Decker Bolton, born during humanity’s voyage aboard the Last Frontier, is a fourth-generation ExoHuman and a key political figure in Hope. His roots in farming and staunch commitment to individual rights made him a natural ally of the Individualist movement and a fervent supporter of Jamal “JaJo” Johanson. Bolton’s early experiences as a farmer and his land loss due to the Great War and subsequent Peace Treaty have shaped his political convictions and ambitions, propelling him to become the first Individualist Mayor of Hope.
Job Title: Mayor of Hope (2634-2638 term), President of the Individualists in Hope
Responsibilities:
After Last Frontier’s landing on VOI 700 D, Decker Bolton embraced the role of a farmer as part of the Human Settlement Plan. By pledging to produce food for society, he received a 65-hectare plot in the Eastern Equatorial Section of the Habitual Belt. However, following the ExoHumans' surrender in the Great War and the subsequent peace treaty, Bolton and other settlers lost their lands, as they lay outside the designated reservation boundaries.
With the establishment of the Federal Confederation and its Communardist economy, Bolton was reassigned by GAIA to the Hope Reservation as a farm laborer in the Federal Food Plant. From 2632 onward, he worked as a grain crop specialist on large, communal farms. This displacement instilled in him a deep resentment for the Communardist policies and a desire to reclaim personal land rights.
In 2633, Bolton joined the Individualist Party, motivated by their advocacy for land rights and free market values. He quickly rose in prominence, becoming a campaign worker for the 2634 Federal Council election, where he contributed to the Individualists’ significant victory. Their success extended beyond the usual dominance in Firetown, securing two of three seats in Hope, thereby controlling two of the four major reservations.
Later in 2634, Bolton was elected president of the Individualist Party in Hope, gaining respect and influence among the local population. His popularity led him to run against the incumbent Communard Mayor Ronda Rugenberg. Bolton’s campaign, rooted in the promise to restore lost farmlands to settlers, resonated with Hope’s agriculturally focused population. He won decisively, securing 70% of the vote, becoming the first Individualist Mayor of Hope and beginning his term from 2634 to 2638.
Political Focus
Decker Bolton’s political platform is driven by his experience and the shared grievances of other displaced settlers. Losing his farm to the enforced peace treaty with the Native Tribes was a turning point for Bolton, reinforcing his distrust of Communard policies and the Anti-War Movement, which he views as traitorous.
As a prominent Individualist, Bolton strongly advocates for:
Decker Bolton is a divisive figure whose outspoken support for Individualist policies has earned him both admiration and criticism. His land rights advocacy resonates with many of Hope’s farmers, who view him as a champion of their cause. However, Communards and peace advocates criticize his anti-treaty stance and his alignment with Jamal Johanson, warning that his policies could destabilize the fragile peace with the Native Tribes.
In Hope, however, Bolton is celebrated as a relatable leader. His background in farming and direct approach make him a figure who understands the struggles of Hope’s residents and shares their vision for economic independence and personal freedoms.
Actions:
Special Abilities:
Decker Bolton’s political vision centers on empowering settlers and reclaiming lost autonomy for the reservations, particularly in Hope. He is driven by a belief that personal land ownership and market freedom are essential for a prosperous society. Bolton sees the current Communardist system as restrictive and unsustainable, and he views renegotiation with the Native Tribes as a critical step toward human progress and independence. Ultimately, Bolton’s goal is to reshape the Federal Confederation, ensuring that individual rights and self-reliance take precedence over collective governance.
Decker Bolton is a resilient and tenacious NPC whose focus on individual rights provides players with a strong-willed ally or a formidable political rival. As Mayor of Hope, he can serve as a resource for quests involving agricultural management, land disputes, or negotiations with GAIA over resource allocation. His alignment with the Individualist Party introduces opportunities for players to explore themes of autonomy versus collective governance, especially in areas where Individualist and Communard interests clash. Bolton’s practical skills and network in Hope make him a useful character in scenarios that require agricultural insight, community organization, or local support.