Salem is a coastal city ruin in the Commonwealth in 2287.
Background
Salem was once a quaint coastal town and seaport, made into a tourist destination by the infamous witch trials of 1692.[1] After the Great War, the town's residents worked together to make it a secure settlement. Over the next two centuries, the community became known as one of the safest towns in the Commonwealth. As a consequence, the townspeople went lax in their defenses. Barney Rook begged the town council to let him train the militia, to teach the citizens how to shoot and fend for themselves. However, they thought he was just paranoid and refused him. When the mirelurks started rising out of the ocean, no one was ready.
Mr. Rook tried to save as many as he could from his roost atop his home, but for every person he saved, three were lost. After the devastation, he vowed to protect the town and has been doing so for the last couple of years alone.[2] Because he was alone, and couldn't be everywhere at once, he set up the series of turrets around town at strategic locations, so he could stay at home most days.[3]
He recently took the turrets offline to conserve ammunition since the mirelurks were quiet lately.[4] By late 2287, the area has become avoided by wastelanders due to Gunner activity in the area, the Church of the Children of Atom worshiping at the radioactive crater down the road and the large number of mating mirelurks in the waters all around the bay.[1]
The only other resident known to Salem is Andrew Endicott, who was abducted from Salem Village by zetan aliens in 1697.[5]
Layout
This ruined town has several locales, including the Museum of Witchcraft and Sandy Coves Convalescent Home to the southwest, Salem Church and abandoned market stalls in the center of town, a Drumlin's Diner to the south, the pier and several boathouses to the east, and the Rook family house to the northeast.
Notable loot
- Guns and Bullets - In Barney Rook's basement.
- Mini nuke - Underneath the terminal in the bell tower.
- Fat Man - On the store shelf on the second floor of the boarded-up shop. One of Barney's turrets is also located here.
- Reba II - In Barney's basement.
Related quests
Notes
After completing the Gun Run quest for Barney Rook, the turrets will be hostile against vertibirds called in by the Sole Survivor.
Appearances
Salem is first mentioned in the Fallout 3 add-on Mothership Zeta. It later appears in Fallout 4 as a location the player character can visit. Salem is mentioned in Fallout 76 by the Master of Ceremonies as of the Wild Appalachia update. In Fallout Shelter, Salem is mentioned only as a question in the weekly quest Game Show Gauntlet.
Behind the scenes
- Salem is based on the real world location of Salem, Massachusetts.
 | The following is based on Fallout 4 cut content. |
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- Salem was originally going to feature a questline involving children who gained magic powers through mutations. They would be prosecuted by people from the town of Danvers, who viewed them as witches. The magic users were given spells from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim to use, but then, said spells were removed from the engine, causing technical difficulties. Danvers was also cut from the game due to being too close to Salem, leading to the quest being cut and replaced by the quest The Devil's Due.[6]
| End of information based on Fallout 4 cut content |
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Gallery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Collector's Edition pp. 330-331: "[4.07] Salem
Once a quaint coastal town and seaport, this tourist destination was infamous for its witch trials of 1692. Nowadays the population has dwindled considerably due to Gunner activity in the area, the crazies worshipping a radiation crater down the road, and the large number of mating Mirelurks in the waters all around the bay. Proceed at your own risk."
(Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Map) - ↑ The Sole Survivor: "Barney, what happened here?"
Barney Rook: "Well, that's a long story. You sure you want to hear it?"
The Sole Survivor: "Yes, I'm really interested."
Barney Rook: "Ok, I guess I've got a minute. My family's lived in this town going back generations. Far as I can tell, we've been here as long as it has. Even after the bombs dropped, my folks worked hard to keep the town together and drive out any threats. We did such a good job that before I was even born, this place was one of the safest towns in the commonwealth. And soon everyone forgot how to be cautious. I begged the town council to let me train the militia, to teach the citizens how to shoot and fend for themselves. But they thought I was just paranoid. I knew something was coming, I just didn't know what. And when the mirelurks started rising out of the ocean, no one was ready. I saved as many as I could, sniping crabbies from my roost upstairs. But for every one I saved, three were goners. That was a couple of year ago
. Ever since then, I've vowed to protect this town, and I don't plan on breaking that vow."
(Barney Rook's dialogue) - ↑ The Sole Survivor: "Listen, I accidentally destroyed some of your turrets, but I still think we're ok here."
Barney Rook: "You did what?!? Oh, well, I'm glad you've still got hope, sunshine! Maybe we can group hug the rest of them to death!"
The Sole Survivor: "Look, I don't see what the problem is here. You've still got Reba."
Barney Rook: "Nice sentiment, but she can't be in every place at the same time! Those turrets were in strategic locations so Reba and I can stay home most days! The good news is the turrets may be down but the targeting system should still be up. So your mission technically remains the same. Turn on all of the terminals and when I get time to fix your mistakes, those turrets should be ready to go. So get back out there and try not to do something else stupid, ok? Like burn down the whole town."
(Barney Rook's dialogue) - ↑ The Sole Survivor: "Who's Reba? Are you talking about your gun?"
Barney Rook: "She's not just a gun! She's top of the line, best gun in the Commonwealth. Made her with my own two hands. Oh, where are my manners? Introductions! Barney Rook, commander of the Salem Volunteer Militia, at your service. I'm also the quartermaster, sergeant at arms, and scribe for all official meetings. This here is Reba. But you two already met when she saved your life."
The Sole Survivor: "Thank you, Reba. And thank you, Barney."
Barney Rook: "No thanks needed, sir. The Salem Volunteer Militia is at the service of the people of the Commonwealth. Duty is its own reward. Reba says you're welcome. Now, I'd love to sit here gabbing all day like a couple of house wives, but we've got some work to do. And by we, I most definitely mean you. Before you showed up, the Mirelurks had been mostly quiet. And those that were a problem were quickly dispatched by my turret defense system. Since things had been quiet lately, I took the turrets offline to conserve ammunition. Obviously, they need to be reactivated. And that's your mission, soldier. I'm going to continue to hold down the home front while you go reactivate the turrets."
The Sole Survivor: "Sounds good."
Barney Rook: "Of course it sounds good, I'm a tactical genius. Smartest man in town, as a matter of fact. The turrets should be easy enough to find. They're up high in strategic locations around town. Just be careful. All your noise probably woke up more crabbies and other mirelurks. The town could be crawling with them by now."
(Barney Rook's dialogue) - ↑ Alien captive recorded log 1: "On the night of May 17th, the year of our Lord 1697, I was...I was taken. From my home in Salem Village"
- ↑ The History of Bethesda Game Studios
