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Highlights
- Prime Video's Fallout series showcases a different Brotherhood of Steel hierarchy structure compared to the games.
- Ranks like Aspirants and Squires are introduced, each with specific roles and tasks within the organization.
- The Brotherhood's leadership hierarchy includes Knights, Paladins, and Elders with distinct responsibilities and power levels.
The immersive world of the Fallout video game series is filled with many notable factions, most of which the player can join. The most recognizable faction that many players rush to join is the Brotherhood of Steel. The Brotherhood is a paramilitary group spread out through the wasteland that strives to preserve and horde advanced technology. They're a bit elitist and extreme in their ways. However, it is possible to view them as a lawful good group that will do whatever is necessary to follow through with its mission, which it believes is best for the remnants of America.
Players come across several members of the Brotherhood in the games. There's a wide variety among them, ranging from those in armor to those in robes. Since the release of Prime Video's Fallout series, new fans can quickly see that the Brotherhood has organized itself into a militaristic structure. Some of the pecking order is obvious. For example, the armor-wearing members hold a higher rank than those in tank tops and pants, and those in red robes hold even more power than them. But some aspects of the Brotherhood's hierarchy are not so plainly shown.
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Different Hierarchy Models
Prime Video's Fallout series takes place within the same continuity as the video game series. However, its Brotherhood of Steel ranking structure might seem a little off to fans of the games. However, that's not actually a break in continuity. Even within the games, there are different ranking structures for the Brotherhood of Steel, depending on the region and time period in which a chapter operates.
For example, those stationed in Fort Atlas, Appalachia, start with Squires and end with Paladins. However, those stationed at the Citadel in D.C. follow the Lyons model, which starts with the rank of Squire at the bottom rung and Initiate one rank up. After that, the Initiate either becomes a Scribe or a Knight. There are a number of ranks that follow, ending with either Head Scribe or Elder. It all depends on whether the Initiate is more competent in combat or scientific endeavors.
Some chapters of the Brotherhood of Steel are more in-depth and complex than the aforementioned hierarchies. These chapters may split the path of ascension between Scribe, ground forces, and aerial forces.
Aspirant and Squires, Explained
When the audience first meets Maximus in Prime Video's Fallout series, he has the rank of Aspirant, the lowest rank in his chapter of the Brotherhood. His friend Dane is also an Aspirant until they're promoted to squire. Aspirants are still in training, aspiring to be more. They try to prove themselves as worthy members of the organization by handling all the menial tasks around the base, including emptying the makeshift toilets made from wood pallets and car tires. It isn't until a Knight needs assistance that an Aspirant can be promoted to Squire. Showrunner Jonathan Nolan discussed Maximus and his rank with Vanity Fair:
He’s a squire. This is a drawing on the classic Arthurian Knight legends where life was cheap, and you had a squire as long as they were useful.
Typically, there's a rank of Initiate, but that's been replaced with Aspirant in the TV show. However, as stated, this isn't a break in continuity, because each chapter of the Brotherhood tends to create its own hierarchy.
Squires in this Southern California chapter are assigned directly to a Knight. They're tasked with carrying the knight's equipment in an oversized golf bag. They're also expected to follow every order their Knight gives, including cleaning the codpiece of their armor.
Knights, Paladins, and Elders, Oh My
Above Squire sits the rank of Knight, the ones who get to run around in heavy suits of power armor. Unlike knights of the past, who were equipped with swords and shields, Knights in the wasteland use heavy weapons of all sorts, from combat and laser rifles to Gatling lasers. They're the cavalry of the Brotherhood of Steel, swooping in when things get too hairy for their Aspirants and Elders.
While not shown in the Prime Video series, there's a rank above Knight known as Paladin. A Paladin, as seen in Fallout 4, is a seasoned veteran or commander of a small unit. When a Paladin is ready for promotion, they're inducted to the rank of Elder. Elders can also come from the Scribe ranks, but it's rare, as being a Knight and a Paladin proves their strategic prowess.
Elders are the leaders of the Brotherhood of Steel, leading the organization with sweeping and determined policies. The only named Elder in the Prime Video series is Elder Cleric Quintus (Michael Cristofer), who promoted Maximus to Squire after Dane was injured. However, Quintus was also the Elder who intended to execute Maximus when he failed to return to base with the prized MacGuffin. While that might seem cruel, and it is, the Brotherhood of Steel doesn't take kindly to failure.
It's likely that more Elders will debut in the show's second season. Perhaps even established characters will make their live-action debut and the audience will get a glimpse into other chapters throughout the wasteland.
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