[h3]The Confederation of Free Texan States[/h3] [img]http://i.imgur.com/noY4Ufd.jpg[/img] [hider=The Confederation of Free Texan States] [hider=The Flag] The Lone Star Flag, but instead of one star there are three stars arranged in a triangle. Each star represents one of the city states. Though which star is which state is up for debate. New Austinians believe Austin is the top star due to it being the location of the Confederation government. New Houstonians think they're the top star from their economic prevalence. New Dallasians claim the position due to their role in expanding the Confederation. This little conflict is minor, but represents the wider sectional tensions under the veneer of the Confederation. [/hider] [hider=Population] 875,000. Texans are primarily descendants of white and Mexican American citizens from before the war. A minority of ghouls exists as well. [/hider] [hider=History] [i]The States in the Confederation, New Houston, New Austin, and New Dallas, have their own unique histories, but most Texan historians as of modern times have accepted that all the states began to form in roughly 2150 A.D. By this time, the crumbling remains of the old cities had been abandoned by most. The people had fled long ago to plunder the numerous and once populous towns around Texas, and to establish new farming communities. The cities did have many ghouls in them, though Houston had more than the others. Most were feral, but the few who weren't were the first of the re-settlers of the great cities of Texas. New Houston especially shows the legacy of these men and women with roughly 30% of their population ghoulish. Even New Houston’s long time Governor Harris is a ghoul. Humans began repopulating these urban areas in the 2150’s to handle trade and to provide services to disconnected farm communities and ranchers. The cities were central locations in their respective areas, with ancient structures to provide shelter from raiders and ghouls. As wealth and population grew in these once abandoned areas, hierarchies of wealth and status formed. People of good standing began selecting governors to lead them. The wealthier people acquired the fancier architectural works in the cities for themselves and the rest needed more room to live and work, beginning the long push to re-settle the downtown of each city. The most famous and celebrated reclamation is Governor Johnson’s(A great governor now featured on the Texan $5 bill) claiming of the old Texas Capitol Building in Austin in 2190. He established the building as the site of government for New Austin: a potent symbol of rising civilization and reclamation of tradition in Texas. Decades of growth and expanding civilization ensued across the Texas Triangle. New Austin, New Houston, and New Dallas sprung up. Their names a reflection of the people’s attempts to recapture their traditions. But this prosperity did not last unchallenged. In 2260, Vault 99 opened it’s doors, and unleashed a war machine. The Vault had been filled with pre war military personnel, and were instructed to restore “order” after the apocalypse. The Vault consumed San Antonio, and blitzed through to New Austin, where brutal street to street fighting threatened to end the city state. But the people of New Austin, the people of Texas, were too resilient for the ancient invaders. Inspired by the martyrs at the Second Battle of the Alamo, Texans held their ground. The Angels of War also came to New Austin’s aid, and were key in holding the invaders long enough for New Houston and New Dallas’s forces to flank the enemy. The current league of friendship between the great cities of Texas was was reinforced to repel the Vault Invaders, and pushed them back to San Marcos. There the front ground to a halt as an uneasy border, which unfortunately persists to this day. The war proved to be the spark for an even greater Texas under the Confederation of Free Texan States. The States spread their influence even further, made important steps in unifying their armies, and scriptures of government and law were further codified in this period. The States all had degrees of democracy, electing governors and other leaders. The values and traditions of freedom and popular sovereignty became popular in this period, and the government was eager to please. Still some accuse the leaders of corruption, but the best people know they simply have to make hard decisions. Texans also celebrated renewed efforts to push into the frontier in this period. Tall Tales of West Texas spread like wildfire when the Texas Rangers announced vast scouting endeavors in 2267. Pioneers pushed into the frontier in droves before all the scouting was completed, leading to some bloody encounters. Confused and informal conflicts in the frontier still occur as of 2290, but the pull is still hard to ignore for boys weaned on pulp Texas Ranger novellas. Later findings revealed that Texas was very much one part of a bigger world. Discovering the Legion, the Midwestern Brotherhood of Steel, and retrospection on their own war with Vault 99 made the Texan people realize that freedom is scarce commodity in the Wasteland. Texans were delighted people with similar ideals were located on the West Coast, and quickly established close relations and trade with the NCR. Fear led to further consolidation of the military from the old localized system to ensure the common defense, and it drove Texans into the Hoover War. The Texans joined the Hoover War due to fears that if the NCR fell to the Midwest-Legion side, the Confederation of Free Texan States would be the lone free civilization and prone to invasion. The Confederation swiftly consolidated three armies. One for the Legion, one for the Midwest, and one for Vault 99, who seemed likely to reignite their old conflict. Texas was also bolstered with Angels of War mercenaries and Key Republic forces. They attacked the southern borders of both enemy states, attempting to relieve pressure off their threatened western ally. The despots of the Legion and the Brotherhood were surprised by the sudden advance into their territory, but quickly responded with guerilla fighters and armored terrors. The Texans couldn't be defeated, only held up by infernal devilry. On the Vault front, the Texans, the Key armies, and the Angels of War pushed to the gates of what Vault 99 christened The SA Capital District. No longer the city they once knew from decades ago, it now had vast fortifications festooned with propaganda. The advance was shutdown and repelled by resurgent Vault forces and air attacks. Ramped up war production in all the city states could have help secured a Texan victory. Anti-tank rifles for the Midwestern power armor, artillery to pummel the Vault 99 fortifications, and enhanced Angel of War recon gear to track down Legion guerillas. Many wonderous and terrifying armaments came out each city’s foundry, but the war was ended before they could be used. No territory was gained by any nation in a controversial white peace. Now the year is 2290, and that peace deal is up. It will be the first true test of last year’s surprise Governor-elect Angela Riviera, who promised reaching a favorable international deal for Texas on the campaign trail. All Texans will listen with anticipation to what comes out of the convention. It will define the lone star states for years to come.[/i] - An excerpt by Eric Calhoun from the New Austin-Texan Statesman newspaper. A paper sometimes accused of adding too much luster to events and being biased in favor of increased unity, but it generally provides sound news to New Austinians. This exaltation was printed in anticipation of the Convention and of the anniversary of Governor Johnson’s reclamation of the Texas Capitol Building in 2190. [/hider] [hider=Military] Much of Texas’s military is made up of volunteers, as most Texans have typically been eager to fight when conflict arises. Still, an adult male conscription service is in place, along with the general public willing to form militias in dire times. They have a total of 46,000 military personnel. 32,000 regulars. These troops are the gray clad rank and file, and are equipped with varying rifles(most often hunting rifles and the Texan equivalent to the service rifle), shotguns, varying revolvers and pistols(often M1911 pistols and .357 revolvers), and varying knives(many love the classic Bowie knife). The lack of standardization can be a problem regarding supply, but it also means most soldiers are close to experts with the gun they shoot on and off duty. They have minimal armor consisting of their gray or desert colored fatigues, a few bits of leather armor, cowboy hats, military caps, and in battle they typically wear combat armor helmets. The regular troops also have units equipped with artillery, machine guns, and anti-tank rifles. Regular troops are primarily young inexperienced men, but have been training for years now in case of another conflict. The regulars used to be a series of militias, but were consolidated in the later stages of the Hoover War into a cohesive army. They're also skilled in arid environments, having trained on the edge of the frontier in case of a push into the Legion. 3,500 cavalry. Horses were reintroduced into the Texan military two decades ago when herds were found on the frontier. Cavalrymen look much like they did in the past. Sabers, gray uniforms, lever actions, cowboy hats, and revolvers. Many of them are a cut above the average regular, having been recruited from heavily experienced Cowboys. 5,000 “professionals”. Experienced regulars equipped with combat armor and pre-war military grade weapons. Texas once held many military personnel before the bombs. What can still be scavenged is supplied to these veterans, who are then organized into elite regiments. Combat armor colored gray or desert, assault carbines, assault rifles, SMGs, combat shotguns, and tactical gear. 100 airmen and 3,400 seamen. Texas has recently experimented with forming an air force to combat Vault 99. The air force primarily consists of fighters and vertibirds captured from them during the war, and includes two rare Stingray Deluxe fighters. The seamen are primarily employed in the Grand Fleet of New Houston, which serves Texas’s interests in the Gulf. The Grand Fleet of New Houston was originally consolidated to deal with the growing pirate threat over half a century ago. It has a long history of working with The Most Serene Key Republic’s Republican Navy. Two of the Fleet’s ships are heavy battleships designed to defend Port Bolivar, the primary access point to the bays where New Houston’s trade is operated. The rest of the ships are designed to either support the battleships or fight pirates. They include four frigates and three corvettes, as well as many supporting gun and torpedo boats. Many trade ships also have their own merchant marine as well. 2,000 Texas Rangers. These are the best of the best Texas has to offer. They are the heroes of Texas, the legends parents tell their children of. They serve several functions, and can be broken into two general categories. 1,000 act as Ranger police, serving as the law for a great expanse of the Confederation. This 1,000 has only a slight to no lower skill than the other 1,000 rangers, and can be brought into military service if necessary. They’re equipped with simple apparel designed for roughing it in the west and the waste, high power revolvers and .45 caliber pistols, rifles, and policing equipment. The other 1,000 are the Military Rangers. They are the elite of the army, acting as special forces and undertaking crucial missions. They operate in matters dealing with foreign powers and especially powerful groups within Texas. One such command of theirs is the defense of Fort Bliss, where the Rangers are meant to defend and provide an early warning signal to the rest of Texas if the Legion invade. Their outpost is also responsible with dealing with their section of the Frontier. The Confederation can also count on the Angels of War to supplement their military forces. Some don't like the idea of hiring expensive mercenaries, but the combat record of the Angels makes them hard to pass up. [/hider] [hider=Government] The most powerful people in the Confederation are the three Governors. They are the chief executives of their respective city states, with only a few checks on their power from minor legislative and judiciary bodies. Texans elect them every six years. Each city state has power over most of it’s own affairs, with only broad decisions affecting the whole Confederation being made by the Confederation Congress. Texans also elect representatives to the Confederation Congress based on whatever county they live in. Most counties represent the interests of the nearest city state, which means they often represent the interests of the Governor. The people also vote on which Governor will lead the Confederation Congress as President of the Confederation. This is a position established in the last decade, and holds only a few powers beyond a swing vote and being the foreign face. The current president is Governor Harris, but an election is coming up… There is also a Confederation Court, which judges the people and enforces the laws. It establishes legal rules very similar to those of Pre War times except more Wasteland style justice is allowed. These rules are theoretically applied to all lesser courts in the Federation, but many have their own legal codes and precedents. The powers of all the government branches above are written down in the Papers of the Free Texan Confederation, though a movement to replace this document with a more centralized constitution has gained traction recently. As for Individual rights, the people of the Confederation have numerous freedoms and protections written down in these papers. The people are jealous of their rights, and are eager to defend them. Texas Rangers, militias, and local police forces deal with crime and enforce the law. [/hider] [hider=Notable People(WIP)] Governor of New Austin Angela Riviera: Characteristics: 38 year old mixed Mexican American woman with light brown skin, blue eyes, and black hair kept in a medium length no-nonsense style. Angela still has the build of a soldier years after her service, including several scars marring her body. The most prominent being a missing left ear, which she carefully covers with her hair. Background: Angela’s victory in the past year’s elections came as a surprise to many of the political and merchant elite. But those more attuned to public opinion could see that her pro-military and advocacy for the common man won vast popular support. Angela herself can claim truly to represent the average Texan. Born to poor Mexican and Texan homesteaders In the area surrounding New Austin, she chose to advance through the military rather than farming. She eventually became a Texas Ranger medic, thinking that was as high she could get. Then she found herself leading a squad, surprising herself when she realized she had true leadership potential. Her squad was achieved it’s goals with minimal losses during the Hoover War, and she was often credited for it. After the war, she saw the sorry state Texas was in during her leave. Angela believed she could use the values, perspective, tenacity, and know-how she’d gained in the Rangers and on the frontier to lead New Austin to stand up for people like her who weren't as fortunate. She also has firm foreign policy goals, always seeking peace when possible, but never afraid to stand by Texas’s interests with military force when rational. Governor of New Houston Robert “Bob” Harris: Nobody knows how old Bob is, but everyone knows his mind is sharp. He’s what some would call a master politician by Texan standards. He has the most charming smile and easy going personality anyone has ever seen from a ghoul, which are large parts of how he works politics. Just when his competitors try to write him off as an ancient traditionalist, he always adapts to the changing public expectations and wins popular support. Bob hasn't won every election, but you can always bet he’ll win the next ten. Though at this crucial point in Texan history, he's worried his age is catching up to him, so he's taking Angela under his wing. Physically, Bob is skinny, wrinkled, and a greenish skin color. [/hider] [hider=Economy] Most Texans are farmers and ranchers, contributing their beef, cotton, and wheat to the ever hungrier cities. Brahmin Barons hold much sway over the beef trade in Texas, producing longhorn brahmin for the national and international trade. Limited oil reserves can still be found in the Gulf Coast and the frontier. These are exploited to run the fleet, fuel the limited numbers of automobiles reactivated in Texas, and to export to a few chosen nations. Many pumps can be found in what is now the Tex Legio, which has allowed oil men in in exchange for military protection from Caesar’s Legion. Trade with the Most Serene Key Republic has gone on as far as anyone can remember. Texas enjoys the numerous precious resources it acquires from this trade, and in exchange Texas supplies beef, cotton, food crops, scavenged tech, limited supplies of oil, and many practical goods. A similar trade deal has been struck with the Angels of War for many years, except beef is exchanged for bullets and mercenaries rather than fine luxury goods. Texas’s economy is diversifying as a result of numerous entrepreneurs coming out of the cities in recent years. All sorts of products, businesses, and salvage can be found in each city. The people have had their basic needs met, so now they demand all sorts of goods to consume. Rebuilding efforts demand stone, metal, and wood work, meaning resource extraction is becoming a prominent industry once more. Railroads have even started chugging again in some parts of Texas.While impressive, the lack of regulation on these unbounded commercial forces is some cause for concern. [/hider] [hider=Culture and Technology:] Texans are fiercely independent and individualistic, valuing hard work, self defense, and personal initiative above anything else: values before the war now further entrenched and validated by the challenges of the wasteland. Paradoxically, many Texans have traditional family structures, and Texans can still be referred to as conservative too. Christianity, catholicism and protestantism, have survived past the bombs as well. Church culture still exists as well, having served the purpose of organizing Texans for defense and industry in the times before the city states were what they are now. Mexican and Texan culture fused further after the war to produce the modern Texan culture. Elements of Western and Cowboy culture are also common. More deviations from this standard can be found in the cities, where the more hectic and diverse climate leads to people falling outside the norm like people in cities before the war. Texans are xenophobic, but not towards any specific thing. Resentment towards other human races fell long ago when the war meant humans no longer had the power to artificially divide themselves any longer. Ghouls are generally accepted, though some extreme organizations still refuse their integration into "pure Texan society", and many hold the casual prejudice that ghouls could become feral at any time. No, Texans are xenophobic towards outsiders. They realize much of America is no longer controlled by Americans, but instead it is controlled by despots, dark gods,irradiated horrors, and "uncivilized" tribes. This is where Texans get what they refer to as a New Manifest Destiny. Not all Texans think like this, as certain parts of cities and towns get a wide variety of outsiders following trade routes. For popular culture, various musical fusions of cowboy, country, and rock are popular, as well as music like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyu3OIn5A00 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50_iRIcxsz0 . Fashion is a strange fusion of practicality, western style, pre-war style, and ancient 1800s style. For technology, almost everyone in within city limits possesses electricity and running water. Air conditioning is growing in availability, but is still very expensive. For the many small towns outside the cities, almost none of these commodities are available. A public works administration tries to supply these towns with these commodities, but faces low funding and a wide variety of local challenges. Train tracks have have been repaired across the Confederation for easier transportation of cattle and other goods. Radio networks provide for communication and entertainment across the great expanses of Texas. Machines are understood well enough to maintain and restore factories and automobiles. Some forays have been made into more advanced technology from the careful salvaging of Texan aerospace bases, universities, and computer factories. Before the war, Texas held many major tech companies, which are now being labored on by some of Texas’s best and brightest. One notable accomplishment is the reopening of a factory producing basic consumer computers. [/hider] [/hider]