James Lyons

James Lyons is the son of the Lone Wanderer, Will, and Sarah Lyons.

Biography
Shortly after victory over the Enclave in 2277, the Lone Wanderer and Sarah Lyons began a relationship. Sarah's father, Owyn Lyons, passed away, and Sarah would assume leadership of the eastern Brotherhood of Steel. Sarah soon became pregnant, which prevented her from entering the field, much to her anger. James would be born in 2278, and took the last name of Sarah since Will had no last name.

Sarah was perhaps overeager to return to the field due to missing out for nearly a year, resulting in her rushing into engagement with a band of Super Mutants led by an intelligent mutant named Shepherd. Sarah would be killed in action, and since James was so young he only has a faint memory of his mother's voice.

The death of Sarah severely struck the Lone Wanderer, resulting in him becoming distant and the relationship with his son became strained. James began his Brotherhood of Steel training at the Citadel. Arthur Maxson became a hero to James for avenging the death of his mother by killing Shepherd. At the age of 15, Will and James had a final conversation, afterwards the Lone Wanderer returns to wandering and would go missing for decades.

James focused on his studies even harder, resulting in him rising through the ranks and becoming a Knight.

New York Offensive
In 2299, Knight James Lyons was assigned to be part of the New York Offensive, designed to reclaim I95 and secure safe passage between the State of Steel and the United Communities. Put in charge of a small band of initiates, the newly recreated Lyons' Pride became one of the most decorated units of the offensive. The Lyons' Pride would secure the former Newark Liberty International Airport, and their outpost there would offer a safe haven from raider gangs and mutant bands, and the outpost would grow into the settlement of Lia. For his work James was promoted to Paladin, an honor he wore with pride.

Returning to the Capital Wasteland, many of his friends and people he met commented that he acted exactly like his father. James became bothered by the difference in that his father was a wanderer, while he was stuck, bound by his duty to freedom. There are certain men, James realized, that are truly free wild cards. These were more than leaders, and James, apparently similar to his father, was just a soldier. Deep down, James realized he wanted to be a free man like his father.

A battle in the New York in 2305 Ruin gave him that opportunity. A massive raider coalition was marching toward Lia, and all Brotherhood forces were assembled to defend Lia and the I95 trading route. The battle was fierce, and during the battle a Fat Man shell exploded near James, launching him into the irradiated Passaic River. James' light power armor protected him from radiation, but James had been knocked unconscious and floated down river. James awoken washed ashore, alone. Believing this was an opportunity to be like his father, James abandoned his power armor, and set out to find his father.

Following His Footsteps
James arrived back in the Capital Wasteland, and remained on its outskirts to avoid being spotted by the Brotherhood. He began to ask around for information about the Lone Wanderer's where-abouts, but found nothing; it seemed nobody knew. In 2306, James finally found a lead; in the settlement of Canterbury Commons, which was now a prosperous trading center. James talked to the town's Mayor, Uncle Roe, who explained that the Lone Wanderer had bought a lot of supplies before heading to the Pitt. James bought his own supplies and headed toward the train tunnel, which was no longer owned by slaves but free men.

James arrived at the Pitt. Years earlier it had been cured of its disease, but the area had become much more chaotic and lawless. The few trade caravans that dared venture to the Pitt made a fortune by bringing in crops and other foodstuffs. James asked around to see if he could find information about his father. The man in charge, Werner, explained that he decided to undertake the ultimate wandering: heading along the Jet Road to the other side of the country. James knew he had to follow, so he restocked his supplies and joined a caravan heading toward southerrn Ohio.

At this time, rumors had reached the Brotherhood of Steel command about the rumored survival and desertion of Paladin James Lyons. Arthur Maxson sent a platoon led by Knight Hunter Rodricks to find this supposed survivor; included in the platoon was Nicholas.

The Wider World
The Jet Road, from Ohio, travels west on the former I-70, then connects with I-44 in Oklahoma and Texas, before heading west into former Caesar's Legion territory, then the Mojave, then New California. Going was slow, as the caravan made frequent stops to the settlements that dotted southern Ohio; this gave time for the Brotherhood platoon to follow his path.