Civilized Man's Burden is a side quest in the Fallout: New Vegas add-on Honest Hearts.
Quick walkthrough[]
| Honest Hearts side quest: Civilized Man's Burden | |||||||||||||
| Complete Tourist Trap, then speak with Follows-Chalk, as a companion or at the Dead Horses camp; ask about his interest in "civilization." | |||||||||||||
| Speak with Joshua Graham about deciding Follows-Chalk's future. | |||||||||||||
| Encourage Follows-Chalk to explore civilization or lie to him that Joshua gave his blessing. | Tell Follows-Chalk he must stay with his tribe or lie to him that Joshua wants him to stay. | ||||||||||||
| Reward: Variable XP | |||||||||||||
Detailed walkthrough[]
After completing the main quest Tourist Trap (the other two Gone Fishin' and Roadside Attraction are not required for this quest), a new dialogue option becomes available with the Dead Horses scout Follows-Chalk; he can either be asked immediately if he is an active companion or, if he was dismissed, talked to at the Dead Horses camp outside Angel Cave.
After asking the scout about why he has an interest in "civilization," Chalk reminisces about the time in his youth when a "man with a big mustache and guitar" came to Zion with a caravan, where Chalk says he was intrigued by the man's professed occupation of traveling the wasteland as a wandering entertainer, being paid simply to make music. He says the idea that someone could live comfortably in the wasteland without the need to hunt and fight every day to survive inspired him to one day go and see the "civilized world" for himself.
- One of two mutually exclusive, unique dialogue options will be available after Follows-Chalk talks about his experience with the traveling singer if the player character spoke at least once with the Lonesome Drifter,[1] and/or recruited him to the Aces theater for Tommy Torini during Talent Pool.[2]
On the question of why he has not gone through with his dream, Follows-Chalk confesses that he is afraid to ask Joshua Graham for advice about whether he should leave Zion for "civilization," fearing what the Dead Horse war chief's response will be given his past experience with life in the wasteland. Chalk asks the Courier to speak with Joshua on his behalf and potentially receive his blessing. Also residing in the Dead Horses camp outside Angel cave, upon speaking with him about the matter of Follows-Chalk's dream, Joshua states that he does not wish to interfere further in Follows-Chalk's decisions as he knows his past will color his opinion, instead leaving it to the Courier themselves to provide guidance one way or the other.
The choice made from the following two options will affect the ending for Follows-Chalk. The decision to tell him the truth or lie to him about Joshua's decision is irrelevant as the outcome for both choices remains the same:
- Encourage Follows-Chalk to go through with leaving Zion to see "civilization" in the wasteland or lie that Joshua gave his blessing for him to go. Choosing this option causes Chalk to respond happily, saying that he will begin his journey once the current conflict has ended.
- Tell Follows-Chalk he must stay with his tribe for his own sake or lie that Joshua thought it was best for him to stay. Choosing this option causes Chalk to respond somberly, saying that he will comply with everyone's wishes and leave his dreams of seeing "civilization" alone for the foreseeable future.
Once a choice has been made, the quest will complete, garnering XP.
Quest stages[]
Notes[]
Failing to complete this quest before completing Gathering Storms will result in Follows-Chalk being absent from the ending cinematic.
Behind the scenes[]
The quest name is a reference to Rudyard Kipling's poem "The White Man's Burden," which was written by him to encourage the American people to assume colonial control of the Filipino people and their country.
References[]
- ↑ The Courier: "What's with this obsession you seem to have with "civilization?"
Follows-Chalk: "Let me tell you a story. When I was a boy, a man came through the valley with one of the caravans. Tall man, big mustache, carried a guitar. I asked what he did for his living, and the interpreter told me he was a singer. What is that? I asked. The man explained that he went from place to place and sang for people, who gave him food and shelter and care in return. I couldn't believe that there was a place in this world where a man could do that. I promised myself then that one day I'd explore that world myself."
The Courier: "Huh, I think I know that guy. Small world."
Follows-Chalk: "Is it? I always heard it was rather large outside the valley. Well, wherever he is, I hope he's well."
(Follows-Chalk's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "What's with this obsession you seem to have with "civilization?"
Follows-Chalk: "Let me tell you a story. When I was a boy, a man came through the valley with one of the caravans. Tall man, big mustache, carried a guitar. I asked what he did for his living, and the interpreter told me he was a singer. What is that? I asked. The man explained that he went from place to place and sang for people, who gave him food and shelter and care in return. I couldn't believe that there was a place in this world where a man could do that. I promised myself then that one day I'd explore that world myself."
The Courier: "I know that guy! I got him a job."
Follows-Chalk: "A job as a singer? Then it really is true...."
(Follows-Chalk's dialogue)
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