Vault 85: Mole City
Demographics
Government
Mole City's government is divided into two major bodies, the Officer of the Immortal Overseer and the Council of the Outer Vault. The Council deals with the day to day management of the Outer Vault, with representatives from all the major factions within the city voting on laws and actions. The Overseer manages the Inner Vault and its residents, as well as maintains veto power on the Outer Council's actions.
Defences
Outer Vault Wall/Door: This thick concrete and steel construction has been built to withstand light artillery fire and the hostile elements of the wasteland. All along the wall hidden laser turrets can be deployed to eradicate hostiles. The Door itself is a 15m diameter copy of the Vault doors built by Vault-tec, though the power required to open/close the door is so great that the lights of the city dim when it is active.
Industry & Trade
Exports: Refined Metals, Rare Metals, Machined Parts, Energy Cells, Fusion Cores, Glass, Glassware, Weaponry
Imports: Animal-based Foodstuffs, Raw Materials, Wood, Sulphur, Pre-War Circuitry
Imports: Animal-based Foodstuffs, Raw Materials, Wood, Sulphur, Pre-War Circuitry
Infrastructure
Geothermal Reactors: The entire city is powered by an array of powerful Geothermal Reactors kept alive by imports from Vault 86, allowing for the usage of electrical machines, lighting, farms and industry within the city.
Magma Refinery: With access to active lava flows the City refines the minerals from magma into useful and valuable metals, glass and fertilizer. Most all other industries of the city rely on the Refinery for their resources.
Outer Vault Door: Made in mimicry of the traditional Vault-Tec Vault Doors that protect the inhabitants from the dangers of the apocalypse, the Outer Door is much larger and heavier than the Inner Door. Kept open during the day (save for when danger is near) and closed at night, this 15m diameter door can resist most assaults, however the whole system is vulnerable to prolonged artillery fire.
Manufacturies: Within the bowels of the city, built around the Magma Refinery, are the city's industrial fabricators that provide the bulk of its exports. These factories produce high quality machined parts for vehicles, tools/weapons, clothing, construction, research and more. Most of the local population work in the Manufacturies, churning out material for the entire Archipelago.
Magma Refinery: With access to active lava flows the City refines the minerals from magma into useful and valuable metals, glass and fertilizer. Most all other industries of the city rely on the Refinery for their resources.
Outer Vault Door: Made in mimicry of the traditional Vault-Tec Vault Doors that protect the inhabitants from the dangers of the apocalypse, the Outer Door is much larger and heavier than the Inner Door. Kept open during the day (save for when danger is near) and closed at night, this 15m diameter door can resist most assaults, however the whole system is vulnerable to prolonged artillery fire.
Manufacturies: Within the bowels of the city, built around the Magma Refinery, are the city's industrial fabricators that provide the bulk of its exports. These factories produce high quality machined parts for vehicles, tools/weapons, clothing, construction, research and more. Most of the local population work in the Manufacturies, churning out material for the entire Archipelago.
Districts
Inner Vault: The original Vault-tec facility constructed during the 2060's, the Inner Vault would have been long abandoned if it were not for the industrial might provided by the Outer Vault. A relatively small population (compared to the Outer Vault) of over 800 residents spend all of their lives within this section, maintaining the Geothermal Reactors, managing various bureaucratic needs of the Outer Vault, and researching Human Cloning Technology. Anyone who leaves the Vault is forbidden access to it again, being 'tainted' by the outside world.
Outer Vault: Outside the safety of the Inner Vault the denizens of the Wasteland have constructed their own 'psuedo-vault', which the Inner Vault Dwellers have since taken control over. Originally more of a shanty town than a solid settlement, the Outer Vault is now comprised of well lit paved streets, concrete buildings, hidden rooftop gardens and seedy back alley stores. Anyone who has ever been outside of the Inner Vault is forbidden entry, and must make do with the sprawling streets of the Outer Vault.
Outer Vault: Outside the safety of the Inner Vault the denizens of the Wasteland have constructed their own 'psuedo-vault', which the Inner Vault Dwellers have since taken control over. Originally more of a shanty town than a solid settlement, the Outer Vault is now comprised of well lit paved streets, concrete buildings, hidden rooftop gardens and seedy back alley stores. Anyone who has ever been outside of the Inner Vault is forbidden entry, and must make do with the sprawling streets of the Outer Vault.
Guilds and Factions
Labourers Union: When the managers of the Manufacturies began to abuse their workers a Union swiftly moved in to defend them. Prolonged legal battles would result in the Union's favour, and it has become a local power in an of itself, keeping the managers of the Manufacturies in check.
Artisans Guild: Created in order to allow the local Artisans to leverage some power against the powerful merchant caravans, the Guild mostly fights for the Artisans to have fair prices, as well as managing their Commissions.
Thermal Cult: Secondary thermal generators were built in the nearby caves in order to support the city further, as well as to specifically power the powerful laser defenses. Those charged with the maintaining of these Generators have formed a religion around worshiping the Generators, which provide light, heat and safety.
Vault-sec: The Security forces of the Inner and Outer Vaults, easily recognizable by their kevlar vests and black helmets over the blue vault suits. Highly corrupt and only really good at defending against raids.
Cult of the Overseer: Spawned when the original Overseer seemed to never die, now worshiped as some sort of living god. Popular faith within the Inner Vault, also somewhat popular in the Outer Vault.
Mercator Guild: Most professional merchant guild in the city, trade in bulk goods all over the Archipelago.
General Physicians: A concentrated group of licensed Medical Doctors that treat the Vault's sick and injured, with a high success rate. Also create and sell various chems to the populace, though only legal substances.
Skyborne: Crazy gang from the surface that claim the Vault is their birthright. Responsible for many missing people over the years, though due to the corruption of Vault-sec they have never been put down.
Red Jets: Mercenary band that offers its services to many merchants coming/going from the city, they maintain a sizable compound within the Outer Vault due to the stability of the city.
Department of the Supernatural: Researchers dedicated to uncovering the secrets of the Supernatural, their entire compound is built around an active anomaly that still refutes understanding.
Artisans Guild: Created in order to allow the local Artisans to leverage some power against the powerful merchant caravans, the Guild mostly fights for the Artisans to have fair prices, as well as managing their Commissions.
Thermal Cult: Secondary thermal generators were built in the nearby caves in order to support the city further, as well as to specifically power the powerful laser defenses. Those charged with the maintaining of these Generators have formed a religion around worshiping the Generators, which provide light, heat and safety.
Vault-sec: The Security forces of the Inner and Outer Vaults, easily recognizable by their kevlar vests and black helmets over the blue vault suits. Highly corrupt and only really good at defending against raids.
Cult of the Overseer: Spawned when the original Overseer seemed to never die, now worshiped as some sort of living god. Popular faith within the Inner Vault, also somewhat popular in the Outer Vault.
Mercator Guild: Most professional merchant guild in the city, trade in bulk goods all over the Archipelago.
General Physicians: A concentrated group of licensed Medical Doctors that treat the Vault's sick and injured, with a high success rate. Also create and sell various chems to the populace, though only legal substances.
Skyborne: Crazy gang from the surface that claim the Vault is their birthright. Responsible for many missing people over the years, though due to the corruption of Vault-sec they have never been put down.
Red Jets: Mercenary band that offers its services to many merchants coming/going from the city, they maintain a sizable compound within the Outer Vault due to the stability of the city.
Department of the Supernatural: Researchers dedicated to uncovering the secrets of the Supernatural, their entire compound is built around an active anomaly that still refutes understanding.
History
Vault 85 was not always a massive city as it is today, it was once a mostly isolated Vault like the others built all over the other Pre-War Commonwealths. For about fifty years after the bombs fell the Vault remained mostly isolated, though a small community of former Vault Dwellers had begun to take shape outside of the Vault. This community was created from those Dwellers sent to the surface to seek replacement parts from Vault 86, most of whom were successful, though on their return the Overseer refused to let them back in.
Around 2127 these former dwellers came into contact with merchants who were trading salvage and food from and with other communities, bringing the proto-Outer Vault into contact with many other settlements. Word would spread of a cave outside of a Vault, safe from radiation and raiders, swiftly bringing dozens of others to settle in the cave. These early years where chaotic and the shanty town that would spring up was mostly held together by the sense of community spirit that had been fostered. In 2134 the Overseer in Vault 85 would communicate with those on the outside, offering an accord: the Inner Vault would provided power from their Geothermal plants, as well as the knowledge of how to make certain materials and items, in exchange for manufactured goods. Seeing the potential for a better life the people of the Outer Vault would accept, and construction on better structures would begin.
When raiders would devastate the community in 2151, killing dozens, kidnapping more and destroying many buildings, the Overseer would send out five volunteers from Vault 85’s Security team, who would create Vault-sec. This new security force would be responsible for maintaining local order and defend against further raids. They would also pioneer the construction of the Outer Wall, which would one day become the Outer Vault Wall and Door.
Within the Outer Vault Ghouls and Humans had lived together in relative peace for decades, with occasional bigoted assaults, though local justice would often be dealt out. When Maori families moved in, some took it as a bit of a shock, though they managed to ingratiate themselves into the local communities with ease. Word of the Wahike and Geqian had reached the Outer Vault by 2171, though most of the denizens had never seen one before. So when a Wahike tribe arrived seeking shelter from the Legion of Rust, it was a shock to the system. Giant crimson men capable of bending steel with their bare hands with a strange culture was almost too much for the locals to handle, and the Wahike would face persecution for some time.
Between the years of 2176 and 2184 the Outer Vault was frequently raided by strange cyborgs that seemed more intent to taking people alive than killing or raiding supplies. During these raids the Wahike proved themselves to the local communities by fighting for the city like everyone else, with the fury and passion seldom seen. One Vault-sec officer would remake that while had had seen Wahike bend metal with their bare hands before, he had never seen one bend a man in the same fashion. After these raids ended the Wahike would be fully integrated into the community, becoming almost a prized possession of the Vault.
The Geqian would find it easier to enter into the Outer Vault, when they arrived, as many merchant caravans had spoken of their industriousness, something that the Outer Vault welcomed with open arms. This would change when Inheritor raids began against Maui in earnest, hitting all settlements, including Vault 85. While the city’s defenses would hold against such raids, things would come to a head when the Inheritors would camouflage themselves as Geqian and slip into the city, before attacking. The subsequent battle would see dozens dead, the Vault-sec armory raided and other supplies stolen. After this the Geqian would be shunned and many would leave, as none were permitted to hold a weapon within the walls of the Outer Vault.
When the Maui Republic was formed Vault 85 was offered a place amongst it, however the reclusive Overseer refused, preferring instead to trade with the state. Many would criticize the Overseer for this decision for decades, until the Republic collapsed and successor states fought over the remains. Since this time the Vault has chosen to mostly remain ignorant of outside affairs, instead focusing on its own internal affairs.
Around 2127 these former dwellers came into contact with merchants who were trading salvage and food from and with other communities, bringing the proto-Outer Vault into contact with many other settlements. Word would spread of a cave outside of a Vault, safe from radiation and raiders, swiftly bringing dozens of others to settle in the cave. These early years where chaotic and the shanty town that would spring up was mostly held together by the sense of community spirit that had been fostered. In 2134 the Overseer in Vault 85 would communicate with those on the outside, offering an accord: the Inner Vault would provided power from their Geothermal plants, as well as the knowledge of how to make certain materials and items, in exchange for manufactured goods. Seeing the potential for a better life the people of the Outer Vault would accept, and construction on better structures would begin.
When raiders would devastate the community in 2151, killing dozens, kidnapping more and destroying many buildings, the Overseer would send out five volunteers from Vault 85’s Security team, who would create Vault-sec. This new security force would be responsible for maintaining local order and defend against further raids. They would also pioneer the construction of the Outer Wall, which would one day become the Outer Vault Wall and Door.
Within the Outer Vault Ghouls and Humans had lived together in relative peace for decades, with occasional bigoted assaults, though local justice would often be dealt out. When Maori families moved in, some took it as a bit of a shock, though they managed to ingratiate themselves into the local communities with ease. Word of the Wahike and Geqian had reached the Outer Vault by 2171, though most of the denizens had never seen one before. So when a Wahike tribe arrived seeking shelter from the Legion of Rust, it was a shock to the system. Giant crimson men capable of bending steel with their bare hands with a strange culture was almost too much for the locals to handle, and the Wahike would face persecution for some time.
Between the years of 2176 and 2184 the Outer Vault was frequently raided by strange cyborgs that seemed more intent to taking people alive than killing or raiding supplies. During these raids the Wahike proved themselves to the local communities by fighting for the city like everyone else, with the fury and passion seldom seen. One Vault-sec officer would remake that while had had seen Wahike bend metal with their bare hands before, he had never seen one bend a man in the same fashion. After these raids ended the Wahike would be fully integrated into the community, becoming almost a prized possession of the Vault.
The Geqian would find it easier to enter into the Outer Vault, when they arrived, as many merchant caravans had spoken of their industriousness, something that the Outer Vault welcomed with open arms. This would change when Inheritor raids began against Maui in earnest, hitting all settlements, including Vault 85. While the city’s defenses would hold against such raids, things would come to a head when the Inheritors would camouflage themselves as Geqian and slip into the city, before attacking. The subsequent battle would see dozens dead, the Vault-sec armory raided and other supplies stolen. After this the Geqian would be shunned and many would leave, as none were permitted to hold a weapon within the walls of the Outer Vault.
When the Maui Republic was formed Vault 85 was offered a place amongst it, however the reclusive Overseer refused, preferring instead to trade with the state. Many would criticize the Overseer for this decision for decades, until the Republic collapsed and successor states fought over the remains. Since this time the Vault has chosen to mostly remain ignorant of outside affairs, instead focusing on its own internal affairs.
Points of interest
Outer Vault Door: The only way into the Vault from the surface, the Outer Door is a heavy duty defensive fortification that has protected the city from so many threats some locals worship it as a part of a strange new religion.
Inner Vault Door: Much smaller than the Outer Door, the Inner Vault Door is placed at the center of the Outer Vault Main Square, and has remained closed for decades at this point.
Auxiliary Geothermal Plant: Located down through winding maze-like caves and guarded by the strange cultists that maintain the Plant, this Power Plant serves as the primary power source for the city's defenses.
Outer City Security HQ: Situated on the Main Square of the Outer Vault, Vault-Sec Outer HQ is a lavishly built structure. People come and go from the building all the time, yet very little work actually gets done.
Department of the Supernatural: Hugging the northern cave wall of the Outer Vault the Department of the Supernatural stands alone, with at least ten meters between it and all other structures. Strange sounds can be heard coming from within, and occasional visual anomalies warp light nearby. Most people steer clear of the building, and the mages who work within.
Overseer's Shrine: Built on the Main Square of the Outer Vault the Shrine is where the so-called Priests of the Overseer hold worship for their living god.
Wastelander's Alley: A long stretch of thin streets that contains all of the necessary items for Wasteland survival in an array of stores. Anything from high-powered rifles and power armour rigs to combat stims and water filtration systems can be found and bought here.
Mercator Trade Hall: Official center of trade in the Outer Vault, the Trade Hall is four floors of merchant stalls and storage, where local and foreign merchants trade materials.
Skylight Cathedral: This strange warped building of stone and slag is bathed in reflected surface light (and radiation), and acts as the center of the Skyborne's efforts to take over the Vault.
Hangman's Recluse: A hidden bar that doubles as the only location where true justice is planned and delivered. Reinforced doors and windows, hidden weapons and traps as well as an all Investigator clientele leave it standing as the only beacon of hope for justice in a city of crime.
The Silo: Local compound of the Red Jet Mercenary Company, the Silo is a purpose built facility that descends into the stone beneath the city, accessing their own lava flows for their own power generation.
Library of Lead: One of the only publicly accessible libraries in the Outer Vault, the Library of Lead is built more like a fortress than a traditional library. It is manned by a small group of highly trained and motivated, power-armour clad Librarians that protect their books and archives with their lives. To gain access to the Library an individual must be vetted by at least two Librarians, all personal items must be surrendered before entering (returned on exit) and no materials may leave the Library proper. Copies of certain information can be made and given to individuals, on request.
Shallow Gardens: Built in a small cave just off of the main Outer Vault Cave, the Shallow Gardens are a place where locals can go to bath in salt water and swim with small local animals or relax amidst the soft lichen and thick fungal trunks.
Jetstream Lounge: This relatively popular drug lounge serves customers all sorts of various recreational drugs to take the edge off after a long day. Local gangs treat the Jetstream as neutral territory, and will often meet here to discuss business.
The Iron Sight: Located near the Outer Door the Iron Sight is a popular bar for locals and outsiders alike, as it serves cheap highly alcoholic beverages, with their own signature sugar root syrup adding an extra kick to their drinks.
THE Hospital: Probably the only place to receive quality medical care in the entire Outer Vault, THE Hospital is staffed by licensed medical doctors who are capable of curing most illnesses, injuries and conditions, for a price. Medical care is not cheap, even after the world ended, though it is by far cheaper than it was pre-War.
Inner Vault Door: Much smaller than the Outer Door, the Inner Vault Door is placed at the center of the Outer Vault Main Square, and has remained closed for decades at this point.
Auxiliary Geothermal Plant: Located down through winding maze-like caves and guarded by the strange cultists that maintain the Plant, this Power Plant serves as the primary power source for the city's defenses.
Outer City Security HQ: Situated on the Main Square of the Outer Vault, Vault-Sec Outer HQ is a lavishly built structure. People come and go from the building all the time, yet very little work actually gets done.
Department of the Supernatural: Hugging the northern cave wall of the Outer Vault the Department of the Supernatural stands alone, with at least ten meters between it and all other structures. Strange sounds can be heard coming from within, and occasional visual anomalies warp light nearby. Most people steer clear of the building, and the mages who work within.
Overseer's Shrine: Built on the Main Square of the Outer Vault the Shrine is where the so-called Priests of the Overseer hold worship for their living god.
Wastelander's Alley: A long stretch of thin streets that contains all of the necessary items for Wasteland survival in an array of stores. Anything from high-powered rifles and power armour rigs to combat stims and water filtration systems can be found and bought here.
Mercator Trade Hall: Official center of trade in the Outer Vault, the Trade Hall is four floors of merchant stalls and storage, where local and foreign merchants trade materials.
Skylight Cathedral: This strange warped building of stone and slag is bathed in reflected surface light (and radiation), and acts as the center of the Skyborne's efforts to take over the Vault.
Hangman's Recluse: A hidden bar that doubles as the only location where true justice is planned and delivered. Reinforced doors and windows, hidden weapons and traps as well as an all Investigator clientele leave it standing as the only beacon of hope for justice in a city of crime.
The Silo: Local compound of the Red Jet Mercenary Company, the Silo is a purpose built facility that descends into the stone beneath the city, accessing their own lava flows for their own power generation.
Library of Lead: One of the only publicly accessible libraries in the Outer Vault, the Library of Lead is built more like a fortress than a traditional library. It is manned by a small group of highly trained and motivated, power-armour clad Librarians that protect their books and archives with their lives. To gain access to the Library an individual must be vetted by at least two Librarians, all personal items must be surrendered before entering (returned on exit) and no materials may leave the Library proper. Copies of certain information can be made and given to individuals, on request.
Shallow Gardens: Built in a small cave just off of the main Outer Vault Cave, the Shallow Gardens are a place where locals can go to bath in salt water and swim with small local animals or relax amidst the soft lichen and thick fungal trunks.
Jetstream Lounge: This relatively popular drug lounge serves customers all sorts of various recreational drugs to take the edge off after a long day. Local gangs treat the Jetstream as neutral territory, and will often meet here to discuss business.
The Iron Sight: Located near the Outer Door the Iron Sight is a popular bar for locals and outsiders alike, as it serves cheap highly alcoholic beverages, with their own signature sugar root syrup adding an extra kick to their drinks.
THE Hospital: Probably the only place to receive quality medical care in the entire Outer Vault, THE Hospital is staffed by licensed medical doctors who are capable of curing most illnesses, injuries and conditions, for a price. Medical care is not cheap, even after the world ended, though it is by far cheaper than it was pre-War.
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