“So what kind of an army could be giving one as big as the NCR trouble?” Gallus asked, raising an eyebrow. The NCR had managed to beat both the Enclave and the Brotherhood of Steel despite its losses. Not to mention it had expanded its territory like none other had managed to do in the Wasteland. “For this Legion to be giving them a challenge, they sound mighty powerful.”
“I don’t know, but they must be something,” Sandbar replied as he and the others waited for the narrator to start. “I just hope we don’t see too much bloodshed.”
Sandbar would later regret saying those words.
Chapter 7: Caesar's Legion
The scene started in a way that seemed a bit strange: a bunch of human looking children in a school learning about history. Silverstream cooed and said the human children were so cute looking while Smolder just snorted and said they looked like monkeys. The narrator started the lesson by saying a very important line that the others couldn’t help but take to heart: “Those who never learned from the past are condemned to repeat it.”
“Wish dragons could do that,” Smolder muttered, crossing her arms. How many times had the dragons, claiming their might and superiority, managed to be beaten by the other races or fall into infighting? One thing she hated to admit, ever since coming to Equestria, was that the dragon race might have been mighty beasts of terror, but they were among the least technological, economical, and cultural nations in the world. Heck, even the tribes and nations in the Wasteland had done more then the dragon race had done in the last three thousand years.
Yet, according to the narrator, it seemed that even the Wastelanders were doomed to repeat their own historical mistakes as well. Most of their books, knowledge, and documents had been destroyed in the Great War. They were forced to start over and learn again. Yet, there was one man who was deliberately causing those mistakes. And his name was...
“Wait, is it Sea-zar?” Silverstream asked.
“I think it was Kai-sar,” Gallus pointed out.
“I think his people call him Kaisar and everyone else calls him Caesar,” Ocellus said, writing both names down. “Maybe they’re titles?”
“Why have two names? Yak confused,” Yona pondered.
They took a look at this “Caesar” person who sat on his throne under a big red tent decorated with gold including a bright shiny place of his face written in a language the group couldn’t understand. Flanking him were soldiers who wore armor very similar to the Royal Guard armor in Canterlot, only it was red and black with scars showing wear and tear through battle and bloodshed. Equally as intimidating, were the large black dogs growling beside them and showing their terrible teeth.
The fire pits surrounding Caesar gave him an unearthly glow as he stared at them. His cold dark eyes making each of them shiver from top to bottom.
“Yona not like bald creature.” A statement that the rest of Yona’s friends agree with. There was something about this human that was bad news and you could tell just by looking into his eyes. There was a level of intelligence in them, but also a spark of madness.
Apparently, this Caesar was named after a famous general and warlord who ruled an empire two thousand years ago. This new Caesar was out to finish what the original started, as they saw the ruler standing before his troops which numbered so far that it was enough to fit a small gorge. He was giving a large speech that, while unheard to the others, seemed to be rally the troops who saluted in unison to him.
Rather then try to make America great again as it was in the old days, like the NCR was trying to do, Caesar was trying something different. He wanted to create a new nation with new ideas and purpose, while using the old Roman Empire as an inspiration behind it.
“Oh yeah, that’s a king’s attitude alright,” Smolder said, nodding her head. “I can tell he’s the military type. Reminds me a bit of Ember’s father when he ruled.”
“It kinda bothers me how similar those uniforms look to the Royal Guard’s armor,” Sandbar pointed out.
“Hmm, that is an interesting point. I wonder which world created the armor first and how did it advance to this sort of level?” Ocellus asked, writing down more notes. “I wonder if this guy is that original Caesar’s descendant or something?
According to the narrator he wasn’t. Caesar wasn’t even his real name. He was really Edward Sallow, born in the NCR territory known as the Boneyard. There he was raised by the Followers of the Apocalypse.
“Oh not another doomsday cult,” Silverstream groaned, facepalming.
“Wait, you know a doomsday cult?” Sandbar asked, eyebrows raised.
“Kinda. Let’s just say there are some hippogriffs back home who believe the ‘old ones’ will rise again and flood the earth to devour us all,” Silverstream replied, rolling her eyes. “Auntie Novo has to keep dealing with them and their insane babble every six months or so. Personally, I think they’re just eating purple seaweed. That stuff messes with your mind.”
Despite the name, the followers weren’t a doomsday cult, but rather a group of doctors, scientists, and historians who gathered knowledge of the old world. With it, they dedicated their lives to make the world a better place. They shunned violence, and advocated for a world without weapons which put them at odds with groups such as the Brotherhood and even the NCR.
“Sounds like my kind of group!” Ocellus cried out with cheers. “I’d love to be working for a group that uses science and learning to help make the world a better place.
“When you think about it, the school already does that,” Sandbar pointed out. “After all, we all come from different places and we can use what we learn her to help our people.’
The others all nodded in agreement, smiling as they thought about how each of their races could benefit from learning friendship. The griffins and dragons could actually end their isolated and depressed states to seek help from others and grow their societies. Hippogriffs could adapt better to the world after being in the ocean for so long. Yaks could seek more peaceful means of cooperation rather than just using force. And ponies could learn more about the other races rather then being afraid or shunning them.
Yet sadly, it seemed that such a vision was not going to be easy in the Wasteland. It was hard to imagine that the man who would be an Emperor would come from such a humble and kind place, but life was ironic in many ways. When he became a young man, Edward Sallow was chosen to go on an expedition into researching various tribes of the wasteland to learn about their cultures. Yet Edward seemed to be too smart for his own good. He saw the tribes as barbaric savages that he held both in contempt and pity. He felt it was his duty to civilize them.
“Does that mean he educated them with knowledge and wisdom?” Silverstream asked, hopefully.
“Somehow I doubt it,” Gallus answered, getting a bad feeling in his stomach.
It was among the so called “savages” that Edward found books related to the original Caesar and the Roman Empire. They watched as the young sandy blonde read book after book faster than even Twilight could read. Each sentence enticing him further and further like a siren searching for her next meal.
“Looks like Ocellus on an average day,” Smolder jokes, getting a high five from Gallus.
“Hey!” Ocellus snarled before changing into a skunk and aiming her tail end at the dragon. “Care to have another tomato bath with Professor Pinkie Pie?”
“Sorry, sorry,” Smolder replied, raising her claws as Ocellus turned back into a changeling and continued her notes.
“When did she skunk you the first time?” Gallus whispered, curious.
“When I caught her checking out Sandbar’s rump during gym practice,” Smolder giggled before turning her attention back to the narrator.
The Romans by their time were the most civilized empire the human world had seen for its time. An empire that spread throughout the world. Advance medicine and technology. Art and culture unlike anything ever seen before. One of the most advanced forms of government and more. Even when it fell, its discoveries and actions would influence the western sphere of the world for a long time. The problem was the Roman way was born of brutal conquest, cultural takeover, subservite, slavery, and elitism. It’s moral decay and lost principles gave way to corruption, apathy, and destitution. Eventually, Rome fell to the armies of the barbarians they had long taken over. Even though Edward could have avoided the same mistakes Rome made during its time, Edward believed he was smart enough to avoid them.
Edward took the title of Caesar and forged a new army, his Legion, under the tribes of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. The group watched in horror as the Legion butched an entire tribe with brutal tactics that left hundreds dead and in pieces. Women and children were torn apart by the various swords and spears. Heads of tribal leaders were put on stakes. And entire villages burned with the ashes of its owners smoking the heavens. It was something nothing seen before in Equestria. It was total warfare.
“I’m gonna be sick!” Silverstream shouted as she rushed into the bathroom, her gagging sounds heard soon after.
“Yona too!” Yona shouted, making for the nearby trash can.
“By Celestia and Luna... why?” That was all Sandbar could say as he began to shed tears upon seeing the Legion utterly destroy a family despite their pleas for mercy. Ocellus had long stopped taking notes and just turned into a rabbit out of fear to hid behind a pillow. Gallus was doing his best to hold his lunch as well, nearly tempted to just leave and find a toilet to throw up in.
“This is... this is wrong...” Smolder muttered, trying to hide the fact she was starting to tear up as well. Dragons were fighters, it was true, but this wasn’t fighting. This was slaughter.
In the end, eighty-six tribes had been united under one leadership. Something never before seen in the wasteland. There were only two fates for those who stood again the Legion: Assimilation or Annihilation.
“I can’t believe some nerd from a bunch of pacificts did such a thing...” Gallus stated, shaking his head in disgust. “Like, was he born wrong in the head or something?!”
“How many tribes do you think got killed off out of those eighty-seven?” Smolder asked, grimly.
“H-H-He killed them? Even the children?” Silverstream asked, poking her head out the door while wiping her beak. “How can someone be so... evil... not even the Storm King did this.”
“Or Chrysalis,” Ocellus whispered, still in her rabbit form, teary eyed. “She was cruel, but never like this...”
It only got worse. The males who survived the attacks were forced to become Legionaries. Their entire culture was wiped out with any traces of what they once were eliminated. They were no longer the savages but the “enlightened” members of the legion. The had no will of their own and only one purpose: To fight and die in the name of Caesar.
“Some of those soldiers look to be just children! He lets children fight in his wars?!” Sandbar shouted in horror and disgust. What looked like a teenager boy was holding a heavy machine gun and marching with men much taller than him. Yet he was showing no sign of complaints. “This flankhole is sick! A sick sick monster!”
“Not even the Enclave was this bad,” Ocellus replied, slowly making her way towards Sandbar and hiding behind him. He noticed and quickly took her into his hooves, keeping her close and calm against his chest.
Yona had finally stopped puking before shaking her head and looking less green. “Yona don’t feel good.”
“Neither do I,” Gallus muttered, holding his stomach. Even he couldn’t crack a joke or sarcastic statement against this.
Yet for all the brutality, it had indeed brought order to the territory that Caesar had taken over. He ruled with fear and violence, but peace was the result. A brutal peace that spoke of death if you dare questioned the might of Caesar, but for some it was enough.
“This isn’t peace, its tyranny,” Smolder muttered.
“Isn’t that how Dragon Lords usually rule?” Silverstream asked, tilting her head. “I thought strength and violence was the norm?”
“Yeah, but... not like this... this is just...I don’t know...” Smolder brought her knees to her chest and felt small. All her life she was told that strength was the greatest thing a dragon could have. Strength made others follow and respect you. It got you a horde, land, even a mate if you could woo him or her with your abilities. After all, the Dragon Lord was always chosen among the strongest. Coming to Equestria had made Smolder realize there was more to life than just strength. There was friendship, love, trust, and kindness. Thing she didn’t fully understand until meeting her friends and teachers.
Seeing the Legion not only live that same philosophy of ‘might makes right’, but utilize it to the fullest of extent, made her wonder if dragons would go down such a road one day. Ember might have been trying to change things, but she was still just one Dragon Lord. A Dragon Lord trying to change thousands of lifetimes traditions and philosophies. There was no telling the next Dragon Lord would keep the same viewpoint as Ember, or if Ember would even live long enough to bring real progress. Dragon Lords died after all, sometimes from those challenging them for the position or from the many dangers of their land.
Would the dragons ever, at some point, be just like Caesar's Legion? It made Smolder sick just thinking of such a thing. If they ever did, she would have to not only abandon her friends but even fight them... maybe even kill them to prove her dominance. She could never do it. Even if Ember ordered her to betray her friends, she couldn’t do it.
“At least this not any worse,” Yona pointed out, thinking they had seen the worst yet.
And then they learn what happened to the females. Their reactions were instantaneous.
Silverstream screamed in horror and had nearly fainted. Yona started puking in the trash again. Gallus couldn’t hold it in this time and rushed to the bathroom to let out his dinner. Ocellus started crying into the chest of an equally crying Sandbar who looked like the last of his innocence had been shattered. Smolder just stood there in horror upon seeing the utter evil in front of her as she began to tear up as well.
The women of the legion were, for lack of a better word, sex slaves. Their entire purpose was to be to the subservatude of the males. To be raped over and over again and producing more children. Those who were girls were taken away to be made into slaves and baby makers. Those who were boys were trained to be soldiers to die for the legion.
There was no freedom, no dignity, not even a single care for the females. They were just tools for Caesar to increase his army’s ranks. It didn’t matter how strong, wise, or talented a female was. They were only good for breeding an nothing more. It was a fate worse than death for many, and a fate all tired to avoid when dealing with the Legion.
While slavery had been practiced by many in their worlds history, almost every creature was able to finally end the barbarici practice in the years since the ancient days save for a few kingdoms. The last official nation to do it were the Centaurs, but Equestria defeated them in a war and forced them to end the practice. Since then, only tyrants like Sombra and the Storm King, had ever practiced it but they were often defeated before they could spread the practice.
When it came to rape? It was just unthinkable to even imagine such a practice being normal for a nation. No race on this planet ever approved of it. Not even dragons or changelings under their cruelest of leaders had made such a disgusting act legal. Such a thing was not only unthinkable but rarely ever done. When it was done, it was punished so harshly that it all but encouraged the fear of performing the action. The last pony to even try such a thing in Equestria was over eight hundred years ago, successfully attacking six mares before he was caught. Celestia didn’t just jail him for life, she used him as an example by publicly cutting of his... equipment, and burning the rest off with her horn. Since then, no other attempts at rape had even been seen in the land of ponies.
Other races just straight up executed rapists or had them thrown into Tartarus as punishment. It was one of the worst acts one could do to another living being. Yet here was a society, a nation, that not only practiced such horrible acts as genocide, rape, and slavery, but encouraged it. Prided itself on it. Lived on it. Every evil villain from Sombra to the Storm King to Triek himself was nothing compared to this lone human. This Edward Sallow. This Caesar.
The silent six watched in horror as the women were huddled in iron pens like animals. Their clothes, if they even had any, were washed out rags that looked covered in mud and waste. Their bodies brutally bruised to the point where it was hard to find a single area not damaged. Some were crying in masses, others were just staring out into the abyss with void like eyes. The souls dead inside of them as they prayed for a quick death to their endless nightmare.
According to Caesar, this was a better option than their previous lives. In his mind, being a slave was a way for the defeated and punished loser tribes to become something of worth. Something greater than the savages they once were.
“He needs to die...” Silverstream whispered, much to the shock of everyone as she stood up. There was something in her eyes that only Gallus had seen once during their trials with the Tree of Harmony. Silverstream looked ready to jump at the smiling smug face of Caesar himself and rip his throat out. “I don’t care if its the NCR, Brotherhood, Enclave, or even some courier in the desert. Someone needs to kill him.”
“Silverstream...” Gallus said in shock.
“Don’t say you don’t want it either!” she shouted at the others, eyes weeping despite her angry expression. “Don’t you dare say that someone this... evil deserves to live! If I ever met this horrible, disgusting, death worshiping, tyrannical piece of filth I will personally take my Aunt’s Spear and shove it down his bucking throat!”
She turned away and then started to sob sofly, trying to hide her rage and sorrow at the fact that there were so many dying and being raped. And she could do nothing to stop it. Gallus got up and slowly hugged her, letting her cry on his shoulder. The others soon joined in. Their tears mixing as one as they continued to hear the horror before them.
It would horrify their teachers to think this, but they believed Silverstream was right. Friendship couldn’t stop such a man as Caesar. Only death could. Even the narrator agreed with them while stating that nothing Edward Sallow did justified his actions. Even if it was ultimately a path for greater peace despite all dying in the name of servitude to a tyrant.
“I think... I think we need to stop here,” Ocellus said, turning back to her normal form as she ordered he sphere to stop. “We can continue tomorrow, but... I really just want to go to bed.”
None of the others could disagree with her, but Silverstream didn’t let go of Gallus much to his embarrassment. Although a part of him kinda liked it. “Um, Silver?”
“Can I stay here tonight?” Silverstream asked, her eyes pleading. “With every creature here? I... I don’t want to sleep alone...”
The others look at each other and nodded. Yet for some reason they doubted they were going to get any sleep tonight.
I hope you mention Ulysses and dry wells in the future.
9773143
It's on the list
its gonna take a long ass time to get fallout 4
They think Caesar is the worst? Vulpes Inculta is practically on the same level of evil.
9773160
True, but Vulpes would never be in the position he was in, nor the power he held, if it wasn't for Caesar.
Honestly the BOS is the worst. All they want is to steal tons of tech. Even in FO4 they literally say that the only reason they come to fight the institute is because they detected that the Indstitute was using really powerful pre war technology, they literally just want to steal it. And in FNV, they kill innocent people for holding energy weapons, and in the veronica sidequest kill a whole outpost of followers of the apocalypse. Also, they take high tech weapons out of the hands of the public and keep it to themselves, which is kinda like what caesar does (except caesar doesnt trust anyone with high tech weaponry, hence why most of his soldiers use melee.) Except unlike Caesar, they have had this stockpiling of weapons backfire on them (Elijah, who cared more about the HELIOS weapons system than his soldiers lives, causing them to get beaten by the NCR. He obviously also wanted the Sierra Madre tech, showing just how dangerous the brotherhood doctrine of "only we deserve powerful tech" is.)
Caesar on the other hand, IS evil, but he works. (Kinda). In his ending, it says that trade routes are stronger than ever and various stuff like that. However he is too arrogant, and believes that his empire wont fall after he dies, which even Ulysses and Joshua Graham disagree with.
NCR are just corrupt to the highest level and just like Caesar, they repeat the past. (As mr house says, "If you want to see the profits of democracy look out the window.") However, unlike Caesar, they lack the self awareness to even attempt to prevent themselves from repeating the past.
Meanwhile House is focused on the future, he wants to put mankind on the stars, and colonise a new world, untouched by the mistakes of the past. But, he remains fixated on the past, with his need to "rebuild" Vegas, and even strongarm the local tribes into playing caricatures of pre war casino owners. House is an old, old man, who has lived far too long.
TL;DR: Yes Man is the best choice for everyone, as by siding with him you control an army of robots (the only thing that could stand up to liberty prime, should that chapter of the BOS start to expand.) Not only that but You, the player probably have full speech, guns, barter, energy weapons, science, etc, and very high special stats, making you the best possible leader for the mojave. Also, you are the only thing in that world untouched by the past... As you have none, ergo making you focus more on the future of New Vegas, also, you could probably reverse engineer House's life extending technology, so death isn't a problem
Edit: I really didn't mean to write this much...
I actually realized that Cesar is the most evil fallout villain while reading this hope part 2 come soon
Watching the video where Caesar explains himself makes me think he has some good points but I definitely still disagree with him. It was pretty easy to see where you stand on the NCR or Legion debate. Still, I kinda expected at least one of the 6 to see a little from Caesar's angle; not all mind you like the slavery but some.
9773255
Ceasers 'Hagalian Dialectics' only works at the philosophical level, not the practical. like we learn from Marcus in Jacobs Town, most of the Legion is following Ceaser, not his ideals. when Ceaser dies, his Legion dies with him...
Oh, Silverstream... hugs tightly
9773289
I should've said I agreed with his points about the other factions. His own ideals are just as bad if not worse.
9773314
no faction in the Fallout-verse is sunshine and rainbows. i personally prefer the Brotherhood in Fallout 3 over the other depictions but...Robert House is by far the worst faction to support in New Vegas, the last thing the Wasteland, any Wasteland, needs in an undying dictator. the NCR, sure theyre reaching too far for now, but they r also the most practical of the factions and given time could grow into something great. Legion is doomed to die though, no matter what Ceaser might say.
Also not sure how I feel knowing that Celestia used to castrate rapists. Like what they did was horrible but instead of expecting rehabilitation from the peaceful ponies we go straight to punishment. Especially when Starlight got off the hook with just becoming a student when she almost caused the end of Equestria.
I remember I had made a character that had about 58 stimpacs. I just remenmer going to Caesers camp and killing him with a unique powerfist, one shot kill.
9773338
You say immortal dictator, as if he is evil, but he really only wants the best for New Vegas, he just doesn't care about the rest of the world that much.
9773160
9773166
Caesar inspires men like Vulpes to rise to the occasion and commit horrific acts in his name. This doesn't mean that Vulpes is free of blame or anything (he's not... Really, he's not) but it does enforce just how sick and twisted the Legion actually is.
It going to be interesting to see how the group reacts to Mr. House's faction if that comes up. As for the reaction to the faction that is the Legion...yeaaaahhhh I never once played for their side in FNV cause of their shit. Also cause it was like the dumbest faction to join anyway.
The Legion’s treatment of women alone is why I loathe them and go out of my way to destroy them in all my runs for Fallout NV.
9773506
House? please...he freely admits that the only thing that holds him in check is his own morality, his own sense of right and wrong, with nothing to counter him if he goes too far...hes more than willing to hold Hover Dam hostage to make NCR dance to his tune, he would charge outrage amounts of caps to the common folk just for a drink of clean water or the ability to turn on a single light...all for the good of his business model for New Vegas. two hundred years in a bubble has not done him any favours in the sanity department...hes as much a tyrant and dictator as Ceaser, just slightly more polite about it...
9773526
If you check out TV Tropes, he gets special mention in Fallout’s Complete Monster page.
9773418
I'm with you on the Starlight thing but, accidentally destroying Equestria because you're an idiot, is different from hunting down women and forcing yourself upon them. I personally am with Celestia on this one, castration or death, they decide, it's more of a decision than they gave their victims.
9773160
Yeah, when I first ran into him at Nipton my reply to his 'request' was a 40mm grenade in the teeth.
Wow, the more they watch these videos the more terrified they become of the Fallout world. I wonder how they’ll eventually do their project about this world? So far they just get more and more terrified of it, though it does seem to be bringing a few of them closer together (mainly Sandbar and Ocellus, and Gallus and Silverstream).
HOLY CRAP SILVERSTREAM!!! I didn't know she had it in her. I love it!
NEVER say those words, It WILL get worse
9773652
As a person who supported House in the majority of playthroughs, I find your views of House interesting. Of course, he is a dictator, but do many of us actually stop and consider how much of a dictator he actually is? How much he's done for the Wasteland? How much of the reward he actually holds himself? Let's consider his actions before the Courier stepped in.
He prevented the complete and total annihilation of the Las Vegas area. Sure nine warheads got through, but sixty-eight were shot down and deactivated. Honesty, the man is credited with the way the Mojave Wasteland is still abundant in freshwater and fertile farming land. And truthfully, what did he get out of it? Two century in comatose.
He rebuilt Las Vegas. There is no place like it in the Wasteland and its uniqueness can all be linked back to House. When he awoke, the city was overrun with tribals, cannibals, and looters picking apart at the city and each other. Sure, he may have used violence to eradicate a few of them, but they were already doing that to one another long before he arrived on the scene. The Three Families all signed on willingly and a majority would agree that it is the best thing that ever happened to them. Vault 21 can't complain either. They lost the right to stay in their Vault fair and square and let's not forget that House didn't directly play against them, but rather it was Vault residents representing him.
The King of New Vegas? By contract, House isn't even allowed to step into any of his casinos. He is only allowed to send in a Securitron to take a percentage of the profits. How the casinos operate depends entirely on the Families running it, House has no influence over their operations apart from refashioning them an identity based on Vegas culture.
Negiotiated with the NCR. You say that he would hold Hoover Dam hostage. By what right did the NCR have over the place, to begin with? Let's not forget that when the NCR arrived at the Hoover Dam, House and his tribal friends were already there to greet them and sign a treaty with them. Not to start a war, but to make peace. 95% power for the republic and 5% for New Vegas is an extremely fair deal. Yet, the NCR still aren't happy with it. They always want more.
By that, I don't mean their soldiers, who live and breath the propaganda fed to them and genuinely want to make the Mojave a better place. Rather I refer to the NCR's government. Out of all those in the leadership structure, Colonel Hsu is the only one that tells it straight, the only reason the NCR is in the region is to annex it and tap into its immense wealth and resources. Why should Kimball and Oliver negotiate with House in the first place? House may have been powerful compared to smaller groups in the Mojave but compared to the military of the NCR? They are minuscule in reality and the NCR could have easily overrun both Hoover Dam and the Strip. Hundred of NCR soldiers would have died, but the Mojave would fall to the boot of the NCR and to them, those deaths were justifiable.
But they didn't. They came to the negotiations table. Not out of the kindness of their hearts, but because they were afraid of Caesar and the consequences that would happen if they left their flanks exposed while trying to take Vegas. House capitalized on that fear and forced the NCR's military machine to come to a halt. He made peace, in a situation that would usually end up in violence.
Make no mistake, if the NCR had won at Hoover Dam without the presence of Mr.House, then they would have quickly turned their military towards New Vegas and justified invading it. The possibilities of how they would do it are endless. A planned bomb on the Strip that would have cost them the lives of their own citizens? Not off the table for the NCR considering how many lives they throw at the Mojave Wasteland. The use of a third-party courier to assassinate House and deflect blame onto someone else? Well...you tell me.
Freeside and Westside. These two are often used quite extensively to accentuate the argument that Mr. House is a dictator. But if you think about it, Mr. House has no influence over any of these areas. There are no Securitrons in Westside and the only ones in Freeside are the ones guarding the gate to the Strip. You can say what you want about poverty and crime in the area, but House has nothing to do with any of that. Freeside and Westside is what New Vegas looked like before House showed up. Living like shit, crime around every street corner, gangs everywhere.
The only difference now is, its all compacted within Freeside and Westside. House hasn't done anything to improve it, and to many, that is reason enough to condemn him as a dictator. But if you consider how he operates, on the basis of contracts and mutual benefits, what does Freeside and Westside have to offer? He has the tech and resources to fix up those areas, but they have nothing to offer him in return apart from dissatisfied citizens strung up on frivolous ideals of freedom and independence. Well, he let them have their freedom and independence and they have nothing of value to show for it apart from high crime rates and junkies on every street. Tell me again, why Mr. House should give a damn about these areas when they have nothing of value to offer back? And these areas expect House to just hand out free money? Please, charity went the way of the dodo since the bombs fell.
Future prospects for humanity. If you follow the DLC packs, then you know that the Mojave Wasteland is doomed. If it's not the tunnelers coming out of the Divide, then its the red cloud from the Sierra Madre. Humanity is at its most fragile moment in human history, living in a world filled to the brim with monsters, mutants and a lack of resources. Yet, humanity continues to fight amongst itself without any clear direction for the future.
House offers a much more compelling long-term solution than the NCR, the Legion, and Yes Man routes. He offers the prospect of a future in the stars. Everything he does, the casinos, the families, the NCR negotiations; all are geared towards making rockets and evacuating humanity from the desolate rock that is Earth. What do the other factions offer?
The NCR, of course, take Hoover Dam and New Vegas. They install a government there and drain the area of all the resources and wealth it has. Then, once that's done, I believe their military moves into the weakened territory of Caesar's Legion to continue the war and further expand the boundaries of the NCR. Peace is never an assured thing, as the NCR's military is too busy expanding the territories to bother taking care of raider problems within their own country.
Caesar's Legion brutally takes over the entirety of the region and enacts massive slavery. All the wealth and resources is concentrated towards the Legion who uses it as they wish. Peace, brutal as it is, is an assured thing as the Legion will cleanse the region of raiders without mercy. The future of the Legion is much more interesting and depends on how Sallow's Dialectics experiment play out. Either the Legion collapses under internal fighting, or Sallow lives long enough to continue the expansion of the Legion Westwards.
Yes Man's is the most unclear and depends entirely on the actions of the player. The NCR and Legion do get kicked out of the region, but the region becomes more unstable as a result. Either it falls to complete anarchy if you don't upgrade the Securitrons, or people are forced into compliance if you do, making you the new dictator of New Vegas.
Future prospects for YOU. By far the most important thing of the entire game. What do you, the courier, get out of all of this?
NCR gives you a civilian branch. What the hell is a medal suppose to do in the Wasteland? Do you really think that they'll let you become a citizen of the NCR? If they do that, then they lose their prized lapdog. They can no longer use you to wipe out their enemies, torture their enemies or commit war crimes for them. The Courier is more useful to the NCR as a third-party contractor than as an NCR soldier where you are held back by their moralistic laws. You would never rest as the NCR will just use you to put out their own fires. In the words of General Oliver- "Could use a hundred of you, just scatter you over the East like jacks"
Caesar's Legion is the worst. They just print your face on a golden coin. That's it. Nothing else.
Yes Man's ending makes you become a living contradiction. Ironic since many people go down this path because they believe that none of the paths are for them and that they alone are the only ones that can save the Wasteland and ensure independence and freedom. But isn't that what House thought? Caesar thought? How the NCR thinks?
Take into account your actions. You manipulated the Wasteland factions such as the Great Khans and the Brotherhood. The same way that House, Caesar, and the NCR does. You stole power away from House and, yes, you might say that you will distribute it fairly, but that doesn't deny the fact that you now sit on the golden throne, commanded everything as you see fit and left a trail of bodies to get where you are. If you said that their deaths were justifiable, then you are no better than the dictators you swore to destroy.
House's ending gives you all the forms of luxuries that you could want. Something that any Wastelander could only dream to get. He gives you all the glory and all the riches that you could ever want. The only thing that he gets, is a small sense of pride in his choice of lieutenants, and the assurance that New Vegas is his, something understandable as he was the man to resurrect the place, to begin with.
...
Whoa...I just wrote an essay. Look, I understand your perspective on House and there are times that House is a complete and utter asshat to you. But everything that I just wrote about came from a materialistic perspective, not an emotional one. All I ask is that you reconsider your perspective on House before you are quick to judge him as a tyrant who deserves immediate death.
In the immortal words of Craig Boone: "Thumbs down you son of *censored*"
Caesar and the Legion are by far the most moral bankrupt faction in the wasteland no argument. Although I will admit they're still better then most Raider groups, if only marginally. They do bring security to their territory. Unfortunately the whole Legion operates under a Cult of Personality so when Caesar dies the Legion is doomed to regress into being the largest raider gang in the wastes.
9774159
actually, it is not emotion that drives me to side against House, but logic. we r expected to believe that House is so moral that he can keep himself from going too far indefinitely? logically, that makes no sense, House, for all his power and tech and sorceress, is but a man and therefore fallible. also, look at even the best ending u get if u side with House:
New Vegas becomes the seat of a despot, where there is no freedom at all with all the Securitrons running around. yes, the Currier gets every luxury from Mr House, but at what cost? hundreds died for nothing, just so House could maintain his iron fisted control of the Strip. House ignores Freeside, so long as the people living there make life hell for any NCR citizens in the area, but he doesnt use any of his tech to aid in rebuilding Freeside, real charmer there. House sends an occupation force to Goodsprings in the form of Victor, leaving the town alone maybe, but keeping en eye on everything.
logically, an undying despot with an army of killer robots who doesnt give a damn about anyone he doesnt directly control is not the best ending...oh dont get me wrong, none of the factions come out smelling like roses, but logically, the best of the worst is NCR
The sad thing is kaizar believes what he’s doing is right and I can understand his logic the wasteland is a cruel and merciless place so he has to be just as ugly as it to survive I don’t agree with the legion but I don’t hate them either the New California Republic on the other hand...
Yeah, the horrors he caused are among the worst of all of the big bads of the Fallout universe
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Interesting...
True, Mr. House is ultimately a human to the core, so he is susceptible to corruption and immorality. But if you consider all that he has done to preserve and resurrect Las Vegas, and the fact that every human in the Wasteland is as, if not more immoral, than he is, then the Wasteland is pretty much doomed no matter where it goes. Whether it be NCR, Legion or Yes Man otherwise.
He has an army of robots. But do not forget that he built this army himself, with contracts and fair dealings with people before the bombs fell. By his viewpoint, the robot army is the rightful property of his. His tribal friends all work for him out of their own volition and the only time he stepped in was when they attempted to betray him. Benny tried to betray him by stealing the chip. The Omertas betrayed by attempting a coup with the Legion. The White Glove Society may have broken their contract by eating people, but the decision on what to do about them was given to the Courier, by Mr. House, without any personal opinion.
Freedom...the question is; is freedom needed in a world like that of the Wasteland? Does freedom give you the right to murder who you want? Take what you want? Rape whom you want? And cheat who you want? The Wasteland is the ultimate definition of freedom and frankly, it hasn't done anything to repair the world for two centuries. Freeside for example, where 'freedom' runs without check and compare that to the Strip. Tell me which one you would prefer to live in.
You said hundreds of people died for nothing. Millions of people died for nothing when the atomic bombs were dropped. Thousands died for nothing in the chaos that ensued following the destruction. And hundreds still continue to die in the Wasteland even without the interference of Mr. House. Does Mr. House kill people? Absolutely.
But so does the NCR. So does the Legion. And so does the Courier, if you chose the Independent route.
The only thing that separates House from the other three is the purpose behind it. He takes life for very specific, tactical reasons to defend New Vegas. The same way a person defends their home.
The NCR takes lives to expand.
The Legion takes lives for conquest.
The Courier? Well...how did you feel when you killed Benny? When you killed Caesar? When you kill raiders and Powder Gangers?
9774413
like i said, no faction comes out smelling like a rose, even the best Independent Vegas ending has its problems, but then, thats just the nature of things in the war to survive after the bombs. and war...war never changes...
9774159
I feel I should thank you for taking the time to write this. It's one of the best explanations of House I've heard.
9774413
Thank you. I feel that I learned and understand more about New Vegas than the entire Storyteller series ever conveyed to me. Thank you for the wonderful read, your care and effort are very much noticed and appreciated.
9774159
Also, House offers to share his form of immortality with you, meaning you will be able to protect vegas for a long time. Even if its in a new robotic body.
The Legion was pure evil. Too bad joining them is such a late game option though. Unlike previous games there faction only gets touched upon nearly halfway to NV.
I must confess I’m slightly surprised that the Legions actions are seemingly completely foreign to the Young Six. I mean several come from warrior societies and Ocellus came from Chrysalis’s hive. I figured the concept of harming civilians and slavery wouldn’t be a new concept. True, it’s completely understandable to be horrified to see them play out in front of you but they reacted almost like they were entirely new ideas.
Damn...just, damn...
I'm in total agreement with you, theres nothing good about ceasar. I take great pleasure every time I and boon launch a full on assault on his base, and when I get to his tent....well, nothing says justice like a mini-nuke to the face.
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am not going to lie here rape no matter how you cut it is a bad thing. but the truth is that rape is more of a by-product a human or a sentient being.
i mean if you think about it being a wild animal there is no idea of rape just breeding so you can make more of your DNA and so on, but turth is rape is not just about the sex its about power.
but i will say this the way they acted to this faction is spot on even if you show without the rap i think sliver would still want him killed
9778256
wait a min didn't the bug race basiclly did mind rape all the time?
Just discovered this and I LOVE the reactions of the student six. And I love Fallout, and the Storyteller. So far its been a heck of a ride. Now the wait, oh Godesses the wait for the rest of the story!
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i can't wait to see gallus face when he see Crimson Caravan
giffion love money
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lol
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I completely agree with your stance on Caesar's Legion - no matter what potential 'good' the Legion could accomplish, it could never, EVER make up for the suffering and pain within The Fort and their other territories. It's good to have a plan for the future, sure, but you have to think about what's happening in the moment as well.
As a side note, will you be covering the Followers of the Apocalypse soon? They're my favourite faction in all of Fallout, and is the main reason why I side with NCR in New Vegas most of the time. Keep up the good work - I love what you're doing!
9774413
Fair dealings. In Fallout's prewar USA. Nice joke.
just like people in Legion-controlled territory follow Caesar's law by their own volition (i.e. to not get rocket/spear in the face).
That's just what happened during the game. I very much doubt he just used his silver tongue to unify and civilize tribes that originally resided in NV territory. What we DO know about that period is what happened to Vault 21. And somehow I doubt if House supporters lost the game he'd leave them alone.
Nah. Definitely better to have single immortal dude rule everything from his coffin via army of killer robots. What could possibly go wrong?
No. Being in the Legion does, though :p Except for cheating, don't remember anything about that from the game.
I think you meant "anarchy" here. Also, nuclear devastation, yada yada.
Both are sht, just different kinds of it. One looks better on the outside, though, I agree.
Also, House doesn't care about Freeside at all (as long as Freesiders don't try to enter his little piece of heaven, for which they promptly get a rocket in the face). Nice benevolent dictator right there.
1) And the Courier does what he does just for lulz because he's a protagonist of a videogame. Am I getting your arguments right?
2) He doesn't defend NV. Well, technically, at that current moment, he probably does. But only because, well, he lives there. Other than protecting himself, he doesn't care about NV at all. Which is almost the same thing you said, I just want to point out that he does not defend NV as a city of people living there, he defends it as his own home which have some useful tools walking around (and I'm not talking about securitrons here).
Well... you know killing Benny is YOUR decision, right? And that you can decide to NOT kill him?
That I did world a favor
eh, "They decide they can take my things so I'll be generous and allow them to take some of my lead. Better than nothing, right?"
9816947
I get hating Ceaser, I really do, but he’s worse than Hitler seems a bit of an overstatement. I mean, Ceaser is responsible for plenty of atrocities, but Hitler was responsible for the systematic extermination of 11 million people and countless millions more through the cataclysmic global war he helped set off.
I what the mintman
9803003
You know, its interesting to note how, depending on the source and time, the Legion Edward leads is a far cry from how Rome was, again, depending on what source you read, and the time period. At least he didn't pick up on Caligula or Tiberius...
And this is why I always bring Boone with me whenever I go to kill Caesar.