Dairy 2: Custom Map and Factions Preview

Dairy 2: Welcome to the West

Greetings and salutations to those of you who have dared to click this particular diary. I am here to present to you, our fine community, the first update of the new year; and more importantly, the first major information dump for what V1 of the new version of the Old World Blues mod for Hearts of Iron IV will look like.First and foremost I am very happy to tell you that the primary issue that had been holding up the development of the mod–our inability to place nations on the map we created–has been solved through the combined efforts of 2D and Chismar. Despite his catastrophic computer failure, Chismar has continued to do what he can to help the team while we await his replacement rig.I present to you, the West Coast in Fallout Old World Blues, made using our custom map designer.Exert: Welcome to the glory of what we’ve been able to create from scratch. The map for stretches north into Canada, and down to the tip of Baja California, while also extending out as to western Texas and the Ghoul City of Los. Future releases will incrementally add areas of the world until we have covered the full birth of the Post-Apocalyptic United States, Mexico, Annexed Canada, and even islands in the Caribbean.Version 1.0 will include the following. Exactly 66 nations, almost all of which are built from or based off the lore of the fallout universe. A great deal of creative liberty was taken in creating many of these factions, but the vast majority of them are based off real world locations, Indian reservations, and historical regional locations and events. In short, the goal was to make our take on the fallout setting unique and as immersive as possible.I am certain that some of you have already noted the odd borders for areas such as the NCR and Legion; these will be elaborated upon further in the image specifically aimed at that area.Washington and Oregon State are curious regions, primarily because while we have information on them, it comes from a canceled game and minor hints and clues that we gained from encounters in Fallout Two. Many of the Factions in the Region are based off the Cannibals who would attempt to slaughter you in fallout one, with the vast majority of Oregon and some of Washington being utterly plagued by primitive and violent tribes of Cannibal Natives.In terms of Major Factions, the Washington/Oregon Region is going to have two. In the form of the overt and totalitarian Washington Brotherhood, from Fallout Extreme. This particular branch of the Brotherhood was markedly violent and known for being iron fisted tyrants. They are in every sense of the word a ‘bad guy’ faction, and a living representation of what many other factions fear the Brotherhood of Steel may become. The Washington BoS is all about waiting and investment, for the focus of many of their trees is based on sending expeditions up into Canada, enslaving thousands to help rebuild pipelines, and other costly endeavors. You will be constantly sacrificing manpower and equipment in order to fund your Canadian aspirations, even as a threat grows to your south…The second faction in the area that will be receiving a focus tree will be the super mutants of Troll Warren, a supermutant city referenced in Fallout Extreme. They focus primarily on their actions, such as waging war on local tribes so that they can capture and forcibly mutate hundreds of violent, cannibalistic tribals into super mutant soldiers. This faction has a number of goals, but they are set on a crash course with both the NCR and the Washington Brotherhood, simply because their end goal is to reclaim the ruins of the Mariposa Military Base and fulfill the Master’s dream.Like the original Beta Test Release of the mod, which was more a proof of concept than an actual representation of the goals or aspirations of the team or its creators, the V1.0 version of the Old World Blues mod is going to focus on the Titanic conflict of the NCR and the Legion, and their destined clashes over the Hoover Dam. We’ve rolled back the clock on both settings, with the game starting roughly around the time of the Legion’s Conquest of Colorado, and the beginnings of the NCR-Brotherhood War.Variations exist to the common lore as well. For example it is possible to keep some of the more useful gods encountered in the Wasteland and add them to the Legion’s pantheon; rewarding the faction with powerful bonuses at the cost of national unity. Keep the Cult of Nas (God of Cars) alive in Two Sun in order to gain access to limited amounts of wasteland vehicles; quickening the game of technological catch up that the Legion will inevitably have to play with its rivals. You could also choose to honor the God of the Hangdogs, rewarding you with a massive bonus to the production of and effectiveness of the new ‘war dogs’ support unit. The choice is yours.Elsewhere, you can attempt to avoid the NCR-BoS war in California, saving resources and gaining a powerful potential ally in wars to come. Focus on expansionism, with the conquest of Baja California and the Nevada Region being at the head of your goals and intentions. Do you Unify with the Desert Rangers, or let them walk their own path so that you can focus on more important matters? How do you handle local raider groups and with what caravans shall you form alliances? What will you do with New Reno and Vault City? The choice is yours, and the future of the greatest nation since the end of the world is in your hands.Now, we focused on the NCR and Legion in our exertions, but here is a brief overview of all factions that will be receiving individual focus trees. Feel free to ask about any of these factions, and I will do my best to elaborate on what their trees may contain. You can also feel free to give examples.The New California RepublicCaesar's LegionThe Desert RangersThe Brotherhood of Steel (Western)The Brotherhood of Steel (Mojave)The Brotherhood of Steel (Washington)New VegasVault CityNew RenoThe White LegsThe 80’s TribeNew CanaanThe Troll Warren(P.S) We know that some fan favorites, such as The Shi, Arroyo and Klamath aren’t on that list. These factions may get updates in the future, but as it stands their locations are small as is their influence. They are also usually involved in the trees of larger factions and groups(P.S.2) I know, I know. It’s rushing through your mind right now. Where is the Enclave? The Answer? They are still here. Scattered across the wasteland in small remnant groups and enclaves. Most Major factions (The NCR, New Vegas, and even the implacable Legion) are at risk of Enclave Infiltration. They exist in events, faction changes, and rebellions. The Enclave isn’t strong enough to have a presence at the start of the game, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a comeback, and more importantly, that they aren’t already planning on making one.[/i]