Joanna "Jo" Mayfield[2] is the head of the Blue Ridge Caravan Company in Fallout 76.
Background[]
Beginnings[]
Descended from a family of truckers, Joanna Mayfield worked with shipping practically her whole life, earning her stripes hauling cargo up and down Appalachia, primarily the Blue Ridge Parkway. She inherited the trucking business from her grandfather around 2073,[3] due to the death of her father. She continued to manage the company, earning the loyalty of manager Vinny Costa and his crew.[2]
The Great War forced her to adapt, but not to surrender. Joanna decided to swap eighteen-wheelers for hardy brahmin, re-founding the Blue Ridge Caravan Company in the wake of the apocalypse, now as its owner and proprietor.[1] Over the next 25 years, she built it up into a professional outfit, providing security, commerce, and safe travel along the Blue Ridge Parkway.[3]
Joanna prioritized self-sufficiency above all else, rejecting offers of collaboration from paramilitary groups to maintain independence.[4] While she jokes about refusing raises to contractors,[5] she pays them well, to the point that Kieran Kennedy could afford to hire a live-in guard for his adopted family.[6] She also does not tolerate intimidation of her employees as a means to an end.[7] Joanna has a good eye for people, keeping close tabs on her head of operations, Vinny Costa, to keep him on the straight and narrow, setting aside toys to gift to Kieran's children, and making sure that Libby Wen and Carver Timmerman do not burn themselves out while doing runs for the company.[8]
Expansion into Appalachia[]
By 2103, the company was ready to expand north into West Virginia, thanks to the containment of the Scorched Plague and humanity returning once more to the region.[3] Vinny Costa spearheaded the initial push into the region, setting up operations centered around the Big Bend Tunnel, providing a more or less safe route beneath the mountains and providing access to the western parts of Appalachia. Joanna planned for a visit to the region once operations were underway.[2] A year later, she finally arrived, setting up an office at the western end of the tunnel in order to investigate a string of disappearances tied to Blue Ridge operations. Clients who paid for safe transit had disappeared under unclear circumstances, and she wanted to both prevent a panic among customers and identify the culprits without scaring them off. Her internal investigation coincided with the arrival of the Brotherhood First Expeditionary Force, which also took interest in the matter. Joanna did not trust the Brotherhood, considering Paladin Rahmani's investigations an attempt at "oppression and regulation" that her enterprise could do without.[9]
The secrecy, dodging answers, and ultimately lying to Art Knapp had the effect of making Joanna and her company a prime suspect. Rather than take drastic action, Paladin Rahmani decided to try subterfuge, assuming that Mayfield would be unfamiliar with her. Joanna saw through the ruse immediately: She finally agreed to the meeting, because Mayfield's own investigation had hit a brick wall, despite identifying multiple missing people after combing through company records.[10] Dealing with the Brotherhood was necessary to solve the mystery and prevent the Blue Ridge name from being tarnished.[11] While still standoffish, Mayfield and Rahmani agreed on a course of action. The two agreed to a joint investigation of the caravan camp in the Harpers Ferry tunnel, sealed up by Aries.[12] While Rahmani's attitude grated on Joanna,[9] it was Aries who truly put the strain on Rahmani's patience. His antics while investigating the tunnel[13] almost led Paladin Rahmani to conclude that it was Joanna's attempt at an elaborate coverup,[14] until they finally arrived at the caravan stop and uncovered evidence identifying Edgar Blackburn and the Hellcat Company as parties responsible for the mass kidnapping.[15]
Joanna was pleased with the results of the investigation. While she did not plan to make a habit out of helping "jackbooted overlords", as she called them, she was glad to have helped the Brotherhood clear her company's name.[16] As the company continued to expand their operations in Appalachia, Joanna helped set up a job at the Middle Mountain Pitstop for Vera Thornberg, the daughter of a pre-War Blue Ridge trucker whom Joanna knew well.[17][18] Overall, under Joanna's leadership, Blue Ridge as a company has operated smoothly, something that Vinny Costa recognizes as a comfortable normalcy.[19]
Interactions with the player character[]
Interactions overview[]
Interactions | ||
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This character ignores combat and cannot be damaged. | ||
This character is involved in quests. |
Quests[]
- Out of the Blue: The Vault Dweller and Paladin Leila Rahmani head to the Blue Ridge office to speak to Joanna Mayfield, as part of their investigation into the disappearances across Appalachia, which Blue Ridge may be connected with.
Inventory[]
Apparel | Weapon | Other items |
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Steel worker uniform | Random settler weapon:
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Pre-War money (15% chance) Stimpaks (15%) |
Appearances[]
Joanna Mayfield appears only in Fallout 76. She was first mentioned in the Wastelanders update by characters such as Vinny Costa. She made a full appearance in the Steel Reign update, and previous dialogue was adjusted to fit her arrival.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Vault Dweller: "What can you tell me about the Blue Ridge Caravan Company?"
Joanna Mayfield: "Well I suppose I could tell ya just about anything you want to know, darlin'. I am the owner and proprietor after all. But I'll save us both a little time and give ya the whitepaper version... Started out as a trucking company, hauling up and down the roads of Appalachia. The Blue Ridge parkway in particular, if the name didn't give it away. I inherited the business from my Granpappy. My dear ol' daddy wasn't exactly around well enough to take over himself. God rest his soul. But, being the entrepreneur I am, I didn't give in. Swapped eighteen wheelers for Brahmin backs and trucked on... so to speak. And now, here we are. Serving Appalachia with safe and efficient travel and merchandise."
(Joanna Mayfield's dialogue) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Vault Dweller: "Who is in charge of the Blue Ridge Caravan Company?"
Vinny Costa: "That would be Ms. Joanna Mayfield. Or Jo. But newcomers don't get to call her "Jo." So don't. She's been in charge of things since before the war, when we was running trucks up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway. She's running things from our headquarters, well away from here, but she's been planning a visit. We'll see."
(Vinny Costa's dialogue) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Big Bend Tunnel terminal entries; terminal, (Draft) Company Speech
- ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "Why did you avoid contact with the Brotherhood of Steel?"
Joanna Mayfield: "I've spent two and a half decades fostering a self-sufficient, well-guarded and valuable service, all without some jackbooted overlords lookin' over us. The only thing the Brotherhood can offer is telling us what we can and can't do... and try to take a slice of my pie while they're at it. And thus, I have chosen to politely decline any collaboration between our organizations."
(Joanna Mayfield's dialogue) - ↑ Joanna Mayfield: "If you're here for a pay raise, keep walking. If you're here for a chat, well... I suppose I've got a minute."
(Joanna Mayfield's dialogue) - ↑ Dear Uncle K.
- ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "Want me to rattle her cage a little? Make her see sense?"
Vinny Costa: "While I appreciate the initiative *laughs*, Joanna would have my hide. Just go see what's makin' her mind wander and help put a stop to it."
(Vinny Costa's dialogue) - ↑ Big Bend Tunnel terminal entries; terminal, Staff and Clients for Appalachia
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Vault Dweller: "Hold on, if you knew, why lie to Art Knapp? Why refuse our help?"
Joanna Mayfield: "Plain and simple, I wanted to handle this internally. I didn't want news of this stirring up a panic, maybe causing the perpetrators to flee. Our clients paid us for safe transport, and we failed them. It was our responsibility to solve it... discreetly. I'm sure you can appreciate that. As for deceiving Mr. Knapp... I dislike fibbin', but sometimes you've got to play your cards close to your chest. Especially when lives are at stake."
Leila Rahmani: "I don't buy it. Sounds more like you were trying to prevent future clients from being scared off. It makes me wonder if this sudden cooperation isn't in the interest of helping others... Maybe you've just been caught."
Joanna Mayfield: "I'd be offended by these accusations, if it didn't weave such a fascinating story. Are you planning to sell that as a dime novel? Well... If you're wondering why my organization would choose to dodge your calls, examine the attitude with which you've started this conversation. This pseudo-authority you're flaunting is exactly the type of oppression and regulation that my free enterprise can do without."
(Joanna Mayfield's dialogue and Leila Rahmani's dialogue) - ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "What else can you tell me about the caravan that went missing?"
Joanna Mayfield: "Not much, I'm afraid. Whoever's behind this has been discrete up to this point. After the train tunnel, we started looking over our records and notice more and more people had gotten "lost" on our runs. But we haven't been able to pin down a common factor yet... or any sign of where they ended up. I'd be very much interested in hearing what y'all uncover. "
(Joanna Mayfield's dialogue) - ↑ Leila Rahmani: "Ms. Mayfield. My name is Leila, I had made an appointment to speak with you."
Joanna Mayfield: "Please, Joanna is just fine, dear... And while all this cloak and dagger hub-bub is flattering, why don't we cut to the chase... Paladin Rahmani."
Leila Rahmani: "Well, that was short lived. Okay, Joanna, it appears I've underestimated you."
Joanna Mayfield: "And lookie there, you've got one of these famous Vault Dwellers in tow. Hm. Familiar looking too. Say, you've done some work for me haven't you? Yeah, that's right... Riding shotgun with my crew through Big Bend?"
Leila Rahmani: "I'd appreciate if the job offers were saved for later. We're here on pressing business."
Joanna Mayfield: "Okay, Paladin, down to brass tacks then. It's not an accident that I've finally opted to meet witcha, after playing hard to get for so long. We know you're interested in the folk that've gone missing. We are too. Been looking into it for a spell now."
(Joanna Mayfield's dialogue and Leila Rahmani's dialogue) - ↑ Joanna Mayfield: "Harpers Ferry. The train tunnel. Mind showing our guests the route?"
Aries: "Oh crap. You really want to go back there?"
(Aries and Joanna Mayfield's dialogue) - ↑ Aries: "There's a trick to getting in. Gimme one shake of a Lambsquatch's tail to get it open. Let's see... Thirty days past September... Carry the two..."
Paladin Rahmani: "Is this for real?"
Aries: "And viola! It's just a little further ahead. Please, after you."
(Aries and Leila Rahmani's dialogue) - ↑ Aries: "Your boss looks like she's about to strangle me with one of those vines. Something happen in there?"
Paladin Rahmani: "Aries, between the Feral Ghouls, the strangler vines and that insane sheep robot, I've about reached my limit with this place... and your antics. I don't know if this is some kind of trap, or elaborate cover-up, but we need to get through that door and get answers. Now."
Aries: "Whoa, whoa, trap? Where's this coming from? Hold on, did you say "sheep robot"? Like the baa-baa kind, or the killer robot kind?"
Paladin Rahmani: "Aries. The door. Now. Please."
Aries: "Okay, just give me a second. Yeesh."
(Aries and Leila Rahmani's dialogue) - ↑ Paladin Rahmani: "Aries... I owe you an apology. My rash behavior was unfitting of my position, and frankly, unfair to you."
Aries: "Eh, water under the bridge. All of my best friendships start with misplaced suspicion of mass kidnapping."
Paladin Rahmani: "I will... take your word for it. I am sorry, either way."
Aries: "If you really want to make it up to me, I've heard you guys have some killer rocket launchers to spare."
Paladin Rahmani: "Absolutely not."
(Aries' and Leila Rahmani's dialogue) - ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "We found the people who went missing in the Harper's Ferry train tunnel."
Joanna Mayfield: "So I heard. While I don't plan to make a habit of it, I'm glad we were able to lend the Brotherhood a hand in this particular instance."
(Joanna Mayfield's dialogue) - ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "What's so important about getting these photos?"
Vera Thornberg: "Well I was plannin' on visiting the pitstops of my Daddy's old trucker route from before the bombs dropped. I know seeing those old places would just warm his heart, specially since he hasn't had a mind to travel since Momma passed. *Sighs* But, I can't just abandon my post after Joanna went to all the trouble getting it for me. Plus I'm not sure if I'd last one minute out there alone."
(Vera Thornberg's dialogue) - ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "How long have you been with running the shop?"
Vera Thornberg: "Joined up a while back thanks to my Daddy knowin' Joanna from before the bombs dropped. This cabin area was converted recently into our new pitstop, allowin' the caravanners to rest and trade Brahmin. Been here since."
(Vera Thornberg's dialogue) - ↑ Vault 76 dweller: "How about the other members?"
Vinny Costa: "Eh, everybody else is doin' all right. With Jo at the helm, we're normally runnin' pretty smooth. We're about back to that now, thanks to you."
(Vinny Costa's dialogue)
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