Americanist

**Americanism** is one of the faiths practiced in After the End. Americanist is part of the Old World Cultist religious group.

## Description

> "*Americanists worship what must have been the true gods of the old world-- the statues of Father Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and others clearly indicates who the ancient Americans worshiped. Those Americans built a great empire, so why not follow their beliefs and restore America to its former glory, gods and all?*"
> ― In-Game description of Americanist
>
>

## History

Americanist history is somewhat unique. While the largest, and most popular sect undoubtedly grew out of the East Coast, several other groups began following extremely similar principals independently, and very far flung from each-other. These groups were only united in faith after the election of the First President in 2344. The Americanist faith then spread around and beyond the beltway of Washington D.C. The religion also spread in Florida, and developed around the great monument of Mount Rushmore. Later, the Americanists took their devotion to the Founding Fathers and Ancient America further by reforming the faith and establishing the new Presidency. The President became the new head of faith for the Americanists, and after the death of a President a new one was elected in a complex election process (see Mechanics). After the establishment of the Presidency, the Americanist faith had its ups and downs over the centuries leading up to 2666. At one point, Americanists controlled the vast Kingdom of Dakota, before the Sioux invaded and took control. At another, Americanism was in such a desperate state that there wasn't even a president. Americanism now is largely restricted to the Mid-Atlantic coast, ranging from the James River to Manhattan- though, there are still a few, far flung, and largely isolated pockets elsewhere in the world.

## Rumors

Every good, little Americanist boy believes in Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln, but it is rumored by some that not all Americanists follow *only* those Founders. Many claim the isolated Texans follow their own gods of "Austin," "Houston," "Bowie," and "Crockett." Whether these are separate entities or just new names for the Founders is all but a guess; however, the men of the Lone Star State are not the only ones thought to have more gods. Tribals residing in the Mouse make mention of two ancient Lords of Felicity: "Mickey" and "Disney," the latter of which is said to be the builder of Orlando and the so-called "Happiest Place on Earth." Not even the District of Columbia is free from these extra deities, but the Beltway people of the region believe in other evils rather than other gods. These natives have folk tales speaking of the evil lords "Lee" and "Davis" who, in the past, tempted the Southron and Dixie of the Deep South turn their backs on the Founders and ignore their decrees in the name of slavery and the complete disregard for truly American ideals.

## Americanist Characters in 2666

### Independent & their Vassals

* Colonel James Dandridge of Piedmont
	+ Major Cameron Aristley of Bull Run
	+ Major George Bannister of Charlottesville
	+ Major Wallace Harllee of Rappahannock
	+ Major Peyton Randolph of Necks
* Colonel Nicholas Derren of Delmarva
	+ Major Marmaduke Coriaceus of Pocomoke
* Colonel Rhett III Dandridge of Shenandoah
* President Franklin Ironwrit of Columbia
	+ Major Primula Angelos of Severn
	+ Major Xavier Bowser of Choptank
	+ Major Joseph Stewart of Baltimore
	+ Major Babbs Zappa of Frederick
* Speaker Florell Laggard of New York
	+ Patrician Francelin Theovelt
* Colonel Henry Midfield of South Jersey
* Colonel Ellis Rodham of Connecticut
	+ Major Willem Stedvor of Long Island
* General William Stinson of Airmen
	+ Major Carl Newgard of Comal
	+ Major Jorge Parr of Duval
* High Chief Elias Waltney of The Mouse
	+ Chief Neil Aldrin of Canaveral
	+ Chief Dale Earl of Daytona Beach
* Colonel Phillip Wizwit of Philadelphia
* General Mathias Zinn of Zinzinnati
	+ Major Cincinnatus Driver of Covington
* Major Marmaduke Coriaceus of Pocomoke
* Major Doane Gutson of Rushmore
* Major Panfile Tensaw of Lochloosa

### Vassals of a Noble of Different Faith

* Colonel Bowman Bulkely of Gitmo
* Major Eduard Buford of Everglades
* Patrician Calhoun Gautier (Miami)
* Patrician Louis Sewell (Miami)

### Mercenary Bands

* Blunion Boys, currently led by Colonel Reynold
* Desperados, currently led by Captain Leigh
* Greyfederates, currently led by Colonel Jackson
* Metropolitans, currently led by Captain Ignatius
* Omega Guard, currently led by Colonel Pinabel
* Philadelphian Eagles, currently led by Captain Kenrick
* Pinstripers, currently led by Captain Bradley
* Reilly's Rangers, currently led by Captain Cloture
* Staten Island Ferriers, currently led by Captain Nicholas
* Talon Company, currently led by Captain Ulysses

## Holy Sites

The Americanist Faith has five holy sites.

* **Washington**: Site of the Ancient American capital and numerous monuments to the Founding Fathers. The residence of President Franklin as of the year 2666.
* **Mount Rushmore**: Site of the Mount Rushmore, an Ancient American monument to four of the Ancient American presidents. Held by Americanists as of the year 2666.
* **Manhattan**: Site of an important battle in the Ancient American Revolutionary War, a signing place for several of the Ancient American holy texts, and the center of an important and glorious Ancient American metropolis. In Americanist hands as of the year 2666, being held by the Americanist burghers of New York.
* **Philadelphia**: Site of a vital meeting place for the Founding Fathers during the Ancient American Revolutionary War and a former Ancient American capital before the building of Washington. Many of the Ancient American holy texts were signed here, and the city is also home to the ancient holy Liberty Bell. Held by Americanists as of the year 2666.
* **Boston**: Site of the Boston Massacre and the dock of the ancient holy ship of the USS Constitution. Important city in the early stages of the Ancient American Revolutionary War, as in addition to the Boston Massacre it was the setting of the Boston Tea Party, the Siege of Boston, and the starting point for Paul Revere's holy ride. Not in Americanist hands as of the year 2666, instead being held by tribal Occultist heathens.

## Heresies

There are three heresies that are apart of the Americanist faith that are in the game

* Hamiltonian, Hamiltonians differ from mainstream Americanism in that they take their faith in the gods of the Old World to a higher level. Legends outline the gods' abilities and deeds, but Hamiltonians believe the gods had more powers beyond those explicitly stated. They hold, furthermore, that it is within the capabilities of all believers to attain these 'implied powers' for themselves.
* Jeffersonian, Jeffersonians hold that the Americanist gods of the old world were just a few of many, and that the entire nation of ancient America was home to gods. All the land was blessed by the gods, therefore, and thus all the land must be reclaimed by the true faith.
* Libertarian, Libertarianism is a sparse faith in 2666 that no lord practices officially. The First Lady, Athena, is supposedly in hiding somewhere around Nashville.

## Intervention War Targets/Core Regions

Ordered in decreasing importance

* Kingdom of Columbia - 5000 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Gotham - 500 Crusade Weight
* Old Dominion (Kingdom) - 500 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Carolina - 200 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Cuba - 200 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Hudsonia - 100 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of New England - 100 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Lakotah - 100 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Deitscherei - 50 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Michigan - 20 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Ohio - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Chicagoland - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Allegheny - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Appalachia - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Uppland - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Dixieland - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Magnolia - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Louisiana - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Rio Grande - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Missouri - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Ontario - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of Quebec - 5 Crusade Weight
* Kingdom of the Maritimes - 5 Crusade Weight

###  Former Presidents

* **Bannister Smithson** is the first recorded Americanist President. The Beltway President presumably ruled from Washington. After ordering the death of the childless Kaynich Abram II of Deitscherei, bringing an end to Yoder dynasty, the Deitsch Anabaptists abandoned their pacifist ways as his successor Kaynich Samuel I Stoltzfus declared war on President Smithson. Was slain by Kaynich Samuel I in battle while defending his realm.
* **Ned Pitchstone** is the second recorded Americanist President and arguably one of the greatest Presidents of post-Event America. The Mountainer President Was elected after the violent death of President Smithson, and avenged his death in war against the Deitsch. Meanwhile, he built a large Americanist kingdom for himself back home in the Midwest and proclaimed himself the ruler of Laoktah.
* **Stanislaus Avondale** is the third recorded Americanist President. Not much is known of him, other than that he was the first of the Chicagoan Avondale dynasty and Speaker for the Republic of Cook which he established prior to his presidency.
* **Margaret Pitchstone** is the fourth recorded Americanist President. Succeeded her father as the Americanist ruler of Lakotah, and was elected the first female President. However, in Lakotah she faced a Sioux resurgence and a number of Catholic holy wars which crumbled the kingdom after her death at the ripe old age of 88.
* **Wyatt Kelleher** is the fifth recorded Americanist President. During a war against the Deitsch, the Texan President died in battle against Kaynich Abram III of Deitscherei in 2474. After his death, the Presidency was vacant for over ten years until the election of President Barron.
* **Hannibal Barron** is the sixth recorded Americanist President. The Dixie President hailed from the lands of the Deep South ruled by the Holy Columbian Confederacy. Murdered on the orders of the Emperor Pompey of the HCC in 2501.
* **Marcellus Danridge** is the seventh recorded Americanist President. Not much is known about his Presidency, other than that he hailed from Southron lands.
* **Ferguslav Avondale** is the eighth recorded Americanist President. Not much is known of him, other than that he was the second President to hail from the wealthy and influential Chicagoan Avondale dynasty.
* **Florence Tensaw** is the ninth recorded Americanist President. The Gulfard President was the second female president.
* **Whitelaw Stratton** is the tenth recorded Americanist President. Not much is known of his Presidency, other than that he hailed from Hudsonian lands.
* **Abigail Calvert** is the eleventh recorded Americanist President. The Delawarean President was the third female President.
* **Anatol Avondale** is the twelfth recorded Americanist President. He was the third and last President of the wealthy and prestigious Chicagoan Avondale dynasty. Unfortunately, his Presidency was brought to a violent end when the Viking Albert Soady of Marquette sacked Chicago and killed Avondale and his family in a sacrifice to Odin, bringing an end to the dynasty.
* **Aurel Heerestraat** is the thirteenth recorded Americanist President. Not much is known about his Presidency, other than he hailed from Gothamite lands.
* **Franklin Ironwrit** is the fourteenth recorded Americanist President and current President as of 2666. President Ironwrit hails from the Beltway area, and in addition to the Presidency he also owns the Duchy of the Potomac and the County of Washington.

## In-Game Features

Americanists are led by The President, who is elected from any landed character (excluding vassal majors) above the age of 35 on the death of the previous President. As the title is secular, the Presidency can be destroyed or created as any other title. As the head of the Americanist faith, the President has the power to excommunicate Americanist characters and grant divorces, invasion casus belli, and claims on titles. Weaker Americanists may call on a large host to prepare an invasion, and go on pilgrimage to the Holy Places along the East Coast- Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and Richmond. There is no opinion penalty against female rulers or heirs. Priests may marry and inherit titles.

As of 2666, Americanism has 73.8 moral authority.

A temple holder of the Americanist faith is called a judge.

### Americanist Exclusive Traits

* President - The current or former President.
* Draft Dodger - A trait that diminishes the opinion other Americanists have of the character. The trait is gained if one refuses a call to participate in an Intervention. It looks like an old world 'Peace' or 'Hippie' sign.

### Americanist Election

The Americanist elect their own Religious Head through a complex election system. Though for the players the system seems easy enough. At the start of the new month after the death of a President the Candidacy period begins. Any landed character 35 years of age or older may announce their candidacy for President in this month. Near the end of the month most candidates will have dropped out of the race leaving three candidates (a reference to third parties). The month after signals the Campaign period where Candidates will attempt to encourage their fellow Americanists to vote them into the Presidency (and thus divinity upon Death). The last week of this month is the election week where Americanists vote for one of the three Candidates. The Candidate with the most Elector votes will win the Presidency becoming the new hear of the Americanist Religion until death. Due to Theocracies being unplayable one shouldn't enter their character into the race if they have no heir to their titles.

## Trivia

* In reference to the government of America before the Event, the Americanists invest an emphasis on the power of the Executive branch.