Bandits

The bandits are a loose mercenary/bandit outfit led by Split Jack . They operate in the Capital Wasteland, roughly two weeks after the activation of Project Purity in 2277/2278.
==Background==
This band was founded by Split Jack after he cleaned up his raider act and began to combine his ruthless tendencies with a head for business. This happened after he realized that they can make more money with the threat of continuous violence than by killing alone. This simple extortion is a relatively new idea in the Capital Wasteland. As previously, there was no opportunity for survivors to do anything but gather what resources they could, as quickly as possible.Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.98: "Split JackOnce a Raider, Jack cleaned up his act and began to marry his ruthless tendencies with a head for business. He has an eye (his only good one) for extortion, and is currently leading a group of Bandits as they attack, accrue, and then extort Aqua Pura from anyone they meet. He's mildly psychotic, but you'd have to be paying attention to notice."(Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition Wasteland Census)New meeting place
His operating plan is for both theft and extortion of the Water Distribution Network. This plan is to attack the water caravans on route to both gather Aqua Pura and harass the network, then go to the network and get themselves hired as security for the increased attacks on the caravans,The Lone Wanderer: "So what's the score?"Split Jack: " And after Rivet City's had enough, we offer our 'Wasteland Protection Services.' "(Split Jack's dialogue) with a side venture into selling the stolen water. Some of his enterprise have already been dispatched to start the operation. After being sent to investigate the missing caravans by Scribe Bigsley, the Lone Wanderer will encounter them, dispatch them, and follow their trial via pre-recorded holotape to their current meeting spot: Wilhelm's Wharf (Split Jack having chosen the location both due to Grandma Sparkle's cooking, her mirelurk stew which is also their passphrase, and the fact that she can be extremely discrete).The events of the quest Protecting the Water Way in the Fallout 3 add-on Broken Steel. ​He can be convinced of the futility of his endeavor, and will be embarrassed by it.The Lone Wanderer: ""Split Jack: " Guess I'll have to come up with another plan. Come on, boys. Not worth sticking around here. Let's go blow off some steam. Kill anything or anyone you like."(Split Jack's dialogue)
Should the Lone Wanderer decide to challenge Split Jack for leadership of the gang, the remaining bandits will not follow their leadership. Instead, they will agree to cut the Lone Wanderer in on the existing extortion plan should the Lone Wanderer do all the leg work and convince Officer Lepelletier that it is in their best interest to cooperate.Bandit: " "Bandit: ""(Bandits' dialogue)Bandit: "You're here for your cut? "(Bandits' dialogue)Bandit: ""(Bandits' dialogue) If the Lone Wanderer does not visit them at least once a month, they will think that the Lone Wanderer died and divvy up the loot among themselves.Bandit: " "(Bandits' dialogue) From there, should the Lone Wanderer betray them (either directly or by taking all the money), they will become hostile.Bandit: " "(Bandits' dialogue)Bandit: " "(Bandits' dialogue)
==Organization==
Split Jack established this mercenary band's hierarchy to be loose, with an informally chosen leader and few ground rules that have to be adhered to. The toughest (those with the mettle) leads, and what they say is the rule.The Lone Wanderer: "Mirelurk stew."Split Jack: " "(Split Jack's dialogue) The leader of the gang can only be changed through a duel. This challenge is a fight to the death, and its parameters are established by the leader.The Lone Wanderer: "It's time for someone else to take charge. You and me. Right now. Time to die."Split Jack: ""The Lone Wanderer: "Knives."Split Jack: " "The Lone Wanderer: "Pipes."Split Jack: " "The Lone Wanderer: "Boards."Split Jack: " "The Lone Wanderer: "Guns."Split Jack: ""The Lone Wanderer: "Uh, never mind."Split Jack: ""(Split Jack's dialogue)Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.44: "BanditsLead by an informally chosen leader named Split Jack, Bandits are roving bands of mercenaries that prey on Water Caravans for sustenance and profit. Wastelanders, Talon Company Mercenaries, and even Raiders and Ghouls are welcome to join the group, as long as a few ground rules are adhered to. To separate themselves from the other scum prowling the Wasteland, Split Jack has instilled a policy of 'metal,' by which every Bandit must wear distinctive Metal Armor and appropriate Metal Helmet headgear. This allows other Bandits to recognize each other in the heat of battle, and victims know who to fear. This sense of foresight also extends to Split Jack's Cap-collecting schemes. He's brought in a new era of fiscal responsibility, with Bandits realizing they can make more money with the threat of continuous violence than by killing alone. This simple extortion is a relatively new idea in the Wasteland, as survivors previously tend to gather what they could, as quickly as possible. Split jack is also running what President Eden might call a 'Dueling Democracy,' with the power able to leave his hands at any moment if a challenger has the mettle (and Metal) to face him in one-on-one combat."(Fallout 3 Official Game Guide faction profiles)
Furthermore, there are no barriers to those who wish to enter the gang, fellow raiders, random wastelanders, other mercenaries, or even ghouls. All are welcome so long as they follow the rules. Currently recruiting bandits to this end, he does not mind if his underlings have invited recruits for him.The Lone Wanderer: "I came for the job. You still hiring guns?"Split Jack: ""(Split Jack's dialogue) The uniform of the gang is metal armor and headgear.Split Jack: ""(Split Jack's dialogue) This is to allow other bandits to recognize each other in combat and to instill fear in their victims.
==Outside relations==
The bandits harass the water caravans of the Water Distribution Network as a part of Split Jack's initial theft extortion scheme following the activation of Project Purity.
==Related quests==
* Protecting the Water Way: Officer Lepelletier requires that the player investigate the more organized attacks on the water caravans.
==Notes==
* The way the gang operates is what President Eden might call a "Dueling Democracy," with the power able to leave the leader's hands at any moment if a challenger has the mettle (and metal) to face them in one-on-one combat.
* Split Jack is mildly psychotic, though this is not always obvious, and justifiably paranoid, as his small band has no true loyalty to him.The Lone Wanderer: "Pass phrase? I don't know anything about a pass phrase."Split Jack: " "(Split Jack's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "I'm nobody you need to worry about."Split Jack: "/, I worry 'bout everybody. Can't trust no one. You know the pass phrase?"(Split Jack's dialogue)
==References==
Non-game
Category:Broken Steel factions