Brotherhood Overhaul (Conceptual Stage)

[Vaernus]

Dear god, this tablet won't let me quote...

 

Anyway, I was possibly going to start making some vector stuff in Photoshop (tablet, don't force change tab when I type) for super generic mission graphics. That and keep poking stuff for SOCKS and FFS. Someone came up with a neat idea for sending your peasants out on MGSV / WoW style missions, possibly using Vertibirds and 'black screen transitions' to hide them teleporting away.

 

Hell at least you can figure out how to quote certain sections of a post. I seem to be completely incapable of doing this, and brute force the entire post. These kids and their new fangled technologies....

 

Funny you should mention MGSV as I've literally turned Spectacle Island into Mother Base. Complete with a vertibird to arrive and exit on missions. My total hub for the BoS including all my merchants, and a quick vertibird ride to the Prydwen to get more smoke grenades.

[Athanasa]

I've got loads of ideas but Athanasa is giving them out pretty good and I'm late to the party.

 

Thankies. :3 Also, HOORAY, military person! Now I can spit out mil-related stuff and someone can correct me when I sound like a spazz. TBH, all I know is from ArmA borderline-Milsim groups anyway.

 

 

 

Almost everything I wanted to comment on in regards to how a military person thinks is being discussed. Though, to be honest, I don't get that "militarized" feeling from the Brotherhood in FO4. They feel more like a Technology cult and less like an organized military. Their little "motto" is cute but it just doesn't feel like it has any weight behind it because they just spin their wheels constantly against pipe-riffle toting raiders. Raiders really shouldn't stand any chance against a Knight in power armor. Let alone a vertibird with a mini-gun. But they constantly get blown out of the sky by spit-balls. Deadly Vertibers resolves some of those issues but the Brotherhood still feel like Boy Scouts playing soldier rather than a highly trained para-military organization.

I think that might also be because we never seem them looking organised. It's just assumed they are. There's no drills, no firing practice, no exhausted initiates running loops around the runway... And it feels like there's almost nobody there. Granted, the Prydwen isn't big enough to carry TOO MANY people, but I always sort of felt that vehicles and interior areas in games were like a tardis anyway.

 

However, I know its somewhat impossible because the game railroads you in a specific direction and ALL voiced dialogue is based on you being a Knight/Paladin/Sentinel. Which I find rather irritating. Every time I turn in documents to Proctor Quinlan and he tells me I missed my calling as a Scribe... I just shake my head.

Not impossible, actually. Although it'd take some work. Some of the guys over at Lewd-Lab were working on editing existing dialogue in the game (for SFW reasons, mostly) by chopping it into its phonetic or word components, then using advanced audio-editing to stuck together sentences. ANYWAY! My point there is, replacing audio of "Paladin/Knight/Sentinel" with "Scribe" is probably a lot easier for them than making entire conversations from Frankenstein audio and smoothing it into something sensible.

 

 

... the small fire-team of BoS had at Helios One.

Oooh, that's a point. Fire Teams / Squads. I don't know about the composition of the current BoS patrol squads that drop from V-Birds, but if they could be equipped and behave like fireteams / squads, that'd be great. Currently, they all run off in different directions like kids with ADD and miniguns.

1) Make them stick together, not have each run off down a different street.

2) Give them clearly recognised weapons and roles. ARR with minigun and power armor, marksman type with sniper las-rifle, scribe-medic trotting along with them (variant Scribe armor with medic crosses on it somewhere? That'd be cool). I'd suggest an AT dude, but then with Fallout being what it is he'd be running around point-blank launchering ghouls in the face and killing his entire squad.

3) PUT THEM BACK IN THE GODDAMN VERTIBIRD IF THE AREA IS CLEAR

 

Medic-Scribes

A slight re-tex variant of the Field Scribe Armor that puts medic style crosses on some of the thousands of pouches they have.

 

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/fallout/images/d/d5/Fo4Field_Scribe%27s_Armor.png

 

 

 

 

Re: Brotherhood helping the people

I kind of saw it as a short term propoganda type thing, just for the sake of moral greyness. A big show of effort at the start to get people to sit down and shut up while you stomp past in power armor and strip the entire hospital of resources, basically. But hey, even if it IS propoganda and purely for the BoS's benefit (basically bribing the people to stay out of their way), people get something good out of it.

 

Prydwen Terminal Entries

 

Teagan to Kells

Now that we've arrived in the Commonwealth, I'd like to establish trade relations with the locals. I'm going to need a standard sweep and retrieve team and one of our vertibirds in order to make that happen. There are several caravans that roam the Commonwealth, and we'll use the vertibirds to track them. If any of the caravans gets jumped, we can swoop in and lend a hand to let them know that we're the friendly eye in the sky.

Since you can't normally buy that kind of protection from mercenaries, we'll be certain to get the best prices and values for trades. I've used the same tactic in the Capital Wasteland and it worked wonders. Out here, with the threat of the Institute looming over their heads, we'll have these merchants eating out of our hands.

 

 

Teagan to Cade

Our latest sweep and retrieve patrol came back with some medical supplies. If you have some extra time, head down to the cage and let me know what you want. If there's anything you don't need, I'll use it for trading. We're running a bit low on ammunition supplies, and these medical supplies are as good as caps with the locals.

 

It doesn't exactly show a respect on Teagan's part for the citizens of the Commonwealth, but it does show that he considers the 'citizens' as a resource that it's worth spending some time on. An investment, if you will.

[zezia333]

I have been wondering about the whole Danse cut content. Wouldn't make it sense for you to be named Elder of a new Chapter instead of trying to take over the East BOS? I mean even if you did manage to secure the loyalty of the Brotherhood in the Commonwealth. You still have to worry about the rest of the Brotherhood back at DC.

[Guest deleted2588518]

I have been wondering about the whole Danse cut content. Wouldn't make it sense for you to be named Elder of a new Chapter instead of trying to take over the East BOS? I mean even if you did manage to secure the loyalty of the Brotherhood in the Commonwealth. You still have to worry about the rest of the Brotherhood back at DC.

 

That's completely unrealistic in terms of how the Brotherhood works. You can't just become an Eldar and found a new Brotherhood. I'm seriously relieved that you didn't become any higher rank than Sentinel in the Brotherhood considering Bethesda's current trend of "The PC is now King of Everything with zero effort" mindset. Something I completely hated in Skyrim.

[Vaernus]

I just sat for two hours and read all of these posts. I have to say this thread has be overly excited in anticipation for this mod.

One thing I didn't see was the option to become a Scribe instead of a Knight. I play mostly intel based medic types (prior military IRL) so I lean heavily on the intel based systems to avoid killing when-ever possible. I think having the ability to rank up in the Brotherhood as a Scribe would be a great idea.

 

However, I know its somewhat impossible because the game railroads you in a specific direction and ALL voiced dialogue is based on you being a Knight/Paladin/Sentinel. Which I find rather irritating. Every time I turn in documents to Proctor Quinlan and he tells me I missed my calling as a Scribe... I just shake my head.

 

Almost everything I wanted to comment on in regards to how a military person thinks is being discussed. Though, to be honest, I don't get that "militarized" feeling from the Brotherhood in FO4. They feel more like a Technology cult and less like an organized military. Their little "motto" is cute but it just doesn't feel like it has any weight behind it because they just spin their wheels constantly against pipe-riffle toting raiders. Raiders really shouldn't stand any chance against a Knight in power armor. Let alone a vertibird with a mini-gun. But they constantly get blown out of the sky by spit-balls. Deadly Vertibers resolves some of those issues but the Brotherhood still feel like Boy Scouts playing soldier rather than a highly trained para-military organization.

 

I'm glad you are discussing tactical decision making. If my understanding of all previous encounters with the Brotherhood has taught me anything... Outside of Lyons, is that the Brotherhood's primary goal is to safeguard humanity for abusing technology with zero regard to the wasteland's people or their means of existence. So long as they don't outright attack the Brotherhood or prevent them from acquiring technology. Fallout 1 mentions the Brotherhood selling refab weapons and ammunition in exchange for supplies. Lyons loses nearly all of his Knights and Paladins when he decides to become part of the Capital Wasteland and help the locals.

 

However, with Maxon being part of Lyons' Brotherhood and his backstory in FO4, I make the assumption that the Outcasts came back into the fold when Maxon became elder. Which is likely why the Brotherhood in FO4 is keeping the black and red color scheme. If this is correct, then the Brotherhood coming in from the Capital Wasteland should embody the West Coast Brotherhood's ideals. Having Maxon's Brotherhood resemble Lyons in that they start fending for the common folk of the Commonwealth seems counter intuitive. This is where your "Minutemen" need to be a critical part in having the Commonwealth trust them.

 

The Brotherhood can't become a remade Lyon's Pride. If they want to control the Commonwealth in any significant way and stay true to their goals and ideals...

 

1. The Boston Airport is their main FOB. As such, they would do most of their recon by air and only go to ground elsewhere if that becomes compromised. -OR- The Prydwen is destroyed and falls on the airport.

The Brotherhood holding settlements themselves or guarding them doesn't seem reasonable from a lore standpoint. They have no interest (lore wise) to become stewards of the Commonwealth.

As everyone knows the Brotherhood is at Boston Airport, people wishing to become members would naturally go to them. Thought a good idea would be "Recruitment Officers" in major settlements.

 

2. If the player wishes to be more humanitarian towards the Commonwealth, they need the assistance of the Minutemen. As the Brotherhood isn't (again, lore wise) interested in managing wastelanders, the proposed ideas to have the BoS and Minutemen (player as General) sit down to discuss terms of an alliance is a great idea. Where the player then has the support of both the Minutemen and the Brotherhood and the Minutemen can then become sponsored as suggested. But the Brotherhood shouldn't be in control over settlements directly. Maybe a patrol once in a while to ensure compliance of the agreed terms and support of defense, but not outright control.

 

3. The Minutemen, realistically, have zero chance of taking on the Brotherhood in any capacity. The Minutemen have far fewer resources than the NCR did and the Brotherhood has far more heavily trained units at Boston Airport than the small fire-team of BoS had at Helios One. Even with a large number of Minutemen with Lasermuskets, they wouldn't be able to assault Boston Airport with any hope of success. Their artillery isn't designed to take out aircraft... and even if they had munitions to detonate in-air like bursts... they have zero training and zero experience in using the artillery itself let alone custom munitions. In the time needed to become even remotely competent to use the artillery, the BoS could fly in and completely destroy them with a single vertibird and one Knight in T-60.

 

The only hope the minutemen realistically have in bringing down the Brotherhood is by doing something similar to the Railroad. And even that is a stretch as the Minutemen have zero training in infiltration or espionage. They are quite literally farmers with pitchforks.

 

 

As for rewards from the Brotherhood... I would suggest replacing cap (currency) rewards with meds, granades or ammo of some kind. Like how Protector Casdin offers ammo, granades or meds in FO3. I would also love the ability to hand over technology to Proctor Teagan for similar. Meds, Ammo or Granades.

 

I've got loads of ideas but Athanasa is giving them out pretty good and I'm late to the party.

 

*edit - I'm terrible at proof-reading :wink:

 

And another quote of an entire post. Let's see if I keep this response organized.

 

I don't see a problem per se with going the Scribe route, but that would involve having to re-record a lot of voiced dialogue to accomplish it. The game is forcing you down the path of Sentinel. Ideally we'd need to re-record any dialogue lines that bring up rank with either the original voice actors, or folks that sound damn near perfect. If we could pull that off, then yea the rank really doesn't matter if you'd prefer going the route of Scribe. However, a lot of the new content is meant to reduce the need for you to have to fight through every problem like a Knight/Paladin. If you want to go Scribe, simply call in a vertibird to drop a squad of soldiers to wipe an area out before salvaging, and take on salvage operations where you're directly doing the salvaging. I'd also see the scribes as being the ones coordinating the settlements, crafting, etc. Or for those folks that want to go the route of Lancer (which I see has been largely neglected outside piloting), I can see missions centered around flying the vertibird to do the actual attack runs, pickup/dropoff squads, etc. Never actually doing the dirty work directly (I mean ignoring the gatling lasers, missile launchers, and mini nukes you're firing off).

 

Yah part of this mod is making the Brotherhood function like they sound versus what we see. Vertibirds that aren't taken down by a BB gun is a start. Actual tactics and responses to incursions. Getting their asses off a giant hydrogen bomb before someone shoots a Fat Man at it (or Minutemen artillery for that matter). More of what we saw in the Citadel with actual training, military drills, etc.

 

And honestly I still see Maxson leading them in Fallout 4 like the West Coast. They all "care" for humanity but not like the Minutemen (which is basically Lyon's approach). Their MO for the Commonwealth? Wipe out Institute (done) as a major threat to humanity. Wipe out super mutants, feral ghouls, and straggler synths (in progress) who are a result of humanity's stupidity and a threat to humanity. Scavenge any tech in the area (in progress) especially any tech that is a threat to humanity. Steps 1 and 2 indirectly benefit humanity in the area, but there really was no chivalrous intent behind it. However, the end result is they become a "government" of an area when there's absolutely no one that can impede them. They discuss in the game how they're effectively like the Teutonic Knights in the Capital Wasteland. Not really actively governing, but it gives them a springboard to increase their ranks, all threats are gone, so more or less if people stay out of their way, they're doing what they need to do to keep humanity safe.

 

1) I agree that they don't actively run settlements. And that sort of is the beauty of the FO4 storyline. They're not doing it, their autonomous Sentinel who is/was previously the General of the Minutemen is. He has to do Feeding the Troops, not anyone else. Running settlements was ingrained in your head before you become a part of the BoS. If anything, all that would happen is the Prydwen would go on its merry way and the player would become the leader of the area and a small contingent of BoS soldiers. They'd get constant recruits coming in while he/she continues to salvage tech in the area and govern everything.

 

2) It reminds me of the NCR ending in New Vegas if the BoS allies with them. The BoS patrols the areas to keep it safe, and in return they gain the NCR to give them all their high tech stuff and support them in the future in their tasks. With FO4 and this overhaul, the question would be whether they can get a solid treaty together between the Minutemen to do the same (manage areas, provide tech, while BoS keeps the area safe indirectly by doing what they're doing anyway in between salvaging tech) versus having to wipe them out completely.

 

3) That really depends. While its hard to convey in Bethesda games, the Minutemen have numbers far beyond the Brotherhood (the entire Commonwealth versus whatever is on the Prydwen). Numbers have defeated the Brotherhood in the past against the NCR. With FO4, their numbers are completely finite, and that's whatever came with Maxson on the Prydwen. If the Minutemen keep attacking, and their weaponry isn't that bad, they may lose a lot while the Brotherhood loses little, yet the numbers add up. Couple that with pulling off the destruction of the Prydwen using the artillery, and the chaos that follows, and its very doable.

 

3b) In regards to artillery, my understanding is that the Minutemen are over a century old. They've held The Castle during that entire time and only recently did they fall apart. In that time, considering you get the artillery in their armory, they had to master using it. Ronnie Shaw is part of the old regime that knows how to use them properly, and coordinates the attacks. Considering she exists, its not out of the realm to say that many others who were part of the Minutemen before and used the artillery also exist, rejoin when they grow back in power, and can properly use the artillery against the Prydwen.

 

The caps thing is interesting. What it sounds like is Teagan has started that process. Since they don't give their members everything, and force them to buy what they need from the caps they earn, it really wouldn't work if it was entirely bartering as Teagan then needs to buy supplies to keep their stores stocked. At one point he talks about how the BoS effectively gets the local caravans under their banner in return for Vertibird patrols keeping them safe. It sounds one sided, but ultimately he then needs the caps to purchase what he needs from them (at discount because they're not arguing with the Brotherhood).

 

Keep the ideas coming. Never a bad idea, and we need to really get everything fleshed out before the CK goes live. Looking to have everything possible completed in FO4Edit before going full force into the real content.

[Athanasa]

Hell at least you can figure out how to quote certain sections of a post. I seem to be completely incapable of doing this, and brute force the entire post. These kids and their new fangled technologies....

 

Funny you should mention MGSV as I've literally turned Spectacle Island into Mother Base. Complete with a vertibird to arrive and exit on missions. My total hub for the BoS including all my merchants, and a quick vertibird ride to the Prydwen to get more smoke grenades.

I grab the entire thing on paste, then repeatedly slap it down and delete the bits I don't want to quote each time. Bloody time consuming.

 

 

 

 

And now, for some stuff dug up from the Prydwen terminal entries!

 

 

Fr: Lancer-Captain Kells KS-390LC

To: Elder Maxson MX-001E

We've picked up some disturbing news regarding a rise in Super Mutant activity near the Commonwealth, and Paladin Hudson has bravely volunteered to single-handedly investigate.

This mission will take the Paladin deep into hostile territory so he'll need all the support we can provide. I'm having Teagan give Paladin Hudson an ample supply of ammunition, and making sure Ingram certifies that his Power Armor is in peak condition. I'm also allowing Paladin Hudson full use of one of our vertibird gunships, so I'll have one prepped immediately.

Once everything is ready, I'll meet you and Paladin Hudson on the Flight Deck so we can give him a proper send-off. I can't stress to you enough how dangerous this mission will be, so it's imperative that we provide the Paladin with all the support we can muster.

Mission: Investigate what's happened to Paladin Hudson? It says NEAR Commonwealth, but he could be in the Commonwealth now for all we know. Or dead. Probably dead.

 

 

 

Fr: Proctor Ingram IG-444PR

To: Elder Maxson MX-001E

As you know, in order to get the Prydwen rapidly to the Commonwealth, I had my engineering team pull her older power plant and replace it with an updated fusion plant we pulled from that aircraft carrier wreckage. I was able to squeeze almost one hundred percent efficiency from the new reactor, but the system is burning through our coolant supply faster than expected.

As we've been docked over the airport, I've been able to deactivate the main engines to cool down the reactor, but we're still eating up coolant when we're in hover mode. We're eventually going to hit a point where we'll run out of coolant. If that happens, we'll need to put the Prydwen on the ground. I desperately need your help if you want to prevent that from happening. I'll be certain to provide you with the details at our next briefing.

Missions: Recon coolant refuelling stations around the Commonwealth for the Prydwen.

 

 

 

Fr: Lancer-Captain Kells KS-390LC

To: Elder Maxson MX-001E

I wanted to inform you that I'm having all of the Fat Man shells recovered from Fort Strong moved from the armory ruins to the lower cargo area of the Prydwen. This will ensure that the weapons remain protected as we prepare for our assault on the Institute.

Well, I guess that explains why there's no-one at Fort Strong.

 

 

 

Now that we've arrived in the Commonwealth, I'd like to establish trade relations with the locals. I'm going to need a standard sweep and retrieve team and one of our vertibirds in order to make that happen. There are several caravans that roam the Commonwealth, and we'll use the vertibirds to track them. If any of the caravans gets jumped, we can swoop in and lend a hand to let them know that we're the friendly eye in the sky.

Since you can't normally buy that kind of protection from mercenaries, we'll be certain to get the best prices and values for trades. I've used the same tactic in the Capital Wasteland and it worked wonders. Out here, with the threat of the Institute looming over their heads, we'll have these merchants eating out of our hands.

Missions: Rescue Commonwealth citizens, remember to yell "AD VICTORIAM!" before you get on the Vertibird and leave like a boss.

 

 

Type: Repair

Status: Completed

Completed By: Ingram IG-444PR

Item: Vertibird Gunship "Vorpal"

Vorpal threw a rotor on its last landing, so I hitched a ride with Spatha and headed out to the crash site. Pilot did a hell of a job bringing his bird down in one piece. All I had to do was recover the rotor and set it back in place. There's some minor plating damage on the starboard thruster, but I'll hammer it down when Vorpal gets back to the airport. Was nice to get away from the Prydwen for once. Hopefully I can convince Kells to let me head out with some future patrols.

Note: Vertibirds are named. If the SS becomes a Paladin / Sentinel, do they get a vertibird at their personal disposal? If so, can it have a name?

 

 

This is a notice to all personnel. Please think of your brothers and sisters down below. Thoroughly secure all gear while on the Flight Deck.

Note: I need to stop jumping directly off the Prydwen in my power armor.

 

Everybody Loves Ingram

 

Fr: Elder Maxson MX-001E

To: Proctor Ingram IG-444PR

After having a long discussion with both Lancer-Captain Kells and Knight-Captain Cade, I've decided to deny your request for field service. While I understand that you've modified your Power Armor frame to accommodate your injury, and Cade has personally given it his seal of approval, I don't feel it's worth risking your life. You of all people should appreciate that machines can break down. In your particular case, if your frame fails while you're in the field, it could place you and anyone with you in extreme danger.

Please don't take this personally, Ingram. I can't afford to lose you. My decision is final. I'm sorry.

Aaaaw, poor Ingram. Interesting that Maxson goes informal at the end, dropping titles. Although that could be damage control, as Ingram herself seems... to not be the stuck up officer type. It's probably the best way to appeal to her to get her to stop fighting the order.

 

 

Fr: Knight-Captain Cade CD-440KC

To: Proctor Ingram IG-444PR

I'm guessing you've already read that Maxson is denying your field work request. I did everything I could to talk him out of it, but he just wasn't convinced. If there's anything you need, even if you just want to talk about it, my door's always open.

I hate to bring this up now, but you really need to head down here and let me tweak your leg hydraulics. Last time you were here, you complained that the shock absorbers weren't doing their job dampening your impacts from walking. Well, I was able to tweak some numbers and I'd like to look them over with you. After all, you're the expert when it comes to mechanical engineering.

So there, now you have two excuses to visit me in the sickbay. I hope to see you in here soon.

 

 

Fr: Proctor Teagan TG-477PR

To: Proctor Ingram IG-444PR

I've got a little surprise for you. Remember how you told me about those sweets you loved so much? You know, the ones that look like little colored disks? Well, Quinlan's last sweep and retrieve patrol just came in, and they found a whole roll of them. If that doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will. Now how about heading over to my quarters this evening and we can split it together. Don't worry, I'll be a complete gentleman. I just hate seeing you storm all over the repair bay with that damn scowl on your face, and I think this will cheer you up.

"Cheer up, I got you some sweets."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fr: Elder Maxson MX-001E

To: Lancer-Captain Kells KS-390LC

Captain, I've received credible information that we have a traitor among us. It brings me no pleasure to inform you that Paladin Danse is an Institute synth. I've had Proctor Quinlan verify the data numerous times, so I can assure you that it's accurate.

We need to handle this situation carefully, Kells. Paladin Danse was well-liked and this news is certain to create a panic. We do not want this incident to touch off a series of false reports and assumptions that other synths have infiltrated our ranks. The ensuing paranoia could result in a catastrophic breakdown of order and our eventual defeat at the hands of the Institute.

Placing an operative among us was a brilliant move on the Institute's part, and we can't afford to underestimate them in the future. When you're ready, I want you to inform the crew and then take the necessary steps to hunt Danse down.

It seems Maxson is very much aware of the disastrous potential of Witch Hunts.

 

 

Edited December 31, 2015 by Athanasa

[Athanasa]

 

I have been wondering about the whole Danse cut content. Wouldn't make it sense for you to be named Elder of a new Chapter instead of trying to take over the East BOS? I mean even if you did manage to secure the loyalty of the Brotherhood in the Commonwealth. You still have to worry about the rest of the Brotherhood back at DC.

 

That's completely unrealistic in terms of how the Brotherhood works. You can't just become an Eldar and found a new Brotherhood. I'm seriously relieved that you didn't become any higher rank than Sentinel in the Brotherhood considering Bethesda's current trend of "The PC is now King of Everything with zero effort" mindset. Something I completely hated in Skyrim.

Honestly? I completely agree with the whole "Elder" thing. I just wish they'd left some way to keep Danse around without the BoS going hostile in the game. Something other than mucking about in the console... although, the idea from earlier of intercepting the Institute data and purging Danse's stuff from it is probably a neater solution to the issue, storyline wise.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Athanasa

[Guest deleted2588518]

Thankies. :3 Also, HOORAY, military person! Now I can spit out mil-related stuff and someone can correct me when I sound like a spazz. TBH, all I know is from ArmA borderline-Milsim groups anyway.

 

Well, I'm not a grunt or ground pounder but I do have a good understanding of field tactics. So I can add where I'm knowledgeable and will openly admit when my knowledge runs out.

 

 

 

Oooh, that's a point. Fire Teams / Squads. I don't know about the composition of the current BoS patrol squads that drop from V-Birds, but if they could be equipped and behave like fireteams / squads, that'd be great

 

Yea, I'd love to see the BoS operate with some sort of resplendence of field tactics. Though that's an AI issue and the current AI is just terribad. Even followers just run off in their own direction with zero regard to the PC when the combat AI kicks in. Its sorta frustrating. Considering their are dumb as rocks.

 

AND FOR GOD'S SAKE, STOP RUNNING INTO GRENADES!

 

Also, as a side note. I would love a parody of Drill Sergeant Dornan somewhere at the Airport. Please, please, please. I know he was Enclave but dear god that kind of humor needs to happen again!

[Vaernus]

 

I have been wondering about the whole Danse cut content. Wouldn't make it sense for you to be named Elder of a new Chapter instead of trying to take over the East BOS? I mean even if you did manage to secure the loyalty of the Brotherhood in the Commonwealth. You still have to worry about the rest of the Brotherhood back at DC.

 

That's completely unrealistic in terms of how the Brotherhood works. You can't just become an Eldar and found a new Brotherhood. I'm seriously relieved that you didn't become any higher rank than Sentinel in the Brotherhood considering Bethesda's current trend of "The PC is now King of Everything with zero effort" mindset. Something I completely hated in Skyrim.

 

 

I'd have to agree. Getting only to Sentinel was brilliant. You're at a rank that allows autonomous action (which you do in Bethesda games) while being able to make decisions when you want (which you sometimes want to do in Bethesda games) and take missions when you want (which you sometimes want to do in Bethesda games). And they emphasize this when you're promoted to it. Its the absolute perfect rank. It balances out well the "General" (absolute failure, has no real power when at the time there's only one other Minuteman, and I'm still getting orders from Preston constantly when I want to clear out my journal), or "Director" (where really I have no power, and the subordinates are still controlling everything), or whatever the Railroad does because I have less interest in them than Caesar's Legion.

 

As sad as it is, and Athanasa as a Danse fangirl is going to kill me, the correct choice of action really is to kill Danse. As a synth, it really isn't difficult for someone to get into his programming and do horrible things. And that's outside of his control. It doesn't matter what he's done, or how many good deeds he has accomplished, it takes one person with his shutdown code and science skill to have him infilitrate Diamond City, shoot up everyone there, and leave such a lasting bad impression that the BoS's job in the area is exceptionally hostile. "What, the Brotherhood of Steel is killing us *AND* they have synths in their ranks? They're even worse than the Institute. Maybe they were working together?" You can't reprogram a human like that. Not instantly, at least. Someone can mold another over time, but not by typing up some code in a day.

[Athanasa]

ALSO! Something I completely forgot, but it popped up in my head when fighting with my tablet.

 

Brotherhood Radio

Like the Minutemen radio, but less revolved around YOU and more about the Brotherhood. Maybe it's an encrypted station, so you can only access it after you join the BoS and get your Pip-Boy modified for it. It contains stuff like enemy activity reports, the current status of active Vertibirds (Vertibird Spatha heading out to the North-West, lost contanct with Sabre), maybe some information on current salvage missions you've completed. ("Salvage at X successful")

If you're adding in some radiant quests, it could also give information of the coordinates and details of anything unusual in case any members of the BoS are nearby and able to investigate (aka youy), "Mutants / Raiders / Synths seen assaulting [WHATEVER] at coordinates [WHEREVER] / in sector [WHEREVER]", "Brotherhood distress beacon detected near [WHEREVER]", "Lost contact with [VBird] near [WHEREVER]"

Also, as a bonus, voice acting for Radio can probably get away with lower audio quality than normal character voice acting. Mostly because you can blame anything quality issues on the quality of equipment in the Prydwen and 'noise' on the frequency. As it's a military frequency, you can have the information loop.

 

...I wonder if it's possible to make a mod that causes all radio to go haywire in RadStorms? Maybe go mad just before the storms hit to give you warning? I wonder, would it just go mad with static in the storm, or play really eerie keening, hissing and generally creepy noises? Keep your ear to the radio and listen for the static.

 

 

Side Note: The pre-mentioned VBird callsigns / names are all weapons. Spatha's a knife, Vorpal is... well, an adjective from the Jaberwockie, but it's knife related. Danse's recon team was was "Recon Squad Gladius". I'll try to see how many callsigns and whatnot I can throw together tomorrow.