The Frightened Engineer — The Outer Worlds Walkthrough
The quest 'The Frightened Engineer' is a side mission found in Emerald Vale, offering a glimpse into the personal struggles of the colonists and providing opportunities for valuable rewards. This quest often involves helping a distressed individual who is being harassed or threatened, requiring you to use your combat skills or diplomatic abilities to resolve the situation.
This quest typically begins when you encounter a specific NPC in or around Edgewater who is in distress. The most common trigger is finding a frightened engineer named Gladys. She is often found near the main path leading out of Edgewater, or sometimes within the town itself, expressing her fear and seeking help. She will explain that she is being harassed by a group of Marauders who are demanding something from her, or perhaps trying to force her to work for them.
Objective: Deal with the Marauders
Gladys will ask you to confront the Marauders who are bothering her. The location of these Marauders will be marked on your map. They are usually found in a small encampment or patrol route not too far from Edgewater.
When you arrive at the location, you will find a group of Marauders. Your approach here can vary:
- Combat: The most direct approach is to engage the Marauders in combat. They are typically low-level enemies, so a well-equipped character with decent combat skills should be able to handle them. Utilize cover and your companions to your advantage.
- Persuasion/Intimidation: If your character has invested in Social skills, particularly Persuade or Intimidate, you may be able to resolve the situation without resorting to violence. You might be able to convince the Marauders to leave Gladys alone, or perhaps intimidate them into backing down. This often requires passing a skill check in dialogue.
Objective: Return to Gladys
After you have dealt with the Marauders, you need to return to Gladys to report your success. She will be relieved and grateful for your intervention. As a reward for your help, she will typically offer you a sum of Bits (the in-game currency) and potentially some useful items, such as consumables or a piece of equipment.
Tips for 'The Frightened Engineer':
- Check Your Skills: Before heading out, ensure your combat skills are adequate or that your Social skills are high enough for a potential dialogue solution.
- Loot the Marauders: After defeating the Marauders, loot their bodies for ammunition, consumables, and any other items they might be carrying.
- Explore the Area: The area around the Marauder camp might contain additional loot or points of interest.
- Gladys's Location: If you can't find Gladys immediately, try checking the areas just outside Edgewater, particularly along the main paths.
This quest is a good early-game opportunity to practice combat or dialogue skills and earn some early rewards. It also serves to highlight the precarious lives of the colonists under corporate rule.