Wernher

Wernher is an escaped slave and former right-hand man of Ishmael Ashur from The Pitt in 2277.
==Background==
Wernher was born around the time of the Scourge, which he approximates as occurring around thirty years prior to 2277, though it really could have only occurred after the Lyons' Brotherhood of Steel departed New California in 2254.The Lone Wanderer: "Why is that a sore subject?"Reginald Rothchild: "Much has happened in the 23 years since we left the west coast. Our mission has changed in that time. The changes have not all been pleasant, and have had significant repercussions."(Rothchild's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Tell me about what the Brotherhood did."Wernher: "Well, as bad as The Pitt is, it used to be worse. Much worse. It was complete chaos. Every man for himself. About the time I was born, those Brotherhood guys swept through the place. Killed anything that put up a fight. More'n half the place was dead by the time they were done. It was a slaughter. But they got the worst of the worst."(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "How did the city get started?"Wernher: "After the war, the place just turns into a shithole. The buildings start falling over and the sickness makes people just turn on each other. Some of them... change. They lose any sense of who they are. They just go around killing and fucking and eating. Like animals, man. Some people are still okay, but just... I don't know. Anyway, about 30 years ago, those Brotherhood guys come in and wipe the place out. They kill all of these sick fucks. Anything that looks like it's going to fight -- Bam! Then they take whatever they were looking for and leave."(Wernher's dialogue) As Ashur's former second-in-command of the Pitt raiders, Wernher is one of the more intelligent of the city's denizens. He fell from grace after trying to oust Ashur and was relegated to the status of a slave. After using his electronics skills to shut down his collar, Wernher escaped the Pitt and began plotting a second attempt at toppling Ashur's rule.The Lone Wanderer: "Yes, I do. He's the one who brought me here."Ishmael Ashur: "I appreciate your honesty. It's a rare virtue in this age. Wernher was my lieutenant until he betrayed me and escaped justice. And if I know him, he brought you here to steal something very dear to the city. Do you intend to follow through with his plan? Feel free to be honest. Please, don't be intimidated by the turret behind you."(Ishmael Ashur's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "I met the man, but he seemed like trouble, so I steered clear. <Lie.>"Ishmael Ashur: "[FAILED] Is that so? My second-in-command Wernher betrays me, works with slaves to escape justice, and then you magically appear among the slaves in my city? Next you'll claim he didn't send you to steal from me."(Ishmael Ashur's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Never heard of him. Why? <Lie.>"Ishmael Ashur: "[SUCCESS] Wernher used to be my second-in-command, until he betrayed me. He was exiled to the slave pens, but he escaped not too long ago. I believe he's planning to strike at the city again, and may be working with the slaves to do it. You've had a lot of contact with them, so maybe you can hunt him down and put an end to him. Do it, and I'll name you my lieutenant on the spot."(Ishmael Ashur's dialogue) He is disinterested in the welfare of the Pitt's slaves, and he sees them primarily as a means to an end: Getting back at Ashur by kidnapping his daughter (who is also the potential cure for the city's sickness) and toppling his nascent empire.Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.102-103"Wernher:Once one of the smarter raiders in The Pitt, Wernher was condemned to slavery after trying to stage a coup to overthrow Ashur. He used his knowledge of electronics to deactivate his collar and escape. He harbors a grudge against the city and against Ashur in particular. He has no particular love for the slaves, and he sees a plan to kidnap Ashur's baby as a way to get back at The Pitt's ruler and the city in general."
Before he escaped, Wernher began organizing a slave revolt against Ashur, in collaboration with Midea, the de facto leader of the slaves.The Lone Wanderer: "Is there anyone helping you free your people?"Wernher: "Midea. She's another slave, like me. She's helping to organize them. She'll know when it's time."(Wernher's dialogue) However, to put his plan into action, he required the assistance of a healthy, able outsider to infiltrate the Pitt raiders without being recognized. After he escaped, Werhner broadcasted a radio distress call to alert anyone who would listen to his situation.Wernher's distress signal: "To anyone who can hear me, my name is Wernher; I come from a settlement to the north. I have information of great value to anyone willing to help me free my people. Please! Help us! This message repeats."
Despite being from the Pitt, he does have some basic knowledge about the Capital Wasteland, such as knowing that the Citadel is the home of the Brotherhood of Steel, the faction that once swept through his city.The Lone Wanderer: "I remember hearing about The Pitt from a guy in the Citadel."Wernher: "The Citadel, huh? That's the Brotherhood of Steel fortress, right? Yeah, I know about those guys. He must have been part of the attack that cleaned up The Pitt. Well... it didn't so much clean it up as it calmed it down. No way that hellhole could ever be cleaned up without the cure. That's why those guys were after me."(Wernher's dialogue) He also knows that there is a lack of actual slaves in the Capital Wasteland, as the majority of those captured by the slavers are exported to the Pitt.
By the time the Lone Wanderer meets Wernher at a radio tower in the Capital Wasteland, he is engaged in combat with a trio of Pitt raiders who managed to track him down after his escape.The Lone Wanderer: "Did you escape or something?"Wernher: "Yeah. That's why these guys were after me. As long as I know about the cure, I'm a threat. So I ran. And you can be damn sure there will be more of 'em coming."(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "If your people need you, what are you doing here?"Wernher: "I'm on the run from our dead friends over there. As soon as I found out about the cure, they came after me. And you can be damn sure they won't be the only ones."(Wernher's dialogue) They can either assist him in dispatching the group or watch as he takes care of them himself, which will change his initial reaction towards them, as he either thanks them for their assistance or becomes slightly frustrated that they neglected to help.Wernher: "Thank you for your help with those guys. They finally tracked me down... I thought I'd have more time. You've come about the broadcast, right? Risky, I know. But it had to be done. So you know who I am. Who are you?"(Wernher's dialogue)Wernher: "You could have at least helped me with with those guys. They finally tracked me down... I thought I'd have more time. You've come about the broadcast, right? Risky, I know. But it had to be done. So you know who I am. Who are you?"(Wernher's dialogue) Depending on the Lone Wanderer's choice of words during their first interaction, Wernher will refer to them as either "Hero," "Moneybags," or "Joker" for the duration of their time together, as they either say that they came to help, that they came for the promised reward, or joke about his difficulties in dealing with the raiders, the latter of which he is annoyed by.The Lone Wanderer: "I came because of the radio message. What's the problem?"Wernher: "Well now, a hero! Look at you. I come from a place far to the northwest. It's called The Pitt. It's... well... let's be honest... The place is a nightmare... radiation, mutation, disease. But the worst of it: my people, some of the only survivors, are slaves. No big deal, you're thinking? It's a rough world. But I have the chance to free them. All I need is an outsider's help before that chance is gone."(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "The radio message said something about a reward. Let's skip to that part."Wernher: "Well, look at you, Moneybags. Right down to business. Gotta respect that. But before you get anything, what I need you to do is to take a trip with me to a place called The Pitt. It's a city to the northwest of here, a long way away. I want you to come with me and help me steal something that will free my people."(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "I'm a better fighter than you, that's who. Can't you handle a couple Raiders?"Wernher: "Yeah, whatever. I didn't come to DC to swap insults with Wasters. You want to flap gums, fine. But don't waste my time. Now, you came about the broadcast. You want to hear what I have to say about The Pitt or not?"(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "What? It's not my fault you can't shoot straight."Wernher: "You're a real joker, aren't you? Whatever. Shut up and listen. I come from a place called The Pitt. It's a city far to the northwest. The place is a nightmare for... well, for so many reasons. But the problem I have right now is that my people are slaves. No big deal, right? But I have the chance to free them. I just need an outsider's help before that chance is gone."(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Yeah, fine. I was just kidding."Wernher: "You're a real joker, aren't you? Whatever. Shut up and listen. I come from a place called The Pitt. It's a city far to the northwest. The place is a nightmare for... well, for so many reasons. But the problem I have right now is that my people are slaves. No big deal, right? But I have the chance to free them. I just need an outsider's help before that chance is gone."(Wernher's dialogue) Regardless of how their conversation starts, Wernher then begins to explain The Pitt's situation to them, telling them that he was one of the city's slaves prior to his escape, referring to them as his people. He neglects to tell the Lone Wanderer of his status as Ashur's former second-in-command and acts as if he has always been a slave.The Lone Wanderer: "Wait, slow down. Cure for what?"Wernher: "The Pitt is a mess. Nearly everyone who lives there is either sick, dying, or... worse. It's the water. And the air. You can't escape it. You stay there a few years, and no matter what it'll get to you. But the bastards who have my people, they've found the way to cure it. And once they have the cure perfected, we stand no chance. So, we get the cure. With it, we turn the tables on them."(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "What's wrong with your people?"Wernher: "To put it simply: we're slaves. We're some of the only healthy survivors, but we're forced to work like animals."(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Who's in charge of The Pitt?"Wernher: "He's a guy named Ashur. I don't know where he came from, but he's strong enough that he keeps all the other bosses in line. The bosses, well... they're a ragtag group of vicious little fucks. But they have the guns and the power. Ashur keeps them from killing each other, and keeps them forcing us to work."(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Who lives there?"Wernher: "The city is built on the backs of slaves. My people. We're diseased, and suffering. They've restarted the steel mills there. They have us breaking down metal and reforging it. No one knows why. But the guy in charge, Ashur, you can damn well bet your life that he has a plan."(Wernher's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Where do your people come from?"Wernher: "Some of us are native to The Pitt, most of us are, really. People sometimes have kids before the sickness takes them. But the need for slaves has gotten bigger. Ashur's started importing them. Ever wonder why there are so many Slavers, but you hardly see any slaves? The Slaver operation in this area has been supplying The Pitt."(Wernher's dialogue)
==Daily schedule==
If the Free Labor quest is completed by siding with the slaves, Wernher generally wanders Downtown and can be seen making conversation with the locals. However, he can also wander outside the city limits and seems to get stuck around the Bridge and train yard.
==Interactions with the player character==
===Interactions overview===
===Quests===
* Into The Pitt: Wernher greets the Lone Wanderer and tells them about his predicament in the Pitt.
* Free Labor: Ashur and Wernher are involved in a violent dispute concerning the Troglodyte Degeneration Contagion and each wants the other dead.
===Other interactions===
* As the player is about to leave with him to go to the Pitt for the first time, he will comment on any followers the player character has with them as he says they cannot come with:
** Wernher will refer to Fawkes or Charon as "whatever he is."
** If Butch is in the player character's party, Wernher will comment that "some greaser" will only get in the way.
** Sergeant RL-3 will be referred to by Wernher as a "bucket of bolts."
** If Clover is with the player character, Wernher will comment that he cannot have a "diseased whore" tagging along.
** If Star Paladin Cross is with the player character, he will comment that a "do-gooder" like her might get in the way.
** If Dogmeat is with the player character, he will state that they cannot take the "filthy mutt" with them as he will get in the way.
** If Jericho is with the player character, Wernher will state that they do not need a "burnt out old loser" tagging along.
* If one kills Ashur during the Free Labor quest and start a conversation with Wernher wearing Ashur's power armor, he might comment about it ("Lookin' sharp in that suit, pal! Glad I wasn't there when you pried it off old Ashur, though. Bet it smelt like a sack full of dog asses.").
* Wernher sarcastically refers to the player character as "hero," "moneybags," or "joker" in several conversations, depending on the dialogue option the player character chooses (offer to help, skip to the part about a reward or insult Wernher's combat skills) when they first speak with Wernher.
==Inventory==
==Notes==
* Ramsey’s entry in the Wasteland Census claims that Wernher had been enslaved by Ramsey’s group before deactivating his collar and escaping, prompting Ramsey to employ Pitt raiders to hunt down and re-capture him. However, neither Ramsey nor Wernher make any mention of this, and Wernher simply refers to Ramsey’s group as a group of slavers waiting to make a sale, while also mentioning that he has spied on them.The Lone Wanderer: "What do we need to do first?"Wernher: "Well, you might try a disguise. They probably won't let some random armed Waster past the gates. But if you look like one of the working stiffs, you should be able to slip in with no problem. Lucky for us, a group of Slavers is nearby waiting to make a sale. You should be able to get one off of them. They're off to the west, near the tunnel that leads to The Pitt. That should be our first move."(Wernher’s dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "What do you need me to do?"Wernher: "I need to you find a Slave Outfit so we can sneak you into The Pitt. I had to ditch mine whenever I ran for it. I spied on a group of Slavers nearby. They're waiting to make a sale to some guys from The Pitt. Do whatever you have to, but get a Slave Outfit from them. We don't have much time."(Wernher’s dialogue)Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.92: "Ramsey:Searching the Northern Wastes for wayward and lost scavengers and settlers, Ramsey and his small band of (mainly albino) Slavers have recently had to deal with losing one of their prized specimens after he deactivated his collar and fled. A slave was killed in the process, and Ramsey is currently strengthening his camp, locking up his possessions, and paying local Pitt Raiders to locate his escapee. Eulogy Jones won't be pleased.""
* Whereas most essential non-player characters become unconscious when their health is depleted, Wernher's will not. His health will instantly regenerate to its maximum.
* Wernher is one of the few named characters who wear eyepatches, the others being Split Jack, Junders Plunkett, Billy Creel, and the Drifter.
==Notable quotes==
==Appearances==
Wernher appears only in the Fallout 3 add-on The Pitt.
==Bugs==
* Wernher may inexplicably become hostile to the player. If so, he cannot be killed. The console can be used to fix this glitch on the PC. Console users can wait outside his hideout for three full days to reset Wernher's AI, after which he will proceed normally. This may happen if you attack or kill a slave during the Free Labor quest. 
* When you first enter The Pitt, you are ambushed by Pitt raiders. When attacking them, Wernher may suddenly become hostile to you, and/or not to the raiders. 
==Gallery==
Wernher — Train tunnel.png|Wernher in the train tunnel
==References==
Non-game
Category:The Pitt human characters
Category:Pitt raider characters
Category:Pitt slave characters
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