Confessor Cromwell is a member of the Church of the Children of Atom residing in Megaton in the Capital Wasteland in Fallout 3, where he leads the Children in the worship of the undetonated atomic bomb that gave Megaton its name.
Background[]
Cromwell traveled across the Capital Wasteland in his youth before settling in Megaton, where he first encountered the Children of Atom.[1] He was permitted to stay within their church due to his predecessor's high standing and blessing, after which he was fostered in the ways of Atom. Eventually, Cromwell proved to be a valuable resource in protecting and aiding the town, though largely considered an harmless, if eccentric distraction to most of the citizens of Megaton. Sometime before 2277, he married Mother Maya, his counterpart in the church.[Non-game 1] In his personal quarters in Megaton, he keeps a personal journal on a terminal.
Considered the "father of the undying Glow,"[2] the 44-year-old Cromwell is a self-described prophet of the Children of Atom, and styles himself as such.[2] He fully believes in the faith,[3] and will advise others to bask in Atom's Glow to understand that the greatest wealth that a person has is their own.[1] He also believes that each person is lost in their own way on their own path.[4] As the leader of his faith, he takes no effort to become involved in the lay matters around him.[5] Confessor Cromwell and Mother Maya treat Gob with respect and an air of reverence because of their spiritual beliefs.[Non-game 2]
At some point, Cromwell sent an expedition to spread the word of Atom to the rest of the wasteland along the East Coast, though the expedition eventually split into separate groups, one led by Isolde that reached the Commonwealth in Massachusetts, another led by Martin and including Tektus that reached the Island in Maine. After becoming a High Confessor himself, Tektus still maintains respect for Cromwell, referring to him as "Atom's great prophet."[6] He also refers to him as an emissary.[verification overdue]
When the Last Son of Atom arrived at Isolde's village in the Commonwealth in 2286, he claimed to have studied the faith under Cromwell at Megaton.
Daily schedule[]
Cromwell can be seen standing in the center of town, next to the bomb, praying to it in ankle-deep irradiated water. He even beseeches Atom to "shape his fragile form." He is heard preaching to his audience about the teachings of the Children of Atom, mainly on the subject of "birthing a thousand stars," relating to his (and the Children of Atom's) belief that inside every atom is an entire universe.[7]
Interactions with the player character[]
Interactions overview[]
Interactions | ||
---|---|---|
This character starts quests. | ||
This character drops an ear upon death (Contract Killer). |
Quests[]
- Church Donations: Donating to the church through the appropriate dialogue choice incurs Karma gain. The amount of Karma gained is proportional to the amount of caps given.
- The Power of the Atom: Cromwell will discourage the Lone Wanderer from disarming the bomb. However, he will not notice if they decide to do so.
Inventory[]
- Fallout 3
Apparel | Weapon | Other items |
---|---|---|
Wasteland settler outfit | Church of Atom key |
- Fallout Shelter
Notes[]
- While all non-player characters are immune to environmental radiation in the game engine, Cromwell is particularly well-known for his habit of self-irradiating, and the pool surrounding the bomb that he stands in will still irradiate the player.
- His sermon begins with the proclamation "He is coming with the clouds!" which is a quotation of Revelation 1:7.
- Though Cromwell presents as pacifistic and discourages alcohol use, a 10mm pistol and whiskey can be found in his office.
- Cromwell may sometimes disappear from Megaton,[clarification needed] but Megaton settlers will still stand around the bomb as if listening to him. They may also gather even when Cromwell is dead.
- Cromwell's sermon may loop indefinitely.
Notable quotes[]
- "Give your bodies to Atom, my friends. Release yourself to his power, feel his Glow, and be Divided."
- "Come forth and drink the waters of the Glow, for this ancient weapon of war is our salvation, it is the very symbol of Atom's glory!"
- "Behold! He is coming with the clouds! And every eye shall be blind with his glory! Every ear shall be stricken deaf to hear the thunder of his voice!"
- "Yea, your suffering shall exist no longer; it shall be washed away in Atom's Glow, burned from you in the fire of his brilliance."
- "Each of us shall give birth to a billion stars formed from the mass of our wretched and filthy bodies."
Appearances[]
Confessor Cromwell appears in Fallout 3, and as a legendary dweller in Fallout Shelter. He is also mentioned in the Fallout 4 add-on Far Harbor.
Bugs[]
[Platforms needed] Talking to him, using V.A.T.S., then talking to him again may result in him crouching, attempting to flee but stuck in place. [verification overdue]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Lone Wanderer: "Confessor, have you ever traveled outside of Megaton?"
Confessor Cromwell: "In my youth, I traveled quite a bit. But... that was a different life. I assume that you are seeking information and advice, yes? The only advice that I can offer is this: you will find no wealth in the Wasteland greater than that which you will find within yourself. Bask in Atom's Glow, and you will understand."
(Confessor Cromwell's dialogue) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Confessor Cromwell: "Who have we here? Could it be? A new addition to our humble little community? Dear child, welcome! Welcome to Megaton! I am Confessor Cromwell, prophet of Atom and father of the undying Glow. Please child, come to the Church any time. Any time at all!"
(Confessor Cromwell's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "What can you tell me about Megaton?"
Confessor Cromwell: "Megaton -- Atom's sacred village. He has chosen this place for the site of his shrine and we have been called. Outsiders ask us 'why did you build a town around a bomb'? To them, I say: The bomb brings the promise of Division and the gift of the Glow. The bomb is us. The bomb is Atom. And thus, we are Atom -- awaiting the day in which each of us gives birth to a trillion new lives."
(Confessor Cromwell's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "I could use some directions around town."
Confessor Cromwell: "In each our own way, we are all lost. Where would you like to be, brother/sister?"
(Confessor Cromwell's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "What's the news?"
Confessor Cromwell: "News? My friend, I take effort not to be involved in such worldly business. Earthly pursuits distract from Atom. Of course... now that you mentioned it, I've noticed that Moira has hired a mercenary to protect her goods -- the man never sleeps. So they say."
(Confessor Cromwell's dialogue) - ↑ Tektus: "The first of us, my predecessor Martin and I, had come north at the behest of Atom's great prophet, Confessor Cromwell..."
(Tektus' dialogue) - ↑ Confessor Cromwell: "Behold! He is coming with the clouds! And every eye shall be blind with his glory! Every ear shall be stricken deaf to hear the thunder of his voice! Let the men, women, and children of the Earth come forth to gather and behold the power of Atom! Let those who dwell here in his favored land attend now to the words of the Prophet of Atom! Come forth and drink the waters of the Glow, for this ancient weapon of war is our salvation, it is the very symbol of Atom's glory! Let it serve as a reminder of the Division that has occurred in the past and the resplendence of the promise of our division in the times to come! Give your bodies to Atom, my friends. Release yourself to his power, feel his Glow, and be Divided. There shall be no tears, no sorrow, no suffering, for in the Division, we shall see our release from the pain and hardships of this world. Yea, your suffering shall exist no longer; it shall be washed away in Atom's Glow, burned from you in the fire of his brilliance. Each of us shall give birth to a billion stars formed from the mass of our wretched and filthy bodies. Each of us shall be mother and father to a trillion civilizations. Each of us shall know peace, shall know an end to pain, and shall know Atom in his glory. I urge you, my friends -- come, drink with me and pray... Glorious Atom, I give unto you these feeble bones. I present to your will this frail body. I beg of you to use me as your vessel, guide me to your brilliance, divide each particle and give relief to this rotten flesh. Cast the fragile form of this ephemeral body into new life in the forge of your Glow. Atom, come -- bestow your presence on your unworthy servant. We stay true, until the Day of Division -- until the dawn of your return to His humble world."
(Confessor Cromwell's dialogue)
Non-game
- ↑ Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.66:
"Confessor Cromwell:
Little is known about Cromwell's past: He arrived in his early 20s (he's now 44) and was granted permission to stay due to the blessing and high standing of his successor in the church, who fostered him in the ways of Atom. Eventually, Cromwell proved to be a valuable resource in protecting and aiding the town, and he became an eccentric distraction to most of the citizens of Megaton." - ↑ Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.74:
"Gob:
Treated as a freakish, second-class citizen by many people in Megaton (particularly Colin Moriarty), Gob is skittish and nervous, always looking over his shoulder. He does his best to maintain a sense of humor and to be friendly with customers, but this is mostly out of his desire not to be beaten. Confessor Cromwell and Mother Maya treat Gob with respect and an air of reverence because of their spiritual beliefs."
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