The Pitt Uprising

The Pitt Uprising was a civil uprising of slaves ruled by Ishmael Ashur's raiders in The Pitt, taking place in the year 2277.
==Prelude==
Around thirty years prior to 2277, the Brotherhood of Steel led an expedition to Washington, D.C. to recover ancient technology from the former capital. In their travels, they came across the ruins of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, now known as The Pitt. Before their arrival, The Pitt was an utterly chaotic and lawless den of horrors, with rape gangs, raiders, slavers, and other kinds of horrors terrorizing the few innocent survivors. In what later became known as the Scourge, the Brotherhood swept through the city and slaughtered it’s worst elements, wiping out many of the rape gangs, raiders, and slavers, while also recovering technology and rescuing a small number of unmutated children who later became Initiates of the Brotherhood.The Lone Wanderer: "How did you end up in the Brotherhood?"Kodiak:"Now that's a story... The only reason I'm here is because of Elder Lyons. You see, I grew up in the Pitt. Don't suppose you've ever been there, huh? It's about 500 klicks to the northwest. Place is a nightmare -- three irradiated rivers coming together. People there were... not well. But the Brotherhood of Steel came down on the place with a righteous hammer. They called it "The Scourge.""(Kodiak's dialogue) 
Although the Scourge was largely a success, one of their Initiates, Ishmael Ashur, was lost during an explosion in The Mill.Ashur's diary, Diary 2: The Scourge: "Marie, the first thing you need to know is that I wasn't always the Lord of The Pitt. Long before I was a king, I was a scholar and a soldier. In fact, I was in the Brotherhood of Steel. You've probably heard about them. But you may not have heard what we did to this city: the Scourge. When we came here, The Pitt was just a breeding ground for Trogs, cannibals, and worse. Commander had us torch the place and take what we could. The Pitt had useful technology, but it was suicide to stay here. So when an explosion left me buried in the Mill, my brothers were sure I was dead. I don't blame them for leaving. I probably would have. We thought nothing could live in The Pitt. We were wrong." Believing that he was dead, his brothers-in-arms left him in the rubble, something that he did not blame them for. He awoke from his state of unconsciousness when a scavenger pulled at his armor, looking to scavenge it. He did not let her take it, but spared her life, and learned that she had an entire family of scavengers who made raids into the city to acquire gear from The Mill. Realizing that a functional steel mill was a chance to start over and build again, Ashur began to rebuild the city with the help of the scavengers who revered him as a god. He also made use of the knowledge he’d acquired as a member of the Brotherhood.The Lone Wanderer: "How did The Pitt get started?"Ishmael Ashur: "Believe it or not, it started when the Brotherhood decided to loot this hellhole and wipe it off the map. We called it the Scourge. Back then, I was "Initiate Ashur." But that ended when the Brotherhood left me behind, and I came to see The Pitt in a new light. I was found by tribals who thought I was a god. I didn't argue, and with my leadership and their divine dedication, we began rebuilding this city."(Ishmael Ashur's dialogue)Ashur's diary, Diary 3: The Mill: "Marie, you know those fights in the Mill's arena? Well, its first fight was when I woke up to someone pulling me out from a pile of rubble. At first I thought it was my brothers pulling me to safety. Instead, it was a scavenger trying to steal my armor. She didn't get it. But I learned she had a whole family of scavengers. They'd make raids into the city for gear from the Mill. And that gave me an idea. This was the only working steel mill we'd ever seen. In a world of leftovers, it was a chance to build again. And that was worth any price. The scavengers saw me as a god, so along with my Brotherhood know-how, it was easy to set up the basics. We started to build a city." Although the Brotherhood had looted much of the city, they left even more behind, including certain individuals that they considered to be too wild but who went on to be the perfect soldiers for Ashur’s army.The Lone Wanderer: "How did you rebuild after the Scourge?"Ishmael Ashur: "It wasn't actually that tough. The Scourge had cleared out a lot of Trogs, so we had space to move in. The Brotherhood had looted a lot, but they left even more behind as "damaged goods." And you can rebuild a lot out of "damaged goods." For example, they took one survivor, a kid the called "Kodiak". But they left his big brothers behind, because they were too wild and mean. But as it turns out, the Bear Brothers were some of my finest soldiers. At least, until they went up against you."(Ishmael Ashur's dialogue)
From then on, Ashur slowly began to rebuild the city.Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.61: "AshurLeader of the Pitt Raiders, Ashur is an imposing force in The Pitt, commanding respect through fear and accomplishments and his part in past atrocities. He was part of the Brotherhood of Steel forces that tore through The Pitt in a cataclysmic clash known as the Scourge. He remained, ruling the masses while seeking technological breakthroughs that could help heal the population from the ravages of "the sickness." His secondary plan is to continue to build up his army of Pitt Raiders, weaning out the infirm or incompetent in the Arena, and then march on the Wasteland, reuniting it and The Pitt. He is married to Sandra, who has recently given birth to a beautiful baby daughter."(Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition Wasteland Census) Because the Troglodyte Degeneration Contagion made it impossible to expand by having children, The Pitt depended on taking in raider bands in order to grow. Each time raiders attacked, Ashur killed their leader before recruiting and integrating the remaining raiders into his developing army.Ashur's diary, Diary 4:The Cure: "As word of a new settlement got out, the city started growing, and fast. When Raiders attacked, I'd kill the leader and recruit the rest. I had to. The city's disease meant we couldn't have children, so recruiting was the only way to grow. And as we grew, the Mill needed more workers. And, yes, that meant recruiting workers by force. I'm not proud of it, but it's the only way to keep the city supplied and armed. But it was always a temporary solution, until our best scientist found a way to cure the city's epidemic. Sandra and I worked on it day and night. Even now, we're doing everything we can to figure out how to share your gift with the city - while keeping you safe, of course! So by the time you're old enough to hear this, you'll already be a hero. Congratulations, Marie. You've already saved us all. I knew you would."The Lone Wanderer: "I bet none of you have seen the things I've seen.Duke: "That's a pissing match you don't want to start around here. We've got people from every blasted-out crater on this coast. Don't mistake us for those drugged-up idiot Raiders out in the wild. They're an embarrassment to the profession. You just go out there and prove yourself to Ashur. We'll all be watching."(Duke’s dialogue) While Ashur built his army, much to his regret, he also had to forcefully recruit and ultimately purchase slaves to keep the expanding settlement supplied and armed.The Lone Wanderer: "Why do you keep workers in The Pitt?"Ishmael Ashur: "I wish it wasn't necessary, but we need the labor to keep the city functioning. We don't have the leisure of laziness. Soldiers fight Trogs and get food from outside of town. Workers need to supply them with ammo and gear. Everyone has to do their part, or we all die. Until we have a cure for The Pitt, the city has no children. People die, so we need new people. And sometimes, that means buying them."(Ishmael Ashur's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Why do you keep slaves in The Pitt?"Ishmael Ashur: "First of all, they aren't "slaves." They're "workers." They can earn their freedom, like you did. I know it's not a big difference, but it's important. And it's a lot better than they'll get from the slavers we get them from. I wish it wasn't necessary, but we need the labor to keep the city functioning. We don't have the leisure of laziness. Soldiers fight Trogs and get food from outside of town. Workers need to supply them with ammo and gear. Everyone has to do their part, or we all die. Until we have a cure for The Pitt, the city has no children. People die, so we need new people. And sometimes, that means buying them."(Ishmael Ashur's dialogue) He did give the opportunity to some slaves to gain their freedom and join his army by fighting in an arena, and at least three members of his army had done so by the time of the Lone Wanderer’s arrival. Some others simply wanted to join the largest developing army in the region.The Lone Wanderer: "How many other soldiers came from the Hole?"Duke: "You'd be surprised how many of us worked our way up - even if we don't like to admit it. The rest are just toughs from the Wasteland who decided to join the biggest gang around. "(Duke’s dialogue) As he oversaw the development of the city, Ashur took up residence in Haven and took an opportunistic scientist who had realized The Pitt’s potential, Sandra Kundanika, as his wife.Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p. 61: "SANDRA KUNDANIKA: Sandra is one of the few Raiders with a solid education, and she deliberately approached the Pitt because she saw it as a strong up-and-coming force in the Wasteland. Ashur recognized her intelligence immediately and offered to support her work. Sandra’s friendly demeanor hides a fierce intelligence and absolute conviction. Sandra has no illusions about the cutthroat nature of the Pitt’s raiders. In fact, she shares a good deal of their ruthlessness, although she prefers to avoid direct violence, if possible. She wholeheartedly supports Ashur’s plans to build an army and unite the Wasteland." Around 2277, she gave birth to a baby girl, Marie, who was naturally immune to the Troglodyte Degeneration Contagion. Realizing the potential of Marie’s immunity, Ashur and Sandra quickly went to work developing a cure for The Pitt's mutations.Sandra: "Oh! I wasn't expecting Ashur to let you into the lab. I'm Sandra, and if I know my husband, he's already made you an offer to join us, right? I'm Sandra. Ashur set me up here to work on The Pitt's medical research, and Marie here is our daughter. Our little miracle, really."(Sandra's dialogue)Sandra: "Yes, it seems that our daughter was born with a naturally acquired immunity to any form of mutation. It's nothing short of a miracle, honestly. I'm still trying to figure out why, but she may just hold the key to stopping The Pitt's Trog problem. Hell, maybe other types of mutations, too!"(Sandra's dialogue)
==Uprising==
In 2277, Ashur’s second-in-command, Wernher, attempted a coup against him and failed. As punishment, Wernher was enslaved and sent to work in Downtown with the other slaves. Prior to escaping, he organized a plan for an uprising with the help of Midea, but the plan required the assistance of a healthy, able outsider to infiltrate the Pitt raiders without being recognized. After escaping, he began searching for anyone who could assist him in overthrowing Ashur and freeing the slaves.Wernher's distress signal: "To anyone who can hear me, my name is Wernher; I come from a settlement to the north. I have information of great value to anyone willing to help me free my people. Please! Help us! This message repeats."}}The Lone Wanderer: "I came because of the radio message. What's the problem?"Wernher: "Well now, a hero! Look at you. I come from a place far to the northwest. It's called The Pitt. It's... well... let's be honest... The place is a nightmare... radiation, mutation, disease. But the worst of it: my people, some of the only survivors, are slaves. No big deal, you're thinking? It's a rough world. But I have the chance to free them. All I need is an outsider's help before that chance is gone."(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Wait, slow down. Cure for what?"Wernher: "The Pitt is a mess. Nearly everyone who lives there is either sick, dying, or... worse. It's the water. And the air. You can't escape it. You stay there a few years, and no matter what it'll get to you. But the bastards who have my people, they've found the way to cure it. And once they have the cure perfected, we stand no chance. So, we get the cure. With it, we turn the tables on them."(Wernher's dialogue) In the Capital Wasteland, he found the Lone Wanderer who agreed to accompany him to The Pitt. 
Once there, the Lone Wanderer was either voluntarily or forcefully taken on as a slave by Mex or Reddup, while Wernher went elsewhere to enact other pieces of the plan. The Wanderer then met with Midea who explained the circumstances of the rebellion, telling them that someone needed to get close enough to Ashur to steal the cure for the Troglodyte Degeneration Contagion. The Wanderer was then ordered out by Jackson to recover steel ingots from the steelyard. Upon their return, Ashur gave a speech to the slaves in Downtown, informing them of the battles taking place in the arena. Those who won earned the right to leave slavery and live in Uptown, joining the ranks of the Pitt raiders. Promoted by Midea, the Lone Wanderer took the opportunity to earn their freedom and get close to Ashur by fighting in the arena. They successfully did so, killing the likes of Grudd Bear, John Bear, and Gruber along the way.Events of Unsafe Working Conditions 
While the Lone Wanderer was being congratulated by Lord Ashur on their new-found freedom in Haven, the slaves revolted in Downtown and marched on Uptown, seeking to overtake Haven and eliminate Ashur. A technically minded slave named Marco had been supplying the slaves with improvised weapons for some time, weapons which they utilized as they turned on their captors.Events of Free LaborThe Lone Wanderer: "So where can I get some weapons?"Midea: "I can't really help you there. Ask around. Maybe check with Marco in the Mill. He's been making some of our tools into weapons. You might even be able to find a gun on one of the dead bosses out in the Steelyard. They- what was that?"(Midea's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "I guess you're right. What are you working on?"Marco: "Weapons. Lot's of 'em. There's something coming... and soon. So, I take the crap we find out in the yard and some of the tools we use, and I make them into stuff we can fight the bosses with."(Marco's dialogue)
==Outcome==
If the Lone Wanderer aided in the revolt, they kidnapped Marie and delivered her to Midea before deactivating the floodlight rig in Uptown, allowing trogs to overrun the district. Along the way, they were forced to kill both Ashur and Sandra, either while kidnapping Marie or while deactivating the floodlight rig. Wernher and the Lone Wanderer became the de facto rulers of The Pitt, while Midea took on the task of caring for Marie and researching the cure. The Pitt raiders were wiped out and the Pitt slaves were freed, although both sides suffered heavy losses. 
If the Lone Wanderer assisted in quelling the rebellion for Ashur, they discovered Wernher’s whereabouts and either killed him or convinced him to abandon the city, leaving Marie in the hands of Sandra and keeping Ashur in firm control of the situation. The Pitt returned to normal conditions under Ashur’s leadership, albeit with a smaller workforce, while Sandra continued the task of researching the cure, with at least some immediate success.The Lone Wanderer: "So, how about my reward?"Ishmael Ashur: "You've kept the city in one piece and put a stop to Wernher's plans. Yeah, I guess you've earned one. As a full citizen of The Pitt, you'll have full access to the ammo press in the Mill. It's how I keep my soldiers well armed, so make good use of it. And I think Sandra's made some progress with the cure. So here's a little something to help with radiation."(Ashur’s dialogue) Ashur claimed that once a cure is achieved, the slaves would be freed, and The Pitt would no longer need to expand by purchasing slaves or recruiting raiders.The Lone Wanderer: "What's going to become of the workers?"Ishmael Ashur: " But once we do have a cure, things will be different. We won't need to kidnap people for our city. We'll be able to grow naturally. Until then, this is the way it has to be. It's just what has to be done."(Ishmael Ashur's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Now that you have Marie back, please set the slaves free."Ishmael Ashur: " The city's disease means we can't have kids, so slaves and recruits are the only way we get new people in the city. But some day, soon, we'll have a cure, and we won't need forced labor. The workers will be free, and the city can grow naturally. Thanks to what you've done, that day is coming. But until then, this is the only way the city can survive."(Ishmael Ashur's dialogue)
==Appearances==
The Pitt Uprising occurs during the events of the Fallout 3 add-on The Pitt.
==References==
Non-game
Category:Military conflicts
Category:The Pitt (location)
Category:Slavery
ru:Питтсбургское восстание
uk:Піттсбургське повстання