Ironclad Pilgrims

Salvaged Item Category	Pilgrim Designation	Perceived Significance / Use
Simple hand tools	Humble Relic	Basic necessity, symbol of foundational skill
Metal plates/scrap	Iron Blessing	Material for armor, fortification; symbol of protection
Electric motors	Motion Core	Source of power for tools/vehicles; symbol of vitality
Printed circuit boards	Glyph-Plate	Ancient text, map of knowledge, spiritual conduit
Data storage devices	Memory Core	Repository of ancient wisdom, historical record
Generators/Power units	Ark-Engine	Source of life-giving energy, potential for restoration
Communication devices	Voice Box	Means of connecting to others/past; symbol of communication

The *Ironclad Pilgrims* are a distinctive social and religious order that emerged in the fragmented landscape of the Post-Desiccation United States. They are characterized by their syncretic belief system, which reveres the remnants of pre-Great Desiccation technology as sacred artifacts and views the act of scavenging and repurposing these items as a form of spiritual devotion. Their members, often clad in protective gear fashioned from salvaged metal and machine parts, undertake arduous journeys across the desolate territories, seeking out forgotten technological sites and offering their skills in repair and protection to scattered communities. The Ironclad Pilgrims were notably encountered by the Telurian shaman, Maerion, and his Draakar bodyguard-bodyguard), Korthos, during their Humoral Hike pilgrimage, an encounter that illuminated aspects of both groups' purposes and practices in the harsh post-collapse world.

Emerging from the widespread societal breakdown and spiritual vacuum left in the wake of the Great Desiccation, the Ironclad Pilgrims represent one of many attempts by humanity to forge new meaning and structure amidst the ruins. Unlike groups focused solely on survival through agriculture, raiding, or traditional spiritualism, the Pilgrims found their salvation and purpose in the physical remnants of the old world's technological might. They interpret the complex machinery, broken devices, and vast infrastructure left behind not merely as tools or salvageable materials, but as tangible expressions of a past, powerful civilization—the "Ancients"—whose creations hold keys to understanding the present catastrophe and perhaps even rebuilding the future. Their faith is deeply intertwined with pragmatism; the salvaged technology they revere is also the source of their protection, their means of travel, and their ability to aid others, solidifying the connection between the sacred and the utilitarian in their worldview.

Origins and Philosophy

The genesis of the Ironclad Pilgrims is closely tied to the profound societal and spiritual disruption caused by the Great Desiccation. As the old world crumbled, its institutions, belief systems, and infrastructure failed catastrophically. This left a void, filled with uncertainty, fear, and a desperate need for new frameworks of understanding and survival. The regions that were most heavily industrialized and urbanized before the collapse became vast fields of debris, filled with the husks of buildings and machines. It was in these "Fields of Rust," particularly in the former industrial heartlands of the Midwest and Northeast, that the earliest seeds of the Ironclad faith were sown.

Survivors sifting through the ruins, initially driven purely by the need to find functional items or materials, began to develop a reverence for the complexity and power inherent in the salvaged technology. Simple tools, once commonplace, became precious artifacts. Complex machines, their original purpose often forgotten or misunderstood, were seen as possessing mysterious capabilities. This awe gradually coalesced into a belief system, interpreting the technological remnants as gifts or signs from a lost age of prosperity and power.

The Shattered Faith

The Great Desiccation did not just destroy physical infrastructure; it shattered the prevailing belief systems and social narratives of the pre-collapse era. Traditional religions struggled to provide answers for the scale of the catastrophe, while secular ideologies based on progress and technological advancement seemed utterly refuted by the environmental collapse. This widespread disillusionment created fertile ground for new spiritual movements. Many survivors felt abandoned by their former gods or systems, leading to a fragmentation of faith and a search for meaning in the immediate, tangible world around them.

This period saw the rise of various new cults, prophecies, and survival philosophies, often localized and deeply influenced by the immediate environment. Some turned to animism, worshipping the mutated plants and animals or the surviving natural features. Others embraced fatalism, believing the world was irrevocably broken. The Ironclad Pilgrims emerged from this milieu, distinguishing themselves by focusing their reverence not on nature, which had seemingly turned against humanity, but on the enduring, albeit broken, creations of human ingenuity. Their faith offered a narrative where the collapse was perhaps a test or a consequence of deviating from the "true path" of the Ancients, and salvation lay in understanding and restoring their lost wisdom, embodied in their technology. This search for meaning through material remnants has parallels in historical :en:Cargo cults, where isolated communities encountering technologically advanced societies developed religious beliefs centered around obtaining and utilizing the foreigners' goods.

Revelation of the Remnants

Central to the Ironclad Pilgrim faith is the concept of the "Revelation of the Remnants." This refers to the spiritual and practical insights gained through the discovery, examination, and repurposing of pre-Desiccation technology. They believe that the "Ancients," the people who lived before the collapse, possessed a profound understanding of the world and its workings, a knowledge encoded within the machines and structures they left behind. Each discovered artifact, from a simple gear to a complex circuit board, is seen as a piece of this lost wisdom, a fragment of a greater design that, when pieced together, can illuminate the path forward.

Scavenging is not merely gathering materials; it is a sacred act of communion with the Ancients and their wisdom. A broken engine might be interpreted as a parable about the fragility of power, while a functioning radio receiver, however limited its range, could be seen as a conduit to the voices of the past or even divine communication. They categorize salvaged items into various types of "Relics," each with its own significance. Simple tools are "Humble Relics," complex electronics are "Mystic Relics," and large, functional pieces of machinery are "Great Relics" or sometimes "Ark-Engines," believed to hold the potential for powerful restoration. The process of cleaning, repairing, and understanding these relics is a form of worship, a way to honor the Ancients and absorb their knowledge. This reverence for technology, while seemingly contradictory to the ecological message of the Great Desiccation, is born from the belief that the misuse or neglect of this technology, rather than the technology itself, was the cause of the collapse.

The Ironclad Vow

Becoming an Ironclad Pilgrim involves taking the "Ironclad Vow," a commitment to a life of pilgrimage, service, and reverence for the technological remnants of the past. The vow emphasizes several core tenets:

1. Protection through Iron: Members pledge to fashion and wear protective gear from salvaged metal, symbolizing their commitment to physical resilience and their connection to the strength of the Ancients' creations. This is the origin of the name "Ironclad Pilgrims."
2. Pilgrimage to the Sites: They vow to undertake journeys to places of technological significance – ruined factories, abandoned research facilities, power generation sites, communication hubs, and remnants of transportation networks. These pilgrimages are seen as acts of devotion, quests for relics, and opportunities to learn from the "echoes" of the Ancients.
3. Service and Repair: Pilgrims commit to using their salvaged technology and learned skills to aid others. They offer their expertise in repairing broken machines, fortifying settlements with salvaged materials, and sometimes even providing rudimentary power or communication systems to communities in need. This service is not always altruistic; it often involves trade for resources or safe passage, but the act of restoring function is inherently valued.
4. Reverence for the Ancients: They maintain a deep respect for the pre-Desiccation inhabitants, viewing them as powerful, if flawed, beings whose knowledge must be preserved and understood. Lorekeepers within the order dedicate themselves to deciphering salvaged data, texts, and symbols to reconstruct the history and wisdom of this lost civilization.

The Ironclad Vow shapes every aspect of a Pilgrim's life, dictating their movements, their interactions, and their internal social structure. It provides a sense of purpose and identity in a world where both are scarce, binding individuals into a collective dedicated to a shared vision of technological restoration and spiritual enlightenment.

Structure and Organization

The Ironclad Pilgrims do not form a single, unified, centralized organization. Instead, they are structured as a network of semi-autonomous "Pilgrim Bands" and more permanent "Citadels of Rust." This decentralized structure is a practical adaptation to the fragmented and dangerous nature of the post-Desiccation world, allowing for mobility and resilience in the face of threats.

Pilgrim Bands

The fundamental unit of the Ironclad Pilgrims is the Pilgrim Band. These are typically small, mobile groups ranging from a handful of individuals to a few dozen. Each band operates largely independently, charting its own Pilgrimage Routes and focusing on specific types of scavenging or areas of interest. A typical band is composed of individuals with complementary skills, reflecting the diverse needs of survival and their specific mission:

• Scavengers (Seekers): The primary role, focused on finding and extracting technological relics from ruins. They are skilled in navigating dangerous environments, identifying valuable materials, and safely dismantling complex structures.
• Mechanics (Handlers): Responsible for cleaning, repairing, and maintaining the salvaged technology. They possess practical knowledge of mechanics, electronics, and material science, often learned through trial and error or passed down within the order.
• Protectors (Guardians): Provide defense for the band against raiders, Mutated fauna, and environmental hazards. They are typically equipped with the most robust salvaged armor and weaponry, often modified for effectiveness in the post-Desiccation world.
• Lorekeepers (Readers): The keepers of the faith and the interpreters of the Ancients' wisdom. They attempt to decipher salvaged texts, data storage devices, and symbols, trying to reconstruct the history, purpose, and significance of the technology they find. They often serve as spiritual and intellectual leaders within the band.

Pilgrim Bands are often led by the most experienced or charismatic member, sometimes a senior Lorekeeper or a highly skilled Handler, who guides the group's direction and mediates internal disputes. Their routes are determined by rumors of technological sites, the needs of communities seeking their aid, or perceived spiritual guidance gleaned from the remnants themselves.

Citadels of Rust

While many Pilgrim Bands are constantly on the move, some larger or more established groups have founded semi-permanent settlements known as "Citadels of Rust." These are typically located in naturally defensible positions or within the ruins of large industrial complexes, military bases, or infrastructure hubs from the pre-Desiccation era. Examples include the fortified remnants of a former automobile factory in the Midwest or a salvage yard built around a defunct power station in the Great Plains.

Citadels of Rust serve as gathering points, workshops, and places of worship for multiple Pilgrim Bands. They are centers for large-scale salvage operations, complex repairs, and the synthesis of knowledge gathered by different bands. Within the walls of a Citadel, Pilgrims refine their skills, share discoveries, and participate in communal rituals centered around technology. Large salvaged machines, like dormant generators or broken communication arrays, might be treated as sacred icons or gathering places for worship. These citadels are vital for the long-term survival and growth of the order, providing a degree of stability and a repository of accumulated knowledge and resources. They also serve as trading posts, attracting other survivors and factions interested in the Pilgrims' salvaged goods and technical expertise.

Hierarchy and Lorekeepers

The Ironclad Pilgrims have a fluid and meritocratic hierarchy. Leadership within a band or Citadel is often based on skill, experience, and perceived connection to the wisdom of the Ancients. Lorekeepers, due to their role in interpreting the faith and deciphering lost knowledge, often hold significant influence, guiding the spiritual and intellectual direction of the order. Senior Lorekeepers, those who have successfully deciphered complex relics or compiled extensive archives of salvaged data, are particularly respected.

There is no single, supreme leader of the Ironclad Pilgrims. Major decisions affecting multiple bands or Citadels are often made through councils or assemblies of senior Lorekeepers and band leaders. This decentralized structure, while promoting autonomy, can sometimes lead to disagreements between bands regarding doctrine, pilgrimage routes, or interactions with outsiders. However, the shared faith and the common purpose of seeking and understanding the Ancients' wisdom generally bind the order together, creating a strong sense of identity and mutual support among members. The Lorekeepers play a crucial role in maintaining this cohesion, acting as the custodians of shared knowledge and the interpreters of the faith in a constantly changing world.

Practices and Technology

The daily life and core activities of the Ironclad Pilgrims revolve around the acquisition, maintenance, and understanding of pre-Desiccation technology. Their practices are a blend of practical survival skills, technical expertise, and deeply ingrained religious ritual, all centered around the physical remnants of the old world.

The Scavenging Rite

For the Ironclad Pilgrims, scavenging is far more than simply collecting junk; it is a sacred act, a "Scavenging Rite." When a Pilgrim Band arrives at a promising ruin or technological site, they often perform a brief ritual acknowledging the presence of the Ancients and seeking guidance in their search. The act of sifting through debris, dismantling structures, and carefully extracting components is carried out with a reverence that borders on worship. Each piece of salvaged technology, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is treated with respect.

The process of scavenging involves careful observation, knowledge of pre-Desiccation construction methods, and a keen eye for identifying potentially valuable or functional components. Pilgrims are adept at recognizing different types of metals, plastics, wiring, and machinery. They use salvaged tools, often modified for their specific needs, to pry open access panels, cut through rusted supports, and delicately remove sensitive electronic components. The most dangerous sites, such as unstable buildings or areas with high levels of radiation, are approached with caution, sometimes after consulting with Lorekeepers or performing protective rituals. The success of a Scavenging Rite is measured not only by the quantity of materials found but also by the quality and potential significance of the relics unearthed. Finding a rare or complex piece of technology is considered a great blessing, a tangible sign of the Ancients' favor.

Ironclad Armaments and Gear

The distinctive appearance of the Ironclad Pilgrims stems from their "Ironclad Gear," protective clothing and armaments fashioned almost entirely from salvaged materials. This gear serves both practical and symbolic purposes. Practically, it provides protection against the harsh environment, physical threats, and environmental hazards of the post-Desiccation world. Symbolically, it represents their commitment to the faith and their connection to the strength of the Ancients' creations.

Typical Ironclad Gear includes layered armor made from hammered metal plates scavenged from vehicles, appliances, or industrial machinery. Helmets are often repurposed from old hard hats, military headgear, or even industrial equipment, reinforced with additional metal. They wear durable clothing made from salvaged textiles or animal hides, often adorned with pieces of scrap metal, gears, or circuit board fragments as decorative or symbolic elements. Weapons are also crafted from salvaged materials, ranging from reinforced blunt instruments and sharpened metal blades to more complex devices jury-rigged from salvaged components, such as compressed air cannons or rudimentary electrical discharge weapons. The most prized pieces of gear are those incorporating functional salvaged technology, such as integrated flashlights, communication devices, or even basic powered tools adapted for combat or defense. This reliance on repurposed technology for their very survival reinforces their faith in the power and relevance of the Ancients' creations.

Technological Interpretations

A core practice of the Ironclad Pilgrims is the interpretation of salvaged technology, which they view through a lens of religious and philosophical significance. Lorekeepers, in particular, dedicate themselves to deciphering the purpose and meaning of the relics they find. This often involves a blend of empirical investigation and symbolic interpretation. A salvaged electric motor might be understood not just as a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical motion, but as a representation of the vital force or spirit that animated the Ancients' world.

Complex electronic devices, especially those with intricate circuitry or data storage capabilities, are considered particularly sacred. A printed circuit board, for example, might be referred to as a Glyph-Plate, its pathways and components seen as a form of writing or a map of the Ancients' thoughts. Deciphering the function of a salvaged computer or data storage device is a painstaking process, often involving attempting to power the device with salvaged energy sources and interpreting the visual or auditory output. The information contained within, whether technical manuals, historical records, or even personal digital artifacts, is treated as holy text, revealing insights into the lost world.

The interpretation of technology also extends to understanding the causes of the Great Desiccation. They often view the collapse as a consequence of the Ancients' hubris or failure to understand the deeper spiritual principles behind their own creations. By studying the broken machines, the Pilgrims seek to identify these flaws and learn how to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, aiming to build a future that is both technologically advanced and spiritually harmonious. The encounter with Maerion and Korthos during the Humoral Hike, where Maerion's healing practices were based on understanding the body's energetic flows and connection to the environment, likely presented the Pilgrims with a contrasting, nature-focused worldview that they would interpret through their own technological framework, perhaps seeing Maerion's abilities as a different kind of "technology" or energy manipulation unknown to the Ancients.

Encounters and Interactions

The existence of the Ironclad Pilgrims in the post-Desiccation world necessitates frequent interactions with other survivor groups, factions, and environmental hazards. Their nomadic nature and reliance on scavenging mean they are constantly moving through territories claimed or inhabited by others, leading to a variety of relationships ranging from mutually beneficial trade to outright conflict.

Relations with Other Factions

The Pilgrims' interactions with other groups are highly variable, depending on the nature of the other faction and the specific needs of the Pilgrim Band. Their ability to repair and repurpose technology makes them valuable allies. Communities in need of functioning tools, fortified defenses, or even rudimentary power sources may welcome Pilgrim Bands, offering food, water, or safe haven in exchange for their skills. This creates opportunities for trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of the Pilgrim faith.

However, their scavenging activities can also bring them into conflict with groups who view the ruins as their territory or hoard technology for themselves. Raiders and warlords may attempt to seize the Pilgrims' salvaged goods or enslave them for their technical expertise. Groups with different belief systems, particularly those who view pre-Desiccation technology as cursed or responsible for the collapse, may regard the Pilgrims with suspicion or hostility. The Pilgrims, while generally preferring peaceful interaction and trade, are prepared to defend themselves using their Ironclad Gear and salvaged weaponry. Their Protectors are skilled combatants, and their mobile nature makes them difficult targets for static settlements or slower-moving factions.

The Humoral Hike Encounter

As documented in accounts of the Humoral Hike, Maerion and Korthos encountered a group of Ironclad Pilgrims in the vast dust bowl that was once the Great Plains. This meeting occurred in a desolate landscape where both groups were facing extreme environmental challenges – the Pilgrims seeking technological remnants in the dust-choked ruins, and Maerion and Korthos traversing the area to reach suffering communities further east.

The initial interaction was characterized by caution and mutual suspicion, as is common among disparate groups in the post-Desiccation world. The Pilgrims, clad in their metal armor and carrying salvaged weapons, likely appeared formidable and perhaps even threatening to the travelers. Their focus on inanimate objects—the ruins and the technology within them—would have contrasted sharply with Maerion's focus on living beings and the natural world's subtle energies. However, the shared experience of navigating the harsh environment and the clear, non-hostile intentions of both parties facilitated a wary exchange.

The account from the Humoral Hike mentions that the Pilgrims eventually recognized the benevolent intentions of Maerion and Korthos. This recognition likely stemmed from observing Maerion's healing actions, perhaps witnessing him alleviate the effects of Aegrotism or other environmentally-induced ailments, or simply sensing his compassionate nature. Korthos's presence, while imposing, would have also served as a clear indicator of Maerion's protected status, suggesting he was a figure of some importance. In return for Maerion's healing services or perhaps simply out of a sense of shared hardship and a desire to aid those on a difficult journey, the Pilgrims provided valuable information about safe routes, hidden water sources (perhaps salvaged cisterns or wells they had restored), and the locations of dangerous areas or hostile factions. This exchange highlights the complex web of interdependence and occasional cooperation that exists between different groups striving to survive in the fractured remnants of the old world. The encounter would have been a significant event for both parties, offering the Pilgrims a glimpse of a different form of "restoration" focused on the body and spirit, while providing Maerion and Korthos with practical aid and a deeper understanding of the diverse cultures that had arisen from the ashes.

Challenges on the Road

Life as an Ironclad Pilgrim, particularly for those in mobile Pilgrim Bands, is fraught with peril. The post-Desiccation landscape is inherently dangerous. Environmental hazards include unpredictable and violent dust storms, contaminated water sources, Radiation hotspots, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Navigating collapsed infrastructure, unstable ruins, and treacherous terrain requires constant vigilance and skill.

Beyond the environmental threats, Pilgrim Bands face dangers from other inhabitants of the wastes. Raiders and bandits are a perpetual threat, seeking to steal their valuable salvaged goods and technology. Other factions, competing for resources or territory, may view them as rivals. Mutated fauna, warped by environmental toxins and radiation, can be large, aggressive, and unpredictable. Surviving these challenges requires a combination of preparedness, tactical awareness, and the strength and resilience provided by their Ironclad Gear and salvaged weaponry. The Pilgrims rely on their knowledge of the land, their ability to move stealthily, and their capacity to adapt and defend themselves when necessary. Every journey is a test of their faith and their practical skills, a constant reminder of the fragility of life in the ruins and the importance of their protective iron shells.

Beliefs and Symbolism

The belief system of the Ironclad Pilgrims is a fascinating synthesis of reverence for the past, practical engagement with the present, and hope for a technologically aided future. Their faith is expressed through rituals, symbols, and a unique interpretation of the world around them, all filtered through the lens of salvaged technology.

The Machine Spirit

A central, though not universally agreed upon, concept within the Ironclad faith is the belief in a "Machine Spirit" or a similar animating force within complex technology. Some Pilgrims believe that the Ancients imbued their creations with a form of essence or intelligence, and that these spirits still reside within the salvaged machines. This belief is not necessarily about consciousness in the human sense, but rather an inherent purpose, a flow of energy, or a potential for function that must be respected and understood.

Working with technology, therefore, becomes a dialogue with this Machine Spirit. Repairing a broken device is not just a technical task; it is an act of appeasement or coaxing, convincing the spirit to resume its function. Neglecting or damaging technology is seen as an offense against the Machine Spirit, potentially leading to malfunction or bad luck. Rituals involving cleaning, lubrication, and the chanting of technical terms (often misunderstood fragments of pre-Desiccation manuals) are performed to honor and appease the spirits within the machines. This belief system provides a spiritual framework for their practical activities, elevating the mundane tasks of repair and maintenance into acts of religious significance. It also allows them to explain the often unpredictable behavior of salvaged technology – a sudden breakdown might be attributed to an angered Machine Spirit, while a successful repair could be seen as a sign of the spirit's favor.

Pilgrimage Routes

The concept of pilgrimage is fundamental to the identity of the Ironclad Pilgrims. Their journeys are not aimless wandering but deliberate movements towards sites of perceived technological importance. These sites are often chosen based on historical accounts (if any survive), rumors from other travelers, or patterns observed in the distribution of ruins. Common destinations include:

• Former Industrial Centers: Factories, manufacturing plants, and industrial complexes where complex machinery was once created or used.
• Research and Development Facilities: Laboratories, universities, and corporate R&D centers, believed to hold the deepest secrets and knowledge of the Ancients.
• Power Generation Sites: Power plants (of any type), substations, and remnants of electrical grids, seen as sources of vital energy.
• Communication Hubs: Broadcast towers, data centers, and remnants of network infrastructure, representing the Ancients' ability to connect and share information.
• Transportation Nodes: Major railway yards, airports, and highway interchanges, symbolizing the Ancients' capacity for movement and reach.

Pilgrimage routes often follow the remnants of pre-Desiccation infrastructure, such as decaying highways or overgrown railway lines, as these routes were originally designed to connect the very sites they seek. Navigating these routes is part of the challenge and the ritual, requiring skill in tracking, environmental awareness, and the ability to overcome physical obstacles. Each stop along a route, each ruin explored, is a step in their spiritual journey, a chance to gather new relics, gain new insights, and deepen their understanding of the Ancients and their world.

Symbols of the Faith

The visual identity of the Ironclad Pilgrims is rich with symbolism derived from technology and industry. These symbols are incorporated into their gear, their tools, their settlements, and their rituals. Common symbols include:

• Gears and Cogs: Represent interconnectedness, the working parts of a larger system, and the intricate mechanisms of the universe as understood through technology. Often worn as pendants or incorporated into armor.
• Wrenches and Tools: Symbolize the means of interacting with technology, the ability to fix what is broken, and the practical application of knowledge. Tools may be treated with reverence, particularly those passed down through generations of Pilgrims.
• Circuit Board Patterns: The