LORE | Greater Coalition

CITIES OF THE COALITION

"The Greeks rose through their city-states; through ours, we will not just endure—but regain dominance over the Lakes."

Philip Dombrowski, a Hamiltonian representative to the Conclave

The backbone of the Coalition and the foundation upon which the entire Great Lakes civilisation was built: the humble city-state. From scenic frontier towns nestled along the Glove, to the industrialised and reclaimed cities of the Midwest, and the gilded centres of commerce that line the shores of Lake Erie, each city plays a vital role in shaping the Coalition's unique identity. What remains of the Coalition in the East is a vibrant collection of cities, each with its own distinct heritage, culture, and story, all united in a shared pursuit of prosperity. These settlements, in spite of their differences, are bound together by a common cause: to preserve what remains, to build anew, and to envision a greater future to be brought about by cooperation. Ask any citizen of the Coalition where they’re from and more often than not, they’ll name their city first. Such is the pride in local identity, each city its own nation with its own story. Whether it’s a bustling metropolis reclaimed or a settlement forged from the carcass of the old world Great Lakes, every city contributes something irreplaceable to the Conclave. The Coalition’s strength lies in this diversity—a patchwork of cultures, ideas, and ambitions intertwined. Though much has been lost to the Midwest, echoes of those fallen city-states still influence the East, carried in memory by the battle standards they wave. Only time will tell if the spirit of the city-state shall endure.

Cities of the Coalition

by numerous (see Credits page)

Map of the current administrative division of the Coalition's Provinces, 2165.

A Traders' Guild-affiliated Registrar enjoying a paycheque of ethically ambiguous origins.

THE TRADERS' GUILDS

"For us, honesty comes at a price too."

Merchant Vernon Hopewell, 2157

With the Coalition's prosperity being built on the backs of trade and merchants, it is not surprising that certain organizations and classes would rise and thrive out of this economic system. While a true definition of what a Traders' Guild is hotly debated among contemporary scholars with different views constituting what they are, what is widely agreed upon is that they are interest groups of merchants and certain classes of traders, employing a wide variety of contractors and fielding a diverse labor force of workers and enforcers under their whims. Under this environment, the history of the Traders' Guilds would shift and change, with near monopolies over trade routes rising and falling. As of now, there are three major conglomerates, each with its unique structure, investors, and cut-throat politics. Often, they have enough funds under their bellies to even pay entire governments to look the other way while they go about their business. As one climbs the metaphorical 'corporate ladder', they would quickly come to realise their world is highly competitive, with even the more powerful a Traders' Guild is, the more aggressive they are to keep their positions. But while they all have their differences, they are all united under the philosophy of trade and the protection of trade.

Trader Guilds of The Coalition

by zxure, RevachoIiere, Tilted_Jacket, and huskydoggo578

THE HURON WARS

"In waves we go; a wall of flesh, our steel pointed forth at the savage.

We will drive him from the mud and stamp out his defiance."

Sergeant-at-Arms Arnold Fitzpatrick, on the Valentine's Day Offensive

Beginning in the early 2150s and centred around the territories of Lake Huron, the Huron Wars remain a root of trauma in the eyes of many across the Great Lakes, originating as a series of clashes between Coalition-affiliated caravans and settlers versus local Huronis, leading some settlements to intervene in the conflict, sending their militias to protect the traders and their markets. Although fighting was sporadic throughout the early wars, the conflict began to intensify with the entry of the martial city of Bulwark which blamed their economic woes on the Huroni people and further pressed the war. From there, the fighting only intensified, boiling down to a back-and-forth trench war in South Huron—a period which came to be referred to as "the Great Slog" and encompassed the majority of the fight with the Western and Northern regions of Huron subdued by the end of the 2150s. Both sides undeniably committed multitudes of atrocities throughout the war, whether that be by targeting civilians in savage reprisals, hiding stasis cocoons in buildings or making use of chemical weapons and flamethrowers, rendering great swathes of beautiful land into lifeless patches of despair. By 2160, the Valentine's Day Offensive was launched which saw Huroni lines broken and their united front shattered by an overwhelming tide of brown and blue. The war left much of the sought-after land devastated and displaced thousands with no clear victor, as those who fought returned home to suffer from the horrors of war.

The Complete History of the Huron Wars

by zxure, strangevilcow, PoweringTaxEvasion, vrw0we, RileyDevon, MartiniMedic, Alicehue123_alt & denofdoves

Red zones depict the conflict zones during the Huron Wars in the year of 2153.

It also includes the locations of major Coalition cities and forts at the time.

Standard issue "Huroni Alphabet" card dating back to the Huron Wars.

THE TERRITORIES
OF HURON

"I am ashamed, not of my homeland, but of my inability to honourably lay down my life for my

people and ancestors. Now, they have been shackled and subdued under foreign boots."

Joreja Careveza of Nash, 2164

Shattered and dishonoured; the culturally rich and diverse territories that formerly comprised the proud States of Huron now lay under the rule of two nations. The Huroni peoples have been displaced over the entirety of the Coalition and the Midwestern Union, forced into subservience and used as mere tools in the brother's war that rocks the Great Lakes region. Their language has been buried, their practices shunned, and their heritage dishonoured, having been ignorantly misbranded as uncouth savages—until recently, as both sides struggle to bolster their ranks with the disaffected youths of Huron. The dream of a united homeland is not yet lost, as the memory of cities and societies that once rivaled the old Coalition have yet to fade from the resilient psyche of the Huronis. Within the boundaries of the Commonwealth, the Conclave has overseen a re-patriation of South Huron—the industrial, cultural, and urban capital of the old states—and made meaningful gestures of restoring their sovereignty in exchange for support against the Federalist tyrants who control the agrarian and egalitarian lands of West Huron, thoroughly colonised and reduced to a mere breadbasket by the Midwestern elite. The territories that once comprised North Huron remain contested, though the desolate tundra ruled by semi-nomadic warbands holds little value for the blood that was spilt for its conquest prior. It seems the future of Huron and her people is uncertain; left to the whims of two nascent, squabbling nations that were once united in their desire to conquer and destroy them.

Territories of Huron

by CaliforniaRollzs, Radical_Rations and SomebodyAkata

THE COMMONWEALTH

"—Let the words of our motto ring true on this today forevermore!

Prosperity through Cooperation for all, just as God intends!"

The voice of Conclave representative Lewie Muir, 2165

Following the arrival of the Hamiltonian Provincial Guard, the government of Bargetown is granted a pressing notice regarding the future of the Coalition as a whole—its alliance has now consolidated into a Commonwealth, doing away with the era of inter-city disputes clogging up the government and slowing progress. The Conclave in Hamilton has described this correspondence as a "rebuttal to the federalist model" of the traitor Midwesterners.

Instead of forcing the city-states to submit to one overarching government, they are now consolidated into provinces which meet in a far more powerful, effective Commonwealth. Unlike the Midwest, the Coalition will embrace its cultural diversity and respect the sovereignty of all of her peoples. This marks the revitalisation of the Coalition, the oldest nation in the wasteland. Before the Unions and the Midwest, there was the Coalition—ever steadfast, ever true to the ideals of the post-Flash world. Bargetown shall certainly feel the ramifications of this great upheaval, for the future is bright.

Articles of The Coalition

The 58th Conclave with Lewie Muir at the head.
Note the two Huroni representatives, particularly Aino Fadel on the right.

A trooper of the New Model Army watching the resulting forest fire of a battle.

THE WAR AT A GLANCE

"—And soon enough, the 'Erie Elite' will pay their price with Summerview right on our doorstep."

Standing Officer Elliot Forrest of the New Model Army on the war, 2165

With the recurring harsh wintertides and the blockade in effect, very little news surrounding the Coalition-Midwest war reaches Bargetown. With the winter ending, however, new communication lines were put in place to replace the old lines, again enabling the people to stay in touch with the progression of the war.

This document will be updated semi-frequently with more information about most recent developments.

The War at a Glance

by Jet963

TALES OF BARGETOWN

"Those strange hums? I hear them too. It's like the city itself is alive."

A Bargetown local commenting on a rumour

The various tales, legends and stories passed around Bargetown form a strange but essential part of its identity—scraps of old world myths, half-true histories, and whispered warnings shaped by life on the barge. No one really agrees where the stories came from—some say they drifted in with new arrivals, others believe they rose from the rusted guts of the barge itself. Tales speak of ghost machines, shadowy figures seen at the edges of the wasteland, and strange happenings beneath the decks. In a place where survival is uncertain and the world beyond is unforgiving, these stories help people make sense of the chaos—offering mystery, meaning, and sometimes a little hope.

Tales of Bargetown

The streets of Bargetown during a rainy night.

Servicemen of the Cleveland Militia guarding a Southern Union supply delivery.

FOREIGN RELATIONS:
THE SOUTHERN UNION

Bargetown was not the first stop of the South's hand. During the Midwestern secession in 2163, the People's Commission of Internal Security—the Southern Union's intelligence network—reached out to a number of Coalition cities and towns in the chaos of the early split out of pure pragmatism. Many in the Coalition feared Northeastern expansion amidst escalating conflicts in Canada and the South, and with the United States Reclamation Force's lack of assistance to the Coalition in its preparations for an inevitable conflict with the Midwest, the PCIS would find new friends in the North who would agree not to intervene in any potential Southern and Northeastern conflicts in the Great Lakes. In exchange for their acceptance, Coalition towns would receive Southern aid and advisors providing valuable material to the fragmented East. While the chaotic Sunrise Isles haven't seen much aid with a blockade and multi-party wars, many cities farther South have received it as USRF garrisons ward off support up North.

Over the skies of cities like Cleveland have come loud and heavy SU-make helicopters, discreet flights with little fanfare landing at repurposed clearings with awaiting militiamen below. Onboard: heavy munitions, firearms, and handfuls of plainclothes Southern advisors under shell companies come to both teach militiamen equipment operation and Marx. With most heavy military industry being in control of the Midwest, the Coalition had come to accept Southern bedfellows hesitantly. Even so, many in the Conclave knew the implications.

Taking the deal risked future Southern dominance—should the South venture far north, absorption was a possibility—but that outcome lay in a distant enough future. The immediate gains were worth it—pieces of artillery, ordnance, and stores of firearms not easily produced by the Coalition. The hope was that by the time that future came knocking, the Coalition would be strong enough after a victory against the Midwest to negotiate from a position of confidence. What may have begun as "we're here, deal with it" could, with enough distance and leverage, evolve into "we're willing to work something out, in good faith, on our terms".

DAISY GAS

“Do you smell that? It reeks of rot.”

An unnamed serviceman handling Daisy Gas canisters, 2159

Daisy Gas, also referred to as “Mustard Gas” in reference to its pre-Flash form, is a dull yellow-green chemical that has seen widespread usage across most if not all Coalition conflicts. It takes the form of a liquid when contained, but quickly evaporates into a gas when coming into contact with air. Exposure to the airborne gas without adequate coverage (gas mask, long clothing, etc.) causes the victim’s lungs and skin to start burning and break out in blisters. Long term exposure can and has caused countless deaths, both to Coalition soldiers and enemies alike.

After dissipating, the gas leaves a toxic yellow residue on everything it touches. The chemical has its roots in "The Mill"—now a piece of the MWU—where the first batches were produced. After its game-changing implementation in conflicts such as Darkport, many more factories began popping up in large cities such as Detroit, Bulwark, and Cleveland. In the Huron Wars especially, the use of Daisy Gas proved to be a major crutch for the Coalition forces. Dozens of mutant settlements were shelled with special Daisy Gas bombs, often crippling them entirely. Swaths of soldiers would return home with their uniforms stained yellow from the residue.

Misfortunate servicemen with faulty gas mask filters being choked by Daisy Gas.

Standard issue "C.P.A.N.1" card.

COALITION PHONETIC ALPHABET NEW 1.0

Rapid-deindustrialisation, corruption, and the dwindling resources of many of the greatest Coalition's towns would spread fear amongst the wider coalition of what could be a total economic depression. The solution to this was of course, to seize Huron of its resources. Dozens of cities, towns, and floating settlements all banded together to mobilise their local militias for what would be the nail in the coffin of the Coalition's already dwindling economy.

The Huron War offered many lessons, most particularly in organisation. The invasion was poorly organised, especially in the beginning, with many militias coming up with their own original phonetics and code-systems which would throw entire campaigns astray. This, among many other issues of the Huroni invasion, sparked a conference amongst the leaders and officers of the invading militias. Many things came from this summit, although the most iconic being the official Great Lakes Coalition Phonetic Alphabet (GLCPA).

Initially introduced with cards distributed amongst grunts and officers alike, the GLCPA still remains in use by some of the Coalition's numerous militias. A reminder of the Huron War for few, redundant for many.

With the signing of the Articles of the Coalition, bureaucracy begins to look in and reshape itself. One of the many reforms coming from this new order is that of the Huron-era phonetic alphabet system that is still in use across the Coalition. The Great Lakes Phonetic Alphabet, or GLCPA, was riddled with phonetic errors which most attribute to messy invasion of Huron, the most atrocious error of which being that the GLCPA's X was substituted as 'Xenon'. The Coalition Phonetic Alphabet New 1.0 (CPAN) fixes these errors, while retaining the most notable and iconic letters.

STILLWATER CORRECTIONAL
FACILITY

Crime rarely goes unpunished in this world, and in the territories of the Coalition, it is no different. Deep in the heart of Coalition territory, a grey-brick fortress sits, surrounded by shoddy trenches and barricades. A mass of ragged prisoners amble around followed by a clot of guards. That is Stillwater Correctional Facility.

On the inside, the prison is a deathtrap. Medical treatment is scarce, leading to illness and infections being the major cause of death in the prison. A troop of other problems plague the prison, starvation being another key one. Food, outside of the two daily meals, is scant and is marked up for high prices by the inmates with even the faintest connection to a guard.

A crime determines how you live, and with most being in for murder, it is good for a minority of the inmates. The prison follows a distinct system of crime and conduct: the worse you are, the worse it gets. It isn't a rare sight to see those who enslaved others to be put in chain-gangs and made break into rock or cut down trees. The mistreatment isn't just from the system, many of the guards see their charges as little more than animals who have continued to hold the world back.

Escape is a notion many dream of, however accomplishing it is a nightmare. The thick and high walls make a climb or a tunnel nearly impossible. Many daring inmates will purposefully try to get themselves on the chain-gangs, hoping they will find the right time to make a run off into the woods. Escapes are few and far between, and failing or being caught in an escape leads to a fate many would consider worse than death, a life sentence. Each failed attempt reminds the inmates of one thing—they will never be free unless the facility says so.

Grainy video footage of a roll call at the Stillwater facility.

IMMIGRANTS OF THE GLOVE

“We have nothing to return to. Our homes are but rubble and ash.”

Betty Payton of Bakersville, 2165

The creation of the Midwestern Union and the New Model Army sent shockwaves throughout the entire Coalition, with most of the Midwest entirely seceding in unanimous agreement with plans to spread their ideals to the rest of the Coalition by force. Many cities along the Western banks of Lake Erie and Huron refused to submit to this new regime and would quickly find themselves overrun by NMA forces in brutal sieges. Cities like Elizabeth, Bakersville, Cutler and La Delle saw their militias swiftly crushed, with many being forced to flee their homes amidst the destructive conflict to escape the brutal war, holding a deep resentment for the murders and atrocities of the Midwestern Union.

In the beginning of 2164, large groups of immigrants who fled from the occupied cities would migrate to the Sunrise Isles and other surrounding cities of Western Lake Erie and the Eastern banks of Huron. The Coalition, at first, accepted them as a sign of solidarity—though, with a dwindling economy and a lack of able-bodied men and women to fight the Midwestern traitors, many of these immigrants would find themselves living in poverty and would mostly end up within the local militias. Their thirst for vengeance would turn out to be a benefit in battles held against the NMA, leading to many of these soldiers being noted as particularly violent. Like any serviceman fighting for the Coalition, these vengeful soldiers are revered as patriotic heroes by most of their peers and the citizens for their ferocious tenacity.

On the other end of the spectrum, those who didn't join militias were quick to fall into crime. The infrastructures to help support their migration quickly fell apart as more money was poured into the defence of the Coalition. Humourously to anyone but themselves, this would spread a rumour amongst the citizens that these migrants were secretly NMA guerrillas, sent to cause disorder and make a takeover effortless.

BORDERS OF THE COALITION

THE MIDWESTERN UNION

When it was operational, the border crossing between the Midwestern Union and the Great Lakes Coalition was situated inside of a repurposed logistics depot on the route between Bulwark and Summerview. Formerly used as a transport hub, the depot was transformed into a checkpoint where all passing trains were diverted for inspection. Today, it lies in ruin, hastily abandoned after the outbreak of war between the two nations. The sound of train whistles has been replaced by the eerie howls of wind rattling the fences spread throughout the crossing. The rail tracks are now overgrown with weeds, and cranes sit rusting in place.

At the heart of the depot, massive cranes used to unload heavy cargo from freight trains, while smaller teams checked personal belongings of every passenger. The checkpoint operated efficiently, representing cooperation between the once-united nations, even as tensions exceeded new limits with every passing day. A large customs building sat on both ends of the depot, through which travelers would pass in the dozens, waiting in queues for their documents to be stamped while their goods were processed under strict scrutiny.

Propaganda posters were plastered on both sides, each urging loyalty to their respective causes. Now, the customs buildings are covered in dust, with maps of trade routes and inspection schedules left on the desks and consoles as if frozen in time. Nature has slowly started to reclaim the site, with grass and flowers pushing through cracks in the pavement as spattering rain leaks through the roofs of abandoned trains and buildings.

The security posts were well-organised and fortified, positioned at key locations throughout the depot. They were elevated, and boasted reinforced scrap walls, offering a panoramic view of the area. Each post was staffed by soldiers from both the Midwestern Union and the Eastern Coalition, with most being from either Summerview or Bulwark. They worked in tedious shifts, often conducting joint patrols and coordinating inspection processes. Weariness filled every interaction between the two sides as they both viewed one another with suspicion and vastly different beliefs.

Now these posts stand deserted, overlooking the empty rail tracks. Some crumble under the weight of time and no maintenance, while others have already been swiftly looted for any precious materials which could help each side's war effort. Old uniforms and equipment are scattered around the area, abandoned in the chaos of the border's sudden closure.The atmosphere here is one of melancholy, and with the crossing now defunct, wildlife and nature have begun to reclaim it.

Moss creeps over the walls and trains, and throughout every crevice. The silence feels uneasy, and only the faint howls of animals and the sound of battle can be heard from inside the derelict structures. The depot now rests as a no man’s land between two powers which seek to destroy what they once tried to build together.

THE NORTHEAST UNION

A vast, untamed wilderness encompasses the area, acting as a natural buffer between the two nations. There are no checkpoints or fences—no sort of formal crossing exists. The boundary is marked only by the ever-changing terrain. Dense, deciduous forests and rough sloping hills stand as natural fortresses as rivers meander through into the Great Lakes.

Wildlife thrives in the isolation, untouched by human presence—reminiscent of the world before humans. Wasters navigate the rugged landscape on their own, following shoddy, old trails. Eldritch roam about, and so too do the various natural predators—black bear dens are spread throughout the forest, while timber wolves and grey foxes patrol through regularly. For those who dare to cross, the wilderness offers both freedom and danger in equal measure.

The absence of an official border adds to the sense of detachment and looming uncertainty. Ever since the Canadian Federation crumbled and the Northeast Union took its place, both nations have remained fully aware that the wilderness, though unclaimed, still plays a key role in keeping them apart. This isolated area, a gem of the old world, is as much of a physical obstacle as it is a spiritual one. The past seeps through, and people traveling alone have been known to sink into insanity from the prolonged time in isolation, as well as from likely getting lost. Grudges and political rivalries have no meaning amidst the trees and rivers—it is you against nature, which conspires against you at every turn.

Those who successfully pass through these wildlands are rumored to be among the wisest of folk in this wretched world.

CULTURE OF THE GREATER COALITION

SYMPHONIES OF THE COALITION

Staring during the golden ages of the coalition, culture had begun to thrive once more. Settlements had begun to establish themself, both in their purpose and their people. For a time, settlements like Bulwark, Cleveland, and Cargocity had even begun the development and record of their own music. Jazz took the forefront, followed by blues and other similar genres.

They took the forefront of the growing cultures, with each settlement that could—they too adapted their own bands or even production. With some old hits being sourced from the remnants of the old world, to be reproduced live by these bands. Such, a new front was brought to the lakes: that of dance and song.

As years came to pass and go, so too did Hamilton adapt this minor musical industry. The prideful and rising settlement was prominent and remains to this date. With old world hits making their way back around to the public. The Hamilton Records and Orchestra remains the longest lasting band and production—with some of Bargetown's own newest hits being sourced directly from them. It was with no doubt that live shows and even galas became something of attention for all. Where the lower class and wealthy could come together despite class or difference.

Nowadays, most records are sourced from Hamilton. With vinyl's being a rich to come by for many, cassettes and other more common recording devices came back into stream. It's a smaller production, but nevertheless something these settlements hold pride in.

APPEARANCES OF THE PEOPLE AND THEIR MILITIA

Appearances became something few could bother with in the earlier years, however as production began to source their way back into the hearts of coalition settlements— so did a limelight on attire and appearance. Akin to the Roaring 20s, Jazz would once more influence appearance. With dresses and suits storming their way to the front, those wealthy began to stick out. Idolisation of attire grew for some, where even the poor would seek a suit and tie for a evening of dining and dance.

Hygiene became another factor, with many utilising cheap colognes, soaps, and perfumes, the rich became distinct from the wasteland. A disconnection was made for a time. When it came to the militia, however—nothing more than ragtag armies, from civilians and wasters—new standards were brought.

For the Gold Leaf Army and those serving Bargetown, standards are near null and void. So long as their work isn't impeded, most hardly bat an eye to the appearance of militiamen. Where one may be kept and groomed, trimmed and proper—another may as well be disheveled and frail.

It still stands, for those that find themself in higher places, they may just go that extra step to keep an appearance. It's something the wealthy may claw at, for even in this backwater settlement in its rust and glory, every man and women still seeks that sense of civilisation.

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