Introduction
Fallout: New Vegas isn’t just about the sprawling Mojave Wasteland; it’s about the unforgettable individuals who call it home. Among the many compelling companions the Courier can recruit, Raul Tejada stands out. He’s more than just a ghoul; he’s a repairman with a checkered past, haunted by the echoes of a life lived long before the Great War. Recruiting him unlocks a unique companion quest that can drastically change his personality and combat style. “Ghoul, interrupted,” Raul’s quest line, is a journey of reflection, forcing the old vaquero to confront his trauma and decide what kind of person he wants to be. This guide will delve into every aspect of Raul’s quest, providing a comprehensive walkthrough and detailing the significant choices that will shape his future.
Recruiting the Vaquero
First, you have to find him. Raul Tejada is initially located in Black Mountain, a heavily guarded radio station overrun by Super Mutants and led by the charismatic Nightkin, Tabitha. To reach Raul, you’ll need to navigate through the treacherous paths of Black Mountain, battling Super Mutants along the way. You’ll find Raul locked in a small prison cell inside the main broadcast building. Liberating him requires either picking the lock on the cell door (a challenging task) or acquiring the key from Tabitha. After freeing him, Raul will be grateful and offer his services as a companion. He’s a skilled repairman who can maintain your equipment and provide covering fire.
Initiating the Journey of Remembrance
Raul’s personal quest, “Ghoul, interrupted,” won’t begin immediately. To trigger it, you’ll need to travel with him for a sufficient amount of time. This allows him to develop a bond with the Courier, and it’s necessary for him to start opening up about his past. The fastest way to increase Raul’s affinity is to bring him to locations related to the NCR, or to make decisions in conversation that align with his sense of justice. Once his affinity reaches a certain threshold, he will begin sharing more detailed memories of his past life as a vaquero. These conversations are the key to triggering the main questline.
A Wasteland Pilgrimage: Key Destinations
Raul’s quest takes the Courier and the old ghoul to several locations that hold significance to his past. Each location holds pieces of Raul’s history, both good and bad.
Vault Fifteen
This Vault is a significant site because it was once Raul’s home. It now is overrun with raiders, a far cry from the Vault’s intended purpose. Exploring Vault Fifteen with Raul provides the first concrete step toward piecing together the fragmented memories of his life.
Black Rock Cave
This location is relevant to the quest because a former lover of Raul’s resides here. Learning her fate helps Raul to address some of his past emotional pain.
Camp McCarran
Visiting Camp McCarran and speaking with Major Polatli offers a different perspective on Raul’s past actions. It can help Raul understand the impact of his choices and provide some closure to events that haunt him.
Meeting the Ghosts of Yesterday
Several individuals play pivotal roles in Raul’s quest, each offering different perspectives on his life and character.
Loyal
As a fellow ghoul and old friend, Loyal offers a perspective on Raul’s past actions, often providing context and support. His insights can help Raul contextualize his current situation and make decisions about his future.
Antonia
Interacting with Antonia sheds light on Raul’s life as a rancher, presenting him as a figure of respect and authority in the community. Talking to Antonia can help Raul remember the positive aspects of his past, and counter some of the pain he has suffered.
Major Polatli
Major Polatli’s perspective is important because she represents the modern-day military, and it is through talking with her that Raul can understand how war changed him. She helps Raul to come to terms with the darker aspects of his past.
The Crossroads of Change
The heart of Raul’s quest lies in a critical decision: whether he embraces his past as a skilled gunslinger or strives to leave that violent life behind. This choice dramatically alters his combat style and reflects his evolving personality. The Courier’s influence plays a decisive role in this transformation. As Raul reveals the fragments of his past, the Courier can influence him either toward embracing the old ways, or finding peace in his new role as a repairman.
The Path of the Vaquero
Encouraging Raul to embrace his past leads him to hone his combat skills, becoming a formidable gunslinger once again. He will don his vaquero outfit and carry his classic revolver, becoming more powerful in combat. His skills in ranged combat will increase dramatically.
The Path of Peace
Guiding Raul towards leaving behind his past as a vaquero results in him focusing on his skills as a repairman. In this path, he will focus on maintaining equipment and avoiding violence. He will also be slower in combat, and less inclined to engage in it.
His dialogues will reflect his chosen path, demonstrating a shift in perspective and demeanor. If he embraces his past, his dialogue becomes more aggressive, and his opinions about the need for violence become more pronounced. If he decides to embrace peace, his dialogue will focus on the values of moderation, peace, and avoiding conflict.
Consequences of Choice: Remaking Raul
The final outcome of Raul’s quest has a profound impact on his character. If he embraces his past as a vaquero, his appearance changes, reflecting his re-embraced identity. He will wear traditional vaquero armor, and become more confident. His combat skills improve significantly, making him a more powerful ally in combat. The dialogues shift to reflect his renewed sense of purpose. If Raul embraces his peaceful future, he will retain his current appearance and continue to wear his mechanic suit. He will focus more on armor and weapon repairs, and be less eager to engage in direct combat. The choice the Courier makes will profoundly affect Raul’s future.
Beyond gameplay mechanics, the quest touches upon themes of regret, redemption, and the burden of memory. It forces the Courier and Raul to contemplate the impact of past actions and the possibility of changing one’s fate. The quest highlights that even in a post-apocalyptic world, people still have the capacity to reflect and change.
Strategies for Success
To maximize your experience during Raul’s quest, it’s wise to be prepared. A good strategy is to complete the quest “Guess Who I Saw Today” before initiating Raul’s quest. Having good equipment will also greatly help. Carry repair kits, ammunition, and armor. A decent Speech skill can also be useful for navigating certain dialogues. In terms of level recommendations, it is ideal to start Raul’s quest when the Courier is somewhere between level fifteen and twenty, as some of the areas encountered during the quest can be dangerous for lower-level characters.
In Closing: More Than Just a Companion
Raul Tejada’s quest is more than just a side mission. It’s a journey of self-discovery and transformation. It exemplifies the depth and complexity of Fallout: New Vegas. Taking the time to explore his history and help him forge his future offers a deeply rewarding experience. In a world as brutal and unforgiving as the Mojave Wasteland, Raul’s tale serves as a reminder that even in the face of immense loss and hardship, people retain the capacity to change. And by embarking on this journey with him, you will be forced to contemplate the human cost of war. By helping him, you will also be helping yourself.
