"Born of Iron, within the Rust we live, within the Rust we die."
In the distance one can hear the heavy chanting, the whirring sound of gears spinning and the hammering of metal on metal. War songs, high pitched strings and throat-tearing vocal cords screech through the night. The stars shine bright overhead, but the clouds loom black and smoke pillows out from massive bonfires littering the horizon. It is not the sound of foul partying, but of religious zealotry. Alongside what is commonly referred to as the "Pipeline Highway" lies the body of The Holy Rustic Empire. It is a disillusioned state of fanatics who derive their morale to survive from faith in the metallic souls of their gods. Their ancestors having migrated toward today's homeland of the people, they were originally the result of a failed evacuation during the great war and had become wanderers, nomads clinging onto their faith in God.
Today, it is the work of one man who has officially claimed a rightful home for his people. Organizing his most skilled craftsmen, riflemen, and traders he constructed an empire, organized a militarized force, and developed an intimately in depth religion that now controls the hearts and minds of his followers. At the very end of the dusty stretch of road consuming the Pipeline Highway lies his throne, a fortified town built around an ancient oil refinery known as Ironox, and it is here that the Iron Crusades are called forth by the man known as Skyfather Tetnos.
Clad in leather, split tongues and horned-type body modifications, Gauged piercings that consume nasal cavities and earlobes, custom built pipe revolver on their waist, the settlers of the Pipeline Highway are a rambunctious folk who revel in their adrenaline fueled faith and devote themselves to the point of self destructive tendencies. The "born again" are baptized in guzzolene, motor shrines dot many rock pillars along the pipeline, and the priests go so far as to scarify holy texts unto their flesh with rusted blades. They inevitably succumb to infection, displayed in front of their altars to die as they convulse and experience muscle spasms, their skin flayed and preserved to retain the holy texts.
The lower classes mostly exist outside of Ironox, in well constructed trading outposts and villages that help defend the crude oil pipeline that envelops their nation. Most will not find political freedoms here, outsiders are encouraged to assimilate and threatened against making any negative remarks of the nation. A secret police organization keeps a tight leash on public speech, conducting hangings and a variety of other more ghastly executions to restore order. Traders are welcome however must pay a hefty fine for the "protection of equal trade on safe, neutral ground." Having completely monopolized guzzolene within their own territory, they restrict traders from bringing any of their own to trade within their walls as they refer it to "that outside taint."
Ironox itself is called the promised land, where blackgold flows like milk and honey and the Iron Pantheon resides, containing the physical embodiment of their gods. The Ancient Cathedral, a single tower built out of scrap metal, contains all of their holy texts and scriptures consisting almost entirely of preserved, scarified flesh. Citizens of Ironox do not enjoy many luxuries, however are rewarded heavily with influence and wealth the more they devote themselves to their work and their mission to keep the blackgold nectar flowing.
As stated, the Pipeline Highway is the beating heart of the nation. Settlements are built alongside it, trade is conducted because of it, and it's source of income has sculpted the empire into what it is today. Without it, they wouldn't have the solid ground to gain imports from outside trade, and expand with new resources.
Religion, perhaps, could be considered yet another resource. Consequently, it may only be a benefit to Lord Tetnos and his small group of powerful elite, but the revenue generated from tithes and donations allow them to live rather safe and comfortably.
Singlehandedly dictated by the self proclaimed "Skyfather" Lord Tetnos, the only other significant influence of power among the empire would be the Rustic Church and it's leaders, the Iron Bishops. While everything Lord Tetnos says is considered sacred and total law, the Iron Bishops act as if they "work through him" and do their part by keeping order in the settlements outside of Ironox. Lord Tetnos commonly visits other settlements, sometimes to execute Iron Bishops for their heresy, although when he does he arrives in his elegantly decorated Huey attack helicopter known as the Skyfather's Wings. It is noted that Tetnos has a highly influential and powerful retinue of officials ranging from a wide variety of skillsets, however they take no interest in governing the nation and merely pride themselves as an entourage to Tetnos' regime and at times command rigs from the Iron Pantheon.
The Iron Crusaders are known for their ability to craft and smith their own weapons, equipment and armor. Therefore the armed forces of the empire appear rather ramshackle and disorganized, when in reality they are a unique band of soldiers with equipment to match their skills. The stronger and more close quarters fighters might have several blades, pipes, hammers or some other form of melee weapon for tight scuffles, and a homemade pipe shotgun to blast away opponents who get too close. The more perceptive pride themselves in detailing scopes and long ranged, accurate pipe rifles. Agile scouts and frontline soldiers are known to create automated weaponry with drum-fed magazines. Officers are usually seen with neatly welded armor bearing religiously sacred sigils, firing a rusted pipe revolver into enemy lines as they bark out orders.
The Iron Pantheon- Here details the gods worshiped in the imperium, and the war rigs that represent them.
Skyfather Tetnos, while he's not some monstrous mechanical sort of human/war rig hybrid, Tetnos does declare himself the King of Rust, Lord of the Iron Pantheon and Sovereign of all Gods. Of note, his flagship, an ancient UH-1 Iroquois attack helicopter is seen as an extension of himself and the keeper of his soul. It is painted with white, golden tipped wings on each side and is equipped with an M-60 mount on the right side.
Kangas-Ro, the God of Wrath, Storms and Vengeance. Simply put, their God of War. His name is invoked in crusades, and aside from the Skyfather is the most influential "god" in the pantheon. Physically, Kangas-Ro is a massive monster truck outfitted with a great many tesla coils that constantly cackle electrical sparks outward. Before battle it is outfitted with a one-time use iron weighted battering ram, and has an extended tailgate with a rubber lined cage to protect additional soldiers mounted on it from the tesla coils.
Ariyah, Goddess of Fertility, Life and Clean Iron. A significant deity in wasteland life as the miracle of birth is often celebrated. Physically, she is a rather large fisherman's boat of unknown make and origin. Pipe rifles are mounted alongside the railings, with sandbags lining the railings to create an effective barrier to fire from. The boat itself is made mobile via a series of tractor wheels and engine mounts, although has no real strategic use of speed nor agility and mainly used for heavy fire support, troop transport, and great orgies.
Brom, God of Death and Rust, sacrifices are often made to him. He is Ariyah's twin brother and complete opposite, and represents the brutal reality that is death. As metal rusts and decays, his name is invoked and the people give praise unto him. Physically, he is an ancient eighteen wheeler covered in erosion and rust. Two more wheeled trailers are welded to the left and right sides and are fortified with metal barriers and sandbags. When all three back gates are dropped, crates of crudely made incendiaries and explosives are chucked out against opponents.
~ more to come as I continue brainstorming.
