Dad

 (2226-2277) is a resident of the ruins of Washington, DC in the Capital Wasteland. He is a widower and father of the child later known to the Capital Wasteland's residents as the Lone Wanderer. James is the project leader and chief scientist of Project Purity and also the vault physician of Vault 101.

Background
James was the chief scientist and project leader of Project Purity, an ambitious private project intended to cleanse all of the radioactivity from the water of the Potomac River that fed the entire Capital Wasteland. However, when his wife, Catherine, died giving birth to the Lone Wanderer he gave up on the project over the grief of losing his wife. He then later asked for entry for himself and his child into Vault 101 in return for becoming the Vault's new physician, and the Vault Overseer granted his request.

Interactions with the player character
James' facial features and race will vary based on the ones you choose for your character.

James is the player character's father in the game and gives most of the quests in Vault 101, except Escape!. After Amata wakes you up after you turn 19 during said quest, you learn then that James left the Vault. This is the main driving force of the beginning of the game, as the Lone Wanderer must leave the Vault due to the newfound hostility of the residents, and upon his departure his main (and at that time, only) priority is to find his father. As the Lone Wanderer endeavors to find him, this is how the main story starts to reveal itself.

The player ultimately finds him in Vault 112, held prisoner in a virtual realm created (and controlled) by Dr. Braun. The Lone Wanderer then frees him during the quest Tranquility Lane, and after a short reunion escorts him back to Rivet City (or lets him leave by himself). Upon the arrival to Rivet City, James then pulls together a research team headed by Dr. Madison Li and escorts the team, with the aid of his son/daughter, to the Jefferson Memorial, the site of Project Purity. He will then request his son to clear the Memorial of any hostiles before they enter.

As the team get the Purifier up and running, James sends The Lone Wanderer on many tasks to help restart the Purifier. On completion of his last task, the Lone Wanderer watches in horror as Enclave storm the Memorial. Upon Re-arrival into the control room, he then watches as his father argues with the Enclave leader, Colonel Augustus Autumn. In the end, acting as if he was complying with the Colonel's wishes, he then overloads the Purifier, releasing radiation into the room and apparently killing the Colonel as he administers some kind of experimental Rad-X(Probably due to the Enclaves research). James, however, has no such protection. The last time the Lone Wanderer sees him is when James presses himself against the blast door of the activation room, and telling his son/daughter to "Run!" as he slumps to the floor, thus sacrificing himself so his child could live.

In Broken Steel, his dream is finally realized, as the Purifier finally gets activated, providing fresh, clean water for all.

Inventory
* Only while in Vault 101.

Appearances
appears only in Fallout 3.

Behind the scenes

 * James' voice is provided by actor Liam Neeson, after whom the character is also physically modeled. "This role was written with Liam in mind, and provides the dramatic tone for the entire game. Liam is absolutely amazing to work with"." said Todd Howard, Executive Producer of Fallout 3. "It’s been a pleasure bringing the father to life and working with the wonderfully talented people at Bethesda on Fallout 3", said Neeson. “I hope the fans of the franchise and the game will be excited by the results."

Bugs

 * James can appear in the the mission Take It Back! and will still be standing outside of the Jefferson Memorial if you have the Broken Steel Add-on. If the player uses the glitch to enter the Citadel early, and looks at the computer that has the locations of the vaults the quest Picking Up The Trail can be started. Once the Player has retrieved the G.E.C.K the player should then start the quest Take It Back! but should not choose the option of "I'm all ready" but choose the option that says "I think I need another minute or two". After this the player should go to Vault 112 and retrieve James from Tranquility Lane. After this the player should fast travel to Rivet City and wait for James. Walk with James and Dr Li and the others to the Jefferson Memorial. James will tell you to kill the remaining Super Mutants but there aren't any in there due to the Enclave occupying Project Purity. Now go back to the Citadel and start the quest Take it Back!, and James should be standing outside shooting the Enclave when you arrive there with Liberty Prime. He will still be there after you have completed the quest if you have Broken steel Installed. Although you can't say anything useful to him, he'll still ask if you've killed the Super Mutants in Project Purity yet. (Xbox 360 and PS3).

Related quests

 * Baby Steps
 * Growing Up Fast
 * Future Imperfect
 * Following in His Footsteps
 * Scientific Pursuits
 * The Waters of Life

James Джеймс