The Commonwealth Travel Guide is a holotape in the Fallout 4 Creation Club creation CR-74L Combat Rifle.
Location[edit]
It is located on Mary Jane, a deceased woman found in the woods east of Sanctuary Hills, during the Way Back Home quest.
Transcript[edit]
Welcome![edit]
Way Back Home, Quest entry: Test the guide in Sanctuary
Hey friends! Lily the Explorer here, with some instructions on how to use my handy guide to the Commonwealth.
To use it, just visit any major point of interest on your map, and check the tape for my advice and commentary. You can even "talk" to me through the message prompts! Hopefully we'll end up best of friends!
Lastly, I want to dedicate this guide to my wife, Mary Jane. For her to fulfill my dream of making this guide, it means everything to me. Thank you, and I love you always.
Note to Lily[edit]
Way Back Home, Quest entry: Use the guide to trace the couple's route home
Well Lily Bell, it took me six months, four broken bones, a thousand scars, and one bad bitch of a rifle, but I've finally done it. I made it all the way to Sanctuary.
Damn, I'm no good at this stuff. Here I am crying and I haven't even said anything. But shit, here goes.
I know it was your dream to finish the guide. Really finish it, and not just rely on the words of traders. Man, I wish you could be here with me right now, for more reasons than one.
I'm on my way home now, but I don't know if I'll make it back to you. And after the shit I've done, who knows where my soul will end up. Maybe it'll find its way into this ring. And if some good Samaritan sees fit to bring it back to you, I'd be eternally grateful.
CR-74L[edit]
Way Back Home, Quest entry: Pick up the rifle
The Commonwealth is a dangerous place, and it helps to be armed. That's why you're going to get some tips from my partner, Mary Jane, on how to customize your very own CR-74L, and make sure your journey is a safe one.
Lily: So Mary Jane, tell us about this new rifle of yours, what makes it tick?
Mary Jane: It doesn't tick. It blows people's heads off.
Lily: But why does it look so different?
Mary Jane: Well, believe it or not, I got the idea from KL-E-0. I always wondered how those assaultrons moved so fucking fast, and wanted to make a gun that was just as light. Always thought it was some voodoo metal, but it's really the pistons inside.
Lily: Are you saying it's not what's on the outside, but the inside that counts?
Mary Jane: More or less. With the CR-74L, it works by redirecting the gas from the cartridge to the bolt carrier, making it more compact.
Lily: Sounds complicated. Way too complicated for someone like me.
Mary Jane: Ha, maybe not you, but yeah, the gun's actually pretty simple to use. The idea is it's a high-tech rifle for the average settler.
Lily: So if you're looking to travel the Commonwealth and take along our handy guide, would you recommend the CR-74L to be your trusted companion?
Mary Jane: Well, your fucking holotape sure as shit won't save 'em, so yeah.
Lily: Aw, you're so cute when you're mean. In any case, if you're using this guide, Mary Jane's got a list of several locations in the Commonwealth that might help with modding the gun. Happy hunting!
CR-74L Modding Guide[edit]
Muzzle suppressor[edit]
Combat Ready, Quests entry: Find the coolant schematics at Red Rocket
I once met a gun dealer who wouldn't shut up.
Lily thought she was eccentric. I thought she was fucking annoying. But her big mouth did give me an idea for a muzzle suppressor.
Like all combat rifles, the CR-74L is a loud ass gun, and one shot will give away your position to everyone in the Commonwealth.
Muzzle blast is caused by high temps and hot gas. So my idea is to apply a coolant system, the kind used in old world cars. There might be a car schematic lying around the Red Rocket that'll give you some ideas.
Reflex scopes[edit]
Way Back Home, Quest entry: Find Artis' scope mod recipe
Light stock and grip[edit]
Way Back Home, Quest entry: Obtain the pine tar ingredients from the Dugout Inn vending machine
I had an idea for a custom grip on the CR-74L that's light but the stock design can make for slippage on the handle.
As a workaround, Moe Cronin taught me a trick using a vending machine outside the Dugout Inn. It sells this shit called pine tar, and old ball players used it to keep a grip on their swatters. The thing sticks to your hand like dirt on a molerat.
Only hitch is you'll need Pre-War cash to buy it. Moe didn't have any problems though. I think if you're wearing one of those uniforms, the machine dishes the stuff out for free.
Fluted barrels[edit]
Way Back Home, Quest entry: Purchase the drill guide from Daisy in Goodneighbor
Lily once asked me if a fluted barrel could play music, but it's not that kind of flute.
Fluted barrels have grooves built into the exterior to better vent the gas. This is so the gun doesn't fly up and fuck up your aim. The problem is the barrel's made of special composites, so you can't shave it off willy-nilly like a fucking mutant.
Daisy in Goodneighbor sells a drill guide that should give a few key tips.
High grade receivers[edit]
Way Back Home, Quest entry: Find the receiver schematics in Quincy
I had an idea for how to upgrade the CR-74L receiver, but it was only a rough schematic at the time.
Showed it to my mechanic buddy who worked at the diner in Quincy, and he put it in a safe behind the counter so I wouldn't lose it. The key to the safe is in the register, so you don't have to pick the lock.
Still, this one might be a bitch to get. Whole place got run over by Gunners a while back. But if you can get it, it'll be worth your while.
Sanctuary Hills[edit]
Sanctuary Hills! Seems like a funny name for a place that has neither hills nor a sanctuary. I guess they'd have a tough time selling the place if they called it "Predatory Plains." I mean, do you even want the word "Plain" in your sales pitch? I think not.
What do ya'll think?
- OR
Anyways, regardless of the name, do you think Sanctuary Hills might be a good place to settle down?
- OR
Well, it was fun chatting about Sanctuary with you. On to the next location!
You're overthinking this.[edit]
I know, right? It's just the explorer in me talking. When I discover a new place, it's my responsibility to name them, so I try to pick a name that makes sense.
It will be a Sanctuary again someday.[edit]
I like your attitude! It's almost as if I wrote the response, ha ha ha.
Well, I don't know what it was like back then, but with a little love and a whole lot of elbow grease, I reckon we can make this place as pretty as a peach.
Personally, I like plain.[edit]
Do you? Plain can be good at times. Other times, plain can be plain old boring.
But different strokes for different folks. Far be it for me to criticize a person who likes simple things. Hell, I married one!
They should just call it "Shithole."[edit]
See that's why neither you nor Mary Jane is ever going to be my real estate agent. You need to put that lipstick on the pig, until it's the finest, prettiest little piggy that ever did walk this earth.
I actually lived here once.[edit]
Really? It must've been a long time ago. I know there's some farms in the area, but people tend to avoid settling in old world homes. Kind of a superstitious thing, if you get what I mean.
Personally, it ain't the ghosts that scare me, it's the bugs.
Good a place as any.[edit]
Oh, I bet you're one of those people who can live just about anywhere. Mary Jane's like that. Just give her a roof and a bed and she's good. Me, I need a few more comforts. A pillow, some sheets, maybe a pet dog and a cold cerveza.
Is that too much to ask?
Maybe for people with bad taste.[edit]
Well, I trust you'd know. The only thing I know about Sanctuary is from the words on a map. I asked a trader what is was like, and he drew me a little picture.
Can't say it was a good one, but maybe it wasn't his fault if the thing he was drawing wasn't all that inspiring.
It'd work better as a deathclaw sanctuary.[edit]
Ha! I imagine a safe place for a Deathclaw is just about anywhere. Those things are at the top of the food chain.
Sanctuary Hills - Additional Commentary[edit]
Lily: Hello? Is this thing on? Oh look! It's transcribing what I'm saying!
Mary Jane: Huh. It really works. Fucking hell.
Lily: No more long nights typing at a terminal.
Mary Jane: No more long nights trying to find a goddamn terminal.
Lily: So yeah, Sanctuary Hills! Or as Mary Jane likes to call it, the butt end of the world.
Mary Jane: No, I just put that "shithole" answer in as an option for the users. To me, Sanctuary's more like the snot in your nose. The Glowing Sea is the ass end.
Lily: Wait, if that's the, uh, business end, what does that make Quincy then?
Mary Jane: Don't even go there.
Lily: Okay, okay, I'll leave it alone. Still, I feel like I want to keep going, just to really see it.
Mary Jane: There's no way, not in your condition. The traders here told us everything we need to finish the guide. We made it as far as Lexington. That's got to be good enough.
Lily: Yeah, but it's been weeks since they last saw it. Sanctuary might be different now. It might even have hills!
Mary Jane: Somehow I doubt that.
Red Rocket Truck Stop[edit]
Red Rocket! Drive in, fly out! At least that's what the ads say. It'd probably help if the cars really did fly, seeing as the road is more pothole than gravel. According to the traders we talked to, this place is infested with all kinds of vermin, so be careful!
- OR
But if someone were to clean the place out, it'd probably make for a good settlement. It's got a roof, an office, and cheap coolant!
- OR
Well, it was fun chatting about Red Rocket with you. On to the next stop!
Define "vermin."[edit]
Well, molerats would be vermin. Regular rats too. Pretty much anything with the word "rat" in it would qualify.
The only real vermin are the people.[edit]
Ooh, that's deep. And dark. Deep and dark. Granted, a rat's never overcharged me for water, which is more than I can say for some.
Animals are kind if you're kind to them.[edit]
Are they though? A lot of them tend to treat you like food. Although I guess we do the same.
I'll be sure to kill anything that moves.[edit]
That's what Mary Jane says. Shoot first and ask questions later. Problem is, it's hard to ask questions when the guy you shot is dead.
The coolant is useless without a car.[edit]
True. But you know what they say, one step at a time. It just so happens the second step is more like a triple jump.
The soil might be toxic.[edit]
Ooh, maybe. But I read somewhere that Red Rocket won some kind of award for being a "Trashbuster," whatever that is. So maybe it's safe?
I've always wanted my own office.[edit]
I know, right? It puts you in the mood for work. You just need some employees to yell at and you'll be feeling like the mayor.
It'd make a good trading post.[edit]
Yeah, Sanctuary's pretty close, isn't it? Must've been convenient for the people to get their coolant. Noisy with all the cars zooming by, but convenient.
Abernathy Farm[edit]
My sources tell me Abernathy Farm is run by the Abernathys. You might think I could've figured that out myself, but I'm the kind of person who likes to double check.
But yeah, the Abernathys grow melons and tatos, and even have a Brahmin named Clara. They're also real nice people from what I hear, a rare thing these days. Some folks around here are so stuck up, they'd drown in a rainstorm. But farmers like the Abernathys are good people.
- OR
I guess what I'm saying is, it wouldn't surprise me if the Abernathys were nice folks. They can also probably put you to work, if you want a make a cap or two.
- OR
But yeah, that's all the thoughts I have about Abernathy Farm. Let me know when you find somewhere new!
Farmers are the backbone of society.[edit]
That's right. Without food, you can't do much of anything. Believe me, I tried. Well, it wasn't so much "trying" as it was just not having anything to eat. It was bad.
You can't assume that just because they farm.[edit]
Well, maybe not, I'm sure there's a bad egg in the bunch somewhere. But for the most part, when you work with your hands, it has a way of humbling you. It's only when things come easy that you start to get full of yourself.
They are. Which is why I hate them.[edit]
Hey now, I get that everybody's got a little devil in them, but I like to think I'm gonna find a way to turn you. At the very least you're willing to talk, which is more than I can say for most folks. So maybe you'll have an open mind about farmers too.
They must be tough too, to survive up north.[edit]
Yeah, definitely. It's probably from eating all those tatos. I knew a guy who ate nothing but eggs and tatos as a kid and now he looks like a damn super mutant, only less green. He's a farmer too! Good guy.
Hopefully they'll pay more than two caps.[edit]
Oh, I'm sure their prices are fair as a friar on Sunday. And if not, let me know so I can update the guide!
I abhor hard labor.[edit]
Now I ain't gonna hear none of that. You gotta get your palms dirty if you wanna make it out here. And the last thing I need is this guide on the body of a dead person. That's not good advertising.
I plan on doing just that, thanks.[edit]
Good for you. A lot of people want to be heroes and save the Commonwealth, but there's no shame in doing a little manual labor.
It'll be good exercise.[edit]
Right? If you look at it that way, it ain't even work! It's just a way to stay healthy. See, I knew you'd have the right attitude about this!
Vault 81[edit]
So we're outside Vault 81, and well, they're not letting us in. Also, Mary Jane's giving me the "I told you so" face. Security wants to know who we are, so...
- OR
We could mention the guide...but do you think they'd be open to sharing their story with the world?
- OR
Oh well, some things are best left as mysteries. Like whatever it is we had for lunch. On to the next stop!
Tell them you're traders.[edit]
Good idea! Problem is, it didn't work.
Say you got lost.[edit]
Yeah, then they'd probably just give us directions to Diamond City.
Try threatening them.[edit]
Mary Jane might like that answer. I'd rather not make a bad first impression.
Run![edit]
Oh, do you think they're gonna shoot us? But they'd have to open the door to do that.
No, it'd be a security risk for them.[edit]
I guess, but you'd think that big steel door would be enough security for anyone.
Some might, others not.[edit]
Yeah, getting a group of people to agree on anything is like getting a cat to be a dog.
Maybe if you paid them.[edit]
True, caps have a way of making even dead men whistle Dixie.
It'd probably be a boring story anyway.[edit]
I don't know. Living underground in a vault for generations, things could really go one way or the other. Crazy quiet, or quietly crazy.
Lexington[edit]
If you like to shop, Lexington's got a little bit of everything. There's a laundromat, a pharmacy, and even a supermarket!
- OR
Fact is, there ain't much service at any of these shops. Just ferals. Still, it may not be like the old days, but it's still shopping. Only difference is you don't pay with caps, you pay with bullets.
And the ferals, they're like the cash registers. Just put a few rounds in them and you've paid in full!
- OR
Anyways, if you manage to escape the ferals, the raiders, and the occasional forty foot mutant, Lexington's got a lot to offer.
Here's hoping you experience all of it!
You don't shop here. You scavenge.[edit]
True, but sometimes I like to have a little fun with it. I'll grab a basket and shop the aisles, maybe even head over to the counter when I'm done and ask the clerk for help. Small talk is not their strong suit though.
It would be good to wash my clothes.[edit]
It sure would! Problem is, none of the machines work. But you might find some Abraxo and a brush or two. Won't get you all the way clean, but a halfway decent job is better than none.
Still, it'd help if someone was around to tell you how to get the washers working again.
Pharmacies have useful chems.[edit]
Fair point, but that's not the aisle I like to shop in. I'm usually on the hunt for first aid. Of course, you better be sure to read the labels. You might swallow a pill thinking it's for a headache, and wake up the next morning with biceps the size of bowling balls!
It'd help if there was someone to sort it all out, but I'm as much of a doctor as I am a molerat.
The market is a good place to start.[edit]
Always is. They got food, they got junk, they got pretty much everything. It's almost too much, having so many choices and such tiny arms. I wish there was a clerk around to help me carry it all out.
I pay with my fists.[edit]
You must be one brave son of a mutant to do that. I ain't got a puncher's chance boxing with one of those things. I'm scared they'll just bite my fist.
I use other methods of currency.[edit]
Now I'm curious. Is it a flamer? A baseball bat? Or maybe it's just plain old caps. You know, I never tried tossing caps at a feral. It works on people, maybe it'd work on them too!
Bullets pay for pretty much anything.[edit]
That's a fact. Although in some cases you ain't paying so much as you're robbing. At least with ferals, they don't take caps.
Although to be honest, I've never tried to pay one. Maybe I've been going about it all wrong.
I like to save my bullets.[edit]
So you're more like a shoplifter then? Granted, I suppose it ain't stealing two hundred years after the fact. There's definitely a statute of limitations here.
Still, you must be real light on your feet to get out of there without sounding the alarm. I so much as breathe and I got four ferals under my hat.
Lexington - Additional Commentary[edit]
Lily: What's wrong?
Mary Jane: It's nothing.
Lily: It's not nothing, or else you wouldn't be limping like my grandpa Julio.
Mary Jane: Just took a shot in the leg. Nothing a stimpak can't cure.
Lily: Stop it. We're going back.
Mary Jane: We can't go back. We're almost there.
Lily: Not back home dummy, back to Diamond City to have the Doc look at it.
Mary Jane: I'll be fine.
Lily: You're as stubborn as a mule, MJ, but you ain't got nothing on me. Either we head back now, or...
Lily: ...
Mary Jane: Lily!
Diamond City[edit]
So, here we are in Diamond City, the unofficial capital of the Commonwealth. Although I guess the folks in Goodneighbor would beg to differ. Anyways, you can't go to Diamond City without trying out their world famous noodles.
I can't believe Mary Jane wants a brahmin steak for lunch, that's like running laps around a swimming pool. The whole point of being there is to take a swim.
- OR
By the way, where do you think Takahashi got his training from? How come other robots don't make noodles like him?
- OR
Ah well, it was fun chatting with you. If you don't get to try the noodles today, make sure to eat something.
Can't have my favorite wastelander walking around hungry!
I don't trust the cooking skills of a robot.[edit]
Sure, he doesn't have a sense of taste. Or smell. And he ain't the best when it comes to customer service.
But he's also programmed to do one thing, so he should be good at it. You wouldn't say a toaster can't toast bread, would you? Well, Takahashi's pretty much a noodle toaster.
Agreed. When in Rome.[edit]
That's my philosophy too. Well, up to a point. I hear some people take the whole Roman thing a little too far, if you get my meaning.
You know who doesn't eat noodles? A synth.[edit]
Well, if they replaced Mary Jane, I wish they used a more adventurous model. I love the woman, but stubborn doesn't begin to describe it.
I can't afford the noodles.[edit]
Oh right! I forget they're marked up. 55 caps is a bit much compared to what the traders sell it for. Still, you know how restaurants work. You're paying for the atmosphere!
Someone reprogrammed him.[edit]
Oh, that makes sense, kind of like what Mary Jane did with that Pip-Boy. I'll have to ask her about it, she's better with gadgets than I am.
He went to a culinary school obviously.[edit]
Wow, is there a school for that? Wait, were you being serious? I can't tell.
I mean I typed it as a joke, but now that you're asking it, I don't know if you mean it the way I typed it, or if there's actually a school and I just never heard of it. I'm going to be thinking about this all day.
The other robots have real jobs.[edit]
Well, I'd say being a chef is a damn fine way to make a living. Especially at those prices. And half the time the other bots don't even do their job, they kind of just attack everything.
They're clearly inferior machines.[edit]
You got that right. If every robot learned to cook, the world might be a better place. At the very least it'd be tastier.
Diamond City - Dugout Inn[edit]
- OR
But yeah, the Bobrovs don't just sell beds and comfort, they also sell the family moonshine.
- OR
Anyways, I hope you enjoy your stay at the Dugout Inn! Sleep tight and don't let the mirelurks bite!
How do I tell the brothers apart?[edit]
Well, Vadim has a bald head, a big nose, and...so does Yefim. I guess the easy way is, ask them about the mirelurks!
Mirelurks are pretty low on the danger scale.[edit]
Hatchlings maybe, but the kings and queens are pretty fierce. But I'm not exactly a wasteland warrior like Mary Jane.
I bet he made that story up.[edit]
He wouldn't do that, would he? Just lie to a complete stranger? Ooh, now I'm getting suspicious.
So the Dugout Inn is a family business.[edit]
That it is! Well, just two family members. Although I guess that's the bare minimum number of people you need to make a family. If you're one person, you're not a family, you're just you.
Are you sure it's safe to drink?[edit]
I ain't sure of anything, but it can't be any worse than some two hundred year old bottle of vodka that's been sitting in the sun all day.
I'm always up for a drink.[edit]
Yeah, me too. Ain't nothing wrong with a little hooch to take the edge off.
I don't drink alcohol.[edit]
Well, there's nothing wrong with that. The brothers sell all kinds of drinks, even non-alcoholic ones. Although if you ask me, Nuka-Cola's just as bad a chem as any other.
I'm trying to stay sober, lay off the booze talk please.[edit]
Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't know. This is supposed to be a guide for everybody, sober folks included.
Diamond City - Additional Commentary[edit]
Mary Jane: Doc, what's wrong with her?
Doctor Sun: It's unfortunate but the cancer's too widespread. I hate to say it, but she has maybe one or two months to live.
Mary Jane: That's bullshit!
Lily: Mary Jane...
Doctor Sun: I'm sorry.
Mary Jane: Fuck you. We're gonna find another doc, Lil. I bet there's one in Goodneighbor smarter than this moron. Shit, I don't care if we have to go halfway across the Glowing Sea, we're gonna find you a real fucking doctor, and he's gonna fix you!
Lily: ...
Goodneighbor[edit]
Hey you made it to Goodneighbor! Not an easy thing to do these days. Of course, I've heard inside town might be even more dangerous, but luckily there's a really helpful guy named Finn selling insurance.
Mary Jane thinks I'm an idiot for paying him, but he seemed like a trustworthy guy to me.
- OR
Besides, I'm sure all the rumors about Goodneighbor are way overblown anyway. The place hasn't been shady since before the war, back when Mary Goodneighbor was doing stripteases at the Old Howard Theater. Magnolia's show is a lot tamer than that.
- OR
Anyways, hope you enjoy Goodneighbor. And while you're in town, don't forget to take a trip down memory lane. Tell your past self I sent you!
You're definitely an idiot.[edit]
Mary Jane thinks so, but sometimes having peace of mind is worth a few caps. Maybe not that many caps, but I've never been good at haggling.
Buying insurance is a good idea.[edit]
Ain't it? I know I probably won't need it, but having it helps you relax. It's like a shot of whiskey, only more expensive.
It's not insurance, it's extortion.[edit]
Well, Finn did look a little mean, but you can't trust a book by its cover. At least, that's what they say. I can't remember the last time I've even seen a book that didn't have the cover ripped to shreds.
Giving people your trust is important.[edit]
Yeah, if you can't trust your fellow man, who can you trust? Dogs, I guess.
That's too bad.[edit]
Oh, I'm sure you can find somewhere else to watch that sort of thing. But you'll probably need to pay a lot more than I did for insurance.
It's still pretty erotic.[edit]
You think so? Mags just seems like a mother figure to me, so I can't see her that way. I guess she's still got that charm though.
A ghoul burlesque show would be fun.[edit]
Hey, I can't say there hasn't been a time where I asked MJ to do one of them husky ghoul voices. Those are sexy.
I just like Magnolia's music.[edit]
Sure, the music's great. Just having anything other than what Travis plays is a nice change of pace. And that's coming from me, the girl who wears out a song faster than heels on a feral.
Goodneighbor - Memory Den[edit]
Any time you're in Goodneighbor, you'll want to pay a visit to the mysterious Memory Den. Run by a sultry hostess by the name of Irma, this literal trip down memory lane is a delight for any traveler, provided you've cleaned out your closet of any skeletons.
- OR
But I don't mean to scare you. I'm sure most memories are pretty harmless. Some are even good! When I hopped in, I saw the day I met Mary Jane.
- OR
As long as you accentuate the positive, you should be fine. There's a song about that, if you haven't heard.
Well, I hope your next trip down memory lane is a good one! See you back in the present!
My closet is nothing but skeletons. What do I do?[edit]
In that case, I'd turn around and head straight to the Third Rail. To be honest, I ain't much for looking back anyway. You can't live in the past, and you can't run away from it either.
I'm not scared of my past.[edit]
Well, then there's the other danger. Living in it. I hear some folks get hooked on old memories, like a chem.
Everyone has a few skeletons. It's no big deal.[edit]
Sure, nobody's perfect. Especially if you wanna survive. Mary Jane likes to say the only perfect people in the Commonwealth are dead or delusional.
I don't like to obsess over the past.[edit]
Yeah, I try not to either. We can't flush out the bad memories. All we can do is make new ones.
I hate that song. With a passion.[edit]
But it's so catchy! Ah well, Mary Jane hates it too. She says it makes her teeth rot. So for her sake, I only play it like six times a day instead of twelve.
I'm the type to accentuate the negative.[edit]
Well, that just means you need someone in your life to balance that out. Hopefully you've already found that person like I have. And no, pets don't count.
In general, I'm a positive person.[edit]
So am I! I like to think if we ever met in person, we'd get along great.
Just don't mess with Mr. In-Between.[edit]
That's actually strange advice, if you think about it. Having balance is typically a good thing. But we shouldn't waste too much time thinking about it, it's probably not that deep.
Goodneighbor - Additional Commentary[edit]
Lily: Don't cry, MJ, it'll be all right. A month or two ain't so bad. And I've lived a long enough life for most folks.
Mary Jane: No, we're gonna find another one. There's a Doc at Bunker Hill too.
Lily: It ain't no use. You know that, I know that. We could put wings on a pig but it ain't gonna fly. But we can still finish the guide.
Mary Jane: I don't give a damn about the guide, Lily!
Lily: But you do give a damn about me, and I want to finish it. So you're gonna bite your tongue and listen to what I have to say.
Mary Jane: There's no way we can make it to Sanctuary Lil. And that's not where I wanna spend our last days.
Lily: I didn't say we were going to Sanctuary.
Mary Jane: I don't understand...
Lily: I love you MJ, but sometimes you can be thicker than a Yao Guai. You mentioned Bunker Hill, right? Well, the caravan traders there have gone pretty much everywhere there is to go in the Commonwealth. If we ask them about Sanctuary and Concord and everywhere up north, we can probably finish the guide without ever stepping foot in any of those places.
Mary Jane: All right, but after that, we're heading back home.
Bunker Hill[edit]
Bunker Hill. They say a great battle took place here hundreds of years ago. Now it's more of a hub for the local caravan traders. Trashcan Carla, Doc Weathers, Cricket - all your favorite merchants in one place!
Given how many people know those names, in a weird way they're the closest thing we got to celebrities.
- OR
But yeah, even if you don't think the caravaners are famous, they're all pretty important people. Still, they wouldn't be able to do what they do if it weren't for the guards that stand with them.
Because behind every good explorer, trader, or scavver peddling moonshine, there's an even better woman, with an even bigger gun.
- OR
Of course, no matter who you got behind you, in front of you, or on either side, you got me and Mary Jane on your arm.
Let's head off to the next site and see what else we can find!
I should ask them for an autograph.[edit]
What would you have them sign? I suppose it'd depend on the person. Maybe Cricket could sign your gun, and Lucas could sign your armor. Doc could sign a first aid kit, and Carla could sign your junk!
Wait, that didn't come out right.
They're just people like you and me.[edit]
True, but in every life there's the people you pass on the street, and the people you see on the billboards. You can't help but look up to one.
I'm the only celebrity here.[edit]
Oh is that right? Well in that case, I'm glad you're the one who picked up this guide. Maybe you could put in a good word for us when you rub elbows with all your rich and powerful friends.
That's what rich and famous people do right? They just get in a room and start elbowing away.
Travis is a celebrity. Carla is a walking store.[edit]
You're right, Travis is on another level. He doesn't have to walk to your door. He's right in your living room, playing you off to sleep.
Unless he plays a fast song. Then you're gonna stay up for another minute until the tune ends.
Are you talking about Mary Jane?[edit]
Of course! Although I don't like the phrase, "behind every good so and so." Mary Jane's my better half for sure, but I would never put her behind me. We're equal partners in this thing.
Well, unless the raiders are chasing us, then it makes sense for her to be there.
The people behind me are decidedly worse.[edit]
Well, they say you can't choose your family, and sometimes, you can't choose your friends. Out here, things just happen. Still, I wouldn't be so hard on them.
They're your companions for a reason. It may not be a good one, but it's obviously reason enough.
Sometimes the person behind you is a dog.[edit]
I bet they're a good dog too! The best dog. Who's a good doggie? Your dog. Tell them I said so!
I only leave bodies behind me.[edit]
That's dark. Real dark. I hope the bodies you're talking about belong to the bad guys, and not the good folks trying to make it out here in the Commonwealth.
Because if so, I'll be fixing to change your mind about that.
Bunker Hill - Additional Commentary[edit]
Mary Jane: So that's it. The guide's done.
Lily: Done-ish. I'm not sure we can publish a word without verifying what all them traders told us. Call me crazy, but I don't think "Trashcan Carla" is the most reliable source.
Mary Jane: She's gonna have to be. No more traveling for you. Doc's orders.
Lily: Mary Jane, will you make me promise?
Mary Jane: Anything, Lil.
Lily: Promise me that someday you'll finish the guide? For real this time?
Mary Jane: I promise. Now let's go home.
Kay: Where is home, if you don't mind me asking?
Lily: Quincy.
Kay: You sure you wanna head down there? I hear it's swarming with Gunners.
Lily: I'll be all right. I got my gal with me. Ain't been a Gunner in the Wasteland that's bested her yet.
Quincy[edit]
You've made it to Quincy, where Mary Jane and I live! There's a lot to see and do, I honestly don't know where to start!
- OR
Maybe I can even show you around. After all, I promised to be your guide, and I aim to honor that commitment in more ways than one!
See you soon!
Tell me about the people here.[edit]
Well, there's Mayor Jackson, he runs the place. Sloan, Irma, and especially Sturges are handy with a wrench. The Long family run one of the stores in the neighborhood. And of course, I can't forget about Mama Murphy, who's a bonafide fortune teller!
Where do you live?[edit]
Well, we used to have a place near Fenton's Food Stuffs, but it's being rented out now that we're going on this adventure.
We did talk about eventually fixing up a home a little further south, near the Peabodys. Somewhere with a little less hustle and bustle. If you're reading this now, I bet you'll find us there.
How did you two meet?[edit]
I was coming out of Fenton's carrying a crate of tatos. She was heading out of the gun store with enough firepower to mow down a ten story Deathclaw.
We ended up bumping into each other and dropping everything all over the floor. It was love at first collision.
That's all the questions I have.[edit]
Great! And now that you're here, don't forget to stop by and say hi! I'd love to hear all about you and your adventures.
Quincy - Additional Commentary[edit]
Mary Jane: We're finally home.
Lily: You think the Gunners will let us in?
Mary Jane: By the looks of those laser pistols, probably not.
Lily: On the flip side, they'd probably help us with the cremation. Maybe I should ask them for help.
Mary Jane: No way. If those bastards touched a hair on your head...
Lily: MJ, I'm dying anyway. Can you just, set me down right here?
Mary Jane: Look, I know I haven't been the best partner.
Lily: Stop. You've been my everything.
Mary Jane: I love you.
Lily: I love you too.
...
Mary Jane: I bet it really does have hills, you know. Sanctuary.
Lily: I wish I could've seen it for myself.
Mary Jane: Don't worry, we will.
Fort Independence[edit]
The Castle! Formerly the base of the Minutemen, until mirelurks took over about fifty years ago. The lurks don't really like freedom. They have...gasp...a monarchy! With a queen and everything! Maybe that's why they wanted a castle
- OR
Oh, and if you can't tell, I'm a bit of a fan. I even have the hat! Mary Jane says she don't like it much, but I think she's just jealous she doesn't have one.
- OR
Well, that's all I got to say about the Castle! Let's talk again sometime!
It's more of a dictatorship.[edit]
Can't say I disagree. But that's why the Minutemen exist, to stop dictators and bring freedom to the Commonwealth!
I too bend the knee to the Mirelurk Queen.[edit]
Oh, well, I think it's best you defect. Because if they haven't already, the Minutemen are gonna reclaim that castle, and the Commonwealth!
The Castle belongs to the Minutemen.[edit]
You're preaching to the choir. Or do you mean they've already taken it back? That'd be amazing if true!
Can't have a Queen without a castle.[edit]
I know, right? The two go together like biscuits and gravy. Tatos and corn. Freedom and the Minutemen!
Why, are you going to leave her for the hat?[edit]
Ha, I just might, if she don't turn that frown upside down more often. But I think she's safe for now.
Hats are vital protection against sunburn.[edit]
That's a good tip. I should really make that part of my guide. Sometimes it ain't the Gunners or the lurks you gotta worry about, it's the rads and the sunburn.
A hat won't stop a bullet.[edit]
Maybe not, but not much will these days. I mean, you should take a gander at my wife's gun. I feel like if you shot the ground the bullet would go clean through, all the way to space.
I like to let my head breathe a bit.[edit]
It does get sweaty in there sometimes. Mary Jane suggested I punch some holes in it, same as a gun barrel. I love the woman, but she doesn't know a thing about style.
I don't mind being as sweaty as a dog in the desert if it means I'm looking my best!
Boston Airport[edit]
The Boston Airport. Back in the old world, they say people used to fly out of here in big metal birds. Now that sounds crazier than a bloatfly in an outhouse, but hey, I've seen enough to where I don't doubt it.
- OR
Still, whether people flew or not, the idea of it seems romantic. You ever think of flying off to a faraway land with the one you love?
- OR
Well, that's all from the Boston Airport. Fly safe!
Of course they did. I've seen it.[edit]
Well, seeing as the last plane flew over here two hundred years ago, you my friend are either a ghoul or very good at bending the truth.
They walked. They ran. Sometimes they jumped. But fly? Never.[edit]
Now you're just pulling my chain. Otherwise why build the airport? Kind of putting the cart before the horse if you know what I mean.
Flying is easy. Landing is hard.[edit]
Or if you wanna be exact, landing and surviving. Landing and dying? Anyone can do that.
People still fly today.[edit]
Really? I need to look up more. I always thought those were clouds!
I only love myself. So it'd be a solo trip.[edit]
Well, we can't have that! I'm gonna have to throw in some romance tips in the next guide. We can even go on a double date, if Mary Jane behaves.
It sounds fun, but I have a lot of work to do here.[edit]
You're gonna work yourself into an early grave if you go on like that. Everyone needs a break, even someone as important as yourself.
I'm more of a homebody.[edit]
Yet here you are, traveling the wide, wide world. We'll make an explorer out of you yet.
It's good to daydream every now and then.[edit]
I completely agree. Everyone's gotta have dreams. Daydreams, night dreams, big dreams, and little dreams. Dealer's choice.
Boston Common[edit]
The Boston Common. There's so much history here! There's the Massachusetts State House, the Old Granary Burying Ground, and the iconic Freedom Trail! If you follow the red brick road, you'll pass by a few more landmarks, even the house of the great Paul Revere!
But rumor has it, it's also the path that modern day refugees take when seeking their own freedom.
- OR
But yeah, I'm technically talking about synths. Anyways, what's your take on the whole issue?
- OR
But either way, it's a complicated issue, and I'm glad we had this talk. Let's chat again some time!
Refugees? Do you mean synths?[edit]
Well, people around here don't like that term. It has a stigma. So I like to call them refugees. It makes them sound more sympathetic.
History often repeats itself.[edit]
It does, sadly. That's why we have to teach it, so people don't forget. This isn't the first time refugees have been unfairly persecuted.
That'd seem like an easy trail to follow.[edit]
It would, if you knew to look for it. Sometimes the best place to hide something is in plain sight.
Most people wouldn't think the refugees are using something so obvious.
I'm not interested in a history lesson.[edit]
Yeah, it's not for everybody. Mary Jane seems more interested in the giant of Swan's Pond than a bunch of historical sites.
Of course, it's not just about the history. It's about what's happening here in the present.
Synths are Institute spies.[edit]
That's the prevailing wisdom. Although I wouldn't call it "wisdom" so much as paranoia. Not saying there aren't spies, just that you can't judge an orchard based on a few bad apples.
Synths murder and replace people.[edit]
If they do, that's scary. I wouldn't know what to do if I found out my Mary Jane wasn't the woman I married.
That's the one thing that makes me take pause. I want to support the refugees, but I get why people are scared.
Synths are people, like you and me.[edit]
That's pretty much how I feel. I don't know if we're in the right, you just gotta trust your gut sometimes.
I don't really have an opinion either way.[edit]
Sometimes that's the best way to go about it when it's hard to take sides. But Mary Jane says doing nothing is even worse.
Combat Zone[edit]
Mary Jane here. Lily figured I'd be a better guide for this place. Figures I might have some tips or advice on how to survive. Well, the best advice I can give you is to turn the fuck around. The Combat Zone is just another lawless shithole full of junkies and raider trash.
- OR
In any case, not much has changed around here in the past two hundred years. Lily says in the old world, the Combat Zone was a hub for adult entertainment. No idea what that means, but beating people to death seems adult enough.
- OR
Eh, it doesn't matter. Whatever it was, it's a shithole now. I'd say bye, but I'm probably talking to a dead person anyway.
Sounds like my kind of place.[edit]
In my experience, people who talk tough eat lead.
Are you suggesting I run?[edit]
Yeah, why the fuck not. Running doesn't make you a coward. It makes you a survivor.
Might be worth clearing out then.[edit]
If you can do it, be my guest. You'd put Tommy out of a job, but don't feel sorry for that lowlife.
He's been profiting off this shitshow long enough.
That's a little harsh, don't you think?[edit]
Harsh? Considering the shit they've done, calling raiders "trash" is pretty damn kind if you ask me. If anything, I should apologize to the fucking trash.
It's a euphemism for the sex industry.[edit]
That's what Lily says, but I don't believe it. Why the hell would they call it the Combat Zone then?
Children can beat people to death too.[edit]
Yeah, that's true. Children are nasty little shits. Might as well give them a front row seat. Still, can't imagine they were as bad in the old world.
Proper adults don't engage in violence.[edit]
Wow, must be real nice living in a fantasy land. I mean if that's what people believed back in the day, it's no wonder they're all dead.
Beating people to death is my favorite pastime[edit]
Yeah, it's as American as apple pie and baseball. Still, can't imagine the people in those billboards doing it. They all look so fucking clean, it makes me sick.
Covenant[edit]
- OR
Anyways, the SAFE test doesn't pass the bullshit one. And if you think about it, that's really the only test you need.
- OR
So yeah, don't take the fucking test. Just move on.
What kind of questions are on the test?[edit]
There was something about a quantum harmonica or some shit. I don't know, I just told them to fuck off.
I don't think you can get any dumber.[edit]
Hey asshole, if we ever meet, tell me to my face so I can punch the shit out of yours.
It's important to have security measures.[edit]
Sure, the turrets I get. That makes sense. The rest of it is fucking pointless.
I wonder what they're so paranoid about.[edit]
Who knows. I can't imagine anyone would want to live in their shitty neighborhood anyway. They shouldn't be so picky about who gets in.
Is the bullshit test multiple choice?[edit]
No, it's true or false. Either you're shitting me, or you're not.
It doesn't hurt to be extra careful.[edit]
Yeah, I agree to an extent. But you have to be smart about it too.
The SAFE test is like putting a bayonet on a rocket launcher. The whole thing's a waste of time.
Do you think there's an ulterior motive?[edit]
If there is, I don't know what. Maybe they put you on a list, try and kidnap you at night, like a bunch of brain-dead mutants.
But makes no difference to me. I sleep with one eye open regardless.
You're being paranoid. I'm sure Covenant is a nice place.[edit]
It's too nice. Too clean. Last time I came across a place that nice, that clean, it was full of cannibals.
Maybe the SAFE test is about finding out how fucking tasty you'd be on a spit roast. You never know.
Cambridge[edit]
Cambridge. Home of the world famous Commonwealth Institute of Technology. Of course, of those three words, only one of them keeps people up at night. Guess which one?
But I'm interested in what you think. What are your thoughts on the whole Institute story? Are they real?
- OR
Either way, I don't see any Institute employees walking around CIT these days.
- OR
So even if they do exist, they sure as hell don't exist here. But maybe we'll see somebody at the next location! Only way to know is to go!
Commonwealth[edit]
True, the Commonwealth is pretty scary overall. I guess it's different for folks who live here though. We may be neck deep in mirelurks and radroaches, but it's still home.
In terms of what's scary, I was actually thinking of the Institute.
Institute[edit]
Ding-ding! That's correct! Mary Jane, tell our contestant what they've won!
Okay, she's not playing along. But point is, you're right. The Institute's got people wound tighter than a thirty hour clock.
Technology[edit]
I'd say technology is scary to some folks, but it's usually old timers who don't wanna learn new things.
I was thinking more along the lines of the Institute. They got everyone spooked, from the old men in the rocking chairs to the babies in the crib.
None of them really. They're just words.[edit]
I don't know, I'd say words are pretty powerful things. Especially when it comes to the Institute. They've got people so paranoid they won't even sleep unless someone's watching them.
I don't have any thoughts.[edit]
Not one? Not even a passing one? Well, that's actually kind of refreshing.
Most people will hunt you down for weeks just to tell you what they think of the weather. Nice to see some folks don't need to have an opinion on everything.
The Institute doesn't exist. It's all an elaborate hoax.[edit]
You could be right. Some people get so paranoid they start seeing mirelurks in their soup. Hard to know what to believe.
Still, it's one hell of a hoax if they got the whole Commonwealth singing the same tune.
The Institute is real[edit]
That's how most folks feel. The problem is, they aren't exactly knocking on doors and being friendly neighbors. So it's easy to think they don't have the best intentions.
But I don't know, the truth tends to get muddier than a raider's boot when people are scared. Hard to know what to believe.
I'm from the Institute.[edit]
Wow, didn't expect you to say that! I heard the Institute was a lot more secretive, but maybe I got it all wrong!
And seeing as you're ready to share, I'd suggest heading down to Diamond City and having a chat with Piper. She'll get your story out there, and more importantly, get it right.
Jamaica Plain[edit]
You've seen the posters and billboards, all over the Commonwealth. They tell the story of a priceless treasure, on display for one week only. The very week the world ended.
Two hundred years later, the secrets of Jamaica Plain remain a mystery. Many a scavver has sought its legendary treasure, never to return.
- OR
Anyways, say you found the treasure, and it was worth millions of caps. What would you do with it?
- OR
Well, hope you enjoyed Jamaica Plain! And remember, the real treasure comes with the exploration!
I'm sure plenty of them have returned.[edit]
Okay, maybe you're right. But they return empty-handed. Which means it's still out there, waiting to be claimed.
I'm not some ordinary scavver though.[edit]
That's true! You have a handy guide like me to show you the way! Although I didn't find the treasure.
But hey, at the very least, I can tell you all the things not to do.
Whatever it was, it's worthless now.[edit]
You've got a point. Being priceless by old world standards doesn't mean a hill of beans now. Plus it might not be in the same condition it was then.
I found a painting once that must've been real expensive before it was chewed up and spit out by a molerat.
Although who knows, maybe that made it worth more!
It's definitely something to think about.[edit]
Yeah, you can never be too careful. On top of all the usual dangers, there's gonna be a lot of folks gunning for that treasure, literally.
I'd sell it to the highest bidder.[edit]
Yeah, fortune and glory is pretty much the default answer. But it's not like the other options can compete.
Say what you will about being greedy, but a sack full of caps sure beats starving to death.
Donate it to the poor.[edit]
Well, that makes me happy it was you who picked up this guide. I bet you're choosing all the good answers, and none of the lippy ones.
But even if you did, I forgive you seeing as you're working to make the Commonwealth a better place.
Keep it on display with the rest of my trophies.[edit]
So you got more than just one? Well, doesn't surprise me, given you're all the way out here diving in the deep waters without a life vest.
Of course, I consider this guide a bit of a life vest, so you at least have that!
Toss it in the garbage.[edit]
Wow, you're an interesting one, I'll give you that. I mean, I get that it's the journey and not the destination that matters, but that's taking it to another level
Easy City Down[edit]
Mary Jane here. Lily figured this part of the guide was more my speed, seeing as I like to gamble. I know, I don't seem like the type. I usually pass on the dumb shit. Gambling? Might as well toss my caps in the ocean.
But I don't know, I like it. Still, my rule is you're allowed two vices. Anything more and you might as well kill yourself.
- OR
Anyways, I should mention this place doesn't look like they're taking any bets. At least not from a stranger. Whole place is a joke.
- OR
I guess they figure they can make more caps robbing people the old fashioned way.
Well, if you're planning on going inside, my suggestion is to keep your eyes up and the safety off.
Well, I guess I'm doomed then.[edit]
Yeah, well, on the bright side, the Commonwealth will probably kill you first.
I don't have many vices to be honest.[edit]
Good. Even the seemingly harmless shit - booze, smokes - will rip up your insides like rusty shrapnel.
What's your other vice?[edit]
I don't have one, at least not yet. Still sorting that part out.
What are Lily's vices?[edit]
Too many to fucking count. She doesn't take well to rules. That's why I'm always saving her neck.
Seems like that would be bad for business.[edit]
Yeah, never knew a track to turn away paying customers.
Maybe they're just renovating.[edit]
What exactly? It's just a bunch of dirt and robots running in a circle. I don't get it. Although maybe it's just to lure people in.
We tried to get close and they started shooting at us.
The only real joke is my life.[edit]
Seems like the guys running the track agree, seeing as they want to end it.
What kind of races are there to bet on?[edit]
From the looks of it, it's just a bunch of bots turning left. But I can't be sure, we tried to get close and they started shooting at us.
Lake Cochituate[edit]
You've arrived at Lake Cochituate. This used to be the water supply for all the Commonwealth, at least until somebody tried to drink it and realized how bad it tastes. Bleagh!
- OR
Although to be fair, it's not the lake's fault it tastes so bad. That's what nuclear war and two hundred years of neglect can do to you.
- OR
But for now, we'll just have to enjoy it for what is. Talk to you soon!
I still find the water refreshing.[edit]
Well, you're what we call a lead belly. Personally, I like to think I can stomach a lot. What I can't abide is the smell. That's what triggers the not so fun times.
You can still swim in the lake.[edit]
Oh, that's probably even worse. You need to drink water to live, and sometimes that calls for some tough decisions.
But swimming? I think I'll just take the long way around, thank you very much.
They should rename it to Lake Toxic Bile.[edit]
It was either that, or Lake Vomit. Although I guess vomiting is what you do after you drink it.
I only drink treated, purified water.[edit]
Ha, don't tell that to Mary Jane. She'd call you an elitist, or at least the swear word version of that.
One day it'll be crystal clear again.[edit]
Now that's what I like to hear, some positivity! In fact, we'll fix up the Commonwealth, one toxic acre at a time!
It's just gonna take a little science, a little elbow grease, and a whole bunch of raiders finding Jesus.
I'd say overfishing is a bigger issue.[edit]
Bigger than nuclear war? Still, now that you mention it, I didn't see a whole lot of fish in the lake.
But it might be better that way. Better we eat them before they mutate into something worse. I think I grew a third eye just looking at it. It'll be a while before it's safe to drink.
Neglect is fine. It's when we meddle that things go wrong.[edit]
You may be right about that. I tried to get two friends on a blind date once, and they just wouldn't do it.
Fast forward two years, and I found out they got married on their own! Sometimes you just gotta let fate take the wheel. Maybe the same is true for this lake.
We'll just have to spend the next two centuries restoring it.[edit]
Yeah, although most of us will be gone by then. I guess we just gotta teach the next generation to carry on the fight.
Or better yet, carry on the peace. Fighting is what got us in this mess in the first place.
Starlight Drive-In[edit]
The Starlight Drive-In sounds romantic. This is one place I really wish I got to see. But from what the traders tell me, it's not exactly the kind of place you bring a date, at least not anymore.
But still, I would've liked to see it. Just me and Mary Jane, taking a stroll under the stars.
- OR
By the way, speaking of romance, do you have anyone in your life? Someone you'd like to take to dinner and a Pre-War movie?
- OR
Anyways, I've pried enough into your personal life. Let's talk again at the next location!
The stars were on the screen, not the sky.[edit]
Can't it be both? Unless it's cloudy there every day, that would sure be a downer for whoever came up with the name. False advertising and all that.
The only stars you'll see are from the concussions.[edit]
Oh, is it dangerous? I guess that's a rhetorical question. It's probably easier to list the places that aren't dangerous. You can count those on one hand, using only your thumbs.
It does sound romantic.[edit]
Doesn't it? Mary Jane keeps reminding me that it doesn't actually look the way it does in my head, but I can't help myself. Still, we want the guide to be accurate, so she wins that battle more often than not.
It's not really my thing.[edit]
Yeah, some people just aren't a fan of nature. Me, I like to take in the splendor of it all. Seeing those stars way up high, it almost feels like someone's watching over us.
I do.[edit]
That's great! If we ever meet, you've got to tell me all about it. How you met, what you do for fun, and how you make love stay. And of course I'm inviting myself to the wedding, if and when that happens!
Not yet. Still looking.[edit]
Well, don't give up just yet. I'm sure that special someone is just around the corner. Or the next one.
I mean, it can't always be a feral. One of these days, it might be your future spouse!
I'm not interested in that sort of thing.[edit]
Yet. Love has a way of knocking on your door in the middle of the night, when you're just trying to get some shuteye.
You tell it to get out but it's got fifty lockpicks for the door and the combination to your heart. Before you realize, it damn near owns the place, and the rent's due.
I was thinking of taking you, actually.[edit]
Ha, Mary Jane would probably object. But we can go on a double date, I just need to find you the right partner.
Boston Public Library[edit]
Mary Jane here. You probably figured the last place you'd hear from me is a library, but I'm not here to read some crusty old bullshit about wizards and pirates.
There's a lot of useful information in this place. Stuff that can help with the gun. That goes for both modding and maintaining it. No point reinventing the wheel.
- OR
Now I have to go and drag Lily out of whatever imaginary world she's got herself trapped in. Mutants don't wait for you to finish your book. See ya.
What sort of books are helpful?[edit]
Well, the first thing I'd check out is a book on gun care. Your hands are covered in gunk. Dirt, oil, all kinds of shit that can corrode the metal on your rifle.
Knowing how to clean a gun is as important as knowing how to use it.
Is there a book that will help modding the CR-74L?[edit]
If there is I've probably already read it. I actually got the idea for the drum magazine from a history book about mobsters.
You're welcome to look, but I'd stick to the places I listed on the guide.
Anything besides gun books I should look for?[edit]
Normally I'd say the survival shit, but all of it was written pre-war, so it's not as useful as you'd think.
You read a book about lassoing a bull and the first question you ask is, which head? Well, back then, they only had one.
Ever read stories for fun?[edit]
No.
That's all the questions I have.[edit]
All right, well, don't forget to put the books back when you're done with them. It's still a library.
Hubris Comics[edit]
If you're a fan of comics, this is the place for you. A lot of your old favorites were made here. I'm talking Grognak the Barbarian, the Unstoppables, even the Silver Shroud radio program. As a kid I used to read them at the breakfast table, and I still do! Only now I've traded the milk and cookies for steak and a cerveza.
Anyways, since you're here I gotta ask, are you a fan of comics?
- OR
But yeah, this building is where all the soup got made. I hear on the top floor they even got a TV studio. Now if we could get something like that working, it would change the Commonwealth.
- OR
Oh well, for now we'll just have to be happy with what we got. Enjoy Hubris Comics, and bring me back a souvenir!
Comic books rot your brain.[edit]
Is that a fact? I guess that explains where all the ferals came from.
It wasn't the nukes that made 'em, it was just a bunch of teenagers who didn't listen to their mothers.
I enjoy a good comic every now and then.[edit]
Yeah, comics aren't for everybody, but they're definitely for you and me.
I just like being able to escape every once in a while, to a place where the good guys actually win.
I like comics, but I'm not a fan of Hubris Comics.[edit]
They are a little over the top, but I like that. I get enough realism just living
I'm a collector. "Fan" doesn't do me justice.[edit]
Oh wow, then you're gonna love this place. It's got all sorts of memorabilia just lying around.
Hell, even the ashtrays are a collector's item if you think about it. Like the place where the Silver Shroud put out his cigarette butts. Gotta be worth something to somebody, right?
I'm all for it.[edit]
Great! Now we just need to hire like a billion scientists to get on it. And bodyguards to protect them. Once we get all that sorted out, it's time for the artists to get to work.
What sort of shows would we broadcast?[edit]
I don't know. At first I was thinking we'd get Piper to broadcast the news, but she could use the radio for that.
Although speaking of which, if we did get the TVs working, Mary Jane says Travis would lose his job. She says he's got a face made for radio. I don't know what that means, seeing as no one can see it.
Oh! I just got it. Yeah, that's not very nice.
Bringing back TV is a pipe dream.[edit]
You just need a little more pep in your step. Or some mentats in your...what rhymes with mentats? You get the idea.
Although I'm a little wary of that stuff to be honest. It looks like a vitamin, but it feels more like a chem.
The only thing worse than comics is TV.[edit]
I think there's a word for people this grumpy, but I'm sure you've got nothing to worry about. At least, in terms of TV coming back to the Commonwealth. The grumpiness is another thing entirely.
Guide locations[edit]
Abernathy Farm ([VISITED])
Boston Airport ([VISITED])
Boston Common ([VISITED])
Boston Public library ([VISITED])
Bunker Hill ([VISITED])
Cambridge ([VISITED])
The Castle ([VISITED])
Combat Zone ([VISITED])
Covenant ([VISITED])
Diamond City ([VISITED])
Diamond City - Dugout Inn ([VISITED])
Easy City Downs ([VISITED])
Goodneighbor ([VISITED])
Goodneighbor - Memory Den ([VISITED])
Hubris Comics ([VISITED])
Jamaica Plain ([VISITED])
Lake Cochituate ([VISITED])
Lexington ([VISITED])
Quincy ([VISITED])
Red Rocket Truck Stop ([VISITED])
Sanctuary ([VISITED])
Vault 81 ([VISITED])
