The Fellowship

      I hereby swear fealty and do homage to the Ideal of the Fellowship, and never, by will nor by force, by word nor by work, do ought of what is loathful to it. I shall defend the weak and innocent, champion all that is right and good, and live my life so that it is worthy of respect and honor. I further vow to uphold humanity's potential above all else, strive against evil in all its forms, and bring glory to the human race. So swear I, _________.
      -The Oath of the Fellowship

    The American Medieval Society was a nationwide medieval recreation organization. They had branches throughout the United States as well as Canada and Mexico, and would meet regularly for dances, tournaments, and feasts. A few months after the bombs fell, King Jonathan of Somerset (then the leader of the Society) sent word to all groups that, despite the dire state of the world, they would still hold their annual renaissance festival. He included not only the AMS, but also those he felt might share their views — most notably Revolutionary and Civil War enthusiasts. While most people cowered in basements and prayed for news or help, a few thousand of these hardcore reenactors met in a remote campground in Pennsylvania.

    Once there, the king stood on the ramparts of a small wooden fort with the populace spread out before him, and delivered a speech on what he called "the Ideal" — humanity's potential. To reach it, he said, they must look to the past — to legends such as King Arthur and Joan of Arc, and to the untarnished sense of honor and fidelity humanity once had. Rapid advances in technology had taken mankind far from these principles, he argued, and left them vulnerable to attacks from within as well as without. "We must work to reestablish an ideological foundation. From there, we will strike out against the invaders."

    Many embraced his ideas. John called for the formation of a Fellowship, the only requirement being an oath of fealty — not to him, but to the Ideal (though many would swear loyalty to him as well in the subsequent months). Any who wish to stay with the Fellowship indefinitely (rather than those who are passing through as visitors or receiving emergency care) must swear The Oath of the Fellowship.

    King John imbues everyone who swears the oath with the Fellowship trait (A Community trait that may be rejected by the bearer at any time).

    The Fellowship has created a long-term infrastructure, turning the campground from a week-long festival into a place that can support the community indefinitely. The surrounding farms and forests supply a relatively steady source of food and raw materials for clothing and basic weaponry. Security is the first concern, and most able-bodied adults have at least some weapons training and take regular guard shifts around the perimeter. While they have few heavy vehicles and little large-scale weaponry, they have enough resources within their walls to withstand the occasional zombie siege or Kudzu encroachment. Despite the danger of everyday life, King John is always careful to emphasize the real priority — the arts and culture practiced within the compound. Most people learn crafts such as cooking, weaving, and metalsmithing, and practice traditional songs and dances.

    Governance is by a Council of Lords comprised of representatives from each major group, with King John as the final authority. The military is led by the Warlord Kasar Targhun and his three lieutenants. Cultural efforts and outreach programs are coordinated by the Minister of Arts, Millicent Hawkins.

    In the past few years, some controversy has arisen among the Council and the general populace regarding the use of invader arts as well as the so-called "human magics" more recently discovered. King John has openly shown his support of the latter with the creation of the Order of Cecily, an award to recognize those scholars in the community who have made great contributions to that area. However, there is a large faction of the Fellowship (represented politically by the Concilium Sanctimonia) who believe that these magics are too risky or even downright evil, and tension is high in the community as a result. John has declared a moratorium on inductions into the Order of Cecily until the issue becomes less volatile.

    The community has survived and grown on account of the kind of people it attracts: most have experience doing without modern technology, living off the land without modern equipment or power sources. Many have skill with melee weapons and bows. Perhaps most importantly, they all tend to have a strong sense of loyalty to the community and are devoted to its success.

    The Fellowship welcomes anyone who swears to follow the Ideal. However, they have little patience for those who do not (or those who simply pay lip service to the oath) and will often "encourage" such people to seek their fortunes elsewhere. People might also leave the Fellowship on a Quest assigned by the king, because their honor demands they help someone in need, or because they want to bring the Ideal to other communities. Many use medieval or other period names in recognition of the new life they have chosen. They tend to wear clothing that reflects an earlier age, but only if it is functional.

    They have only minor contact with the other resistance communities, but what occurs is friendly. King John has expressed no desire for leadership in the bureaucratic sense, and is happy to let Cheyenne Mountain deal with that headache. Survivors in San Francisco might find spiritual kindred in some Fellowship members, while the more martial followers of the Ideal prefer cultural exchanges with Detroit.

    Their contact with other resistance communities is slowly becoming more established, and what contact occurs is usually friendly. King John has expressed no desire for leadership in the bureaucratic sense, and is happy to let Cheyenne Mountain deal with that headache. Survivors in San Francisco might find spiritual kindred in some Fellowship members, while the more martial followers of the Ideal prefer cultural exchanges with Detroit. Much of the recent magical discoveries have been conveyed to the Fellowship from the members of the Temple community, fueling the controversy over magic but raising John's regard for the scholars there.

    Typical Attitudes toward the other Communities

    Cheyenne Mountain Refuge

    "Trade in goods and knowledge with Cheyenne has been mutually beneficial, and we hope to continue it. If they truly have the legitimate President, we will pay him the honor he is due. However, our people need the sort of inspiration they can only get from a local and visible leader. Our loyalty to the Ideal is paramount."

    The Syndicate

    "We have attempted to assist Detroit with their recent problems for the good of all humanity, but it has been difficult to do so effectively given their institutional attitude toward outsiders. We worry about the stability of their leadership, especially given their high population and munitiions strength."

    Blackburn's Compound

    "Blackburn's has provided invaluable assistance in the realm of technology, and has been generous with their people and information. While we have some trepidation that their focus on the future causes them to neglect the values of the past, so far these concerns have not been born out."

    San Francisco

    "Their priorities seem to be in line with ours, though their willing acceptance of all kinds of people and magical paths may be an untenable vulnerability. Hopefully their recent experiences have taught them more caution. We are sympathetic for the losses they have sustained in their position as our westernmost border against the unknown."