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"Acolytes of the New God"
Was a resort Pre-War. I renamed it to Jacobstown after an old friend. Died a long time ago.Marcus, Fallout: New Vegas

Jacobstown is a town on Mount Charleston in Fallout: New Vegas. It is built from a pre-War resort to serve as a refuge for super mutants, led by its mayor, the first-generation mutant Marcus in 2281.

Background[]

Post-War, the area was of little interest to travelers and scavengers due to its remote location and lack of salvageable material. It was not until the past twenty years that it became a permanent settlement for any group. Marcus, formerly the mild-mannered super mutant sheriff of Broken Hills, took it upon himself to find a refuge for the "broken-minded" of his kind, following the necessary abandonment of the super mutant conclave living at Black Mountain, which the nightkin, Tabitha turned into the State of Utobitha. It proved to be more difficult than holding on to Broken Hills, but he eventually discovered Mount Charleston and decided it was a good spot to set up a community.[Non-game 1][1] The town mostly supports itself on the ranching of bighorners; they provide lots of meat and the town can trade the hides for other supplies with passing caravans. Wild bighorners also roam the foothills, so restocking their herd is easy.[2]

Jacobstown gets its namesake from Jacob, a Brotherhood of Steel paladin and a past traveling companion of Marcus, who together previously founded the town of Broken Hills. It was in remembrance of his old friend, now since long deceased, that Marcus renamed the old resort.[1]

However, not all of the super mutants and nightkin were content to live under Marcus' rules. Others such as Davison and Tabitha broke off on their own, eventually winding up with their own dysfunctional super mutant communities. Though Marcus is disappointed at the shaky state of mutant affairs in the Mojave, he does the best he can to take care of those super mutants and nightkin like Lily Bowen that remained at Jacobstown. Even so, despite Marcus' peaceful leadership, Keene arose as representative of the nightkin in the town, given that Marcus does not truly understand their troubles.[3] A former Enclave scientist, Dr. Henry heard about the problems plaguing the nightkin and was welcomed by Marcus as he began trying his best to cure their mental illness, but progress is slow going and the nightkin are growing impatient; another instance of rebellion is imminent unless something is done.[4][5]

Aside from the conflicts within, Jacobstown suffers many threats from the outside due to their high population of super mutants; they have even tried to establish trade with the New California Republic,[6] but an influential party[7] of the NCR recently sent contracted mercenaries to either displace the super mutants from the town, or remove them through more violent methods, despite the fact that the town has nothing to do with the attacks on the NCR citizens' brahmin attributed to super mutants.[8]

Society[]

The super mutants of Jacobstown are an egalitarian collective. The super mutants operate in a collectivist mindset, equally sharing their resources among each other for a common goal and almost never physically fighting each other, though there are often splinter factions among its less mentally stable denizens.[Non-game 1] The super mutants themselves can be divided into three groups: the first generation super mutants from the Master's army, second generation mutants from the Enclave excavations, and the nightkin, the Master's elite operatives and commanders.[9][10]

Though there is not a caste system or a highly regimented society, the different generations of mutants tend to gravitate to different roles. The first-generation mutants are generally among the smartest (and most mentally stable) and act as organizers and community leaders. Marcus, due to his experience as a sheriff and his intelligence, became the de facto leader of the mutant community. The second generation, or "dumb-dumbs" as some[11] call them, are general muscle and work as extra hands, as even the least intelligent of mutants are useful for their strength and manpower. Nightkin, represented by Keene in the town, help protect the town from interlopers, though their main objective is to find a cure for their deteriorating condition.

Although founded as a super mutant haven, members of all races are welcome as long as they behave themselves and mind their manners and avoid staring at the nightkin, evidenced by Dr. Henry and the ghoul Calamity being allowed to live in the town while they research to cure the nightkin's condition.[12][13]

Outside relations[]

The residents of Jacobstown are friendly and peaceful but despite their best efforts have few good relations. Marcus wishes to do trade with others, including the NCR, but their isolation and a general anti-mutant sentiment in the wasteland have made this simple task difficult. In particular, they suffer a scapegoating campaign by the New California Republic,[6] for supposedly attacking brahmin herds, despite evidence to the contrary. This has resulted in an influential party[7] of the NCR sending mercenaries to either displace the super mutants from the town, or remove them through more violent methods, despite the fact that the town has nothing to do with the attacks on the NCR citizens' brahmin.[8] Marcus, however, remains optimistic about establishing trade and borders with the NCR, believing it is only a matter of hard work and if the current situation can be peacefully resolved.

Despite being close neighbors with the Great Khans, neither seem very interested in the other, mostly focusing on their problems with the NCR (Jacobstown) or assimilating into the Legion (Khans). This apathetic attitude also extends itself to Caesar's Legion, as little to no contact has been made between the two groups. Marcus himself has several opinions on Caesar and his Legion, but this may or may not extend to the rest of the town.[14]

The State of Utobitha and Jacobstown are on strictly unfriendly terms, as Utobitha tends to give mutants a bad reputation as ordnance-toting moronic raiders. Marcus even goes as far as to plant Neil as a spy/diplomat in order to seed unrest and convince as many mutants as possible to turn away from Black Mountain and instead go to Jacobstown.[13]

Layout[]

Given the snowy climate and the look of the town itself, it appears to be a ski lodge resort with certain modified or fortified parts, located in the nearby Mount Charleston area northwest of New Vegas. The resort's entrance is approached by Nevada State Route 157. Just inside the entrance, there is a giant sign on a tower that says "Jacobstown." Left of the entrance is a pen full of bighorners. To the right, there are a few bungalows. The large building to the rear is the Jacobstown lodge.

At the entrance of Jacobstown, where Marcus is met for the first time, there are two super mutants standing guard at both sides of the entrance. Near the one on the right, there is a hollowed-out rock which has a small heart painted on it and contains minor loot.

In addition, it is possible to meet Lily Bowen and Keene in the town for the quest Guess Who I Saw Today, and Doctor Henry for Nothin' But a Hound Dog and For Auld Lang Syne.

Buildings[]

Inhabitants[]

Notable loot[]

  • Cattle prod - One is outside on the ground on top of a line of rocks near the northwest side of the cattle pen, between the pen and the lodge.
  • Fat Man - On a super mutant, well to the south, in a cazador nest.

Related quests[]

Endings[]

This section is transcluded from Fallout: New Vegas endings. To change it, please edit the transcluded page.

Narrated by Marcus

# Slide Voice-over narration In-game condition
1
Jacobstown end slide 01
With Jacobstown's leadership destroyed, the remaining super mutants and nightkin of the west scattered across the wasteland. Jacobstown withered away, its death going unnoticed by the rest of the Mojave. Marcus dies.
2
Jacobstown end slide 02
Thanks to the Courier and Lily, a cure for the nightkin's schizophrenia was found shortly after Doctor Henry's experiment concluded. Nightkin and other super mutants in the wasteland flocked to Jacobstown, and the town became known as a haven where a mutant could find peace. Complete Guess Who I Saw Today, pass the Speech check with Keene (or let him leave), and pass the Science check with Doctor Henry, or encourage Doctor Henry to continue his tests on Lily.
3
Jacobstown end slide 02
Though a cure for the nightkin's schizophrenia was eventually found, it became a case of too little, too late for Jacobstown. Disgruntled by the death of their leader, Keene, most of the nightkin scattered into the wasteland, their insanity worsening with each day. Jacobstown, constantly on guard for anti-mutant reprisals, never truly prospered. Complete Guess Who I Saw Today, Keene dies during the quest.
4
Jacobstown end slide 02
Though a cure for the nightkin's schizophrenia was eventually found, it became a case of too little, too late for Jacobstown. Most nightkin at Jacobstown followed their leader Keene out into the wasteland, terrorizing the Mojave for years to come. Jacobstown, constantly on guard for anti-mutant reprisals, never truly prospered. Complete Guess Who I Saw Today, failing the Speech check with Keene (but allowing him to leave) and failing the Science check with Doctor Henry.
5
Jacobstown end slide 02
It took more time than anticipated for a cure for the nightkin's schizophrenia to be found, but in the end it was beneficial to Jacobstown. The presence of the nightkin leader, Keene, persuaded nightkin from across the wasteland to make the journey to the town. Jacobstown prospered, becoming known as a fair - if somewhat intimidating - place for a trader to do business. Complete Guess Who I Saw Today, passing the Speech check with Keene and failing (or ignoring) the Science check with Doctor Henry.
6
Jacobstown end slide 02
With no cure for the nightkin's schizophrenia in sight, the disgruntled nightkin left Jacobstown. Without a treatment, their insanity grew. The crazed nightkin terrorized the wasteland, and Jacobstown suffered repeated reprisals from mutant-hating humans. In the end, the surviving mutants abandoned Jacobstown entirely, its existence quickly forgotten by the rest of the wasteland. Do not complete or fail Guess Who I Saw Today.

Notes[]

  • After visiting Neil near the Black Mountain, he will reveal the location of Jacobstown by marking it on the map. Also, by helping him at Black Mountain, a super mutant master appears at Jacobstown with his voice.
  • When speaking to Marcus, a certain dialogue option can have him explain certain events from Fallout and Fallout 2, including the Master's Army and the destruction of the oil rig.
  • Occasionally, other super mutants will state, "Sometimes I miss being in the Master's army."
  • There is a terminal in the broadcasting center of Black Mountain that can be hacked by the Courier. On it, there are entries from Marcus who takes pity on the soldiers and decides to make Black Mountain a haven for super mutants. Tabitha, the present ruler of Black Mountain, can be quoted from her radio broadcasts with "Rhonda" as saying that the first-generation super mutants have left Black Mountain to found their own city.
  • Other than the super mutants and nightkin, Jacobstown is also home to an unnamed super mutant master. He has a "normal," cultured voice (similar to Neil's) instead of the more gravelly voice used by the other super mutants, but says the same generic dialogue phrases.
  • Although the nightkin will warn the Courier not to stare at them, doing this will not turn them hostile.
  • The mutants appear to still have an interest in heavy weaponry and destruction. When spoken to, the normal mutants will comment about wanting miniguns or missile launchers from Marcus. Conversely, they will also comment on how they hope it will snow later or warn the Courier that Lily has been babbling about her grandkids again.
  • At higher levels, cazadores may spawn near the front gate to Jacobstown and may attack the super mutants.
  • The mutants inside and outside of the Jacobstown Lodge will respawn, excluding named non-player characters, such as Lily or Marcus.
  • In an upstairs room of the lodge is the only pinball machine in Fallout: New Vegas.

Appearances[]

Jacobstown appears only in Fallout: New Vegas.

Behind the scenes[]

  • Jacobstown is located in the same geographical area as the real world town of Mount Charleston, Nevada.
  • The Jacobstown lodge is similar in appearance to the real world Retreat on Charleston Peak (formerly the Resort at Mount Charleston), including a nearly identical front sign, similar architecture, and inclusion of proximal ponds, fixtures, and fountains.[15]
  • The Jacobstown bungalow portion of the town resembles the real world Mount Charleston Cabins, located a short distance west of the lodge.[16]
  • Jacobstown sits at the same general location as the town of Mount Charleston, a small alpine community high in the mountains west of the Las Vegas Valley noted for Mount Charleston Lodge, the building that Jacobstown is based on.
Spare Us the Cutter
  • There are three markers in the Brahmin pen that enable certain NPCs. They aren't actually used in the final game, and were seemingly just there as a possible way to quickly ease NPC numbers (between them they enable most of the NPCs in the area). Oddly there is one called JacobstownMoreNightkinParentMarker that does just what it suggests - enables four more Nightkin outside the house that is always disabled in the game (along with those NPCs). I'm not sure if this was disabled to keep down NPC numbers or as a continuity measure (or even part of the Nightkin coup plotline?) as we are told the nightkin don't like going outside much as they can't bear to be seen. The only nightkin outside in the farm area of Jacobstown in the final game is Lily so that the player can clearly see her.
  • Megan Parks handled world building for the location: asset creation, prop placement, land building, and vista.[17]

Gallery[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Courier: "What's the history of Jacobstown?"
    Marcus: "Was a resort Pre-War. I renamed it to Jacobstown after an old friend. Died a long time ago. I figured us mutants needed a place to call our own. Town's far enough away from humans so they don't bother us much. One of these days I'm hoping we can trade with the rest of the wasteland. No more fighting, just... get along."
    (Marcus' dialogue)
  2. The Courier: "How does the town support itself?"
    Marcus: "Bighorners. Good eating. And we can trade the hides. Got a lot of wild ones around here, so it's easy to restock the herd."
    (Marcus' dialogue)
  3. The Courier: "What do you do here?"
    Keene: "I represent the Nightkin. Marcus may lead this town, but the Nightkin listen to what I have to say. That doesn't mean I don't respect Marcus for what he's trying to do. However, he doesn't truly understand the difficulties of being a Nightkin."
    (Keene's dialogue)
  4. The Courier: "Doctor Henry doesn't have the cure just yet, but he's almost there. Be patient."
    Keene: "[FAILED] No more negotiating, and definitely no more waiting. This is your last chance before we take it by force."
    (Keene's dialogue)
  5. Guess Who I Saw Today
  6. 6.0 6.1 Marcus: "Not the outcome I was hoping for with the mercs. At least it buys us time to build up our defenses. Had hoped to start reaching out to NCR, start talking trade and borders. It'll be more difficult now."
    (Marcus' dialogue) Note: This line is spoken if the player kills the mercenaries as a part of Unfriendly Persuasion.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Mercenary note
  8. 8.0 8.1 The Courier: "What do you want with Jacobstown?"
    Norton: "Just doing what I'm paid to do - harass the muties until they leave or attack us. If they leave, we let 'em go. If they attack, we wipe them out. Either way, the job's not done until they've cleared out of the town."
    The Courier: "Who are you doing this for?"
    Norton: "Won't name names, but some important folks in the NCR are sick of muties attacking their Brahmin herds. They want them gone from NCR territory. Maybe this group had something to do with attacking Brahmin, maybe not. Doesn't matter. We're getting paid to make them go away."
    (Norton's dialogue)
  9. Nightkin
  10. Mariposa Military Base excavation
  11. Black Mountain terminal entries; terminal, One the air!
  12. The Courier: "Why does Keene want to leave?"
    Marcus: "Nightkin have a hard time being seen like normal folks. Can't stand it. A few already left to try and find more Stealth Boys."
    (Marcus' dialogue)
  13. 13.0 13.1 The Courier: "What is Jacobstown?"
    Neil: "The opposite of Black Mountain! A stable community of Mutants, mostly, led by a mentally stable leader. Humans are welcome there, so long as they behave themselves. Look northwest of Red Rock Canyon if you want to find it."
    The Courier: "Why are you here, instead of Jacobstown?"
    Neil: "Marcus sent me here a couple of months ago to check on Black Mountain. I suppose you could say I came here as a spy. But with no signs of Tabitha's weakening, and none of the second-gens ready to revolt or to come to Jacobstown, there wasn't much I could do. Down here, on the other hand, I've saved a dozen Mutants from heading up the mountain. It's not much, but it's something. I have my own reasons to stay away from Jacobstown for a while - reasons we won't be discussing - so I've stayed here."
    (Neil's dialogue)
  14. The Courier: "What do you know about the Legion?"
    Marcus: "Caesar thinks he can change human nature. Most of the Legion is following Caesar, not Caesar's ideals. When he's gone, it'll crumble."
    (Marcus' dialogue)
  15. Retreat on Charleston Peak
  16. Mount Charleston Cabins
  17. Megan Parks' portfolio

Non-game

  1. 1.0 1.1 Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collectors Edition p.294-296: "[1.10] Jacobstown
    Marcus, a mild-mannered Super Mutant sheriff of Broken Hills took it upon himself to find a refugee for the "broken-minded" of his kind: low-intelligence Super Mutants and schizophrenic Nightkin. It proved to be more difficult than holding on to Broken Hills, but he eventually decided Jacobstown was a good spot to set up a community. Despite splinter groups (Davidson and Tabatha), Marcus does his best to take care of Lily and the other Super Mutants and Nightkin at Jacobstown."
    (Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition Tour of the Mojave Wasteland)
Jacobstown
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