Reginald Rothchild

Head Scribe Reginald Rothchild is the Head Scribe of Lyons' Brotherhood of Steel in Fallout 3. He is usually found in the Citadel laboratory.

Background
Head Scribe Rothchild is the leader of the Scribes of Lyons' Brotherhood of Steel, with a professional, focused personality. He is fully dedicated to the Brotherhood's ideals and its chain of command, and greatly respects men of science and knowledge. He is an accomplished expert in several areas of science, including robotics and cybernetics (allowing him to save Star Paladin Cross' life after what seemed to be a mortal injury). Notably, he despises field work.

Despite that, Rothchild was a part of Paladin Owyn Lyons' expedition to Washington, D.C. in 2255. With the discovery of Liberty Prime, Rothchild received a field promotion to Head Scribe of the D.C. bunker and tasked with bringing the massive weapon of war online. Although he led his own team of talented Scribes, he also interacted with a number of scientific minds from across the wasteland, including James of Project Purity. He developed a healthy respect for him and his independent team, even if the Project fizzled out without producing any results. After all, James was a visionary and these were in short supply.

Unfortunately, success proved elusive in his own project as well. Despite intense efforts, Rothchild and the rest of his team failed to reactivate Liberty Prime for over twenty years. As he worked on Liberty Prime, he observed the steady deterioration of the chapter under Lyons' leadership and the changes introduced to their mission. He watched as their forces dwindled, wasted on ineffectual attempts to destroy the super mutants, against all orders from the western Elders. As Lyons' confidante, he voiced his concerns about violating orders repeatedly, but his words fell on deaf ears. However, he stayed with the Elder out of a sense of personal loyalty and the belief that technology stockpiled at the Citadel would benefit the Brotherhood. However, he's not a meek sycophant and does not hesitate to speak his mind to the Elder, even if Owyn might not like what Reginald has to say. Especially after Lyons' insubordination led to the West cutting the D.C. bunker loose, denying them reinforcements and shutting off communications, and his obstinacy alienated the Outcasts, making them leave in 2276.

In this situation, the conflict with the Enclave seemed like a death knell for the chapter. However, with the arrival of Madison Li, Rothchild decided to continue his work in a last-ditch attempt at reactivating Liberty Prime. This turned out to be a wise decision, as Li's experience with accelerated vector fusion allowed the Brotherhood Scribes to jury-rig a powerful, but compact fusion plant that managed to provide enough power for the robot's primary systems. With it, the Brotherhood was able to achieve victory over the Enclave's forces at the Purifier, countering their air superiority and smashing through fortifications surrounding the purifier. With the energy management issues out of the way thanks to Dr Li's assistance, Liberty Prime became the trump card in the war against the Enclave.

As such, when the Enclave finally managed to destroy Liberty Prime by luring him to their satellite relay station in Rockland, Rothchild was heartbroken. The loss set the chapter back years and removed their only significant advantage over the Enclave, which remained a potent threat even with the loss of the Purifier and Raven Rock. As the Brotherhood recovered from this setback, Rothchild focused on finding new methods of countering their military superiority: Intelligence, decryption, and improvising new weapons for use in the field.

After the fall of Adams AFB, Rothchild returned to his roots, starting work on rebuilding Liberty Prime. Although the task was daunting, requiring immense amounts of salvage to restore its complex systems, especially electrical components and optics, he rose to the challenge. Apart from laying the groundwork for restoring Liberty Prime, a task that would not be completed until 2287, 400 miles away from the Citadel under the command of Proctor Ingram, Rothchild also led reverse-engineering projects trying to harness the potential of Enclave technology recovered from Adams AFB, so that the Brotherhood could stay one step ahead of its enemies in the wasteland. <!-- Section on The Waters of Life → Picking up the Trail → Finding the Garden of Eden → Take it Back! → Broken Steel

Hates field work

Rothchild is also the one in charge of the ongoing efforts to get Liberty Prime operational and publishes regular status reports which can be found at nearly every terminal in the Citadel. Nonetheless, there is no real progress made until Dr. Madison Li joins up with him after her escape from Jefferson Memorial. As a scientist, (renasance man + cyborgnetics) he is also thrilled that the months of bringing Liberty Prime online is yielding dividends.

Doubt of a GECKs existence let alone if one worked

glad to help although only indirectly

All I know is that you need my help. Again." Reginald Rothchild: "It would seem that way, yes. If you would, please step over to the map. I'll give you a brief update on what you've missed."'' (Reginald Rothchild's dialogue)

I have Cameras for you, Scribe Rothchild. Good, good. Please keep bringing them to me... it's my only hope of getting Prime's optics rebuilt.

I have Cameras for you, Scribe Rothchild. Oh, splendid! Hopefully these will contain unbroken lenses unlike the last few I've acquired.

I have Cameras for you, Scribe Rothchild. Excellent! I'll begin disassembling them immediately. Good work!

I found some Sensor Modules for you. Ah, very nice. I'll have my assembling team get right on it.

I found some Sensor Modules for you. We'll need a lot more where this came from to reconstruct Prime's electrical systems. Keep bringing more.

I found some Sensor Modules for you. It's but a drop in the bucket, but it'll have to do. Thanks.

Can someone in the Citadel train me to wear Power Armor? I’m sure Gunny could train you, but he won’t. Not without permission from Elder Lyons. You should ask him... he’s usually near the Lab.

Can someone in the Citadel train me to wear Power Armor? Paladin Gunny can train you, but you’ll need permission from Elder Lyons first. You can usually find him near the Lab.

There's got to be another way. You share your father's determination, it seems. And in this case, you are correct. There may well be another way. Vault 87 is located very close to the site of Lamplight Caverns. It is entirely probable that the Vault may be entered from within the caves.

Don't you know? No, I'm afraid not. After initial attempts to cross the radiation failed, it was decided to focus our efforts elsewhere. You, however, are free to do as you choose. More exploration may be useful. And I'll certainly be interested in anything you might find.

Well, I guess it's time to find out. I'll go there myself. The Brotherhood simply cannot spare the resources necessary to investigate the area. Perhaps you may be more successful. If you do find anything, please return here so that we may decide on how best to proceed.

So there's a Vault down there, and you've never bothered investigating it? Attempts were made, but our resources are stretched thin. The radiation proved fatal, and so our efforts were focused elsewhere. Perhaps you will have more success.

Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Are you going to help or not? Taking the loss in stride, are we? It would seem the Brotherhood has more pressing matters to attend to than a twenty year old, defunct project. Out of respect for your father, however, I will offer advice. What exactly do you need?

I'm running short on time, here. Let's cut to the chase. Yes, well... I am afraid that with the emergence of the Enclave, the Brotherhood is rather busy right now. I elected to take time from my responsibilities to assist you. Perhaps I was in error. Nonetheless, we may have what you seek. In the archives upstairs is an old, pre-war Vault-Tec terminal. I will send word that you need access to it.

I need to find a G.E.C.K. Are you quite sure? I suspect that would be a waste of time. Regardless, the Brotherhood is not in possession of such a device. There is, however, a way in which we may be able to ascertain the location of one.

I need to find a G.E.C.K. Really. A pity... You won't find one here. It may be possible to locate one, however.

Geez, don't strain yourself on my account... I just need a G.E.C.K. I fail to see how such a device would be useful to you. In fact, I doubt such a thing really works. Either way, the Brotherhood is not in possession of such a device. If you are determined to waste your time, you may go off in search of one.

So that's it? I'm screwed? So quick to give up... Disappointing. There is, in fact, another potential way to reach the Vault. Lamplight Caverns is close by, and may provide an alternate means of access.

How do I get through the radiation? Quite simply, you don't. To attempt such a thing would be certain death for you.

Fine, whatever. Let's get to it. I find your attitude and lack of respect insulting.

Thanks for your help. I wish we could do more, but the Brotherhood potentially faces a very pressing, very real threat in the Enclave. All of my efforts must now be devoted to assessing the threat they may pose to us. I'm sure you understand.

Great. Thanks for nothing. I find it hard to believe your father raised such a child. I feel pity for whatever it is you've gone through that has made you so bitter.

I can handle it. Can you now, without even knowing what the problem is? I suppose, then, you have a way to deal with lethal levels of radiation around the Vault?

Why, what's difficult about it? The area is highly irradiated; lethal levels are all around the entrance. Gaining direct access will be quite impossible.

GREETING I'm sure you'll understand that there's far too much to be done right now. I've no time for chatting.

I just... I can't believe it. All those years of work. All of it, for what? One botched operation? I'm still waiting on the debriefing from Tristan, but I'm not sure it even matters. With Prime gone...

Well, it's good to see that you're on your feet again. I assume Lyons is immediately throwing you to the wolves? Has he told you what's been going on while you've been resting?

If there's anything else you'd like to know, I'll tell you what I can. Otherwise, Paladin Tristan will be waiting. I'll alert him that you're on your way.

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Quests

 * Picking up the Trail, Finding the Garden of Eden: Rothchild is busy with his work on Liberty Prime, especially with the arrival of Dr Li. However, when the player mentions finding the GECK, Rothchild will direct them to the Vault-Tec archives terminal in the A-Ring and then help locate Vault 87.
 * Death From Above: After waking up from their coma, Rothchild fills the player in on the events of the past two weeks.
 * Getting Ready for Prime Time: After completing Who Dares Wins, Scribe Rothchild will instruct the player to bring him sensor modules and cameras, so that they can be earmarked for the future restoration of Liberty Prime.

Other interactions

 * Rothchild is one of the only characters to directly reference the Eastern Brotherhood of Steel, saying that they have fallen on hard times.
 * He will not repair the player's gear, as he is too busy. He'll direct them to Peabody or Bowditch instead.

Appearances
Reginald Rothchild appears in Fallout 3 and Fallout Shelter as a legendary dweller.

Bugs

 * Rothchild has positive karma and is marked essential. As such, he will drop an ear each time he's knocked unconscious, making him an infinite source of ears.
 * Rothchild's pathfinding can make him stuck on crates in the labs. This prevents him from providing the location of Vault 87, but it does not inhibit progression through the game: The Vault can be still found as normal.