Fiends

Lore & Background

In the Capital Wasteland, lore terminals suggest that many Fiends originated as Brotherhood of Steel initiates who were cast out after failing their trials. Disillusioned and rejected by the rigid order, they turned to chems to cope, eventually forming a criminal syndicate. This history creates deep-seated hostility between them and the Brotherhood, viewing each other as enemies. The organization expanded westward into the Mojave Wasteland, establishing chapters in places like Goodsprings Cemetery and Primm. While the specific leadership may differ between regions, the core identity remains consistent: a group of addicts and dealers who view chems as currency and survival tools. They thrive where civilization has collapsed completely. Their culture is built around dependency. By distributing drugs that create addiction, they ensure a loyal customer base that will return for more supplies regardless of personal risk. This cycle allows them to maintain territory against stronger foes like the NCR or local militias through sheer numbers and unpredictability.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell in oily sheets over the ruined Goodsprings Cemetery. A hooded figure approached the makeshift stall, clutching a handful of caps. Behind the counter, a Fiend with face paint smeared by grime inspected the currency without looking up. 'Jet or Psycho?' he rasped, his voice thick from smoke inhalation. The buyer hesitated, hand hovering over their pocket. In this wasteland, hope was a commodity cheaper than water, and the Fiends were always in business.

Reader's Guide

The Fiends operate under a loose hierarchy driven by profit and chem dependency rather than strict ideology. Leadership is fluid, often consisting of violent lieutenants who control specific territories or trade routes without central oversight. Members typically wear ragged civilian clothing adorned with bandanas, face paint, or scavenged armor to signal their allegiance and intimidate rivals. Their primary conflict arises from the Brotherhood of Steel in the Capital Wasteland, who view them as traitorous defectors cast out for failing initiation trials. In the Mojave, they clash frequently with the NCR and local security forces due to illegal chem trafficking near settlements like Goodsprings. Despite this hostility, they serve a grim economic role by supplying addictive substances like Jet and Psycho to desperate wastelanders who cannot afford legitimate medical care. Ultimately, they are opportunists. They will trade with anyone willing to pay caps, though violence is always an option if payment fails or territory is threatened. Recruitment often targets outcasts seeking easy access to chems, perpetuating a cycle of addiction that fuels their criminal operations across the Commonwealth and Mojave regions alike.

Did You Know?

• Capital Wasteland members were originally Brotherhood of Steel initiates who failed their trials.
• They maintain active chapters in both the Capital and Mojave Wastelands during the late 2200s.
• Their primary trade goods include Jet, Psycho, and Buffout, often sold to desperate survivors.
• They are considered hostile by almost all major factions except for occasional black market interactions.