Summary
Fallouthas a long and storied past, both in-universe and its status as one of the most enduring and high-profile post-apocalyptic RPGs, often credited with popularizing them. Throughout its nearly 30 years,Fallouthas covered a lot of ground, and the IP changed hands to Bethesda in 2004. The studio took the franchise in a new direction, withFallout 3being an open-world FPS instead of a turn-based CPRG. With the latest numbered installment back in 2015, and Bethesda known to be working next on the long-awaitedThe Elder Scrolls 6, it will likely be quite a while before fans will know much aboutFallout 5.
After the previous two mainline outings, along withFallout 76, took players from the original California setting and nearby states to the East Coast, speculation and somehints buried inFallout 4suggest that it’s possible the fifth will return to the west where the story first began. And if it does so, there’s one of the most distinctive characters whose history stretches back toFallout 1who would be a prime candidate to resurface in some form inFallout 5.
Fallout 76’s recent addition of playable Ghoul characterscould be hinting that Bethesda is considering including this option in the next entry, though it has not commented on this one way or another.
Fallout 5 Moving Back to a West Coast Setting Would Provide the Perfect Opportunity to See Harold and Bob or More Numen
Harold and Bob: The “Numen”
Fallout’s Harold has lived an incredible life. Born a few years before the Great War, he survived in a Vault before establishing a caravan trading outpost. While on an expedition with his partners to the Mariposa Military Base, he was exposed tothe FEVand began to slowly mutate. He is first seen inFallout 1as a down-on-his-luck ghoul living in the settlement of Old Town, interestingly having previously known the title’s antagonist, The Master, before the latter became the leader of the Super Mutant army.
InFallout 2, Harold becomes foreman and mayor of the town of Gecko. But his mutation continued in an unexpected way over many years, as a parasitic tree-like growth sprouted from his head, which he affectionately named Bob. The duo was dubbed a “Numen,” and by the time ofFallout 3, had made their way to theCapital Wasteland,whereupon Harold became painfully rooted to the earth by Bob. But his presence has revitalized the surrounding Wasteland into a verdant region, The Oasis.
The Lone Wanderercan find Harold in this hidden grove along with The Treeminders, a peaceful group caring for and worshiping Harold as a god. Players could choose to kill Harold and end his predicament, which he seemed to prefer, or help the Treeminders by either moderating or accelerating his growth. It’s implied that doing so might spread Harold’s effect further out, potentially changing the land into a more sustainable state.
How Fallout 5 Could Expand on Harold and Numen
As one ofFallout’s strangest and most complicated characters, Harold’s presence could be felt in the next game in a couple of ways. Depending on the timeline, and ifFallout 5does move back to the West, it could be an opportunity to show him at a previously unseen point in his life, before Bob completely overtook his body, and delve more into the lore of how and why the FEV affected him in such a unique manner.
Other potential options could be to include a direct descendant or offshoot of Harold. Perhaps a sentient sapling that still has bits of his personality has split off from Harold, returning to his West Coast roots from Oasis. This would bring Harold’s journey and story full circle while allowing his legacy to live on inFallout 5. There might also be a new, previously unknown Numen who is exhibiting mutations similar to Harold, and could serve as a basis for referencing him. In any case, there are some good ways for the next title to include Harold and/or further explore the Numen.
