Colin Moriarty, who is 50 years old in 2277, has lived in Megaton almost his entire life. According to Herbert Dashwood, he came to the former United States as a child.[1] He is of Irish descent, and apparently traveled directly to the U.S. from Ireland.[Non-game 1]
After coming to the U.S., Colin's father amassed his wealth using nearby trade routes, and helped secure Megaton as a trading hub in the area. Colin's father died during a raider attack in 2241 and his son inherited his wealth, including the saloon.[Non-game 2]
He is a very proactive businessman and a staunch supporter of the "just business" approach to economics; if someone wants something from him, it had better be worth his while.[2] Aside from providing alcohol and prostitutes for the town in exchange for a more than satisfactory amount of bottle caps,[3] and extorting even more caps from whomever he can,[4] he deals in information much more than the aforementioned worldly pleasures: he is very knowledgeable regarding the townspeople of Megaton, and is always keeping tabs on them in case he needs to blackmail them later.[5] He has even done this enough to gain an unsavory reputation: according to Nova, his call-girl, "he sells information so much, you'd think the bar was just a hobby."[6]
Moriarty is also adamantly self-assured that Megaton is his town and that Sheriff Lucas Simms is only "a facade" and "an illusion of order that [Moriarty] allows to exist."[7] Still, there is some truth to this statement, as Simms is acutely aware that the town needs Moriarty's support and resources to survive.[Non-game 2] Other townspeople think similarly of him, wary of how many pies he has his fingers in and how deceitful the man is.[8][9][10] His rivals in the saloon business, the Stahls (specifically Andy Stahl), will take the first opportunity to defame his business and his business practices.[11] Regardless of his interactions with the townspeople, he treats his employees even worse, locking up their earnings for himself out of paranoia.[12] He treats Gob, the ghoul he bought from slavers fifteen years ago, especially poorly.[13] If slavery was not bad enough, Moriarty even forces Gob to pay for his room and board while also having to reimburse Moriarty for the caps used to buy him, trapping Gob in a cycle of indentured servitude.[14]
Due to his outlook on life, he believes that the message that Three Dog is promoting on Galaxy News Radio, the "Good Fight", is both crazy and stupid. He furthermore cares little for news about the wasteland,[15] to him Megaton has everything one could possibly need and does not see a reason for people to want to leave it.[16]
As it turns out, the Lone Wanderer had met Moriarty even before their father left Vault 101. On their way to the Vault to ensure the infant Lone Wanderer's safety, James and Star Paladin Cross stayed in Moriarty's Saloon shortly after the Lone Wanderer's birth.[17] Moriarty even proposed a toast to James and his child, hoping their "future be safe, bright, and boring as hell."[18]
Daily schedule[]
He spends most of his time in the saloon, but occasionally goes outside to smoke, leaning on the rail out in front of the bar.
Following in His Footsteps: He tells the Lone Wanderer where their father, James, is and recalls the time he saw them as a child, also mentioning their father's "Brotherhood of Steel friend" (Cross). If the Lone Wanderer tells Moriarty they lack 100 caps to buy information on James, he will ask them to find a woman called Silver and get his money back.
Effects of player's actions[]
If Moriarty dies, Gob takes over the saloon and changes the name on the sign to Gob's. Nova will also no longer be available for hire.
Other interactions[]
Jericho can be paid 20 caps to get information regarding Moriarty's key, specifically that it is around his neck, which unlocks Gob and Nova's pay stash in a locker by Moriarty's bed; however, this key (formid 00020751) was cut from the game.
If, by any means, the Lone Wanderer is wearing Lucas Simms' sheriff's duster inside the saloon, Moriarty will state, "You got a lot of nerve wearing that badge in here."
Despite Galaxy News Radio being played in Moriarty's Saloon, Moriarty himself will never acknowledge the Lone Wanderer finding their father, instead asking, "No luck finding dear old dad?"[19]
"Is that what your father told you? That you were born in that hole? That HE was born there as well? Oh, the lies we tell to those we love. Your father brought you to the Vault right after you were born. To keep you safe, you see. I remember it well -- you stayed in my saloon, after all."
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Look, I need a way to get some caps or I'll never have the money to pay you." Colin Moriarty: "If you're looking for a handout, you can forget it. But if you're looking for work, there's a favor you could do for me. If your successful, it'll provide the caps you need to pay me." The Lone Wanderer: "Sure, anything to get the information." Colin Moriarty: "Eager, eh? Good... I like that. It's nice to have a doer in this shithole of a town for a change. This junkie bitch named Silver borrowed quite a few caps from me... claimed she could start funneling Jet and Psycho to me for a good price. Problem is she scrammed with the loot and set herself up in Springvale so she can inject herself into a stupor. Get the caps she owes me and they're yours. Yours to pay me with anyway. He he he he he." The Lone Wanderer: "So, you want me to do your dirty work?" Colin Moriarty: "Who said anything about dirty work? You need some caps, I'm giving you a way to get 'em. It's just business. This junkie bitch named Silver borrowed quite a few caps from me... claimed she could start funneling Jet and Psycho to me for a good price. Problem is she scrammed with the loot and set herself up in Springvale so she can inject herself into a stupor. Get the caps she owes me and they're yours. Yours to pay me with anyway. He he he he he." (Colin Moriarty's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "What do you do around here?" Colin Moriarty: "I keep these yokels knee deep in booze and poon. They keep me knee deep in caps. It's a fair trade, if you ask me." (Colin Moriarty's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Wait a second! I handled Silver for you, and you still want me to pay?" Colin Moriarty: "It's called economics, kid. You got something I want and I got something you want. Nothing's free. I told you the favor would earn you some caps if you really took care of it. Now, fork 'em over!" (Colin Moriarty's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "I talked to Moriarty already, and he's trying to charge me for the info." Nova: "Ha ha. Yeah, that's Colin's style all right. He sells information so much, you'd think the bar was just a hobby." (Nova's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Tell me where he is, Moriarty, or I'll beat it out of you!" Colin Moriarty: "Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Oh, kid... ah... I'll let that one go, chalk it up to youthful arrogance. Listen carefully. I don't know what Sheriff Simms told you, but this is my town. Simms, he's a facade. An illusion of order I allow to exist. I was slinging drinks and killing Raiders here in Megaton when the good sheriff was just an idiot kid with cowboy fantasies. Raise a hand to me, and you'll never leave this town alive. Now, as for your dad... 100 caps, and I sing." (Colin Moriarty's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Who's in charge around here?" Manya Vargas: "Well, technically, no one. But you can't put two people in a room together without one of them trying to govern the other. But it depends on who you ask. Lucas Simms appointed himself the Sheriff. He throws anyone out who causes too much trouble. But Colin Moriarty runs just about everything else. Not much happens here that he doesn't know about. Or plan." The Lone Wanderer: "Tell me about Colin Moriarty." Manya Vargas: "That man is the scum of the Earth. He keeps the drunks around here soaking in liquor and that poor Nova, that girl deserves better. And don't even get me started on how he treats Gob. Just because the boy looks dead doesn't mean that he should be treated like that. That man has his fingers in everything around here. Just watch what you say about him, it'll always get back." (Manya Vargas' dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Is there a bar in town?" Lucas Simms: "Sure is -- Moriarty's. The entrance is on the top level, opposite the Main Gate. Just be careful. Moriarty is NOT your friend, no matter what he may say, so don't fall for his lies. And for god's sake, don't trust the man." (Lucas Simms' dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Who's Moriarty?" Silver: "Colin Moriarty... the owner of Moriarty's Saloon in Megaton. That sack of shit is convinced that I'm some crazy junkie who stole money from him!" (Silver's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "What's the word around town?" Andy Stahl: "Moriarty pisses in his still -- crazy bastard thinks it's hilarious. Besides, you'll get your throat cut in that pit. You're much better off here.Hey, maybe I'll put that on the sign out front: 'The Brass Lantern: Cleaner, safer, and less likely to have piss in the drinks'." (Andy Stahl's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Go for the top shelf. On me. <Give 20 caps.>" Jericho: "Whoa, twenty caps! Look at the big spender! Alright then, I can see you're in it for the big money, so I'll tell you all about Moriarty's. Moriarty, he's a ratfuck bastard for sure, but he's also paranoid as all hell. So paranoid that he don't let no one handle the cash around here. Every night, he takes what Gob and Nova earn and locks it in a file cabinet next to his bed." (Jericho's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Why is Moriarty so hard on him?" Nova: "Well, the miserable bastard is hard on all of us. But Gob gets it the worst. I guess just because he's different, you know?" The Lone Wanderer: "Where did he come from?" Nova: "He don't talk about it much but apparently, there's a whole city of Ghouls somewhere down in DC. He's mentioned his mother a couple of times, but other than that, he won't really say. He's been here for... I guess about fifteen years now. Ever since Moriarty bought him off of those Slavers." (Nova's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Where did you come from?" Gob: "A place called Underworld. It's a Ghoul city down in D.C. I set off up here to find adventure and fortune. And... well... I found this place. I'm sort of stuck here. Colin says that I can't leave until I pay off my debt to him. Of course, he charges me room and board too. If you ever get to Underworld, tell Carol that I said hi." (Gob's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "What's all this about Galaxy News Radio?" Colin Moriarty: "Galaxy News Radio is some loudmouth radio station located in the ruins of D.C. Three Dog, the king of that looney bin, keeps yapping about fighting some Good Fight or something. A bunch of crap. But I suppose if you wanted to know what was going on in the Wasteland, that's the place to go. Me, I could care less." (Colin Moriarty's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Know anything about the area outside Megaton?" Colin Moriarty: "The Wasteland? Why the hell would you want to go out there? Listen to me, lad/lass, Megaton has everything you could possibly need. Why go anywhere else?" (Colin Moriarty's dialogue)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "I'm looking for my father. Middle-aged guy. Maybe you've seen him?" Colin Moriarty: "My God... It's you. The little baby boy/girl, all grown up. Persistent little bastard, ain't ya? Then and now, it would seem. It's been a long time, kid. Oh, your daddy passed through here, all right. Here and gone. Got what he came for, and then left. I'm assuming you'll do the same, correct?" The Lone Wanderer: "Huh? My father and I were born in Vault 101..." Colin Moriarty: "Is that what your father told you? That you were born in that hole? That HE was born there as well? Oh, the lies we tell to those we love. Your father brought you to the Vault right after you were born. To keep you safe, you see. I remember it well -- you stayed in my saloon, after all. That's right. Your father, his Brotherhood of Steel friend, and you, the suckling babe with nary a tit to suckle. Sorry about your mom. Truly. But, life goes on. Daddy lied. Life's full of little disappointments. And now... you're all grown up, and wondering where he's gone to...." (Colin Moriarty's dialogue)
↑Colin Moriarty: "No, no, put that away. This one's on the house. And now a toast. To James and his cheery cherub. May your future be safe, bright, and boring as hell." (Colin Moriarty's dialogue)
↑Colin Moriarty: "No luck finding dear old dad? Can't say it surprises me. Wasteland's a big place. Maybe you need a drink." (Colin Moriarty's dialogue)
Non-game
↑Emil Pagliarulo: "The East Coast of the U.S. has traditionally been really a hub of immigration. We have characters like in Megaton in Fallout 3, there's Moriarty, who is, he's Irish, and it's like 'where does he come from?' He has an Irish accent and an Irish brogue. He's from Ireland. And so, 'what is Ireland like?' We never really say, but we want you to think, 'oh, he came on some kind of - however he got there...' " (pixel.tv, ~12:23)
↑ 2.02.1Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.66: "Colin Moriarty Moriarty, 50, has been here nearly his entire life. He claims that his grandfather helped found the original settlement a few years after the war. His father used the nearby trade routes to amass wealth, which is used to help secure Megaton. Colin inherited this wealth when his father was killed during a Raider attack when Colin was 14. Colin's first move was to build a fence around the town. Since then, the people have looked to Colin as a benefactor despite his running drinks, Chems, girls, and games out of his saloon. Simms turns a blind eye to Moriarty's activities, because he is acutely aware that the town needs Colin's support and resources." (Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition Wasteland Census)