Joseph Nuncreed

“
Sharper's long gone, but he's still got me saying 'yes'.
”

— Joseph Nuncreed

**Joseph Nuncreed** is a major character in Beacon Pines. A pharmacist and the owner of Beacon Pines's local drugstore (named "Nuncreed's Drugstore"), he was a friend of Walter VanHorn and spends a lot of the game infatuated with Luka's grandmother.

## Profile

### Appearance

#### Development

In previous iterations of his design, he wore a brown jacket with a windowpane pattern and short sleeves that had light brown cuffs. Underneath the unbuttoned jacket, a white shirt can be seen.

Another old design had him wear a dark green apron over a light brown shirt with white sleeves, as well as dark gray trousers.

#### Final Design

Joseph Nuncreed is a dog with primarily brown fur, though the patch above his nose, his eyebrows, “moustache” and underbelly are tan. He also has brown eyes and a red nose that has a pair of glasses with thin, semi-circular lenses sitting on top. Clothing wise, a dark red sweater vest decorated with a light brown diamond pattern covers his white collared shirt, the sleeves of which are rolled up to the elbows. His brown trousers are held up by a belt, and he also wears black shoes.

### Personality

Nuncreed is a man haunted by his past and present actions, and yet struggles to find the strength needed to disobey orders from Sharper even when he knows what he's doing is reprehensible. His primary motive through most of the game's branches is to get his business with Sharper finished as soon as possible while also attempting to avoid doing harm to others, as he ultimately wants to help those around him, though he is willing to dirty his hands if anyone interferes with what he thinks "needs doing" (the man does show remorse for the things he does, however). Despite his fear towards the Founder, he often speaks critically of him as well as Perennial Harvest when they aren't present, and can be vocally frustrated when The Clipboards badger him for something.

While wishing to help people however he can, Joseph is also fully aware of his own needs, and begins working with Sharper in order to line his own pockets (though he reasons this will allow him to help others more easily). He can also be stern when the time calls for it, and doesn't mind halting Luka whenever he has a plan to get closer to Gran, even daydreaming about how much he likes her in front of the young VanHorn.

### Background

Joseph used to be a close friend of Walter VanHorn, the two considering each other brothers, and Luka (Walter's son) referring to him as "Uncle Nuncreed". As Walter was a doctor and Joseph a pharmacist, they often worked together in order to help people to the best of their ability. One such case was when Mr. and Mrs. Wilby were diseased (allegedly) by their tap water and Walter asked Nuncreed for assistance, though their efforts proved not enough to save their lives.

Soon after the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Wilby and 6 years before the events of the game, Sharper Valentine approached Joseph and Walter as he needed help understanding Tempus Liquamine, and was willing to pay them handsomely if they agreed to assist him. While Walter declined due to his distrust of Sharper, Joseph accepted the offer as he thought the best way to help others was to "help *yourself* now and then". Walter begged his friend to reconsider, even saying “Joseph, if a person says ‘yes’ one time to Sharper Valentine, he’ll make sure they keep on saying ‘yes’ to him until the day he’s dead and gone”.

Despite his partner's wishes, he went on to work with Sharper, causing a falling out between the two. Afterwards, he stopped visiting the VanHorn household and eventually ceased most interactions with them after Walter's death. Due to this, Luka forgets about Nuncreed ever being his "uncle" as well as any relation he had with his father. Even with Sharper "dying" alongside Walter, however, the man is forced to continue his work for him (and by extension Perennial Harvest), seeing opposition against him as futile (even when he finally sees the wisdom in his partner's words).

After Solomon started living in Beacon Pines, he made an arrangement with Nuncreed where he'd be given a bag of licorice every so often (Solomon seemingly being the only person in town who wants the confection). When Gran "moved in" to look after Luka, he became smitten with the woman and at one point asked her for a dance, which she promised him they would have (though she would almost immediately regret that decision).

## Story

### If “Chill” Was Chosen at “Rendezvous with Roxy”

As Luka heads to Valentine's abandoned warehouse, Nuncreed stops him to inform the boy that he had run out of Gran's jam. Luka tries to end the conversation, but Joseph ignores him and cpntinues to suggest that Juniper should deliver more preserves herself. After this, he allows Luka to pass him, while also telling him to let his grandmother know she still owns him a dance, which he agrees to do. The man then ruminates aloud about how "fine" Juniper is, saying she's "Sweeter than any jam on Earth", and a now uncomfortable Luka resumes his jouney to the warehouse.

Later, a person wearing a hazmat suit (later revealed to be Mr. Nuncreed) opens the door of the warehouse Luka had his ear pressed against, knocking the child to the ground. After a pause, the figure utters "Shit" (granting the charm of the same name) and grabs Luka's ankle, dragging him inside of the building. What happens next depends of the charm chosen at the Turning Point "Warehouse of Horrors".

### If “Change” Was Chosen at “Warehouse of Horrors”

Luka is unable to escape from Nuncreed's grasp, though what ultimately happens him is left ambiguous.

### If “Shit” Was Chosen at “Rendezvous with Roxy”

Nuncreed attempts to halt Luka on his way to the abandoned warehouse, but after stating he's in a hurry, he sprints off after Rolo. Sighing, he laments the fact Luka has a lot in common with Walter, and if the player ignored Solomon after Rolo bumped into him, says that this is a shame (granting the player the "Shame" charm).

As Luka and Rolo hide in the dumpster when they hearing someone coming, Nuncreed (wearing his hazmat suit) opens the door of the warehouse as well as the lid of the boys' hiding place. After briefly reentering the building, he returns with a bag holding the corpse of Dr. Prescott, which he (unknowingly) dumps on top of Luka and Rolo before once again returning to the warehouse. It is unknown if it was the one who kidnapped Rolo, or if another affiliate of Perennial Harvest did so.

### If “Struggle” Was Chosen at “Warehouse of Horrors”

As he is being dragged, Luka manages to grab a stone tile and swing it into Nuncreed’s mask. This makes him release his grip, allowing Luka to make his escape.

The next day, Luka finds Mr. Nuncreed outside of his store and informs him that he’s here to deliver jam. He comments on the boy’s chipper attitude, their encounter at the warehouse still on his mind. Luka justifies his happy demeanor by pointing out the nice weather, causing Nuncreed to eye him before agreeing with him. Luka asks if he wants the jam, which snaps him out of his thinking, and he comments that Juniper usually delivers the jam herself, though Luka suggests it could be due to her being busier than usually.

If Luka still has deliveries to make, Nuncreed grabs the jars and concludes that he’ll have to finish this batch quicker than before, instructing Luka to tell Juniper to get started on his next order. If jam had already been delivered jam to Mrs. Fratelli and Mr. Tolliver, Luka tells Nuncreed that this is his last delivery for the day. This prompts Nuncreed to snatch the basket from him, so that his gran will be forced to see him in order to get it back.

### If “Break” Was Chosen at “Whether Weather”

Joseph Nuncreed is approached by two Clipboards, and he tells them there's nothing to worry about. One of them states that they aren't worried, and after they finsih their writing, an exhausted Nuncreed promises to inform them if something worth knowing comes up. While one of the Clipboards responds with an "*Absolutely*!", the other requests that he sign his name to ensure everything is accurate, saying that if he does this, they'll be "out of [his] hair in a flash". Exasperated, Nuncreed snatches the pad and writes his name with such force the pen almost snaps. After handing the pad back, he sarcastically asks if they'd like his eternal soul as well, to which the Clipboards, after a pause, laugh at and walk away.

Interacting with Nuncreed after this will cause Luka to greet him, prompting the man to advise him to, in the case someone you don't know asks to hear your thoughts, punch them in the mouth. Aware of what who he was referring to, Luka informs Nuncreed that his grandmother tells him to simply keep his from them. Joseph is happy to hear this, saying she's a smart woman and recommending him and Beck to head home due to it being late.

### If “Sly” Was Chosen at “A Beginner’s Guide to Hostile Interrogation”

During Luka, Rolo and Beck's investigation of the room hidden under the telephone booth, Nuncreed arrives via the “Valentine Fertilizer Warehouse” tube. After he and the children groan a collective “Shit” at each other, he demands the trio to follow him in order to protect them, though they refuse to cooperate until they get the answers they’re looking for. Rolo also brings up the “Underground Secrets” password, which Nuncreed voices his disdain for, claiming that they only had it used to make them feel clever, though he refuses to disclose the identity of who he’s referring to.

Nuncreed states his intention to hide the kids until after the festival so that they’ll be safe, but the team (minus Rolo) once again reject the proposal. Pausing for a moment, he remarks that Luka sounds like his father, and despite the boy’s attempts to dismiss what he’s saying, he explains that he and Walter used to friends before Sharper Valentine approached the two of them in order to help understand a mysterious substance, which caused a falling out between them when Joseph accepted for the money. Nuncreed also recalls Walter telling him what happens if a person says "yes" even once to Sharper, reflecting on the fact that, even though the man’s gone, he’s still forced to fulfill his unsavory bidding.

Beck asks if there’s a point to what he’s saying, and Joseph responds by claiming it was his way of delaying what “needs to be done”, claiming to have tried his best to keep them and Juniper out of his business. Luka laughs at the assertion, and the group reveal that she plans on disrupting the festival. When Rolo mentions the explosives she had stored in her basement, Nuncreed begins to panic and loudly begs Luka to tell him where she is. An anxious Luka informs the man of the map she had that marked the fountain in Beacon Pines’ town square, and Joseph realizes that she intends to destroy The Source, the results of which he knows could kill everyone in town. Swiftly preparing the tube to Old Beacon Pines to get there, he demands the children run as far west as they can before departing.

The trio follow Nuncreed and find him gingerly approaching Gran, who was ready to ignite the explosives she had put into The Source. He tries to dissuade her from dropping a torch in the hole and warns of the danger Beacon Pines would be in if she goes through with her plan. She, however, retorts that she wasn’t the one to doom the town, and reveals she knows that he was working with Perennial Harvest. Their confrontation is briefly interrupted by Luka, who asks his grandmother what’s happening. The two adults tell him to leave before resuming the hostilities, and while Nuncreed begs Juniper to give up the torch due to her not known what she’s doing, she retorts by voicing her distrust of the man after he betrayed Walter, even claiming to Luka that the boy’s father might still be alive if not for him. Wincing, Joesph denies this and claims they just had different ways of helping people, though Gran points out that his way also financially benefitted him, to which Nuncreed claims that her statement isn’t fair to make. The two then pause to catch their breath, and the way this scene concludes depends on charms chosen at the Turning Point "Fire and Ice".

### If “Weep” Was Chosen at “Fire and Ice”

Gaining resolve after witnessing Luka crying, she tells Nuncreed that he can’t hide behind his “co-conspirators” anymore, and that their loyalties will be shown after she destroys The Source. Ignoring his pleas, she throws the torch into the pit, and Joseph slumps to his knees, moaning. Just as Gran tries to tell the man what it takes to make things change, the ground shakes and they (along with everything in the area) is frozen in ice.

### If “Hum” Was Chosen at “Fire and Ice”

As Luka begins to hum the same melody his mother used to sing to him before bed in an attempt to comfort himself, Gran joins him (dropping her torch in the process) and reveals herself to be Eleanor VanHorn. Stunned by this revelation, Nuncreed expresses how he thought she was gone, though Eleanor states that he should've known she'd never abandon her son, adding that she expected him to figure it out given how smart he is. Just as he realizes that she'd been exposed to Tempus Liquamine, Luka makes his confusion of the situation known. After Eleanor explains her intentions and the true nature of Perennial Harvest, Luka asserts that they need to be stopped, though Nuncreed (who slumps into the snow when he hears the boy say this) states that they're too big for that. Despite his warnings, the children and Eleanor depart to stop the festival, leaving Joseph behind. When they're out of sight, he utters the fact that "He" always wins.

During Eleanor's attempt to halt Kerr's speech, Nuncreed appears and defends her when WIlliam tries to accuse her of being disturbed. He attempts to rally the crowd to support her, stating that everyone in town knows that there's something wrong here. Just as he is about to share the "*truth*", however, Solomon commands him to stop, which he hesitantly obays. After Solomon's reveal as Sharper Valentine and his scolding of his children, Sharper calls for Mr. Nuncreed, accusing him of slipping away whilst his attention was elsewhere. The man then approaches the Founder (much to his delight), which prompts him to praise Joseph for all he had done for him, and despite the man’s protests, he wants everyone there to know that, without Nuncreed, his return wouldn’t have been possible. Trying to convince the town he had no choice in the matter, Sharper states that he always had a choice, and he was simply not strong enough to take it, though also promising the man that he’ll be made rich by his contributions. He ends his focus on the man by saying he should follow William Kerr's example.

### If “Tickle” Was Chosen at “Hazardous Hectoring”

On the way to Mission Control, Luka passes by Mr. Nuncreed as he was exiting the phone booth near his drugstore, startling the man. Apologizing for the shock, Luka asks who Nuncreed was talking to in the booth, though Joseph denies calling anyone and says he thought he heard the phone ringing, despite the fact neither of them had ever seen anybody used it. After asserting his thoughts on the booth being a waste of money, he asks if there had been any news regarding Rolo's disappearance. The boy reports that nothing had been learned, and Nuncreed muses about how long it had been for Rolo to simply get lost, a possibility Luka rejects due to how well Rolo knows the woods. Nuncreed agrees, and concludes he must be pretending to be missing as a prank, which Luka takes offense to and states he knows somebody took him. Suspicious of how much Luka knows about the situation, he asks if he knows anything he hadn't shared yet, placing a hand in the boy's shoulder and attempting to guilt trip him into disclosing information. Luka then looks into Nuncreed's eyes, trying to figure out what emotions lie in there. What he ultimately sees hinges on the Charm chosen at the "Windows to the Sould" Turning Point.

### If “Shame” Was Chosen at “Windows to The Soul”

Seeing shame in his eyes, Luka reveals the entirety of what he witnessed at the warehouse. While he initially views the event as Luka getting scared of having a garbage bag dropped on him, Luka tells him of the body within it. Attempting to dissuade the boy from thinking a corpse was in there, he affirms his belief through mentioning the "Deep Engineering" name tag. Disheartened about what he now needs to do, he expresses his frustration at Luka, voicing how he tried to keep him safe and how close "they" were from being done with "this". Shoving the boy into the phone booth, the boy begs for an explanation, though Joseph ignores his request and simply states that it's "out of [his] hands now", and after a pause, utters "Shit". After the booth descends, Luka comes face-to-face with two figures in hazmat suits, and hear Mr. Nuncreed over an intercom say to them "He knows too much", ending this branch.

### If “Malice” Was Chosen at “Windows to The Soul”

Sensing that Nuncreed could be harbouring some malice toward him, Luka dodges the question and instead voices his wishes for the situation to be resolved. Joseph agrees, and Luka escapes Nunceed's grasp after telling him about Roxy's instructions to stay at Mission Control. Joseph lets him depart, though tells the boy that, as he and his dad were friends in the past, Luka can talk with him about anything if he needs to.

### If “Change” Was Chosen at “The Vile Vial”

Nuncreed can be found by his drugstore in Epilogue. If the player interacts with him, Luka will inform the man that he's going to visit his father's grave soon and invites him to come along. Nuncreed is taken aback by this (due to everything he had done to him and those around him), and tells Luka that he really is Walter's son while also turning down the invitation, stating that he isn't ready to do so yet. In response, Luka says that he's always invited and that his father would likely want to hear from him, prompting Joseph to promise that he'll visit in his own time, and encouraging him to "run along".

## Gallery

Nuncreed without his "moustache"Nuncreed's old designOld Nuncreed sketches
## References

2. ↑ "An idealistic doctor and a bright-eyed pharmacist, both hell-bent on helpin' folks." - Nuncreed, Chapter 7: The Interrogation of Hiram Tolliver
3. ↑ "We were *partners*. He helped the patients and I helped him." – Nuncreed, Chapter 7: The Interrogation of Hiram Tolliver
4. ↑ “I always wondered why Mr. Nuncreed kept licorice in stock. You must eat enough of it to make it worthwhile.” – Luka, Chapter 7: The Interrogation of Hiram Tolliver
5. ↑ https://twitter.com/BeaconPines/status/1552362499646930946
6. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/616982269667704844/618863481998802992/675419448949080116
7. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/616982269667704844/618863481998802992/665266141039558666