Summary
The wastelands ofFalloutare filled with colorful characters and NPCs. Amazon’sFalloutseries did a great job at encapsulating the diversity of the people who inhabit the wasteland in the centuries of the aftermath following the Great War, and one character made specifically for theFalloutTV series would make for a fantastic NPC inFallout 5. The snake oil salesman is a recurring character in Amazon’sFallout, and appears in three episodes across the series. Aside from consistent comic relief, he has the makings of a great video game NPC, much like M’aiq the Liar fromSkyrim, who appears in every game inThe Elder Scrollswithout much explanation.
Despite only appearing in three episodes, the snake oil salesman fulfills a character archetype of a recurring side character who gets by with only their wiles. His “medicine”, which he uses to heal Thaddeus from an injury, but likely also transforms him into a ghoul, also comes with implications that make him far more interesting than his sleazy exterior communicates. While he doesn’t have the makings of a major character, he hasevery characteristic needed for an interestingFalloutNPC.
How Amazon’s Fallout Created a Character Who Could Become a Classic
The snake oil salesman inFalloutmakes his first appearance in episode two of the series, where Maximus saves him from being killed by an irate chicken farmer. Maximus deescalates the situation, and the salesman is seen later onthe outskirts of Filly. The crowd on the main road to Filly doesn’t give the snake oil salesman a much better reception than the farmer, and his attempts to get the attention of passersby by noticing any possible maladies they may have and yelling that he has the cure for them doesn’t help him. He’s a recurring character throughout episode two, and an observer of the violence that happens throughout the episode.
His most interesting moment, however, happens in episode seven, where a severely injured Thaddeus sees the snake oil salesman about his mutilated foot. The salesman uses quick thinking to talk Thaddeus out of killing him and creates a concoction that Thaddeus inhales that instantly heals his injured foot. Thaddeus is incredibly grateful and pays the snake oil salesman witha fusion core. However, not everything is as it seems, and later it’s implied that the medicine has triggered Thaddeus' transformation into a ghoul.
The Possible Future Roles of the Snake Oil Salesman in Fallout 5
AnyFallout 5release is still likely to be some years away, but the snake oil salesman would be a great addition to it when it’s released. As a recurring character, the snake oil salesman works well as a commentator on the setting, much like M’aiq the Liar inThe Elder Scrolls, orConrad Verner inMass Effect. The snake oil salesman also has the potential to give funny and interesting quests that don’t have to be epic but could still be fun and well-written and shine a light on the setting.
This wouldn’t be the first time that the snake oil salesman appears in aFalloutgame, as he appears inFallout Shelter. He comes with a Sleazy Suit, and is notable forhis S.P.E.C.I.A.L stats, most of which are mediocre except for his 8 Charisma and 8 Intelligence. Quests involving him inFallout 5could involve rescuing him from raiders, retrieving his goods, or possibly being scammed by him and getting retribution later.
