The Vault - Fallout Wiki

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The Vault - Fallout Wiki
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Vault 12
Fo1 Vault 12 Level 1
Sewer entrance
Site
Map MarkerNecropolis Vault
Part ofNecropolis
Segments
SectionsEntrance
Living Quarters
Command Center
People
FactionsUnderground ghouls
LeadersVault 12 overseer (2077—2084)
Set (2083—?)
Ghoul leader
Other
QuestsFind the Water Chip.
Technical
TerminalsWater purification computer
 
Gametitle-FO1Gametitle-FB
Gametitle-FO1Gametitle-FB

Under the sprawling metropolis of Bakersfield, lies the technological magnificence of Vault 12. Built with every amenity in mind for the prospective Vault Dweller, Vault 12 was given the "Pressed Vault Suit" award for attention to preparedness. Buried far underground, the protection that Vault Dwellers will receive will be unprecedented. Much like all other Vaults, Vault 12 has been fitted with the newest in Vault Water Purification Systems. Able to take even the waste located in the sewers of Bakersfield, this system is able to deliver over 15,000 gallons of pure, refreshing drinking water every day.

Vault locations v34.129

Vault 12 is one of the Vaults constructed by the Vault-Tec Corporation. It is located in Bakersfield, California, in the post-War ghoul settlement of Necropolis.

Background[]

Constructed under the sprawling metropolis of Bakersfield, Vault 12 was billed as "built with every amenity in mind for the prospective Vault Dweller," and that it had "been fitted with the newest in Vault Water Purification Systems. Able to take even the waste located in the sewers of Bakersfield, this system is able to deliver over 15,000 gallons of pure, refreshing drinking water every day." Those who signed on for this particular Vault took their preparedness very seriously, earning the "Pressed Vault Suit" award for their efforts.[1] The Vault's true purpose, however, was to study the effects of radiation on the residents. To ensure this, Vault-Tec designed the Vault door not to close.[2]

On October 23, 2077, the populace of Bakersfield learned that the other Vaults had been sealed. In desperation, they took to their local shelter, forcing their way in to protect themselves and their families. The door worked as designed: the radiation flooded in; those whom survived suffered from ghoulifcation.[3] In the summer of 2083, the survivors would leave the shelter. Those that chose to stay[4] founded the city of Necropolis.

By the spring of 2084, Set took control of Necropolis, wresting control from the original Overseer. He, not wanting to be killed, was driven north and lost to history. For the next seventy three years, Set would lead the city unmolested from outside parties. Instead, internal political strife caused some to leave, while a much more peaceful group was forced to take shelter underground.[5] Despite Set's disgust for the group, he reluctantly sent them whatever water they needed, fearful that he wouldn't have enough people to defend the city if it ever needed to be.[6]

Layout[]

Vault 12 is essentially identical in layout to the other Vaults encountered by the Vault Dweller. The first level contains the emergency medical lab and entrance, the second is the living quarters, and the third houses the recreation area, armory, and command center. The command center notably lacks the space for an Overseer which appears in other vaults - this is possibly because the Vault was never intended to be inhabited for a long period. Indeed, as the Vault has never been sealed, it is weathered through 85 years of exposure and lack of maintenance. Only the elevator and water purification terminal remain operable.

A number of glowing ones still inhabit the Vault. They can be evaded fairly easily by sneaking past, though they will attack the player if the water chip is removed before the water pump is repaired. This is one of the few occasions that glowing ones demonstrate to the player that they retain some of their mental faculties.

The water chip is located in the command center. It is easily spotted in the southeastern section of the level, as it is attached to the only operational computer.

If the first glowing one that one would encounter is left alive, and the water chip taken with out repairing the water pump, he will remain even after the other ghouls have died of dehydration, and comment on this fact.

Entrance[]

Fo1 Vault 12 Level 1

Upon entering the area, the player will encounter two glowing ones between the ladder where they entered and the Vault itself. The absence of the Vault door is a telling sign of what transpired here in the days following the Great War. Through the airlock and past the security door, the now defunct emergency medical lab can be found to the right, and the elevator to the left.

Living Quarters[]

Fo1 Vault 12 Level 2

The living quarters are similar in design to the others in the region. The primary difference between Vault 12's living quarters and Vault 13's is that the elevator is part of the eastern dividing wall, leaving only one gap to move between the northern and southern halves. A total of six glowing ones inhabit the living quarters: three in the main area, and three in the upper leftmost room, near a wall locker.

Loot
Upper leftmost room wall locker:

Command Center[]

Fo1 Vault 12 Level 3

The command center is identical to the other Vaults in the region, with the exception of it missing an operations room and overseer station. This level is home to a total of six glowing ones: two can be found in the meeting room, one is in the computer core, and the final three are gathered around a dead body in the security office. Upon searching the storage room and security office storage, the player will find that the rooms were ransacked long ago, with no items remaining. Just past the security office, the water purification computer can be found. Upon interacting with the computer, the water chip will be removed. If the water pump has been repaired, it will be noted that the pump can be heard coming to life in the distance.[7] If the player so chooses, they can reconnect the water chip to the computer.[8]

Appearances[]

Vault 12 appears in Fallout and is mentioned in Fallout Bible.

References

  1. Vault locations v34.129
  2. Fallout Bible 0 Vault system: "Vault 12 In order the study the effects of radiation on the selected population, the Vault Door was designed not to close. This is the Necropolis Vault... and the ghouls were the result."
  3. Fallout Bible 0 Timeline repair: Second strike: "2077 October 23 Necropolis Vault [Vault 12] never closes. Once it becomes known that the other vaults have sealed, people within Bakersfield attempt to force their way into Vault 12 to protect themselves and their families."
  4. Fallout Bible 0 Answer me these questions three: "1. Why was it that so many ghouls left necropolis between Fallout 1 and 2 to settle in Broken Hills and Gecko? Is necropolis empty now? Also, why was it that Harold joined the ghouls? I remember him talking as if he weren't a ghoul; When you type in "ghouls" in the question box in the first Fallout he refers to the ghouls as "them"."
    Answer:
    • Ghouls still have the human need to expand and move on - and in the 80+ years between Fallout 1 and 2, the ghouls spread out from Necropolis in all directions... and some had even left before the events in Fallout 1.
    • Necropolis is not empty now; ghouls are still said to reside there, though Set is no longer their leader. It is not clear whether he is alive or dead.
    • Harold joined the ghouls in Fallout 2 because Harold is a kindly sort who likes to help people - when he sees a group of people trying to make their way in the wasteland, he tries to step in and give them a leg up, especially when it can benefit life for everyone.
      Wherever a key event in Fallout has occurred, Harold always seems to be right there in the middle of things, helping to push the world along and make it a better place. His wit is a little dry and raspy, but he's got a good heart.
    • Harold is not a ghoul, but he is a mutant. What happened to him inside the military base during his assault with Francine, Mark, and Richard Grey is unknown, but it is likely he was exposed to the FEV virus and changed. His last known memory after the attack was passing out then waking back up in the wasteland... changed."
  5. The Vault Dweller: "{1000}{}{Set}"
    Ghoul leader: "{1100}{}{He tries to control Necropolis, and has forced us underground.}"
    (LEADER.MSG)
  6. Ghoul leader: "{101}{}{Thank you for not shooting first. Can I help you with anything?}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{102}{}{Yes, I'm looking for water.}"
    Ghoul leader: "{111}{}{The surface of Necropolis and the water is controlled by Set and his Ghouls. We are a much more peaceful group - which disgusts Set.}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{171}{}{How do you survive down here without water?}"
    Ghoul leader: "{119}{}{He does not speak of it, however Set is afraid of not having enough people to defend Necropolis if it ever needed it. So, he gives us what water we need.}"
    (LEADER.MSG)
  7. Water purification computer: "{117}{}{After shutting down the Water Purification Computer, you can now hear the repaired water pump working in the distance, bringing water up from what must be a deep well under Necropolis.}"
  8. Water purification computer: "{110}{}{You reinstall the water chip into the computer. The computer reboots after a moment, and proceeds to function as normal.}"
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