Kieran Kennedy

Kieran Kennedy is an employee of the Blue Ridge Caravan Company at Big Bend Tunnel West in Appalachia, . He is a potential guard for the caravan leading brahmin through Big Bend Tunnel during the event Riding Shotgun. 
==Background==
A gruff man of few words, Kieran is an "old associate" of Vinny Costa from before the Great War. They have known each other for some thirty years, since at least 2074, and Kieran has apparently been a grim, frowning man just as long. Kieran alludes to a similarly grim childhood: he says that while growing up, he had few chances to be a kid, and as a result has very little knowledge of what it means to have a childhoodVault 76 dweller: "Kids need the chance to be kids. Don't overthink it."Kieran Kennedy: "Guess you're right. Even growing up before the war, I didn't have many chances to be a kid. Anything is better than nothing."(Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) and even less of what it means to have fun.Vault 76 dweller: "Can't you just go yourself? It's right there."Kieran Kennedy: "No. Not right now anyway. And even if I did... I'm not sure I have the eye for it. Fun isn't really my strong suit."(Kieran Kennedy's dialogue)
His strong suit is violence. He is exceptionally strong and still in excellent physical condition despite his age, working under Vinny as a caravan guard for the Blue Ridge Caravan Company. He is not quick to anger, but anyone testing his patience with insults might get to learn if he can truly "rip out their tongue through their bellybutton," according to Vinny.
Vault 76 dweller: "The slacker is done slacking. Pay up."Vinny Costa: "Kieran could rip your tongue out through your bellybutton, so I'd watch your mouth. But if he's back to work, a deal's a deal. Get outta my sight quick enough and I may have some more work for you tomorrow. Scram."(Vinny Costa's dialogue) While Kieran tried numerous other jobs in the past, they did not pan out, and he always returned to what he knew best.Eugenie: "Ever consider a less dangerous line of work, Kieran?"Kieran Kennedy: "Yes. Many times in the past."Eugenie: "So... I'm guessing it didn't work out, huh? I don't think I could picture you doing something more mundane. Kieran the fisherman. Kieran the bar tender. Kieran the... professional singer."Kieran Kennedy: "It did not."(Eugenie and Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) He has a no-nonsense attitude towards work, focusing on the objectives first and any extra opportunities second.Eugenie: "Oh, and if anyone wants to scout ahead, there may be some extra cargo lying around from our less successful ventures. Just don't forget about the Brahmin."Kieran Kennedy: "Right: our priority is protecting the Brahmin, not going on a killing spree or a treasure hunt."Eugenie: "Not that there's ever any shortage of hooligans to kill and treasure to find."(Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) 
Although it is not specified exactly what jobs he did for Vinny, Kieran is more than just a hired gun: he has some knowledge of handling explosive charges and can bring down blockades without killing the caravan or bringing the Big Bend Tunnel down whenever the Blood Eagles try to block Blue Ridge from crossing.Eugenie: "That was practically an army. We must have gotten them all, right?"Kieran Kennedy: "Blockade ahead. We'll need to knock it down. I'll set some charges to clear the rubble. Watch my back. They must be looking to stall us. Expect a serious fight ahead."Eugenie: "More coming! They're going full force because they knew the "ghoul merchant" was coming through. They always think we're a quick score... Let's make them regret it."(Eugenie and Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) He also easily picks out enemy commandersKieran Kennedy: "Damn. They've got the gate closed. Looks heavily guarded. That one up top looks like a captain. We need to take him out first."(Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) and understands the reasons for bothering with the Tunnel in the first place, such as the lack of cover when going overland or using the tunnel to neutralize enemy number advantage.Eugenie: "That was a tough fight. Why don't we try taking the roads over the mountains next time?"Kieran Kennedy: "The cliffs above makes travel by Brahmin too slow, too dangerous. The lack of cover leaves us vulnerable. There are no roads that won't lead to a fight. At least this way is favorable for fighting larger numbers. I would have thought you knew that, Eugenie."Eugenie: "Of course I did, but look how I've finally got you talking, Kieran. Tell me, how was your childhood?"Kieran Kennedy: "Hrmm... Stop messing around."(Eugenie and Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) This is particularly important whenever the caravan comes under heavy attack in confined spaces, as Kieran's calm, collected attitude and quick orders allow for immediate reaction to changing circumstances.Kieran Kennedy: "Hold. Something isn't right. I expected more retaliation for taking down a captain."Eugenie: "You hear that?"Kieran Kennedy: "Enemies incoming. We need to hold up here. Watch our flanks, they'll come from all sides."(Eugenie and Kieran Kennedy's dialogue)
Kieran is usually paired with Eugenie, a ghoul weapons merchant, making regular runs with premium armaments and ammunition through Big Bend. The talkative, sociable trader could not be more different from Kieran,Eugenie: "We'll be carrying a load of premium arms and ammunition, so I'd appreciate an extra touch of care. "Kieran Kennedy: "Hrmm... Let's move out."(Eugenie and Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) and while she has complained at times about his gruff nature and tendency towards responding in a combination of sighs and monosyllabics,Big Bend Tunnel terminal entries; Vinny Costa's terminal, Deleted Entries the two have developed a rapport. Eugenie gently teases him about his disdain towards small talk, in fact,Eugenie: ""
Kieran Kennedy: "Fine... Safe."(Eugenie and Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) as she realizes he has a good heart, even if the exterior is "about as fun as a swamp itch."Eugenie: "When he's not brooding, he's moody. But, Kieran has a good heart, I know that for a fact. About as fun as swamp itch, though."(Eugenie's dialogue) Joanna Mayfield respects him as a dependable worker and is familiar with his family situation, even going as far to set aside toys for them.Big Bend Tunnel terminal entries; terminal, Staff and Clients for Appalachia
Kieran started a family, adopting at least five children and setting up a homestead, though Vinny warned him he was not cut out for the family life.Vault 76 dweller: "Kieran was concerned about his kids. I helped him sort it out."Vinny Costa: "Kieran with them damn kids... I warned him he wasn't cut out for playin' house. Glad you figured it out for him."(Vinny Costa's dialogue) The adopted children run the homestead on their own,BGS_Carl (Carl McKevitt) on Bethesda Game Studios' official Discord protected by Dorothy, a guard hired by Kieran to keep them safe whenever he is away earning caps. Dorothy is practically part of the family, all of whom stay in touch with Kieran through letters. "Uncle K.", as he is called by Hannah, is frequently away, but the homestead runs well on its own thanks to the older kids and Hannah, who also looks after the youngest ones and teaches them how to read and write.Dear Uncle K. Kieran's kids are his weakness, in fact. As he never experienced a proper childhood, he does not know how to give them what he feels is a proper childhood. He has been conflicted about his role as an adoptive father, to the point that his performance started slipping and Vinny noticed.Vinny Costa: "He's one of my old crew, from ways back. He's not known for clownin' around, so if somethin's eatin' him, we should fix it."(Vinny Costa's dialogue)
While Kieran provides his adopted family with caps, food and safety, he is concerned that he should provide more than that. The Great War and the fallout that followed may have robbed them of their chance at a childhood, but he is unsure he should keep it that way. Nuka-World on Tour seems like an opportunity to give them a bit of the childhood back, even if Kieran is well aware Appalachia is too dangerous for them to visit. He hopes to bring home a couple of souvenirs,Vault 76 dweller: "Hey Kieran, Vinny says you're not pulling your weight."Kieran Kennedy: "He always says that. But... yeah, fine. Guess I've been distracted. I've got these kids I watch back home, outside Appalachia. The only reason I do this work is to send caps back to them. But... I'm starting to worry that they need more than protection and money. They've had their whole chance at childhood robbed from them. Had my eye on this place called Nuka-World, just down the road. Some traveling carnival. The type of thing they'd love to see. The journey here, though... Too dangerous for them. Wouldn't risk it. The road is no place for kids like them. But I've been thinking... Maybe I could bring back a few toys or souvenirs from there. Think you'd be able to do that for me? It'd really help out."(Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) to bring out some of the childlike wonder.Vault 76 dweller: "Why do you need the souvenirs again?"Kieran Kennedy: "For the kids I watch back home. Safety and security are really all I can provide for them. Hopefully you can find some things that'll bring out their child... like... wonder?"(Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) At the same time, he is worried that souvenirs would only remind them of the fact they cannot visit the carnival, and of a world destroyed by their parents' generation, and that this would only end up making them sadder.Vault 76 dweller: "Here's your souvenirs."Kieran Kennedy: "I see. I've... been reconsidering. I'm starting to think that the souvenirs will only make them sadder. To see something from a place, a time, they can't go to. "(Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) The alternative is to prepare them for reality and the grim world they are facing.Vault 76 dweller: "You're right. No sense dreaming about the past."Kieran Kennedy: "Right. They're growing up in a different world from us. I need to prepare them for reality. Thanks, either way. I'll see if Carver wants to sell these or something."(Kieran Kennedy's dialogue) However, as Kieran admits, he may be overthinking it a fair bit.
While there are no kids at the Appalachian caravan camp, Kieran does get to try at being a parental figure. Carver Timmerman struggles with not knowing his father well, and when he asked Kieran about it, he provided the best guidance he could: "Your past is not who you are. You are not just your father's son, you are yourself first."Vault 76 dweller: "Forget your dead dad. Be your own man."Carver Timmerman: " "(Carver Timmerman's dialogue)
==Interactions with the player character==
===Interactions overview===
===Quests===
* Riding Shotgun: Kieran is one of the three possible guards. He will be assigned to guard Eugenie.
* Costa Business: Kieran: Kieran would like to send toys to his adopted kids back home. The player is asked to collect five toy trucks from Nuka-World on Tour, though has second thoughts upon the player's return, and asks for help. The player can choose to either reassure him and not overthink the idea of childhood in the apocalypse or agree that they need to prepare for reality. Both options complete the quest and bring him back into shape. 
** If reassured, Vinny will mention Kieran smiling for the first time in 30 years,Vault 76 dweller: "How's Kieran been?"Vinny Costa: "I still can't believe it, but I saw the sonnova bitch smilin' earlier. Don't know what you said to him, but you put a crack in a 30 year long frown."(Vinny Costa's dialogue) while confirming his cynicism will make him into an even fiercer fighter, capable of beating Blood Eagles into the ground with a hand trolley.Vault 76 dweller: "How's Kieran been?"Vinny Costa: "I saw him beat a blood eagle into the ground with a hand trolley... So, yeah, I'd say he's back in fighting form."(Vinny Costa's dialogue)
==Inventory==
==Appearances==
Kieran Kennedy appears . His character was expanded upon in the Once in a Blue Moon update.
==Behind the scenes==
* Quest designer Carl McKevitt was a writer for Kieran; McKevitt also created much of the rest of the Blue Ridge Caravan Company.
* On the Bethesda Game Studios official Discord, Carl clarified that Kieran has no living blood relatives, and that his children are adopted.
* Kieran's face was initially much younger, with black hair and the "Anchorage" hairstyle, before he was aged up to match the voice actor. As Kieran was the first guard implemented during development, his actor template was duplicated to Aries, who kept the old face model, just obscured by the mask.BGS_Carl (Carl McKevitt) on Bethesda Game Studios' official Discord
* Carl also stated that Kieran's name is a very subtle nod to one of his favorite video game protagonists, even if Kieran's final appearance in-game makes the reference "practically non-existent." While he initially did not reveal who exactly this protagonist was, he stated that there were some clues left behind, including Eugenie's line about past jobs.BGS_Carl (Carl McKevitt) on Bethesda Game Studios' official Discord
** This reference is to Kazuma Kiryu, the main protagonist of the Yakuza series. Both of their initials are "K.K." (Kiryu and Kieran, in particular, having the same first syllables), while Eugenie mentions Kieran as a fisherman, bartender, and professional singer - all jobs Kiryu has taken on. Kieran and Kiryu have also adopted daughters with similar names; Kiryu adopted Haruka Sawamura and Kieran adopted Hannah. Carl McKevitt is a noted fan of the Yakuza series and cited the games' influence on him in a Bethesda.net article.Carl McKevitt, Senior Quest Designer at Bethesda Game Studios
==Gallery==
FO76OB Kieran keyart.jpg|Kieran in the Once in a Blue Moon keyart
FO76WL SQ01 Kieran Kennedy.jpg|Kieran
FO76 Kieran watching.png|Kieran watching with binoculars at Big Bend Tunnel West
==References==
Notes
Non-game
Category:Wastelanders human characters
Category:Blue Ridge Caravan Company characters
ru:Киран