Arthur Maxson

Elder Arthur Maxson (born 2267) (Brotherhood registration MX-001E) is the last descendant of the Maxson dynasty and the Supreme Commander of the Brotherhood of Steel in 2287, bringing about its rebirth in the East.

Early life (2267-2277)
Born in 2267 to Jonathan and Jessica Maxson, Arthur is a descendant of the legendary Roger Maxson, founder of the Brotherhood of Steel. His father, a high-ranking Paladin serving just outside the New California Republic, was recently killed in battle, and his mother, Lady Maxson, sent the boy east to be raised under the tutelage of the then respected Elder Owyn Lyons. Squire Maxson tends toward timidity, which is the main reason his mother sent him to the Citadel. Part of the reason were internal conflicts in the Brotherhood out west, which created an unsafe environment for Arthur. Ironically, the Citadel was the safer option.

Studies
Ever since arriving at the Citadel, Arthur was an attentive student, with a good knowledge of the Brotherhood's triumphs and history. He has also proven himself to be a keen observer, making surprisingly accurate observations of the local super mutant threat - and even observing a Behemoth from the Citadel walls once. Overall, he received a top notch education, thanks to excellent teachers and trainers at the Citadel. Of course, he learned the Codex by heart, though the protocols gave him particular trouble - especially when it came to encounters with outsiders. The Codex deemed them untrustworthy, yet Elder Owyn Lyons was content to violate them as he saw fit, such as when accepting the Lone Wanderer into the Citadel without taking the Oath of Fraternity. For a boy whose only real encounters with outsiders were Brothers visiting the Citadel, he was surprised by the decision - but deferred to Elder Owyn Lyons' judgement, despite his reservations. He was also trained in combat by Sentinel Sarah Lyons, who on one occasion showed him how to kill people by stabbing them in the kidneys.

Expectations
The single biggest problem the young Maxson faced were expectations: As the last of the Maxson line, he was expected to become the Brotherhood's Messiah, with a, quote; "soul was forged from eternal steel". Like any other child burdened with such responsibility, he vehemently denied these claims - easy to do ever since the Elders in the West lost faith in Lyons' ability to lead.

His second problem was loneliness. As the only child at the Citadel, he grew up surrounded by adults, with no one of equal age to spend time with. Given that everyone he worked with was a soldier, he didn't receive kindness or warmth, merely schooling and training. His closest friend was Liberty Prime, an inanimate robot. Scribe Rothchild banned him from the Laboratory, emphasizing the futility of trying to make friends with a machine. He had to sneak into the Lyons Den to read Paladin Vargas' copy of Guns and Bullets without his knowledge (he wouldn't give it to him otherwise).

As a result, the ten year old Arthur had a timid and reserved demeanor. It wasn't helped by the fact that the young boy was barred from patrols due to accidentally shooting Sentinel Lyons during one outing. Perhaps it was beneficial - Arthur's reservations and apprehension helped him maintain a level of politeness and decency that would later translate into unmatched charisma.

Later life (2277 - Present)
The key change in Arthur Maxson's life came with adolescence - and the death of Elders Owyn Lyons and Sarah Lyons. While the crumbling Lyons' Brotherhood of Steel chafed under the ineffectual leadership of one Elder after another, Maxson rapidly developed his talents, the potential inside awakening. In 2279, at the age of 12, he managed to kill two raiders on a training patrol, saving the squad that was supposed to escort him. A year later, he managed to single-handedly kill a deathclaw, taking grave wounds in the process and a disfiguring scar that marred his face forever. His key achievement came in 2282, at the age of 15, when he killed the super mutant called Shepherd, who tried to reorganize the remnants of the Capital Wasteland super mutant infestation. This achievement has revealed another secret: The West Coast Elders were still monitoring their errant brethren. With Maxson's achievement came leadership and promotion to a provisional Elder.

Though young, Maxson was ready to lead and reunite the fragmented Brotherhood of Steel forces on the East Coast. He proved his ability in 2283, he brokered a peace with the Outcasts, re-integrating them into the Brotherhood of Steel. The sixteen year old Maxson was proving himself as effective a diplomat as a warrior. The full force of the Brotherhood of Steel appointed Arthur Maxson as Elder, the youngest in Brotherhood of Steel history, and Supreme Commander of the entire Brotherhood of Steel, with the ability to strike anywhere on the Eastern Seaboard thanks to the Prydwen, launched just a year before his rise to power.

As of 2287, Elder Maxson's reign in the Capital Wasteland was uncontested, and his authority and influence were spreading across the Eastern Seaboard. The Prydwen was a key element of the Brotherhood's power projection, rallying people to his cause. In addition, Maxson had the full support of the Elders back on the West Coast, who have proudly reported that they've begun eradicating cults that have popped up, worshipping Maxson as though he's some kind of god. Maxson himself is almost offended by the idea of being referred to as a deity, as it goes against everything he believes in. Arthur Maxson is happy to be one thing... the perfect human specimen, an example of everything a human being can achieve. Assisted, even enhanced, by advanced technology, but still very much human.

His authority is reinforced by his accomplishments, growing the Brotherhood in the East from a moribund group of complacent stragglers occupying a single Citadel into a major military force capable of projecting power along the Eastern Seaboard. Thanks to his tenacity and singular vision, the men that serve under his command do so with pride and unmatched loyalty, ready to invade hell itself.

Fallout 3
He can usually be found in the Citadel's B-Ring where his room (and personal terminal) is located.

Fallout 4
Maxson is principally found on the Command Deck of The Prydwen, plotting the strategy for the Brotherhood of Steel in the Commonwealth.

Other interactions

 * Elder Maxson is the only person capable of advancing the player's rank. The requirements are as follows:
 * Complete Semper Invicta and then Shadow of Steel to become a Knight.
 * Complete Blind Betrayal to become a Paladin.
 * Complete Nuclear Option allied with the Brotherhood to become a Sentinel.

Behind the scenes

 * Arthur Maxson's rise to Elder is likely a recreation of King Arthur. Many story elements are very similar, including that he is the rightful heir to the Brotherhood of Steel, but has been sent to live with a foster father for his safety. His Kingdom is divided and the factions cannot agree upon a leader. Even the age when Arthur Maxson becomes Elder of the Eastern Chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel mirrors that of when the Arthur of legend became King.
 * If you talk to him and ask, "Do they make you fight?" He will say that he accidentally shot Sarah Lyons and says, "It was just a flesh wound", a reference to the fight between Arthur and the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Appearances
Arthur Maxson appears in Fallout 3 and Fallout 4.