Piper Wright

Piper Wright is a reporter living in Diamond City in 2287 and possible companion of the Sole Survivor. She runs her own newspaper called Publick Occurrences, which she operates with her younger sister, Nat.

Background
Piper grew up in a small community on the outskirts of the Commonwealth with Nat and their father, a member of the local militia. After her father was found dead under suspicious circumstances, Piper learned that he had discovered a raider plot to sack the town. His superior, Captain Mayburn, arranged to leave the main gate open and unguarded one night to allow raiders access in exchange for a cut of the loot and had Piper's father murdered to keep him silent.Piper Wright: "Always on good behavior, aren't ya?" The Sole Survivor: "I try to be." Piper Wright: ''"Seems like you're doing better than "trying." I appreciate it. Too few folks can be bothered. Course, in my experience, if you want to do real good, playing nice only gets ya so far. I mean, look at Diamond City, a place I've been trying to warn of real danger. But every issue I publish, all I hear is: "Oh, Piper, why don't you ever publish anything happy? Piper, why can't you write something nice for a change?" It's enough to make me wanna to hang up my hat some days." The Sole Survivor: "Is Diamond City really in danger? It's not like there's Raiders pounding on the gate." Piper Wright: "Are you kidding me? There is a very real chance that the city leadership has been infiltrated by an Institute Synth. A synth under the control of an organization widely known to kidnap or murder anyone that stands up to them. I'd take Raiders at the gate any day of the week over that. Course, making sure folks are actually listening... that's a battle in itself..." The Sole Survivor: "Sounds like it must be exhausting." Piper Wright: "Heh, no kidding. But people, they deserve to know the truth. Sure, it can be scary, knowing what's really out there. A night doesn't go by I'm not afraid some Institute drone'll decide today's the day to pay 'ol Piper and family a visit. But it's worth it. Because I know the truth, that's what protects us." The Sole Survivor: "Scared, huh? Could've fooled me." Piper Wright: "I'm pushy, not crazy. Honestly, these days, I'm more scared for my sister. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to her. But I'm not the only one with something to lose. That's why people deserve to know what's out there, good or bad." The Sole Survivor: "Couldn't agree more. How can you protect you and yours if you don't know what you're facing?" Piper Wright: "Exactly. Most folks, though, they'd prefer a comforting lie. Not me. I've seen firsthand what the truth can do. My sister and I, we grew up way out in the Commonwealth. Tiny little settlement. Our Dad, he was part of the local militia. "Keeping the Raiders off our backs and the Mirelurks out of our latrines," as he'd describe it. Well one day, our Dad turns up dead. His captain, asshole named Mayburn, claims Raiders must've gotten him on watch. Well, I didn't buy it. I start making inquiries. Turns out, the captain, he'd sold out. Thought he wasn't getting paid enough to babysit the town. He was going to leave the gates open one night, let a group of Raiders sack the place, and take a cut of the profits. My dad found out and was going to turn Mayburn in, but Mayburn got to him first. And I wasn't about to let that bastard get away with murder. I tried talking to the Mayor but he wouldn't listen. So I papered the entire town in posters, "Wanted for Gross Dereliction of Duty. Captain Mayburn." The Mayor sure wanted to talk after that. The town threw Mayburn out on his ass and were dug-in when a very surprised group of Raiders finally showed."'' (Piper Wright's dialogue)

The local authorities did not believe her claims and refused to investigate. Piper then created and circulated wanted posters featuring the captain and a list of his crimes. The conspicuously public accusation got the attention of the town's mayor, who accepted Piper's evidence. The settlers, outraged by the story, exiled Mayburn. When the raiders eventually showed up expecting the gate to be wide open, they instead encountered prepared defenses by alerted townsfolk and were driven away.

Eventually, Piper and Nat saved enough money to relocate to Diamond City, where she began her career as an investigative journalist. Her fervor for discovering the truth made her popular for a while, but eventually, public opinion turned against her because her articles were seen as being "too negative". Piper's work yields results often at the expense of her own safety, for example in the Sole Survivor's first encounter with Piper, she has gotten herself locked out of Diamond City on the orders of McDonough, the city's mayor, after Piper published an article suggesting (correctly) that the mayor was, in fact, a synth.

Furthermore, Piper was responsible for exposing a caravan cartel for driving up food prices in Diamond City. The cartel retaliated by poisoning her drink at the Dugout Inn, but she managed to purge the poison by drinking moonshine and had several members of the cartel arrested. Her investigation into irradiated drinking water at Bunker Hill led her to discover that the culprits were Children of Atom cultists. Threatened with execution, Piper tricked the cultists into believing she had a vision from Atom. After the cult inducted her as a member, she managed to sneak away and send Bunker Hill security to deal with the cultists.

Despite multiple death threats, assassination attempts and a near-execution, finding herself in sticky situations is a point of pride for Piper, who feels getting into trouble is just part of chasing the truth.

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The Sole Survivor: "You've led an exciting life." Piper Wright: ''"Sure have. But honestly, now that I'm out here with you, I feel like I'm just getting started. Getting in trouble... it's what folks like us do. I mean, you and I are out here, putting ourselves at risk so people in the Commonwealth can have a chance at a better life.|Confident}} Not for praise, or reward, or glory. But because it's right. I just wanted to let you know, I'm real happy to be along for the ride.

Piper Wright: "You know, I still really appreciate the fact that you're not an idiot." The Sole Survivor: "Uh, thanks. You too." Piper Wright: "No, I didn't mean like... I could just use some help. This isn't the sort of thing I'd normally bother anyone else with, but you just seem really good with people and I've got this issue. With my sister. Nat. Becoming me." The Sole Survivor: "All right. What's the issue?" Piper Wright: ''"I'm just terrified she's going to start taking up like her big sis. I mean, think about the life we lead. No offense intended, Blue, but personal safety doesn't exactly seem like either of our strong suits. I can't have her ending up like her big sister, dodging bullets and running from all the people she pisses off. It's part of the reason I'm on the road so much. Part of the reason I'm here with you. keep thinking maybe, if I make myself scarce, if I'm not around her enough, she'll cool off. She'll just go back to being sweet, innocent Nat, papergirl, and all-around upstanding citizen. What do I do, Blue?" The Sole Survivor: "You just love her. Family's precious. The last thing you want to do is drive them away, because you might lose them forever." Piper Wright: "You're right. I can't risk that. Thanks, Blue. Who'd expect wandering off with a stranger to turn out this well? They really don't make them like you anymore. You're a hell of a friend, you know that?

Blue, you got a minute? Is something up? Well, yeah. But it's nothing bad. Just, what you said about Nat. I'd been going over it again and again in my head, and what you said was right. Family's too precious. What kind of life is she going to have if I never go near her again? It's just, sometimes, it feels like the only things I've got in life are Nat and the paper. Having someone I can count on, someone like you, it's meant a lot to me. Not a lot of people want to hang around with the nosy reporter.

Yeah, but you're my kinda nosy. Heh. You're the exception. I haven't exactly made a lot of friends in this career. I just wanted to right the things I thought were wrong. And when Nat and I first got to Diamond City, there was a lot of wrong. Crooked guards, lousy infrastructure. Heh. There was a hole in the exterior wall that was patched over with a bookcase. One bookcase. That's it. I started the paper more as an act of desperation than anything else. It turned out, I wasn't the only one who wanted things to change. After the first couple of editions, people may not have agreed with what I said, but everyone was listening.

Quit pitying yourself. You've got a home, a job, your sister. Things aren't that bad. No, you're right. I just never expected it all to cost so much. I mean, when I started the paper... I just wanted to right the things I thought were wrong. And when Nat and I first got to Diamond City, there was a lot of wrong. Crooked guards, lousy infrastructure. Heh. There was a hole in the exterior wall that was patched over with a bookcase. One bookcase. That's it. I started the paper more as an act of desperation than anything else. It turned out, I wasn't the only one who wanted things to change. After the first couple of editions, people may not have agreed with what I said, but everyone was listening.

A little girl and a printing press. Sounds like a rich life you've made for yourself. Ain't that the truth. I mean, I never started the paper to make friends. I just wanted to right the things I thought were wrong. And when Nat and I first got to Diamond City, there was a lot of wrong. Crooked guards, lousy infrastructure. Heh. There was a hole in the exterior wall that was patched over with a bookcase. One bookcase. That's it. I started the paper more as an act of desperation than anything else. It turned out, I wasn't the only one who wanted things to change. After the first couple of editions, people may not have agreed with what I said, but everyone was listening.

Do people actively avoid you? Well, yeah. I mean, I didn't exactly start the paper to make friends. I just wanted to right the things I thought were wrong. And when Nat and I first got to Diamond City, there was a lot of wrong. Crooked guards, lousy infrastructure. Heh. There was a hole in the exterior wall that was patched over with a bookcase. One bookcase. That's it. I started the paper more as an act of desperation than anything else. It turned out, I wasn't the only one who wanted things to change. After the first couple of editions, people may not have agreed with what I said, but everyone was listening.

Sounds like you really cleaned up Diamond City. A lot of things got done. They even put a second bookshelf over that hole... and patched it with bricks. When that first edition hit the stands, I felt like I'd finally done something worth doing, but afterwards, things, things changed. A lot of folks, they haven't treated me the same since. It started to feel like the only person I could count on was my little sis.

It sounds like things got better? For the city? Yeah. For me... When that first edition hit the stands, I felt like I'd finally done something worth doing, but afterwards, things, things changed. A lot of folks, they haven't treated me the same since. It started to feel like the only person I could count on was my little sis.

Seriously? One bookcase? Not even some tape? No! But now, now you can't even tell where the hole was. Brick, real mortar, the works. All because of the paper. When that first edition hit the stands, I felt like I'd finally done something worth doing, but afterwards, things, things changed. A lot of folks, they haven't treated me the same since. It started to feel like the only person I could count on was my little sis.

Can you blame them? You made your living exposing other people's secrets. I just always hoped they'd understand I was trying to do something good. And some folks have, but it wasn't exactly the life I'd been hoping for. Until you came along.

You can count on me, Piper. I know I can. You're not afraid of me like everyone else. I was sure that the paper would be the best thing I ever did in my life. But being here with you, now, now I don't know. I've needed someone like you in my life for a long time, Blue. I just never expected I'd actually get them. So thank you. For being the friend I can count on.

I'm sure it's nothing personal. Maybe not, but the result's still the same. Or it was, until you came along. You're not afraid of me like everyone else. I was sure that the paper would be the best thing I ever did in my life. But being here with you, now, now I don't know. I've needed someone like you in my life for a long time, Blue. I just never expected I'd actually get them. So thank you. For being the friend I can count on.

That was a long time ago. People can't still treat you that way. You'd think, but if anything, it's gotten worse. Sure, I've earned some friends back in town, but now I've even got a reputation outside Diamond City. It's why I'm so lucky... to have someone like you. You're not afraid of me like everyone else. I was sure that the paper would be the best thing I ever did in my life. But being here with you, now, now I don't know. I've needed someone like you in my life for a long time, Blue. I just never expected I'd actually get them. So thank you. For being the friend I can count on.

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Quests

 * Jewel of the Commonwealth
 * The Enemy of My Enemy

Effects of player's actions

 * When the Sole Survivor first encounters Piper she is on the verge of exile from Diamond City for writing an article suggesting that Mayor McDonough is a synth. While arguing with the gate guard to be let back in, she asks for the Survivor's assistance in bluffing past security. Once inside, Piper gets into an argument with the mayor who accuses her of spreading lies. When the dialogue is complete Piper asks the Sole Survivor to stop by her office. Completing an interview with her leads to Piper offering to travel with the player character and watch their back as they adjust to life in the wasteland.
 * At maximum affinity Piper awards the Gift of Gab perk, which doubles experience from persuasion successes and finding new locations.
 * Piper is a potential candidate for romance, an option that unlocks after reaching the highest level of affinity.
 * Piper can be caught talking to Nick Valentine about "one of his clients" as Nick refers to you, as after hearing this conversation, Piper will say, "Speak of the devil him/herself."

Other interactions

 * If the Sole Survivor has found Nick Valentine before traveling to Diamond City the gate will already be open and the mayor will be interacting with Piper inside.
 * Paladin Danse has a line of unique dialogue during the introduction with the mayor at Diamond City gate, despite his normally being unavailable as a companion until later in the Main Quest. If the Sole Survivor states that they believe in Freedom of the Press, Danse will comment, "I believe the press often manipulates the truth in order to deliver their agenda."
 * Diamond City security will tell the player character to be careful about having her as a companion because of the trouble between her and the mayor.
 * If the Sole Survivor hasn't done her interview yet, then exits Diamond City and enters again later, Piper can be found in Mayor McDonough's office accusing his secretary of sleeping with him.
 * As the Sole Survivor's companion, she will often offer aid in the form of "sweet" food and drink (bubblegum, gumdrops, Nuka-Cola, Sugar Bombs or sweet rolls). This is similar to Strong who offers food as well, but in the form of meats.
 * Bringing Piper back to Diamond City may cause Nat to run up to her and relate a story about being given detention at school. Piper may then tell her she is grounded, much to Nat's chagrin; however, another conversation has Piper congratulate Nat on getting detention (due to punching a boy who was annoying her), telling her never to change.
 * She also has an interaction with the Sole Survivor about how she believes Nat idolizes her too much, hoping that time apart will prevent Nat from growing up to be like her. The Sole Survivor can choose to offer advice on how to deal with the situation.
 * Occasionally, when passing Takahashi, Piper will tell the Sole Survivor she wants to introduce them to her informant. She will jokingly interrogate Takahashi, finishing by saying that Takahashi 'spilled the beans, I bet your name isn't even really Blue.'
 * Visiting the upper levels with Piper will cause Wellingham to pretend to loudly throw her out, while secretly sharing a bit of gossip and intrigue with her.
 * If the player character ends the main quest by siding with the Institute and then talks to Piper, she might be distraught and angry at the player character for the world thus created, though the player character can still have her travel with them as a companion. However, if the player character's affinity with Piper is high enough (or grows high enough), she will write an article titled Fear the Future? where she is revealed to be more optimistic, though still wary, of the future.
 * If the player character ends the main quest by siding with the Railroad, the Brotherhood of Steel or the Minutemen and talks to Piper afterwards, she will express relief that the Institute is gone, and will write an article titled The Boogeyman banished?.
 * She has a unique line during Boston After Dark.

Fallout: The Board Game

 * Piper can be found randomly when taking a card from the loot deck. While Piper is the active companion, the player character can exhaust her to explore an adjacent tile.
 * When the player character performs the camp action, she will become unexhausted. However, if the player character does not have the Vilified trait, she must be discarded.

Appearances
Piper appears in Fallout 4, Fallout Shelter, and Fallout: The Board Game.

Behind the scenes
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 * In the Creation Kit, the road goggles have the editor ID ClothesPiperGoggles. This indicates that she may have been meant to wear the goggles with the rest of her outfit. Some concept art supports this, although she is only ever seen wearing them pushed upon her forehead.
 * In her concept art it appears Piper would have had shorter hair. She also would have worn a fedora rather than her reporter cap. One other concept design shows her with what appears to be an aviator's cap and camera equipment on her.
 * "Blue" (Piper's nickname for the Sole Survivor) may also be a subtle baseball-reference. "Blue" is a slang term for the umpire.
 * The inspiration for Piper's name may come from a play-on-words of "paper write".

Gallery
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