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We're the Regulators. We've dedicated our lives to bringing the evil to justice. And out in the Wasteland, there's only one brand of justice: the gun.Sonora Cruz

The Regulators are a faction encountered in the Capital Wasteland in Fallout 3.

Background[]

Known for their distinctive cowboy-style hats and dusters in the fashion of pre-War gunslingers and outlaws, the Regulators seek to dispense justice and maintain a semblance of peace in the regions they oversee. As the Capital Wasteland is one of the harshest and most unforgiving places on the East Coast, they primarily achieve these goals by killing unjust individuals.[1]

The organization was founded around ten years prior to 2277 by a group of unknown individuals. These individuals fund the organization’s operations while Sonora Cruz leads the group itself, though it is unclear if she was one of the founders of the group at its original inception or joined later and became its leader through merit.[Non-game 1][Non-game 2]

While the Regulators oppose all who practice evil, in some cases, the worst of the Capital Wasteland’s criminals will have specialized bounties placed on them by the Regulators.

It is possible for members to maintain positions of authority outside of merely being bounty hunters as is the case for Lucas Simms, a member who also serves as the sheriff of the town of Megaton.[Non-game 3]

Organization[]

Sonora and a few other members operate out of a small farmhouse near Canterbury Commons as the group's headquarters, although the majority of the Regulators operate in secret around the Capital Wasteland.[2] Sonora herself has taken on the task of paying the organization’s members for dispatching unjust individuals, for which the fingers of the unjust are used as evidence of the deed. She is adamant that any collected fingers are only used as deed markers and that Regulators are trusted not to try turning in fingers collected from non-criminals.[3]

Technology[]

All members of the Regulators are identifiable by the choice to wear their trademark dusters.[4] Although the organization does not appear to have standardized equipment beyond their dusters, weaponry used by members is known to include laser rifles, laser pistols, combat shotguns, Chinese assault rifles, and other common small arms.

Interactions with the player character[]

Should the Lone Wanderer become qualified to join the organization, Sonora will act as their employer, accepting the fingers they have collected from the unjust and paying them for their altruistic deeds.[5][6][7][8][9] If the Lone Wanderer has been particularly benevolent in their activities in the Capital Wasteland, Sonora will praise them and enthusiastically offer them a bonus on collected fingers as a reward for going above and beyond what the organization requires.[10][11][12] She will also personally reward them for the special bounty on Junders Plunkett if his finger is brought to her.[13]

Sonora has little time for practical jokes, and will rebuke the Lone Wanderer if they tell her that they have fingers to collect the bounty on without actually having any, remarking that “justice is serious business” and that they should make their jokes “only when the Wastes are rid of the filth that feed off of it.”[14][15]

Conversely, should the Lone Wanderer have been particularly malevolent in their activities in the Capital Wasteland, they will be routinely attacked by members of the Regulators, each carrying evidence of a special bounty placed on them, regardless of their potentially having been a member of the organization prior. Unlike their standard practice of collecting the fingers of the unjust, the bounty on the Lone Wanderer specifies that the Regulators are to collect their head as evidence of their death.

Known members[]

Notes[]

  • Due to the association with Karma-relevant perks that are diametrically opposed, it can be inferred that Littlehorn & Associates (Contract Killer) and the Regulators (Lawbringer) are mutually antagonistic, though neither faction has any in-game interactions with the other beyond the Lone Wanderer being attacked by the Regulators for doing the kind of work that interests Littlehorn & Associates.
  • Fallout: New Vegas The Lonesome Drifter in Fallout: New Vegas wears a Regulator duster, but it is never confirmed in-game that he is involved with, or a member of the Regulators.

Behind the scenes[]

  • The Regulators encountered in Fallout 3 are a separate entity from the Regulators the Vault Dweller meets in the Boneyard in Fallout.[Non-game 1]
  • Regulator is the actual term for an official who maintains control and supervision of an area of public interest.[16] As a result, many armed groups, both vigilante and official, have been named "Regulators" throughout American history. One of the most notable groups in American history were the Regulators of the Carolinas around the time of the American Revolution.

References[]

  1. The Lone Wanderer: "What do you do?"
    Sonora Cruz: "We're the Regulators. We've dedicated our lives to bringing the evil to justice. And out in the Wasteland, there's only one brand of justice: the gun."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  2. The Lone Wanderer: "Is this all of the Regulators?"
    Sonora Cruz: "Oh, no. We're spread all around. The few here just assist me in organizing things here at the headquarters. There are Regulators everywhere. The thing is, if you see them, then they're likely the last thing that you'll see."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  3. The Lone Wanderer: "What do you do with these fingers?"
    Sonora Cruz: "Nothing. Nothing at all. They only serve to mark the fact that justice has been done. While we trust our members not to take innocent lives for profit, having a record of the deed is sometimes necessary. While we don't have liars in our midst, occasionally we all... embellish a bit."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  4. The Lone Wanderer: "I'm in."
    Sonora Cruz: "Fantastic. Well, take this coat. We all wear them. The unrighteous fear the sight of the Regulators. Now, as for the rest, here's the only thing we want from you: hunt down the evil, the wicked, and the villainous. Bring them to justice. Bring us their fingers as proof of the deed. We'll pay you a bounty for each one. Simple, right? Questions?"
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  5. Sonora Cruz: "I'm guessing that you've come about the notice. You know, I've heard about you. You're not bad people, from what I understand. And the Regulators can always use good folks. So, what do you say? You read the notice, and you're here, so I'm guessing that you want to ride with us. Am I right?"
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  6. The Lone Wanderer: "I have fingers to collect the bounty on."
    Sonora Cruz: "Then you've been busy. Good. Show me what you have."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  7. The Lone Wanderer: "I have fingers to collect the bounty on."
    Sonora Cruz: "The unrighteous will fall. Let me see how many you've brought to justice."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  8. The Lone Wanderer: "Here. Take all of them."
    Sonora Cruz: "So many of the unjust have been dispatched, but so many remain. Here is your reward. Spend it well."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  9. The Lone Wanderer: "Here. Take all of them."
    Sonora Cruz: "Your work is impressive. Here is your reward. Don't retire just yet, there is far more to be done."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  10. Sonora Cruz: "You live the life of a Regulator. You're an example to all. Word reaches across the Wastes of your deeds. I am honored to have you among us. It's always good to see one of our number here. Have you brought tales and trophies of justice?"
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  11. The Lone Wanderer: "Here. Take all of them."
    Sonora Cruz: "So many of the unjust have been dispatched, but so many remain. But ever still, word reaches me that you have gone far beyond what we've asked. Good deeds should not go unrewarded, and so I will add on a bonus to your normal bounty."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  12. The Lone Wanderer: "Here. Take all of them."
    Sonora Cruz: "You've done good work. Not only that, but the other Regulators have told me of your other actions in your travels. Good deeds should not go unrewarded, and so I will add on a bonus to your normal bounty."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  13. The Lone Wanderer: "I killed Junders Plunkett."
    Sonora Cruz: "Well, it's about time someone put that bastard out of his misery. And here's the reward for it. Spend it well, Lawbringer."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  14. The Lone Wanderer: "Actually, I don't have any right now."
    Sonora Cruz: "If this is a joke, I am not amused. Justice is serious business."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  15. The Lone Wanderer: "Actually, I don't have any right now."
    Sonora Cruz: "Make your jokes when the Wastes are rid of the filth that feed off of it."
    (Sonora Cruz’s dialogue)
  16. Regulator definition

Non-game

  1. 1.0 1.1 Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.43: "Regulators
    The regulators are a relatively new group in the Capital Wasteland, having appeared only in the last 10 years or so. They take it upon themselves to punish troublemakers and do their best to keep a semblance of peace wherever they are."
    (Fallout 3 Official Game Guide faction profiles)
  2. Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.97: "Sonora Cruz:
    Leader of a hidden organization known as the Regulators (who are recognized by their long overcoats known as "dusters"), Sonora Cruz is a woman with a mission: to rid the Wasteland of troublemakers and ne'e-do-wells.In-game spelling, punctuation and/or grammar Her unknown benefactors, who set up this clandestine operation around a decade ago, are willing to pay for scalps, or in the Regulators' case, fingers.""
  3. 3.0 3.1 Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Collector's Edition, p. 360: "Lucas Simms
    He grew up in Megaton and understand better than anyone what it takes to survive and thrive in the Wasteland. Big and imposing yet warm and friendly, Lucas won his position by an unanimous vote of the people of Megaton (most of whom genuinely love the guy). He serves as a mayor, sheriff, judge, and just about any other position that's needed. It is also no secret around Megaton that Lucas Simms is fulfilling some weird childhood cowboy fantasy. He named his son Harden after the Old West outlaw John Wesley Harden. Simms is also a member of a secret society known only as 'the Regulators'."
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