Dog and God

Dog is a psychologically disturbed nightkin who helps Father Elijah by capturing "assistants" for him and fitting them with explosive collars. His alternate personality, God (referred to by the former as simply "the voice"), is trying to break Dog free of Elijah's grasp.

The "Dog" personality is activated by the sound of Father Elijah's voice, and the "God" personality is activated by the sound of his own voice (via holotape or radio). When one personality is dominant, the other is said to be in "the cage" or "the basement". <!--

The Courier: "You wouldn't have locked yourself in there without some sort of key to let you out." God: "[SUCCEEDED] The key? Why it's the Old Man, the one who brought us here. I hid the key on me so Dog wouldn't know... I just need the Old Man to show up, so he and I can talk. If Dog was in control when the Old Man appeared... well, he would just do whatever he commanded, as always. And I can't have that." (Dog and God's dialogue)

The Courier: "Why did you lock yourself in the cage?" God: "No... why did I lock him in the cage. I locked him in because I could feel him... getting hungry again. There wasn't much time. If Dog roams, he gets into trouble... eats things he shouldn't, listens to others he shouldn't... so he's safer in here. We're safer in here. I hoped if I locked him in here... the one he obeys would come for him. Instead, I get you." (Dog and God's dialogue)

The Courier: "If you locked him... you... in, what if you couldn't get out?" God: "Oh, I have the key, always did. Hid it on the chain behind my neck before Dog came bursting out, eating everything he could. Wanted to make sure whoever came to fetch Dog spoke to me first, got within reach. Instead... I get you." (Dog and God's dialogue)

The Courier: "Wait. So you... or Dog... doesn't know the key is on him?" God: ''"Dog and I don't share... everything. What I know, he doesn't. What he knows... what little he knows... I don't. For example, your arrival is a surprise. I wished that I could have remembered, I'm sure Dog knew. And when he's feeding, well... I sometimes have to find out about it later. Now all there is to do is wait for my intended guest.

The Courier: "If you weren't expecting me, who were you waiting for?" God: ''"Don't play stupid, I already have to mind one child. You must have figured it out by now. The Old Man obsessed with the Sierra Madre... riddled with greed. Hoped you might be him when I woke up. All you are is his hand... ...you're the same kind of greed. Followed the radio, the broadcast, and now you're here, all confused. Not for long. You'll figure it out.

The Courier: "Why do you say I'm the same as the Old Man?" God: ''"You're not him anymore than I'm Dog. But that collar around your neck... ...you're an extension of the Old Man's grasp, clumsy, perhaps, but a tool, yes. And once you get acclimated to the Sierra Madre... ...then you'll feel the same overpowering hunger the Old Man does. And then you'll be him, not just his hand.

The Courier: "This Old Man, what do you know about him?" God: ''"Elijah. Human, weak like all of you are. Feeling age circling him like starved dogs, howling for blood. To me, he reeks of age and failure. And madness. To me, he is simply the "Old Man." To Dog, he is "Master." His name, meaningless. Running out of years, hopes and dreams running through his withered hands like sand from the Big Empty... and scorched by the sun.

The Courier: "Scorched by the sun?" God: ''"The Old Man... this "Elijah," tried to hold the sun in his hands, arrogance, was cast down for it. Icarus' crime was to fly too high, Elijah... Elijah wanted to bring the sun down to him. Hnh! Arrogance.

// First prompt is alternate // The Courier: "What's Elijah doing here?" The Courier: "What is he doing here?" God: ''"Heard the call of the Sierra Madre, just like you did... exactly the same way. Finds out it's more than a story, comes to this shining poisonous grail, this jewel of the desert.|More contemplative, shows a non-prick side.}} Dog knows him more than I do. Dog's always nodding, always obeying him, because he's weak and hungry and greedy for master's affection.

The Courier: "So you're the one who knows how I got to the Villa." God: ''"Of course I know. Even if I don't see it happen - down in the cage, I hear echoes of the footfalls, the click of the collars.|Slower at the end, snapping like traps locking into place.}} Every time I see one of you I know exactly how you got here - you couldn't help yourselves, anymore than Dog can help himself. You heard the voice, the promise, and then you walked right into one of the Old Man's traps. Then... then Dog comes for you, drags you here.

The Courier: "So you know the way back?" God: ''"The way back doesn't matter... try to leave, try to disobey, and your collar ends the journey faster than you can say, "begin again." You're clever, you'd be able to find a way back if you left the Villa. Dog can... I can find the way back, if "back" is where I even wanted to go. Until the Old Man lets you go, you're going nowhere. This beautiful paradise, with all its toxins and death... it's home.

// The top prompt is an alternate for the lower // The Courier: "So why did you bring me here?" The Courier: "You brought me here to the Villa." God: ''"Me? You think I want to haul bodies around the wastes like a Brahmin at the whip? No, Dog does it, when the Old Man says fetch, Dog fetches. You were in a man-trap, and Dog made his rounds, and dragged you here. When, I don't know. But... it must have been... recent. Before the cage.

The Courier: "Why do you say that?" God: ''"I don't remember you... that isn't surprising. What is... is that it was when Dog was out of his cage... free, hungry. He knows not to eat anything he catches in the traps... after that, however... so he dragged you here, you got spared. Dog must have fed after you arrived... once he was fed, that allowed me out of the cage, and put him inside. Do you remember how long you were out?

The Courier: "I don't remember, only woke up when my Pip-Boy went active." God: ''"Must have already been in the cage... already had the collar in me. You're lucky Dog didn't devour you... otherwise, we'd be closer than we are now.

The Courier: "These radios, were you using them for signal interference?" God: ''"[SUCCEEDED] They were here when I arrived... so I made use of them, in a manner of speaking. More their... voices, really. These collars... they don't just track us. You can eavesdrop on them as well. Tune to a frequency, and you can hear everything someone is saying. So perhaps it's a good thing that Dog swallowed his collar. Anyone listening would find it difficult to hear past the... digestion.

The Courier: "...and the alarm sound outside helps as well. Your doing?" God: ''"[SUCCEEDED] Very good. Yes... it's another layer of white noise to ensure privacy. Unfortunately, it's also acted as a dinner bell for the residents. As long as the holographic greeter outside is active, however, I can get by them... the Holograms fascinate them. Ghost-worship, perhaps.

The Courier: "I need to get you out of there." God: ''"No... no, I don't think so. Even in here, I have more control than you do. I'm not leaving until the one who controls the collars shows... not his voice, not his hand, not his lackey... him. And when he comes to see me, we'll settle things. So go on, go back to your master, tell him I'm waiting for him. Dog may follow him - I won't.

The Courier: "If you don't come with me, he'll set off our collars - yours and mine." God: ''"Then I still win. I'd rather die in this cell than have Dog follow him any longer, follow his orders, his commands, desperate for recognition. The Old Man... he has the need to hold on, to the past, to the Madre... I'd rather be free, let go of this shell, than have it cage me any longer.

The Courier: "I want my freedom, too. You think I like having this collar on me?" God: ''"They all wanted their freedom at first. Then... they realized they could get inside the Sierra Madre. After that, their freedom wasn't important any more. They couldn't let go, just like the Old Man. So you say you want your freedom... No... even if you feel that way, it won't last. You'll forget, get greed-blind, and you'll turn.

The Courier: "I could order Dog to come with me. I bet he'd obey." God: ''"Dog? You're not talking to him now, are you? No, even if you could drag Dog out of his cage, you still couldn't get him out of this cage. I put him here for a reason... if he could have escaped, he would have. So here he stays.

The Courier: "The key's in there with you - and Dog." God: ''"Yes, but Dog doesn't know that. We don't share everything. Sometimes it's a blessing... sometimes... it causes difficulties. Now I think it's a blessing, it keeps you on that side of the cage. Now... you go fetch. Find your master, bring him here so we can talk.

// Top prompt is alternate, not on page // The Courier: "Something tells me I could walk Dog through unlocking a door." The Courier: "I could just tell Dog he has the key." God: ''"Yes... you could. And once he was out, all starving and hungry... what do you think he would do then? Be careful what cage you open, because he won't go back in it without a fight. He'll tear you apart, he won't care if it kills you both.

The Courier: "If he hears the Old Man's voice, he'll do what the Old Man says." God: ''"Dog... obeys. Yes. Why... do you have some means of contacting the Old Man?

// Top prompt is alternate, not on page // The Courier: "The Old Man's voice is on my Pip-Boy, just like yours." The Courier: "I can play his voice, yes. I have an audio log from him on my Pip-Boy." God: ''"You... don't play it. If you do, I'll find a way to get out of the cage, end you. I'll murder you, crush your arms and legs until...

The Courier: "Calm down. Follow me, willingly, I won't do it." God: ''"No, you wouldn't. If you did, you won't escape this place alive. I'd shatter every one of your limbs to splinters and leave you here. You think I'm afraid of your collar exploding, killing us? No, I'll leave you breathing, then keep walking until my collar goes cold. I'll prop your broken body in view of the Sierra Madre so you can see what you came to steal... forever out of reach as you die.

The Courier: "I can't convince you I'm not here for the Sierra Madre or the Old Man, so I'll prove it." God: ''"Prove it... how? Words are worthless.

The Courier: "I have the power to let Dog out of his cage. I'm going to prove it by not doing it." God: ''"Hnh. No... no, you're not. Even though Dog's more docile... easier to control. You may regret this. This place... this place is where creatures like Dog can survive. The people that fill its streets... He is as vicious, more vicious than them. His hunger can help you more than I can. When I am in control... this shell is difficult to... fight in.

The Courier: "What do you mean?" God: ''"The... inhabitants of the Villa. They are difficult to kill. They need to be chopped apart, hacked on the ground... disintegrated, if you can. They are difficult to kill... but not to devour. And Dog is always hungry. If he is with you, when they fall, he will fall on them, end them. If I am with you... fighting will be far more difficult.

The Courier: "Even if Dog is more helpful, we can manage." God: ''"I am not sure you belong here. No, you don't belong here. Yet... you came this far. And I'm not interested in remaining here any longer. I'll unlock the cage.

The Courier: "All right, let's get out of here." God: ''"Very well... lead on.

The Courier: "How do you switch back and forth between voices?" God: ''"All it takes is the right... command. Whenever Dog hears the... his Master giving orders, I go back in the cage. So that leash on your wrist... and the one on your neck. I won't truly be free to... express myself until every trace of that voice is destroyed. Still... if you ever want to speak to me, bark my audio log at him, the one in the police station. That'll call me out.

The Courier: "Why does that make him go away?" God: ''"Dog is afraid of me as long as the Master isn't around.

The Courier: "Why did you put emphasis on the word "Master" before?" God: ''"[SUCCEEDED] The "Master" - Elijah... reminds Dog of someone from long ago. His leader, commander. Commanders. The Master was a strong personality... personalities as well. Dog is slavish, was conditioned to serve the Master until death. The Old Man... Elijah merely came along and opened that door in Dog's mind. Now Dog does whatever the Old Man wants.

The Courier: "Sounds like it makes you mad." God: ''"Mad? Mad doesn't even begin to describe... there's not a word for the hate I feel inside. It's consuming... twists every thought to red. After all that's laid ruin to the world... again and again, I thought at last, we could be free... thought Dog could be free. No... no, the world's always got another cage, waiting, keeping everything you want... just out of reach.

The Courier: "What does Elijah make Dog do that angers you so much?" God: ''"Gather others, drag them here... fetch, like an animal... and hurt them if they resist. Dog doesn't even blink, even hear their cries when he's twisted their arms full circle... fragile things, screaming on the ground... To listen to him... commanding Dog... to hurt others... and Dog just nods, eager and willing to serve.

The Courier: "Can't you do anything?" God: ''"Do anything? Me... me, Dog puts in the cage, hurts himself to try and drown out my voice, when all I want to do... ...aah... hrrr, never mind, useless. Finally had to start fighting back, screaming on my own. Had to take matters into my own hands, lock Dog up.

The Courier: "You're trying to protect Dog. Having Elijah control him, hurt him - you want to protect him." God: ''"[SUCCEEDED] I've watched over Dog for so long. Tried to stop him from... hurting others, killing others, quiet that mindless howling instinct of his. He doesn't understand, he has the brain of a child... he knows when he does wrong, he just can't help himself.

The Courier: "You care about him." God: ''"He's my brother - kin. Without him, I wouldn't exist. Maybe I was nothing more than his conscience, trying to rein him in. Useless. I... I just need him to show restraint, let go of the needs, the hungers. Ease the burden... just once, so I can have my thoughts to myself.

The Courier: "Why can't you control him?" God: ''"The instinct is stronger than me. Dog is stronger than me. He's just a child... he knows when he does wrong, he just can't help himself. I don't know when I first spoke, or when I first started thinking for myself, it was so long ago. I... slept for a long time... before... ...I want to believe I was the one in control. Once. I don't know anymore. Then Dog got a new Master. A new voice. And I woke up, to protect him.

// Dismissing God while in the police jail // The Courier: "Goodbye, whoever you are... I'm going to let Dog out of his cage." God: ''"No! No, no, don't! I'll make you suffer for this, I promise you. Although it may not matter... I suspect the Sierra Madre will be reward enough for ones like you.

// Missing prompt on page, this GREETING line is spoken if Dog is woken in the police jail // The Courier:    Dog: ''"Master? Dog not hear you come in... too hungry, now... at cage door? Master, Dog is listening now you are close and he can hear you over hunger.

The Courier: "Dog, hidden on you is the key. Find it, and toss it to me." Dog: ''"Dog... Dog doesn't have a... hnh. Here it is. Dog... Dog didn't know it was there. How did it get there?

The Courier: "Just give me the key - you want out of the cage, don't you?" Dog: ''"Yes, Master... Master sounds different, quieter. Master... Dog doesn't want to be in the cage any more. Dog will be good this time, Dog promises.

The Courier: "Fine. Let's go, follow me." Dog: ''"Yes, Master. Dog waited a long time... brought you many people. Dog will follow.

The Courier: "Can you tell me how you got to the Sierra Madre?" Dog: ''"Here? Followed voice in air, then here... here as long as can remember. Don't like this place... hard to find things to eat sometimes. Better than the cage. Dog doesn't like being locked up. Voice in air didn't say anything about a cage and nothing to eat.

The Courier: "Voice in the air?" Dog: ''"Dog hears many voices... one in air. The... other one. And Master. Master is the nicest. Gets mean, mad sometimes. But lets Dog feed. Master was quiet for a long time until Dog heard him on your arm... did you eat him? Dog gets hungry, too. Being hungry makes the voice... mad.

The Courier: "I want to hear more about the Master." Dog: ''"He takes care of Dog. He tells Dog what to do. Told Dog to come here, put collars on people. Sometimes people fight. Dog holds them until they go quiet, don't make any noise. If collars don't fit or go too quiet... find others for Master. Master makes the other voice go away - the other voice hates Master, Dog can feel it. Master's voice is like pain, protects Dog.

The Courier: "Where's your collar?" Dog: ''"Lost it. Got hungry. Made the other voice mad, madder than it ever was, mad enough to lock Dog up. Other voice... don't wake him up. When voice wakes up, Dog goes to sleep and voice climbs up in Dog's head.

The Courier: "What's the other voice?" Dog: ''"Other voice... don't wake him up. When voice wakes up, Dog goes to sleep and voice climbs up in Dog's head. puts him in cages and locks him in.

The Courier: "Do you know how to wake him up?" Dog: ''"Sometimes when Dog gets tired. Or eats too much, gets full. Sometimes... when Dog goes to the cage... then voice wakes up. The voice locks Dog in when it comes up, always trying to keep Dog from food. Voice did it at the cage where you found me. Then Master came.

The Courier: "Where does the voice come from?" Dog: ''"Don't know where other voice come from. Wish would go away. Always trying to stop Dog, caging Dog. Voice started talking not long ago, Dog think... was always there. Start talking when Master showed up? Making Dog sleep, go to cage. Voice hates Master. It okay... voice always hide when Master around, go quiet, watch Master as he does things. Voice scared of Master, Dog thinks.

// Prompt not on page, alternate prompt for ??? // The Courier: "The Master sounds like he treats you well." Dog: ''"Master always feed Dog if not in cage. Master lets Dog do what Dog wants. Not like other voice in cage. Always mad with Dog, shouting at him.

The Courier: "Did you bring me here?" Dog: ''"Dog fetches. Dragged you here... Dog thinks. You not struggle like others. Trap makes you sleep, make your voice go to cage. Dog doing what he was told. Tried to catch as many as he can, can eat the others. No eat you, though. Master talk through you, like voice inside Dog. Dog missed hearing Master, not hear Master for long time.

The Courier: "Do you know the way back?" Dog: ''"Might find way back if Master lets you go. If he not want you to go, he makes head red spray. Then Dog has to find another one. To leave...? Go through gate, walk. Hard to find way, Dog can do it, too hard for most to come here. Why so quiet in streets.

The Courier: "Could I find my way back?" Dog: ''"Maybe. Not sure you could find way back once leave. Dog has to smell and hunt for path back here sometimes... Cloud keep moving. It okay... no one ever leave except Dog... and Dog not want to leave. You here until Master lets you go.

The Courier: "What do you eat?" Dog: ''"Dog eats whatever he can catch. Sometimes they run, but Dog is strong, moves fast. Sometimes... makes voice mad when I eat... Master doesn't mind.

The Courier: "Those scars on your body - where did you get them?" Dog: ''"Hurt self. Hurt makes the voice go away... it doesn't like pain. Dog doesn't like pain, either, but keeps voice quiet, so Dog will hurt self until voice dies. Dog hurt self enough, voice go away, never come back.

The Courier: "Is that why you have a bear trap locked on your arm?" Dog: ''"Dog put his hand in it, hurts. Made the voice go away, now can't get it off. Don't want it off, hurt keeps voice sleeping... bleeding. It also keeps others quiet, too. Dog hits them with metal bear teeth until their voices stop, makes Master's voice come back.

The Courier: "Your name is carved on your chest. Is that part of it?" Dog: ''"Yes... no... don't know what the word means, everyone says the same, except the voice. The voice says it backward.

// GREETING wake up Dog after leaving police jail // Dog: ''"Remember you... you were mean to Dog, make Dog sleep... and other Voice come out.

The Courier: "I watched you devour one of the Ghost People." Dog: ''"Dog doesn't like to eat them always, sometimes so many. Keep stabbing Dog, cutting him.

The Courier: "Doesn't that make the voice mad?" Dog: ''"Voice doesn't get mad when Dog feeds on the people here. Voice not like Ghost People, worried there are too many to eat, too many knives. Started eating them because wouldn't go quiet when Dog smashed them with bear jaw. Only want one. Got Dog angry, others kept cutting him and slicing him with knives when he tried to make one go quiet with teeth. So Dog started crushing them, then when they stop twitching, then eats them. Then they not get back up with hssss-chkk noise, Dog not like that. Dog can tell when they not yet dead... twitch a bit, make low noise, then noise when they get back up, listen.

The Courier: "Do you need to eat them to make them stay down?" Dog: ''"No... if you rip their arms off... or legs, mask people stay down. Easier to rip off legs and arms when they fall on ground, just keep hitting them. If can't make them fall down and rip off legs, make them ash. Saw one caught in electric sparks so much, he turn into burnt pile. Not get back up.

The Courier: "So... dismemberment and disintegrations take them down." Dog: ''"[SUCCEEDED] Dism... disin... chop legs off while stand up, eat when fall down. If not that, make them electric ash. Dog knows where to hit them, make them stay down... base of neck, lower back, hit it hard enough, life snaps out of them.

The Courier: "Can you show me where?" Dog: ''"Dog can... see where back of collar is? Follow down, to lower back - hit neck, middle back, right on spine, crack. Then they not get back up. Dog hits them, then Dog eats them... easier to make quiet twice that way.

// GREETING ACT 2 // Dog: ''"Where are you taking Dog? Dog doesn't want to leave, heard Master... saw Master in sky. And when Master not there... woman at fountain... she is made of lines and light, want to watch.

The Courier: "We need to get you to the Gala Event. Get you to your place." Dog: "Dog... Dog has heard that before. Was there pretty lights? There... were things to pull? Hard to pull, but Dog did. And... a cage. ...and Dog was hungry there. Dog... was someone else there, with Dog. Then... then there was noise, then... lights... and streets... screamed. ...Dog doesn't want to go to cage. It's inside Dog now, Dog can see the cage, hear the noises. The way to casino... it'll hurt you. Inside."

The Courier: "Dog, think back to the lights, the pretty ones." Dog: ''"[SUCCEEDED] The lights were pretty. In the sky. Pointed at casino. And the casino opened up.

The Courier: "So the Gala Event was triggered at least once?" Dog: ''"Uh-huh. Master ordered it. "Take places." Then... Master went away. Left Dog... Dog in cage. Casino open long time ago, not sure when... voice keeps putting Dog in cage. Haven't seen Master since, only hear voice on your arm and from walls.

The Courier: "If the casino already opened, what are we doing here?" Dog: ''"Don't know. Dog keep bringing people here.

The Courier: "Dog, do you know why you have to go to the position on the map?" Dog: ''"Hard to pull things...? Dog has to pull very, very hard to... are we going there? Dog not want to stay and pull things... hard to do... and cage there.

// GREETING wake up God after switching to Dog // God: ''"If it isn't the clever one. What do you want?

The Courier: "What does Dog know?" God: ''"Ask him. Or better, don't. It wouldn't be an interesting conversation, much like this one.

The Courier: "What do you know about the Gala Event?" God: ''"The Gala Event is the way to bring the Old Man out. He won't show himself until the casino doors are open. So triggering the Event is key... and the key. The question becomes... can we trust each other to do this? We'll see. If we go there, you'll have to give me control. If you bring Dog out, then... I'll make sure you pay in blood.

The Courier: "Do you know anything else?" God: ''"Dog might know more, you should ask him. Beware the answer, because I think Dog got hungry, he couldn't help himself. I tried, I always try, and he... he keeps giving in.

The Courier: "Any reason why you're assigned to this point on the map?" God: ''"Maybe it's familiar, comfortable. Practice makes perfect. And as much as it bruises my ego, some things require... brute strength. In the right combination. Besides, none of your assembled band of thieves look able to rip a 200 year rusted power switch down like a machete to fire up an entire town.

The Courier: "Dog said he triggered the Gala Event once already." God: ''"He did, yes. A team did, with collars linked just like yours. Did he tell you everything, or just about the pretty lights?

The Courier: "He said the casino opened up." God: ''"Very good. As for the casino... yes, it did.

The Courier: "If the casino opened up, then why are we here?" God: ''"Because something got left inside. The Old Man... Elijah. He's trapped in there. As I hoped he would be.

The Courier: "If he got trapped, why didn't he set off the collars?" God: ''"Because he couldn't. As soon as he made his way into the casino, it sealed up... ...and the casino's construction allowed me an opportunity to escape. The collars... unhooked. I... was free.

The Courier: "So what happened then?" God: ''"Dog happened. When the collars came off... he got... hungry. And all my work, all my effort... wasted because of his hunger, his greed.

The Courier: "What are you talking about?" God: ''"Ask Dog. It doesn't matter... it's in the past, as much as I try to forget it, it's always... with us.

The Courier: "What weapons are you good at?" Dog: ''"Dog good at punching... hitting people with metal bear jaw until they go quiet. Dog sometimes pick up club when thing need to hit is big, need to punch in many places.

The Courier: "Does the casino block the signal?" God: ''"It should have... the casino's construction is unusual. Signals in there get... scrambled, some alloy in the architecture... I don't know. I wasn't sure until the collars de-activated that I had won. Trapped him in his cage. Dog... I... could be free.

The Courier: "Couldn't he have commanded you to rescue him?" God: ''"No... I saw to that...

The Courier: "Something about lights and colors, not much else." God: ''"There was more. Only he truly recalls, though... and should. I won't spoil it for you, especially when we have more... pressing matters.

// GREETING ACT 2 if God is active when listening to Elijah // God: ''"So... are we on our way to somewhere else...? A Gala Event, perhaps?

The Courier: "What weapons are you good at?" God: ''"Dog is better at the baser instincts than I... I merely have the brain for it. His sinew and muscle are difficult to move consciously... he's always hungry, clumsy, heavy.

The Courier: "I need you to get to your Gala Event position." God: ''"Maybe Dog will obey you. I'm not as easily broken.

// ACT 2 //

The Courier: "So Master vanished around that time." Dog: ''"Master went away until you show up with him on your arm.

// Prompt not on page, alternate prompt? // The Courier: ''"Do you know how long ago?

// Prompt missing from page, alternate? // The Courier: ''"Wait, the casino opened already?

The Courier: "This is important - do you remember what happened exactly?" Dog: ''"Dog can't remember. Don't want to go, can't make him stay there.

// ACT 1 //

The Courier: "Why do you eat the Ghost People?" Dog: ''"Dog doesn't like to eat them always, sometimes so many.

The Courier: "How do you do it?" Dog: ''"Dog knows where to hit them, make them stay down... base of neck, lower back, hit it hard enough, life snaps out of them.

The Courier: "Shut up, reject, and give me the key. Now." Dog: ''"Yes, Master. Here, Dog sorry, Dog... just... just let Dog out of the cage. Don't want to be here any longer.

The Courier: "I need your obedience. First, I'm going to show you a trick." Dog: ''"Does Master want Dog to fetch someone? Dog will hunt down whoever you want, bring them here.

The Courier: "Now that you are awake, Master wants you to listen, Dog." Dog: ''"Master, Dog is here. What does Master want?

The Courier: "Meet me over at the Fountain, we'll plan our next move." God: ''"Very well... to the Fountain and its ghost, then.

The Courier: "In that case, I will bring him along, I don't need you." God: ''"And so... greed, practical or otherwise, has its day.

// Prompt not on page, unknown response // The Courier: ''"So Dog could just open the door at any time?

// Prompt not on page, unknown response // The Courier: ''"Sounds like Dog might be more willing to get out of the cage than you.

The Courier: "I can't leave until we get through this." God: ''"Of course you can't. This cage is locked tight... from you and the Old Man.

The Courier: "What if we go after the Old Man together?" God: ''"No... I don't trust you. Even if you're not working with him, you'll fall into the same trap he did. You may think you can take your revenge... that'll change. You'll start thinking there's a way to have it all.

// Prompt not on page, unknown response // The Courier: ''"Do you want to die? Cooperate, or you're both dead.

The Courier: "You're blocking the eavesdropping with the alarm outside, too. Nice." God: ''"[SUCCEEDED] Very good. Yes... it's another layer of white noise to ensure privacy. Unfortunately, it's also acted as a dinner bell for the residents. As long as the holographic greeter outside is active, however, I can get by them... the Holograms fascinate them. Ghost-worship, perhaps.

// Prompt not on page, unknown response // The Courier: ''"No idea, I was unconscious the whole time.

// Prompt not on page, alternate prompt // The Courier: "If you have the key in there, the "Old Man" can order Dog to open the cage." God: ''"Dog... obeys. Yes. Why... do you have some means of contacting the Old Man?

The Courier: "In Super Mutants, brain damage is usually the result of prolonged Stealth Boy usage." God: ''"[SUCCEEDED] That's the easy explanation, the one humans use. Pre-War technology, as if it's the cause of all ills, mind and body. I needed to come out of the cage to protect Dog. From clever humans... like you. Do you see these wounds of his, covering his skin...the bear trap on his arm? He placed his own hand in it. The name he carved in his chest? To remind him of who he is, he inflicts pain on himself to silence me, when all I try to do... Hrr! ...he cuts, hurts, and tries to murder me out of him. He won't succeed. Just makes me angrier. Dog is the beast, we simply change cages. Like the ones here.

The Courier: "That name carved on your chest... are you Dog?" God: "The carving's a reminder, for mirrors and for Dog. Dog, who you heard coming in, howling and hungry, as always. I've been trapped in here for some time, then you come along and let me out. So... you opened my cage for a reason. Now... I want to know why."

The Courier: "Who locked you in that cage?" God: "Locked myself in. Could feel myself... letting go. Dog's howling getting louder. It happens when he's hungry and no one's around to tell him... no. I've been trapped in here for some time, then you come along and let me out. So... you opened my cage for a reason. Now... I want to know why."

The Courier: "Me hear voice, too? Then got here, bad place." Dog: ''"Dog trapped here, too. This place not like West. Air like copper wire. Gut heavy, hurts, beeps sometimes. Back West... in bone cities... Dog wore a collar on wrist, turned him into color of ground, turned him into color of sky.

The Courier: "Nuh-uh!" Dog: ''"Is true. Dog wore it right on his hand, where bear trap is now... he thinks.|Dumb characters still sharing stories about past.}} When put it on, hard to see. Hard to see... Dog was told not to be seen then. Same as now, except different. Dog and others... had to hide in Base. And Church. The Master was there. Master was... spoke like many people. Smart. Like Lou-Lieutenant. Dog misses the Church. When got dark, no people, Dog could sit on floor and look up at ceiling. Could... take off wrist-collar then.

The Courier: "Why you want to look like ground?" Dog: ''"When put it on, hard to see. Hard to see... Dog was told not to be seen then. Same as now, except different. Dog and others... had to hide in Base. And Church. The Master was there. Master was... spoke like many people. Smart. Like Lou-Lieutenant. Dog misses the Church. When got dark, no people, Dog could sit on floor and look up at ceiling. Could... take off wrist-collar then.

The Courier: "Maybe you go back someday." Dog: ''"All gone. All gone. It better now that found new Master. New Master tells Dog what to do, rewards Dog, like old Master. Dog goes get people, drag them here... like vat. Dog knows how to do that. If people fight, Dog hit them until they stop. And if more than one, Dog can eat them, so Dog hunts hard for as many as he can find.

// alternate prompt not on page // The Courier: "Don't like it here, either." Dog: " // alternate prompt not on page // The Courier: "Must been hard to see you." Dog: " // alternate prompt not on page // The Courier: "Where Church now?" Dog: " // alternate prompt not on page // The Courier: "Sound nice. It still there?" Dog: "

-->

Prologue
The origins of Dog/God (let alone his actual name) prior to Unity are unknown. What is known is that he was a member of the Master's elite Nightkin. Like the rest of the mutant army he was psychically linked to the Master and conditioned to slavishly serve him until death. Its several dominant personalities controlling his every action. With the destruction of the Mariposa Military Base, then the Cathedral, and the subsequent loss of connection to the commanders his grip on reality broke and the two personalities would emerge.

The one personality is Dog. The slavish, childlike character of pure instinct. Built from the conditioning the Master bred its army with. The other God, the subconscious voice of reason. As the years went by the Dog personality would constantly get into trouble. Wandering, eating, and listening to those he shouldn't. His ravenous hunger can only be described as gluttonous. Once he started to feed, anyone and anything that Dog hunted would be crushed, mangled and twisted until he is satiated. An act of uncontrolled greed. He knew that he was doing wrong but simply could't help himself. Eventually the voice of reason couldn't stand the constant self imperilment, nor the cannibalism, and began to emerge to counter Dog. Dog in response began self mutilation. Eventually going so far as to carve the name Elijah gave him on his chest to remind himself who he is. The pain serving to stifle the "other voice." However as time passed the other voice became stronger and stronger, consequently it took more and more pain to stifle the God personality.

Dog's hunger would always drive him to the surface when the hunger was satiated and/or fatigue set in God would emerge. While Dog is unaware that the God personality is actually a part of him, he refers to the personality as climbing into his head and constantly being mean to him. Misinterpreting God's attempt at protecting him from harm by locking Dog in places. Despite this God continues to try to protect Dog, seeing him as his younger sibling. Both personalities would grow to resent the suppression of the other being in control. Each referring to the other putting them in the cage, or the basement. While in the cage each personality would only perceive glimpses of the others actions. This has had the effect of allowing the personalities to keep secrets from each other. This however is both a "gift" and a curse, for while it helps keep strategic ignorance it only exacerbates the animosity between the two.

Although God likes to think that he was the original personality he is completely unsure. For while he is in control he both refers to the body as a "shell" and that it is hard to fight in. Perhaps a consequence of God being the culmination of the self preservation and reasoning instincts. Calm, articulate, and controlling God seeks to eliminate Elijah to free himself from the need for a master and to eliminate his greedy ravenous hunger. In contrast Dog seeks to eliminate the God personality so that he may become pure instinct, and gorge on his master's affection and to his contentment on food. As such God has developed a furvored hatred for greed, one that neither could hide the bloodlust. Whether it's Elijah's, Dean Domino's, or the Courier's.

Act I – The Master Elijah
As this internal struggle was festering the Dog personality discovered the Sierra Madre broadcast over the radio. Believing it to be another voice – believing in all voices over the radio, one that promised to "Begin Again" in a calming, reassuring, and soothing voice he followed. It was at the time Dog found the Madre that he and the God truly began to wrestle for control, and the furthest point in the Dog personality's clear memory.

It was in this state that he encountered Elijah. A mad, rambling wreck blinded and embittered by failure, age, arrogance, and his own greed. Seeing the relatively docile mutant more like a mule that needs training to be his beast of burden. In his contempt for his kind Elijah wrote off the absolute obedience to this new domineering personality as just a side effect of the FEV. Dismissing the creature, his knowledge of the FEV, and ignoring the danger with his sense of superiority.

When Dog/God was first commanded by Elijah the conditioning by the Master kicked in. Revering Elijah as "the Master" he embraced him without question. In his arrogance Elijah named this creature "Dog," his new beast of burden to train as his tool. The reason personality however saw Elijah as a truly menacing threat and hid away. Taking advantage of said arrogance, and possible ignorance of him being a nightkin, to wait for the right time to wrestle control from both parties.

With Elijah unable to unlock the secrets of the casino's vault alone, he used his explosive collars to press captives into his service. Setting multiple man-traps at multiple locations in and around the Sierra Madre to capture fortune seekers, using the broadcast as bait. However the process was trial and error, as the multiple teams succumb to their Human nature as soon as they became close to the treasure. Inevitably turning on one another, believing that they all could take it for themselves. One team managed to trigger the Gala Event for the second time, getting Elijah into the heart of the casino. In the process Dog, at his post at the switching station cage, was frightened by the loud noises and bright lights. Because of this he accidentally tore apart the woman that helped him. The trauma and remorse causing Dog to try and suppress the memory. However as soon as Elijah made his way inside the casino sealed up, trapping him inside. Alone. With the casino's construction preventing him from contacting and controlling what was left of his team. Subsequently the collars unhooked, allowing an opportunity to escape. This is when Dog took control, with the collar off his hunger took control. He proceeded to hunt down any food and gorge himself. Ghost people and his former team alike. When he caught one of the latter he tore through the flesh with such voraciousness that he consumed the segmented collar around their neck. God later commenting how it looked like metallic radscorpions... attached to warm, red, neck flesh.

<!-- Dog would continue to check the man-traps, unwittingly gathering Elijah's next team. Once Dog satiated his appetite God, madder than ever with the bomb collar inside him decided to create a man-trap of his own. To try and save Dog from himself by trapping and eventually killing Elijah. First he chose the location for the trap: the Villa's police station. A sanctuary from the Ghost People – due to the reverence for the holograms, as one was built to broadcast directly outside – and an easily controllable building with broadcast equipment. Meanwhile, while he carved graffiti into the walls of the Villa, to draw in his pray he would observe Dean Domino. Experimenting on the remains of the previous teams, including Christine Royce, who was left inside an Auto-doc IX in the clinic.

Feeling the hunger returning God had to work fast; Next he set up the radios as signal interference for when Elijah would inevitably try to detonate the collar in his stomach. Then he created and left his recordings to play. The first was instructions on where to find the second recording - it broadcasting over the loudspeaker. Itself being used as a dinner bell for the Ghost People. The second was a command for Dog; "back in the cage."

// The carved taunts "WHERE IS YOUR (GOD/DOG) NOW?"- Salida del Sol south, switching station (location Fires in the Sky)

"FIND ME AND WE CAN TALK." - At the Villa fountain, walk down the east street, go around the first building in a right half circle. The graffiti is next to the stairs near a lamp.

"(GOD/DOG) IS WATCHING" - Salida del Sol south; coming from the Villa exit, go right at the fountain and follow the street into a left and right turn. It's on the left wall. "FIND (GOD/DOG) IN THE SIMPLEST OF BEASTS." - Found next to the door of the Villa Police Station.

"(GOD/DOG) IS WATCHING" - The other is in the Villa Police station basement.

"THE CASINO IS THE OLD MAN'S COLLAR." - Villa, found next to a hologram terminal near a defunct fountain halfway to the Villa Police station. //

// Verify this order! Dean's article is Also "happily"{FASTIDIOUSNESS} lacking in elaboration //

Afterword Dean himself would be captured and sport his own collar. After he escaped, he returned to the area he called home. The residential district. Light in Ghost People and heavily trapped, he set his own trap for whoever was to come for him. Rigging a shape charge to a chair and strategically placing it at an awkward angle. To give himself an edge in negotiations. // THIS IS A REAL THING, SEE THE OVAL OFFICE LAYOUT // In the meantime, the Courier would be unconscious before the Villa's grand fountain.

// This reference shows that Dog doesn't remember Dean. Did Dog catch Dean? // // These references indicate that God/Dog Knew who did the carving. He Taunting her that she is just a doll. Taking enjoyment in the threatening and angry that he couldn't enjoy her death-howls when he does. //

Eljiah however was too clever to be left idle and cursing human nature itself. After the collapse of his last team, Elijah found himself trapped and alone. Unable to communicate with Dog and the outside, Elijah assumed this would be his end, until Dog, automatically acting on orders given to him long ago, brought to the casino a prisoner with a Pip-Boy 3000, someone with whom Elijah was capable of communicating. Seeing an opportunity for another chance at the treasure – and his own freedom, he modified the signals controlling the collars to add an extra condition: if one person died, they all would die.

Elijah would be free to go, assuming he could bear to leave behind the casino and all its secrets.

Act II – Begin (the Gala Event) Again
This is the third Gala Their fountain reactions, and conversations with each other. Act II.

cage-switching station / fear and regret -- anger and hatred/revenge?-kill elijah automated security / cook

Act III – Who am I?
Schizophrenia // Encourages the Courier to throw away said tools once they aren't a use to Elijah. Note: far more lines of this type biased on choices throughout all the interactions, ie the conclusion of the companion interaction arcs. // -->

Quests

 * Find Collar 8: "Dog": The Courier has to travel to the Villa Police Station and recruit Dog.
 * Fires in the Sky: The Courier has to escort Dog or God to Salida del Sol South to Trigger the Gala Event and hunt down some ghost people for Dog or God to eat.
 * Put the Beast Down: The Courier must confront Dog or God in the Sierra Madre Casino.

Other interactions

 * After recruiting Dog and watching him kill and consume one of the ghost people, the Courier can talk to Dog and, after going through a few speech options, Dog will give the Courier the Ghost Hunter perk.
 * When Dog is dominant, he will eat any ghost people he kills, preventing them from reawakening. When God is dominant, it provides a bonus to stealth, as well as giving the Courier the ability to avoid traps.
 * He has unique idle dialogue for locations around the Sierra Madre;

Inventory
Much like Lily Bowen, Dog and God are limited in the weapons they can use. These weapons are:

The only weapons within the Sierra Madre or the Villa that Dog and God can use, however, are the few scattered frag grenades, and the single sledgehammer within the service route.

Appearances
Dog and God appear only in the Fallout: New Vegas add-on, Dead Money.

Behind the scenes

 * Dog and God's reference art often revolved around Mr. Hyde from Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentleman comic.

Bugs

 * Sometimes, when clearing out Salida del Sol north with Dog/God, he will fall through the floor and be suspended underneath it.
 * Dog/God is prone to getting stuck in walls around the villa and may be unable to follow the player in the same cell.
 * Sometimes God/Dog may be unable to heal when administered stimpaks or after combat.
 * Sometimes when giving the wait command to God/Dog, he will attack the first ghost person he can find and then wait.
 * There is an exploitable bug, where you can obtain God's perk, without him being a companion, by having God as a companion, using Elijah's voice to bring out Dog, and dismissing Dog. This is only temporary, as soon as the player dismisses him at his post for Fires in the Sky, the Courier will lose the perk.