The Great Library of PhiladelphiaAs the citizens of Vault 98 settled in and numbers slowly grew, the decision was made by the Chiefs and the Council to expand downward and outward under the city to claim more living space. Expansion was slow but steady as Nuka-based explosives were used to blow tunnels out of the rock. The Council believed their proposed expansions would avoid any subways or other artificial subterranean areas, but they turned out to be mistaken.
When nuclear war seemed inevitable, the museums and institutions of Philadelphia came together and secretly funded a project they developed called The Great Library of Philadelphia. It turned out, seemingly unknown even to Vault-Tec based on their charts, that this Great Library was constructed deep beneath the Museum of the American Revolution. Within this Great Library were dozens upon dozens of top-of-the-line simulation pods each containing vast stores of knowledge, as well as historical relics, art work, and the real Declaration of Independence (apparently the one in the National Archives in D.C. was a fake), all sealed within this chamber. The only other exit, until now, had been a series of sealed doors cut off from the rest of the world by some sort of cave-in.
While the discovery of the Great Library was quite the unexpected boon, it did result in the immediate cessation of expansion efforts. After all, what would have happened to the Vault had the room not managed to both be completely isolated and still sealed?
Those with any sort of specialized background were asked to step forward as teachers to guide the educations of those of schooling age. Most did, as it gave them something to put time and effort into. The simulation pods ran a program that took the user to a massive library. This library used a visual guide the teachers used to bring students to the appropriate sections of which there were a seemingly endless amount, and when they'd open a book it would link them to the appropriate simulation. The pods were eventually scheduled for use around the clock as different people ran classes at all hours. Outside of the pods, delicate care was taken of the cultural and historical artifacts stored within the Great Library, even the gross Soap Lady. Seeing these reminders of America's great and storied history brought joy to many and raised morale across the board for the first time since the discovery of the Nukacache, and so they were displayed along the corridor constructed between Vault 98 and the Great Library.
Vault 98 is settling in for the long haul. Vault-Tecs notes state they had set the Vault doors to unseal after 40 years, but ultimately the Council will decide if they head out into the world at that time. In the meantime, a few cultural shifts may occur between then and now.
Propose and vote for two revisions, refinements, or evolutions of your current equipment or zeitgeist, which is the stuff in bold in the spoiler below. While the core changes made are guaranteed to go through, the rolls will impact how the changes affect other aspects of life in the Vault. This is one of your opportunities to patch a bad bug, fix something you don't like, or specialize in something specific.
Log of [REDACTED], 10.27.77 - Present
Nukagate Conspiracy: High amounts of food and drink stockpiles have led to a scientific power bloc through intermarried families. Products produced from luxury foods are impressive, including liquid nuclear fuel. Solid checks and balances between Nuka Families and Independent Families. Life is very good for the vault dwellers, but not perfect.
NukaGuard: A poorly-regulated militarization of the Vault's citizenry after discovery of a massive weapons cache has led to a dominating cult of personality built up around the two Chiefs. The Chiefs took many opportunities to empower themselves and their militia. A nonlethal Quartzgun was developed to incapacitate and/or mark criminals with a white glow. The NukaGuard itself was also formed as am elite 6-man Power Armor unit.
Synthmeat: Failed experimentation led to the creation of human-clone meat with remarkable taste and nutritional benefits. The Vault willingly adopted synthmeat as a viable source of food. Many disagreed at first, but ultimately the Families fell in line behind the Chiefs to accept pseudocannibalism into their lives.
The Great Library of Philadelphia: Use of highly effective nuka-based explosives during exploratory expansion led to the discovery of a secret cache of vast stores of knowledge. The large chamber was preserved thanks to hermetically sealed doors and who knows how much collapsed earth. Simulation pods provide users with every educational experience they could require, and the tunnel connecting the Library and Vault 98 is lined with displays of scientific, cultural, and historic relics, including the real Declaration of Independence. The Vaultdwellers are bound to become better at their trades and crafts as time goes on.