Fallout OC Week -- Day 7. Free-day.
Note: OC's name is Haikara Umarekawaru, they replace Courier 6 in Fallout New Vegas.
The topic of this Free day? Their ultimate fate, and their own DLC.
For their fate, they end up dying in the battle of Hoover Dam. At this point, Caesar has already died from the tumor in his head, leaving only the infamous Legate Lanius to represent the Legion. Haikara had a feeling they had to go out somehow; that suspicion is unfortunately confirmed when Legate Lanius lands a critical hit as he's on his last breath. Wracked with guilt but determined to push on for the sake of her mentor, Veronica assists with restoring Independence to the Mojave before becoming the explorer she always wanted to be.
If Haikara's not the courier, this takes place from the player's perspective. If they are? Then it takes place from Veronica's, Haikara's closest ally and who Haikara views as an adopted daughter. (Despite Haikara looking 18 and Veronica being 27.)
To start the DLC, you have to make it to Old Mormon Fort and beat the final battle at least once on that file. Once winning the fight on Hoover Dam, your Pip-boy will now pick up on a clock sound when reloading that save file. Following the signal outside of Freeside will lead you to an portal you are then prompted to enter. The expected level is Level 25 and you are expected to have maxed out your build at this point, as well as being notified that this takes place after the fight on Hoover Dam. Whereas the actual final Lonesome Road was more of a test of your combat and perseverance, Memory Lane is about testing how your build works on the skill side of things and if you've been able to keep track of what's going on. Additionally, the rewards are different; Lonesome Road armed you for the final encounter, while Memory Lane will reward you for future playthroughs.
So, starting out; you're informed of the timeskip and simply see Haikara strolling down the doors, not seeming to register you as you pass by. More importantly, Haikara isn't wearing their cat mask at the moment, seeming like an odd blob of faces. Ones that are old, ones that are young; are they a baby or are they an elder? Hard to tell.
"... Oh, you're real. Huh. Didn't expect to see someone else."
- "Wait, didn't you die?"
"We're just in the boundaries of life and death. Or at least, you are. I'm beyond the veil now."
Follow-up:
[If you have positive reputation with Caesar's Legion.]: "So, you can't kill me twice."
[If you have negative reputation with Caesar's Legion.]: "Well, the Legate got to me. At least he fell."
Regardless, you continue to walk down the spiraling corridor of many picture frames. After putting on their mask, Haikara goes to one and starts rubbing the worn out edges of the picture frame. They give a dry but weak smile at the image; it's of someone wearing Haikara's mask being held in the hands of another woman. "Good times," they say. "Good times."
- [Cherchez La Femme, or Lady Killer] "Your wife?"
"Yep. She was my wife. Back when I was maybe... 500 years old."
Follow-up:
[If you do not have negative relationship with Haikara or positive reputation with the Legion]: "I had a hard time deciding on ethics. Maybe because I was still stuck believing I was 23. Hah... still wish I had the chance to grow up."
- - [Medicine 50] "Regular humans can't survive that long, not without serious decay."
"Ah, yes. I'm not human. Thought that was obvious."
- "Your sister?" / "Your mom?" / "Your parent?"
"Oh, no. They're not. And as for my relatives? Don't know who they were. Can't even remember their faces. Hard to keep track of the details anymore. It's easier when you don't care."
Still, wanting to use the extra time, Haikara decides to stick around. You can choose to follow through with their request; visit all important landmarks. Or alternatively, end the DLC right then and there. These locations are: Camp McCarran, The [Legion] Fort, the New Vegas Strip, and Hoover Dam.
When visiting these areas, you open up a dream sequence into the past where Haikara is your companion. While Haikara will never fight in combat, they will provide healing items -- even if you're Legion-aligned. The reason why is that they know you'll die soon enough; and seeing as you're willing to sate your curiosity, then it doesn't matter whether you live or die.
Upon visiting Camp McCarran:
"Huh. The NCR. Typical politicians, really. Always focused on the money, never the people. They fought against tyranny, only to spread themselves thin in the fight for it and hardly stand for it."
- "Well, they still do fight for justice."
"... The mutants? And how they handled the Great Khans? They're raiders, sure, but they're people. They can be reasoned with, not slaughtered."
- "Do you think they'll fight endlessly?"
"What, like two men fighting over gravel? Probably. Look at them. Even now, they don't have the resources to hold this area for long."
- - [Speech 80] "For a doctor, you sure know a lot about military tactics."
"Fought in an endless war. That, and I've both led and commandeered a few rebellions in the past."
[Independent / NCR, blew up Securitrons.] "I do have to question just why you blew up the bots though. Easily could have weaponized them, even if you stayed with the NCR."
- - - [Speech 90] "Do you mean 'command'?"
"No, I meant what I said. You would not believe how many felt like children running around with their heads missing."
- "Heard they didn't like you."
"Ha! Sure didn't. They hated me often breaking their rules, like that whole drama with the Kings and the NCR. Granted, part of that conflict was caused by the Kings, but I can't say the NCR was great at handling it. At least Dennis was... somewhat reasonable."
- - "What, do you dislike democracy?"
"I'm more of an anarchist myself. Communities are able to look out for each other when you do it right. Also, I'm... what's the appropriate word for your time... 'Indigenous'? Not quite it, but close enough for my liking."
- - - "I thought there were no Native Americans?"
[Default]: "No, there still are. They'd survive, like most other people. And either way, I thought you could tell I'm not precisely from here. It's from a distant land... I guess from our perspective, it's more appropriate to say it's West from here. Though really, back in the old days, they used to call it 'The East'. 'Orient' if we want to be racist. "
[If you aligned with Caesar's Legion]: "Well yeah -- your kind assimilated them all. Like the Romans did. You cannibalize your own kind and call that progress."
At Camp McCarren, you'll now be able to see the airport in a previous state -- back when the NCR where settling into the place. You're able to talk with soldiers to get informed on what's been happening as well as getting unique dialogue if you did well. Guns, Medicine, and Barter skill checks are prioritized in this area. Additionally, you have the option to hunt down the various creatures residing in the area. Succeeding in enough of the subquests gives lore as well as granting the following perks now available on all save files by level 2:
Gunsmith. As well as having an automatic +10 to guns, you can now make your own scrap rounds that are functionally equivalent to actual ammunition. If you already have the Scrap Rounds perk, then your newly crafted ammo will gain a 1.5x boost in effectiveness.
Battle Medic. You now have the option to fire a unique weapon -- The Crusader's Crossbow. (Hmm, I wonder where this is from. tf2) It takes Stimpaks as ammunition, being able to heal companions on hit. Additionally, you now have the option to bring two human companions and a third non-human companion.
Jack of all Trades. When performing any skill-check, take the maximum of either that skill or the average of all your skills. This applies for EVERY interaction. No exceptions.
[Upon getting 90% completion] [New trait!] NCR Favorite. Automatically start with an Idolized reputation for the NCR and Shunned for Legion, Powder Gangers, The Great Khans, and Brotherhood of Steel. Additionally, your starting location is Fort McCarran.
"Ack, these fuckers."
[If non-Legion sided]: "I'm happy they've been put in the ground. Good riddance for them. May they rest in shallow graves and left as food for the vultures."
[If Legion]: "Why'd you even side with them anyways?" [If Female Courier] "Didn't realize you'd be willing to betray your own gender for Larpers."
- "What did they do to you?"
"Me? Nothing. It's what else they did to the Mojave. Caesar's just a man who started it all, but it's them who continued his legacy."
- - [If player knows] "But the Followers taught Caesar about the Romans. Aren't they at fault?"
[If INT > 4] "I... what? I'm not even going to bother answering that, you should be smart enough to know the answer."
[If INT <= 3]: "*Sigh*, I'll explain then. The Pip-Boy you use, the one at your wrist -- you wouldn't have survived without it. But, that technology comes from an organization that was corrupt to its core. I'm not saying you should avoid ethics. But I am saying that exposure to knowledge doesn't make anyone corrupt. And besides; knowledge arms us. Caesar, in some ways, was a representation of that."
- "Is there anyone in the Legion who would have liked you?"
"... I'm Black, non-binary, and record much of the Old World's History. And you're asking if a society who adopts the imperialistic policies of the Romans and rejects modern medicine for survival of the fittest would have welcomed me with open arms."
- - [INT <= 3] "Is that a no?"
"Why do I even bother? Yes. I'd have been crucified very quickly."
- - "But the Legion has Black soldiers."
- - "The slaves seemed to like talking about you."
"I... huh. Ok, that's interesting then. Hey, I can show you how to unlock slave collars then, if you want to." [Unlocked new perk of unlocking said collars.]
- [If talked with Caesar] "You know, Caesar always wanted to talk with you. Did you know you were nicknamed, "The Dusk Fox?"
"The fox - this is a cat mask. Do they really not know the difference between either of those two? Whatever. And to answer that, I'd rather die. Of course he'd think he'd be able to beat me."
"Oh, yes, he would. Just in the matter of convincing his audience, not actually winning a fight. But for people like him, it's about conquest -- not logic."
- "How long will the Legion Last?"
"Very young. It's a cult built on turning its own people into meat bags. They're just cowards who don't want to think. It will die with Caesar."
You'll have the chance to talk to a young Caesar, a young Joshua Graham, and other Legionnaires. If you're a female courier, you will be frowned down upon -- but still be allowed to contribute. Tasks include setting up the base and attacking other NCR soldiers. Since this is a dream, Haikara won't hold it against you. Skills prioritized are Unarmed, Melee, and Explosives. As for perks:
Dashing Disarm. A new unarmed skill is unlocked, allowing you to lunge forward. Take no damage as you boost forward and if you grab onto an enemy, take their weapon away.
Adrenaline. While holding out a melee weapon, you run 50% faster, deal 100% more damage, and have an extra 5 DT. However, health drains by 1 every 5 seconds.
Trapper's Intuition. Receive a ping if an explosive trap is near. Additionally, enemies are more likely to fall into your traps. (Done by changing routing of enemies so they walk into them.)
[New Trait!] Hail Caesar. Start off with Idolized reputation from the Legion and Hated reputation with all other factions except the White Gloves, the Boomers, and the Great Khans. Additionally, your starting location is The Fort.
Upon visiting The New Vegas Strip:
"This bloke... Hah. Always leave it to a businessman."
- "He did save the Strip though.
"Look me in the eye and tell me he did it for the greater good."
- "But he's a smart mind!"
"They all say that. They just don't want to believe that they are fools."
- - "Well, by that logic..."
"Ehh, I'll admit it. That's why I'm still talking to you. I just have the awareness to talk to others."
I'm getting tired as I'm writing this honestly -- just know that Haikara does not like capitalism. All quests here are about Repair, Science, and Energy Weapons. Additionally, these are the perks:
Peak Condition. Your weapons repair themselves when in your inventory and after you deal damage. Deal 50% more damage with a weapon in perfect condition and with a full clip.
If That Don't Work... use more gun! You now have the option to build Securitron companions, taking their own separate companion slots. There are 5 of these slots. Securitrons can have their firing modes changed.
Gamma Radiation. All Energy Weapons can deal lingering radiation damage on afflicted targets. Radiation can pass to other targets that are close enough.
[New trait!] The House Always Wins. Have Idolized reputation with The Strip and Shunned reputation from both NCR and Legion. Additionally, start the game in Goodsprings and have House tell you what happened through the Securitron present.
Upon visiting Hoover Dam:
"Almost makes me wonder what the Mojave would look like if none of us were here. Would it be serene in its grace? Hard to say."
Sorry, I just ran out of dialogue here. Too much out of steam. Anyways, Sneak, Survival, Lockpicking and Speech -- these are the skills prioritized here. As for perks:
Right Behind you. Deal 300% damage when striking an opponent while they're unaware.
Tougher than the Rest. Gain a block that gives +10 DT when being used. Disables all weapon use while active.
Mine now! Deal 50% extra damage when using a recently acquired weapon that has not previously entered your hands. (Meaning no dropping and picking it back up.) State lasts for 20 seconds.
Smooth Talker. Commands given to allies are more thorough. Additionally, you now have the option to control other characters. (meaning switch POV)
[New trait!] The Mojave's Will. Be Vilified by NCR, Legion, and House. Have Idolized reputation with all other factions.
And that's it for this hypothetical! Haikara sends their goodbyes, ready to move on to another world and another time.
(Also, so sorry for the late submission @falloutocweek)
