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Mainlanders think the island's easy. We'll see. Haha.— Uncle Ken

"Uncle" Ken is a denizen of Mount Desert Island and technically the last harborman to hold out away from Far Harbor in 2287 in the Fallout 4 add-on Far Harbor.

Background[]

Ken and his family have lived on Mount Desert Island for seven generations.[1] The family homestead is the National Park visitor's center, and as of 2287, Ken is its sole occupant. In fact, he is the last harborman who continues to hold out on the island instead of retreating to Far Harbor. This is possible only because his nephew Mitch sent him Acadian Fog condensers acquired from Captain Avery, which protects him from the Fog around the vistor's center.[2][3]

Ken's decision to hold out stems from stubbornness and pride in his old age. He believes it would dishonor his family's memory if he left their homestead,[1] and he intends to spend his final days on his land even if this means never seeing Mitch again.[4] The other reason is that he is reluctant to change a routine that has worked so far: Ken has managed to keep the island's dangers away with a range of traps and defenses, plus his own rifle; the victims' corpses serve as another deterrent. As Ken sees it, he's managed to balance a delicate position in the island's ecosystem, and any disturbance to his lifestyle will upset this.[5] To keep these "disturbances" away, he habitually tells off visitors (the ones friendly enough not to be shot on sight, at least) with blustery threats of violence.[6][7] Ken is so accustomed to living alone that he will shoo away even people who help him and messengers with news from his family;[8] he is also so confident in his survival ability that he will brush off any and all concerns, even from his family.[9][10] Even threats of force may not change his attitude.[7]

Ken is proud of and loves his nephew Mitch, and considers him a "smart one" in the family.[2] Although he is dead set on holding out, he is a little saddened by not being able to see Mitch again, and wishes his nephew would visit or write more often.[11] For his part, Mitch is also worried about his aging uncle, since he also never visits or writes to Mitch. While Mitch is too prideful to make it clear, he is looking for someone to check up on Uncle Ken and, if possible, convince Ken to live with him in Far Harbor.[12] That being said, Mitch knows his uncle is a little "crazy" and may not agree even though his beloved nephew is the one expressing concern.[3][13]

Personality[]

Like his nephew Mitch, Ken has an abrasive and irritable attitude; the harbormen's culture of independence has made Ken fiercely stubborn and prideful.[6][1] He is defiant and skeptical towards others and refuses to let anyone else interfere with his lifestyle.[14] Even if he (grudgingly) accepts outside help or change,[15] he will still pointedly and exaggeratedly complain about anything he can find a reason for in comparison to his old lifestyle.[16][17][18] He can be appeased by appealing on his family (specifically his soft spot, his nephew Mitch),[11] but even this cannot stop all his complaints.

Ken's age also plays into his ego. Ken views his age as commensurate with experience and as a sign that he has survived everything that the island can throw at him.[7][19] This is such a point of pride for him that he refuses to believe anyone on the island is older than him, claiming Cassie Dalton is lying about her age, calling Old Longfellow a "small child" in comparison, and announcing he will live forever.[20][21] This also influences Ken's wish to hold out, as he accepts his age and wishes to spend his twilight on his property.[4]

All of this means that Ken can come off as a crazy and ornery old man on first impression. Mitch is keenly aware of his uncle's tendencies and will try to warn others of them beforehand;[22] Uncle Ken also knows how others might see him, but he is fine with it and doesn't mind trading insults.[23]

Interactions with the player character[]

Interactions overview[]

Interactions
FO76 ui icon quest
This character is involved in quests.

Quests[]

  • The Hold Out: Mitch asks the Sole Survivor to check in on Uncle Ken at the National Park visitor's center; Ken will only appear after starting the quest. The Sole Survivor will arrive just as Ken's defenses have been triggered by recent attackers, with more trappers quickly arriving after the Sole Survivor does. Although Ken will blame the attack on the Sole Survivor "tromping around" and upsetting the "ecosystem," he will begrudgingly accept that he needs their help to stave off the danger.[5] After the attack, Ken will be impressed by the Sole Survivor, but will still brush off Mitch's concern and attempt to shoo them away.[8][24]
    • After defending the visitor's center, the player character can either leave or try to convince Uncle Ken to leave. Ken will only leave if two successive speech challenges are passed. The first is a medium difficulty challenge titled "Convince him to come."[25] This is followed by either a medium difficulty challenge to threaten him into leaving[15] or a hard difficulty challenge to "consider it a vacation" and come back later.[26] Otherwise, Ken will stay at the visitor's center.
      • For this quest, there is no difference in the outcome between choosing to threaten Uncle Ken or convincing him to take a "vacation" when trying to persuade him to leave. However, this can affect The Way Life Should Be (see below).
      • If Ken agreed to come to Far Harbor, he will be with Mitch during the ending of the quest, and will complain exaggeratedly about the player character being a violent thug[27] who forced him to live as a "capless beggar" in Far Harbor.[28] However, he will be genuinely happy to see Mitch again[29] and will grudgingly admit this if an easy speech challenge is passed.[11] After the quest, Ken will stay inside the Last Plank for the rest of the game and will have new ambient dialogue complaining about Far Harbor.[16]
        • Passing the easy speech challenge will appease Uncle Ken and set the dialogue variable bUncleKenMollified_var to 1; this can affect The Way Life Should Be (see below).
      • If Uncle Ken does not leave, he will remain at the visitor's center. Once the quest ends and the visitor's center becomes available as a settlement, he will become part of the settler population. However, he cannot be commanded and will only farm, while he will have new ambient dialogue complaining about the new settlers who Mitch sent to help out.[30][31][17] The two new settlers sent there by Mitch will be commandable, unlike Uncle Ken.
  • The Way Life Should Be: If Ken was convinced to come to Far Harbor during The Hold Out, he will be part of the crowd that observes when either DiMA is put on trial or Allen Lee reveals Captain Avery is a synth. In these situations, Allen will try to convince the harbormen to either destroy Acadia in the former case or let him execute Avery in the latter case.
    • If the player character fails to talk Allen down or leaves it to the people to decide what happens, Ken's presence in Far Harbor can negatively influence the public opinion counter that determines the outcome (see the quest page for an explanation of the counter), and will not only offset Mitch's support for the player character but also worsen public opinion against them. However, this will only happen if he was not appeased with the final easy speech challenge in The Hold Out (bUncleKenMollified_var != 1); if appeased, he will be a silent observer.
      • If Ken was not appeased, and was threatened into leaving using the second medium speech challenge, he will say as much and support Allen, which will lower the public opinion counter by 3 points.[32]
      • If Ken was not appeased, and was convinced to leave using the hard speech challenge instead, he will still support Allen, but the public opinion counter will only be lowered by 2 points.[33]

Effects of player's actions[]

  • After Rite of Passage is completed, Uncle Ken will have an additional comment brushing off the Sole Survivor's accomplishment, claiming that in his youth, everyone took the Captain's Dance several times a year.[34]
  • Apart from his involvement in the outcome of the quest The Way Life Should Be, Uncle Ken will also have additional ambient dialogue available once a day based on events that may occur in the quest.
    • If DiMA is convinced to stand trial for murdering the human Avery, Ken will comment approvingly about how DiMA faced death with dignity.[35]
    • If Captain Avery is exposed to Allen Lee as a synth, but he is talked down from executing her, Uncle Ken will comment disapprovingly, calling the harbormen weak for sparing Avery.[36]
    • If Captain Avery is exposed to Allen Lee as a synth, and he is allowed to execute her, Uncle Ken will mock the other harbormen for being disheartened by Avery's death, claiming that in his youth, "Captains [got] killed all the time."[37]
    • If Acadia is destroyed by the harbormen, Uncle Ken will express mild approval for the player character's involvement, believing the synths "had no business" staying on Mount Desert Island.[38]
  • If Cleansing the Land is completed by destroying the Nucleus, Uncle Ken will have an additional comment gloating about outliving the Children of Atom, who "always said" the Fog would kill him first.[39]
  • If Reformation is completed, with High Confessor Tektus replaced by a synth duplicate calling for peace, Uncle Ken will have a comment expressing displeasure, refusing to let them on his land.[40]

Inventory[]

Apparel Weapon Other items
Dirty army fatigues Combat rifle (semi-auto mods) 0-18 bottlecaps
1x basic food item, 75% chance
1x pre-War food item, 25% chance

Notes[]

  • While many residents of Far Harbor state that Ken is the last of the harbormen living outside town, this is technically inaccurate, as Old Longfellow lives in his cabin outside the town walls.
  • Uncle Ken appears to like vodka. There are several bottles of vodka and a bottle of Bobrov's Best moonshine at Uncle Ken's mattress in his home at the National Park visitor's center. His nephew Mitch similarly views vodka as a "top shelf" drink.[41]
  • Ken mentions that Mitch is the "smart one" of the family.[2]
  • Ken claims that the Fog was much worse when he was young, although his purpose for doing so is to complain about the other harbormen and their "moaning" about the current Fog.[19]

Notable quotes[]

  • "Oh thank you sooo much for putting me on this rickety dock."
  • "Tell them this is my farm. Stop fiddling with everything!"
  • "Mitch sent men to help. They won't let me do anything any more. Bah!"
  • "Old Longfellow. Bah! He is a small child next to me."
  • "Everyone moaning about the Fog. This Fog is nothing. Much worse when I was young."
  • "You took me away from my home. Bah!"
  • "Mainlanders think the island's easy. We'll see. Haha."
  • "Yes, yes. I am doing well. Goodbye, goodbye."
  • "Cassie Dalton says she's the oldest on the island? Bah! It's me. I will live forever."
  • "Haha! Those Children of Atom always saying the Fog would get me. Look who is still alive!"
  • "The Children of Atom can have their "peace." As long as its not on my land."
  • "If you gonna die, DiMA did it right. Head tall. Face your crimes. Good."
  • "In my day, Captains get killed all the time. And now everyone moans - poor Avery, so sad. Bah!"
  • "Oh, everyone in Far Harbor is sooo merciful. Spare the poor little machine. Weak!"
  • "In my day, everyone does the Captain Dance. Maybe two, three times a year. So don't get no ideas."
  • "You chased off those people at Acadia? Hmph. Had no business on this island, I say."
  • "Far Harbor is just terrible. It's noisy and crowded."
  • "Yes, you've been very helpful. Now leave me alone."
  • "They'll be here any time now!"
  • "Tromping around my home. Hmm."
  • "You're getting beaten by an old man. Ha!"
  • "This is my home! Go away!"
  • "Hello? You there? Hello?"

Appearances[]

Uncle Ken appears only in the Fallout 4 add-on Far Harbor.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Sole Survivor: "Why would you possibly stay here? It's dangerous."
    Ken: "My family's lived here for seven generations. I will not disrespect their memory. Now go."
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Sole Survivor: "Take it easy, Uncle Ken. Mitch sent me."
    "Yeah, Mitch warned me you were crazy."
    Ken: "Mitch. My boy Mitch sent you? He was always a smart one. He sent me the Fog Condensers. Made it safe to breathe here. Glad to hear he still cares about his old uncle. But you- What? What have you done? They're coming. They're coming!"
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  3. 3.0 3.1 The Sole Survivor: "If my family was in trouble, I'd do anything to help them."
    Debby: "You hear that, Mitch? Even someone like him would ask for help. Uncle Ken's the last one still living on the island. The last hold out."
    Mitch: "Crazier than a bag full of starved Mole Rats, he is."
    Debby: "Mitch sent him some of the... Fog Condensers? So he might still be alive; he's safe from the Fog."
    Mitch: "But the campground's got to be swarming with god knows what. Listen... it shames me to ask it... but he is my kin. Could you check up on him? And find some way to drag his hide back here? I'll pay, of course."
    (The Sole Survivor's, Debby's and Mitch's dialogue)
  4. 4.0 4.1 The Sole Survivor: "You have living family that cares about you. Are you just going to turn your back on him?"
    Ken: "I am an old man. I just want to live out my days on my land. You wouldn't understand."
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  5. 5.0 5.1 The Sole Survivor: "What the? This isn't my fault."
    Ken: "You tromping around, making noise. There's a whole ecosystem here, and you've kicked it. I haven't reset my traps, or repaired the defenses. what you can with the workbench supplies. They'll be here, soon!"
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  6. 6.0 6.1 Ken: "Go away! You see? You see those corpses? They're from me! Unless you're ready for the Long Walk - go away!"
    The Sole Survivor: "You killed them all? By yourself?"
    Ken: "What? Just because I'm an old man you don't think I can protect myself. Wrong!"
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Sole Survivor: "How about this. I'm not asking you, old man. I'm dragging you back."
    Ken: "Ha! See all the bodies? I've survived worse than you. Now go away!"
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  8. 8.0 8.1 Ken: "Not bad... Mitch was a good boy to send you. But still, time to go. Good bye. Good bye. Before you attract more of them."
    (Ken's dialogue)
  9. The Sole Survivor: "Mitch sent me to bring you home. Safely. Please go to Far Harbor."
    Ken: "Mitch worries too much. I'll be fine. Now go, show yourself out."
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  10. The Sole Survivor: "Stay safe, Uncle Ken."
    Ken: "Yes, very safe. Now leave."
    The Sole Survivor: "Stay here and you're going to be taking that "Long Walk" yourself."
    Ken: "Yes, walking's good for you. Now go."
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 The Sole Survivor: "You're really not grateful? You get to see your boy again."
    Ken: "*sigh* It is good to see family again. He never visits or writes. Your thug threatened me. Said he'd drag me from my home!"
    Mitch: "Uncle, I'm sure it didn't go down that way."
    (The Sole Survivor's, Ken's and Mitch's dialogue)
  12. The Sole Survivor: "Have any leads on a paying gig?"
    Teddy Wright: "What? Why yes, Mitch, he owns the Last Plank. I think his family is in a spot of trouble. And I heard some of the dregs at the end of the dock were looking for help, too. And I heard some of the dregs at the end of the dock were looking for help, too."
    (The Sole Survivor's and Teddy Wright's dialogue)
  13. The Sole Survivor: "What if he won't come back?"
    Mitch: "Then at least check up on him, right? I'll pay the same regardless."
    The Sole Survivor: "I'll look for your uncle."
    Mitch: "His homestead's the old Visitor's Center inland. And look out, he loves his traps."
    (Mitch's dialogue)
  14. The Sole Survivor: "Just consider this a vacation. You'll come back later, when it's safe."
    Ken: "You won't fool me. I'm staying. Now get off my land."
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  15. 15.0 15.1 The Sole Survivor: "How about this. I'm not asking you, old man. I'm dragging you back."
    Ken: "Oh fine, threaten an old man, big shot. I'll go back. You have my word."
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  16. 16.0 16.1 Ken: "Far Harbor is just terrible. It's noisy and crowded."
    "Oh thank you sooo much for putting me on this rickety dock."
    "You took me away from my home. Bah!"
    (Ken's dialogue)
  17. 17.0 17.1 Ken: "Tell them this is my farm. Stop fiddling with everything!"
    "Mitch sent men to help. They won't let me do anything any more. Bah!"
    (Ken's dialogue)
  18. The Sole Survivor: "You're really not grateful? You get to see your boy again."
    Ken: "Ha. The only thing I'm grateful for is you didn't burn down my house. Your thug threatened me. Said he'd drag me from my home!"
    Ken: "Ha. The only thing I'm grateful for is you didn't burn down my house. Your thug threatened me. Said she'd drag me from my home!"
    Mitch: "Uncle, I'm sure it didn't go down that way."
    (The Sole Survivor's, Ken's and Mitch's dialogue)
  19. 19.0 19.1 Ken: "Everyone moaning about the Fog. This Fog is nothing. Much worse when I was young."
    (Ken's dialogue)
  20. Ken: "Cassie Dalton says she's the oldest on the island? Bah! It's me. I will live forever."
    (Ken's dialogue)
  21. Ken: "Old Longfellow. Bah! He is a small child next to me."
    (Ken's dialogue)
  22. Mitch: "Uncle Ken's lived on his own for a long spell. He's... got color."
    (Mitch's dialogue)
  23. The Sole Survivor: "You're a pain in the ass."
    Ken: "You're no snowflake, either, mainlander. Your thug threatened me. Said he'd/she'd drag me from my home!"
    Mitch: "Uncle, I'm sure it didn't go down that way."
    (The Sole Survivor's, Ken's and Mitch's dialogue)
  24. The Sole Survivor: "It's your funeral, then."
    Ken: "Good. I'll be the only one in attendance. Now go!"
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  25. The Sole Survivor: "Mitch sent me to bring you home. Safely. Please go to Far Harbor."
    Ken: "This is my home. And what? You want me to huddle like a beggar in Far Harbor. I... I can't just leave."
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  26. The Sole Survivor: "Just consider this a vacation. You'll come back later, when it's safe."
    Ken: "You are so... persistent. Fine. You happy? You've chased me from my home. I'll pack my things."
    (The Sole Survivor's and Ken's dialogue)
  27. The Sole Survivor: "I probably saved your life."
    Ken: "Yes, big hero. Your thug threatened me. Said he'd/she'd drag me from my home!"
    Mitch: "Uncle, I'm sure it didn't go down that way."
    (The Sole Survivor's, Ken's and Mitch's dialogue)
  28. The Sole Survivor: "Well, the job's done."
    Ken: "Oh goodie, now I can live as a capless beggar. Thank you very much. Your thug threatened me. Said he'd/she'd drag me from my home!"
    Mitch: "Uncle, I'm sure it didn't go down that way."
    (The Sole Survivor's, Ken's and Mitch's dialogue)
  29. Ken: "My boy!"
    Debby: "He/She actually did it."
    Ken: "Did what? Chase me from my home? We should dump him/her in the Harbor."
    (Ken's and Debby's dialogue)
  30. The Sole Survivor: "If I hadn't been there, he'd be dead already."
    Mitch: "Ornery and headstrong... Maybe I can see if any locals want a chance to homestead again. With a few more guns... Here. I... I..."
    Debby: "Mitch's at a loss for words."
    Mitch: "Hush now. I owe you one."
    (The Sole Survivor's, Mitch's and Debby's dialogue)
  31. The Sole Survivor: "His defenses were good. But it's a dangerous area."
    Mitch: "Hmm... Maybe I can see if some of the locals want to homestead again. If he had a few men by his side... Here. I... I..."
    Debby: "Mitch's at a loss for words."
    Mitch: "Hush now. I owe you one."
    (The Sole Survivor's, Mitch's and Debby's dialogue)
  32. Ken: "What? The mainlander threatened me. Chased me from my home. Allen's a good boy. Listen to him."
    (Ken's dialogue) Note: Line used during The Way Life Should Be during either "public opinion" scene that can be triggered during the quest, if Ken was threatened to leave for Far Harbor in The Hold Out.
  33. Ken: "What? The mainlander took away my home. Drug me here. Listen to Allen!"
    (Ken's dialogue) Note: Line used during The Way Life Should Be during either "public opinion" scene that can be triggered during the quest, if Ken was convinced to "vacation" in Far Harbor in The Hold Out.
  34. Uncle Ken: "In my day, everyone does the Captain Dance. Maybe two, three times a year. So don't get no ideas."
    (Uncle Ken's dialogue) Note: Uncle Ken's line in the miscellaneous dialogue group HELLOSFarHarborHero, which is available by completing Rite of Passage.
  35. Ken: "If you gonna die, DiMA did it right. Head tall. Face your crimes. Good."
    (Uncle Ken's dialogue) Note: Uncle Ken's line in the miscellaneous dialogue group HELLOSDimaTrial, which is available by convincing DiMA to stand trial in The Way Life Should Be.
  36. Uncle Ken: "Oh, everyone in Far Harbor is sooo merciful. Spare the poor little machine. Weak!"
    (Uncle Ken's dialogue) Note: Uncle Ken's line in the miscellaneous dialogue group HELLOSAverySpared, which is available by exposing Avery's death to Allen Lee but talking him down afterwards.
  37. Uncle Ken: "In my day, Captains get killed all the time. And now everyone moans - poor Avery, so sad. Bah!"
    (Ken's dialogue) Note: Uncle Ken's line in the miscellaneous dialogue group HELLOSAveryExecuted, which is available by exposing Avery's death to Allen Lee and allowing him to kill synth Avery afterwards.
  38. Ken: "You chased off those people at Acadia? Hmph. Had no business on this island, I say."
    (Ken's dialogue) Note: Uncle Ken's line in the miscellaneous dialogue group HELLOSAcadiaDestroyedByUs, which is available by convincing DiMA to stand trial in The Way Life Should Be.
  39. Ken: "Haha! Those Children of Atom always saying the Fog would get me. Look who is still alive!"
    (Ken's dialogue) Note: Uncle Ken's line in the miscellaneous dialogue group HELLOSNucleusDestroyed, which is available by destroying the Nucleus in Cleansing the Land.
  40. Ken: "The Children of Atom can have their 'peace.' As long as itsIn-game spelling, punctuation and/or grammar not on my land."
    (Ken's dialogue) Note: Uncle Ken's line in the miscellaneous dialogue group HELLOSTektusPeace, which is available by completing Reformation.
  41. The Sole Survivor: "You have anything a bit stronger?"
    Mitch: "Pushing your luck, are you? Ha. I like it. Take this, top shelf all around. So drink up! You stay here over long and the Fog'll claim you, might as well meet her with a belly full of fire, hey?"
    (The Sole Survivor's and Mitch's dialogue)