History
Before the Great War, Kansas City was a major nuclear launch site. Although the city was hit by bombs, the silo staff survived, turned into ghouls. They emerged from their complex and formed a town in the center of the ruined city forever after called Gravestone.
The ghouls formed a peaceful community and a cult, worshiping the only nuclear bomb left intact in the silo, which they called Plutonius. This cult, known as the Gravestone Cathedral is similar, but distinct from the
Children of Atom cult.
Around 2198, an army of super mutants established a base outside the area, and tried to assault Gravestone in order to get the atomic bomb (Plutonius) worshiped by the ghouls. The ghouls hid in their Cathedral, waiting for their eventual demise. But, just in their moment of need, the
Midwest Brotherhood of Steel sent a squad of knights to defend the Cathedral.
The Brotherhood squad managed to repel a super mutant assault and then launched a retaliatory attack on the super mutant base nearby. The super mutants' leadership was destroyed entirely and the area was secured.
Threatened by the robotic swarm of The Calculator, the Midwest Brotherhood recruited both Gravestone ghouls and defeated super mutants into their army. And in exchange for their aid, the Midwestern Brotherhood of Steel demanded the ghouls hand over their god Plutonius, which was later used to destroy The Calculator and end the Calculator War.
After the war, many of the recruited super mutants retired from the military and moved to
St. Louis. They went on to found the Anheiser Booch Brewery.
Their culture disrupted, the ghouls of Gravestone rebuilt their town as a homeland and refuge for ghouls everywhere. The community treats ghouls, referred to locally as "Lights" as higher citizens, with special rights and access to exclusive areas of town, including the Gravestone Cathedral. Super mutants are also viewed as having special value, and are respectfully called "Grands." While slavery and other conspicuous forms of exploitation are illegal in Gravestone, neither humans nor robots are permitted to vote or own real estate.
By 2317, Gravestone is a thriving town, a gateway between Reaver communities to the west and the core of the Midwest Brotherhood to the east. Merchants often travel down Interstate 70 to Denver in order to trade with the
New California Republic. Commerce with
Caesar's Legion is infrequent, but not unheard of.
On the night of May 29th, 2317, Mr. Endtimes invited Bishop Proton and Confessor Tuplev to a private meeting. Tuplev was betrayed. Endtimes and his group killed the Confessor and his guards, igniting violence throughout the city. The events culminated in a duel between
Linda and the
Children of Atom's chief Inquisitor, Actus. Linda was victorious, which brought peace to the city and converted the local Children community to Lindavism.
Important Locations
Gravestone Cathedral: Originally a U.S. Air Force nuclear missile launch complex in Kansas City, now heavily re-modeled as a religious temple. The structure originally housed the entire population, include the physical body of their god Plutonius (an atomic bomb). But now, it is home to only a few dozen clergy, including Gravestone's religious leader, a ghoul named Proton.
Kansas City Trade Depot: A large market and mercantile area. Traders along the I-70 often stop here to sell their goods.
West Bottoms Base: A large fort operated by the Midwest Brotherhood of Steel. This serves as both a base of operations and an extensive training area for combat soldiers and field specialists. The base is currently administered by Paladin Evandre.
BankCorps America: This pre-war skyscraper was left remarkably intact by both the Great War and Calculator War. Many of Gravestone's rich and influential humans live in the building's many floors. But, being human they are not allowed to own the units in which they dwell.
Wattz Electronics HQ: Before the war, this was the corporate headquarters of Wattz Electronics, a hi-tech company specializing in energy weapons. The structure was completely stripped centuries ago, leaving nothing but a few austere workshops, open for public use.
FBI Plains Division: This pre-war police complex is now the home of Safeguard Security, a mercenary company specializing in caravan protection.
Eddie's Chems: Eddie the ghoul has been cooking powerful chems since 2099. He demands a high level of quality from his staff of poorly-paid humans, punishing them harshly for any chem use.
Cathedral of Atom: The Children of Atom operate a large religious centre in the south side of town. During the tumultuous night of May 29th, 2317, both leaders of the congregation were killed. Confessor Tuplev was invited to a parlay with Bishop Proton and Mr. Endtimes. There Tuplev and his guards will killed by Endtimes and his goons. Violence broke out in the city, resulting in Linda dueling with the Children's Chief Inquisitor, Actus. Linda defeated Actus, employing the holy Atomic Storm, a sacred state of religious focus. Most of the congregation was won over by Linda and her interpretation of the religion, known as Lindavism. The group is now led by Inquisitor Lindon.
People's Clinic: This medical facility might be the wasteland's foremost center for ghoul medicine. Many of its doctors have dedicated themselves to the problem of feral ghouls, looking to prevent ferality, or even cure it.
Automated Classics Eatery: After the former owner Willy was murdered in his home, this celebrated barbecue restaurant was inherited by his staff of robotic chefs. The eatery is now entirely owned and operated by a group of Mister Handys, led by Griller.
Concrete Flats: Once a parking garage, this is now an extensive hotel. This is the only commercial lodging in town that accepts humans.
Racket Nightclub: This dance hall and live music venue is popular among the rich and influential of Gravestone. Humans are allowed, but not in the VIP section.
Kansas City Library: The books long gone, this structure is now a last refuge for homeless, chem-addicted or otherwise demolished humans.
Elegance Apparel: An upscale fashion boutique and tailor's shop. It's chief designer Chic is highly sought after for her substantial talents.
TJM Building: Built to withstand powerful tornadoes, the TJM building's foundation are almost unchanged since 2077. The structure is often used for storage and office space.
KC Power & Light: Drawing on the technology of the Kansas Reavers, this complex employs a series of binary microfission dynamos to produce electricity. Much of this power is used to charge fusion cores, a specialty of the Vescovi family.
Fountain City Arena: Unwilling to allow ghouls to fall into homelessness, the municipality of Gravestone operates a public housing project within Fountain City Arena. Layers of small tenements are stacked throughout the structure, offering a cramped but peaceful existence for the town's poorer ghouls.
Reaver Manufacturing: The technology cult known as the Reavers, is centred in Kansas, but a branch of the movement has settled in Gravestone. These hackers, engineers and technologists trade their expertise for caps and protection from both the ghouls of Gravestone and the Midwest Brotherhood of Steel. The computer workshops are overseen by a Reaver named MegaByte.
Old City Hall: While Proton and the Gravestone Cathedral rule the local ghouls' religious life, secular concerns are governed by the mayor in old city hall. City officials are elected by the ghouls and super mutants of the town, and only "Lights" may run for office. The current mayor is Nucleon.
10th Street Battleground: Little more than a pre-war parking lot, this open area is used for a variety of combat sports. Bloodsports, both human and animal, are completely banned, but boxing, wrestling and cattle prod fights are common. An extensive gambling culture surrounds the fights, with many well established book-keepers, including Nora.
Notable People
Proton: One of the original technicians in the Kansas City nuclear missile complex, Proton is the current bishop of the Gravestone Cathedral. He enjoys great respect in the region, and his wisdom is ardently sought after.
Nucleon: The mayor of Gravestone. A hundred years ago, he was a scoundrel called Billy, running grifts and cons across the Midwest. Now he is a respectable politician and leader. But he has not completely dropped his manipulative ways.
Isomer: One of the Gravestone Cathedral's ghoul nuns, Isomer has only recently taken her vows.
Nora: A 10th street bookie and a manager of fighters, Nora recruits and trains fighters for various combat sports. Having been in the business for over 100 years, she has a keen eye for talent.
Apocalyptico: This massive super mutant is a hero of the 10th street battleground. They are an accomplished wrestler, having won over 30 grand melees.
Angela Vescovi: A nuclear physicist and fusion core artisan. Angela often serves as a liaison between the Reavers and the ghouls of Gravestone. She has adopted a human son named Kiffle, who she employs as a courier.
Chic: Elegance Apparel's chief fashion designer. This ghoul is also an accomplished tailor, seamstress and weaver.
Willy: A devious and talented chef and business ghoul.
Eddie: Known as a moody and exploitative boss, Eddie the ghoul is a rich chemist and merchant.
Paladin Evandre: Commander of West Bottoms Base, Knight Paladin Ester Evandre takes her position very seriously. Among the more bellicose leaders within the Midwest Brotherhood of Steel, she has openly called for Caesar's Legion to surrender the regions of southern Missouri, Kansas and Colorado.
MegaByte: An expert hacker and computer technologist, MegaByte is an influential member of the Reavers within the Gravestone community.
Inquisitor Lindon: A formerly aggressive and violent Inquisitor who witnessed Linda's duel with Inquisitor Actus. Having seen the error of his ways, he is a firm evangelist of the Lindavist interpretation of the Children of Atom religion.
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