Arefu

**Arefu** is a small Capital Wasteland settlement consisting of four houses, located on top of a crumbling overpass bridge to the northwest of Vault 106.

The only services available here is from Mr. Ewer, who will repair items once the Blood Ties quest has been completed. And from Evan King, who will give the player various items at daily intervals (also only available once Blood Ties is completed).

## Background

Arefu is a modest settlement perched atop an old freeway bridge spanning the Potomac River. The residents of Arefu destroyed the north ramp leading to Northwest Seneca Station to better protect themselves from Slavers. Arefu is the last stop on most trade caravan routes traveling from Megaton.

Arefu once had more inhabitants than it does in the year 2277, but population has decreased drastically due to the inhabitants either dying or leaving to safer settlements because of creatures, raiders, and slaver attacks. Additionally, Arefu has recently become the target of attacks from The Family, especially since Ian West went missing, and is one of the starting locations for the quest Blood Ties.

## Layout

Arefu's four houses sit atop a defensible section of the remains a bridge. Part of the overpass has collapsed, making it impossible to enter the settlement from the north. It is one of the stopping points on the trader circuit, and sandbags are also deployed near its entrance to help the inhabitants fend off attackers.

## Buildings

* Evan King's house
* Ewer residence
* Schenzy residence
* West residence
* Abandoned residence

## Inhabitants

* Brailee Ewers
* Ken Ewers
* Evan King
* Karen Schenzy
* Ian West
* Davis West Dead
* Matilda West Dead
* Alan ¹

¹ Only if you agreed to trade blood packs for protection during *Blood Ties*.
## Notable loot

* Bobblehead - Repair on the downstairs table inside Evan King's house.
* Nuka-Cola Quantum: look for a dock on the water just southeast of Arefu. Facing the dock, the Nuka-Cola Quantum is to the left on top of some poles in the water.
* Pugilism Illustrated on a table in the Abandoned Residence, which is by the brahmin pen nearest the entrance to Arefu. This house is only accessible after negotiating protection of Arefu by The Family and informing both sides of the agreement. This book must be stolen.
* If you follow the water that runs under Arefu to the west, you will almost immediately come to a gunboat. Although the various trunks, suitcases, and metal boxes on the stern are empty, the ones on the bow are filled with missiles. Multiple protectrons spawn in this area.

## Notes

* An Enclave outpost can be seen after the player completes The Waters of Life, on another section of the overpass, visible to a player looking out from the highest drop-off point. These soldiers can shoot at the player across the gap as well as be shot at themselves. However, the people in Arefu won't attempt to eliminate the outpost themselves.
* There is an easter egg in the lake under Arefu. If you look east out into the lake while standing next to King's outpost you can see a dock extending from the south shore with a footlocker and a first aid box on it. Jump down (into the water, to avoid damage) and swim over to the platform. Stand on the platform and jump in the water. Swim to the bottom and out away from the platform until you reach an old car at the bottom. Next to the car is a skeleton with two cinder blocks tied to its feet. There is a silenced 10mm pistol and ammunition box lying next to him as well.
* Upon first arrival at Arefu, the player is greeted by a scripted grenade thrown by its "sheriff," Evan King.
* You can pick Evan King's lock without a karma penalty, even though it is highlighted in red.
* After the quest Blood Ties, King will leave his post and walk around, and the residents will come out of their houses and walk around.
* Often a robot or some other Wasteland creature will spawn at the entrance, attacking the brahmin in front of the guard shack or the Merchant Caravans if they are present. Additionally, a creature may spawn inside the town itself after entering and exiting one of the buildings.
* The death of any resident of Arefu will instantly and permanently turn all remaining residents hostile towards the player. This occurs even if the player is not directly responsible for the character's death (i.e. if they are killed by a wasteland creature or fall off the bridge).
* One or more giant radscorpions may spawn upon arriving on the ramp after using fast-travel.
* The player can discover Arefu and avoid the scripted event.
* Directly opposite to the Ewer Residence, northeast of the burned out car is a motorcycle gas tank. When picked up and thrown over the bridge it will sometimes respawn.
* If you kill people in Arefu (or if one of them dies while you are there) the others will turn hostile, but apart from Evan King they won't attack, they will simply run away from you. After killing Evan King, the Family (the vampires) in Meresti station will no longer speak to you, but they won't be hostile. Note that you can no longer trade with Karl after killing King. The only person who seems oblivious to all this is Ian West, who will remain friendly and keep the same dialogue options as before (at least if you brought him back to Arefu in the Blood Ties quest, unverified otherwise).
* If Ian is killed, even by a wasteland creature, the people of Arefu and the Family become hostile. Proceed with caution if you are walking near the house just before Evan's house because you can fall through a hole in the bridge. Also note that house owned by the West can be used for player housing if you don't complete the *Blood Ties* quest.
* If you have completed the *Blood Ties* quest in favor of the residents of Arefu by giving blood packs to The Family, if you kill any member of The Family, they will turn hostile toward you, AS WELL AS the residents of Arefu.
* The West's residence, located at the north end of town, can be used as player housing.

## Behind the scenes

* Just above the entrance (where the highway leaves the ground), you can see a damaged traffic sign that should read "CAREFUL," but on which the 'C' and 'L' have faded away to display "AREFU". A similar town-naming technique is used in many Wasteland settlements such as Novac in *Fallout: New Vegas*.
* Arefu is a small village in Romania, most well known for its proximity to the former castle of Vlad Tepes, also known as "Dracula" and "Vlad the Impaler".

## Bugs

* Xbox 360 Sometimes, upon discovering Arefu, the map marker will not register the fact you have discovered it.
* Xbox 360 Rarely, Mirelurks will spawn outside when exiting the abandoned residence
* PC Entering Evan King's house while sneaking will be detected by him, even with an equipped Stealth Boy.
* Xbox 360 Sometimes, Evan King will not enter his house, even if *Blood Ties* has been completed.

## References

1. ↑ Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.350: *"**5.07: AREFU (LAT -11/LONG 06)***
***General Notes***
*Arefu is a modest settlement perched atop an old freeway bridge spanning the Potomac River. The residents of Arefu destroyed the north ramp leading to Northwest Seneca Station to better protect themselves from Slavers. Arefu is the last stop on most trade caravan routes traveling from Megaton. The only approach is from the south, up the ramp."*
(Fallout 3 Game of the Year Edition Tour of the Capital Wasteland)
2. ↑ Prima Official Game Guide