Can anybody suggest a course of action without giving away "too much"? Apparently I'm running out of time to get that water chip for my vault. After scouring Vault 15, I messed around in the various areas, ending up sending Water Merchants to Vault 13 that bought me another 100 days. But I'm not really sure what to do now...

Suggestions? I know it's open world, but I'm interested in just being a good guy and trying to help out my peeps... :P

Easy to miss, even if you've visited the right place, but you should have gotten some hint from someone in the hub of where to look from.

So... would it reveal too much if I'd say you should have gotten a hint you should next head out to Necropolis? Because the ghouls might have some further info there.

No, that's fine, thanks. Maybe I need to ask around more. (I have yet to even hear of Necropolis mentioned, oddly.)

How much time do you actually have left? The actual getting of the water chip actually only takes a few days, and thats mostly the travel from a certain town to Vault 13.

As for a hint:

They say there is nothing new under the sun, But under the ground...

Thanks, too. :) I have quite a few days left, I just wasn't sure how to proceed. I may have to resort to a walkthrough now and then, although I was hoping to not have to. :P

I think you can go to Necropolis if you work for the Hub's caravans.
Better to be well equipped before going there.
Just don't wait too long to go there (besides Vault-13 running out of water - the obvious reason - other event may happen if you take too long). You'll know what I mean.

Cation is your friend when you venture to Necropolis....

Beware of the big greens

Killian in Junktown, Mat outside the Hub, the head of the Water Merchants, and Butch at Far Go Traders can all put Necropolis on your map, and the Crimson Caravan company sends a caravan there twice a month, which you can tag along with. There are a couple of random wilderness encounters that will mark it for you also, and you get the occasional "I've heard about a city of ghouls somewhere!" rumor, but all you ever get are hints, really. There's never a neon sign pointing to where you need to go, which has led to quite a few lost people over the years.

Thanks to everyone who gave me info. Unfortunately, I think I may just restart and try a walkthrough; I wouldn't mind building up my stats and whatnot (had a nice thing going working for the Water Merchants), but I guess the Vaults days are numbered, and I still don't really know what to do. I found Necropolis and some "junk" in the sewer that may be the water chip, but I really don't know what to do now. Fallout's a good game, but the lack of hints or ideas is kind of frustrating. As bad as it is, part of me just wants to let Vault 13 die of dehydration and go do my own thing, but I'm guessing the game would end (like it did when the mutants took over Vault 13). Where's the pure freedom to do whatever you want? :P

Anyways, if you guys want to tell me what to do, I would appreciate it, but if not, that's fine too. :P

If you don't mind spoilers, read this:
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To find the chip, first you need to explore the tunnels. Soon or later, you'll find some friendly ghouls. Make a deal with them (Fix their water pump. You'll need junk to fix it), or just kill them all. Going to the surface again, search for a building with some mutants near it. You'll meet a mutant who you can talk to. Try to convince him you're a ghoul, or just kill him and his buddies. In case you're a good guy, consider freeing the ghoul imprisoned near the water pump room. Near him you'll find a small room with a stair that goes to the sewer, use it. You'll find some ghouls protecting the entrance to the vault. Use the elevator and go to the last floor to find the water chip. Good luck!

It's just this quest's that's timed and you're already in the right place.
The game doesn't end with you returning the chip, after that there's a lot more freedom.

There are a few "what the hell should I do" moments. This being one of them.

BTW. Make a separate backup save before going into the "Glow" later on.
Because that's one frustrating place and you're likely to end up in a bad situation with no way to survive.


* * Necropolis Spoiler * *
from http://www.gamebanshee.com/fallout/locations/necropolis.php

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"In the northeast section of the Watershed map, in the building where the super mutants were/are, there is a room just to the south of the water pump with a hole leading to another section of the sewers. It really leads to the 1st level of the Vault, named Vault 12 (though the game does not tell you this). Enter the 1st level, defeat a couple glowing ghouls who radiate you when they hit (for low radiation that you shouldn't worry about), search the area, and enter the elevator to the 2nd level. Search that area for some more ghouls and 2 Rad-X from a locker, which can come in useful for your next destination (after returning the chip), The Glow.

On level three, hunt for the only working computer, and use it to remove the water chip and receive roughly 1000xp. Use your Science skill on the computer first if you're having difficulty taking the water chip."

I'm having a same kind of dilemma myself. But then again, I'm still in Vault 15 after screwing around in a bunch of towns and almost getting myself killed multiple times.

this game can be quite forgiving and is great for replaying so dont forget to simply explore and enjoy :)

Thanks man. Truthfully, though, I haven't tried playing again. Maybe I'll play during Christmas break, because I have college starting up again in a few days. :)