Courier

The Courier, also known as Courier Six, is the player character and main protagonist of Fallout: New Vegas.
==Background==
Prior to 2281, the Courier had traveled extensively across New California, such as on the Long 15 to Primm, to Circle Junction, New Reno, Vault City, Fort Abandon and on brahmin drives at the Big Circle.Courier: "Why would I have brought it here?"Ulysses: "I've walked the East. You've walked the West, more than I have. Circle Junction. Reno. Vault City. Word of you at Fort Aradesh... Fort Abandon. Even further West than that, Brahmin drives on the Big Circle. Whatever you saw out there, wasn't enough to make you stay. Maybe the markings on the package reminded you of the road home."(Ulysses' dialogue)Ulysses: "You may not know my voice, but we've walked the same places. The Long 15 to Primm... that wasn't the only road you ever walked."(Ulysses' dialogue) At one point, they were hired to deliver a package scavenged from Navarro to a community near Death Valley. They left the area soon after completing the delivery, unaware that the package would go on to transmit detonation codes to multiple pre-War nuclear missile silos beneath the area. The missiles, trapped in the decayed silos, exploded underground and destroyed the community, turning the area into the Divide.Joshua Graham: "Something bad happened near Death Valley, at a place called the Divide. NCR couldn't cut across anymore and it slowed down their reinforcements. Terrible storms ripped entire companies apart before they even got to Nevada soil. The aftermath of Hoover Dam could have been even worse for Caesar."(Joshua Graham's dialogue)Courier: "You said I brought it from the West?"Ulysses: "It was a device, a detonator. One I'd never seen before - or heard before. You carried that thing to the Divide. I know because I followed you as you walked the road, watched you do it. You brought it here, to the community you built. And you are responsible for what happened after - when the device opened, started to speak. When it did, the Divide answered back. Those missiles you've seen, buried in their silos. They exploded beneath the ground, cracked the landscape. Sand, ash... the dead... the Divide skies became a graveyard."(Ulysses' dialogue)
In 2281, the Courier was one of six messengers hired by the Mojave Express at Robert House's behest to deliver packages to the New Vegas Strip.Robert House: "You signed a contract to deliver the Platinum Chip, and you'll be paid when the delivery is made."(Mr. House's dialogue)Courier: "What was strange about it?"Johnson Nash: "That cowboy robot had us hire six couriers. Each was carrying something a little different. A pair of dice, a chess piece, that kind of stuff. Last word I had from the office, it looked like payment had been received for the other five jobs. Guess it was just your chip that didn't make it."(Johnson Nash's dialogue) Although they did not know it at the time, the reason they came to be involved was because a previous candidate refused the job after seeing that they were next in line, and insisted they personally take the job.Courier: "He canceled?"Johnson Nash: "Yeah, got this look when he saw you next down on the Courier list. His expression turned right around, asked me if your name was for real. I said, sure as lack of rain, you were still kicking. Then he turned down the job, just like that. I asked if he was sure, it was good money. No, let "Courier Six" carry the package, that's what he said - like the Mojave'd sort you out or something. Then he just up and walked out."(Johnson Nash's dialogue) Of the six, it was the Courier that was carrying the only item of worth, the platinum chip.Courier: "If the Chip's so valuable, why use a single courier to transport it?"Robert House: "You realize you were just one of many couriers, the rest of them dummies, so to speak?"(Mr. House's dialogue) When their route passed near Goodsprings they were ambushed by Benny, the rogue leader of the Chairmen, and a hired group of Great Khans. The Courier was knocked out during the attack, and while unconscious had the platinum chip stolen from them. While the Courier was unconscious, they were moved to the Goodsprings Cemetery, and regained consciousness soon after the Khans had finished digging a grave to bury them in. Benny then gave a brief speech to the Courier, blaming their fate on bad luck, then shot them in the head twice in an attempt to murder them.Fallout: New Vegas introCourier: "Where you see death, I see change - and I see it as a strength."Lanius: "Hnh. My coming would have saved you, set your people free in ways they cannot see. War would have tested them. Broken the weak with its violence, yet allowing the strong to arise. Violence gave you that strength, awakened you - I can see it upon your face, where two bullets left their mark."(Lanius' dialogue)Courier: "Do your thinking about me."The Forecaster: "Your face does the thinking - two to the skull, yet one gets up. Odds are against you... but they're just numbers after the two-to-one."(The Forecaster's dialogue)Courier: "What was your relationship with Benny... back when he was breathing?"Robert House: "Benny was the leader of the Chairmen for seven years, ever since I recruited the tribe. I considered him something of a protege."(Mr. House's dialogue) They were then buried in the grave the Khans had prepared, but survived long enough for Victor, a Securitron under Mr. House's control, to come and dig them out.Courier: "Why didn't you intervene sooner when Benny ambushed me?"Robert House: "Why didn't Victor intervene sooner, you mean? Goodsprings is a bit too far away for me to reliably control a Securitron agent by remote. I can send and receive packets of data, at best. Victor's combat algorithms determined the proper course of action. Benny and his thugs were more than a match for a lone Securitron. When he alerted me, I instructed him to approach the site after Benny and the others had departed."(Mr. House's dialogue) They were operated on by Doc Mitchell, the resident doctor of Goodsprings, who then monitored the Courier's recovery over the following days.Doc Mitchell: "Whoa, easy there. Easy. You been out cold a couple of days now."(Doc Mitchell's dialogue)Doc Mitchell: "Now, I hope you don't mind, but I had to go rooting around there in your noggin to pull all the bits of lead out."(Doc Mitchell's dialogue)
===Information through dialogue===
The player character can make several statements about their past through in-game dialogue options. They do not form part of their background until they have been selected. Below is a list of elements of the character's past which can be chosen through dialogue:
* During a conversation with Bruce Isaac in Novac, the Courier can state that they have been to New Reno before and attended one of his shows at the Shark Club.Courier: "Aren't you that singer from New Reno? I think I saw you play the clubs there."Bruce Isaac: "Oh, so you have heard of me. Yeah, that's right. I was the big draw at the Shark Club, people used to pay hundreds of caps to see me."(Bruce Isaac's dialogue)
* When talking with Little Buster, the Courier can suggest that they worked as a bounty hunter at some point.Courier: "I've been known to hunt a few bounties, myself."Little Buster: "Well hey, the field's wide open, now that I'm gone. Probably lots of people looking to get in, once they hear I quit."(Little Buster's dialogue)
* The Courier is initially unaware of the rarity and value of the Sunset Sarsaparilla star bottle caps as Malcolm Holmes says the Courier did not express any reaction upon finding their first one.Courier: "Why were you following me?"Malcolm Holmes: "It started off innocently enough. I was travelling, as I often do, and happened to observe you picking up one of those blue-star caps. You didn't show any reaction to it, so I figured you didn't know what you'd gotten your hands on."(Malcolm Holmes' dialogue)
* Even if one has not made contact with the Brotherhood of Steel at Hidden Valley, the Courier can state they have heard of the Brotherhood when conversing with Veronica for the first timeCourier: "I know who they are but I don't care about their agenda."Veronica Santangelo: "Yeah, it's pretty far out, right? Fixating on old technology just doesn't seem very relevant to most people's lives."(Veronica Santangelo's dialogue) and, upon passing an Intelligence check, when interacting with Christine in Dead Money.Courier: "No, wait, I want to hear this. You were bald before?"Christine: "[She nods with an exasperated look, then makes a circle with her hands, repeats it twice more, then raises her hands and waves them like wings.] [She puts both hands in front of her, then makes a motion with her hands as if writing something.]"Courier: "[Intelligence 7] Wait... that's a Brotherhood of Steel symbol, right? You're a Scribe?"Christine: "[SUCCEEDED] [She nods, looks impressed.]"(Christine's dialogue) The Courier may also be aware of their technology obsessionCourier: "They're usually harmless unless you use advanced technology around them."Veronica Santangelo: "Well that shouldn't be a problem for me. I can't afford anything like that."(Veronica Santangelo's dialogue) and their hostility with the NCR.Courier: "They're enemies of the NCR. If you know where they are you should turn them in."Veronica Santangelo: "Oh my gosh, really? Well, I didn't see where they went, but I'll keep an eye out. Wow, I had no idea they were so dangerous. Thanks for letting me know. Glad I didn't do any business with them."(Veronica Santangelo's dialogue)
* During the dialogue with Veronica, the Courier may mention not knowing where they came from.Veronica Santangelo: "No offense, but you look like you've traveled a long way down some bad roads. Where'd you come from?"Courier: "I'm not entirely sure."Veronica Santangelo: "Yeah, guess the roads must've been long, then, if you forgot where you started from."(Veronica Santangelo's dialogue)
* The Courier can tell Cass that they [the Courier] do not know what a fish is.Courier: "What the hell is a fish?"Rose of Sharon Cassidy: "It's this... slimy, scaled thing, like a Lakelurk, except no legs. Well, most times. They're like birds, except they stay underwater. Anyway, I've seen pictures. One guy even had one above his bar in Redding, except it was made of Pre-War plastic. Used to say it could sing, but I figured he was on a Jet rush."(Rose of Sharon Cassidy's dialogue) Or, on the contrary, an intelligent Courier may test her knowledge about fish.Courier: "[Intelligence] I'm familiar. Do *you* know what a fish is?"Rose of Sharon Cassidy: ""(Rose of Sharon Cassidy's dialogue)
* A Courier with a high Repair skill can tell the Boomer teacher that they have years of experience with machining and lathe work.The Courier: "[Repair 50] I've done a lot of machining and lathe work over the years. I could write up a booklet for you."Boomer teacher: "[SUCCEEDED] Hey, that's a great idea! This information might help with our training manuals, and maybe create a few new apprentices for Loyal."(Boomer teacher's dialogue)
* In Dead Money, the Courier can express unfamiliarity with FEV through their interaction with Father Elijah.Courier: "What's FEV?"Father Elijah: "A long story. FEV... a virus with an even longer story... it gave birth to the docile one, turned him into a super mutant long ago."(Father Elijah's dialogue)
* When Elijah mentions the "Big Empty," the Courier may claim that they have never heard of it before.Courier: "I've never heard of the place you're talking about."Elijah: " The Holorifle, the Saturnite alloy... the hologram technology, hibernation chambers, Securitrons, the collars... ...even the suits attached to those things stalking the Villa... that's only the surface of what's there. "(Elijah's dialogue)
* Before setting off to New Canaan, the Courier can tell Jed Masterson that they have not been to Utah in some time, suggesting that they have been there before.Courier: "I haven't been through Utah recently - what's the situation like?"Jed Masterson: "Well, it ain't good, I'll tell you that. It's not like the Mojave or the NCR - hell, even Arizona under Caesar is safer. You got raiders all over the damn place, tribes of degenerates that'll eat you as soon as look at you, regional warlords... the works. Not too many decent places to stop and trade. New Canaan's one of the only ones left I know about."(Jed Masterson's dialogue)
* In Honest Hearts, an intelligent Courier can impress a Dead Horse stalker with their knowledge of the languages of the Dead Horses and the Sorrows tribes.Courier: "Am I... looking for Joshua? Yes, I am. Can you tell me where he is?"Dead Horse stalker: " Joshua in high place of cave. You show respect, utman! Joshua is greatest warrior. You show him no respect, he show you thunder and fire!"(Dead Horse stalker's dialogue)
* In conversation with Joshua Graham, the Courier may imply that they have never heard of Christianity, or at least the denomination of Mormonism.Courier: "Pray? God? What are you talking about?"Joshua Graham: "I am a New Canaanite. We believe we are the heirs of a spiritual tradition given to our ancestors thousands of years ago."(Joshua Graham's dialogue)
* In Old World Blues, the Courier is revealed to have a special brain condition due to being shot in the head in just the right spot and surviving.Courier: "But there must have been other signs of a larger world."Doctor Mobius: "There have been other visitors to make them doubt their perceptions, but you are the one who dialed back their monitor-micro-magnifiers. You were irrefutable proof that there was a world outside. And then there was the whole 'brain' fiasco, which forced me to take steps. See, your brain had a special kind of... uh... wrinkle, a unique-ity that they had never thought to try in all their countless escape attempts."Courier: "The bullet that went into my brain? Doc Mitchell tried to patch me up, but..."Doctor Mobius: "[SUCCEEDED] Yes. Very good. I should have Mentats ingest you instead of the other way around. Mmm. Mentats."(Doctor Mobius' dialogue)
* After Old World Blues, the Courier becomes a cybernetically augmented human. Even if they get their brain, heart, and spine back, it is stated there will still be some advanced technologies that remain in place.Descriptions of the perks Big Brained, Cardiac Arrest, and Reinforced Spine.
* A skilled Courier may have a high understanding of RobCo technology. In Honest Hearts, a Courier with a high Science skill can call out Ricky's incompetence with his locked Pip-Boy.The Courier: "Your Pip-Boy isn't working. The screen's locked up, and the reboot button is missing."Ricky: "[SUCCEEDED] Bullshit! Ain't nothing wrong with my Pit-Boy! "(Ricky's dialogue) In Old World Blues, the Courier can recognize the RobCo signals that Doctor 8 transmits.Courier: "Wait, after listening a bit - that's RobCo termlink protocol you're broadcasting, right?"[SUCCEEDED] (Doctor 8's dialogue) The Courier is also apparently able to understand the duplicated ED-E's incomprehensible beeping and is even able to tell the difference between its emotions through its beeping.Courier: "Yes, ED-E, I'm sure RALPHIE the Robot would be very proud of you."ED-E (Lonesome Road): ""(ED-E (Lonesome Road)'s dialogue)
* One ending slide of Old World Blues states that the Courier knows very little about communism or high schools.Old World Blues endings, X-8 research center: "As the Courier ran through the X-8 facility multiple times, the computers analyzed the test subject's movements. Rather than performing a superficial observation, they realized the subject barely knew what Communism was - or even what a high school was. This confused them for a time, until the facility finally realized that its research had... succeeded. So it let its cyberdogs out into the wastes to help protect small communities from physical aggression rather than communist propaganda."
* According to Ulysses, the Courier has been to Circle Junction, New Reno, Vault City, Fort Abandon, and on brahmin drives at the Big Circle.
* The Courier has very limited knowledge of the former American Midwest, as when the duplicated ED-E plays the log where it was recovered by Tommy, they can ask where it happened and ED-E responds with Chicago, Illinois. Depending on whether they previously repaired the original ED-E, they recognize the name if they did ("Illinois? So that's where you got that plate. The other you, I mean."),Courier: "Illinois? So that's where you got that plate. The other you, I mean."ED-E (Lonesome Road): ""(ED-E (Lonesome Road)'s dialogue) or express being unaware of it if they did not ("Illin-what? Come on you're making that name up.").Courier: "Illin-what? Come on, you're making that name up."ED-E (Lonesome Road): ""(ED-E (Lonesome Road)'s dialogue) Regardless of either case, the Courier does not know about Chicago ("What's a Chicago?").Courier: "What's a Chicago?"ED-E (Lonesome Road): ""(ED-E (Lonesome Road)'s dialogue)
* The Courier has at least passing knowledge of the Fiends and their unhinged reputation as they can suggest the raider tribe as a possible cause for the loss of Cassidy Caravans when first talking to Cass, of which the dialogue option is available even if one has never encountered nor been told about the Fiends.Courier: "Might have been Fiends, they're crazy like that."Cass: "My guess is Legion, they're trying to cut NCR's supply line... and the Mojave Outpost is proof. Got us locked up tighter than a New Vegas virgin. No caravans in, out, and just {emph} try arguing with Jackson about it. "Roads aren't safe," he says. No shit, you washed-out old fuckup, I didn't need a Brotherhood Scribe to tell me that."{Cass' dialogue)
* An intelligent Courier may have at least passing knowledge of snipers and spotters, as Boone can be recruited by passing an Intelligence check where they note that snipers are supposed to work in pairs.Courier: "[Intelligence 6] I thought snipers worked in teams."Boone: "Hnh. Yeah. Working on your own, you're a lot less effective. I've been there and paid for it. But this isn't gonna end well."(Boone's dialogue)
* The Courier has at least passing knowledge of the Boomers including the tribe's choice of fashion as they correctly identify the origin of Boomer flightsuits when bartering a deal to sell them to Sarah Weintraub regardless of passingCourier: "Shame you can't fix Boomer suits. They're very similar to vault suits."Sarah Weintraub: "[SUCCEEDED] Hey, who says I can't fix that? You bring me those boom-suits too, okay?"(Sarah Weintraub's dialogue) or failingCourier: "I'll also bring you Boomer suits. You can fix them and sell them."Sarah Weintraub: "[FAILED] Do I look like a seamstress to you? Those boomsters can stay in their nowhereville until the sun runs out of gas, for all I care. No deal."(Sarah Weintraub's dialogue) the skill check, of which the dialogue option is available even if they have not been to Nellis Air Force Base beforehand.
* When speaking with the Lonesome Drifter, and learning that he is from Montana and trying to track down his estranged father, a male Courier with the Lady Killer perk can nervously ask the Drifter if he happens to be 17 years old, then expresses relief when he says he is 28, implying the Courier impregnated (or believes he impregnated) a woman in Montana at some point around 2264.Courier: "Wait, Montana? You wouldn't happen to be 17, would you?"The Lonesome Drifter: "No sir, I'm 28. Why?"(Lonesome Drifter's dialogue)
* The Courier may express an inability to understand Latin when first talking to Arcade Gannon, indicating unfamiliarity with the language.Courier: "You don't sound too enthusiastic about it."Arcade Gannon: "I'm enthusiastic about helping people, but "Courier: "Nihi-what?"Arcade Gannon: "Oh. "There is nothing new under the sun." If agave and mesquite were that miraculous, the locals would have figured it out a few thousand years ago."(Arcade's dialogue) However, an intelligent Courier can demonstrate a strong enough grasp of Latin to successfully trick Silus, a veteran centurion of Caesar's Legion into thinking they are an assassin working for Caesar coming to kill him.The Courier: ""Silus: "[?] You're nothing. You're some inept mercenary the NCR is paying to supplement its own incompetent soldiers."The Courier: ""The Courier: ""The Courier: ""Silus: "[?] What? No! Listen, Caesar's secrets are safe with me. I stayed alive because Caesar would've wanted it. I'm useless to him dead."(Silus' dialogue) 
* An intelligent Courier can have knowledge of ancient Roman mythology and American history, as they can recognize that Ulysses took his name from Ulysses S. Grant, not the mythological figure Ulysses, by his pronunciation of the name.Courier: "[Intelligence 7] 'Ulysses.' Not the myth. You're honoring history, not stories."Ulysses: "[SUCCEEDED] Ulysses walked a hard road. A general, like Caesar and Oliver. He was Brahmin-stubborn, gave him strength on the battlefield. He led his side to victory, turned two flags into one. Lesson there, if history's to be believed. One you should heed."(Ulysses' dialogue)
* Dialogue with Raul indicates that the Courier may have at least a passing knowledge of Spanish, using the word "vaquero."Courier: "Where'd you get that Vaquero outfit?"Raul Tejada: "I found it in a costume shop. It was sort of my calling card, you know? "Raul the Ghoul, the zombie vaquero of Mexico City.""(Raul Tejada's dialogue)
* A female Courier knows how to use the heels of her feet in a sexually gratifying way, according to potential partner Benny.Thanks, baby
* When Caesar mentions the concept of Hegelian dialectics, the Courier can claim to be unaware of that concept.Courier: "Hegelian Dialectics? What are those?"Caesar: " The fundamental premise is to envision history as a sequence of 'dialectical' conflicts. Each dialectic begins with a proposition, a ...which inherently contains, or creates, its opposite - an antithesis. Thesis and antithesis. The conflict is inevitable. But the resolution of the conflict yields something new - a synthesis - eliminating the flaws in each, leaving behind common elements and ideas."(Caesar's dialogue)
* After hearing one of the ED-E clone's recordings and discovering that the ED-E clone is trying to find their way home, the Courier can remark that they feel the same way and adds "Why do you think I became a courier?"Courier: "Sometimes I feel the same way. Why do you think I became a courier?"ED-E (Lonesome Road): ""(ED-E (Lonesome Road)'s dialogue)
* In dialogue with Keith, the Courier can claim to have once been a con artist.Courier: Keith: "[SUCCEEDED] You know how they say you make your own luck? Let's just say I make mine with a little extra ink on the cards."(Keith's dialogue)
* In the endings for Old World Blues, the Courier returns to Big MT and watches over it, keeping a close eye over the sciences and goings-on of the facility while gradually reintroducing sciences both forgotten and new back into the wasteland as needed.Old World Blues endings: "As it had been in the years before the Great War, Big MT... the Big Empty... became home to one of the brightest minds of the 23rd century. The Courier watched over the Big Empty for years to come, caring for it, and keeping its discoveries safe until they were needed to help others. Which had always been Big MT's purpose. Past the laboratories and Science, it had always been intended as a place to build the future of all mankind."
==Endings==
===Fallout: New Vegas===
===Dead Money===
===Lonesome Road===
==Notes==
* In the opening cutscene, the Courier can be briefly seen wearing a recolored version of the caravaneer outfit with a light-colored cowboy hat, along with tan work gloves.
* In one of the endings of Dead Money, the Courier can become trapped within the Sierra Madre vault, which results in a game over slide.
* The Courier was shown wearing an armored Vault 21 jumpsuit during Fallout: New Vegas previews and in the ending. However, this item does not appear in-game, and can only be obtained using console commands.
* One of the ending slides in Lonesome Road shows the Courier wearing the "Yes Man" variant of the Courier duster. This will happen no matter which side was nuked, or even if the nukes were stopped.
* Along with the Chosen One, the Courier is the only protagonist throughout the main Fallout series to not begin the events of the game from a vault.
* As mentioned by Elijah on his radio frequency in Dead Money, the Courier carries Collar 21,743.00Hz ULF radio signal: "What the hell is 21 doing now... hnh." assuming the Courier had stolen a Pip-Boy from a Vault 21 dweller.743.00Hz ULF radio signal: "Good thing the new recruit had a Pip-Boy, too, probably stole it from a Vault 21 dweller. , a thief's just what I need for this."
*In Fallout: Wasteland Warfare, the set that the Courier is sold as is NCR: Promo NCR Ranger. Despite this, the resin sprue label and unit card identify the model as "The Courier" and a unit within the Survivors faction, not NCR.
==Appearances==
The Courier appears , all of its add-ons, and Fallout: Wasteland Warfare. They are also mentioned in the graphic novel, All Roads.
==Behind the scenes==
* Originally, the player would have been able to choose the Courier's race. Obsidian planned for the options of human, ghoul, and super mutant. However, Bethesda strongly advised against on the basis of reworking armor and weapons for each race. Obsidian followed Bethesda's advice and left the Courier human."Fallout: New Vegas was once Fallout: Sin City and had three playable races" Eurogamer
* The Courier is the Joker in the deck of Vault playing cards included with the Collector's Edition of Fallout: New Vegas.
* Josh Sawyer stated that the developers "intentionally left the Courier's origins and the exact nature of the initial transaction vague" but carried their "delivery from southern NCR, toward the Hub.""The Courier carried his/her delivery from southern NCR, toward the Hub. We intentionally left the Courier's origins and the exact nature of the initial transaction vague." - J.E. Sawyer
* Chris Avellone describes the story of the Divide as beginning with the NCR finding Enclave technology, recognizing symbols of which match a different location, subsequently hiring the Courier to take it there, the future Divide.Chris Avellone on his blog
==Gallery==
===Fallout: New Vegas===
Courier buried.jpg|Teaser trailer, Courier being dug out of their grave by Victor
Courier burial.jpg|Opening cinematic, Courier's grave being dug in Goodsprings Cemetery
Courier end slide 06.png|Ending slide, Courier walking into the wasteland
Courier's grave.jpg|The Courier's grave
DefaultCourier.png|Default appearance of a male Courier
FNVLR steam background.png|Steam artwork
LR Courier.jpg|Close up, character on Steam artwork
File:The Courier Card Front.png|The Courier on the promotional vault playing cards
===Fallout: Wasteland Warfare===
Fallout wasteland warfare NCR Promo NCR Ranger.jpg|The Courier in Fallout: Wasteland Warfare
FOWW,CourierUnitCard.jpg|Unit card
==References==
Non-game
Category:Fallout: New Vegas player characters
Category:Fallout: New Vegas human characters
Category:Dead Money human characters
Category:Honest Hearts human characters
Category:Old World Blues human characters
Category:Lonesome Road human characters
Category:Collector's Edition playing card characters
Category:Fallout: Wasteland Warfare characters
Category:Mythical figures
de:Kurier
es:Mensajero
fi:Courier
fr:Courrier
it:Corriere
nl:Courier
pl:Kurier
pt:Courier
ru:Курьер (Fallout: New Vegas) 	
uk:Кур'єр
zh:信使