Tough, old, and confident, John Maxson was born into the Brotherhood around 2097 and is as good as the Maxson line of Brotherhood generals come. He showed tremendous promise as an Initiate and a Knight, travelling the wastes far and wide and forming lasting relations with various people in the wasteland, including Butch Harris.[2][3] By the time he was inducted into the Paladin caste in 2135, at 38, he was a formidable warrior and a force to be reckoned with. His reputation and talents were further confirmed when he rose to the rank of Head Paladin, the absolute best warrior and tactical commander within the Brotherhood of Steel.[4]
His last promotion came at the cost of a personal tragedy. In 2155, his father was killed in a skirmish with the Vipers. Four years later, in 2159, the Council convinced him to accept the position of High Elder,[5] becoming the third Maxson to hold the rank. However, he was not quite aware of the sheer volume of politics associated with the office. By the time the Vault Dweller meets him in 2161, he is 64. His body ages, but his mind remains as sharp as ever, yearning to fight the enemies of the Brotherhood, rather than remain underground.[4]
Maxson is not too popular among the Elders, as he is considered a bit crazy. His claims about an army massing in the north are met with incredulity and all motions to send an expedition there are voted down as risky. After all, sending tens of troops into the irradiated wastes can be dangerous and risk the Brotherhood's very existence.
Scout the northern wastes: From scout reports, it is rumored that there is a super mutant nest somewhere to the north. Maxson wants you to confirm these rumors.
"That's a settlement down in the Boneyard. I went there...oh...a long time ago. I was on a scouting mission for the Elders."
Angel's, Angels, Boneyard
"Well I don't know a lot. There's a bunch of gangs around there, as well as Adytum and the Children of the Cathedral. Not much else. It's pretty damn desolate."
Army
"Well I believe there's an army massing to the north and in the mountains to the east, but I don't have any way to prove it. The Elders, they won't even listen."
"Butch is the head of the Far Go Traders. He's a little slimy, but he's not a total waste. Unlike those Water Merchants. Bunch of damn vultures, all of 'em."
"Holo discs? Hmm? I haven't seen those in a while."
Elder
"Hehehe. A fine, handsome, upstanding man. The High Elder position is to mediate the meetings between the Elders. You see, two years ago I got talked into it. If I'd of known then..."
Elders
"Well you see there's four of them and that's about all they can ever agree on. They can't even agree if they want to piss, much less pick a pot to piss in."
"Well that was when my granddad, Roger Maxson, led his soldiers here and started the Brotherhood. He never mentioned where they came from, but it doesn't really matter, 'cause...well, this is our home now."
Gangs
"Well, there's not much to tell. I never ran into any of them. I've heard they're a problem for the people of Adytum, though."
"The Hub's down to the southeast. They trade us food and things for the weapons we make here. Now if you're ever down there, you talk to Butch Harris."
"The Knights make the weapons. And when he's good enough, a Knight can advance to become a Paladin and then an Elder and so forth. Right now Rhombus is the head of the Knights."
"You want to hear about the Water Merchants. Hehehe, well you can't trust them. A few years ago, they offered us Water for a huge stockpile of weapons. We told them no, and you know what they did? Sent in thieves to steal the weapons! We caught 'em, but the Elders voted down going to the Hub to teach the merchants a lesson."
"Paladins are in charge of all security and outside activities. I remember tradin' with the Hub, goin' on scouting missions for the Elders. Ah man, those ware a good times."
"Well, Scribes copy down the weapon specs. We've got information all the way back to my granddad. Sometimes a scribe comes up with a new idea for a weapon. Hehehe. Doesn't happen too often. They all answer to Vree."
Traders
"They're the main ones we trade with. Not totally trustworthy, but not as bad as the others."
"I grew up too isolated here. Can you imagine spending your whole life inside one small place, then having to go out into the world?"
"Hello, youngster. Cabbot said you wanted to talk. Look I'm uh . . . I'm pretty stacked up right now, so I'll uh . . . I'll help you out as long as you don't start flappin' your gums too much. You know, outsiders are like that, always jawin' . . . Hehehe. Kinda like me, huh?"
"That's it. I warned the Elders that bringin' in an Outsider could be trouble. (shouting aside) Guards! There's an Initiate here who needs some quiet time to discover some manners."
↑John Maxson: "{100}{}{You see General Maxson.}" (MAXSON.MSG)
↑The Vault Dweller: "{1012}{}{Hub}" John Maxson: "{1112}{Gen_64}{The Hub's down to the southeast. They trade us food and things for the weapons we make here. Now if you're ever down there, you talk to Butch Harris.}" (MAXSON.MSG)
↑The Vault Dweller: "{1013}{}{Butch}" John Maxson: "{1113}{Gen_65}{Butch is the head of the Far Go Traders. He's a little slimy, but he's not a total waste. Unlike those Water Merchants. Bunch of damn vultures, all of 'em.}" (MAXSON.MSG)
↑ 4.04.1Fallout Official Survival Guide p.101-102: "General Maxson: High Elder of the Brotherhood Maxson is the leader of the Brotherhood tough, old, and confident. He was born about twenty years after the apocalypse, and knows a little about the war from stories told by his father and grandfather. He can give the player a book describing the history of the order. Last in a long line of generals, he would rather be outside fighting enemies than tied down by the politics of his office. He is busy, direct, and honest. He can tell the player much about the order and the people within it. Hints Maxson responds well to directness, and has no patience for characters who beat around the bush or waste his time. By warning him of the mutant threat, the player can get the Brotherhood's help against the mutants."
↑The Vault Dweller: "{1006}{}{Elder}" John Maxson: "{1106}{Gen_58}{Hehehe. A fine, handsome, upstanding man. The High Elder position is to mediate the meetings between the Elders. You see, two years ago I got talked into it. If I'd of known then...}" (MAXSON.MSG)
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