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Background

You'll receive the quest "Back in the Saddle" from Doc Mitchell (#1) at the end of the quest Ain't That a Kick in the Head.


Walkthrough

Mitchell will suggest that you meet up with Sunny Smiles, who might be able to teach you a few things about how to "fend for yourself in the desert." You'll find Sunny in the Prospector Saloon (#2). When you talk to her there, she'll agree to help you out, and she'll ask you to meet her behind the saloon. When you arrive there, she'll hand you a Varmint Rifle (which you'll automatically equip) plus some ammunition, and she'll give you a short tutorial about guns and how to use them.

After shooting some bottles, Sunny will offer to let you accompany her on one of her gecko patrols. This is optional, but if you decide to go then you'll need to follow Sunny to the Goodsprings Source to the southeast (via #3), where she'll help you defeat three groups of geckos and reward you with some more ammunition, 50 bottle caps, and 50 xp. That will conclude the quest "Back in the Saddle."

Note: In the third gecko battle, you'll help protect a Goodsprings settler. If the settler survives and if you talk to her afterwards, then she'll reward you with three bottles of Purified Water and some Goodsprings fame.

After defeating the geckos, Sunny will offer to instruct you on the finer arts of crafting, and if you agree to continue on with her tutorial, then you'll receive the quest "By a Campfire on the Trail." To cook something up, Sunny will ask you to tack down a Broc Flower and some Xander Root, which you'll find in the cemetery (#4) and by the schoolhouse (#5), respectively. When you bring the items to Sunny (by the campfire near the Goodsprings Source), she'll show you how to make Healing Powder.

Note: Be careful by the schoolhouse. You'll encounter some giant mantis nymphs there (inside and outside).

After completing Sunny's tasks, or once you've opted out of the tutorial, Sunny will recommend that you introduce yourself to Trudy in the saloon (#2). When you get there, you'll be just in time to witness an argument between Trudy and a "powder ganger" named Joe Cobb. Cobb will demand that Trudy hand over a trader named Ringo, but Trudy won't exactly rush to comply, and Cobb will leave. If you ask Trudy about the confrontation, then you'll eventually be able to take a side in the conflict, and either pick up the quest Ghost Town Gunfight or Run Goodsprings Run. But regardless, talking to Trudy will complete the current quest you're on (either "Back in the Saddle" or "By a Campfire on the Trail") and earn you 50 xp.


1 - Doc Mitchell's House


2 - Prospector Saloon


3 - Road to Goodsprings Source


4 - Cemetery


5 - Schoolhouse