Vault 101

Vault 101 is a Vault-Tec Vault located in the Capital Wasteland in 2277. It is found in Virginia, in the area northwest of Washington, D.C. near Megaton and west of Springvale. It is the home of the Lone Wanderer until they leave to search for their father.
==Background==
===Construction and purpose===
The Vault was constructed sometime in the 2060s along with the other Vaults in Washington, D.C. The Vault 76 overseer was originally selected to be its first overseer, but she refused the position in order to stay in Appalachia.Overseer's journal, entry 5
The original and underlying purpose of the Vault 101 Vault experiment was to stay closed indefinitely, in order to study the role of the overseer when a Vault never opened. However, Vault 101 has been opened numerous times, violating its original mandate, and became infested by radroaches during these events, making the Vault susceptible to additional large infestations as time went by. One of the main objectives of Vault 101 security has been the containment of these pests.
Vault 101 was supplied with most of the equipment it would need to function indefinitely, such as seen with spare parts for the water processor, but the Vault did not receive a G.E.C.K., a device that would only be useful for surface dwellers.Vault 101 terminal entries; overseer's terminal, Attachment A
===Early years===
Just after the Great War in 2077, the first Vault 101 overseer, in order to prevent anyone from leaving the Vault, created the illusion that the outside world was an uninhabitable nuclear-ravaged wasteland with absolutely no hope of existence outside of the Vault. This was accomplished through regular fake radio transmissions (recorded before the Great War), increasing the idea among Vault 101's residents that the only hope of survival was within the Vault. The first Vault 101 overseer died of natural causes in 2127, having prepared a subordinate to continue the Vault experiment.
The second Vault 101 overseer led Vault 101 dwellers by the same isolationist doctrine, but also attempted to convince senior Vault dwellers to become complicit in the Vault experiments. The Vault dwellers were sealed within according to the Vault 101 mantra, "we are born in the Vault, we live in the Vault, and we die in the Vault."
Sometime before 2241, an unnamed Vault 101 overseer strongly favored outside contact and assembled a survey team led by Anne Palmer.Vault 101 terminal entries; overseer's terminal, Report 2241-02-10 Together, they began planning for their journey and theorizing types of mutations they might encounter. They finally went to the outside world around Vault 101, going up to Megaton sometime before February 10, 2241. 
The survey team returned to Vault 101 on February 10th and analyzed their samples to see if the outside world was still dangerously irradiated or able to sustain life. They studied the giant ant they killed and decided to revise their survey plans in light of what they have learned. Lewis and Agnes Taylor, two members of the survey team remained in Megaton to serve as contacts between the two settlements and to further survey the surrounding environments. Agnes Taylor returned to Vault 101 around 2258. The overseer who preceded Alphonse Almodovar vanished after another expedition to the Capital Wasteland failed.
===Alphonse Almodovar as overseer===
Alphonse Almodovar became the new overseer of Vault 101 sometime before 2258. Under his rule, the Vault changed into a police state with a strict policy of isolationism.Lone Wanderer: "You simply don't have enough people to stay isolated down here forever."Alphonse Almodovar: "I admit, in the 200 years since the war, our numbers have dwindled a little. But we have enough genetic diversity for... a few more generations. My God, you're right. We won't last another hundred years, whether or not we get supplies from the outside. We're the last bastion of pure humanity, and we're doomed."(Alphonse Almodovar's dialogue)
Early in Alphonse's tenure as overseer around 2258-2259, James and his child, later known as the Lone Wanderer, came to the Vault seeking shelter and arrived in front of Vault 101. James proposed to become Vault 101's new physician in return for entry into Vault 101, and Alphonse granted his request. James kept his child ignorant of their origins because of his agreement with Alphonse, convincing the Lone Wanderer that they were born in the Vault.
In the late 2260s, Jonas Palmer was appointed to be James' assistant by Alphonse Almodovar, who hoped he would be a voice of reason. Between 2265-2267, a girl escaped Vault 101 and made her way to Megaton. She entered Craterside Supply and asked Moira Brown to reinforce her Vault jumpsuit, but the girl never returned to pick it up, leaving her armored Vault 101 jumpsuit behind. 
On July 12, 2268, the water purifier began to malfunction but it was repaired by Stanley Armstrong. On July 13, 2268, Butch DeLoria, Wally Mack and Paul Hannon Jr. began looking for a name for their future gang, which later became known as the Tunnel Snakes. In 2272, another dweller escaped from Vault 101 and also made his way to Megaton. He made his way to Moriarty's Saloon, telling Colin Moriarty that members of Vault 101 were brainwashed into believing the overseer was the only voice of reason.
===James' departure===
On August 17, 2277, a radroach infestation started, and James used the event to his advantage, quickly escaping the Vault. In the ensuing conflict between radroaches and the security team, Agnes Taylor dies of a heart attack, Floyd Lewis and Vikki Hannon are both killed and Paul Hannon Jr. is critically wounded. Jonas Palmer is immediately questioned about why James has left and is subsequently killed by Stevie Mack.Stevie Mack: "Jonas cried while we beat him, did you know that?"(Stevie Mack's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Thanks, Officer Gomez. I always liked you."Officer Gomez: " But you're a good kid. You didn't do anything to deserve this. Go find your dad, if you can."(Herman Gomez's dialogue) Every member of the security force is then ordered to both contain the radroach infestation and capture the Lone Wanderer for questioning about James' departure. A few moments later, Amata Almodovar, daughter of Overseer Almodovar, awakens the Lone Wanderer, her best friend, and explains the situation.
During the Lone Wanderer's escape, Tom Holden and Mary Holden consider leaving as well while officers attempt to kill the pests. The Lone Wanderer is approached by a panicking Butch DeLoria, who desperately needs help saving his mother from the radroaches, who are attacking her in their room. Meanwhile, Amata is interrogated by her father and Officer Mack. 
Pushing through to the entrance, Amata bids farewell to the Lone Wanderer just before Officers Park and Wolfe arrive. The Vault door opens and the Lone Wanderer leaves Vault 101, entering the Capital Wasteland for the first time in their memory.
Sometime after James' departure, Paul Hannon Jr. dies from a radroach bite after refusing treatment, and the Vault 101 overseer becomes more oppressive with the dwellers than before. Through the experience, the remaining Vault dwellers learn that life above ground is possible and this discovery creates a new crisis and division within Vault 101.
===Vault experiments crisis===
A group of rebels emerges, led by Amata Almodovar, including all of the younger Vault dwellers, who holed up in the Vault clinic. They wished to open Vault 101, interact with the outside world, open up limited trade with nearby settlements, and make excursions into the wasteland when necessary. The other group was led by the Vault 101 overseer, who wanted to keep the Vault closed permanently, in accordance with the Vault experiment. Butch DeLoria wished to abandon the Vault entirely and live on the surface.
Shortly thereafter, the Vault received radio contact from the Enclave seeking to gain entrance to the Vault, claiming they previously had access via a password that no longer worked. The overseer refused to let them in, being part of the group that wished to remain isolated. He worried about exposing the Vault and its dwellers to unknown factors or work to change their initiatives. The overseer could not divert his focus from the imperative task at hand, which was preventing the rebels from opening the Vault. In response, Amata began to send out a message via emergency frequency to the Capital Wasteland, hoping that the Lone Wanderer would come back to assist them in their struggle.
===Leisure activities===
In their free time, the inhabitants of Vault 101 engage in various activities:
* The "cake bake-off" is a competitive event, and in this event, contestants bake various types of cakes which are judged according to selection criteria, with the winner or winners being given a worthy prize. On July 13, 2268, a notice on the bulletin board within the cafeteria announces the annual cake bake-off. This year, the judges will only accept bundt cakes.
* "Founder's Day" is a holiday recognized on the Vault 101 calendar, and is celebrated on the 23rd of October. This holiday commemorates the first overseer, who governed the Vault in the late 21st century. Two centuries later, Beatrice Armstrong, a Vault resident, continually honors the original overseer by dedicating one of her older poems to him. Beatrice cannot write a new poem during the latest Founder's Day, as she had trouble finding a rhyming word for "overseer."
*"Hunt the mutant" is a game played in Vault 101 by children. It is a post-apocalyptic variation of hide-and-seek. One child is selected to be the mutant and they hide while other children hunt for them. When the "mutant" is found, the game restarts, and another child is picked to be the mutant. At one of Wally Mack's birthday parties in the 2260s, this game is played in the atrium. Wally later mentions this game at the Lone Wanderer's tenth birthday party on July 13, 2268. By mentioning this game, Wally is unfavorably comparing his party to the Lone Wanderer's party.
==Layout==
Vault 101 is divided into four sections, including the main entrance, overseer's tunnel, atrium/upper level, and the lower level. The sections are separated by doors, and stairways connect floors and levels within two of the sections. Levels and rooms are identified by signs. There are two paths to the Capital Wasteland, including a direct path from the atrium and a hidden tunnel named the overseer's tunnel. The sections are not directly stacked upon each other. They are staggered with each section moving progressively more westward as the Vault burrows deeper into the earth.
===Main entrance===
This section connects the Capital Wasteland to the Vault.
===Overseer's tunnel===
This section connects the overseer's office (in atrium/upper level) with the main entrance.
===Atrium/upper level===
This atrium connects the main entrance to the lower level. It is divided into two sub-sections, the admin and the atrium. The atrium is located in the upper level of the Vault. Access to this room is by a stairway connecting the cafeteria to the atrium. Systems connects admin to the atrium. Rooms in the atrium are located on two floors: an upper and a lower floor. Rooms on the upper floor (dining/Mack living room) are inaccessible.
The atrium is the main room of the Vault and is used by Vault residents for large social gatherings and sports, such as one of Wally's birthday parties, where he and the other children played Hunt the Mutant. A notice in the cafeteria announces upcoming baseball games.
Rooms in admin are the overseer's office, reception area (Jonas Palmer is found dead here during Escape!), operations, security station and systems (Floyd Lewis dies here during "Escape!")
===Lower level===
This is the final section of the Vault. Though named the lower level, this section actually covers two levels: the lower level and the reactor. Rooms in the lower level are the clinic, classroom, diner, DeLoria apartment, classroom, restrooms and the Lone Wanderer's apartment. Rooms in the reactor level are the generator and storage room (BB gun shooting range), filter room (water purifier) and the reactor room.
===Maintenance department===
This department is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the Vault. Jobs within this department include garbage burners, Pip-Boy programmers, waste management specialists and jukebox technicians. Maintenance technicians wear utility jumpsuit and work boots. Technicians sometimes carry a wrench or another tool with them and a utility key. Working for this department is considered undesirable by the students taking their G.O.A.T. exams.
==Inhabitants==
Inhabitants
==Notable loot==
* Medicine bobblehead - In James' office, in the clinic.
* Rock-It Launcher schematics and 300 caps - In James' office, behind an Average locked safe behind the framed verse.
* Grognak the Barbarian - In the diner, from Amata. If not used during their party, it will be in the dresser before leaving the vault.
* Stealth Boy - On returning to Vault 101, found on Steve Armstrong's corpse in the airlock/decontamination control station.
* Pre-War toaster - Behind the counter in the diner.
* Butch's toothpick - Carried by Butch during Trouble on the Homefront.
* Modified utility jumpsuit - Given by Amata for completing Trouble on the Homefront peacefully.
==Related quests==
==Notes==
* At the Vault-Tec headquarters in the D.C. ruins, a replica of the Vault 101 blast door is hanging over the lobby area with spotlights illuminating it.
* In the opening cinematic, two surveillance cameras are shown on each side of the Vault blast door. However, when leaving the Vault in Escape!, only one camera can be seen above the blast door. In Trouble on the Homefront, the camera is gone.
* The Vault 101 map marker does not add to the "Locations Discovered" stat in the Pip-Boy 3000 when exiting the Vault at the beginning of the game, even though the marker is active on the map. 
* There are four versions of Vault 101: the first consists of just a hallway with a living room and a bedroom, used during Baby Steps. The second version is from the birthday party when the Lone Wanderer turns ten in Growing Up Fast. The third is the version of the Vault seen during Escape!, and the final version is a slightly altered version seen during Trouble on the Homefront.
* Outside the Vault entrance on the road is a "Type B" random encounter location site. It can be activated by following the road south slightly past the elevated highway. The overlook outside the Vault's entrance is the location for the animal companion Dogmeat after being recruited. They will go to this spot if dismissed as a companion. The overlook outside the entrance is also the destination of any slaves freed from the slave pen located in the train tunnel to the Pitt if they survive the journey.
==Appearances==
Vault 101 appears only and is mentioned and .
==Behind the scenes==
* In the diner, there is a reference to the first Fallout game. On the bulletin board above the jukebox, it advertises a bingo night in the diner, with the ball chosen to be 13 and "First prize being a week's supply of water rations!" Another reference to Fallout is in here, where Butch asks his friend why anyone would want to be called a "Vault Dweller" when asked about names for his gang.
* Several elements of Vault 101 are inspired by George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, including the Vault number (Room 101) and the devotion to the overseer (Big Brother).
* The "Happy Makers" found around the vault display messages which can also be seen on various posters in Fallout 4. These messages include "America Lives On... In You," "The Outside World Can Never Hurt You," "Safety First," "Cleanliness is Godliness," "We're all in this together" (minus the "we must win"), "Hard Work is Happy Work," and "Have You Taken Your Medication Today?".
==Bugs==
* Closing the Vault blast door manually using the exterior console will work normally during Escape!. Approaching the tunnel exit will result in the Vault blast door reopening behind you exactly when it is supposed to close if you don't tamper with the console. 
* On the rocky overlook outside the entrance to the Vault where Dogmeat is sent if disbanded as your companion, there is a chance that he will fall through the map and can no longer accompany you. This happens only when he is dismissed, not when traveling to the Vault with him.
==Gallery==
FO3 Vault door 101 new.jpg|Vault 101 blast door
Fo3 Vault 101 Entrance.png|Airlock/decontamination area
Fo3 Vault Entrance Control Station.png|Airlock/decontamination control station
Fo3 Vault 101 entrance hall.png|Entrance hall
Fo3 Atrium Stitch.png|Atrium
Fo3 Atrium View.png|Atrium
Vault 101 atrium.jpg|Upper atrium level
Vault 101 Thank you, Over-seer!.jpg|Atrium sign
Trouble on the Homefront (quest).jpg|Vandalized atrium sign
Fo3 Atrium Work Room.png|Work room
Fo3 Storage.png|Locked storage on the lower level
Fo3 Vault Security.png|Security station
Fo3 Vault Security 2.png|Security station
Fo3 Vault Jail.png|Holding cell
Fo3 Systems.png|Systems room
Fo3 Vault 101 Ops.png|Operations room
Fo3 Vault 101 Overseers Corridor.png|Overseer's office reception area
Fo3 Vault 101 Overseers Living Room.png|Overseer's living room
Fo3 Vault 101 Overseer's Room.png|Overseer's bedroom
Fo3 Vault 101 Amata's Room.png|Amata's bedroom
Fo3 Vault Overseer Office.png|Overseer's office
Fo3 Vault Status Screen.png|Vault status screen
Fo3 Vault 101 Escape Tunnel.png|Escape tunnel
Fo3 Vault Lavatories.png|Public lavatories
Fo3 Cigar Lounge.png|Cigar lounge
Deloria living room.jpg|DeLoria living room
DeLoria bedroom.jpg|DeLoria bedroom 
Fo3 Vault Living Room.png|Lone Wanderer's living room
Fo3 Vault Apartment.png|Lone Wanderer's bedroom
Fo3 Living Quarters 1.png|Lone Wanderer's bedroom (Baby Steps)
Fo3 Living Quarters 2.png|Lone Wanderer's bedroom (Baby Steps)
Fo3 Vault Vent.png|Corridor outside Lone Wanderer's bedroom
Fo3 Vault Classroom.png|Classroom
Blackboard Mr Brotch.jpg|Classroom chalkboard
FO3 Vault 101 classroom flag.png|Flag of the United States seen above Mr. Brotch's desk in the classroom
Fo3 Vault Clinic.png|Clinic
Fo3 Vault Clinic 2.png|Clinic
Fo3 Doctor Office.png|James' office
James's Hidden Safe.jpg|Framed Revelation 21:6 quote hides a wall safe in James' office
Frag grenades Vault 101 sublevel.jpg|Frag grenades, sublevel
Fo3 LQ Diner.png|Diner
Vault 101 cafeteria bulletin board.png|Diner bulletin board
Vault 101 cafeteria bulletin board 2.jpg|Diner bulletin board
Fo3 Vault Piping Detail.png|Exposed pipework
Fo3 Vault Corridor.png|Corridor leading to reactor and upper level 
Fo3 Vault Reactor Level.png|Reactor level
V101reactorMS16.jpg|Reactor level
V101reactorCUT.jpg|Reactor level (cut)
Vault 101 Shooting range.jpg|Shooting range
FO3 Vault 101 picket 1.png|Picket sign outside of the Vault entrance
FO3 Vault 101 picket 2.png|Another picket sign
FO3 Vault 101 picket 3.png|Final picket sign
Vault 101 Exit.jpg|Vault 101 exit door
Exiting Vault 101.png|Exiting Vault 101
Vault101.jpg|Vault 101 exterior
Mini Nuke location West of V101.jpg|Barn with a mini nuke, just west of Vault 101
Mini Nuke Location W. of 101.jpg|Mini nuke on a barn shelf
FO3 loading screen11.jpg|Advertisement for Vault 101 on a loading screen
Vtrim02.png|Classroom chalkboard texture file
Vatriumposters01.png|Atrium signs texture file
V101sign1.png|Picket sign texture file
V101sign2.png|Picket sign texture file
V101sign3.png|Picket sign texture file
==References==
Category:Fallout 3 locations
 
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