Fallout 4: Angel's Pip-Boy Diary #9 · 12:23am Dec 5th, 2015
art by TheOmegaRidley
Thank you, everyone, for your mod suggestions. I'm looking into several of them.
Recently, my Fallout 4 game suffered the "crash to desktop when you approach a particular area" bug. I signed up for the beta patch, and I'm happy to report that the patch cleared up the problem quite nicely.
While I have watched the season finale, there are still a smattering of episodes from this season that I missed. I have collected them through online sources, and hope to watch them all over the next week. Once I am done, which would you prefer: a review of the season finale, an overview of Season 5 as a whole, or both?
As an aside, as much as I enjoy the show, I rarely get pony merchandise anymore. But I still love and collect the comics, and I am totally picking this up the moment it hits the local Hot Topic:
The next installment of Angel's Pip-Boy Diary is after the break. Enjoy! 
Angel's Pip-Boy Diary
Day 18
Day 18 – Early Morning
November 10, 2287It is strange how an offer can be more terrifying than an army of homicidal robots.
I was bowled over by Danse’s proposal to join the Brotherhood of Steel. It is a big decision, and not one to make right away.
This is the third time been extended a life-changing offer. The first was when I was offered a junior partner position at a rival law firm if I jumped. The second was when Nate proposed to me. Each time was scary in a way that even mutant sewer monsters and corpse-like ex-people, and synths can’t manage. My dominant emotion at Nate’s proposal was joy, followed quickly by fierce love. But the fear was also there, even though I knew what my answer would be.
“Bowled over” is an interestingly appropriate phrase, isn’t it? You take the time to set up all these pins nice and neat in perfect rows; but in order to get the big points, you have to let them all be knocked over, scattered to… okay, nevermind, this is an awful analogy.
I’ve obviously been awake too long. I need to go back to Sanctuary, get some real sleep, then give Danse’s offer some serious thought.
But first, I’m headed back down into ArcJet to retrieve the power core in the basement now that I won’t need it for the elevator. I’m amused how a single core can keep the power on in a facility like this for 210 years, but will only last a few hours if you stick it in power armor.
Blame it on my sleep-deprived mind, but I can’t help thinking of the tales about old combustion-engine cars. Rosa once told me that you could drive all night with your “high beams” on, and you wouldn’t have any problems. But if you left your lights on overnight while parked, your battery would be dead by morning.
It… probably isn’t the same thing. Assuming the story is even true. Although if anyone would have known about classic cars, it would have been Rosa.
Regardless of my decision on his offer, Danse has given me his personally-modified laser rifle, “Righteous Authority” in return for my aid with retrieving the deep range transmitter. It is an amazing weapon! I wish I had it when we the afore-mentioned army of homicidal robots assaulted us in ArcJet’s engine test chamber. Or back when we were fighting off wave after wave ghouls back at the station yesterday. I’m certainly happy to have it now. Although looking it over, I can see room for improvement…
If the Brotherhood of Steel is interested in technology and the horrors of it, then there is plenty for them down in that test chamber. Scribe Hayden should have enough recoverable bits of synth technology to keep her happy for a while.
Day 18 – Afternoon
November 10, 2287Sane ghouls really do exist!
On the way home, we met Bethany, a ghoul doctor living up the hill behind ArcJet. Her property is so radioactive that I needed to take Radaway to cure me after seeing the doctor. She must have a number of equally sane ghoul patients, because I cannot imagine normal humans taking that risk. I won’t be going back to her; once was enough. However, I did lighten my load considerably during that stop. And I learned a recipe for homemade Radaway. I know right were to get the mushrooms I need to try it out.
I also stopped by the cat house trader near Walden pond. …and as I say that, I realize that it isn’t necessary to enumerate every time I stop to talk to a trader. I don’t record my meals, or every time that I go to bed. Or see a skeleton and feel pangs of pain in my heart. So I think I’m going to stop doing that too.
I caught only a brief nap. I wish I could sleep longer, but Danse’s offer has me thinking too much to get proper sleep. So instead, I’m going to keep myself busy until I have to collapse. And in the meantime, I’m going to work through the offer as best I can. No final decisions, though, until I can sleep on it. Real, deep sleep.
When I got back up, Preston wanted to talk. He’s impressed with me and wanted to convey his thanks. The Minutemen were his heroes as a kid, and he seems to believe that I can make them heroes again. Preston is an idealist. I hope I am successful at turning his ideal into a reality.
Now then…
Joining the Brotherhood of Steel, cons:
First, it will divide my attention even more than it already is. I have my plans for creating a respectable and effective police force out of the Minutemen. I want to track down Shaun, or at least anything I can learn about what happened to him. Mama Murphy says he is alive, and evidence certainly suggests her “Sight” is real.
(The skeptic in me wants to continue to question psychic powers, but I’ve fought robotic pseudo-people, sewer monsters and giant scorpions. My ability to distinguish between what is realistic and what belongs in the realm of fairytales, cartoons and campaign promises has taken a look at this new Commonwealth, given up, and is off in a corner getting soused.)
Another duty, particularly one as demanding as even limited military service, could drastically reduce my time and ability to pursue my current goals. That is a really big con.
Second, I will be under someone else’s command. Joining the Brotherhood of Steel wouldn’t be like joining the Minutemen. I wouldn’t be the “General”. I would be a foot soldier.
Nate started out as a foot soldier. I went through law school, where most of my time was spent working on assignments. I’ve worked for multiple law firms, rising as high as junior partner. I’ve been employed. I’ve started at the bottom. I am not averse to being so again, nor am I married to my current freedom. In fact, most of my “freedom” is spent just surviving. So this is not much of a con.
Finally, I may not be able to walk away. This is the big one. And I need to know more from Danse before I can make a decision.
The pros:
As mentioned before, I spend a lot of my time and effort just making sure I have what I need to survive. Food, safe shelter, bottlecaps… all of which would be given to me by the Brotherhood. The time my service will demand is surely going to be more than the time it will free up, so not a big pro. But I think it will be psychologically healthier.
I could possibly steer Gladius towards a path that is beneficial to the Commonwealth. Scribe Hayden, according to her holotape, wants a more noble Brotherhood, so my efforts could gain traction. However, this may be a chem dream, so not a reliable pro.
The Brotherhood of Steel would give me access to some of the best equipment available. Better equipped means better able to serve and protect. This is a big pro. (It should be, as it was Danse’s primary selling point.) And let us not neglect that being allied with a military force could provide critical support.
Finally, being part of the Brotherhood of Steel may be the best (possibly even the only) way for me to keep an eye on a powerful faction in the Commonweath: the Brotherhood of Steel themselves.
Right now, I can make strong arguments either way. I need sleep, and I need to talk to Danse before I can decide. And when I do the latter, it might be worthwhile to inquire whether the Brotherhood would be willing instead to take me on as outside council.
Day 18 – Early Evening
November 10, 2287Travis is at is again. This time, the radio is announcing to the world that I helped out the Brotherhood of Steel at the police station. I wouldn’t mind that, if he didn’t follow up with a hopeful “I guess they’ll be on their way now…” followed by a panicked scream that we’re all going to die. Thank you, Travis.
Now I’m wondering who the heck reported that to him. Preston couldn’t have, I didn’t, and I really can’t imagine anyone in Gladius chatting with the Diamond City DJ. Who else was around to see it?
Despite the lack of sleep, I’ve been able to put in some good work. We’ve made more beds for Sanctuary. (The blue house is now effectively a barracks. It reminds me of girl scout camp.) I spent a few hours working in the shop, including taking time to modify “Righteous Authority” with some improvements of my own. She’s got much better range now, and anything she doesn’t kill outright she’ll set on fire.
Now I’m making my way towards Thicket Excavations to see what became of Sully and his pumping project. Along the way, I swung by the Red Rocket and harvested some glowing mushrooms from the cave beneath the station. I have “Righteous Authority” with me, and I intend to test out the new mods on whatever twisted and hostile wildlife I encounter along the way. There’s always wild dogs or bloatflies or something in these parts.
Day 18 – Late Evening
November 10, 2287
Sully, you disappoint me. You don’t surprise me, but you disappoint me.
Thicket Excavations has been fully drained. Sully’s project was a resounding success. And wow, that is one big, deep hole.
My suspicions were right. Sully and his crew are raiders. Now they’ve all gathered here and set up a base. All the eggs, meet the one basket.
I’m actually rather miffed. These raiders stole my idea! They’ve got mirelurk pens!
And either my lack of sleep is seriously impairing my fighting, or raiders have gotten a lot tougher. It takes far too many bullets to put one of these guys down. On a happier note, “Righteous Authority” works like a dream.
Once more into the breach.
art by Aschenstern
These are immensely enjoyable, and also make me repeatedly go "Wait, how did I miss that?"
I find myself really enjoying the inner thoughts of Angel as she travels through the Commonwealth. It'snot just her reacting to the changed world, but coming to terms with her old life she left behind and what she is searching for.
Well Angel should look at it this way, They stole her idea, but she reaps the rewards.
If you're willing to do both a finale review and a season overview, I'd gladly read both. If not, whichever you'd rather do is fine.
I'd think an overall review would be interesting, but I'm not picky. Also, glad you got that bug squashed.
I had no idea you were a Maud enthusiast.
Also, I'd say both, if you're up to it.
Argh, ive been having the crash to desktop bug a lot too. Everytime I try to enter an underground command center below a military office. Which sucks because its an area I need to travel too to pursue the main quest line. >.<
Awesome new blog! :D hhheh, very awesome.
It took me days to return to Danse after he offered me to join. I knew a lot about how cruel the Brotherhood can be. (While I roleplayed the ignorant vault dweller for a bit, I quickly decided what was the point in having such a vast knowledge of the Fallout universe if I can't use it?) This was backed up by Scribe Hayden's holotape. I didn't want to join up only to be asked to shoot a puppy because it has a Tesla coil or something.
After a certain point in the story, I decided having the Brotherhood's firepower on my side is something I wanted even if it meant that chance. What happened to me next I'll save for when Angel gets further on her own adventure.
We have similar tastes in Rifle mods, you and I. I modded my Righteous Authority very similarly. Eventually I went back to the Laser Musket though. I really like the single, powerful shot those things give off. Also the sound. BWOOM!
You certainly are skilled at finding interesting places out in the wasteland. I'll have to revisit ArcJet and Thicket Excavations. Never met Bethany or Sully, and here I thought my exploration was so thorough.
3593293 Same, I can't believe how many things I've missed out on
The Brotherhood of Steel. Only reason I would ever join them is to get a shot at that power armor. If you happen to join them, I'd suggest naming your armor the Iron Patriot.
I wouldn't mind seeing a review of the whole season, but whatever you decide to do is fine with me! As for merchandise, I don't own any MLP merch of any kind.
I completely forgot to check back in on Sully after I turned on the pumps. Thanks for reminding me!
No kidding. If I remember correctly, Survival difficulty drastically lowers player damage vs npc. Npc does a lot more damage towards the player. If the player has trouble killing raiders, a companion might just walk over said raider like it was nothing.