The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

1/4**The Commonwealth of Massachusetts** is a geographical region and a location serving as the game world in Fallout: FROST in 2082.

## Overview

After a devastating global nuclear exchange in 2077, known as the Great War, much the surviving population retreated into the large subway systems throughout the Commonwealth, which were capable of shielding their inhabitants from the radiation like a fallout shelter. Sometime after the initial bombing, animals and humans alike became horribly mutated and began to roam the icy, highly irradiated wasteland. Massive hoards of feral ghouls eventually found their way into the metro, terrorizing the residents of the stations that had become small settlements.

In 2082, the surface has begun to normalize, but only in appearance. The ice has begun to melt, and the sun can occasionally be seen, not to mention the occasional downpour of rain. Mutated wildlife and feral ghouls still pose a significant threat, and the air is still highly irradiated, requiring humans to wear gas masks at all times during ventures to the surface to prevent lethal radiation poisoning.

Even after the Great War annihilated almost all of the Commonwealth's civilization together with its social structures and engineering achievements, surviving soldiers of the United States Army still occupy and maintain several military bases. Rumors have it that these soldiers follow the orders of an entity known as the Enclave, the last remnant of the United States government. While their goals are unclear, Army Remnants present an extreme threat to all survivors who wander into their territory, as they have orders to shoot all survivors on sight.

## Nuclear Winter

The cause of the nuclear winter coating the planet it most likely had to do with the massive dust clouds caused by the nuclear blasts which were thick enough to block out the sun. Because the warmth and light of the sun are barely able to penetrate this dust cloud, it has caused freezing conditions within the Commonwealth, and likely the rest of the planet. This harsh winter diminished almost all hope for human life above the ground, and most wildlife left on the surface became mutated to cope with the extreme conditions. It is unknown how long the nuclear winter may last, but by 2082, the frost is slowly melting and the ambient temperature is steadily increasing.

## Nuclear Spring

The nuclear spring is the result of the steady increase in temperature as the dust clouds recede, allowing the snow and ice to melt. An occasional sun can be seen through the clouds and rain can be felt for the first time in decades. However, this rain is not pure or harmless, as it is in fact lethally irradiated (possibly acid) rain. The rain droplets have become saturated with irradiated and toxic ash from the nuclear clouds, and in turn are pitch black, blackening the surface with irradiated soot every time it rains. It burns the skin and no matter the equipment, death will occur in only a matter of minutes - although a gas mask may delay this process.

## Boston

Also known as the "City of the Dead", Boston is occupied by many smaller survivor groups, but certain areas are under control of the bigger factions, like Army Remnants. Besides survivors, feral ghouls, radroaches and dogs can be encountered.

### Surrounding Towns

Several towns surround Boston, like Lexington, Malden, Salem and Concord, and are often controlled by groups of survivors or overrun with feral ghouls. Most of them are connected to Boston's subway system.

## Boston's Subway System

The subway system is controlled by two mayor factions: the Metro Alliance and the Metro Federation. Both of these factions fight a bloody war beneath Boston, trying to gain as much control over the subway stations of Boston. A few stations are under control of other factions, like the Lexington Slavers and the Maldenmen.

Shielding survivors from the harsh weather and radioactive weather, it provides a great way of travelling beneath Boston, as it connects many surface areas with each other. It even connects to a few caves and to the sewers under Boston. Plenty of different survivors can be encountered in Boston's subway system, but also feral ghouls and radroaches and a few other creatures.

## The Coast

The Coast is controlled by several survivor groups. Plenty of mutcrabs can be found along the coast as a food source. The biggest survivor group controls a large section of the coast around Salem. Rumours indicate that they plan to create a new kingdom in the name of their god.

## Wilderness

The frozen wilderness around Boston is provides almost no shelter from radiation storms. A few survivors can be encountered, but most of it inhabitants are dogs, wolves, mutcrabs, bears, feral ghouls and sometimes even deathclaws. Hunters often roam the wilderness in the south-east of the Commonwealth, hunting for creatures and humans alike.

## Glowing Sea

The Glowing Sea is the most radioactive and hostile area in the Commonwealth. Plenty of feral ghouls and deathclaws roam this hostile place. Almost no survivors can be encountered here, with a few exceptions.