“That'll show those giant weeds not to mess with Susan! Oh, I mean, well done, sweetheart!I- *buzzing sound* Oh, he's back. My arch-nemesis! Beezlebub! You won't get my flowers, you audacious bug!”
Susan grew up before the Great War, and her childhood was marked by a period of "red scare" surrounding communists, something she remembers fondly years later.[1][2] She attended a girls' academy, or "finishing school," and she still remembers some of the people she met there, such as the particularly ugly Dorothy.[3] When the bombs dropped, Susan lost her entire family and everyone else she knew.[4]
However, Susan found a new family by running with a raider gang, with whom she terrorized traveling merchants, pillaged towns and brutally victimized wastelanders through a variety of means, including disembowelment,[5] slitting throats,[6] extracting teeth,[7] using human skin for leather tanning[8] and creating sweaters out of body parts.[6] She looks back on her violent, ruthless past with nonchalance, referencing her past atrocities with a cheery disposition.[9] She laments the more structured order of the Crater Raiders and reminisces on the days "before Crater," when one did not have to check in with a leader before murdering someone.[10] This may imply she was affiliated with the original raiders of Appalachia, though she also implies that her gang was predominantly composed of women, such as Sally Knickerbacker. At some point, "the girls" resolved to head west and continue building a legacy for many more years elsewhere. Susan instead chose to retire from raiding due to her advanced age, though she remembers her affiliation with the gang as the best years of her life.[5] Reflecting on where she would be now if not for the bombs dropping, Susan concludes that she would likely be in prison.[11]
Eventually, Susan settled down in a cabin east of Skyline Valley. She discovered that the cabin was adjacent to a blossoming meadow. Despite being composed of many different types of flowers (such as carnal weepers, crystalcups and radlilies),[12][13] the entire meadow acts like a perennial, blossoming in the spring and possessing an enduring lifespan, which is unusual for how many different types of flowers there are. Though she does not understand why this is the case, she is okay with not knowing and says that she would not "look a gift horse in the mouth."[14] Although she did not plant the flowers herself, Susan had already long since developed a hobby of making floral arrangements;[6] this is the origin of her nickname, referring to both her penchant for flowers and her ability to give people black eyes (though she says those days are past her).[15]
According to Susan herself, she eventually came to marry someone named Richard. However, she eventually murdered him and buried him in the meadow near the cabin. She implies that Richard doubting her history as a ruthless raider had a part in why she killed him.[16][17] Although she does not mention any children she may have had with Richard or any other partner, she does reference several grandchildren,[18] including Tyler, whom she calls a failure.[19] In one instance of Tyler's failures, he brought Susan macaroni art instead of a bomb, greatly disappointing her.[20] At one point, she had a pet named Daisy, who died at some point prior to 2105.[21] Although Susan calls Daisy a "pooch,"[22] Daisy was actually a domesticated yao guai; taming the yao guai was an accomplishment of which Susan was very proud.[21]
Although Susan has found retirement to be somewhat boring compared to her past life,[23] she has continued with her hobby as an amateur florist happily.[24] However, her life at the cabin has changed slightly since the arrival of Magellan from Atlantic City. Despite never meeting Magellan or interacting with the Overgrown, Susan was adversely affected by Magellan's death and the subsequent release of the Overgrown into Appalachia.[25] Magellan's caravan was wiped out close to her cabin by the freed Overgrown, spreading the creatures out across the nearby area and putting her under attack.[24] Susan herself has no idea where the Overgrown came from, and refers to them by a number of colloquial names,[26] though she has seen the remains of Magellan's caravan in the distance and speculates that someone brought them to Appalachia.[27] She has also had issues with honey beasts near the meadow, many of which have taken on floral appearances due to the flowers there.[2][28] The biggest of these honey beasts is Beezlebub, Giant Bee of Yore, whom Susan refers to as her "arch-nemesis."[29] Susan contests Beezlebub's dominance over the meadow, saying that she is the one who owns it, and she wants to kill the "giant monstrous irradiated bee" the next time it appears. Once Beezlebub is defeated and stops besieging her property, Susan plans to make honey cookies to celebrate.[30]
Event: The Big Bloom - Susan is the main announcer for this event, as she directs the event participants to collect flowers for her and deposit them in a basket outside her cabin. After this is completed, she asks that the players root out the "weeds" by setting the Overgrown on fire. The event concludes with a boss battle against Susan's arch-nemesis, Beezlebub, a giant honey beast. Throughout the event, Susan provides commentary and tips, and may help the players by firing her missile launcher at nearby enemies.
In one potential greeting to the player character, Susan mentions burying someone named Chastity in 2096. However, her relation to Chastity is unknown.[31]
One line of Susan's dialogue has a script note that implies she would use a Ripper in combat. However, she has been observed to use a missile launcher instead.[32]
Black-Eyed Susan can still be found at her cabin, even when The Big Bloom is not active as the current seasonal event. She will have the same dialogue as when she is interacted with outside the event.
During the first versions of the Public Test Server for Ghoul Within, Susan had a slightly different appearance. She was given a re-sculpted face, a different hairstyle and a large scar across her face in a later PTS patch.
Although the Ghoul Within update released in March 2025, The Big Bloom event was delayed to April 29. However, Black-Eyed Susan and her cabin were still introduced with the update's March release. Her dialogue includes a question asking about the Overgrown, despite the fact that at the time of Ghoul Within's release, The Big Bloom was not yet active and the Overgrown had never been observed around Susan's cabin by that point.[27]
Gallery
Susan during early versions of the Public Test Server
↑Vault 76 dweller: "You just casually created a minefield so you could pick flowers?" Black-Eyed Susan: "You look at me and see a decrepit old woman, but back in my day we used to lay toy mines in the street and run school drills to prepare for the Reds!We all have skeletons in our closets, sweetheart. My closet is just more of a mass grave, is all." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑ 2.02.1Black-Eyed Susan: "Sometimes I like to imagine the honeybeasts are commies. Makes them a lot easier to kill." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "You know, one of those leaf monsters sort of looked like Dorothy from finishing school... just a bit less ugly." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "Tell me more about you." Black-Eyed Susan: "Well, aren't you sweet? I'm afraid there's not much to tell, dearie.I was born long before everyone ate rads for supper instead of Cram. Those were the days!I lost everyone I knew after the war. But you know what they say about family. It's not always about blood.That's how I felt when I started running with my gang! We felt like we owned the whole wasteland together!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑ 5.05.1Vault 76 dweller: "Wait, what? You were in a gang?" Black-Eyed Susan: "I was! Best years of my life. Waylaying merchants, pillaging, disemboweling...I'll never forget the time I knit Sally Knickerbacker a sweater out of the lower intestines of a farmer. All sourced from organic materials.The girls wanted to head west and establish some kind of legacy. Keep the group going for many years to come.I felt I'd had enough stabbing and shooting for one lifetime, and decided to retire to focus on my hobbies." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑ 6.06.16.2Vault 76 dweller: "This is ridiculous. Have you looked around? Why would anyone waste their time picking flowers?!" Black-Eyed Susan: "Why, excuse me! If you were my grandchild I'd have you choking on a bar of soap!Ah hem, I mean, I'm retired, dearie! My days of slitting throats and crocheting sweaters out of the entrails of traveling merchants are long gone.Instead, I decided to pursue my hobby of creating floral arrangements full time." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "Back in my day, I would have rearranged your teeth into a collage!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "If you're trying to tan some leather, use human skin over brahmin. It's more durable!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "You remind me of myself when I was your age! Tough, ruthless, leaving a trail of bodies in your wake!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "I miss the days before Crater. Back then, you didn't have to check with some sort of leader before shooting someone. How archaic!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "Sometimes, I wonder where I would be now had the bombs not fallen. In prison, probably." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "What do these flowers of yours look like?" Black-Eyed Susan: "Now that's an easy one! I need Carnal Weepers, Crystalcups, and Radlilies. Not a soot flower more!Carnal Weepers are bright red and look almost like a bleeding, gaping maw. Morbidly delightful!If you've ever seen a tulip, then you know what a Crystalcup is shaped like. Of course, Crystalcups have their distinctive translucent blue color!As for the Radlilies...well, imagine a lily flower that's been drawn all over with a yellow highlighter!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "[Start Event] Sure, can do." Black-Eyed Susan: "How wonderful! I can't thank you enough!Now, I need some Carnal Weepers, some Crystalcups, and some Radlilies! You can leave the flowers in my basket.Some of the pollinators may be a bit angry that you're stumbling through their home uninvited. Like those damn bees.Of course, you'll also have to fight off the plant people. They're a bit ornery.Good luck out there! Oh, and uh, please watch your step." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "How did this meadow get here in the first place?" Black-Eyed Susan: "Well, that I'm not so sure about, sweetheart. I only stumbled across it recently. I don't know who planted the flowers, or when.It's the oddest thing. Some flowers are perennials, which means they bloom each spring and live an awfully long time. Kind of like me.This whole meadow acts like a perennial! Which is awfully strange, considering it houses so many different types of flowers.It comes back every year, with the flowers beginning to bloom in the spring.I don't understand it, but I certainly won't look a gift horse in the mouth." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "Why, hello! You wouldn't happen to be a do-gooder, would you? They call me Black-Eyed Susan...For the flower, of course!I don't give black eyes anymore. If I still could, I wouldn't need your help." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "That would be a great story, if it were real." Black-Eyed Susan: "You're not the first to doubt its authenticity, but the only one still living. Why don't you ask the skeleton in my garden about it?" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "If you see any piles of bones in the meadow, ignore them. That's just Richard." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "I only wish my grandkids were as helpful as you, those little whippersnappers!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "I visited my grandson Tyler the other day, and you know what he gives me? Macaroni art! Why can't that kid build me something useful, like a bomb?!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑ 21.021.1Vault 76 dweller: "Why are you out here by yourself? This area's really dangerous." Black-Eyed Susan: "*chuckles* Dangerous? That's what people used to say about my pooch, Daisy. May she rest in peace!Dangerous things are often just misunderstood, and are perfectly safe for the right people.Some people will just never understand how to domesticate a Yao Guai, but others sure do!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "Watch your step! There's quite a few landmines here, and they're not the kind my pooch Daisy makes!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑ 24.024.1Vault 76 dweller: "You look like you could use some help." Oh, why thank you, dearie! It does warm my heart to see there's still some kind souls in Appalachia.You see, I fancy myself a bit of an amateur florist, and this meadow here is filled to the brim with flowers.Problem is, these awfully mean leafy hooligans have overrun it! And quite frankly, I'm too young to die.I tried littering some handy landmines across the meadow to wipe them out, but it's barely made a dent in their numbers!Do you think you and your friends here could help me pick some flowers?" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "[Atlantic City] Leafy hooligans? That sounds a lot like the Overgrown." Black-Eyed Susan: "Overgrown? Why, that sounds awfully like my grandson Tyler when he hit his growth spurt! *chuckles*I haven't heard any murmurings of Overgrown, perhaps you've mistaken them with something else?All I know is, they're a huge nuisance!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑ 27.027.1Vault 76 dweller: "How did the Overgrown end up in Appalachia?" Black-Eyed Susan: "Overgrown...? Oh, you mean those plant hooligans? I have no idea. This whole time I thought they were some leftover superweapon the commies made.Some kind of high-tech killer shrubbery. They don't have any buckets and bolts though. Strange.I don't know if it matters much, but I saw a broken down caravan a little ways from here. No one's come back to claim it. Maybe someone brought them here? I've certainly never seen them in Appalachia before." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "That'll show those giant weeds not to mess with Susan! Oh, I mean, well done, sweetheart!I- *buzzing sound* Oh, he's back. My arch-nemesis! Beezlebub! You won't get my flowers, you audacious bug!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Vault 76 dweller: "Beezlebub...?" Black-Eyed Susan: "Oh, yes. The most horrible, vile honeybeast in all of Appalachia. He thinks he owns this meadow just because he's a giant monstrous irradiated bee.Well, I'll tell you who owns this meadow. Me. I do.If I see that bee one more time, I'll gut him with his own stinger. You mark my words, sweetheart.And then, of course, I'll bake a batch of honey cookies!" (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
↑Black-Eyed Susan: "You're back! And they say chivalry is dead these days. Well, Chastity certainly is. I buried her back in '96." (Black-Eyed Susan's dialogue)
