“ Oh, I don't know anything, mister. I just think it, and then I don't. ”

Clay,[1] more commonly known as The Forecaster, is a young Psyker with clairvoyance living under the bridge at the 188 trading post in 2281.

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Background Edit

As a clairvoyant psyker, The Forecaster is capable of effortlessly seeing both the future and the past[1] and the occasional spirit communication with his parents.[2] Combined with his sharp senses, the Forecaster can make surprising insights into people and politics, though he suffers terrible migraines whenever his thoughts reach out. To deal with it, he wears "medicine". His medicine is actually a century-old psychic nullifier, which blocks incoming and outgoing thoughts, allowing him to enjoy peace of mind.[3] However, while it prevents the migraines, it also blanks his mind. The Forecaster deals with this uncomfortable state by surrounding himself with ancient artifacts: Books, cameras, flags, and such. The thoughts of the people who made them are "stuck" within, for a lack of a better word, and the Forecaster can safely fill the blank in using them.[4]

The Forecaster has lost both of his parents at an early age, forcing him to find work in order to survive in the harsh wastelands.[2] Thanks to a unique mutation, he didn't have to pick up the shovel or the pickaxe. Instead, he started picking people's brains. Some were rightly impressed (while otherwise creeped out) by this power of his and others are skeptical at best or dismissive at worst.[5] Either way, the Forecaster sells his services for a considerably costly amount, but understandably so since his thoughts cause him immense amounts of pain. And besides, he knows that everyone will come back to him eventually.[6]

Interactions with the player character Edit

Interactions overview Edit

Quests Edit

Thought for the Day: There is a dialogue option to offer to buy his headgear, but he will refuse the offer. There are also options to "hear his thoughts" on "You," "Here" or "Everywhere," which cost 100 caps each. He is basically a fortune teller. Questioning him about his odd and disjointed collection of pre-War junk will lead him to explain that it's not junk at all, but other peoples' thoughts, because people had to think to make them.

Inventory Edit

Apparel Weapon Other items Wasteland scout uniform

Psychic nullifier

Notes Edit

The Forecaster adequately sums up many of the themes and paradigms for almost every faction and the entire Mojave Wasteland in a few short sentences.

His headgear is a psychic nullifier, a nod to the original Fallout . It cannot be pickpocketed. Therefore, it is only obtainable through console commands.

. It cannot be pickpocketed. Therefore, it is only obtainable through console commands. His wasteland scout uniform can be reverse pickpocketed.

Behind the scenes Edit

The Forecaster was designed by Joshua Sawyer and written/scripted by John Gonzalez.[7] Sawyer was inspired by the experiments of the Cathedral in Fallout and the concept of psykers. He also wanted the first child the player would likely meet to be friendly and helpful. Commenting on supernatural themes in the Fallout series, Sawyer later stated that he somewhat regretted going "a little over the edge" with the Forecaster's powers.[8]

Quotes Edit

“ I can relate to the forecaster bc I have migraines everyday as well. I've had them everyday for the past 11 years. How did you guys come up with him and does his "medicine" actually help him?

Joshua Sawyer: He was inspired by the experiments performed in the Cathedral in Fallout 1. The Master's minions were performing experiments with psykers. The psychic nullifiers they wore were part of the experiments. He's honest when he says the nullifier makes him feel better, but we don't explain how or why. I also wanted the first child the player was (likely) to meet to be friendly and helpful. I also wanted the first child the player was (likely) to meet to be friendly and helpful. ” Joshua Sawyer Formspring answers

Appearances Edit

The Forecaster appears only in Fallout: New Vegas.

Bugs Edit

PC Playstation 3 If the player character has the Mister Sandman perk, visits the Forecaster at night and tries to pickpocket him while he sleeps, he will get the murder option. However, The Forecaster is a kid and cannot die, but the player character still gets the bonus XP.[verified]