Forged

**The Forged** are a raider faction in the Commonwealth in 2287.

## Background

A raider gang that has recently established themselves within the Commonwealth a few months ago, the Forged are a group of raiders obsessed with fire and metal, who have claimed the Saugus Ironworks for themselves. They are incredibly tough and feared, due to the brutal initiation rituals they undergo. Burns are a common feature distinguishing them from other raiders.

At first they had trouble with finding local recruits, as they would break under the pressure of the initiation rather than emerging stronger, which Slag referred to as "honing to an edge." Slag initially thought that he would have to abandon operations in the Commonwealth due to this lack of adequate recruits. This changed when he met their neighbors, the Gunners from the nearby Hub City Auto Wreckers, who were stronger and sharper than the average Commonwealth raiders. He convinced a few to attempt the trials, which they passed angering their Gunner leaders. The Gunners and the Forged initially fought over this dispute, but eventually negotiations were started. Once word spread of a raider gang that could hold their own against the Gunners, more recruits wished to join.

## Outside relations

The Forged are cruel and sadistic, showing no mercy to outsiders, members, or recruits. Candidates must pass several trials to prove their worth before becoming one of the Forged. No details about what these trials consist of can be found, but failure is met with death. Initiates must change their name to a "tougher" nickname, typically one that invokes fire and machinery. A terminal lists a number of individuals who "failed the forge" either during or after the initiation trials, including "Arsenic," "Chamber," "Damage," "Duke," "Hood," "Havoc," "Rampart," "Rife," "Riptide" and "Viper." One candidate, Yancey, was killed for refusing to change their name.

Mutilation, branding, and death are used as punishment. For example, crying out in pain is punished with amputation and exile, while allowing enemies to flee results in branding and exile. Sleeping during one's watch results in blinding and exile. Death as punishment results from fleeing from enemies, cheating or crying during the trials, stealing rations or giving any form of support to the enemy. Retribution for refusal to follow orders include executing the offender's family along with exile.

The Forged are affiliated with at least one raider company as seen by the presence of Bedlam in the Dunwich Borers. The terminal in the area where she can be found contains her writings, commenting on the raiders' failed metal production for the Forged to their displeasure, and her regard for them as subordinates.

Depending on the Sole Survivor's choices in handling other raider gangs in the Commonwealth before encountering the Forged, Slag will comment on these choices via his terminal. If Libertalia is destroyed, he will remark that it is not a great feat to destroy those who are weak, and would like to see those individuals face the Forged. If Bosco is killed, he will comment that someone killed the lunatic, and that the Commonwealth people are stronger than he thought. If the Corvega assembly plant is cleared, Slag will write that he doubts that the location's leader Jared was even sober enough to enjoy the fight.

## Technology

The Forged utilize predominantly fire-based weapons, such as flamers and Molotov cocktails. Occasionally they can be found wielding laser pistols or rifles, usually modified to deal fire damage. For melee attacks, the Forged tend to use sledgehammers and rarely super sledges. The Forged leader Slag uses the Shishkebab.

Unlike most raider gangs in the Commonwealth, the Forged do not use traditional raider armor. Instead, they wear full-body cage or spike armor, as well as with the occasional drifter outfit. Slag is the only member of the Forged who possesses power armor.