awry, even the best-laid ones.[/hider]

[hider=The Hub]
Faction: The Hub, New California Republic
Location: Core Region, southern California
History: By 2281, The Hub had become one of the most important states in the NCR. Home to the Republic's most successful caravan companies, The Hub became the Republic's primary trading center. An economic powerhouse, The Hub was home to the largest community of traders and thriving businesses, making it an important place for trade and a vital stopping point for all major roads in the Republic. This brought immense wealth to the state, transforming The Hub into an economic giant able to exert its power to shift the politics of the Republic at a moment's notice.

A founding state of the New California Republic, The Hub played a major role in its politics. Where it could not assert its will politically, it did economically, often forcing its competitors into submission through economic warfare. A vital supply line to a rival state could be cut with the snap of a finger, and reinstated again once The Hub's wishes were met. Everything from chems to guns, food and material came from The Hub, and was supplied to all corners of the Republic through the use of its major caravan companies. The Hub could at times be a lifesaver, bringing settlements from the brink of starvation and cashing in favors down road from those whose life it saved. Other times, it was a killer. Sanctions and the re-routing of major trade routes to avoid passing through rival settlements, among other things, could break its enemies without a shot fired.

Though once home to a thriving criminal underground, The Hub has since been cleaned up to an extent. Criminal groups that threatened its existence and scared away business were swiftly dealt with and corruption on all levels saw a sharp decrease. A black market still exists, however, and goes undisturbed by the state's authority, The Hub Central Council, made up of representatives from the major caravan companies.

Following the disaster in the Mojave Wasteland, The Hub saw further liberties reestablished, and although still a part of the New California Republic, acts on a semi-independent basis with a powerful say in the Republic's policies, but with an increased freedom to act independently. This has lead to The Hub asserting its power over the rest of the states through political and economic means, getting what it wants through threats of economic destruction, or a halt to the delivery of vital supplies. It stands as the turbulent republic's largest settlement, its authority and power second to only Shady Sands itself -- though it's no secret The Hub pulls strings even in the capital.

The Hub has entered a period of cautiousness in the wake of the disaster in the Mojave. It has, as of recently, focused on dealing with the effects brought on by the bombs that saw its eastern interests destroyed and the NCR presence relied on to continue business withdrawn. It has put its energies towards strengthening its position in California even further and minimizing the damage caused by the Republic's recent failures.
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[b]Individual Characters[/b]

[hider=James Wallace]
Name: James Wallace

Physical Description: Wallace is a fifty year old white man with gray hair, blue eyes, and a strong jawline. He is the old movies' version of what a US President looks like, standing at just over six feet tall with a trim build. He often wears blue and black suits with matching ties and pins on his lapel, the two headed bear as a symbol of the NCR and a trident, the personal banner of Wallace Caravan Company

Bio:

James Wallace is the owner of Wallace Caravan Company, one of the founding corporations of the Hub. His ancestor, Elbert W. Wallace, had a successful overland caravan but he truly made his fortune by setting up lucrative trading routes up and down the Pacific coast, providing the NCR coastal cities with the goods and services they needed. At the time of James' inheritance of the company from his father, WCC had lost some of its luster due to the success of larger companies like Crimson Caravan. Through James' hard work he brought WCC back through striking out with further extension of its land and sea routes.

Sixteen years ago James gave up controlling stake in the WCC to run for a seat in the NCR House of Representatives. He was easily elected thanks to his business and political connections within the Hub. For the past sixteen years he has served in the House as the Chief Whip to Speaker Clayburn and sits on several important House committees, even chairing the Armed Service Committee. As the Hub's pointman, James is one of the most powerful men in the government. He has his own faction inside the House that he can call on to pass legislation, and his connections to the Hub's businessmen mean that any representative or senator in need of financial support for campaigns come to him when they want to get on the good side of the Caravans. Almost every congressman or politician in Shady Sands owes James Wallace a favor, and he has no qualms about cashing in on those favors when he needs them.
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