There is nothing I love more inFallout 4than picking a random direction and going exploring, and with so many locations throughout the Commonwealth, I’m rarely disappointed. Along with finding more loot for me to hoard, there is always some lore to discover about the people or the area. This can usually be done by reading terminals, with one in particular painting a disturbing series of events for one group.
There are some fantasticstories told through terminals inFallout 4witha great mixture of humor and heartbreak. The terminals offer a great storytelling mechanic, allowing glimpses into the world before the Sole Survivor arrives. However, while many tell tales of pre-war life, there is one sad story that is much more recent, and depending on your faction allegiance, much more relevant.
Libertalia’s Terminals Paint A Tragic Tale
Even Noble Minutemen Can Give In To Their Worst Instincts
On the east coast of the Commonwealth, you’re able to find the floating stronghold of Libertalia. The strange gathering of capsized tankers, tug boats, and docks is fascinating, andevokes imagery of pirates on the high seas. And in a way that is true, as Libertalia is considered to be one of the largest raider hives in the Commonwealth.
However, after carving a path through the raiders and reaching the terminal at the top of the large ship, the terrible truth of who these people once were is discovered. Reading through the five entries reveals thatthey were once Minutemen who left the factionafter the death of General Becker. The entries make for tough reading as they document how, in less than one year, the honorable men devolved into brutal raiders.
Joe Becker was the last General of the Minutemen before the Sole Survivor. He was killed in 2282, presumably by raiders, and his death caused the Minutemen to split into smaller groups which fought each other for control of the dying faction.
Under the leadership of James Wire, it’s clear thatthey attempted to stay true to the Minutemen’s ideals at first, with Wire even hanging two of his best men after they attacked a caravan. However, just two months later, after realizing that mercenary work wasn’t paying well, there is a change in Wire’s attitude. Finally, just shy of one year after leaving the Minutemen, Wire admits to being raiders and even starts recruiting new members.
Libertalia Is A Missed Opportunity
Such A Strong Story Is Wasted, With Follow Up Or Consequences
The raiders of Libertalia are a great example of fantastic storytelling inFallout 4, which is then never followed through with. I find it so sad that even people with such strong morals could be utterly broken in such a short time.
It really points to just how bad life in the Commonwealth isbefore the Sole Survivor comes along. However, it’s never really acknowledged, with not even Preston or otherFallout 4companionsmaking comments about it.
If you travel to Libertalia as part of the Institute quest “Synth Retention”, then Wire will be gone and will be replaced by Gabriel, who is a synth. However, Wire’s journal entries remain on the terminal.
It would have been far more interesting tohave more former Minutemen turned raiders or mercs show upafter the fall of Libertalia. There could have been quests to recruit them once the truth about Libertalia was learned or to go after them to help clear the tarnished reputation of the Minutemen.
It certainly would have added more to the lackluster Minutemen questline. Instead,Fallout 4simply packed it full of frustrating radiant quests.
The story of Libertalia shows how brutal and unforgiving life in the wasteland can be and makes you stop and think about how some of the other raider gangs came to be. But ultimately, all Libertalia can do inFallout 4is serve asa reminder that even those with the best of intentions can fall.
