Fallout 76, the latest installment of developer Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic role-playing series is coming out for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on November 14. In addition to switching up the usual Fallout formula by going online (!), Bethesda is introducing a new setting: West Virginia.
At E3 this week, they gave us a quick look at how West Virginian folklore is informing the beasts players will encounter during their treks across the wasteland beyond the usual Radroaches, Super Mutants, and Deathclaws. Read on to learn more about these unique creature ripped straight from the area’s real-life campfire stories.
Mothman
Mothman is one of the most mysterious mythical monsters in America. An image search on the internet will pull a variety of interpretations. But they all agree that this thing has glowing eyes and wings. People often blame this creature for the collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967. That’s because a bunch of people saw Mothman, and then the bridge collapsed. And people who are likely to believe in a huge winged thing with glowing bug eyes are likely to make all kinds of connections.
Flatwoods Monster
We’ve only seen some concept art on these alien creatures. But the story goes that in 1952, four locals followed some strange lights in the sky and encountered this 10-foot-tall being. According to their reports, the thing started floating toward them while hissing, and that was all the reason they needed to run away. Of course, unlike our Fallout 76 characters, they didn’t have Power Armor and Mini Nukes.
Morgan’s Ridge Monster
This is a guess, but the weird, cloaked figure we saw for a second during Bethesda’s presentation is probably a Morgan’s Ridge Monster. The stories say that these are a species of Sasquatch that lurk around and do slightly weirder things than their larger cousins in the Pacific Northwest. They’re typically white — as are many of the area’s cryptozoological inhabitants. And as much as we’d hope to see a Sheepsquatch show up in Fallout 76, we don’t think we’re looking at one here.
Grafton Monster
The huge, white Grafton Monster has no head, but it doesn’t need one to crush you with its giant arms. This is yet another “white thing” of regional folklore. Others include the Morgan’s Ridge Monster above and a variety of “devil dogs” that roam the countryside. But the Grafton Monster is unique in that it’s not just an evil version of an existing animal. It’s its own thing, and it’s terrifying.
Wendigo
Players of 2015 interactive horror movie Until Dawn have already encountered this thing in a video game. The Wendigo legend isn’t limited to the Appalachians, however. It traveled across the Great Plains as people went West in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Wendigo is reportedly tied to cannibalism, but the Fallout 76 version may just be a crazy, lithe monster that is sure to give us nightmares.
Snallygaster
This lizard-like abomination is a Snallygaster. Legend says that these dragon-like things terrorized the first European settlers near present-day Frederick County, Maryland. (Apparently they didn’t bother the Native Americans before that, but folklore is strange that way.) Stories about the Snallygaster died out before rekindling during the 19th century. The hoaxed-up sightings were so convincing that U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt reportedly swore to hunt it himself. In Fallout 76, it appears that these nasty beasts have migrated across the Maryland border, so whenever you encounter one in the game, feel free to curse Roosevelt for not following through.
Pre-order Fallout 76 now for an exclusive Vault Boy sticker, only at GameStop.
