Dawn of Steel-The Rise of the Mojave Brotherhood

[devinpatterson]

However, having Elijah show up on the radio rambling about an assortment of topics would be an absolutely fantastic addition, and - although I couldn't voice him for the life of me - I'd love to write up some radio broadcasts.

I'd really, really, enjoy the psych character study of Elijah too.

 

I like the idea of Hardin being our story's villain, and being the one to deploy forces to the Madre. Maybe he even leads off a split section of the Brotherhood, and the player has to deal with them. That could make an interesting post-game quest for the player to deal with, and a great way of showing the ideological troubles that the Brotherhood is dealing with.

In regard to a situation developing similar to teh outcasts, no one better fits the potential candidate better than Hardin. He's a hard liner, has significant status and followers in the BOS, is a very capable leader, a capable fighter etc.

 

Christine should definitely play a key role in this storyline, one way or another......That said, I've wanted to do a proper job of turning her into a Mojave-based companion for ages, and I'm actually about 1/3 done on the necessary work for that mod - maybe we could think about integrating the two mods?

In regard to her as a companion, I started work (mostly story boarding in teh thread) on some aspects of her as a follower, primarily her character quest. Every companion has a character quest and her's is easy to guess. Here is the thread. An Idea (Alternate ending to Dead Money)

 

Arm them with a mixture of spear-like weapons from Bingle's pack and assorted power fists/ballistic weapons (the sheer impact of such devices would comfortably dismember Ghost People) and you've got a genuinely terrifying threat for high-level Couriers to deal with.

I think it could be a lot of fun, and frankly we don't have a lot of opponents that can challenge a high level courier. One plot line that would be interesting would be recovering one of the specialized ghost BOS's weapons to dispatch our former comrades effectively. The courier doesn't know initially that the paladins are ghost people and may come equipped to dispatch the garden variety opponents. Im going to alter the script to prevent anything except weapons that ignore dt, to sever and kill the ghost BOS. Most couriers won't be prepared for that. The subset of weapons that fit that category (ripper, deathclaw gauntlet etc) is pretty small. So the courier will spend some time initially just trying to evade the ghost BOS paladins, and be unable to take them down.

 

However, the squad would have been equipped with the specialized weapons touched on previously, resulting in that age old quest of "to kill the dragon you need the magic sword". Recovering one of those specialized weapons will be a prerequisite to slaughtering the ghost paladins. Seems like it could be forged into a challenging quest. Now I'm not sure if we would find that weapon;

1. on a fallen (but non ghost-ized/un transformed) paladin somewhere in the villa,

2. by rescuing one of the survivors, and liberating his/her weapon

3. killing one of teh ghost paladins via a wholly different means like leading them into a epic trap or some other creative and unique solution to teh problem.

 

We don't want them to be chased forever (respawners can be frustrating) but we don't want it to be a cake walk either, so we'll need to find a happy balance for how long we play cat and mouse with the player.

[devinpatterson]

Yeah I hear both of you regarding Elijah. I mentioned him as being the reason why the BoS went to the SM to get him. Dead or Alive, the BoS would want to confirm it either way. Then again it's stated that they have pretty much wrote him off.

I think the courier would clear up that mystery for them, s/eh's the best source of info as s/he is the one that put Elijah down or trapped him.

 

It would be ironic if Hardin sent the squad of Paladins there. He chewed McNamara out for sending patrols into unsafe areas, but then makes the same mistake and the soldiers endure a fate worse than death.

Yeah there are problems with using Hardin, as he's pretty sharp and unlikely to make such a large misstep. But was it really because of a safety issue that Hardin was mad. I thought it was due to a breech of protocol in the Elder sending the squads out without consulting/OK'ing it with the head paladin. Anyway that's why I suggested the twit head scribe, but on the other hand Hardin makes a much, much better villian. Taggart would be partially at fault because he's something of an idiot/buffoon which is slightly more forgivable.

 

So they should be introduced as "boss" type of enemies, given that Ghost People are difficult to put down so in Power Armor, you're looking at an entity thats near impervious to attacks.

They could be boss type characters, but I believe they would be better in groups. Although they are "harder" (higher dt) to put down, they're still not that difficult. The challenge comes in keeping them down (because you can't sever a limb). If we want them to act like ghost people and keep that behavior (and I believe we should), we need enough so that they are popping back up fast enough to keep teh courier always red lining until s/he figures out s/he needs to boot and stay on the move. One single boss character is going to be slice/shoot, watch him fall down, wait 5 seconds, slice/shoot, rinse, repeat. But 5 or 6 in a group is pure adrenaline (in a bad way).

 

Crap, out of time. Touch base with you on your other points soon.

[MarchUntoTorment]

Those retextures actually looks really damned cool. I'm quite liking them, honestly.

 

Also, Narmz, if you're in the business of retexturing, hit me up - I've got a few retextures I need done for a companion mod (specifically, a retex of the Blade of the East and a retex of Enclave Tesla Armour), and I'm sure that you and I could come to a certain arrangement. I'm loving the work you've shown so far.

[Lazrius]

So i any one working on this mod, or is it just a discussion?

[Degby1]

I'm not sure about Taggart making a villain tbh. Yeah he is a bit of a sleazy prick who pervs over Watkins, but I dont think Scribes can actually send Paladins and Knights on retrieval missions. I think it would need to to be sanctioned by a Head Paladin/Senior Knight. Even the Elders can be reprimanded and struck off, such as the case of McNamara, they have a very strict chain of command.

 

However, if Taggart was influential enough, he could leave a friendly word on Hardin's shoulder which would convince him to send a squad to the SM. It's either Hardin sent them there, or we come up with a new character who delegated that mission to them. But Hardin being the villain, and being a bit of snake, seems the best choice.

 

phillipreilly707, yeah we are working on this, some details are still being fleshed out so this isn't a pure discussion. Check Devinpattersons link to the Ghost Paladins he was working on. MarchUntoTorment has been working on a Christine companion and I did a recon armor re-texture and weapon concepts, there's more to come too.

 

Also, what kind of loot would be there to reclaim. Those vending machines would have be high on the list, plus hologram schematics, maybe even suits of Sierra madre armor for a rapid response team based on the Strip. Plus any Gold bullion that is still knocking about, I'm sure it would be in short supply but there should still be some left, perhaps in storage under the street level.

[devinpatterson]

I'm not sure about Taggart making a villain tbh. Yeah he is a bit of a sleazy prick who pervs over Watkins,

Yeah I feel the same way, viscerally Hardin makes a better villian. As I mentioned in my previous post;

on the other hand Hardin makes a much, much better villian. Taggart would be partially at fault because he's something of an idiot/buffoon which is slightly more forgivable.

but I dont think Scribes can actually send Paladins and Knights on retrieval missions. I think it would need to to be sanctioned by a Head Paladin/Senior Knight. Even the Elders can be reprimanded and struck off, such as the case of McNamara, they have a very strict chain of command.

Yeah, as I mentioned in my previous post;

 

But was it really because of a safety issue that Hardin was mad. I thought it was due to a breech of protocol in the Elder sending the squads out without consulting/OK'ing it with the head paladin.

and in regard to the chain of command, as I posted previously;

 

and as head scribe *might* have the authority to order such a mission (I don't know for sure, I have no idea how the civilian and military command structures overlap and at what ranks).

I'd reiterate, that even though the head scribe is the highest ranking in the scribe order, I don't know if there is any crossover between teh chains of command between the three orders/branches, excluding the elder (ie whether a scribe, even the head scribe, has authority over a paladin or a knight). If I *had* to guess, gun to my head, I'd say their command structures are probably completely separate............although the knight and paladin orders leapfrog each other in command rank, and paladins are former knights, all of which muddies the water a bit. Or if not completely separate that the military orders supersede the scribes. And in addition the wiki states; "Paladins are in charge of all security and outside activities." which is where the breech of protocol came from that I alluded to above.

 

So yeah, he *probably* can't send out paladins, even as head scribe.

 

However, if Taggart was influential enough, he could leave a friendly word on Hardin's shoulder which would convince him to send a squad to the SM. It's either Hardin sent them there, or we come up with a new character who delegated that mission to them. But Hardin being the villain, and being a bit of snake, seems the best choice.

I personally think he's too smart to make a mistake like this, but we may just ignore that for the sake of the plot line.....someone has to send out the unfortunates to their living death, and I think most of us feel that Hardin does have the potential to make a good antagonist.

 

Or alternately it's possible we could come up with a story that makes it seem reasonable for him, to risk it *all* (his rank, status, the whole enchilada). Maybe just accepting an outsider as Star paladin or Sentinel and the resulting impending changes, makes him realize he will have to usurp the brotherhood or separate from it. He sees the writing on the wall.

 

He realizes the BOS can't pass up the opportunity of the securitron army, but he also knows (from his point of view) that this will corrupt the brotherhood and it's ideology irrecoverably because of an outsider. He can't reject the offer and yet he can't tolerate the inevitable consequences of it.

 

So we might be able to sketch out a story line something like this;

Hardin sends a squad to retrieve the holo technology, as the tech would potentially be even more powerful than the securitron army. With it, in theory, holograms would make invulnerable soldiers, even against the securitrons. He believes if he's successful the ways of the brotherhood would never have to be compromised and the BOS's existence is still guaranteed. It's sort of a last ditch, hail Mary pass. Once the squad fails, Hardin knows he's in deep, with only one course of action.

 

He dispatches the player to rescue the lost squad. Hopping that's the last he'll see of the courier, but knowing that even if s/he survives, the couriers out of the picture long enough for Hardin's rebellion to begin without the player's interference.

 

While the courier is away, Hardin gains control of the lucky 38 mainframe adn usurps the brotherhood's command. He doesn't necessarily have to do much more than compromise the BOS stationed in and around the lucky 38. Paladins are in charge of all security and outside activities, and as head paladin he simply places men/woman loyal to him in those positions. It could be a completely bloodless coup, he doesn't even have to utilize "messier" alternatives. And most likely any scribes that are not loyal to him will be easily controlled by the paladins.

 

Once he has the mainframe, and thus the securitrons, he has the real fire power. Even if he can't control, pacify or capture the rest of the BOS, they are of little consequence with the securitrons at his beck and call.

 

From here we have a parallel with the independent ending that also has a similar mission to penetrate new vegas against hostile MK II securitron forces and retrieve control of the mainframe. It'll be a rough ride, and a appropriate adventure for a high level courier if we design it correctly. The MK IIs are about sentry bot level threats, but if we utilize them correctly they can still be a challenge. The securitron's rocket/grenade launcher's explosions will shake the courier up and guarantee some splash damage. In addition we can have BOS support (Hardin's forces) like gauss rifle snipers on the walls/rooftops.

 

We can also get some decent action in the lucky 38 with BOS followers loyal to Hardin, and Hardin himself. The downside is we (most likely) loose access to a outcasts storyline with Hardin as the head of the rebel chapter. Unless Hardin yields in combat or some such, it will have to be another of his surviving supporters/rebels that heads the forsaken chapter. And even if Hardin does yield execution may be the order of the day. However, in light of Hardin and the Elder's friendship, as well as the tragedy of executing so many paladin's (moral would plummet) maybe McNamara would consider exile instead.

 

There's a few additional details we could add in, like a siege of secuirtrons around the loyal BOS locations, and possibly jamming the securitron's wireless network with black mountain.

 

lso, what kind of loot would be there to reclaim. Those vending machines would have be high on the list, plus hologram schematics, maybe even suits of Sierra madre armor for a rapid response team based on the Strip. Plus any Gold bullion that is still knocking about, I'm sure it would be in short supply but there should still be some left, perhaps in storage under the street level.

The holograms were the big draw for Elijah, according to some of the OWB lore. IIRC it's what spurred him to leave the BigMT for DM. But certainly the vending machines are some amazing tech as well. I'm not sure about the DM armor, the brotherhood doesn't seem to collect any of the riot gear armor, and it's base model (LAPD) has 4 more DT than the DM security armor. They just don't seem interested in anything except power armor (and it's associated under armor, recon suits).

[devinpatterson]

In re: to advanced technology, House has a lot of medical tech that the BOS would be very interested in. The life extension technology is in general is pretty impressive, and he also has several discreet cybernetic parts. He has a neural interface, a artificial heart and stomach IIRC. The nice thing is, there are models for all three of the cybernetic implants. Pics;

 

 

 

http://hydra-media.cursecdn.com/fallout.gamepedia.com/2/2b/FNV_Real_Mr_House.png

 

http://hydra-media.cursecdn.com/fallout.gamepedia.com/6/6c/MrHouseRealHead.png

 

 

[Degby1]

What's happening with this one and Viva NV? It's like everyone has fallen off the face of the Earth, let's get some ideas and plans going here.

[devinpatterson]

What's happening with this one and Viva NV? It's like everyone has fallen off the face of the Earth, let's get some ideas and plans going here.

 

Sure, whatcha got?

[Degby1]

How about a to do checklist -

 

Ghost Paladins (Devin, you've already handled this but i'm thinking quantity)

 

Revamped Armor (limited quantity as this is a reward)

 

Revamped Weapons (I'd suggest using that Future Weapons pack, MZC on F3 uses the same pack and the weapons look sick)

 

Story development - So far we got BoS taking over the Dam, Helios and Lucky 38. That should be the focus for now. SM, Big Mt, New Vegas Steel and Vault 3 should follow after.

 

Post War tweaks - striping dialogue, removal of NCR and Legion troops (adding a condition for them to disappear upon activation of the 1st quest would be one solution I'd suggest)

 

Viva NV could kick off upon completion of No Gods No Masters or House Always Wins. Dawn of Steel would then activate upon reaching the 1st-2nd stage of Viva NV. A quest condition would be having completed Eyesight to the Blind. Unless of course the player wants to the Hardin route but I think that kind of defeats the purpose of this mod.

 

It's best to start small with this initally, that way we can get it tested before commiting to something grandiose.

From there we can go onto character development. Also vanilla characters would have be unvoiced in the alphas as splicing voices is a task in itself.

 

Let me where you lot stand on this?

Edited April 8, 2015 by Narmz