Crimson Paladin

War Never Changes

Pontiff Cromwell

“Please welcome The Jade Empress and her protégé from The Jaded Empire,” spoke the doorman.

Cromwell's face turned grim as he turned to the new arrivals. He did not just recognize this nation, he recognized its representative. Calypso. Back before the Cult descended upon the Capital Wasteland, before Atom prompted him to withdraw, Calypso was a rather infamous woman in the area, a slaver who had masqueraded as a brothel madame in the town of Grayditch, at least before the locals and Brotherhood drove her out. While the subsequent threat of the Cult in the Capital Wasteland may have overshadowed her menace to its denizens, she remained an infamous, if slightly obscure figure in the history of the Capital Wasteland.

This, however, would not the be the last bombshell (figuratively speaking) dropped on the delegation. The NCR brought in a television transmitting a message revealing the true president leading a military action. Cromwell was unfamiliar with the politics of the west, however, and it was difficult to keep up with it. From what he could gather, the delegate he had spoken to from NCR was a decoy, and the real one used this delegation as a distraction to mount an invasion of the lands of the so-called Caesar's Legion. A deceitful ploy, to be sure.

"Quite an uncanny resemblance to the real president, Grand Zealot," the Pontiff addressed Richter. "Could he be a Synth copy?"

"No, Pontiff," Richter answered, "Only the Institute has the technology to create Synths, which is far beyond anything the NCR possesses. This man is simply a body double, an underling who has undergone training and surgery to serve as a decoy."

"I see," Cromwell replied. "What do you know of the Legion and New California Republic?"

"I know little of the Legion," Richter spoke as he sat down and glanced around, "But I know of the NCR. Fifty years ago, they drove the Enclave from the region and ever since have ruled over the former state of California and surrounding lands."

"I hope this does not pain you to recall, brother," Cromwell responded.

"It does not, Pontiff," Richter reassured him, looking away from the Enclave delegates. "I now know it was was part of Atom's plan for me."

It was around this point that things heated up between the NCR decoy and Calypso. Both were partially right- the NCR was guilty of betraying the trust of the delegation, and Calypso was a murderous, slaving blasphemer. But the Pontiff did not come here to watch others burn bridges- he came here to build them. With that in mind, he put their argument in the back of his mind and approached the representative of the Free Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

"Greetings, madame governor. I am Pontiff Cromwell of the Church of the Children of Atom," he introduced himself as he sat down next to her. Might we speak?"

War Never Changes

Pontiff Cromwell- Ultra-Luxe

The man next to Cromwell addressed him. “welcome Pontiff Cromwell, My name is James Kimball president of the NCR... I must confess we know little of your church but am I correct in saying you are welcoming to ghouls and mutants? It is good to know that there is at least one of other nation that is not run by bigots and shows some compassion to our mutated comrades and Citizens.”

Pontiff Cromwell smiled. "The Church of Atom is open to all who are willing to bring Atom into their lives, even those whom He has altered. And even those who have not accepted Atom into their lives have proven themselves worthwhile allies, although it has not been without diffculty."

As much as Tektus dislikes the artificial man who helped Martin settle Atom's holy island, we owe much to him. A tragedy that Martin lost his way.

"Sadly, we have had little success in spreading the word of his light to the so-called Super Mutants. Despite being gifted with the strength to stand in Atom's Glow, most squander it on petty raiding, their minds embittered by the profane process of their creation and rife with pride in their own forms."

Not all Super Mutants were the same in this regard- those that lived in proximity to Megaton were infamous for dragging their victims off, and said to create more of their own with their victims. Those they had encountered to the north, by contrast, claimed to be made by humans- a fact that only seemed to fuel their hatred for mankind. And above all, it was a rare Super Mutant that did not immediately see Cromwell's flock as food.

"I will confess, however, that not all are like this," the Pontiff added. "One of my shepherds spoke of one such peaceful mutant living near one of Atom's sites, whom even more strangely, she claims has since turned back into a man."

War Never Changes

Church of the Children of Atom

Name: Church of the Children of Atom

Flag:

Territory (picture or description) and Geography: The Children of Atom can be found across the East Coast from the Capital Wasteland to Atom's holy island, although they do not govern most of this territory.

History (if using a pre-existing faction, recent history will due): The Children of Atom originated as a small cult worshiping an unexploded atomic bomb in the Capital Wasteland, in a town that would become known as Megaton. In early 2277, Confessor Cromwell, having supposedly sensed an encroaching darkness, took some of his flock northward, preaching and gathering new converts along the way- a move that would be later vindicated when cultists of Ug-Qualtoth sacked Megaton. From Washington DC to Boston, the church grew as more men and women came to accept Atom.

Meanwhile, one group of faithful, led by Confessor Martin and purportedly guided by a vision, came to an island in Maine that was inundated with radioactive fog. Declaring the island to be Atom's holy land, Martin and his faithful were given a home in an old Submarine base by a rogue Synth. Things became strained between those living on the island and Martin eventually left, succeeded by the fanatical High Confessor Tektus. Tensions grew between the Children of Atom, the Synths, and the locals of Far Harbor, but before they could boil over, Tektus took the submarine and departed from the island. Accompanied by his well-equipped zealots, he put out a call for a crusade against the worshipers of darkness that had desecrated Megaton, and Atom's faithful flocked to him, marching southward towards Washington DC.

In Washington DC, Tektus scoured the wasteland of Ug-Qualtoth cultists through Atom's holy light, retook Megaton from the cultists still desecrating it with their presence, and seized Fort Constantine, intent on using its nuclear arsenal to spread holy Division to the unbelievers. Facing an impending war, Cromwell reluctantly took up the mantle of Atom's Pontiff and ordered Tektus to stand down, to concentrate on guarding against the Cult rather than seeking further revenge upon them.

United under Cromwell, the crusade ended, and Atom's holy Inquisition was formed to combat the influence of the believers of Ug-Qualtoth. Megaton has once again begun trading and distributing copies of the Wasteland Survivor's Guide, and the tensions on Atom's holy island have lessened. Missionaries have been sent west in search of both more men and women to convert and to seek out more of Atom's holy sites, but few have returned.

Population: Approximately 51,000 believers

Government/Domestic Politics: The leader of the Church is Pontiff Cromwell. Inquisitor Tektus heads the Zealots and Inquisition, with Grand Zealot Richter as his right hand man. Below them are the Confessors who preside over the communities of faithful across the East Coast.

Notable People: The three most important figures in the Church of the Children of Atom are Pontiff Cromwell- the leader of the Church, Inquisitor Tektus- the head of the militant arm of the Church, and Grand Zealot Richter, a former Enclave Lieutenant and commander of the Church's military forces.

Military: During the crusade, Tektus commanded a small group of elite, well-equipped Zealots, along with a large group of poorly equipped volunteer fighters carrying Gamma Guns. While the crusade has been called off, Tektus remains in command of 2000 Zealots, equipped with Radium Rifles, Nuka-grenades, rusted pre-war Marine and combat armors, and even a few T-51 power armor suits, mostly looted from pre-war military installations and Atom's island. The Church also maintains 500 Inquisitors who guard against subversion and heresy.

While they are few in number, Atom's warriors are not to be underestimated- Atom's blessing protects them from radiation, and they are one of the few groups in the wasteland willing and able to detonate nuclear weapons, with no regard for their own safety.

Economy: While most of Atom's faithful are self-sufficient farmers or hunters, the faith maintains its small military arm primarily through scavenging of pre-war military installations and trade in and around Megaton and Far Harbor.

Culture and Technology: The culture of the Church is centered around its faith, and the duty that Atom requires of them. Technology-wise, the church is adept at repurposing pre-war technology, in particular atomic tech, as evidenced by the radiation-inflicting weapons that they rely upon, and in their successful weaponization of Nuka-Cola Quantum. In addition, they maintain a pre-war nuclear submarine as well as a single Vertibird, plucked from the Glowing Sea and restored to working order.

Religion: The Church of the Children of Atom is dedicated to the worship of Atom. Central to this belief is that every atom is a universe in itself, and when it is split, two universes are created from one. Areas inundated with radiation are holy sites, and Atom's holy island, where the Mother of the Fog resides, is especially sacred.

War Never Changes

Pontiff Cromwell- McCarran Airfield

Above McCarran Airport, a brown, battered Vertibird descended. A far cry from what would be expected for an attending delegate, the aircraft- marred with scratches, dents, and welds- looked more suitable for a scrapyard than the VIP-hosting airport it was landing in. After touching down, one of the side doors creaked open, and Pontiff Cromwell stepped from the craft, clad in the ragged robes and scrap metal miter of his station, followed by the armored form of Grand Zealot Richter.

Neither of them had ever expected to be invited to a conference of nations. For that matter, neither of them had expected to live to see a conference of nations across the nation. While the Church of Atom was not a nation in its own right, it was evidently influential enough to have gained the attention of Mr. House, the ruler of New Vegas. While many felt it was too risky to attend a supposed meeting on the other side of the continent, it was Atom's will that they attend, Cromwell determined.

"Praise Atom we have arrived safely," Cromwell spoke, raising his hands in praise. Even by air it had been a long trip, one that would normally be far too great for a Vertibird, but the Children of Atom were a resourceful group. Unnecessary components such as weapons, ammunition, and reactor shielding had been stripped out to make way for greater stores of coolant and fuel, permitting a range sufficient to attend this meeting so far from home. As a welcome side effect, these modifications also caused the craft to radiate Atom's holy light.

A Securitron bearing the face of a soldier approached them. "Sir, this aircraft is emitting unsafe levels of radiation and constitutes a major safety and health hazard to the airfield. Please step away.

"Do not worry, robot," Cromwell replied. "This is our vessel, and we are not harmed by its glow."

"He's right, the radiation doesn't affect us. We are here to attend the delegation, representing the Children of Atom," the Grand Zealot explained.

Despite its lack of facial expressions beyond its default facial image on its screen, the Securitron seemed dumbfounded, as if none of this made any sense. While it stood there silently, another Securitron, this one with a police officer's face on its screen, rolled up.

"Welcome to New Vegas, Pontiff Cromwell. I will be your escort in New Vegas. Follow me." Cromwell and Richter followed the robot into the airport, while the first Securitron continued to blankly stare at the Vertibird, seemingly still trying to process what it had just witnessed.

Within the airport, the robot led them to a decontamination arch. "Before we can continue to the Strip, you must be decontaminated. Please step through the arch one at a time," it ordered .

"Is this necessary, Pontiff? Must we be scoured?" protested Richter.

"Do not feel shame in it," Cromwell advised as he ducked through the arch. "Scour oneself and embrace the Glow anew." Richter reluctantly followed suit. Having Atom's Blessing, they did not require scouring, but it was a necessary gesture of goodwill that would go a long way.

After decontamination, the robot led them to a monorail, which ferried them to The Strip- a sight unlike anything Cromwell had ever seen. It was nothing like the scrap cities of the Capital Wasteland, or the re-purposed ruins of the Commonwealth. Robots kept watch over the streets, elaborate neon signs glowed brightly even during the day, and finely dressed men and women walked to and from the various businesses.

It is a city frozen in time, as if the Great Division had never come to pass here...

Once they reached the station, they followed their escort to the Ultra-Luxe. After Richter (somewhat reluctantly) handed over his Radium Rifle to the doorman, they were led by one of the masked attendants to the Gourmand.

"Introducing Pontiff Cromwell and Grand Zealot Richter of the Church of Atom," the attendant dryly announced.
The two delegates took their seats at the central table and began to wait. Richter said nothing as he looked over each of the other delegates.

"You you recognize anyone, Grand Zealot?" asked Cromwell.

"Not specifically, Pontiff, but the robed man is with the Brotherhood of Steel, and judging from those rebreathers I am fairly certain those ones are representing the Cult of Ug-Qualtoth. Be wary Pontiff, for we are among enemies," Richter advised.

"Indeed, we are far from Atom's light," Cromwell assessed. The city was flashy and beautiful, but it was a false glow, where none knew of the glory of Atom and of his holy glow. Perhaps, however, this meeting would give them an opportunity to spread his word across the wasteland.

War Never Changes- A Fallout RP

Here's my WIP.

Church of the Children of Atom

Name: Church of the Children of Atom

Flag:

Territory (picture or description) and Geography: The Children of Atom can be found across the East Coast from the Capital Wasteland to Atom's holy island, although they do not govern most of this territory.

History (if using a pre-existing faction, recent history will due): The Children of Atom originated as a small cult worshiping an unexploded atomic bomb in the Capital Wasteland, in a town that would become known as Megaton. In early 2277, Confessor Cromwell, having supposedly sensed an encroaching darkness, took some of his flock northward, preaching and gathering new converts along the way- a move that would be later vindicated when cultists of Ug-Qualtoth sacked Megaton. From Washington DC to Boston, the church grew as more men and women came to accept Atom.

Meanwhile, one group of faithful, led by Confessor Martin and purportedly guided by a vision, came to an island in Maine that was inundated with radioactive fog. Declaring the island to be Atom's holy land, Martin and his faithful were given a home in an old Submarine base by a rogue Synth. Things became strained between those living on the island and Martin eventually left, succeeded by the fanatical High Confessor Tektus. Tensions grew between the Children of Atom, the Synths, and the locals of Far Harbor, but before they could boil over, Tektus took the submarine and departed from the island. Accompanied by his well-equipped zealots, he put out a call for a crusade against the worshipers of darkness that had desecrated Megaton, and Atom's faithful flocked to him, marching southward towards Washington DC.

In Washington DC, Tektus scoured the wasteland of Ug-Qualtoth cultists through Atom's holy light, retook Megaton from the cultists still desecrating it with their presence, and seized Fort Constantine, intent on using its nuclear arsenal to spread holy Division to the unbelievers. Facing an impending war, Cromwell reluctantly took up the mantle of Atom's Pontiff and ordered Tektus to stand down, to concentrate on guarding against the Cult rather than seeking further revenge upon them.

United under Cromwell, the crusade ended, and Atom's holy Inquisition was formed to combat the influence of the believers of Ug-Qualtoth. Megaton has once again begun trading and distributing copies of the Wasteland Survivor's Guide, and the tensions on Atom's holy island have lessened. Missionaries have been sent west in search of both more men and women to convert and to seek out more of Atom's holy sites, but few have returned.

Population: Approximately 51,000 believers

Government/Domestic Politics: The leader of the Church is Pontiff Cromwell. Inquisitor Tektus heads the Zealots and Inquisition, with Grand Zealot Richter as his right hand man. Below them are the Confessors who preside over the communities of faithful across the East Coast.

Notable People: The three most important figures in the Church of the Children of Atom are Pontiff Cromwell- the leader of the Church, Inquisitor Tektus- the head of the militant arm of the Church, and Grand Zealot Richter, a former Enclave Lieutenant and commander of the Church's military forces.

Military: During the crusade, Tektus commanded a small group of elite, well-equipped Zealots, along with a large group of poorly equipped volunteer fighters carrying Gamma Guns. While the crusade has been called off, Tektus remains in command of 2000 Zealots, equipped with Radium Rifles, Nuka-grenades, rusted pre-war Marine and combat armors, and even a few T-51 power armor suits, mostly looted from pre-war military installations and Atom's island. The Church also maintains 500 Inquisitors who guard against subversion and heresy.

While they are few in number, Atom's warriors are not to be underestimated- Atom's blessing protects them from radiation, and they are one of the few groups in the wasteland willing and able to detonate nuclear weapons, with no regard for their own safety.

Economy: While most of Atom's faithful are self-sufficient farmers or hunters, the faith maintains its small military arm primarily through scavenging of pre-war military installations and trade in and around Megaton and Far Harbor.

Culture and Technology: The culture of the Church is centered around its faith, and the duty that Atom requires of them. Technology-wise, the church is adept at repurposing pre-war technology, in particular atomic tech, as evidenced by the radiation-inflicting weapons that they rely upon, and in their successful weaponization of Nuka-Cola Quantum. In addition, they maintain a pre-war nuclear submarine as well as a single Vertibird, plucked from the Glowing Sea and restored to working order.

Religion: The Church of the Children of Atom is dedicated to the worship of Atom. Central to this belief is that every atom is a universe in itself, and when it is split, two universes are created from one. Areas inundated with radiation are holy sites, and Atom's holy island, where the Mother of the Fog resides, is especially sacred.