The Boston Common, also referred to as "the Common" and "Boston Commons", and including "Boston Public Garden",[1] is a location in Boston in Fallout 4.
Background[edit]
The common was established in 1634 as a communal grazing ground for cattle.[2] It subsequently became a public park, the oldest in the country.[2] In the year before the Revolutionary War, one thousand Redcoats camped here, and it was from here that the force marched on Lexington and Concord.[2] Described as an idyllic park, the common was surrounded by mansions, and once featured ornate swan boats in the nearby pond before the Great War.[Pub 1][Pub 2]
Publications[edit]
The Freedom Trail starts here! Visit this once-idyllic park surrounded by ancient architectural prewar mansions and the remains of the State House, but be warned; there are numerous signs recommending you stay away from the pond at the park’s west end. Perhaps it’s better to start investigating the thin red line still visible along much of the sidewalks, a trail leading you through some of the most famous historical structures still (partly) standing. Surrounded by five other neighborhoods, Boston Common is at the nexus of the city south of the river.”— Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Map
Park Street Station is accessed to the northeast of this common. This is also the start of the Freedom Trail. On the east side, at the Protectron tour bot and fountain, the number “7” is daubed on the circular ground plaque pointing at the letter “A.” Follow the red stripe along the ground from here to continue the specified quest.
Before the Great War, Boston Common was known as the oldest public park in the entire country. It was as a common grazing area until officially turned into a public space in the early 19th century. After the War, it continues to stand as an open space, albeit one without as much greenery or life.
Surrounding the common are a number of locations which may be of interest to wandering wastelanders, including Park Street Station’s entrance, the Boylston social club whose members all committed suicide prior to the Great War, the Massachusetts State House which has since been taken over by mirelurks, the historic Old Granary Burial Ground where many revolutionary war heroes have been buried and a small section of water which has become known as Swan’s Pond.”— Fallout: The Roleplaying Game - Core Rulebook Chapter 8
Layout[edit]
Situated south of the river in the center of downtown Boston, the park contains a gazebo with a bandstand and a fountain marking the start of the Freedom Trail. Swan's Pond is on the western side, complete with a pre-War Swan Boat and a statue. Before the Great War, the common and the pond were merged to form a single park.[3] Several roadways converge at the common, including Boylston, Tremont, and Essex Streets.[4] Several signs warning of danger surround the common from these approaching roadways.[Pub 1]
Surrounding locations include the Massachusetts State House to the north, the Boylston Club to the south, and Prost Bar in a basement to the west. Park Street Station is in the northeastern section of the park and the subway station leads to Vault 114.
The Freedom Trail also begins at Boston Common. On the eastern side of the common next to the Boston Common Fountain, there is a non-hostile Protectron named Tour Bot in its pod that can be activated by a nearby "tell me more" button. In front of the fountain is a wooden sign and a seal in the ground. The sign reads "At Journey's End Follow Freedom's Lantern," and the seal reads "The Freedom Trail. Boston." The number 7 is written in the center of the seal with red ink, and the letter A in "Trail" is bracketed. The Boston Common Memorial and Boston Common Placard are located near the Freedom Trail seal.
Primary Locations[edit]
| Image | Name | Faction | Creatures | Cell name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Boylston Club | BostonCommonExt03 BostonCommon02 (interior) | ||
|
Massachusetts State House | Raiders | Mirelurks Mirelurk Queen |
VaultTecOfficeExt02 MassStateHouse01 (interior) |
|
Old Granary Burying Ground | Feral Ghouls | Vault114Ext | |
|
Park Street Station | Triggermen | Vault114Ext Vault114 (interior) | |
|
Swan's Pond | Swan | SwansPondExt |
Secondary Locations[edit]
Loot[edit]
- Torn Letter - On Mikail's body, directly in front of the Boston Common fast travel point by the southeast entrance of the park.
- Grognak the Barbarian issue #6 - In the gazebo at the center of the common, on the ground next to a skeleton and several radiation barrels.
- Raider's Advice note - In the gazebo at the center of the common, on a heavily irradiated barrel.
Related Quests[edit]
- Road to Freedom: The Sole Survivor has heard of a group that aims to take on The Institute and only has the clue, "Follow the Freedom Trail." To find The Railroad, they have to start at Boston Common.
Notes[edit]
The Boston Common Fountain is unique to the location.
Companion Comments[edit]
When at this location, Companions make comments, which are activated in front of the APC on the perimeter.
| Character | Comment |
|---|---|
| Cait | "We're takin' a big chance walkin' though the Common. Just sayin'."
|
| Codsworth | "Ah, the Boston Public Garden. And some of the swan boats are still intact." |
| Curie | "Boston Common. Can we explore?" |
| Paladin Danse | "Every map of this area we've recovered has the Common marked with a big red "X." I guess we'll find out why." |
| Deacon | "The Common looks peaceful, but no one sane goes inside." |
| Hancock | "Hey. This is the Common. You sure you don't just wanna go around?" |
| Nick Valentine | "Lot of my cases dead end in Boston Common. I'd prefer not to join them." |
| Piper Wright | "Blue, we're walking right into Boston Common. People don't come back from here." |
| Preston Garvey | "General, Boston Common has a bad reputation. People just don't come back from here, and nobody knows why." |
| Robert MacCready | "Wait, this the Common. We need to get the hell out of here... unless you like being killed." |
| X6-88 | "I've heard rumors about this place. People come here and are never seen again." |
Appearances[edit]
The Boston Common appears in Fallout 4.
Behind the Scenes[edit]
Boston Common is based on the real-world Boston Common, also known as "The Common," a central public park in downtown Boston, Massachusetts that serves as the southern end of the Freedom Trail. The real-world Parkman Bandstand can also be seen in-game.
Gallery[edit]
Overview
Roadways
Warning
Warning
Northern entrance
Mikail near southeastern entrance
Freedom Trail start
Freedom Trail signage
Bandstand
Bandstand
Grognak the Barbarian
Grognak the Barbarian
Clock
Sign texture file
Street sign featuring a swan
.jpg)
References[edit]
- ↑ Codsworth: "Ah, the Boston Public Garden. And some of the swan boats are still intact."
(Codsworth's dialogue) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Boston Common placard: "Established in 1634, Boston Common started as a communal grazing ground for cattle until it was made a public park (the oldest in the country). In the year before the Revolutionary War, a thousand Redcoats camped on the Common. The Redcoat brigades that marched on Lexington and Concord departed this very ground."
- ↑ Groundskeeper's Log
- ↑ Street signs at Boston Common
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p. 470: "ZONE 14: NEIGHBORHOOD: BOSTON COMMON"
"The Freedom Trail starts here! Visit this once-idyllic park surrounded by ancient architectural prewar mansions and the remains of the State House, but be warned; there are numerous signs recommending you stay away from the pond at the park's west end. Perhaps it's better to start investigating the thin red line still visible along much of the sidewalks, a trail leading you through some of the most famous historical structures still (partly) standing. Surrounded by five other neighborhoods, Boston Common is at the nexus of the city south of the river." - ↑ Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p. 470: "14.03 SWAN'S POND"
"The focal point of the Boston Common neighborhood since the early 1600s, the pond once featured ornate swan boats for visitors and citizens to take for a trip. This location is highly dangerous; even Raiders avoid the Common. Be sure to search the boathouse for five notes to understand more. Look for warnings about Swan's Pond around Boston Common."