Arefu

Arefu is a small settlement in the Capital Wasteland in 2277, consisting of four houses located on top of a crumbling overpass bridge to the northwest of Vault 106.

The only services available here are from Ken Ewers, who will repair items once the Blood Ties quest has been completed, and Evan King, who will give the player character various items at daily intervals, also once Blood Ties is completed.

Background
Arefu once had more inhabitants than it does in the year 2277, but the population has decreased drastically due to the inhabitants either dying or leaving to safer settlements like Megaton because of creatures, raiders and slaver attacks. Through unknown means, the residents split the highway in two to better protect the town from slaver attacks, leaving the south end of the highway as the only approach to the town.

Arefu has recently become the target of attacks from the Family. Originally, the town had 30 settlers, but by 2277 its population has dwindled to seven people, and just before the Lone Wanderer shows up, it drops to four as a result of Davis and Matilda West being killed, with Ian West's disappearance. However, the player character can increase the population to six if the Blood Ties quest is completed so that Ian West returns and Alan stays to trade blood packs for The Family.

Layout
Arefu's four houses sit atop a defensible section of the remains of a bridge running across the Potomac River. Part of the overpass has collapsed, making it impossible to enter the settlement from the north. It is one of the stopping points on the trading caravan circuit, and sandbags are also deployed near its entrance to help the inhabitants fend off attackers.

Inhabitants

 * Only if the Lone Wanderer agreed to trade blood packs for protection during Blood Ties.

* denotes deceased inhabitants.

Notable loot

 * Bobblehead - Repair on the downstairs table inside Evan King's house.
 * Nuka-Cola Quantum: look for a dock on the water just southeast of Arefu. Facing the dock, the Nuka-Cola Quantum is to the left on top of some poles in the water.
 * Pugilism Illustrated on a table in the abandoned residence, which is by the brahmin pen nearest the entrance to Arefu. This house is only accessible after negotiating the protection of Arefu by The Family and informing both sides of the agreement. The book must be stolen.

Related quests

 * Blood Ties

Appearances
Arefu appears only in Fallout 3.

Behind the scenes

 * Just above the entrance (where the highway leaves the ground), one can see a damaged traffic sign that reads, "EXIT 150A / AREFU / NEXT EXIT / MILES". It is possible that the sign may have been intended to read "CAREFUL," but on which the 'C' and 'L' have faded away to display "AREFU". A similar town-naming technique is used for Novac in Fallout: New Vegas, and Far Harbor in Fallout 4's add-on Far Harbor. Alternatively, it is possible that Exit 150A really was for a place called Arefu before the War, which would fit with the pre-War presence of Meresti Station nearby (named after another Romanian location that fits with the vampire theme).
 * Arefu is a small village in Romania, best known for its proximity to the former castle of Vlad III, the prince of Wallachia, who is also known as "Dracula" and "Vlad the Impaler."

Bugs

 * Sometimes, upon discovering Arefu, the map marker will not register the fact that it has been discovered.
 * Sometimes, Evan King will not enter his house, even if Blood Ties has been completed.
 * Sometimes mirelurks will spawn in Arefu on the overpass, killing Evan King and other residents if Blood Ties has been completed.
 * Upon returning to Arefu after Blood Ties has been completed, the residents may randomly become hostile even if a peaceful resolution to Blood Ties was reached. This is due to NPCs accidentally falling from the bridge where Arefu is settled or due to a resident being killed by a random enemy.