WIP: European Commonwealth Faction & HQ

[Freols]

Updated: 08/01/09

 

The Third Great and Bountiful

European Commonwealth

 

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/226/euflag4ab4.jpg

 

Project Aims

==========

 

- To create a totally coherent and lore compliant European Commonwealth faction

- To expand upon the extremely lacking references to the previously vast super-state

- To make the faction unique in as many ways as possible, while still seeming appropriate to the Fallout universe

- To create a set of NPCs and quests, a faction HQ and a storyline

- To allow the PC to interact with and change the course of the faction

 

Project Progress

==========

 

- Brainstorm stage, open to ideas, suggestions and assistance from the community

 

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Right! Well, I hope you like the sound of the mod, I understand this is going to be a hell of a lot of work, and take a considerable amount of time to complete.

Draft design for European Commonwealth:

Acronyms and European Commonwealth bodies:

1. EC = European Commonwealth (the European superstate)
   
2. EDA = European Defence Agency (the EC's military and intelligence wing)
   
3. Consilium = A council of 12 scientists, generals and academics (the EC's primary executive and legislative body)
   
4. Curia = The EC's seat of justice (this serves as the EC's judicial body, there is a High Curia that serves as a high court - local Curias serve as public forums and seats of government)
   
5. Consul = There are two EC Consuls, traditionally one scientist and one general, elected by the Consilium. Each are autonomous, conflicts of interest are resolved by the Consilium and High Curia, to which they are both accountable (these are the leaders of the EC)
   
6. Imperium Alpha = A measure of authority, Alpha being the highest authority. Only the joint and direct edict or approval of both Consul's can be Imperium Alpha.
   

Half of the stuff I've defined there's seems pointless at the moment, but it means I have less explaining to do when I incorporate the acronyms or specialist terms into the storyline. They are all based on real European Union bodies or the Ancient Roman Republic.

 

The European Commonwealth, by 2277 is:

 

- Steeped in militaristic and scientific history, it shares a lot with the BoS in this respect.

- Still has remnant fascist characteristics, times have moved on for the EC, but totalitarian elements still remain.

- Power armour is a new concept to them, the EC was behind the US technologically before the Great War.

- The EC is currently more technologically advanced in other areas, including weaponry, stealth technology and protection against radiation & other hazards.

- The EC has been a functional international state for a number of years now, with a high regard for science and academia, it does not share the BoS's superstitious beliefs in technology as a religion, nor is it naturally prejudiced against ghouls.

- The EDA outpost the player will encounter is a military and scientific outfit that has no specific goal other than to make regular reports to the European Commonwealth Consilium.

Faction alignment:

 

Neutral:

- Friendly ghouls

- Friendly wastelanders

- Brotherhood of Steel

- Enclave

- Vault dwellers

Enemies:

- Slavers

- Raiders

Plot & storyline ideas:

 

1. The establishment of diplomatic relations, the European Commonwealth (EC) need to decide which factions represent the true voice of America - if that is possible at all. Perhaps the player can convince the EC of the merits of a particular faction (Enclave, BoS) or persuade the EC to try and establish their own dominance in the area. The player might act as a local guide for the foreign EC commander.

 

2. The further establishment of the EC HQ building.

 

3. The player finds worthy tasks for the EC forces... from making friends with Super Mutants to invading Paradise Falls... many possibilities.

 

4. Initiation of the player into the European Defence Agency task force.

[Freols]

Feel free NOT to read this

It's quite long - but hopefully not too tedious, nevertheless I don't want to bore anybody, there's nothing essential in it. It's also very much a rough diamond, I can see plot holes already, but I fix any problems when I come to them

 

I've made a draft history of the European Commonwealth... it fills in the holes, but there are a lot of holes to fill and it's only a rough draft. I wrote it primarily because it was fun to do, but also because a clear fictional historical basis leads to a deeper more believable faction.

 

Here is all the lore I could find relating to the European Commonwealth:

http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/European_Commonwealth

 

It seems after the oil reserves ran dry in the Middle East, the EC was reduced 'almost to ruin', and that is was lead primarily by the United Kingdom (apparently the original home of Allistair Tenpenny). From a state of near ruin in 2060, through to the year 2277... Northern Europe seems unlikely to have been a target or origin of any nuclear exchanges in the Great War. It also seems likely that Southern Europe and Eastern Europe might have been physically destroyed or reduced to wasteland due to their proximity to the Middle East and Russia respectively.

 

Aside from that, I think the rest is up to speculation. In my version of events, the quarrelling nation states of the Europe destroy the First European Commonwealth. While the poorer Southern and Eastern European nations try desperately to rebuild their decimated nations, the richer Northern European states became increasingly insular, and wisely invest the last of their funds and resources on fusion power plants and the protection of population centres from the seemingly inevitable future nuclear apocalypse.

 

In 2066 Britain seals it's borders and starts requisitioning resources, land and even work forces from the private sector. Riots begin to break out in all major cities in 2067, a State of Emergency is declared, the police becomes a branch of the military, hundreds die as paratroopers are sent in to quell protesters around Parliament. Images of the massacre leak into the media, Prime Minister vows to never again use traumatised war veterans and automated curfew drones to quiet riots.

 

By 2070 millions of refugees from S. and E. Europe, Africa and Russia begin flowing into Central Europe. France elects a Communist President, the German government collapses while the Netherlands and Belgium, both under Fascist rule, cede their sovereignty to the United Kingdom in exchange for military protection.

 

Within a year the President of France starts annexing vast swathes of S. Europe, all industry is nationalised, all immigrants are welcomed - and then sent off to hundreds of forced labour camps in Spain. France signs a pact with Communist China. The French President along with the puppet leaders of Spain, Italy and Portugal declare the creation of 'The Second European People's Commonwealth'. In 2073 the Second European Commonwealth starts massing troops in Normandy, Britain is offered a place in the Commonwealth pending the embrace of Communism. Britain is given a week to respond by the French President. There is in fighting in Britain's leadership, the troop numbers Britain faces are vast. Within two days power is seized from the Prime Minister by a charismatic veteran General and leader of the fascist Empire League using the support of the British King. Without hesitation General Alexander Becket unleashed Britain's nuclear arsenal against strategic targets all over France. The attack was totally unexpected, the Communist government was wiped out, Paris was consumed by nuclear fire, and the Second European Commonwealth descended into anarchy while Great Britain was transformed by Becket into a fully militaristic Fascist state. Britain takes full control of the Netherlands and Belgium, the small fascist states happily comply.

 

In 2076 British troops begin 'The Great Raid', resources, technology, art, historical artefacts and slaves are brought to Camp Calcutta in Normandy for processing. By now Central Europe is rife with plagues, diseases and nano viruses. Advanced air purification systems, heavy armour and special weapons developed to quickly wipe out large numbers of unarmed and unarmoured 'targets' become standard issue for Raid units. Slaves are scanned for infections and disabilities at Camp Calcutta. It what proves to be a harrowing but effective way of dealing with the vast numbers of immigrants attempting to enter Britain, captured refugees and inferior or diseased slaves are turned into food and a form of fuel with qualities similar to petrol. No word of this is leaked to mainland Britain. So called 'Soylent' :whistling: food products become part of the average citizens diet.

 

It's 2077. In March Britain receives intelligence about elements of the US government moving to remote areas in preparation for a nuclear or biological attack. Britain declares itself the head of the Third European Commonwealth, while there are still fairly large populations of people in central Europe, Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Scandinavia are the only remaining nations with sufficient infrastructure to maintain national administrations - all these remaining nations declare themselves members of the Third European Commonwealth, further ceding their sovereignty to London. Looting, raids and war has ravaged the other European nations, although unknown to Britain numerous vaults across Europe exist, all full of previous government members, the rich and numerous leading scientists. In June, in light of the impending Great War, the European Commonwealth issues a statement of complete neutrality to all remaining national governments and organisations around the world - including China and the USA. Before the start of July, all key government, military and scientific personal are moved to remote parts of Scotland, Ireland and Scandinavia. All citizens are warned of the impending war, and drill take place once a week. The 'cry wolf' effect is reduced considerably by the fact that the police have orders to execute those who don't evacuate to the vast city shelters with a convincing sense of urgency.

 

October 23rd 2077. Great War takes place. Wales, Finland and numerous locations in Eastern Europe are accidental targets of large warheads. Casualties of tens of millions experienced by the USA and China, while combined deaths in Europe due to accidental targeting and nuclear fallout thought to only be about 5 million by 2087, casualties in Britain number at only a few thousand, although various conflicts and diseases have already decimated the population.

 

By 2080 mutations start occurring, crops fail, animals die. The vastly decreased population prevents starvation in the European Commonwealth. Strange and hostile creatures emerge from the fallout of the bombs, Wales is particularly affected. As the EC government returns to relative normality, they hear news of human "ghouls", strange mutated humans that show no mental degradation.

 

The next couple of centuries pass without incident for the EC. Slowly, bit by bit, Europe recovered. Low fertility rates prevented repopulation. The EC's fascist regime softened over time, peace prevailed, disease subsided, people across Europe emerged from their vaults and places of refuge to form new societies. By 2200 successive chains of benevolent dictators, their tyranny kept in check by powerful military officers and scientific elite, had turned a viciously fascist regime into something resembling a paternalistic and militaristic oligarchy. The EC was in effect ruled by a small elite of scientists, soldiers and academics... their power protected and sustained by the constant need for technology, protection and learning in the new hostile post-apocalyptic world. From 2200 until 2270, the EC central administration made contact with all organised societies across Europe, a grand alliance was slowly forged, those societies that rejected the call of the EC were slowly marginalised. They fell foul of starvation or raiders, or were simply wiped off the map by the European Defence Agency (EDA), which, although still primarily composed of British troops, now contained members of numerous nationalities. By the end of 2270, all the technology and societies within Europe had been consolidated. While the total population of Europe stood at barely the population of one pre-war European nation, and population centres existed in total isolation except for internet communication and occasional visits by government aircraft, the European Commonwealth was starting to show real signs of progress and prosperity in amongst the wasteland. The idea of citizen's rights re-emerged, slavery was abolished for all except criminals, and the people began to adopt a sense of European national identity.

 

In 2276 the EDA created a number of special expeditionary forces. They would be tasked with the re-exploration of the planet. Their primary role was to simply observe, scout for advanced technology and resources and make contact with national government, if they still existed.

 

And that's how the player finds the European Commonwealth in Washington DC.

[GreyViper]

Faction alignment:

 

Allies:

- Neutral wastelanders

- Neutral ghouls

 

 

Err wouldn't it make sense them to be neutral with these factions? Since both groups offer broad definition, so I really can see how they can be allied with them. Besides its a brave new world, where every one is out for himself and others are just means to a end.

[Rekicker]

Very ambitious. You have a great idea and plenty of knowledge but do you have the gumption to follow all this through? If you do, it'll be one hell of a great mod. I mean, this is DLC worthy material, no joke.

[Freols]

Faction alignment:

 

Allies:

- Neutral wastelanders

- Neutral ghouls

 

 

Err wouldn't it make sense them to be neutral with these factions? Since both groups offer broad definition, so I really can see how they can be allied with them. Besides its a brave new world, where every one is out for himself and others are just means to a end.

 

Totally agree, the idea of them having allies was a bit silly. If alliances are made, I think they should be brokered by the player somehow...

 

Very ambitious. You have a great idea and plenty of knowledge but do you have the gumption to follow all this through? If you do, it'll be one hell of a great mod. I mean, this is DLC worthy material, no joke.

 

It is ambitious, but the way I see it, I can do it all step by step. Build the HQ building, design the NPCs and write the basic dialogue - then I can move onto quest dialogue and real player interaction.

 

I have no illusions about the amount of time this is going to take, but every journey begins with a single step. :biggrin:

 

Besides, Fallout 3 needs more of the references that made the originals great, being a bit of a python fan and an avid Sci-Fi film watcher I'm going to have a whale of a time writing the dialogue!