Horatio (Van Buren)

Horatio is a very large ghoul from the Reservation who almost resembles a super mutant. One could surmise that in his smooth skin days he could have been an offensive lineman for pro football or a professional wrestler. Either way, his size carried over to his current ghoul form.

Background
Horatio was one of the followers Willem Clark brought back from his trek into the wasteland almost two hundred years ago. He was so grateful to Willem for bringing him back to the Reservation, that he devoted his life to him. At first, Horatio was a bodyguard to Willem. But over time, and when slave trading became regular, Willem put Horatio in charge of all slave trade and slave security. No human would think of revolting against a giant of a ghoul who looked so, well, REVOLTING – at least that was Willem’s reasoning.

Interactions with the player character
Horatio does not have much to say unless the player has slaves to trade, or the player knows of a potential slave route. Other than that, Horatio will get quickly irritated by an inquisitive player and suggest he either leaves or becomes a slave. If the player is particularly strong and healthy (STR > 6 and END > 6), then Horatio will try to convince the player to inquire about a little experiment that has to do with procreation.

One extra – If the player is female and particularly homely (CH < 4), then Horatio will take an interest in the player, possibly shacking up, if the player chooses. Doing so will get the player into the Town area faster than normal. If the player performs particularly well (EN > 7), then Horatio will become enamored with the player and act like a puppy near her. This would allow freer movement within the Town and possible access to sub-level 1.

Appearances in games
Horatio did not appear nor was mentioned in any of the published games, but was to appear in the cancelled Fallout 3 project by Black Isle codenamed Van Buren.