• Species: Exohuman (Individualist)
• Born: 2596 aboard the spaceship Last Frontier
• Affiliation: Individualist Party, Mayor's Office of Hope, Mayor`s Council
• Place of Residence: Hope

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:

• Oversees local governance in Hope, advocating for the interests of Individualist farmers and settlers.
• Represents Hope in the Mayor`s Council
• Represents Hope in negotiations with the Federal Council, striving to secure favorable terms in GAIA’s Annual Plan for resource distribution.
• Actively campaigns for Individualist principles and policies, including property restoration and market freedom.
• Leads Hope’s Individualist Party, organizing campaigns and mobilizing support for Individualist policies within the community.

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:

• Land Rights: Seeking to return privately owned land to settlers and undo the communal land structure enforced by the Communardist economy.
• Free Market Economy: Opposes the Communardist principles and favors a more capitalist, market-driven economic model.
• Treaty Renegotiation: Supports reopening negotiations with the Native Tribes, challenging the current terms of the peace treaty that restrict exohuman expansion.
• Resource Allocation: In his mayoral role, he actively lobbies GAIA’s Annual Plan to secure the best possible resource allocation for Hope, reflecting his commitment to the Individualist goal of autonomy for each reservation.

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.

• Height: 1.85 meters
• Weight: 82 kg
• Appearance: Decker Bolton’s appearance reflects his rugged lifestyle and agricultural background. With sun-weathered skin and a wiry, muscular frame, he has the physique of a laborer who has spent years in the fields. His keen, calculating eyes and square jaw reveal his determination and tenacity. He often wears practical, worn clothing, symbolizing his working-class roots and rejection of formality.

• Armor Class (AC): 13 (basic attire, no combat armor)
• Hit Points (HP): 45

Actions:

• Negotiation Pressure: Bolton’s experience in political and community dealings grants him a +3 bonus on Persuasion or Intimidation checks when negotiating or advocating for his cause.
• Farmer’s Strength: Bolton’s years of labor have built his physical resilience. He can deal 1d4 + 2 damage with a basic melee strike (punch or blunt object).
• Call for help: As a local leader, Bolton can summon his nearby Bodyguard (A Deputy of the Local Sheriff of Hope) in emergencies, alerting nearby residents or allies to potential threats.

Special Abilities:

• Agricultural Expertise: Bolton’s knowledge of farming and land management grants him advantage on checks related to agriculture, terrain navigation, or resource management.

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.

• The exohuman governmental system in the Gamma Age
• ExoHuman personalities of the Alpha-, Beta- and Gamma-Age
• Individualist Party
• Mayor`s Council
• Mayors
• Mayor's Office of Hope
• Hope
• Jamal Johanson