Madison Li

Doctor Madison Li is a scientist residing in the science lab of Rivet City in the Capital Wasteland, serving as a major character in the main questline .
She makes a reappearance residing in the Institute as the head of the Advanced Systems division (Institute username Li.M)Institute Advanced Systems terminal entries; terminal, Research Proposals in the Commonwealth, serving as a supporting character in the Institute and Brotherhood of Steel questlines . 
==Background==
===Early life===
Madison Li was a young, idealistic scientist when she met James and Catherine. Upon learning of their plan, she fully devoted herself to the eventual success of Project Purity like the rest of the scientists who joined them, working tirelessly to see it through.The Lone Wanderer: "What was my father like back then?"Doctor Li: "James? He was very driven. Determined to change the world. Well, we all were back then, I suppose. When she died, I think... I think he gave up. I know he wanted to keep you safe, but I think part of what he did was run away. He was focused on two things, really. Making Project Purity work, and your mother. But it seems that he never really was able to get over the idea. I'm frankly shocked that he waited all this time, and wants to try again."(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3)The Lone Wanderer: "Where's my father? Tell me now!"Doctor Li: " What are you doing here? James said you were still in the Vault. Look, this is all terribly irrational. Your father just shows up here as if nothing happened... He walked out on us. I know he had his reasons, I know it was to protect you, but still. Project Purity was our life. It was the only thing that mattered, and then he just gave up. He abandoned us, and we were forced to move on. I've already told him that it's over. There's no going back. Project Purity was a failure, and he needs to move on."(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3)Project Purity journal: entry 1Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.69-70: "Doctor Madison LiDoctor Madison Li, 48, was a young, idealistic scientist who fully bought into the notion of Project Purity. She worked tirelessly with your father, and hid her growing romantic feelings while respecting his marriage to another scientist. When your mother was killed, Doctor Li was filled with remorse, but when the player's father decided to abandon Project Purity to keep his child safe, her sadness was replaced with a powerful sense of betrayal. Eighteen years later, she is older, wiser, and much more cynical." Her admiration for James later developed into romantic feelings over the course of their work, but she kept them hidden out of respect for James' marriage to Catherine. Though it strained her personal relationship with them, her professional relationship never changed.The Lone Wanderer: "So you knew my mother?"Doctor Li: "Yes, I did. I'm sorry that you never had time with her. She was... She was a good woman. We didn't always agree, but I respected her work as a scientist. Your father... He loved her very much."(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3)
The progress of the project faced numerous complications, not the least of which were the frequent super mutant attacks, but the martial support of Lyons' Brotherhood of Steel allowed them to continue in relative safety, though Madison personally did not trust the organization's motives for lending their aid. Even with the Brotherhood's help, however, the researchers' efforts soon took a downturn, with super mutant attacks intensifying and work to adapt the water purification technology for large-scale deployment hitting snags. Catherine's pregnancy, which had previously inspired the team to work harder, became the breaking point. When Catherine went into labor, Madison personally was able to deliver her child safely, but Catherine suffered cardiac arrest and died shortly after the birth. Afterwards, James chose to abandon Project Purity in favor of his child's safety. Madison's grief for Catherine's death turned into a feeling of betrayal by James, whom she still loved, and things quickly splintered apart amongst the remaining members, not least because of Madison's dislike for the Brotherhood. Eventually, the Brotherhood also left, taking their protective support with them. The team soon fully dissolved, leaving Project Purity unfinished, and went their separate ways.The Lone Wanderer: "You know my father? Have you seen him?"Doctor Li: "Well yes, of course I do. Don't you know who I am? I suppose James never told you. Typical. I am Doctor Madison Li. I worked with your father many years ago. Your mother as well, in fact. You'll have to forgive me. This has all been very stressful, what with your father suddenly showing up here after being gone for so long. You have to understand that I... We put all of that behind us. Project Purity, our work, all of it. We've moved on, even if your father hasn't."(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3)The Lone Wanderer: "What was my father like back then?"Doctor Li: " It wasn't just you; we had more problems than we could handle already, but your birth is what finally pushed it over the edge. Your father decided that you were more important than everything we'd been working for, and he left. He left all of us. Once he was gone, the Brotherhood decided we weren't worth their time anymore. Without their protection, we had to abandon the purifier."(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3)Project Purity journal: entry 8
===Rivet City===
After leaving Project Purity around 2259, Madison headed to Rivet City, having heard about the thriving scientific community set up there by Horace Pinkerton. Despite leaving the project behind unfulfilled, she had not given up on its mission, and continued her research into water purification, though on a smaller scale. It soon became clear that Pinkerton did not share her vision, seeing it as a waste of time. After numerous arguments and disagreements with Madison, he left Rivet City to take up residence in the bow of the aircraft carrier, with the city at large believing he had disappeared.The Lone Wanderer: "You ever hear of someone named Pinkerton?"Doctor Li: " "(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3) With his departure, Madison took his place on the Rivet City Council and became the settlement's lead scientist,The Lone Wanderer: "So, you used to be in charge? How did you end up here?"Horace Pinkerton: "That lasted until 'bout 18 years ago, when those ambitious backbiters like Li and her little team showed up. She came in with her big "Purity Project" pipe dream, and my whole staff started working with her, those traitors! She even took my seat on the council. By then, I was glad to leave it behind. But hell if I'm leaving the city I made great!"(Horace Pinkerton's dialogue) organizing the remaining scientists and directing them to work on projects involving hydroponics, water purification, and portable fusion power.The Lone Wanderer: "What is this lab? What are you doing here?"Doctor Li: "This is the Rivet City Science lab. It's taken many long years to put together, but we've done well for ourselves. Our work on portable fusion power and hydroponics are coming along quite nicely, if not quite according to schedule."(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3) Through their work, Rivet City was able to grow healthy, radiation-free produce like fresh apples and pears. Madison remained in her position for the next 18 years, over which time she grew "older, wiser, and much more cynical."
It was in her position serving the prosperity of Rivet City that Madison had her first exposure to the Institute when Dr. Zimmer, the then-director of the Synth Retention Bureau, came to the city in 2277 requesting help from Madison's team to track down an escaped android. However, his refusal to elaborate any further, coupled with a condescending attitude towards their work, earned him no favors. Madison herself refused to acknowledge his requests, seeing him as a distraction.The Lone Wanderer: "What do you know about Zimmer?"Doctor Li: ""(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3)
===Return to Project Purity===
Later in 2277, Madison's life took a drastic turn once more. She received an unexpected visit from James, who had escaped from Vault 101 and traveled to Rivet City hoping to enlist Madison's support in reviving Project Purity. However, this caused old emotions to resurface, and Madison angrily refused to help him, claiming that she had moved on and too much time had passed.The Lone Wanderer: "I'm looking for my father. I know he was here."Doctor Li: "Well, yes... He was, but he left. He made some rather ridiculous requests of me, and I told him I couldn't help him. He said he'd work alone if he had to, and went back to the lab. You haven't seen him?"(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3)The Lone Wanderer: "His notes said something about Vault 112. Do you know where it is?"Doctor Li: "No, I don't. I'm sorry. Is this something to do with Dr. Braun? He kept talking about it while he was here. I told him it was a lost cause. The whole project is a lost cause. I wish he could see that. It's been too long. It's too late to go back."(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3) Secretly, she later regretted her outburst and hoped to see James again. She saw a chance when soon after their confrontation and James' departure to find Vault 112 and Stanislaus Braun, she met the grown-up Lone Wanderer and eventually agreed to help them find James, pointing them in the direction of their old laboratory at the Jefferson Memorial.
Following James' rescue from the Tranquility Lane simulation by the Lone Wanderer, father and child returned to Rivet City, where Madison was very happy to see James again (even though she wouldn't admit it).The Lone Wanderer: "You seem very happy. Is there anything I should know?"Doctor Li: ""(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3) She agreed to help him restart their work on Project Purity, substituting her team from Rivet City as additional manpower.
Shortly into the revived work on the project, the facility under the Memorial was invaded by the Enclave under Colonel Augustus Autumn. He demanded for the scientists to hand over control of Project Purity in order to cement the Enclave's dominance in the Capital Wasteland. James, still caring for Madison, pretended to comply with Autumn's demand, though not before making sure that she would be out of harm's way.Doctor Li: ""Dad: ""Doctor Li: "I won't help you do this James. Not after everything it took to get here."Dad: ""Doctor Li: ""Dad: ""Doctor Li: ""Dad: ""(Madison Li's and James' dialogue in Fallout 3) In the ensuing events, Madison's assistant Janice Kaplinski was killed while James flooded the control chamber with deadly amounts of radiation, sacrificing his life to avert the Enclave's takeover (though Autumn ultimately survived), though not before he was able to say goodbye to his child.The Lone Wanderer: "What the hell just happened?"Doctor Li: "James... Your father caused an overload. He sacrificed himself to keep the Enclave from getting the purifier, and to buy us time to escape. There'll be more of them coming. We need to get out of here before they find us, or else your father died in vain."(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3) Madison, despite her shock, managed to take charge and escaped with the Lone Wanderer and the surviving scientists. They fled to the Citadel, taking refuge with the Brotherhood of Steel. Despite their past enmity, her continued distrust,Doctor Li: " Rothchild should help you. But don't forget that he's Brotherhood. I've never trusted them. Be careful what you tell them."(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3) and her displeasure in working on weapons of mass destruction, Madison helped the Brotherhood prepare for war against the Enclave, applying her knowledge of portable fusion power to assist Scribe Rothchild in restoring the military robot Liberty Prime.The Lone Wanderer: "What are you doing now?"Doctor Li: "I'm assisting Rothchild with some of his research. I've worked with portable generators more extensively than he has. I don't really care for the idea that this is supporting some gigantic military robot, but given the state of things, I recognize the need for it."(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 3)The Sole Survivor: "Why did you leave the Brotherhood in the first place?"Dr. Li: " "(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 4)
Madison accompanied the Brotherhood, coming in behind Liberty Prime and the Lone Wanderer as they broke through the Enclave blockade around the Jefferson Memorial during the Battle of Project Purity. After the Enclave's defeat, she arrived to monitor the status of the purifier, finding it to be badly damaged. She informed the Lone Wanderer and Sarah Lyons via intercom that the purifier would need to be manually activated from the heavily irradiated control room or else the entire facility would explode.Sentinel Lyons: "Doctor Li? It's Sarah Lyons. I'm in the control room; we're both here. What's going on?"Doctor Li: "I've been monitoring the equipment remotely, and we have a serious problem. The facility has been damaged during the fighting. Some of it looks accidental; some of it may have been sabotage. There's pressure building up in the holding tanks. It needs to be released now, or else the whole facility could explode. To release the pressure, you're going to have to turn the purifier on. Do you understand me? It has to be turned on NOW. If I'm reading this right, I'm afraid there are lethal levels of radiation inside the chamber. I'm sorry. I wish there were some other way, but there's just no time. It has to be done now, or the damage will be catastrophic."(Sarah Lyons' and Madison Li's dialogue in Falllout 3)
===Heading north===
Some time after helping the Brotherhood to restart operations at Project Purity but before the Lone Wanderer awoke from the coma they were in as a result of activating the purifier and being hit with radiation, Madison ended up leaving the Capital Wasteland. She still distrusted the Brotherhood, and she further disagreed with their military occupation of the Capital Wasteland and exclusive control of the purifier as well as their attempts to control and weaponize her research.The Lone Wanderer: "Where's Doctor Li?"Scribe Bigsley: " "(Scribe Bigsley's dialogue) Though Elder Lyons permitted her departure, Madison realized that other voices in the Brotherhood saw her as a security risk due to her status as an outsider with access to Brotherhood secrets, and she feared they would attempt to silence her.The Sole Survivor: "Why would we want you dead?"Dr. Li: " "(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 4) Her destination was the Commonwealth to the north, where she hoped to take refuge with the Institute, believing that their rumored technological advancement would keep her safe from the Brotherhood's exploitation and retribution.The Lone Wanderer: "Where's Doctor Li?"Daniel Agincourt: "You haven't heard? I guess I shouldn't be surprised. She basically folded. After the purifier was started, she decided she'd had enough, and headed up north. Said she was looking for the Commonwealth. Like she'd ever make it on her own."(Daniel Agincourt's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Where's Doctor Li?"Alex Dargon: ""(Alex Dargon's dialogue)
===The Institute===
Madison's expedition was successful in reaching the Commonwealth, where she later made contact with the Institute. When Father extended an offer for her to join them, she was only too happy to accept, wanting nothing more than peace from the Brotherhood and room to pursue her research. The Institute's scientific resources and intellectual community were above anything Madison had ever seen before, and she quickly dedicated herself to expanding her research and scientific expertise under the Institute's wing.Dr. Li: " "The Sole Survivor: "Now you know that Father is a liar. He doesn't deserve to have you here."Dr. Li: " "(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 4) Though she has faced distrust for being an outsider,Institute Advanced Systems terminal entries; terminal, Personal Notes Madison persevered, rising through the ranks and becoming privy to some of the Institute's most sensitive projects. Sometime before 2287, she was selected to become the head of the Advanced Systems division.
Madison came to genuinely believe that the Institute wants the best for all humanity. Her cynicism over her past with the Brotherhood meant she was initially willing to overlook the organization's selfishness, isolation, and lack of transparency,The Sole Survivor: "Father trusts me, and so should you."Dr. Li: ""The Sole Survivor: "The Brotherhood has always been straight with you."Dr. Li: " "The Sole Survivor: "Your work could be instrumental in freeing the Commonwealth."Dr. Li: " "(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 4) as well as Father's irrational behavior; she was privately disgusted by the director's pet project to create a child synth but offered her assistance with it anyway.Advanced system notesInstitute Advanced Systems terminal entries; terminal, Personal Notes She also began suspecting that Father was keeping secrets from her, but doesn't see that as enough of an issue to turn her back on the group she had devoted the rest of her life to.The Sole Survivor: "Are you happy here?"Dr. Li: "[SUCCESS] "(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 4) Eventually, though, one incident managed to rattle her and shake her allegiance to the Institute: Madison was friends with Doctor Brian Virgil, the lead researcher of the Institute's FEV lab, when he was declared to have been killed in an accident that shut down the FEV lab. The lab was sealed off despite Madison's insistence on a thorough investigation, with Father deflecting all of her concerns on the topic. This time, she couldn't ignore the lack of transparency. She refused to believe what occurred was an accident, though the suspicious circumstances did not afford her any solid proof to back it up. However, the truth is out of her expectation: Virgil had grown disillusioned and fled the Institute, and is still alive and in hiding somewhere in the Commonwealth.The Sole Survivor: "I give up. What would it take to convince you?"Dr. Li: " "(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 4)The Sole Survivor: "I know this may come as a shock, but Doctor Virgil is still alive. I met him myself."Dr. Li: " "(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 4)
Despite her misgivings over the Institute's policies and Virgil's "death," Madison continued working towards the organization's goals. Though she generally avoids socializing,The Sole Survivor: "Is everything okay, Doctor Li? You seem pretty tense."Dr. Li: "Yes, things are... it's fine. I'm sorry. I don't socialize much. I prefer to focus on my work. "(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 4) she has good relationships with many colleagues and even has a protégé, Rosalind Orman, whom she considers the best physicist (and overall one of the greatest talents) in the entire Institute. Her opinion of Evan Watson, another of her subordinates, is more neutral.Rosalind: ""Dr. Li: ""Rosalind: ""Dr. Li: ""Rosalind: ""(Rosalind Orman's and Madison Li's dialogue)The Sole Survivor: "Tell me about the people in your division."Dr. Li: " "(Madison Li's dialogue in Fallout 4)
==Interactions with the player character==
===Fallout 3===
====Interactions overview====
====Quests====
* Scientific Pursuits: Madison points the Lone Wanderer in the direction of the Jefferson Memorial to further the search for James.
* The Waters of Life: Shaken by the death of James at the Jefferson Memorial, Madison enlists the Lone Wanderer to escort the remaining scientists to the Citadel and the Brotherhood of Steel.
====Effects of player's actions====
* If the Lone Wanderer has killed Three Dog before completing Galaxy News Radio, the player character will need to talk to Madison to resume the main questline.
====Other interactions====
* If the Lone Wanderer passes a Speech check before going to Project Purity, Madison rewards them with five stimpaks.
* After escaping to the Citadel, Madison will be unavailable for conversation as she asks the Lone Wanderer to leave her alone. Entering Vault 87 and starting Finding the Garden of Eden will make her available for conversation again.
===Fallout 4===
====Interactions overview====
====Quests====
=====Institute=====
* Institutionalized: Father sends the Sole Survivor to speak to the Division Heads, including Madison. She upgrades their Pip-Boy to allow them to use the Institute's Molecular Relay to enter and leave, which completes the quest.
* Mankind - Redefined: Madison is present at the Directorate meeting when Father reveals he is dying and names the Sole Survivor as his successor.
* Powering Up: Madison is present at the Directorate meeting when the decision is made to destroy the Brotherhood of Steel.
* Airship Down: Madison will inform the Sole Survivor about the mission to destroy the Prydwen and direct them to Rosalind Orman for further details.
=====Brotherhood=====
* From Within: Elder Maxson knows Madison is working for the Institute and wants her to work alongside the Brotherhood once again. One can pass a successive series of persuasion checks or give her Virgil's log in order to convince her to leave the Institute.
** If Madison is convinced to leave, Evan Watson will take her place in any further Institute quests that she would have appeared in (see the list above for reference).
* Liberty Reprimed: The Sole Survivor will assist Madison and Proctor Ingram in their mission to reconstruct Liberty Prime by gathering the materials necessary for the robot's reactivation.
====Effects of player's actions====
* After destroying the Institute during The Nuclear Option with the Brotherhood, talking to Madison will cause her to angrily confront the Sole Survivor, condemning them and the Brotherhood for betraying her again and refusing to speak with them further.
* Madison can be informed about Virgil's fate dependent on the outcomes of A Loose End and Virgil's Cure. If he was cured, she will express gratitude for letting her know. If killed, she will ask what happened, and will condemn the Sole Survivor unless told that he committed suicide.
====Other interactions====
* After completing Mankind - Redefined, Madison will have ambient dialogue commenting sternly on Father's decision to appoint the Sole Survivor his successor.
* After completing Powering Up, Madison will have ambient dialogue regarding the Institute reactor and her (preliminary) approval of the Sole Survivor as director.
* After completing Nuclear Family, Madison will have ambient dialogue expressing sympathy for Father's death and her expectations for a stable change of leadership.
==Inventory==
==Notes==
===Fallout 3===
* Madison has a unique hairstyle that is unused by any other NPC, in the same vein as Cherry. Unlike Cherry, however, her hairstyle, "The Sophisticate," is one that can be selected for a female Lone Wanderer during character creation.
* The door to her quarters is always locked and must be picked to gain entry. 
* Unlike most beds in the personal quarters of Rivet City residents, Madison's bed is classified as unowned. This sometimes results in NPCs appearing at her door fruitlessly attempting to gain access to the open bed, or spawning in her room during their assigned sleeping hours (trapping them inside).
===Fallout 4===
* It is possible to kill Madison. However, killing her will turn the Brotherhood hostile towards the player character even if they sided with the Brotherhood at the end.
* Madison will not become hostile when Institute personnel are attacked, as long as she is not attacked herself.
* Madison Li is one of the few characters that previously appeared in Fallout 3 to make a reappearance in Fallout 4, along with Arthur Maxson and Robert MacCready.
==Notable quotes==
===Fallout 3===
===Fallout 4===
==Appearances==
Madison Li appears , , , , and . Li is also mentioned .
==Behind the scenes==
* Madison Li is voiced by Jennifer Massey in the English versions of Fallout 3 and Fallout 4.
** In the Japanese versions of both games, her voice is dubbed by Yuko Kaida, who also voiced Veronica Santangelo in the Japanese version of Fallout: New Vegas.
** In the Spanish version of Fallout 3, her voice is dubbed by Yolanda Mateos, who also voiced Christine Royce in the Spanish version of Dead Money. Mateos did not reprise the role for Fallout 4, in which the Spanish dub for Madison is uncredited.
==Bugs==
 If the player convinces her to join the Brotherhood but then destroys both the Institute and the Brotherhood, along with the Prydwen and the airport, she can be found standing in the Prydwens burnt-out carcass, wearing her BoS attire and acting like she never left the Institute and the Sole Survivor was made its director.
==Gallery==
===Fallout 3===
DoctorLiCA1.jpg|Concept art by Adam Adamowicz
Young Madison Li .jpg|Madison in the birthing scene (labor ward)
FO3 Madison rifle.png|Madison fighting the Enclave using a hunting rifle during The Waters of Life 
WoLCitadel.png|A very tired Madison outside the Citadel
FO3 Madison Li endslide.jpg|Madison appearing with Good Karma during the ending slides
Doctor Li image note.png|Photo of Doctor Li
===Fallout 4===
Madison li concourse.jpg|Madison in her Institute uniform 
Madison Li Scribe.png|Madison after joining the Brotherhood of Steel in Fallout 4
===Fallout Shelter series===
FoS Madison Li in-game.jpg|Madison Li 
UI C ShopIcon Madison01.png|Madison Li's hero card 
FSO UI C ShopIcon Madison-Li.png|Madison Li's hero card in Fallout Shelter Online
FSO UITex YS C Bg HeroShare liyisheng.png|Madison Li's maxed hero card in Fallout Shelter Online
===Fallout: Wasteland Warfare===
Fallout wasteland warfare Brotherhood of steel Citadel command.png
FOWW,MadisonLi.webp
FOWW,MadisonLiUnitCard.jpg|Unit card
===Magic: The Gathering===
Fallout Magic Science! Blue-White-Red deck.png|Science! Blue-White-Red deck
File:Fallout Magic Science! Packaging Art.jpg|Packaging Art
Fallout Magic Dr. Madison Li.png|Dr. Madison Li
Fallout Magic Dr. Madison Li (Etched Foil).jpg|(Etched Foil)
Fallout Magic Dr. Madison Li (Showcase Pip-Boy).png|(Showcase Pip-Boy)
Fallout Magic Glimmer of Genius.png|Glimmer of Genius
==References==
;Non-game
Category:Fallout 3 human characters
Category:Fallout 3 scientists
Category:Broken Steel mentioned-only characters
Category:Project Purity
Category:Rivet City characters
Category:Fallout 4 human characters
Category:Fallout 4 scientists
Category:Institute characters
Category:Fallout Shelter characters
Category:Fallout Shelter Online characters
Category:Fallout: Wasteland Warfare characters
Category:Characters who appear in multiple Fallout games
Category:Chinese characters
de:Madison Li
es:Madison Li
fr:Madison Li
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ru:Доктор Ли
uk:Доктор Лі
zh:麥蒂森·梨