Badlands Roughriders | |
Political Information | |
Societal Information | |
Location: | Williston, North Dakota |
Headquarters: | Old Armory |
Population: | 350 |
Notable Members: | Lt. Hearts Sgt. Spiers |
Historical Information | |
Founded: | 2170s |
Founded by: | James 'Mad Man' Madsen |
Policy Information | |
Status: | Active |
The Badlands Roughriders are a faction located in North Dakota, associated with the American Northern Army. With over 200 men and women, their main purpose is to be the peacekeepers of Williston, Highwater, and the settlements of the Pits in the Northwestern Badlands Territory.
History[]
Founding[]
The Roughriders were founded in the 2170s by the people of the Williston region to defend themselves in the face of super mutant migrants from the West. While the various homesteads and settlements initially formed their own militias or groups to defend themselves when threatened, a core group of fighters began to form around James 'Mad Man' Madsen, a former raider and bounty hunter. Madsen and his group travelled the area, fighting and recruiting as they went, with some members staying at larger settlements to train the locals.
While this served mainly to dissuade the mutants, these proto-Roughriders were unable to defeat them in any pitched battle. This changed in 2175 at Ghost's Bridge, where Madsen and a group of dug-in militia held off a super mutant raiding party heading to Williston. While more of a draw with the humans losing over sixty percent of combat power, the mutants were unable to dislodge them and forced to retreat, abandoning two missile launchers, a minigun and several light machine guns.
With these weapons the militias would be able to fight off the next few mutant attacks, gaining more weapons and fame in the process. The super mutants decided to move on to softer pastures the next year, and Madsen and his followers turned their attention the various raiders that had moved in to take advantage of the chaos. These groups were much easier to deal with, and most had been killed by April of 2177. Madsen then ordered the claiming and repair of the Museum of War in Williston as their headquarters, having tired of the impracticality of nomad life.
While this was going on Madsen led his followers in clearing the surface of Williston of feral ghouls and mutant creatures, which had long made travel dangerous. This process was relatively easier than fighting the super mutants but more time consuming due to a variety of factors, though was completed for the most part by 2180. In that year the Museum was finally repaired, and the Badlands Roughriders were officially inaugurated.
Early Years[]
The Roughriders continued to patrol the area around Williston and the surrounding farms, battling raiders and hostile wildlife. A group of enterprising Roughriders made plans to clear the sewer network for further expansion during this time, but a lack of organization and larger infestations than expected led to little actual progress. They fared better on the surface, spending the last decades of the century keeping the region safe, and even repairing parts of Williston. The group would mourn in 2205 however, as Madsen died from old age, and was replaced by Wendy Adams.
The Great Raider Wars that started in the 2220s found the Roughriders at a high point, patrolling a largely pacified area with widespread public support, and numbering over two-hundred well-motivated troopers. Regardless of this (and in a few cases because) Williston and the surrounding environs were targeted by various raider groups, some seeking to establish themselves in the region, and others wanting to escape the reach of the other city-states of the region.
The Roughriders initially met these newcomers head-on, and were largely successful against them, having the advantage of terrain-knowledge and numbers, but losses did add up over time. This was felt keenly in 2231 when High Marshall Adams was killed in an ambush, and most of her patrol with her. when the survivors returned to Williston to report this, a retaliation force was quickly raised to pursue while the remaining officers met to declare a leader.
George Logan, a long-time captain was chosen as the new High Marshall, and he took the Roughriders on a more aggressive footing. This applied not only to raiders, but other communities within the region. While the RoughRiders had protected the few holdout settlements despite them not supporting the group, Logan changed this arrangement. When Highwater suffered a leak and was unable to provide excess water in 2235, Logan shifted patrols away from the community.
While the settlement was able to repel the swarm of radscorpions that attacked later that year, relations were very strained afterwards. His attacks on the raiders of the area increased the casualties suffered by the organization, though the tactics were successful to a point. This did please the merchants and caravans however, as the roads were clear for travel.
The increased aggression did convince some raider bands to move out of the region, though it did take a toll on the Roughriders themselves, with thirty percent more not rejoining when their term was up than previously. Despite this Logan resisted all calls to change operations, and personally led several patrols during the next few years. 2243 saw the group cull the populations of various hostile creatures, allowing the expansion of domesticated animals, and an increase of ranches.
This would work against the group however, as the creation of far-flung homesteads and communities required the Roughriders to patrol an increasingly large area, requiring more rations for troops and allowing threats through blind spots. These groups would eventually be dealt with, but the trouble caused did weaken the Roughriders, though they would continue the same until the Outrigger War.
Roughriders-Riggers War[]
The Outrigger war began suddenly in 2256, when the Outrigger raider clan attacked a Roughrider outpost on the edge of The Pits. Their subsequent failure to respond on the radio initially didn't cause concern, as technical disruptions were common, but when the relief squad also disappeared did the Roughriders know something happened. The Outriggers announced themselves to the region by raiding several caravans and communities in the weeks following, which demanded Roughrider action.
Several patrols were dispatched to find the raiders, and while combat did occur, it wouldn't be until early 2257 that it was discovered the raiders had occupied Fort Courage, the Inside facility outside of Williston. Angered by this threat almost literally under his nose, High Marshal Logan marshalled a force of troopers himself to dislodge and destroy this threat. The marshal underestimated the raiders however, who had managed to repair a few of the base's defenses, and troopers quickly began falling under the bullets and laser bolts.
This almost became a complete defeat for the Roughriders if not for the timely intervention of the American Northern Army, who had begun to patrol nearby a few years prior in order to convince the Roughriders to join. Even with this needed help, the force was devastated, Logan and many others were dead, with more wounded and the raiders still firmly entrenched. While Williston mourned for the troopers, few were really sad to see Logan go. This battle would become known as "Logan's Folly" and was directly responsible for the Roughriders joining the ANA.
Thomas Beckett was eventually chosen as the next High Marshal after several days, and his first act was to create the Council of Law to ease the process of choosing a new High and Lower Marshal. Next he set the Roughriders on a defensive footing, observing and intercepting the raiders away from their base or groups. While this change did still allow the Outriggers to strike out, it was largely successful in repelling larger groups of them, and allowing the Roughriders to rebuild.
This was aided by the New-Merican Society and the ANA, though the Roughriders would be unable to project far from their outposts for over a decade. When their power began to recover the Outriggers changed their tactics suddenly, forcing the Roughriders to be more aggressive in their patrols. This largely failed to stopped the raiders, though did make a good appearance to those outside the region, attracting some settlers and recruits.
The Roughriders continued to fight the Outriggers where they could, with some loses, though found some respite from an unexpected source in 2280. This came in the form of the Canadian Liberation Army, a nationalistic raider group from Manitoba. These newcomers fought the Outriggers as well, distracting them from their attacks against Williston. The Roughriders also had to contend with the CLA however, with a detachment of them moving into the Pits to scavenge the various sites within.
When the Generals War broke out Beckett sent words of support and a few wagons of materials, though remained focus on the raiders closer to home than the distant threat that Custer Represented. The Roughriders are currently maintaining their conflict with both the Outriggers and the CLA, unable to defeat either outright due to the need to counter the other.
Organization[]
Leadership[]
The Leadership of the Roughriders organization is known as the High Marshal throughout much of the Pits Region.
Chain-of-Command[]
Originally a loose militia, the Badlands Roughriders adopted the use of ranks to distinguish its members from command officials, and later to promote recruitment and give all members equal opportunity. It is one of the few factions within the Badlands to use a consistent chain-of-command system.
High Marshal[]
The High Marshal is the military leader of the entire Badlands Roughriders organization. Their word is law, and their rule is not to be questioned unless it goes against the existing laws set before them. All high marshals are elected by the Council of Law and are granted their position due to their merit and history with the organization.
Lower Marshal[]
The Lower Marshal is the second-in-command of the Roughriders, and will either lead field operations or remain in the organization's headquarters in Williston. This arrangement ensures that the group is not without command in case of one of the pair's death.
Captain []
The highest rank attainable outside of election by the Council of Law, Captains are veterans of the Roughriders, often serving two or more decades in the organization. Despite their rank they have flexibility in their command, with some leading patrols themselves while others choose to remain in Williston and operate from the radio room. Regardless of their location they have access to most of the group's equipment, though specialized gear still requires proper training.
Lieutenant[]
Lieutenants have command of two-four Sergeants and are often responsible for a given area of operations. Unlike Pre-War counterparts they are armed like enlisted soldiers, and can often be recognized by their equipment, though those stationed at garrisons or outposts often forgo the more restrictive kit.
Sergeant []
The next highest rank, and the most numerous commanders in the organizations, Sergeants lead squads of regulars on patrols and combat, and often have command of outposts in the field. They will sport slightly better gear, though this is not consistently the norm.
Regular[]
The lowest, entry-level rank of the Roughriders, the regulars are the most commonly seen on patrol or guard duty. They are often equipped with basic equipment, though specialized assignments or skilled individuals occasionally have better gear.
Council of Law[]
The Council of Law exists outside of the chain of command of the Roughriders and exist to ensure leadership is continuous and there isn't rival claims or any sort of factional conflict within the group. They are selected from amongst long-serving members who are thought to have a better perspective on what makes a good leader. They use several guidelines to make their decisions, such as;
- They have been or currently are part of the Roughriders.
- They have held a high ranking or a great renown within the Roughriders.
- They have been seen as a true source of good during their time in the Roughriders.
- They have been deemed mentally sound to lead the Roughriders.
By following these laws, it is ensured that leaders such as George Logan do not come to power and harass the neighboring areas, as well as ensuring that the Roughriders will not be broken up by internal conflict if leadership is deemed dead.
Culture[]
The Roughriders have a culture of self-reliance and defiance in the face of enemies, created both from their history and the isolation of their home region. They are light infantry by training, drilled in moving across the sandy, rugged landscape, though some are trained in more specialized roles. This also extends to their mechanical skills, creating and maintaining a handful of dune buggies and motorcycles.
Notable Figures[]
Alive[]
- Thomas Beckett
- Lt. Elizabeth Hearts
- Sgt. Benjamin Spiers
- Huxley 'the Synth'
Deceased[]
- James 'Defender of the North' Madsen
- George 'Northman' Logan
- Henry Hufford Jr.
|