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A zombie is an undead corpse, typically devoid of a soul and with no free will. In the Fallout world, the term generally refers to ghouls, who very much resemble the zombies of pre-War horror films,[1][2] often as a derogatory remark. The term is also used to describe feral ghouls.[3]

Examples of use[]

The first appearance of the word in Fallout was when it was used by Set's ghoul gangsters to refer to themselves,[4][5][6] and was pejoratively used towards Children of the Cathedral cultists,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] including by some associates of the Children themselves, such as Ton Barracus,[14][15] Dane,[16][17] and Zark.[18][19][20]

However, there were rumors of both the ghouls and their origins circulating prior to 2161.[21] The character description of Slummer, a reveler at the Cathedral, refers to him as simply "a zombie,"[22] and the player has many opportunities to call him one. However, he rejects this label. He mentions that he once belonged to a gang called the Fighting Flesh.[7][8] The raving cultist Dane asserts that zombies are a disgrace to God.[17]

In Fallout 2, the Chosen One can call Wooz a zombie, which appears to deeply offend him.[23][24] If Lenny is an active companion in San Francisco children will run in fear.[25]

In Fallout 3, most ghouls are very offended by the term.[26][27][28][29] It is commonly used by the bigots who live at Tenpenny Tower, especially the chief of security, Gustavo, who uses the disparaging term prolifically.[30] Calling Roy Phillips or Mister Crowley a zombie may lead them to attack. Mister Crowley will hire the Lone Wanderer to kill supposed ghoul bigots by shooting them in the head like they do in old zombie movies.[31][32][33][34]

In Fallout: New Vegas, the term zombie isn't used as frequently as in Fallout 3, but the player character does use the term to insult and threaten Grecks into paying back caps owed to Francine Garret,[35][36][37] and Raul Tejada uses the word zombie when referring to a nickname of his.[38]

See also[]

References[]

  1. The Lone Wanderer: "All true, except for the part about the mutants, the water and the whore."
    Crowley: "Ha, ha! I like a human that knows his place. Too many of you think we're all just zombies. They don’t know, or don’t care, that we’re just as human as they are inside. We bleed! We hurt! We regret! And you know what really pisses me off? They think the only way to kill us is to shoot us in the head, like in the old zombie stories, and that will put us out of our misery. Hey, I know! Maybe you could help me even the score."
    (Crowley's dialogue)
  2. The Lone Wanderer: "Jesus Christ! What are you?"
    Winthrop: "Now tell me, how is it that you ended up down here in Ghoul central without knowing what a Ghoul is? Huh? You know, never mind. I'm a Ghoul. Everyone down here: Ghouls. That's what we are. And before you ask "what's a Ghoul", lemme tell you. We're not the walking dead, despite the rotten flesh and the smell. We're mutants... sort of. At least, I think we are."
    The Lone Wanderer: "Wait... what are you again?"
    Winthrop: "You got wax in your ears? We're Ghouls mutants with rotting flesh. It's not a big deal, I got used to it. So will you. You know, nevermind. I'm a Ghoul. Everyone down here: Ghouls. That's what we are. And before you ask "what's a Ghoul", lemme tell you. We're not the walking dead, despite the rotten flesh and the smell. We're mutants... sort of. At least, I think we are."
    (Winthrop's dialogue)
  3. Tenpeny Tower terminal entries, Exploration Database, Feral Ghouls
  4. The Vault Dweller: "{114}{}{So what are you doing here?}"
    Ganger: "{116}{}{I'm supposed to make sure no one goes by. Dis is Zombie house.}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{117}{}{What's a Zombie?}"
    Ganger: "{119}{}{Not a what . . . A WHO. We are the Zombies. If we do good, Set'll make us one of his guards. Now that's all I'm gonna tell you.}"
    (Ganger's dialogue)
  5. The Vault Dweller: "{124}{}{Nah, I want to go in.}"
    Ganger: "{126}{}{I don't think so. Get out before I call the boyz over and dance on your face.}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{127}{}{Is that a threat?}"
    Ganger: "{129}{}{It was. Now it's a fact. ZOMBIES!}"
    Ganger: "{131}{}{HEY, ZOMBIES, WE GOT US A PUNCHIN' BAG!}"
    (Ganger's dialogue)
  6. Ganger: "{101}{}{What are you doing here? Answer wisely - this could be your only chance . . .}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{105}{}{Duh.}"
    Ganger: "{131}{}{HEY, ZOMBIES, WE GOT US A PUNCHIN' BAG!}"
    (Ganger's dialogue)
  7. 7.0 7.1 The Vault Dweller: "{315}{}{What I'm seeing are a bunch of zombies! }"
    Slummer: "{300}{}{We're not zombies! When I was a member of the Fighting Flesh street gang, I was a psychotic fool who did anything that the higher-ups told me to do! Praise to the Master that I am no longer so blind! Oh, praise the Master! Let's praise him together, shall we? }"
    (Slummer's dialogue)
  8. 8.0 8.1 The Vault Dweller: "{120}{}{Sorry, it's been a tough week. So what can you tell me about this place? }"
    Slummer: "{207}{}{Have you never been to the Cathedral before? This is a place of Peace and Unity. This is a place where differences are forgotten and we seek a future of unity and prosperity for all. A future where the horrors that our ancestors inflicted on us can never happen again! }"
    The Vault Dweller: "{211}{}{How can you be so sure this ain't some form of mind control? }"
    Slummer: "{300}{}{We're not zombies! When I was a member of the Fighting Flesh street gang, I was a psychotic fool who did anything that the higher-ups told me to do! Praise to the Master that I am no longer so blind! Oh, praise the Master! Let's praise him together, shall we? }"
    (Slummer's dialogue)
  9. The Vault Dweller: "{221}{}{Why should I praise the Master? Go on, convince me. }"
    Slummer: "{313}{}{Open your heart. Open your mind. Listen to what people are saying, and you will find enlightenment. }"
    The Vault Dweller: "{319}{}{You zombies make me sick! I want to kill each and every one of you! }"
    Slummer: "{276}{}{If you do not like it here, you can leave. Praise the Master, and have a nice day. }"
    (Slummer's dialogue)
  10. The Vault Dweller: "{116}{}{I seek the guidance of the Cathedral.}"
    Lasher: "{168}{}{Learn to embrace pain as your closest friend, for pain is the most instructive force in the universe. Break yourself until you can exist no longer as an individual, then remake yourself into the Master’s tool. That is the solution to all of your problems.}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{170}{}{Yeah, I want to get enough brain damage that I'll join a zombie cult! Dream on, pal!}"
    Lasher: "{212}{}{Your tongue is a wicked thing that is beyond redemption. Get out of my sight!}"
    (Lasher's dialogue)
  11. The Vault Dweller: "{187}{}{Hello kid. Can you tell me what this place is about?}"
    Calder: "{192}{}{This is the Cathedral of the Children of the Cathedral. I don't know why they say Cathedral twice. We worship the Master, and we yell a lot about Peace and Unity. It sounds kind of dumb, but the Master's real smart, so I guess it must be okay.}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{196}{}{What kind of a brainwashed little fool are you? You're going to grow up to be one of these zombies! I should kill you now!}"
    Calder: "{113}{}{Nightkin! Nightkin!}"
    (Calder's dialogue)
  12. The Vault Dweller: "{180}{}{You seem a little too intelligent for this pack of zombies.}"
    "{213}{}{You seem a little too intelligent for this pack of zombies.}"
    "{220}{}{You seem a little too intelligent for this pack of zombies.}"
    (Viola's dialogue)
  13. [clarification needed]: "# 17. Children, Non-Brainwashed
    1. Get some zombies in here to take care of this pest!

    "{2625}{}{You're an even bigger loser than the zombies!}"
    "{2627}{}{You're an even bigger loser than the zombies!}"
    (COMBATAI.MSG (Fallout))
  14. Ton Barracus: "{134}{}{Hello, miss. I am Ton, 2,000 pounds of the Master's toughest fighter. I have also been evolved by the FEV into something that you need to check out. Let's get it on, baby.}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{136}{}{That's a little too fast. Let's get to know each other first.}"
    Ton Barracus: "{178}{}{Life is too short for that. Let me show you why you don't want to wait.}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{179}{}{But I want someone who knows what's going on.}"
    Ton Barracus: "{214}{}{Well baby, what's going on is that there are a lot of zombies chanting, a lot of people dying and the Children are going to take over everything. And there's you and me and nothing else matters!}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{215}{}{But Barracas, darling, surely there's more going on than that . . .}"
    Ton Barracus: "{234}{}{Nothing important as you and me. Unfortunately, this is the worst place on earth to experience what Ton does best. Too many zombies cramp my style. I'll let you know when I think about some place more convenient . . .}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{216}{}{Oh, Ton!}"
    Ton Barracus: "{219}{}{Unfortunately, this is the worst place on earth to experience what Ton does best. Too many zombies cramp my style. I'll let you know when I think about some place more convenient . . .}"
    (Ton Barracus' dialogue) Note: These lines are spoken if the player character is female. Lines 215 and 234 and 216 and 219 are alternate pairs.
  15. Ton Barracus: "{122}{}{What do you want, you stupid zombie? Get outta my face before I break it.}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{125}{}{Any time, pal. I've been waiting for a good scrap!}"
    Ton Barracus: "{162}{}{What are you doing dressed like a zombie? If you got the 'tude, you gotta let it show!}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{166}{}{I've been thinking of converting.}"
    Ton Barracus: "{201}{}{Converting? Well, good luck. You'll need it.}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{202}{}{Why would I need luck?}"
    Ton Barracus: "{228}{}{The conversion isn't easy. You see these people, all these zombies? They used to be like you and me. Ton survived. These people didn't. But why should Ton care about you?}"
    (Ton Barracus' dialogue)
  16. The Vault Dweller: "{163}{}{What's this place used for?}"
    Dane: "{170}{}{This is the baptismal. They make Servitors here. When acolytes have been indoctrinated, they bring them here and they go through the process. A few of them survive . . .}"
    "{171}{}{Most lose their minds, but they're still useful. They throw them downstairs, rant at them about the Master and walk around in a stupor. You've seen the zombies. Great slave labor -- and soldiers . . .}"
    "{172}{}{John Brown's body is molderin' in the Grave. John Brown's body is molderin' in the Grave, John Brown's body is a-molderin' in the Grave, and the Master's screwing us overrrrr . . .}"
    "{173}{}{Stop that. It's getting real difficult to hold myself together.}"
    "{197}{}{Ooops! I can't keep myself together anymore! Whee! Whee! Whee!}"
    (Dane's dialogue)
  17. 17.0 17.1 Dane: "{159}{}{You know, I used to think religion was a noble calling, and maybe it is; but you can't walk into it blindly, or they'll take control of your brain.}"
    "{160}{}{. . . zombies are a disgrace to God, you know.}"
    "{161}{}{But why does God make people who break so easily?}"
    "{162}{}{I think I can finally answer some questions now. Sorry it took so long.}"
    (Dane's dialogue)
  18. Zark: "{108}{}{Yeah. What do you want?}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{109}{}{Man, I just want to speak with a real human being. These zombies are giving me the creeps.}"
    (Zark's dialogue)
  19. Zark: "{108}{}{Yeah. What do you want?}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{110}{}{Brother, will you not praise the Master with me?}"
    Zark: "{239}{}{The Master can kiss my ass. Just as long as I end up on the winning side, I don't give a shit. You got that, zombie!}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{242}{}{How can you survive around here with that attitude?}"
    Zark: "{245}{}{Because I do my job good. I've killed three Apocalypse scum in the last month. Nobody gives me shit. You want to?}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{249}{}{Nope.}"
    Zark: "{259}{}{Thought so. Why don't you just go back to your zombie chants and leave the real work to guys like me.}"
    (Zark's dialogue)
  20. The Vault Dweller: "{118}{}{Where's the Master?}"
    Zark: "{186}{}{I don't know! The only person who's seen him is Morpheus, and he's up in his tower. Man, you're creeping me!}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{188}{}{Tell me more about Morpheus!}"
    Zark: "{203}{}{The guy dresses in black, he does his preacher act, then he goes upstairs and counts his scripts. Man, I wish I had it that easy! But I better stop talking about him behind his back, or the Nightkin might hear.}"
    The Vault Dweller: "{207}{}{What's he preaching about?}"
    Zark: "{229}{}{You gotta be joking. Talk to the zombies, man!}"
    (Zark's dialogue)
  21. The Vault Dweller: "{127}{}{What do you know about Necropolis?}"
    Patrick the Celt: "{140}{}{Necropolis is the city of the dead. It's inhabited by ghouls, the descendants of humans who sought shelter in a Vault there. Story goes that the Vault failed somehow, so now the only inhabitants are carrion-eating monsters.}"
    (Patrick the Celt's dialogue)
  22. Slummer's character description: "{100}{}{You see a zombie. }"
    (Slummer's dialogue)
  23. The Chosen One: "{195}{}{On second thought, I must have a hole in my head for wanting to buy drinks for a bunch of rotting zombies.}"
    Wooz: "{320}{}{Zombies? Fuck you! We’re ghouls. Zombies are a type of undead with no free will. Although we share certain physical characteristics -- most notably, the rotting flesh and characteristic morbidity -- we are creatures of free will. Allow me to demonstrate.}"
    The Chosen One: "{330}{}{I am demonstrating my free will by telling you to GET OUT! Damn smoothskin bigot. Go back to Vault City, where you belong.}"
    Wooz: "{331}{}{Ghouls, zombies, who cares? You’re all freaks.}"
    (Wooz's dialogue)
  24. The Chosen One: "{441}{}{Before the war? But that was a long time ago.}"
    Wooz: "{460}{}{It sure was a long time ago. How do you think ghouls are made? You think some of us just got up one fine day and said to ourselves: "Gee, I wonder what it’d be like to have my flesh rotting off my fucking body?"}"
    The Chosen One: "{461}{}{Well, no, I didn’t. Say, how do you make a ghoul?}"
    Wooz: "{490}{}{With silver-bells and cockleshells and… Boy, you are dumb, aren’t you? Severe radiation. That’s how. How do you think? You know, many bombs go boom, flash of light and heat, flesh burns off, but you don’t-quite-die-type severe radiation?}"
    (Wooz's dialogue)
  25. Child: "{119}{}{Eeeek! A zombie!}"
    ('s dialogue) Note: This line is spoken if Lenny is in the party.
  26. The Lone Wanderer: "I know what a Ghoul is. Now get away from me, zombie."
    Gob: "Yeah... great. What do you need? ... asshole ..."
    (Gob's dialogue)
  27. The Lone Wanderer: "She your new toy, zombie?"
    Barrows: "That kind of talk is uncalled for. I was, am and always will be a doctor of medicine. I don't care if she was a Super Mutant. I'd still help her. If they hauled your sorry, shot-up body into my clinic, I'd try and save you too."
    (Barrows' dialogue)
  28. The Lone Wanderer: "Yeah sure, I'm here for everything you got. Hand it over, zombie!"
    Murphy: "No! No way! You're not taking the formula from me!"
    (Murphy's dialogue)
  29. The Lone Wanderer: "Stop trying to talk your way out of this, zombie!"
    Murphy: "What the hell is your problem? Fine! You're gonna be like that..."
    (Murphy's dialogue)
  30. The Lone Wanderer: "What the hell's a Ghoul anyway? Some kind of diseased human?"
    Gustavo: "The radiation slowly eats away their brain, then they go zombie on you. It's better for everyone to kill them before all that, if you ask me."
    (Gustavo's dialogue)
  31. The Lone Wanderer: "Milk sucking? You shuffle stepping, brain eating, grave loving zombie!"
    Crowley: "Another human bigot. It figures. Go mate with a Super Mutant."
    (Crowley's dialogue)
  32. The Lone Wanderer: "Maybe. I don't know if I trust you."
    Crowley: "The feeling's mutual, smoothskin. But that never stopped a business deal. A lot of you humans are bigots. You don't like Ghouls and treat us like zombies, calling us brain eaters and shufflers. Well, they're going to pay. Uh...before I get into the details, you don't have anything against killing do you?"
    (Crowley's dialogue)
  33. The Lone Wanderer: "Okay. What's the plan?"
    Crowley: "Not everyone is as sympathetic to Ghouls as you are. In fact some humans are downright bigots. They treat us like zombies, calling us brain eaters and shufflers. Well, I'm going to make them pay. Uh...before I get into the details, you don't have anything against killing do you?"
    (Crowley's dialogue)
  34. The Lone Wanderer: "What can you tell me about Mister Crowley?"
    Greta: "He's an odd one. Why just a few months ago he decided he didn't like people calling us zombies. No Ghoul likes to be called a zombie, but Crowley was going up to humans and almost daring them to do it."
    (Greta's dialogue)
  35. The Courier: "You cheapass zombie. You need to pay my extra fee."
    Grecks: "[FAILED] Hey, I'm tapped out, man. I've got nothing left but the clothes on my back."
    (Grecks' dialogue)
  36. The Courier: "Thanks for the caps, now enjoy the zombie afterlife."
    Grecks: "Oh God! Help! Help!"
    (Grecks' dialogue)
  37. The Courier: "Seriously zombie, are you looking at me or someone off that direction?!"
    Grecks: "That's it! No one insults the eye!"
    (Grecks' dialogue)
  38. The Courier: "Where'd you get that Vaquero outfit?"
    Raul Tejada: "I found it in a costume shop. It was sort of my calling card, you know? "Raul the Ghoul, the zombie vaquero of Mexico City."
    (Raul Tejada's dialogue)
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