Settlers (Wastelanders)

The Settlers are a faction in Appalachia in 2103.

Background
Led by Paige, the former head of a Construction Workers Union in Washington, D.C., the Settlers are a hard-working and industrious crew. Generally made up of people well-versed in the construction and running of a city, the group of survivors originates from many different locations, primarily hailing from parts of Pennsylvania.

After hearing that Appalachia might offer some refuge from the trials of the wasteland, the Settlers made their way into the area in hopes of finding a safe place to begin rebuilding. In 2103, the group broke ground at Spruce Knob, repurposing existing buildings, clearing the surrounding trees and creating a fledgling city which they dubbed Foundation. Sometime after arriving at Foundation, Ward became in charge of the day-to-day operations of the settlement, although still formally answering to Paige. The settlement is the first step in the faction's plan to reclaim the Appalachian wasteland.

Interactions with the player character
Paige and his Settlers are first encountered in the quest Here to Stay, when they are visited by the Vault 76 residents under orders from the Vault 76 overseer to have them inoculated to protect them from the Scorched Plague. Paige is hesitant to trust the residents on the threat the Scorched pose and asks them to find his doctor, Aubrie Willem, to tell him about the inoculation. If Aubrie agrees, then Paige fully supports it as well. Aubrie's camp is found northwest of Vault 96, but the Settlers with him have been wiped out by the Scorched, and he himself had taken refuge in a nearby cave he fortified the entrance of.

After speaking with him and telling him of the inoculation, he will head back to Foundation to spread the word, and Paige will agree to have the inoculation administered to the Settlers to protect them from the Scorched Plague. After that, residents are faced with the decision to either side with Paige and his Settlers or go against them by siding with Meg and her raiders, to gain access to the riches hidden within Vault 79 as that was the real reason for both factions and many others returning to Appalachia.

Settler
These are normal settlers attempting to reclaim Appalachia.

Settler colonist
Settler colonists may appear in random encounters thanking the player character for their work with the settlers. One may also be asked to free a settler colonist during an ally-assigned rescue quest.

Settler apprentice
Settler apprentices may appear in random encounters asking the player character where they are headed, at which point they can either be robbed or given supplies. One may also be asked to free a settler apprentice during an ally-assigned rescue quest.

Settler craftsman
Settler craftsmen may appear in random encounters accompanied by a beatboxing eyebot. One may also be asked to free a settler craftsman during an ally-assigned rescue quest.

Settler journeyman
Settler journeymen may appear in random encounters of roaming settler groups battling various creatures.

Settler machinist
Settler machinists may appear in random encounters of roaming settler groups battling various creatures.

Settler engineer
Settler engineers may appear in random encounters of roaming settler groups battling various creatures, and can also be found at Foundation. One random encounter involves an engineer with binoculars scouting out a good spot for a camp. Another encounter has an engineer asking the player character for any supplies that they have to spare.

Settler mastersmith
Settler mastersmiths are one of the strongest variants of settlers. They may appear in random encounters of roaming settler groups battling various creatures, and can also be found at Foundation.

Settler guard
Settler guards protect Foundation itself and are stationed along the perimeter of the town.

Settler hinterlander
Settler hinterlanders are the most experienced type of settler. They may appear in random encounters of roaming settler groups battling various creatures, and can also be found at Foundation.

Appearances
The Settlers appear only in Fallout 76, introduced in the Wastelanders update.