The War of the Commonwealth is an interregional conflict in the eponymous Commonwealth that began in 2229 with the Broken Mask incident. Initial hostilities consisted of incidents perpetrated by the Institute, in which they targeted several regional groups including the CPG and the Commonwealth Minutemen. As the Minutemen's influence waned, the conflict would shift into a shadow war between the Railroad and the Institute. In 2287, the conflict would reach its peak when it evolved into a three-way struggle for dominance after the arrival of a expedition sent by the Capital Wasteland chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel, and also potentially included the involvement of a resurging Commonwealth Minutemen. The War of the Commonwealth serves as the central storyline of Fallout 4.
Background[]
Commonwealth super mutant conflict[]
In 2178, the Institute would approve its BioScience Division to begin experimenting with Forced Evolutionary Virus. This was done to further advance the synthetic organics program. Following this, the Institute would begin the mass kidnapping innocent wastelanders from the Commonwealth, the captives would be submerged in FEV. The specimens that survived the mutation would be tagged and released back to the surface. The released super mutants would plunge the region above into chaos, beginning the Commonwealth super mutant conflict, which acted as a proxy war in their favor. Super mutants would quickly begin to attack settlements and kill wastelanders. The conflict would affect the region and its inhabitants for over a century.[1]
Battle of Diamond City[]
The Commonwealth Minuteman were even forced to defend the region's largest settlement of Diamond City from a mutant horde in 2180. The Battle of Diamond City, and the Minutemen's defeat of the mutants, would lead to the group gaining prominence in the region. Following this the Minutemen would also take it upon themselves to resist the mutants in attempt to reduce the damage they were causing to the Commonwealth.[2]
Social division[]
Institute process of creating a synthetic human
For some time, various major settlements in the Commonwealth had attempted to unite together and form a larger regional government, known as the Commonwealth Provisional Government or CPG. For four years, the Institute would further attempt to insert itself into a dominant position in the region by also including itself in this process. But they would begin to believe that the project was falling apart due to political infighting.[3] At the behest of some divisions, the Director of the Institute chose to abandon the CPG sometime after 2187[4] and closed off all connections between the Institute and the surface.[5] The Institute would also begin to push towards Generation 3 synth in the decades following the creation of Gen 1 and Gen 2 synths. With the Gen 3's advanced capabilities offered by their nigh-perfect camouflage as humans. If successful, the Institute planned on sending them out to infiltrate the populated settlements of the Commonwealth either by giving them false identities and memories or creating perfect copies to "replace" human wastelanders leaving them almost indistinguishable from the abductee.[6]
Beginning of conflict[]
Abductions & Broken Mask incident[]
As the super mutants caused untold levels of suffering and death on the Commonwealth's inhabitants, the FEV program continued for several more decades, despite producing no useful data for the organic synth project and merely just multiplied the mutants numbers.[7] The research was initially intended to produce effective synthetic organics, but these advances had ground to a halt in March 2224. Just three years later, by 2227, the organic synth project had experienced a significant breakthrough due to the acquisition of a dweller from Vault 111 and his undamaged pre-War genetic code.[8] Since at least the turn of the 23rd century, the Institute had made great strides in attempting to complete the design of the Gen 3 synths, after previous milestones of creating the first and second models, while the third intended to look and act completely identical to humans. The third generation synth project was a spin off from the FEV research initiative.[9] After this breakthrough, the number of civilians being abducted from the surface would only multiply in the decades to come as the Institute began to replace people with their synthetic copies.
In Mid 2229, the War of the Commonwealth would see its beginning with the Broken Mask incident. Following this, the release of the mutants and the violence they caused now additionally acted as beneficial proxy conflict to weaken the Commonwealth and its many factions. The Institute had been able to carry out their shadow infiltration against the region uncontested until May 2229, when the Broken Mask incident occurred. The incident involved a malfunctioning Gen 3 synth, known as Carter. The supposed malfunction led to the synth shooting and killing several residents of Diamond City. After he was killed in turn by Diamond City security, the public revelation of the him being a synth served to ignite mass fear and paranoia across the entire Commonwealth, with neighbors and close family sometimes turning against each other over the possibility of being replaced or having a loved one replaced. It had become additionally clear to the inhabitants of the Commonwealth that the Institute was also responsible for the creation of dangerous combat androids.[10]
Massacre of the CPG[]
The situation only worsened by the 2230s, when a coalition of various major settlements across the Commonwealth came together and to further discuss the creation of a provisional government. The Institute supposedly also opened up to negotiations and sent a synth representative of their own to the talks. Accounts of the incident differ, primarily on whether it was the Institute that was the one responsible or a convenient scapegoat, but the result was the Massacre of the CPG, in which every settlement delegate was killed and the Institute was deemed responsible for it, resulting in further seclusion from the affairs of the surface world until the 2280s.[11][12] All negotiations effectively ceased and no further attempts at forming the CPG were made. Some in the Institute claim that the CPG council shot first. While others, like Nick Valentine, say that the synth representative deliberately murdered the CPG council.[13] Following the massacre, the Minutemen would consider the Institute to be a hostile entity, seeing it as their duty to fight the Institute, and to protect the people of the Commonwealth regardless of their forces consisting of volunteers from local settlements.[14] According to Piper Wright, it is known that the Minutemen did clash with the Institute and their synths in the past, though the extent of these engagements is not known.[15]
Hostilities increase[]
The Railroad emerges[]
As their creators, the Institute came to believe that the synths were nothing more than tools,[16] and that those that show emotion and try to escape their servitude are no more than malfunctioning tools to either be reprogrammed or destroyed and discarded. Enough of these cases of synth individuality and emotion made their way onto the surface over the years that a movement began to form around the question of synths as a living, thinking being, culminating in the creation of the organization known as the Railroad, founded sometime after the Broken Mask incident with the sole focus of liberating synths from their bondage to the Institute. Believing synths to be fundamentally sentient and thus beholden to the same inherent right of freedom as humans. The Railroad began carrying out clandestine operations to rescue runaway synths that escaped the Institute, sheltering them across the Commonwealth and even beyond, either by performing a mind-wipe through the use of technology and giving them new memories and identities or by putting great distance between them and the Institute.[17]
In 2266, the Railroad was almost completely destroyed after their headquarters was attacked and many had deserted. Only 13 members had remained, this included John D., the only member to survive the massacre at their HQ. They were gathered by Wyatt in a attempt to reform the group in November 2266. Following this, Wyatt with the assistance of Johnny D (insinuated to be Deacon), would alter the way the organization operated. They would now operate covertly, using informants and handlers with little knowledge of the Railroad itself.[18] Then they would use runners and asset safehouses, the operations were overseen by Railroads agents, which were in turn commanded by HQ. In 2273, a group of five escaped synths led to the Railroad's headquarters being discovered and attacked once again. Their leader Wyatt was killed, while others were able to escape due to Deacon's plan. Prior to the attack the Institute had discovered and raided one of the Railroad's safehouses, but their lack of knowledge about the organization had temporarily protected the HQ. After relocated to a new headquarters, Pinky Thompson would take over as the groups new leader until 2277. For security reasons, they moved quickly to offload what synths the did have, and only Railroad heavy agents were permitted to leave the base.[19]
The Switchboard, one of the Railroads secret headquarters
Between 2273 and 2276, the group struggled with some successes but also failures, including the discovery and subsequent destruction of escaped synth, Lamda 8. In September 2276, they lost Trinity Safehouse to enemy action, which resulted in Pinky stepping down from his position as leader. After a vote he was replaced by Desdemona, with Stanley Carrington as her second-in-command. They would Institute further security measures such as call-signs and dead drops. They would also begin to use information given to them by P.A.M in their operations which led to mixed results. For a two-year period between 2278 and 2280, the was a noticeable lack of Institute activity on the surface, the Railroad was unable to determine the reason. The situation had changed by early 2281, when the Railroad headquarters located at a unknown farm was raided by Coursers. After destroying what evidence they could, the Railroad was able to escape after sustaining light casualties. Following this they relocated their HQ to "the Beast", and continued to recruit. In late 2281, a synth infiltrator gained access to Mercer Safehouse, but she would be detected and dealt with by Deacon. Fearing a security risk, the Railroad was again forced to move it's headquarters from "the Beast" to a location know as "Bolthole". This was a strategic choice as Institute coursers would storm the location just an hour after their evacuation.[20]
By 2283, the Railroad's shadow war against the Institute gained an advantage after they were contacted by a mysterious figure within the Institute whom they designated "Patriot," helping them in secret by directly orchestrating synths' escape from within the Institute, though "Patriot" themselves was never contacted by the Railroad for security reasons.[21] Over the decades they had set up a sizable system of informants, safehouses and bases to further support their operations. This included their headquarters at, "Bolthole", along with bases or safehouses at Old North Church, Ticonderoga, Allen Safehouse, Augusta safehouse, Dayton safehouse, Griswold Safehouse, Herkimer Safehouse, Randolph Safehouse, Stanwix Safehouse and Mercer Safehouse.[22] They also utilized Dr. Amari in Goodneighbor, along with Old Man Stockton and his caravans at Bunker Hill.[23]
Arrival of the Brotherhood[]
In 2280, the Brotherhood of Steel had established a presence in the Commonwealth. That year, an unnamed recon team from the Capital Wasteland chapter volunteered to enter the area, becoming the first Brotherhood unit to explore the region. The first recon team was hugely successful, returning to the Capital Wasteland with crates full of pre-War technology and historical documents.[24] This paved the way for Recon Squad Artemis to be sent to the Commonwealth in 2284.[25] Artemis had problems beginning at their drop-off point in Malden, ambushed by a unknown party following just a few hours.[24] This resulted in the deaths of several members.[26] The survivors made their way to the National Guard training yard to regroup, but the complex was infested with feral ghouls which resulted in the death of Knight Astlin. The remaining two members left to investigate the pre-War Revere satellite array. When the mutant ambush overcame them, it claimed the life of Scribe Faris. The only survivor was the commanding officer, Paladin Brandis, who was forced to take shelter at their fall-back point, Recon Bunker Theta.[27][28][29]
In 2287, Recon Squad Gladius subsequently entered the region with the same goals as the preceding teams, along with the goal of determining Artemis' fate. They encountered similar resistance from hostiles as Artemis did and, over the course of several weeks, they managed to secure a base of operations at the Cambridge Police Station, but had taken casualties in various confrontations.[24][30] Listening Post Bravo was designated by the squad commander Paladin Danse to be their fall-back outpost if they ever needed to regroup.[31] After establishing their base, the Brotherhood launched several recon missions into the Boston area. One such mission included exploring the city's airport and Fort Strong. The former United States Armed Forces base was infested with super mutants, and the Brotherhoods arrival resulted in a clash that left Knight-Sergeant Dawes and a unknown number of mutants dead. Paladin Danse reluctantly ordered a withdrawal to from the skirmish.[32]
The Cambridge Police Station, a Brotherhood base in Boston
Despite their losses, and their failure to locate Recon Team Artemis, they made one important discovery that would significantly influence the state of affairs in the Commonwealth. Scribe Haylen had detected a series of mysterious short-lived energy readings only possible for an organization with a high level of technology, such as the Institute. They were initially unaware they were coming from the Institute's use of their Molecular Relay. Concerned that whatever group was generating these readings would be a threat, the squad made it their top priority to transmit their findings back to the Capital Wasteland chapter.[33] Following this, the Brotherhood's base in Cambridge was attacked by super mutants. And while they were able to repel the assault, a missile launched by a super mutant damaged the police station's communications antenna. This would temporarily prevent them from transmitting further messages or data back to the Capital Wasteland.[34]
The Brotherhood had clashed with the Institute since arriving in the Commonwealth, they had also gathered a moderate amount of information on them despite the group's secrecy and isolationism. Recon Squad Gladius had past run-ins with them, Paladin Danse had knowledge of the Institute being formed from a group of pre-War scientists that went underground, he was also well aware of their synthetic humans and their capabilities.[35][36] If the Sole Survivor decided to offer their services to the Brotherhood as a mercenary, the group once again engages Institute synths at ArcJet Systems. Both the Institute and Brotherhood arrived at the location seeking the same crucial object. With their assistance, the Brotherhood are successful in their mission and are able to inflict heavy casualties on the automatons, all while acquiring the Deep range transmitter.[37]
Decline of the Minutemen[]
Damage to the walls of the Castle, the Minutemen's headquarters
The decline of the Minutemen was actually multi-decade long process that started in the 2240s. Until then they had maintained significant influence, launching regional operations in Downtown Boston from their headquarters at the Castle, which was under the leadership of the incumbent General McGann. That year the Castle was attacked by a giant creature that emerged from the surrounding ocean.[38][39][40] While the Mirelurk Queen routed most of the Minutemen from the Castle, McGann made a last-ditch effort and sealed off the fort's armory in a attempt to preserve the munitions and technology inside for future use. He was successful, though he himself ultimately perished from dehydration/malnutrition, finding only a large batch of wine and choosing to meet his grim demise "with a toast." Even with the loss of the Castle, the Minutemen continued in their goals of responding to requests for help from nearby settlements that were being attacked and defending them fiercely from threats including the Institute.[41] General Joe Becker was considered the last "real" leader of the Minutemen, so when he died in 2282, the question of who should serve as successor become a hotly-debated issue.[42][43] Without General Becker's stable leadership, rivalries between different groups flared up and began to cause infighting and disorganization in the larger group.[44][45] The fracturing incited some members to abandon the group entirely, including members like James Wire and Ronnie Shaw.[46][47][48]
Major incidents[]
Institute targets settlements[]
For decades the Institute had been responsible for the destruction of many Commonwealth settlements, and the death of their inhabitants. The organization would send their synths to the surface to conduct operations to recover usable resources. These missions were conducted with little care for how they might damage the region. The Institute would usually utilize early generations of synths to "strip whole towns for parts, killing everything in their way."[49][50][51] One such attack destroyed the major settlement of University Point. In August 2285, Jacqueline Spencer salvaged an old hard drive from Stuart Campbell's office. Upon returning to her home at the settlement of University Point, she would show the item to wandering trader. This trader was in reality a informant for the Institute, and following the revelation of the hard drive's contents, the Institute would take action to secure it. Conrad Kellogg was sent to meet the towns council, there he demand that they hand over the data, with the implied threat of force if it was not delivered soon. Fearing for their lives, the town turned on the Spencers as a result.[52]
Mayor Bert Strickland attempted to help Spencer and her family, though he did not anticipate the Institute's level of hostility towards the town for not following orders. When the people of University Point failed to produce the hard drive by the deadline, synths from the Institute descended on the outpost in late August and wiped the trading post off the map, massacring it's sizable population. Though the denizens put up a fight, they stood no chance of repulsing the synths; some even chose to take their own lives, rather than await execution. During the fighting, an explosion in the service tunnels under Sedgwick Hall killed many, releasing a large amount of radioactive material, and caused the building to partially collapse.[53] According to Preston Garvey, the Minutemen were contacted around the time the attack for reinforcement, but they arrived too late to save the settlers.[54]
Sometime during the 2280s, the Institute would also take control of Warwick homestead. This was accomplished by infiltrating the settlement, kidnapping the farms owner Roger Warwick, and after killing him, they replaced him with a generation 3 synth. Roger position was used by the Institute to implement their experiments on the property - specifically the Warwick Homestead Initiative, which sought to field test various genetically-modified specimens in the irradiated climate of the Commonwealth.[55] By 2282, they also had gained influence in Diamond City through similar means. They had also replaced the city's leader Mayor McDonough with M7-62, a synth that was under their direct control.[56] This would cause several issues within Diamond City, with the "mayor" monitoring developments in the Commonwealth and compiling reports regarding matters of possible interest on the Institutes behalf - they would then be handed off to Conrad Kellogg, who was given a house in town.[57] He would also deliberately bring about subversion within the community by preventing the Diamond City security forces from investigating missing persons, along with attempting to silence the local newspaper Publick Occurrences and its head journalist, Piper Wright. She had heard rumors of his plans and published a sensationalist piece smearing him as a synth and Institute lackey. Piper had gotten on the bad side of the mayor as a result of her spotlighting the rumors of him being a synthetic human, which has led to her receiving a temporary ban from city limits.[58]
Institute attacks on the Railroad[]
Despite the Railroad's attempts to remain unnoticed, the Institute had eventually recognized their existence. Though they only ever saw the Railroad as a misguided annoyance, Institute leadership nevertheless still allocated resources towards launching attacks on Railroad strongholds on the surface whenever possible. Another Courser raid on the Railroad's main base forced them to relocate their headquarters from "the Bolthole" to "the Switchboard" in 2285 (fifth relocation since 2260s). Regardless by 2287, the Railroad had grown significantly, so much so that Desdemona could not keep track of its membership. They now had 12 safehouses in the Commonwealth, and all this growth would unnerve Carrington, who believed they were expanding to quickly. Despite their growth and efforts, they had only managed to save 51 synths since the mid reforming in the 2260s, while 15 had been reclaimed by the Institute or killed (additionally they would only start evacuating them outside of the Commonwealth in 2276).[20]
In early 2287, the Railroad suffered one of their worst series of reprisals with a systematic series of raids on their safehouses by the elite Coursers and synths. The Institute would launch a series of coordinated and simultaneous attacks on multiple Railroad held locations, including their main headquarters within the Switchboard. When the synths launched their attack on the Switchboard, they successfully breached the doors within 30 seconds and began slaughtering those inside. With both coursers and Generation 1 and 2 synths attacking, some Railroad members were able to flee through the HQ's escape tunnel. Agent Tommy Whispers successfully secured the base's supplies but was killed in the process. Tinker Tom activated their automated turrets, but they unable to hold back the advancing synths. A similar situation occurred at Augusta safehouse, where two coursers led the assault, killing virtually everyone inside.[59]
Railroad HQ is the heart of the organization's operations in the Commonwealth
Agent Blackbird was the only survivor, but couldn't locate the rescued synth that the safehouse was protecting. The synths also attacked safehouses Allen and Herkimer, killing many of their inhabitants. Those at Randolph safehouse had discovered a nearby force of synths and chose to cut all contact with the other safehouses. The loss of contact with Augusta, Allen, Herkimer, and Randolph led headquarters to regretfully declare the loss of all four safehouses to Institute forces. Agent Blackbird failed to make contact with the rest of the Railroad and was later captured by raiders and killed. The nearly crippling security breach forced the surviving members of the Railroad to go deep into hiding for a time, eventually regrouping at a new HQ beneath the Old North Church where they attempted to recover and rebuild. They also set up the Freedom Trail for others to find them. The losses they incurred as a result of these attacks led to the Railroad being significantly undermanned, they also did not have the resources needed to train any further agents.[60][61]
The Quincy Massacre[]
Weapons and supplies in Castle's armory
The loss of stable leadership and frequency of internal squabbles began to erode the efficacy of the group, but they still managed to continue their mission to respond to defense requests for some time after.[Non-game 1] This would cease following the disastrous Quincy Massacre at the hands of the Gunners sometime prior to October 2287.[62] A group of Minutemen under the command of Colonel Ezra Hollis were the first to heed the call for reinforcements, but would be almost completely destroyed and routed, including Hollis himself.[63][64] This had been possible because of Clint, a ten-year veteran of the Minutemen had turned traitor and joined the Gunners.[65][Non-game 2] Only a small contingent of Minutemen led by Preston Garvey (A veteran of the Minutemen since 17-years old) survived, evacuating the few remaining civilians and fleeing to Sanctuary Hills, but only making it as far as Concord after losing most of their number to attacks by raiders and feral ghouls, until being forced to shelter in the Museum of Freedom.[66]
They had survived, but these events temporarily fractured the Minutemen's, seriously hindering the capability to contribute to the conflict against the super mutants for a period of time.[67] Once word of the Minutemen's inability to protect Quincy spread across the Commonwealth, their popularity and support fell off almost immediately, and most wastelanders came to speak disparagingly of the group and their past failures. Regardless of setbacks, Preston would make plans to resurrect the Minutemen from the ground up. with the eventual goals of settling in Sanctuary Hills, reclaiming their headquarters at the Castle, and once again expanding the influence of the group across the region with the ideology of helping its inhabitants.[68]
The Sole Survivor exits the Vault[]
On October 23, 2287, exactly 210-years since the Great War, the Sole Survivor would awake from cryo-stasis and exited Vault 111. From there, they would embark on a perilous journey to find and save their son, Shaun.[69]
Arrival of Brotherhood expedition[]
Analysis by Archivist Knox back in the Capital Wasteland concluded that these readings received from the Commonwealth were being produced by the Institute and were associated with some type of extremely advanced technology. Concerned that this technology would have devastating consequences for humanity, Elder Maxson immediately ordered for an expeditionary force to be sent to the Commonwealth to gauge the situation - and deal with the threat and establish a new chapter.[70] The Prydwen traveled to the Commonwealth shortly after with a sizable combat force, one large enough to launch a major offensive. They arrived in the region just after the death of Conrad Kellogg in late 2287. The Boston Airport had been selected by the Brotherhood as the headquarters for their operations in the region. Following the brief Battle for Boston Airport,[71] the Brotherhood fully established its new headquarters in the airport, where they moored the airship. The vessel served multiple roles for the Brotherhood, including those of aircraft carrier, command center, clinic, personnel quarters, equipment maintenance bay and research facility.[72]
Elder Maxson declaring war on the Institute and its "abominations"
The Cambridge Police Station, which acted as Recon Squad Gladius' base of operations, was also made a Brotherhood forward operating and a staging zone for movement of their forces between the Prydwen and greater Boston. The outpost was sent reinforcements, while its defenses were further fortified. They were also in technical possession of recon bunker Theta and Listening Post Bravo. After establishing themselves in Boston, the elder would call a meeting - in which he declared war on the Institute and their abominations.[73] The Institute's synthetic humans were, in the Brotherhoods eyes, one of the greatest threats that humanity had ever faced. To the Brotherhood, synths were a reminder of man's failure when it came to misusing technology. Whether it was through biochemistry to manipulate genes, making mutants - or trying to create life from a bunch of circuits like synths, they viewed both as equally dangerous and irresponsible paths for science.[74]
Almost immediately after arriving in the Commonwealth, the first wave of a collection teams coordinated by Proctor Quinlan returned to the Prydwen with the corpses of both super mutants and synths. These were handed over to Senior Scribe Neriah for further analysis. They were able to collect a significant amount of data from their remains, with the goal of discovering intel that would give their forces an advantage in the field. When it came to the synthetic specimens, the complexity of their design initially puzzled the Brotherhood scribes, so they began coordinating their research efforts with Proctor Ingram, the detachments top robotics expert to pursue breakthroughs.[75]
The Brotherhood of Steel would enter the region with two primary goals. One to locate the Institute and destroy it, preventing them from causing further damage to the Wasteland and mankind. The second objective was to assist the innocent people of the Commonwealth in dealing with these threats. The Brotherhood of Steel had standing orders to always a verify their targets to prevent or reduce civilian casualties.[76] The organization's members were also more than willing to spill their blood or give their lives for the betterment of the Commonwealth's civilian inhabitants.[77][78] Most members of the organization cared about what happened to the average wastelander, especially the expedition's leader, Elder Arthur Maxson - who sought to bring a message of stability to the people of region.[79][80][81] Their long-term goals in the region involved eliminating the Institute and reducing threats such as super mutants and raiders. Their presence in the Commonwealth was to become permanent following their victory.[82][83]
Order of events[]
Journey of the Sole Survivor[]
At one point, the pre-War individual known as the Sole Survivor, who had been frozen in a cryopod for two hundred and ten years, became involved in the conflict. Some time during their Vault's cryogenic stasis, Conrad Kellogg, an Institute enforcer, and two other Institute members broke into Vault 111, killed the Sole Survivor's spouse and kidnapped their son, Shaun. After awakening from cryostasis and searching for Shaun, they eventually tracking him to Fort Hagen. There he confronted and, after learning that Shaun is being held by the Institute, killed Kellogg. While searching for a way to gain access to the Institute, the Sole Survivor begins interacting with the other factions, including possibly joining the Brotherhood of Steel, becoming an agent of the Railroad, rebuilding the Commonwealth Minutemen with Preston Garvey, or possibly some combination of the three. Whatever the Survivor decides, they eventually find a way into the Institute, and it is revealed their son Shaun is in fact the administrator and director of the Institute, who is known as Father. From this point on, the Sole Survivor decides who to take sides with, which then decides the victor in the conflict.[84]
Faction operations[]
Each faction involved in the conflict launched several operations to increase their chance at victory, whether it was to gather resources or to harm their opposition.
Brotherhood of Steel[]
Brotherhood reinforcements dropped in via vertibird
The Brotherhood's main focus in the Commonwealth remained the Institute, but they also launched large-scale operations against a variety of other threats in the region. They would send patrol teams into several key areas. These teams usually consisted of two Brotherhood soldiers and a scribe that would patrol a designated area and eliminate any threats or collect vital technology. If attacked by synths or other treats, these patrols had a policy to call in reinforcements. A vertibird would be sent in to drop off additional armored units to support the squad.[85] Vertibirds were also utilized to deliver teams to key locations across the Commonwealth.[86] This included patrol groups, but also dedicated search and destroy teams which consisted of Brotherhood of Steel knights in T-60 power armor. These units were tasked with eliminating serious threats like synths, super mutants, raiders, Gunners and even deathclaws.[87] They would also set up defensive checkpoints at key areas to prevent threats from passing.[88]
These operations as a whole would constantly cause issues for the Brotherhoods opposition. They targeted the Institute locations at University Point, Malden Center, the Mahkra Fishpacking, and the Boston mayoral shelter with both cleansing and recovery missions. Additionally Knight Rhys at the Cambridge Police Station and Lancer-Captain Kells on the Prydwen would task members with clearing locations of synths in the hopes of permanently eliminating these threats from the Commonwealth. Some missions even included Brotherhood squires, who would join high-ranking members to witness combat first-hand and monitor their tactics.[89][90] Under the orders of Proctor Quinlan and Scribe Haylen, the Commonwealth detachment would also consistently send technology recovery missions to locations inhabited by Institute synths and other threats. This would usually result in the recovery team inflicting moderate to heavy casualties on the them in order to achieve their mission.[91][92] The Railroad's preemptive actions upon their arrival would eventually force the Brotherhood to launch offensive operations against them following the revelation of the groups existence in 2287. These actions were taken due to the immediate security risk that the Railroad posed to the organization and their mission.[93]
Commonwealth Minutemen[]
Minutemen patrolling the Commonwealth
The Commonwealth Minutemen's operations were mostly defensive in nature, but they did conduct some offensive operations mostly targeting raiders, feral ghouls and super mutants. Their rebuilding efforts would lead to many locations being cleared of hostiles in the interest of settling the area or helping a nearby settlements.[94] Under the direction of Preston Garvey, they did launch operations to clear locations of enemies like super mutants, raiders, and feral ghouls who were terrorizing settlements aligned with the Minutemen. These operations usually resulted in heavy casualties for the Minutemen's opposition, as their elimination was necessary for completion of the mission.[95] They would on occasion task members with the elimination of Institute targets, such as coursers.[96] Similarly they would also send out rescue missions to save civilians that had been kidnapped.[97] They would also utilized several patrol teams that traveled in between settlements, these usually consisted of four man teams or three and a Minutemen attack dog, they would engage and eliminate threats or die trying.[98] Despite this, most of their operations in the Commonwealth consisted of defending allied settlements from the consistent attacks launched by Institute synths, Gunners, raiders, ghouls, mutants and several other threats.[99]
The Institute[]
The Institute would conduct a variety of operations on the surface in the Commonwealth, mostly focusing on research and espionage. They had sent both Gen 1 and Gen 2 synths to occupy several strategic locations around the Commonwealth, this included Fort Hagen, the Boston mayoral shelter, Mahkra Fishpacking, Malden Center, Federal Surveillance Center K-21B, and the Switchboard. They also had the possibility of clashing with the Brotherhood at ArcJet Systems and the C.I.T. ruins before and after the arrival of their main forces. The Institute saw the Brotherhood as its biggest threat , they were ideologically opposed to the activities of the Institute and the organizations tenants demanded their destruction. The Institute for their part dismissed any possibility of peace and sought to counter the Brotherhood without forcing a decisive confrontation unless the outcome is assured in their favor.[100] Despite their own technological prowess, the Institute found the Brotherhood's level of technology equally impressive and believed they could learn a lot from it. They would on occasion send assets to attempt to steal blueprints from Brotherhood salvage teams. If successful, the Institute inflicts casualties on the Brotherhood while acquiring the tech for further analysis.[101]
Institute synths inside the Railroad's former headquarters
They would also continue their hostilities against the Railroad and several other Commonwealth factions. They began stepping up efforts to combat the Railroad's effectiveness, this involved compromising routes used for smuggling synths out of the region. They would also send teams to the surface to acquire to genetic samples from super mutants that they previously created, these samples would be returned for further lab analysis.[102] They would also send scavenging teams to the surface in order to acquire more raw materials needed for their production. If these teams were hampered by threats such as feral ghouls, teams would dispatch assets to eliminate them.[103] The Synth Retention Bureau would increase its efforts to reclaim escaped synths that had made it into the Commonwealth. They would send teams to the surface to locate these escapees, then a asset would be dispatched to return them to the Institute.[104] They also kept themselves informed on what was occurring on the surface through a network of informants that fed them continual updates.[105][106]
The Railroad[]
Railroad operations focused more on recovery from recent losses and their continued relocation of synths. Their limited offensive operations would almost exclusively targeted the Institute, with agents being sent to eliminate Gen 1 and Gen 2 synths and coursers. The would also send members to install atmospheric sensors in several locations around the Commonwealth.[107] From the moment the Brotherhood of Steel arrived in the region, the Railroad began preparations to take eventual hostile action against them - despite the Brotherhood not being aware of the their existence at that time. But similar to the Brotherhood, their main focus would remain the Institute.[108] They were willing to work with the resurging Minutemen, but were wary of them. This was due to their outlook on synths, unlike the Railroad, the Minutemen were not dedicated to the rights of synths. In the eyes of the Railroad, the Minutemen were a "reflection of the character of the Commonwealth people", which they considered be "rotten". The inhabitants of the Commonwealth as a whole detested synths and greatly feared the Institute.[109]
Major battles[]
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill is a possible large scale three-way battle fought between the forces of the Institute, the Railroad and the Brotherhood of Steel. The fighting is centered around the settlement of Bunker Hill, where the Railroad operates a secret ring that helps escaped synths. The Institute is interested in causing major damage to the Railroad and reclaiming their synths, The Railroad is looking to defend their positions at the settlement and unsure the synths can escape. The Brotherhood sought to engage and inflict damage on both the Railroad and the Institute, while ensuring the destruction of the synths. The outcome of this battle is determined by the choices of the Sole Survivor.[110]
Battle of Mass Fusion
The Mass Fusion building, a site of a major battle
The battle at the Mass Fusion building is a possible major battle in which the Brotherhood of Steel and the Institute clash for control of the building and the Beryllium agitator, an item required by both factions to complete their separate goals. The victors will eliminate the others forces and occupy the Mass Fusion building in Downtown Boston. This assists either Proctor Ingram or Allie Filmore in securing the huge nuclear reactor. After securing the reactor, they are prepared to final offensive operations to win the war. The outcome of this battle is determined by the choices of the Sole Survivor.[111]
Second Battle of the Castle
The Second Battle of the Castle is a possible engagement in the War of the Commonwealth. It involves the Minutemen defending their headquarters from either a assault by the Institute or the Brotherhood of Steel, should the Sole Survivor choose to be hostile to them. The battle involves the Minutemen having to hold off several waves of attackers. If the Brotherhood is not hostile, once the Castle is threatened, their assault to destroy the Institute will also result in the Castle being defended. The outcome of this battle is determined by the choices of the Sole Survivor.[112]
Battle for the Institute
The Battle for the Institute was a major battle that occurred sometime in late 2287 or 2288. It involved a large assault on the Institute itself by the forces of either the Brotherhood of Steel, the Minutemen or the Railroad. Regardless of what faction launched the assault, it resulted in the Institute's total destruction after it's nuclear reactor exploded. By 2296, details reveal that this battle did occur and was won by either the Brotherhood or the Minutemen.[113]
Second Battle of the Boston Airport
The Second Battle of Boston Airport was a possible battle which involves the Brotherhoods main base at Boston Airport being attacked by either the forces of the Institute or the Railroad. It would have seen the Railroad steal a vertibird in order to board the Prydwen and deal a lethal blow, or the Institute's destruction of the airship by the means of hacking Liberty Prime. The outcome of this battle is determined by the choices of the Sole Survivor.[114]
Battle for Railroad Headquarters
The Battle for Railroad Headquarters is a possible engagement in the War of the Commonwealth. In which the main base of the Railroad is assaulted by either the forces of the Brotherhood or the Institute. It would result in the complete destruction of the Railroad and the deaths of it's leadership, along with the occupation of the HQ and the Old North Church. The outcome of this battle is determined by the choices of the Sole Survivor.[115]
Brotherhood plan for victory[]
When the Prydwen arrived in the Commonwealth, the Brotherhood established a permanent base at Boston Airport after wiping out the feral ghouls there, and then linked up with the recon squad to establish another outpost at the Cambridge Police Station. However, before any further action, the Brotherhood's first priority after setting up at Boston Airport was to secure its perimeter. The nearby Fort Strong was a strategic location, being an experimental weapons testing and research facility with a large arsenal of mini nukes,[Non-game 3] but it was occupied by super mutants, posing a significant threat to the Brotherhood's new position. Clearing Fort Strong would allow the Brotherhood to gain access to a large stockpile of mini nukes for their own arsenal and also to use the fort as a strategic point to defend the eastern flank of Boston Airport.[116][117] Following the Battle for Fort Strong, the Brotherhood's next plan involved infiltrating the Institute itself. This would lead to the Brotherhood investigation of the C.I.T. ruins and subsequent hostile encounters with synths.[118]
First priority aside, the Brotherhood's main plan for dealing with the Institute was to rebuild and use the Liberty Prime combat system, a military prototype combat robot which was destroyed by the Enclave in the Battle of Rockland during the Brotherhood-Enclave War in 2278, which they brought to the Commonwealth in secret. Liberty Prime was the most advanced robot the Brotherhood possessed, and they believe having it operational would ensure their victory over the Institute in any scenario, especially since the Prydwen itself is not suited for direct combat, but is utilized as a headquarters and for the transportation of troops. However, with Liberty Prime in a dismantled state, the goal task of the Brotherhood was to restore it to working condition. This was no small task, as it has taken Proctor Ingram and her scribes years just to restore Liberty Prime's mechanical frame.[119] The deeper problems involved its power systems and limb actuators, as well as the need to replenish its own stock of Mark 28 nuclear warhead munitions to arm the robot. The final problem is to find a way to restore its fusion reactor to full capacity. The Brotherhood planned to find all of the necessary personnel and parts needed for this from within the Commonwealth.[120]
The Brotherhoods plan involved tasking the Sole Survivor with infiltrating the Institute. This would be done with the goals of making contact with Doctor Madison Li, convincing her to return to the Brotherhood to work on Liberty Prime. Once there they would be given unlimited access into the Institute, becoming an important asset to the Brotherhood of Steel. They would also have the possibility of uploading a holotape to the Institutes systems, with the goals of making copies of their data to bring back to the Brotherhood for analysis. If Dr. Li proved unwilling to return, the Brotherhood did have a backup plan of recruiting Professor Scara of Diamond City's Science! Center. She agreed with the Brotherhoods cause, was highly motivated and was one of the Commonwealths brightest minds, meaning she was more then capable of getting Prime online.[121]
The Brotherhood would also participate in the Battle of Bunker Hill, clashing with both the Institute and the Railroad in order to ensure the synths present were destroyed. A Brotherhood victory in the battle would see this mission objective completed, with massive casualties being inflicted on both of their enemies in the process. The Brotherhood will appear at Bunker Hill regardless of whether the Sole Survivor informs them or not.[110] Following the battle at Bunker Hill, the Brotherhood was forced to take offensive action against the Railroad due to the security risk they posed. They would send a strike team to Railroad HQ to deal a death blow to the organization and acquire P.A.M.. Entering through the Old North Church, the Brotherhood would kill all in their path, until they made it to the interior of the headquarters and where they planned to kill the Railroad's leadership, crippling the faction. They would occupy the former headquarters and placed a garrison at Old North Church to round up any stragglers.[122]
Liberty Prime uses laser to burrow into the Institute
Following this both the Brotherhood and the Institute required a large amount of energy to either power Liberty Prime or provide a permanent power source for their underground laboratory respectively. This would lead to a large battle between the two at the Mass Fusion Building, with the Gunners being unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire. After acquiring the Beryllium agitator and securing the building, the Brotherhood would be able to bring Liberty Prime to fully functional condition.[123] From there, they would prepare for the final offensive to destroy the Institute. The plan required the activation of Liberty Prime, from there it would advance towards the C.I.T. ruins, obliterating any synths relayed in to stop its advance. Once it and the Brotherhood forces reached the ruins of the Commonwealth Institute, the plan called from Liberty Prime to locate the Institute and bore into it using its main laser. After breaching the facility, the Brotherhood would kill all those who tried to oppose them on there way to the reactor room, from there they could destroy the Institute from within using their decaying nuclear reactor.[124]
Minutemen plan for victory[]
If the Sole Survivor elected to rescue Preston's group and rebuild the Minutemen. After settling in Sanctuary Hills, they would help Garvey recruit several settlements from a across the Commonwealth and retake the former Minutemen headquarters known as The Castle. This was to be done with the goal of swelling the resources and manpower of the organization to rival its old glory days and face real threats. They may also rediscover the Minutemen artillery schematics, allowing the Minutemen to strike anywhere in the Commonwealth with artillery if they build a piece at each one of their settlements. This could include the Prydwen, which made the Brotherhood uneasy. Finally, if the Sole Survivor angers the Institute, they can have the Minutemen declare and wage war against them. These actions would result in the forces of the Institute attacking and attempting to seize the Castle.[125]
A Minutemen artillery piece at the Castle
After repulsing them, their members will be able to sneak into the Institute and destroy it from within by detonating their nuclear reactor. If the Institute is destroyed by either the Brotherhood or Minutemen, and the Brotherhood subsequently becomes hostile to the Sole Survivor, a conflict can begin between the Minutemen and Brotherhood, with the Brotherhood attacking the Castle and other settlements after the Minutemen take down the Prydwen with their artillery. However, it is possible for the Minutemen to destroy the Institute while remaining on good terms with both the Brotherhood and Railroad, but they are also willing to cooperate with the Institute at the cost of the others should the Sole Survivor choose to join them.[125]
Institute plan for victory[]
With Father's sickness, the Institute needed to select a new director. They planned on tasking the Sole Survivor with . Once they had proved their worth, Father planned on promoting them to director. The Institute planned to instigate the Battle of Bunker Hill, were they would clash with both the Brotherhood and the Railroad in order to ensure the synths present were returned to the Institute. A Institute victory in the battle would see this mission objective completed, with massive casualties being inflicted on both of their enemies in the process. All three factions will be present at the battle at Bunker Hill regardless of whether the Sole Survivor informs them of the attack or not.[110] Following this both the Brotherhood and the Institute required a large amount of energy to either power Liberty Prime or provide a permanent power source for their underground laboratory respectively. This would lead to a large battle between the two at the Mass Fusion Building, with the Gunners being unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire. After acquiring the Beryllium agitator and securing the building, the Institute was one step closer to unlocking unlimited power for their underground complex.[123]
From there, they would prepare to acquire the assistance of T.S. Wallace, a Commonwealth scientist who could assist them with the reactor. Wallace however was a paranoid individual, once he was confronted by the Institute, he would lock himself within his home and contracted either the Minutemen or the Gunners with his protection. Regardless of outcome, Wallace was to be either convinced or kidnapped, while his protection needed to be dealt with.[126] After acquiring Wallace's services the next part of the Institute's plan was centered around boosting the signal of Diamond City Radio so they can use it to transmit across the entire Commonwealth. After this task was completed the reactor was to be activated, providing the Institute and it's laboratories with a nearly unlimited power. Following this, the Directorate would come to the conclusion that the Brotherhood of Steel needed to be destroyed. If members tried arguing for a solution that avoids conflict, it would be rejected because the ideologically-opposed Brotherhood of Steel had already invaded the Commonwealth with their forces, and many within the Institute knew that it would only be a matter of time before they found a way to gain entry and destroyed them.[127]
Explosion of the Prydwen caused by Liberty Prime
Before they were able to focus on the threat of the Brotherhood, they would plan on finally bringing an end to Railroad operations by Railroad g the faction at its source. The Institute also may assault and wipe out one of the Railroad's safehouses at Ticonderoga. An asset was to be sent to the Railroad headquarters underneath the Old North Church, from there they were to assassinate everyone present. If successful this assault would cripple the Railroad with Institute plans and two occupy both locations in the case of returning stragglers.[128] Following this step they would be able to prepare for their final confrontation with the Brotherhood of Steel. Regardless of whether or not the Sole survivor chose to help the Brotherhood, they would be able to get Liberty Prime fully operational once again. They had also built a jamming device that intercepted a radio waves, this made it impossible for the Institute to teleport their synths into the airport. In order to overcome this they planned on sending a asset to hack Liberty Prime's combat systems, altering them to recognize the Prydwen as a "Communist" vessel and destroy it.[129]
Railroad plan for victory[]
After the Railroad had regained its footing following the assaults on their safehouses and headquarters, they would begin to make preparations to win the conflict in the Commonwealth once and for all. The Railroad both continued to fight off the Institute while planning on how to deal with the Brotherhood of Steel's arrival. They would assist the Sole Survivor in getting into the Institute, once there they would be given unlimited access into the Institute, becoming an important asset to the Railroad, who request the Sole Survivor make contact with an inside agent, Patriot. Together they would plan a mass escape of Institute synths right under the organization's nose.[130] Following this, the Railroad would also be drawn into the Battle of Bunker Hill, clashing with both the Institute and the Brotherhood in order to ensure the synths present were evacuated. A Railroad victory in the battle would see this mission objective completed, with massive casualties being inflicted on both of their enemies in the process. The Railroad will be ready for the battle at Bunker Hill regardless of whether the Sole Survivor informs them of the attack or not.[110]
Results following the explosion of the Institute's nuclear reactor
The Railroad would then be forced to defend their headquarters from a incoming Brotherhood assault. Even with a successful defense, they would take casualties with Glory being killed during the fighting.[131] The Railroad plan called for a counterattack on the Brotherhood position at Cambridge Police Station. If the attack is successful in defeating the garrison there, they planned to steal a vertibird, with the goal of infiltrating the Prydwen using it, then setting three blast charges in the main deck of the ship. the resulting explosions would be capable of destroying the warship.[132] After removing the Brotherhood as a threat, they begin preparations for their final battle with the Institute. They planned to infiltrate and assault the Institute using their inside contact, and with the help of a synth uprising they would be able to enter deeper into the facility. From there, they could destroy the facility by rigging their nuclear reactor to detonate, all while rescuing the synths there.[133]
Aftermath[]
The faction who wins the conflict will become the dominant force in the Commonwealth. Forces of the victorious group can be found patrolling and manning military checkpoints all throughout the wasteland. The Sole Survivor can assist in the defense of these checkpoints. Diamond City will also be controlled by the given faction, with their respective flags being displayed over the city and a number of their forces establishing a presence in the marketplace. Siding with the Brotherhood will send trade missions to Diamond City consisting of a Knight and a Scribe that will both browse the stores. Conversely, siding with the Institute will place two generation 1 synths in the city, idly using work benches and browsing shops. Siding with the Minutemen will see them send two militia members to the market and likewise with the Railroad.
TV series[]
In 2296 (9 years after the events of Fallout 4), It is revealed that the Brotherhood's presence in the Commonwealth had become permanent. That year, the Prydwen traveled across the continent to a unnamed airbase controlled by another chapter of the West Coast Brotherhood residing in New California. With it, the Brotherhood brought a large force, including a contingent of knights in T-60 power armor and a fleet of vertibirds as reinforcements. Elder Cleric Quintus states the airship's arrival and the mission to track down the rogue Enclave scientist Dr. Siggi Wilzig was a decree made by "the highest clerics of the Commonwealth" on the East Coast, showing that they also possessed an active command structure in the region that was in a position to issue orders to the entire Brotherhood. This confirmed that the War of the Commonwealth ended in such a way that the Prydwen and the newly established Commonwealth chapter of the East Coast Brotherhood remained intact, though whether this is because they were the definitive victors of the conflict or merely a participant has not been officially confirmed to date.[134]
Notes[]
As the main protagonist of Fallout 4, the Sole Survivor has the choice of assisting one of more factions during the conflict. Upon joining a given faction, they have the ability of rising to the maximum rank of general for the Minutemen, a sentinel in the Brotherhood, a agent for the Railroad or the director of the Institute. These choices heavily impact the outcome of the conflict.
References[]
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Non-game
- ↑ Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p.37: "Minutemen
The Minutemen were once a formidable and rather popular faction in the Commonwealth. Due to significant losses and internal squabbles, however, this people's militia has struggled to survive in recent years. By defending their friends and neighbors at every opportunity, the few remaining Commonwealth Minutemen hope to bolster their numbers and bring some measure of peace and comfort to the average men and women scattered throughout the region.
Each Minuteman relies on whatever gear he or she can salvage, so the group's strength is determined by the allegiances it manages to forge. You first encounter Preston Garvey—who has spent years believing he's the last of the Commonwealth Minutemen—in the Museum of Freedom. With enough allies, however, Preston believes he can reestablish the Castle as the Minutemen's base of operations.
Most Minutemen are limited to whatever protection is offered by simple clothing and headgear, but some members have managed to salvage a few pieces of leather armor or metal armor. The laser musket is the signature weapon of the Minutemen, but the average Minuteman is forced to rely on whatever weapons he or she has managed to salvage before joining. This means that patrolling Minutemen can be found carrying anything from humble pipe guns to heavily modified combat rifles.
While some of its members can seem a bit self-righteous, Minutemen never attack without provocation. In fact, because the group's strength is determined by the support of its allies, Minutemen are generally eager to lend a hand to anyone who doesn't pose a direct threat."
(Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Groups, Gangs, and Factions) - ↑ Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide pp.387-389: "[6.24] QUINCY RUINS
Due to some controversial zoning, the freeway was run right over the main street, near the buildings of this once-picturesque and historical settlement. John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and John Hancock were all born here. Currently, Gunners have taken over the Quincy ruins and a section of freeway that runs through the town. This was once a Minutemen stronghold until the arrival of the Gunners and a defection of one of the Minutemen's own."
(Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Groups, Gangs, and Factions) - ↑ Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Collector's Edition: "[4.29] FORT STRONG
Fort Strong is an old military base. The island it sits on was used as a gun battery as far back as the Revolutionary War, and the fort itself dates to the Civil War. It had been abandoned for almost a century when the military quietly reoccupied it in the 2050s for use as a top-secret weapons research facility. The fort’s exterior and outbuildings were left intact, but its interior was retrofitted and a basement level was dug to house the new laboratories and a sizable armory. Live weapons testing began on the island in the early 2070s, with the fort’s long-abandoned outbuildings used as targets. Among other weapons, the Fat Man and its Mini Nukes were invented here and first tested on the artillery range. But in October 2077, the island was hastily sealed up and its scientists evacuated."
(Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Map)