Dead Sea is a decanus of Caesar's Legion in the Mojave Wasteland who led the assault on the NCR outpost at the town of Nelson, taking it as a base for the Legion and starting a brutal ground war against the Army forces at the nearby Camp Forlorn Hope in 2281. He appears in Fallout: New Vegas.
Background[]
Blade of the Legion[]
The warrior known as Dead Sea has never known a life outside the Legion. Taken from his former tribe near the Great Salt Lake as a child, he was raised and inculcated with Caesar's doctrine, creating an obedient and loyal soldier. Dead Sea's boundless devotion to his master led to a martial career, attaining the rank of decanus in 2276.[1] His known feats include the defeat of the Sun Dog tribe, where his martial prowess earned him the rare distinction of a personal weapon, gifted to him by the centurion he served under at the time.[2]
Although zealously devoted to Caesar, Dead Sea personally craves glory in battle, to the point that he is able to recognize the triumph of another warrior and will offer his own weapon as reward, if only so he can harness his humiliation at being surpassed as motivation to pursue another accolade and a blade forged in its honor.[3] However, he is also quick to snap at people who presume to have any authority over him. It provides a useful outlet for his frustration, even if the slight is accidental.[4]
Taking Nelson[]
Around 2281, Dead Sea and his fellow decanus Alexus were given orders by frumentarii leader Vulpes Inculta,[5] passed down from their lord Caesar, to lead a force of two contubernia in attacking the military garrison of the New California Republic stationed in the pre-War town of Nelson along the western bank of the Colorado River. While Vulpes himself orchestrated the destruction of the military base at Camp Searchlight to cripple NCR reinforcements, the decanii carried out the attack without interference.[Non-game 1][Non-game 2] The Battle of Nelson was swift and brutal, as the poorly constructed defenses were overpowered by the Legion forces despite facing a numerical disadvantage of two NCR soldiers to one legionary.[6][7][8]
While he does not second-guess or dispute Caesar's orders to remain in Nelson and harass the nearby NCR forces at Camp Forlorn Hope, Dead Sea's battlelust has left him frustrated with being stationed on what is basically a routine terror operation. Only the blood shed by repelling NCR retaliatory attempts and the demoralizing efforts of executing and/or crucifying their captives has calmed his thirst for blood, guts, and glory.[9][10][11][6]
Interactions with the player character[]
Interactions overview[]
| Interactions | ||
|---|---|---|
  |
This character starts quests. | |
  |
This character is involved in quests. | |
Quests[]
- We Are Legion: The Courier must speak to Dead Sea in the barracks to start the quest. Upon completion, he will reward the unique machete, Liberator.
- Restoring Hope: The ultimate goal of the NCR's retaliatory attack on Nelson is to kill Dead Sea and drive out the Legion from there, which they can accomplish after the Courier helps resolve the supply issues at Forlorn Hope.
Inventory[]
| Apparel | Weapon | Other items | On death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legion recruit armor Recruit decanus helmet |
Liberator 10mm SMG |
Antivenom Bitter drink Healing powder Legion denarius Purified water |
Legion ear |
Notes[]
- When unmasked, Dead Sea is identical in appearance to Alexus and Gabban.
- Though the "Collector's Edition" playing card depicts him wearing Legion veteran armor, Dead Sea always appears in-game wearing Legion recruit armor.
Appearances[]
Dead Sea appears only in Fallout: New Vegas.
Gallery[]
Behind the scenes[]
Whether intentionally or not, the character's name is similar to that of the Dead Sea, a landlocked salt lake on the borders of Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank, so-named due to its significantly high salinity which surpasses that of oceanwater and which has led to its world renown as a natural health resort.
References[]
- ↑ The Courier: "Who are you?"
Dead Sea: "I am a loyal servant of Caesar, and I thank my good fortune for the day that he plucked me as a babe from the shore of the Great Salt Lake. For five years I have had the privilege of serving as a Decanus. If fortune continues to smile upon me, I will serve him until I draw my last breath. I hope that satisfies your curiosity about me, because I won't waste any more of Caesar's time talking about myself."
(Dead Sea's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "I've slaughtered the enemy at Camp Forlorn Hope."
Dead Sea: "A glorious victory. You must be very satisfied. I'll send word of your achievement. Perhaps Caesar will see fit to send another contubernium to occupy the Camp. Here - take this, my blade. It was a gift from my Centurion upon the defeat of the Sun Dog tribe."
(Dead Sea's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Why would I want a piece of shit machete?"
Dead Sea: "That blade has split the heads of... The only reason I give it to you is to force myself to earn another. True to Caesar."
(Dead Sea's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "No offense intended. Carry on."
Dead Sea: "You are not my Centurion! You aren't even Legion! I do not 'carry on' at your command. True to Caesar."
(Dead Sea's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Towns? The Legion destroyed Nipton, poisoned Searchlight, butchered Nelson."
Legate Lanius: "[SUCCEEDED] Vulpes... brought the touch of Caesar to such places.It was necessary to weaken the West, show that the Legion could strike deep into the places where NCR thought it safe. But we do not need *those* towns. Like Hoover Dam, there is the power within Vegas... we can harness it for our needs."
(Lanius' dialogue) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Courier: "Why haven't you attacked the enemy?"
Dead Sea: "I have attacked the enemy. I led the assault on Nelson with two contubernia against twice our number. It is Caesar's wish that we hold this position. Our mere presence this side of the Colorado humiliates and demoralizes the enemy."
(Dead Sea's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "What happened here?"
Ranger Milo: "Troopers tried moving down from Forlorn Hope because we got this big gap between there and Searchlight. Turns out we were spread too thin. We took our sweet ass time setting up in Nelson and the Legion managed to hop over the Colorado and attack before things were settled."
(Milo's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Tell me about Nelson."
Hanlon: "Nelson was barely set up. We had a big stretch of unprotected land between Forlorn Hope and Searchlight, and Nelson was the solution. A decanus named Dead Sea took the place and caused a lot of damage."
(Hanlon's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "What's the situation here?"
Dead Sea: "My orders are to hold Nelson. So far the enemy north of here has been too frightened to move against us. Why should it concern you?"
(Dead Sea's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "How can I help break the stalemate?"
Dead Sea: "What stalemate? It is Caesar's will that I hold this position - that I not advance. If you're so eager to see Camp Forlorn Hope fall, why don't you go attack it all by yourself? Well?"
(Dead Sea's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "You're demoralizing the enemy by leaving them alone?"
Dead Sea: "I do not question Caesar's will! I do not second-guess! I butchered this town. Those who weren't hacked limb from limb were forced to throw themselves from the cliffs. Three more, I have just crucified. All this, in full view of the enemy's spotters to the north. Yes, our presence here demoralizes the enemy."
(Dead Sea's dialogue)
Non-game
- ↑ Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition pp. 417-418: [6.02] Camp Forlorn Hope
After NCR captured Hoover Dam, it took them a while to fully reinforce the river to the south. The first camp that was established was Camp Forlorn Hope; an improvised mess of tin shacks, salvaged rubble from Boulder City, tents, and lots of sandbags, it is the most pathetic-looking of all NCR's camps, but the one that sees the most action. It only exists at all because of the natural spring there (in fact the camp is named for the spring). Recently, Caesar's Legion captured NCR's logistical/planning forces in the ruins of the small, ruined town of Nelson, a disaster that has disrupted Forlorn's Hopes attempts to patrol the western coast of the river.
Graveyard of No Hope
A nickname some in the camp whisper about the collection of graves of the fallen, on a two-tiered promontory behind the shacks, overlooking the Colorado River. Shoot the Bloatflies in the area for sport. Due to the height disadvantage, attack from here only if you plan to be stealthy. - ↑ Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition, p. 418-419: [6.08] Nelson
Nelson was a second NCR outpost, as the Republic slowly gained ground along the Colorado River to stem the tide of the Legion's advancement across Arizona. But Caesar struck back, razing Nelson, and capturing any NCR troopers that weren't executed or shot, and crucified them as an example of barbarism; to crush the NCR morale.
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