VISTAS

Overview
Spread out between the settlements of the Enforcers and Techs, the shrines of Lightbearers, the roads walked by the Travelers, and the wastes claimed by the CHOTA, there are vast stretches of empty wilderness. These places are the domain of the Vistas. Before the Fall, the Vistas were an environmentalist movement that joined forces with the Grand Canyon park rangers to oppose GlobalTech’s methodical environmental exploitation of the Grand Canyon Province. Now, they are the last defenders of what remains of the ecosystems of the Old World. Since the Fall, they have become feared survivalists, who protect their charges with rifle and blade. Many Techs’ expeditions have been lost in Vista territory, never to be seen again, seemingly swallowed up by the wilderness.

The Vistas are not merely guerrilla warriors, but farmers, ranchers, and craftsmen. They produce most of the food consumed in the Province, knowing more about agriculture than any other faction. They know what plants can be used to heal and what animals produce the most virulent toxins. Instead of technology, they rely on nature—something that causes many of their enemies to underestimate their capabilities.

Vistas are not opposed to technology in general, only to the single-minded pursuit of technology at the expense of the natural world. This, they believe, was the impetus for the Fall of the Old World. Their search for ways to use technology in harmony with nature has produced significant scientific advancements, but they actively and violently oppose any technology that causes harm to the environment. This puts them directly at odds with the Techs (especially the Theoreticians) and on bad terms with the Enforcers and Travelers.

Vistas take pride in their self-reliance and ability to thrive in the wilderness. Many Vistas work to repair the harm that previous generations did to the environment. They study new mutant creatures and plants to determine how they fit into the existing eco-systems. Others try to halt the exploitation and destruction of the environment for profit or for technological advancement. Then there are the farmers and hunters who work to provide for their fellows without damaging the Earth.

Leaders
The Vistas have a leadership structure loosely based on utopian socialist philosophy. All decisions (except for the most time-sensitive) are voted on by all of the adults in the commune, with the majority carrying the decision. Each commune elects a Citizen Speaker, who organizes such votes and handles quick decisions. The Citizen Speaker serves until he or she does something unpopular enough for a majority of the commune to vote for his or her removal. All other posts in the settlement are decided by common vote, except for military posts, which are decided by seniority and the Citizen Speaker.

Core Views
We must preserve and protect our environment.

Enemies
The Vistas have a strong, burning hatred of the Techs for their ongoing destruction of natural resources. Vistas attack Techs whenever they think they can get away with it, though a few Techs have earned a reprieve by concentrating on “green” technologies.

The Enforcers have long since been enemies of the Vistas due to their involvement in the Hoover Dam Garrison and missions against the Vistas under Alec Masters. Since their reformation under Colonel Pryce, the Enforcers have had fewer direct confrontations with the Vistas, but the Enforcers guard the Techs, so they are often in conflict with the Vistas.

The Vistas do not trust the Travelers, whose greed leads to a criminal disregard for the environment. The Vistas trade with the Travelers on occasion, but limit their interaction as much as possible.

Allies
Most often, the Vistas work with the Lightbearers because the two have similar temperaments and goals. The Lightbearers regularly trade medical supplies and training in the uses of mutations to the Vistas in return for food, herbs, and other natural products.

The CHOTA share many goals with the Vistas, but the Vistas keep them at arm’s length because they fear the CHOTA could decide the Vistas have become too “civilized” and turn on them at any point. For now, the Vistas have had good results in manipulating the CHOTA into doing their wishes, but some worry the CHOTA will eventually see through such plans.