Brotherhood of Steel (Mojave chapter)

The Mojave chapterHidden Valley bunker terminal entries; terminal, Incident #4Robert House: "Your next assignment is to locate and destroy remnants of the Mojave chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel. The NCR nearly did the job at Helios One a few years ago, but there seem to have been survivors, unfortunately. Given the Brotherhood's fanatical views on technology, they can be counted on to oppose my regime."(Robert House's dialogue) is a chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel active in the Mojave Wasteland.
==Background==
While officially sent out to secure Hoover Dam,The Courier: "Why is the Brotherhood interested in Nevada?"Veronica Santangelo: "It was the Dam, really. We'd heard rumors it was working. Figured we could claim it, put it to use. Didn't end up mattering. We got sidetracked at HELIOS One and the NCR took the Dam in the meantime. We're still after it, though. In theory."(Veronica Santangelo's dialogue)The Courier: "Did you follow him from California?"Veronica Santangelo: "It was by his request, actually. He cleared it with the other Elders. {To herself} They sent him to look into the Dam. There was a time when I'd have begged to follow. Watch him at work."(Veronica Santangelo's dialogue) the formation of the Mojave chapter was mainly a result of disagreements within the elder council. Elijah, a former scribe who became an elder, pushed for the development of new technologies, which put him at odds with the more conservative members of the Brotherhood. As Elijah proposed developing new ethically questionable weapons somewhere around the early 2260s,The Courier: "Do you have any other family in the Brotherhood?"Veronica Santangelo: "Just my parents, but they haven't been around for a long time. Dad was a Paladin, Mom was a Scribe. They died in the same battle trying to hold off the NCR from... something. I don't remember what it was. Guess it seemed important at the time."The Courier: "Who was this Father Elijah to you?"Veronica Santangelo: "I would say he was my tutor, but that doesn't cover it. After my parents passed, he looked after me. The whole Brotherhood brought me up, really, but he made sure of it. I never had a grandfather - not that I knew, anyway - but Elijah was in some ways what I'd imagine a grandfather to be."(Veronica Santangelo's dialogue) the elders decided to send him away to the east, to form a new chapter of the Brotherhood in the Mojave.The Courier: "Who is Father Elijah?"Veronica Santangelo: "He was our Elder when we came East. A wizard with technology, really. His mind just worked that way naturally. Learned a lot from him. But he started having disagreements with the other Elders. The Brotherhood's interest is in old technology. He wanted to explore developing new tech. And there were other ways he wanted to push. Other weapons. Ones with ethics questions attached. Rather than deal with him, they sent him East."(Veronica Santangelo's dialogue)
The new chapter settled into the Hidden Valley bunkers, then rediscovered HELIOS One. Elijah, already considered unorthodox for his focus on improving technology rather than simply preserving it, had ordered for HELIOS One to be converted into the Brotherhood's headquarters despite objections from almost every paladin in the chapter.The Courier: "Who is Elijah?"Ramos: "Who Elijah, more like. He was our Elder before McNamara. Bright guy, but just between you and me he was a little off. Our mission is to recover and preserve the technology of the past, but Elijah wanted more. He sought ways to improve upon technology, make it better. When we found HELIOS One, he was like a kid in a candy store. He kept talking about the potential, and a 'grand design, never realized.' He even insisted we set up our base there, against the objection of nearly every paladin. What followed is a whole other story."(Ramos' dialogue) The Mojave chapter operated freely amid the Vegas wastes for several years, carrying out many reclamation missions without serious opposition. However, the balance of power shifted in 2273, when a large contingent of NCR troops entered the region and occupied Hoover Dam. The conflict was inevitable.Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition p.43: "Brotherhood of SteelThe Brotherhood of Steel is a militant organization devoted to the preservation of pre-war technology and human knowledge. Their professed mission is to preserve pre-war technology and human knowledge for the benefit of future generations. In practice, its definition of technology is strangely selective, ignoring basic but potentially useful technologies (genetic modification of crops and civil engineering, for example) in favor of combat technology such as energy weapons and power armor: and even now, nearly two centuries after the Great War, the Brotherhood zealously restricts the use and knowledge of such technologies to its own membership.The Mojave Brotherhood operated freely amid the Vegas wastes for several years, carrying out many reclamation missions without serious opposition. The balance of power shifted in 2251, when a large contingent of NCR troops entered the region and occupied Hoover Dam. Conflict was inevitable. Nearly two years of guerilla skirmishes culminated in a pitched battle at HELIOS One, a solar energy plant the Brotherhood had been refurbishing for several months with the goals of bringing it back online and activating its hidden offensive capabilities (the ARCHIMEDES II death ray). The battle for HELIOS One (Operation: Sunburst) proved a disaster for the Mojave Brotherhood. More than half its Paladins and Knights were killed. The chapter's leader, Elder Elijah, disappeared without a trace. The Brotherhood was driven from the facility, which suffered extensive damage. Survivors retreated to Hidden Valley.Since that defeat, the chapter's leader, Elder McNamara, has restricted activity outside the bunker to occasional reconnaissance missions and high-value raids. All operations take place at night, and engagement of NCR forces is strictly forbidden. Though the Brotherhood's ascetic lifestyle has prepared its members for a sequestered existence better than most, the passivity of their current situation has proved highly stressful."(Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide faction profiles) 
As a result of Elijah's obsession with HELIOS One and the need to defend against the NCR, the Brotherhood ignored the Van Graffs, a family of energy weapon distributors that had expanded into the Mojave. Elijah's order was clear: leave the Van Graffs alone.The Courier: "Yes, what is the task?"Edgar Hardin: "Back when we were stationed at HELIOS, our scouts reported that a group was establishing itself in the area as a distributor of Pre-War weapons. Our Elder at the time, Elijah, was too concerned with getting HELIOS running and fending off the NCR, so he ordered us to leave them alone. It's time that we correct that oversight, and show this region that the Brotherhood is still a force to be reckoned with. I want you to visit these weapons dealers, this Van Graff family, and make an example of them. Leave no one alive. When the job is done, report back and I'll arrange for a team to clean up the site and retrieve the weapons."(Edgar Hardin's dialogue)
===War with the New California Republic===
In 2274, the NCR had officially set up a base at McCarran International Airport. From there, the NCR soon set its sights on the HELIOS One solar plant. Elijah, still believing that the plant contained an unprecedented military advantage, refused to leave the plant, and forced the Paladins to continue defending it. Two years of guerilla fighting against the NCR followed, culminating in Operation Sunburst in 2276.
The NCR launched Operation Sunburst to capture HELIOS One. Outnumbered by NCR soldiers, a pitched battle took place. Despite the Brotherhood's far superior equipment, such as energy weapons and power armor, they lacked reinforcements and were gradually worn down by NCR's attacks. By the time the retreat signal was given by Paladin McNamara, more than half the chapter lay dead in the dust. The chapter's leader, Elder Elijah, disappeared without a trace. Brotherhood survivors retreated to Hidden Valley, while the NCR regrouped at the newly occupied HELIOS.The Courier: "Why do you hate the Brotherhood so much?"Robert House: "Because they're ridiculous! Because they galavant around the Mojave pretending to be Knights of Yore. Or did, until the NCR showed them that ideological purity and shiny power armor don't count for much when you're outnumbered 15:1. The world has no use for emotionally unstable techno-fetishists. Just wipe them out, will you?"(Robert House's dialogue)
With no leader, Head Paladin McNamara took the title of elder for the chapter. Out of fear of Hidden Valley being discovered, Elder McNamara heavily restricted Brotherhood activity, locking down the bunker and limiting outside assignments to occasional reconnaissance missions and high-value raids, as well as necessary supply runs by dedicated couriers. All operations take place at night, and the engagement of NCR forces is strictly forbidden. Though the Brotherhood's ascetic lifestyle has prepared its members for a sequestered existence better than most, the passivity of their current situation has proved highly stressful.
===Current status===
The chapter operates a policy of strict isolationism: no outsiders are allowed anywhere near the bunker, and anyone found near it is killed. The only people cleared for surface access are nightly Hidden Valley patrols, scouts, and procurement specialists securing food, water, and other necessities. All members of the chapter are direct descendants of the original Brotherhood, with no outside recruitment.The Courier: "Power armor and laser rifles are still effective."Veronica Santangelo: "Yeah, but only if you've got bodies to fill the suits. We don't take on new members. We're all descendents from the original Brotherhood. Something's going to have to change, or the empty suits are gonna be all that's left of us."(Veronica Santangelo's dialogue) Combined with the fact that the chapter has lost half its number at HELIOS One and failed to recover its strength while the Republic's hold on the Mojave has only increased (with the number of troops alone increasing five times),The Courier: "Tell me about the lockdown."Nolan McNamara: "It's a protective measure that was enacted after our defeat at HELIOS. The NCR was hot on our heels, and we wouldn't have survived another encounter. It was decided that we would stay quiet for a time, heal the wounded, and try to come up with a new strategy. However, after we had fully recuperated, our first scouting measures showed that the NCR's presence in this region had only increased in our absence. There are now more than five times the number of NCR troops in the area as when we fought them, and we have half the number we did at HELIOS. And so the lockdown has been extended. To go outside would be the death of us all."(Nolan McNamara's dialogue) and that extended isolation is taking its toll on the chapter, its situation is precarious. While virtual reality simulators and firing range exercises keep the Knights and Paladins (many of whom have only virtual combat experience) sharp, the chapter is incommunicado to the rest of the Brotherhood.The Courier: "One of the few times an Elder was dismissed was due to it."Edgar Hardin: "I could be wrong, but I think that's a dead end. McNamara's always followed orders, and we've been incommunicado since fleeing HELIOS."(Edgar Hardin's dialogue) 
Without reinforcements or some kind of long term solution that doesn't involve hiding underground, it is sure to perish. This questionable policy has led Head Paladin Edgar Hardin to take steps to ousting the current Elder and implement his policy. While he has sympathizers who support his goal of replacing Nolan McNamara, he has not made any overt moves against the Elder out of respect. The Courier is the only known outsider to have visited the bunker, and thus can determine the fate of the ill-fated chapter. While Mr. House and Caesar want the Brotherhood dead, the NCR is a bit more flexible, and the Courier can instead negotiate a truce with the Brotherhood, which will ensure the Brotherhood's survival in the Mojave for some time. The Courier can only make a truce between the NCR and the Brotherhood if McNamara remains the elder.Still in the DarkEyesight to the Blind
==Society==
The Brotherhood of Steel is a militant organization devoted to the preservation of pre-War technology and human knowledge. Their professed mission is to preserve pre-War technology and human knowledge for the benefit of future generations. In practice, its definition of technology is selective to its own needs, ignoring basic but potentially useful technologies (genetic modification of crops and civil engineering, for example) in favor of combat technology such as energy weapons and power armor; and even now, nearly two centuries after the Great War, the Brotherhood zealously restrict the use and knowledge of such technologies to its own membership.
==Foreign relations==
Since the Brotherhood War, the Mojave brotherhood has kept its contact with the outside world to a minimum, due to heavy casualties. Other than a few scout patrols and supply scavengers, such as Veronica Santangelo, that come in and go back out at night, no members are allowed to leave the secure bunker and people outside of the Brotherhood entering or leaving the Hidden Valley base is unheard of.
===Interactions with the player character===
Because of the Hidden Valley lockdown, only a select few are able to leave the bunker. Because the Courier is not an official member of the Brotherhood, they become a natural choice to find lost Brotherhood patrols without jeopardizing other members of the organization. Depending on the Elder leading the Brotherhood, the Courier can aid the Brotherhood further by tapping into the radar systems of Black Mountain or eliminating the Van Graffs, who hold a large cache of energy weapons. 
==Technology==
The Mojave Wasteland chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel utilizes a mixture of both the T-45d and T-51b model of power armor, with the T-51b used predominantly. Their weapons are energy-based, with tri-beam laser rifles being almost standard issue to the guards and patrols in and around the Hidden Valley bunker, while Gauss rifles are also widely used. Scribes use the Laser RCW (including Elder McNamara) or zap glove. Patrols sometimes include heavier weapons such as the Gatling laser. Their scouts continue to find weapons in the Mojave, resulting in many unused weapons being stored in the Brotherhood armory. It seems that the Brotherhood scribes are researching night vision optics and unique project initiatives such as automatic doors.
==Endings==
==Notes==
* A three- to four-person patrol leaves the Brotherhood bunker in Hidden Valley at around 1:30 - 3:00 AM under cover of the manufactured dust cloud defense, although most, if not all, patrols return to the bunker at sunrise.
* On Radio New Vegas, Mr. New Vegas comments on reports of "hulking individuals" that have been spotted around Hidden Valley after dark.Mr. New Vegas: "Scavengers report hulking individuals moving around Hidden Valley after dusk, but have been unable to identify them due to low visibility."(Mr. New Vegas' dialogue)
* Brotherhood paladins inside the bunker wear mismatched power armor. Although none wear the Brotherhood T-45d power armor, T-45 helmets are worn with Brotherhood T-51b power armor.
==Appearances==
The Mojave chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel appears only in Fallout: New Vegas, and is mentioned in the add-ons Dead Money and Old World Blues.
==Behind the scenes==
On Bethesda Softworks Forums, Joshua Sawyer stated, "Many years have passed since the events of Fallout 1 and in the time between F2 and F:NV, the western Brotherhood has suffered very heavy losses. Because they are, by nature, insular, replacing their fallen veterans is difficult. Most of the Mojave chapter's paladins are relatively inexperienced. There isn't an army of Rhombuses down there." He also explained that "the Veteran Rangers in the Mojave Wasteland are also the best of a victorious army that are moved in late in the game. The Mojave Paladins are by no means the concentrated elite of the western BoS."
==Bugs==
 Most members of the Brotherhood of Steel become weaker once Old World Blues is installed, reducing their Strength and Endurance stats by 3 and 2 points respectively, and removing Explosives as a tagged skill. This affects both unnamed members, particularly those found patrolling the area around Hidden Valley, as well as some named members including Linda Schuler, Senior Knight Lorenzo, and even Nolan McNamara and Edgar Hardin. 
==Gallery==
Mojave BOS banner.png|Flag/banner render
==References==
Non-game
 
es:Hermandad del Acero (capítulo Mojave)
fr:Confrérie de l'Acier (Chapitre du Mojave)
it:Confraternita d'Acciaio (divisione Mojave)
pl:Bractwo Stali Pustkowi Mojave
pt:Irmandade de Aço (Capítulo do Mojave)
ru:Братство Стали (Fallout: New Vegas)
uk:Братство Сталі (Fallout: New Vegas)
zh:鋼鐵兄弟會(莫哈維分會)