Goris

Goris, son of Gruthar, was an intelligent and rare albino deathclaw, and a possible companion who resides in Vault 13 in Fallout 2.

Background
He is a scholar and was very curious about the rest of the world. He had learned how to crudely disguise himself among humans by wearing a loose robe (because "humans have a habit of shooting deathclaws on sight"), and claiming that he was really a human but had some deformity he wished to hide, and traveled in the Wasteland among them for learning as much as he can about their culture.

In 2241, he's studying the culture his pack are forming and comparing it to human development along similar lines. When the Chosen One met Goris for the first time, he said that he had only been at Vault 13 for few months and has acquired all the information he need here, and want to go again for his research. He doesn't like to travel alone, so he offers the Chosen One to become his companion to help him in his research and want to show that deathclaws can work with humans as friends, not enemies.

When the Enclave killed everyone in Vault 13, no matter if accompanying the player or not, he was thus spared of the massacre (because he was in one of his scholarly trips if not accompanying the player). After that, he can re-accompanies the Chosen One to further study the world around and to avenge his kin.

One of his particular characteristic is that he's affected by albinism, due to a different mutation with FEV. His hide is completely dark gray instead of earth-tone colors like other normal deathclaw, and his eyes are red. He also seems to have a sensitive hide, because even when he is among his pack, he always wears his robe and only remove it during combat, and a telepathic sense connecting him with his brothers, seen when the Enclave attack Vault 13 if Goris accompanies the player, he feels his brothers are in danger and leaves the group to return to Vault 13.

Interactions with the player character
Goris may join the Chosen One's party in search of new experiences and knowledge. His absence from Vault 13 meant that he was the only survivor of Frank Horrigan's massacre of the "rebellious" deathclaws. He, possibly along with Xarn (depending on the player's actions), are the only two surviving intelligent deathclaws but they can produce intelligent deathclaw since the gene was made male specific and any intelligent male that mated with a non-intelligent female deathclaw would (most likely) produce intelligent deathclaws.

Normally, Goris wears his brown robe everywhere he goes. However, when combat begins, he dramatically tosses them off, revealing his deathclaw form. Goris is tough, quick, and skilled in unarmed combat. However, his inability to use other weapons than his claws reduces his utility as an NPC somewhat (his tough hides is equivalent of combat armor).

Goris makes a great companion for low intelligence characters and can communicate with them fully, which is fitting, since he lived with deathclaws of various IQ levels. Oddly, Goris doesn't mention that he is a deathclaw when he is recruited. This means the player only finds out when they enter combat for the first time.

Statistics

 * Tag skill: Unarmed

Behind the scenes

 * Goris is the only albino deathclaw seeing in all Fallout games.
 * Goris was designed by John Deiley, as was the whole Vault 13 in Fallout 2.

Appearances in games
Goris appears only in Fallout 2.