Vault 101

Vault 101 is a Vault-Tec Vault located north-west of Washington, D.C. in the Capital Wasteland. This vault is located in the hills west of the ruins of Springvale. The closest settlement is Megaton to the south-east. This Vault's location in real life is located somewhere near the Tysons Corner in northern Virginia.

Vault Experiment
The purpose of Vault 101 in the Vault Experiment was to test the role of the Overseer. The main purpose was to never give the "all clear" signal, and keep the vault closed indefinitely, though the limited genetic material would probably result in inbreeding. The second Overseer decided to let a select few of the adults in on the secret to help keep it from the children, and over the years each subsequent generation had more and more residents who knew the truth about the Vault. In addition, the Overseer was able to communicate with, and even visit, the outside world by using the secret tunnel in the Overseer's office. However, for all other intents and purposes, the Vault's residents were sealed in: "We are born in the Vault, we live in the Vault, and we die in the Vault." With the escape of the Lone Wanderer, and his father James, the experiment enters a new phase.

History
Due to the degraded state of the file for this Vault in the Citadel terminal, the early history of this Vault is not well recorded. An analysis of the other Vault files suggests that Vault 101 was constructed in the 2060s.

2077 - 2277
In the mid-23rd century, a new Overseer assumed the leadership of the Vault. He was a proponent of contact with the outside world. In 2241, this Overseer sent a scouting party under the leadership of Anne Palmer into the Capital Wasteland. This expedition revealed the true nature of the aftermath in the Wasteland and contacted the citizens of the settlement Megaton. Sometime before the arrival of the Lone Wanderer's father in 2258, this Overseer disappeared on an expedition to the Wasteland. His successor, Alphonse Almodovar, ascended to leadership of the Vault. Under his rule, the Vault changed into a police state with a strict policy of isolationism.

Early in Alphonse's tenure as Overseer, James and his infant entered into Vault society. James, in his agreement with the Overseer, kept his child ignorant of their origins, convinced of their origins in the Vault. James was hired as the new Vault Physician. Nineteen years later, after James suddenly disappeared from the Vault, the Lone Wanderer was forced to flee and seek his/her father in the outside world for answers after fleeing a murderous Vault Security team.

Upon meeting with Colin Moriarty in Megaton, the Lone Wanderer learned of his/her origins. He/she had been born outside of the Vault and was brought to Vault 101 by James after his wife died in childbirth. Though a few knew the truth, like Old Lady Palmer, they never divulged this to the Lone Wanderer.

Speaking with other residents of Megaton, the Lone Wanderer discovers that others have left the Vault over the past two decades. Moira Brown, the proprietor of Craterside Supply, recalls a girl who escaped "10 or 12 years ago", while the saloon owner Colin Moriarty recalls someone escaping 5 years ago. The man convinced Moriarty that residents of the Vault were brainwashed into believing lies.

The town of Megaton was founded, in part, by people who were trying to get into this Vault. Some of the skeletons of the people who tried to get in, as well as their banners demanding entry into the Vault (with strong language), are still outside of the Vault door.

It should be noted that in the quest Trouble on the Homefront, it is hinted that most, if not all, adult residents in Vault 101 were in on the experiment. Therefore James's sudden arrival in the Vault with the infant Lone Wanderer would not have caused too much concern among the residents, beyond the natural question of why the Overseer would allow the two newcomers into the vault when no outsiders were previously allowed.

Inhabitants
Vault 101 is populated by humans. These humans are descended from the original settlers. Occasionally, this facility is invaded by Radroaches. Vault Security is tasked with containing and killing these insects.

Families
Almodovar family: DeLoria family:
 * Alphonse Almodovar - the Overseer
 * Amata Almodovar - daughter of Alphonse
 * Butch DeLoria - leader of the Tunnel Snakes
 * Ellen DeLoria - mother to Butch

Mack family:
 * Allen Mack - father to Wally and Steve and Susie, the Overseer if you killed Alphonse
 * Gloria Mack - mother to Wally and Steve and Susie (Stanley's daughter)
 * Wally Mack and Steve Mack, brothers
 * Susie Mack - daughter of Allen and Gloria
 * Grandpa Mack

Hannon family:
 * Paul Hannon Sr. - Vault security chief
 * Vikki Hannon - his wife
 * Paul Hannon Jr. - his son

Gomez family (descendants of a family from Springvale):
 * Herman Gomez - Vault Security officer, father of Freddie, and friend of James
 * Pepper Gomez - his wife
 * Freddie Gomez - his son

Kendall family:
 * John Kendall - Vault Security guard, father of Christine and Monica
 * Mary Kendall - his wife (Stanley's daughter also)
 * Christine Kendall - classmate to the Lone Wanderer
 * Monica Kendall - younger sister to Christine. Never seen, only mentioned during Trouble on the Homefront

Holden family:
 * Tom Holden - vault dweller, killed by Vault security during Escape! or alive depending on players actions.
 * Mary Holden - his wife, killed immediately after him or alive depending on players actions.

Palmer family:
 * Jonas Palmer - Clinic Assistant, friend to James, and grandson of Anne Palmer.
 * Anne Palmer - Presumably Old Lady Palmer. Leader of a scouting party to the Wasteland in 2241.
 * Lucy Palmer - mother to Anne and grandmother to Jonas.
 * Joe Palmer - deceased, Jukebox Technician.

Armstrong family:
 * Stanley Armstrong - Engineer, friend to James. Father of Gloria Mack, Mary Kendall and Beatrice Armstrong.
 * Beatrice Armstrong - Slightly odd woman, poet and tarot reader.

Taylor family:
 * Officer Taylor - Older security guard, husband to "Grandma" Taylor.
 * Grandma Taylor - his wife.
 * Chip Taylor- Grandson to Officer Taylor and Grandma Taylor.

Other

 * James - the Lone Wanderer's father
 * Andy - a Mr. Handy type robot, reassigned (with horrific results) to doctor duties after Escape!
 * Edwin Brotch - Vault teacher and friend to the Lone Wanderer.
 * Floyd Lewis - Engineer found dead in Escape!
 * Officer O'Brian - Security officer responsible for killing Tom and Mary Holden
 * Officer Richards - Security officer responsible for killing Tom and Mary Holden
 * Officer Wolfe - Security officer
 * Officer Park - Security officer
 * Officer Wilkins- hostile security officer during Trouble on the Homefront
 * Officer Armstrong- if Officer Gomez died during Escape!, he will greet you instead
 * Lone Wanderer
 * George (Vault 101 Technician)
 * Lewis
 * Unnamed Overseer

Found dead during Trouble on the Homefront

 * Beatrice Armstrong
 * Jim Wilkins
 * Steve Armstrong
 * Chip Taylor
 * Paul Hannon Jr.
 * Janice Wilkins

Layout
Vault 101 is divided into four sections by the game. These sections are Vault 101 Main Entrance, Vault 101 Overseer's Tunnel, Vault 101 Atrium/Upper Level, and Vault 101 Lower Level. The sections are separated by doors, and stairways connect floors and levels within two of the sections. Levels and rooms are identified by signs. There are two paths to the Capital Wasteland: a direct path from the Atrium and a hidden tunnel named the Overseer's Tunnel. The Vault faces east.

It is important to note that the sections are not directly stacked upon each other. They are staggered with each section moving progressively more westward as the Vault burrows deeper into the earth.

Vault 101 Main Entrance
This section connects the Capital Wasteland to the Vault. The rooms in this section are:
 * Natural rock tunnel connecting the Wasteland door to the Vault door
 * Entrance room
 * Control booth
 * Concealed room connecting the Overseer's Tunnel to the main entrance
 * Large generator room
 * Small generator room
 * Storage room

Vault 101 Overseer's Tunnel
This section connects the Overseer's Office (in Atrium/Upper Level) with the Main Entrance

Vault 101 Atrium/Upper Level
This section connects the Main Entrance to the Lower Level. This section is divided into two sub-sections: Admin and Atrium. Admin is short for Administration.

Rooms in Admin are:
 * Overseer's Office
 * Overseer's Terminal
 * Reception Room
 * Jonas Palmer dies ("Escape!")
 * Overseer's Apartment
 * 3 rooms - Dining/Living room, Amata's bedroom, Alphonse's bedroom
 * Operations
 * Computer (inaccessible)
 * Location of Vault's mainframe
 * Security
 * Amata is interrogated ("Escape!")
 * Holding Cell
 * Mr. Brotch is detained ("Trouble on the Homefront")
 * Systems
 * Floyd Lewis dies here ("Escape!")

Systems connects Admin to Atrium. Rooms in Atrium are located on two floors - a upper and a lower floor. Rooms on the upper floor are inaccessible. They are: The lower floor of the Atrium offers access to a Storage room and a Cafeteria on the Lower Level. The rooms on this floor are:
 * Dining/Living room of Mack Apartment
 * Allan Mack is yelling at the Lone Wanderer ("Escape!")
 * Utility (inaccessible)
 * Equipment (inaccessible)
 * Storage Room (inaccessible)
 * Storage Room

''Note: The Fallout 3 Official Game Guide identifies the lower floor of the Atrium as the Vault 101 Sub-Level. This error is later corrected for the Fallout 3 Official Game Guide - Game of the Year edition.''

Vault 101 Lower Level
This is the final section of the Vault. Though named Lower Level, this section actually covers two levels: the Lower and the Reactor.

Rooms in the Lower Level are: The map for the DeLoria and Lone Wanderer's apartments in the official game guide have two beds in the bedroom; whereas, in the game, there is only one bed.
 * Clinic
 * Physician's Office
 * Location of Bobblehead - Medicine, Schematics - Rock-It Launcher and holotape Home Sweet Home
 * Vault 101 Medical Access Database Terminal
 * Classroom
 * GOAT ("Future Imperfect")
 * Cafeteria (aka Diner)
 * Lone Wanderer's tenth birthday ("Growing Up Fast")
 * Grandma Taylor dies ("Escape!")
 * DeLoria Apartment
 * 2 rooms - Dining/Living room, Bedroom
 * Ellen DeLoria is attacked by radroaches ("Escape!")
 * Common Room (inaccessible)
 * Cigar Room (inaccessible)
 * Ladies Restroom
 * Gentlemen's Restroom
 * Lone Wanderer's Apartment
 * Amata talks to the Lone Wanderer after James escapes ("Escape!")
 * Storage Room

Rooms in the Reactor Level are:
 * Generator Room
 * James gives a BB gun to the Lone Wanderer ("Growing Up Fast")
 * Filter Room
 * Location of the Water Purifier and Water Chip
 * Reactor Room
 * Location of the Vault's geo-thermal reactor
 * Storage Room
 * Lone Wanderer kills a radroach ("Growing Up Fast")

Note: The Official Game Guide identifies this level as the Vault 101 Atrium.

Notable loot
''Note: Almost all of these items are available either in "Escape!" or in "Trouble on the Homefront".''

Bobblehead
The Bobblehead - Medicine is on a desk in James' Office. You only have three chances to obtain this bobblehead. When you're about to take the G.O.A.T, when you escape the vault you'll come through his office, or when you return in the "Trouble on the Homefront" quest.

Custom Weapon Schematic
On a wall of the Physician's Office, a framed Quote of Revelation 21:6 can be found. When activated, the player will need to pick the 'average' lock. Inside can be found Rock-It Launcher schematics, 300 caps and a Holodisk called 'Home Sweet Home'. When accessed in Notes, 'Home Sweet Home' depicts James' voice lamenting over the death of his wife Catherine, discussing his new responsibilities as a father and the Overseer, whom he describes as an 'overbearing bully'. You need to pick the lock, which requires a lockpick skill of 50 or greater.

Skill Book

 * Grognak the Barbarian - This book is a gift from Amata in "Growing Up Fast". This book reappears in "Escape!", in the Lone Wanderer's dresser, if the player hadn't read the book in the earlier quest.

Minor Loot

 * During "Escape!" you will find an abundance of minor loot such as cutlery, plates, cups etc. Though this might not stand out much, if you take everything you see before you exit the vault, you can sell it for a somewhat large sum of caps when you get to Megaton. These caps are very useful at the begining of the game, such as putting towards the 1,000 necessary to recruit Jericho as a follower.

Appearances
Vault 101 only appears in Fallout 3.

Related quests

 * Baby Steps
 * Growing Up Fast
 * Future Imperfect
 * Escape!
 * Trouble on the Homefront

Behind the scenes

 * In the cafeteria, there is a reference to the first Fallout game. On the bulletin board above the jukebox it advertises bingo night in the diner, with the ball chosen being 13 and "First prize being a weeks supply of water rations!"
 * Vault 101 may be a homage to George Orwell's dystopian novel "Nineteen-Eighty Four" and the feared interrogation room of idential numerals. Here all are broken and forced to accept "Love" of the principal party character "Big Brother", whom appears to be the inspiration of the role that the Overseerer holds in the Vault.

Bugs

 * Fast-traveling or approaching the Vault entrance will in some cases result in a massive frame-rate drop.
 * Closing the Vault door manually using the outer console will work normally during Escape. However, approaching the tunnel exit will result in the Vault door reopening behind you exactly when it is supposed to close if you don't tamper with the console.
 * After completing "Trouble on the Homefront", Amata and Mr. Brotch may be standing in the medical room talking. Amata will simply tell you that you have to go, and Brotch will just say goodbye, but if you listen to their conversation they will sometimes discuss Amata's father and how to keep him in line - even if he's dead because you killed him before leaving the vault at the beginning of the game.
 * Using the console command "activate" on the vault door (not the console) or just use the "ToggleCollision" and simply walk through the door will grant you access at any time after leaving the vault. However, if the "Trouble on the Homefront" quest is not in progress or available yet, the vault will be completely empty of all residents, with the occasional exception of a lone security guard who will have no dialogue options and is prone to frequent and random dissapearance. Entering using this method after the quest will allow you to remain there as long as you wish, with some residents having dialogue options available, such as Susie Mack.