Redding is a mining town located southeast of the Den, and one of the most strategic towns in North California, sitting at the intersection of power plays by NCR, New Reno, and Vault City. As such, it is one of the crucial locations in Fallout 2.
Although Redding may appear unassuming, it had great economic clout. Abandoned since the Great War, it was repopulated only in the 2230s, and quickly became Northern California's primary soure of gold for the production of hard currency. As the center of gold mining, several larger political factions have lobbied for control of Redding to gain dominance in the gold trade. Redding became the center of a power play between the three major power players in northern New California: The NCR, New Reno, and Vault City.[Non-game 1][2]
Each of the sides interested in controlling Redding had local supporters. Proponents of New Reno organized around Dan McGrew believed that the crime city would give Redding autonomy, due to the infighting between the crime families.[3] The sole Vault City advocate, Painless Doc Johnson, claimed it's the only city that can fully utilize Redding's potential and dismissed any worries that they might turn it into a slave labor camp.[4] Finally, NCR sympathizers with Marge LeBarge at the forefront focused on the benefits of joining the nascent nation, ignoring the problems of merging with the NCR legal system and governance.[5]
Beyond politics, Redding also developed other problems. A group of ornery mutants took up residence in the Great Wanamingo Mine a few years earlier, driving the company that operated it out of business and denying access to the richest gold deposit in the town.[6] In January 2241, the Mordinos also started making their ploy, sending free samples of Jet to Redding to try and control the miners through addiction.[Non-game 2] Finally, later in 2241, Sheriff Earl Marion was wounded while waiting for a caravan, with a gecko nearly gnawing through his knee and leaving him disabled. As the main law enforcement in town, his recuperation has allowed the unruly Redding to become even more so, with the bandit called Frog Morton angling to establish a base of operations in the abandoned Great Wanamingo Mine.[7][8]
The elected head of town, Mayor Ascorti, was of little help, commonly considered to be a man looking first after his own interests - establishing a gambling parlor in the town hall and stooping even as low as kicking out widows from their meager dwellings.[9]
2281[]
By 2281, Redding has been annexed by the NCR as well as made into the headquarters of the Van Graffs.[10] The town is represented by a senator in the Congress and citizens from Redding serve in the NCR Army.[11] Redding's importance to the Republic may be greatly reduced by the NCR currency being backed by water instead of gold, following the war with the Brotherhood of Steel. It also appears that the weight of economy in Redding has changed from gold mining to brahmin trade, as many people own ranches there, such as Chief Hanlon and the Jamisons,[12][13] and the average citizen can find reliable work ranching brahmin.[14]
Society[]
With hundreds of citizens in 2241, Redding's governance was based on a mayor and a town council. The mayor was elected by the people of Redding and held a substantial amount of power.[1] Redding's society was in many ways unregulated, which allowed the Great Wanamingo Mine to use slaves to excavate gold, which only ended with the wanamingo takeover.[6] Other companies didn't use slaves, but had their own issues, such as paying miners not in money, but in scrip only redeemable in Redding.[15]
Lacking a strong government,[1] Redding had numerous social problems, even without the Jet plague among the miners. Violence between opposing companies' employees was common,[16] while Ascorti's cutthroat practices ensured that the government that existed was focused primarily on private gain, rather than public benefit.[1]
Economy[]
The primary source of income for the town is raw materials excavated by Kokoweef and Morningstar mines, primarily gold. Gold provided by the town's stable workforce forms the backbone of the Core Region's economy, ever since NCR introduced a currency backed by gold.[17] The town also offers the Malamute Saloon, Ascorti's Ace and City Hall run by the town's mayor, and a clinic run by Doc Johnson.
As the primary supplier of gold ore in the region, Redding became the focus of the struggle for control over North Californian trade routes. When the Republic switched to dollars as currency, backing them with gold, the mining city became the key to the trade in the entire New California. Whoever controls the supply of gold, controls the currency. Redding was lucky enough to remain far away enough to make a military takeover uneconomic. The three powers instead decided to make the city align with one of them through agents operating in the city, either planted ones (Painless Doc Johnson for Vault City) or voluntary supporters (Marge LeBarge for the NCR and Dan McGrew for New Reno).[18]
By 2241, the situation was slowly approaching a critical phase. In January, the first Jet batches began to arrive in Redding as part of a plan by the Mordino family to control the mining city through drugs. Vault City rejected an offer to ally with the Bishop family and the NCR in February, with mercenary attacks designed to bully the City into the alliance beginning a month later. All this was set against the backdrop of the worst dry season in years caused a drought in North California, causing widespread food shortages in the less developed areas, such as Arroyo and Modoc.[Non-game 2]
Layout[]
Redding can be found eleven squares east and eight squares south of Arroyo.
The busiest and most populated part of Redding; pick your poison. The Malamute Saloon offers whoring, drinks, and a place to sleep (not recommended for light sleepers). Ascorti runs Ascorti's Ace and City Hall where you can gamble hard-earned caps away. There is law in Redding; out-of-towners and trouble-makers are kept in line by Sheriff Marion, who runs the city jail. If a night in the slammer isn't good enough for you, a visit to Painless Doc Johnson's should keep you in line.
The mining camp is the mines of the city of Redding and is divided into four major locations; the Kokoweef mine, the Morningstar mine, the Last Gasp Saloon, and the Molerat Mambo arena. Miners bunk in their employer's building, or in some of the coffins if they drink too much and go after the wanamingos.
The Molerat Mambo is popular with the locals. Place a bet if you're feeling lucky. Here you will find the Kokoweef mine, run by Marge LeBarge, and The Morningstar mine which is owned by Dan McGrew. After losing money betting on mole rats, head over to the Last Gasp Saloon for some interesting conversation and maybe a refreshment.
The Great Wanamingo Mine is one of the gold mines in Redding. By 2241, it became inactive thanks to being infested with the alien-like wanamingos. Mayor Ascorti tries to coerce newcomers to Redding into buying a deed to the mine billing it as a great investment, $1000 for the richest mine in the town. In order to make any profit from the deed, some eradication is required.
Numerous entrances to the mine exist, including one inside a ripped-open grave. Travel within the mine is extremely precarious, as the wanamingos have extraordinary senses of perception and can detect intruders even through the walls of the mine, rushing in quickly to dispose of any interlopers.
The wanamingo mine has two levels and is rumored to contain explosives as well as special electronic chips within the rusting hulks of the mining machinery. The Morton brothers and their gang can be found here following the acceptance of the quest Kill Frog Morton from Sheriff Marion.
The Redding tunnels are a series of tunnels under Redding and are infested with rats and wanamingos. The tunnels are connected to the Great Wanamingo Mine and other locations, like the Malamute Saloon, and Ascorti's Ace and City Hall.
Ascorti's pawnbroker, the cash tender at Ascorti's, has $1000-$5000 for trading.
If quests for more than one end game faction have been completed before any point of no return, Cass mentions to the Courier that they are, "being courted more than a Redding widow."[19]
Redding is based on the real world location of Redding, California, noted for its mining in the 19th and early 20th century. It's currently the biggest city in the state north of Sacramento.
This area heavily references the Robert W. Service poem "The Shooting of Dan McGrew," which described "Dangerous" Dan McGrew's demise in the Malamute Saloon. Apart from the title character and saloon, the area also features a woman named Lou.
↑ 1.01.11.21.3Vault City travel log: "REDDING: Small mining community located west of Vault City. Redding trades gold ore for medical supplies from Vault City. All Vault Citizens are encouraged to exercise extreme caution when travelling inside Redding, as the provincial miners are not strongly governed."
"POPULATION: A census is unavailable, but Redding is believed to have hundreds of residents." "GOVERNMENT: Mayor and town council." "BACKGROUND RADIATION COUNT: Current readings are unavailable." "MUTATION RATE: Unknown, believed low."
↑The Chosen One: "{138}{}{Hear any interesting rumors?}" Modjeska: "{145}{}{All I hear about are politics. That always seems to be the big stir in discussion.}" The Chosen One: "{146}{}{Politics? What do you mean?}" Modjeska: "{158}{}{Have you ever seen a greased brahmin contest?}" The Chosen One: "{160}{}{Nope, never heard of anything like that. Tell me about them.}" Modjeska: "{165}{}{What they do is grease up a brahmin calf, and then everyone in the crowd tries to catch the calf. If you can't catch it yourself, you make damn sure nobody else can, either.}" The Chosen One: "{166}{}{I don't see what that has to do with politics.}" Modjeska: "{168}{}{In this game, Redding is the greased brahmin - and a golden one at that. New Reno, the New California Republic, and Vault City are all trying to catch us...or at least keep the others from catching us.}" The Chosen One: "{169}{}{What do you mean?}" Modjeska: "{171}{}{Here in Redding we mine gold. Then we ship it to New Reno, the NCR, and Vault City in return for goods. Each of those places would like to have the gold - and the trade - all to themselves.}" The Chosen One: "{172}{}{Why don't they just attack you and take it, then?}" Modjeska: "{174}{}{We're big enough, and far enough away, to make a take-over expensive as well as dangerous. Much more efficient to have us join willingly.}" The Chosen One: "{175}{}{What do you mean?}" Modjeska: "{177}{}{The three powers are trying to get Redding to choose which side to ally themselves with. They've all got powerful allies in town, and it looks like things are coming to a head. Soon, Redding's going to have to make a choice.}" The Chosen One: "{178}{}{A choice?}" Modjeska: "{181}{}{The grease on this Brahmin calf is getting a bit thin. Soon, one of the powers is going to have to make a major play to take Redding before the others do. When that happens, people are going to get hurt. A lot of people.}" The Chosen One: "{183}{}{Why are people going to get hurt?}" Modjeska: "{192}{}{People are going to get hurt because this kind of change doesn't come easy. Those that think they're not going to get the prize get it in their mind to not let anyone else get it, either. The only way to avoid that is if we decide to go with one of the powers and make a quick alliance before the others catch on.}" (RCMODJES.MSG)
↑The Chosen One: "{132}{}{How's New Reno any different?}" Dan McGrew: "{134}{}{New Reno's strong enough to protect Redding from the other two. Since New Reno's divvied up amongst different gang-families, it's divided enough to give us our best chance for autonomy. In New Reno, they don't care how we run things - as long as they get their gold.}" (Dan McGrew's dialogue)
↑The Chosen One: "{211}{}{So if you don't want New Reno to control Redding, just who do you want in charge here?}" Johnson: "{221}{}{Well, everyone wants a part of the gold here in Redding, so we're going to go to be controlled by someone, eventually. I just want us to have the master that's going to do the best job for Redding.}" The Chosen One: "{222}{}{And who do you think that is?}" Johnson: "{223}{}{The way I see it, Redding's best chance is with Vault City controlling things here. That's where I'm from - so I might be biased - but I really do think that Vault City can do a better job of helping the citizens of Redding.}" The Chosen One: "{224}{}{Why is that?}" Johnson: "{225}{}{Because they handle Vault City in a just and humane manner. They would do the same for Redding. I'm sure of it.}" The Chosen One: "{226}{}{Vault City takes care of their citizens all right, but they treat non-citizens like dirt.}" Johnson: "{231}{}{That's nonsense. Vault City does extend special privileges to citizens, but only because they're better qualified to enjoy those things than brutish non-citizens. Besides, everyone can qualify for Vault City citizenship if they pass the tests.}" The Chosen One: "{232}{}{I'm not sure how the people here in Redding would react to rule by Vault City.}" Johnson: "{228}{}{They'll realize the benefits soon enough. I'm certain that they'll welcome Vault City's administration with open arms, uh, eventually.}" The Chosen One: "{229}{}{I see. Well, let me ask you about something other than politics.}" (Johnson's dialogue) Note: From the lines 226 onward the player is required to have visited Vault City.
↑The Chosen One: "{169}{}{What did you hear about a takeover?}" Marge LeBarge: "{174}{}{Well, people always talk about Vault City taking over to get our gold. Or one of the families in New Reno getting everyone hooked on their dope in order to take over. Or even the NCR wanting to annex us. I tell you, the NCR's our best bet - but they're all just out for our gold. Redding's still independent, so far.}" (Marge LeBarge's dialogue)
↑ 6.06.1The Chosen One: "{177}{}{What do you mean?}" Athabaska Dick: "{179}{}{Well, there's some stuff in there that the owners of the Morningstar and the Kokoweef mines here in town would sure pay a pretty penny for.}" The Chosen One: "{180}{}{What kind of stuff?}" Athabaska Dick: "{182}{}{Well, ya see, mines used to be dug out by big machines. Heck, those machines are built to last. Both mines got big diggers. But - an' here's the money question - the dang little control chips weren't made so tough. Neither mine's got a chip that works. Heh-hee.}" The Chosen One: "{183}{}{I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at here.}" Athabaska Dick: "{185}{}{Well, what I'm saying is that either mine owner would pay for one of these digger-control-chips. Heck, if they had a workin' machine and the other mine doesn't, they'd shut the other mine down - or buy 'em out - in no time.}" The Chosen One: "{186}{}{Too bad nobody knows where to get one of those chips, then.}" Athabaska Dick: "{188}{}{Squee-gee out your dang ears! I told you where to look for the damn chip. Ain't you been listening to a word I said? The Wanamingo mine had machines, and they were workin' 'til the time the mine got shut down. Prolly still chips down there. Jist waitin' fer someone to come along an' take 'em.}" The Chosen One: "{190}{}{Tell me about those Want-to-mangles, then.}" Athabaska Dick: "{192}{}{Well you see - here's the god's honest truth - I know someone who saw one up close-like, it was…(time passes)…With huge fangs that it uses to…(more time passes)…}" Athabaska Dick: "{193}{}{I had a friend once that I was workin' a claim with and one day…(time passes)…big as a brahmin and it smelled worse…(more time passes)…}" Athabaska Dick: "{194}{}{You're jist gonna fall asleep anyhow, but here goes nuthin.' It was late at night, see, and so…(time passes)…tracks like a cross 'tween a Radscorpion and a Gecko…(more time passes)… See, I told you you'd fall asleep.}" The Chosen One: "{195}{}{Huh, wha? (your head snaps up; you must have been dozing).}" Athabaska Dick: "{197}{}{…So, now you know. The slaves that used to work the mine blew up the dynamite stores and escaped, rather than face those Wanamingos. Shut down the mine right after and nobody went back.}" The Chosen One: "{198}{}{Where did you say the Great Wanamingo Mine is?}" Athabaska Dick: "{200}{}{Jist west of town. But I heard that some of the Wanamingos been coming into town late at night. So mebbe' you won't have to go out there to see 'em. Heh-hee.}" (Athabaska Dick's dialogue)
↑The Chosen One: "{245}{}{Tell me about the next job.}" Earl Marion: "{270}{}{There's a bandit, name o' Frog Morton, that's taken up lodgings over in the ruins of the Great Wanamingo Mine just west of town. I need you to exterminate him. But be careful. He's crafty and he's bound to have some of his gang with him. I'll give you $1000 to get rid o' the varmint.}" The Chosen One: "{271}{}{Why do they call him Frog Morton?}" Earl Marion: "{274}{}{His name's Morton, and they call him Frog 'cause he croaks people. Ready to go get 'im?}" The Chosen One: "{275}{}{Ohhhh. Ouch. That's terrible. The pain, the pain…}" Earl Marion: "{278}{}{Hey, I didn't make that one up - he did. With puns that bad, I'd say that gives you just one more reason to kill 'im. You up for it?}" (Earl Marion's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "Tell me about the Van Graffs." Jean-Baptiste Cutting: "Our family comes from Redding, to the west. We deal weapons mostly, but trade other commodities, like gold, if there's cash in it. Our mother's been running the show for longer than most of us have been alive, but she stays at the home office. We've got branches all over the place, which are run by my brothers and sisters. Momma's real popular with the menfolk, both for her money and her looks, which is why there's ten of us kids in total, all by different fathers." (Jean-Baptiste Cutting's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "Who are you?" Dobson: "Dobson's my name. I'm an NCR Ranger, operating out of Camp McCarran north of here. Redding man by birth, though." (Dobson's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "I want to know more about the problem with Henry Jamison." Alice McLafferty: "The Jamisons are very wealthy ranchers back in Redding, California and significant investors in the Crimson Caravan Company. I was pressured into posting young Henry as the manager of the New Vegas branch. As you can see, he wasn't exactly cut out for the job. He was much more interested in gambling and prostitutes, and because of his family, I can't simply fire him. Henry needs to be convinced to quit, one way or another. I won't have a useless employee on the company payroll." (Alice McLafferty's dialogue)
↑Fallout: New Vegas endings: "Due to the Courier's intervention, Chief Hanlon abandoned his plan to sabotage the defense of Hoover Dam. The rangers assisted the troopers admirably during the Legion's ill-fated attack. Though the Courier snatched victory from NCR, only General Oliver was blamed for the loss of Hoover Dam. Hanlon, exhausted after a lifetime of service to the NCR, stepped down from his position in the rangers and retired to his ranch in Redding."'
↑The Courier: "What are you going to do now?" Trent Bascom: "I hear the Brahmin ranchers out in Redding are looking for some hard workers, so I might try there first. I hate working with Brahmin, though." (Trent Bascom's dialogue)
↑The Chosen One: "{292}{}{What do you sell here?}" Renesco: "{305}{}{I sell recreational drugs mostly. That's why they gave me that idiotic appellation, 'the Rocketman.' Hmmmph. I also sell some caravan supplies. You NEED anything or can I get back to something important?}" The Chosen One: "{308}{}{You sell drugs here in the STORE?}" Renesco: "{330}{}{(Renesco looks at you in disgust.) Yes. In the STORE. This isn't the 20th century where drugs are sold by street corner cockroaches who live in constant fear of the authorities.}" The Chosen One: "{331}{}{Well, then -}" Renesco: "{350}{}{This is NEW RENO. There are no cops, no law, and there's plenty of customers who don't mind buying poison at the pharmacy down the street. Does THAT answer your question, primate?}" The Chosen One: "{354}{}{But, like you said, the drugs are…poisonous. They kill the spirit. Doesn't it bother you to sell them?}" Renesco: "{365}{}{Does it BOTHER me to sell them to idiots, slavers, crime lords and tribals that the world would be better off without? Primate, three words: get out more.}" The Chosen One: "{368}{}{The drugs here in New Reno are finding their way to other places, and hurting people there. Doesn't that concern you?}" The Chosen One: "{377}{}{The human race suffered a horrible tragedy. Now we are trying to rebuild. Selling Jet seems…counterproductive to that reconstruction.}" Renesco: "{385}{}{So. What. No one is FORCING those idiots to inhale Jet. No one's going around and jamming it down their throats!}" The Chosen One: "{386}{}{Can I see -}" The Chosen One: "{387}{}{But don't -}" The Chosen One: "{388}{}{That is your -}" Renesco: "{395}{}{Those lamphead rock humpers in Redding KNOW what they're taking, so I don't feel a millimeter of pity for 'em! Far as I'm concerned, Jet weeds out the human trash that shoulda died when the bombs dropped!}" The Chosen One: "{398}{}{You mentioned Redding specifically. Why is Jet so prevalent in Redding?}" Renesco: "{410}{}{Well, Redding's a…special case. See, there's people in Reno who make sure Redding's well-supplied. After all, you taste Jet once, you're hooked. It's how I make MY living.}" The Chosen One: "{412}{}{Who is making sure Redding is well-supplied? And why?}" Renesco: "{420}{}{Well, tribal, I doubt you have the sense to notice this yet, but New Reno doesn't produce anything useful. It's like a big, brightly-lit prairie tick sitting out in the desert. Now, Redding, on the other hand…}" The Chosen One: "{421}{}{Go on.}" Renesco: "{440}{}{Redding has a stable work force that mines raw materials, mostly gold. New Reno sure could use that gold. Somebody figures all we gotta do is get those miners addicted, and we got 'em for life. You understand now?}" (NcRenesc.msg)
↑The Chosen One: "{138}{}{Hear any interesting rumors?}" Modjeska: "{145}{}{All I hear about are politics. That always seems to be the big stir in discussion.}" The Chosen One: "{146}{}{Politics? What do you mean?}" Modjeska: "{158}{}{Have you ever seen a greased brahmin contest?}" The Chosen One: "{160}{}{Nope, never heard of anything like that. Tell me about them.}" Modjeska: "{165}{}{What they do is grease up a brahmin calf, and then everyone in the crowd tries to catch the calf. If you can't catch it yourself, you make damn sure nobody else can, either.}" The Chosen One: "{166}{}{I don't see what that has to do with politics.}" Modjeska: "{168}{}{In this game, Redding is the greased brahmin - and a golden one at that. New Reno, the New California Republic, and Vault City are all trying to catch us...or at least keep the others from catching us.}" The Chosen One: "{169}{}{What do you mean?}" Modjeska: "{171}{}{Here in Redding we mine gold. Then we ship it to New Reno, the NCR, and Vault City in return for goods. Each of those places would like to have the gold - and the trade - all to themselves.}" The Chosen One: "{172}{}{Why don't they just attack you and take it, then?}" Modjeska: "{174}{}{We're big enough, and far enough away, to make a take-over expensive as well as dangerous. Much more efficient to have us join willingly.}" The Chosen One: "{175}{}{What do you mean?}" Modjeska: "{177}{}{The three powers are trying to get Redding to choose which side to ally themselves with. They've all got powerful allies in town, and it looks like things are coming to a head. Soon, Redding's going to have to make a choice.}" The Chosen One: "{178}{}{A choice?}" Modjeska: "{181}{}{The grease on this Brahmin calf is getting a bit thin. Soon, one of the powers is going to have to make a major play to take Redding before the others do. When that happens, people are going to get hurt. A lot of people.}" The Chosen One: "{183}{}{Why are people going to get hurt?}" Modjeska: "{192}{}{People are going to get hurt because this kind of change doesn't come easy. Those that think they're not going to get the prize get it in their mind to not let anyone else get it, either. The only way to avoid that is if we decide to go with one of the powers and make a quick alliance before the others catch on.}" The Chosen One: "{193}{}{What do you think will happen?}" Modjeska: "{195}{}{I think that the folks here will follow Mayor Ascorti's lead. He's a crook, but people trust that. He'll go with whoever's strongest. You see, whatever's good for Ascorti is also going to be good for Redding. I think he just hasn't figured out who's closest to being on top yet. But he's got to choose soon.}" (RCMODJES.MSG)
↑Rose of Sharon Cassidy: "First Vegas, now NCR and Legion? You're being courted more than a Redding widow.Hope you can answer them politely, or there's no safe place in the Mojave for you." (Rose of Sharon Cassidy' dialogue)
Non-game
↑Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets p.179: "Redding Redding has been repopulated for only a few years now, and it still has a Western-gold-town feel to it. Two major gold mines in town ship their ore to Vault City, New Reno, and the NCR. In a way, rough-and-ready Redding is the golden goose being squeezed-gently but firmly-between the three big cities that want the golden eggs all to their own."
↑ 2.02.1Fallout Bible 0 Timeline repair: Second strike: "2241 January The first samples of Jet begin to arrive in Redding, courtesy of the Mordino family." "2241 February Vault City rejects offers of an alliance with both the Bishop family of New Reno and NCR." "2241 March Raider attacks on caravans to Vault City begin." "2241 The worst dry season in many years causes a drought in the Northern California area, hurting crops and brahmin in both Arroyo and Modoc."
