Hrmph... It's- it's even worse than I thought, Gadd's employing assistance from the undead to help him run the Grand Experiment! That is, assuming they haven't eaten him and taken over already. Sloppy operation, either way. It's a good thing I'm here to keep things in line! I can only hope for our sakes that my current supplies are adequate. Perhaps a visit to the Workshop is in order, posthaste.
BPI-2226 [Slow & Steady Scientist]
[THREAT LEVEL: Blue]
[ESOTERIC ALIGNMENT: TELLURIC]
[DESCRIPTION]: BPI-2226 physically resembles a large yellow tortoise with a green shell, albeit bipedal in stature and possessing opposable thumbs. Notably, BPI-2226 appears to have a level of hair growth around its head resembling that of a traditional occurrence of male-pattern baldness. As hair is not typical of any known tortoise species, it is unknown whether more hair was at one point present on its crown, or whether this is simply how it always looked.
[INFORMATION]: Beyond its strange physiology, BPI-2226 does not appear to exhibit any Anomalous traits - though its appearance is almost certainly the result of physical Telluric manifestation. Curiously, 2226 resembles the skeletal half of BPI-0102 in several ways, however they appear to bear no particular anomalous similarities or relationships beyond that. Proposal 38-B, proposing that BPI-2226 be stripped of all skin, musculature, and organs in order to compare the skeletal structure of the two, is still pending as of now - though approval is likely based on the low potential applications of 2226 in a practical or research setting.
Despite referring to itself as a scientist with some degree of formal education in paranormal studies, the actual intelligence of BPI-2226 is highly questionable. He does not appear to possess any real knowledge of the esoteric, and appears to be largely obsessed with ghostly apparitions, in spite of their relative mundanity in modern times. He often appears to be easily confused, and possesses a notably high opinion of himself and his capabilities in spite of his obvious mental shortcomings and lack of useful abilities - much unlike researchers for the Bureau of Paranormal Investigation, who are known for great humility.
You investigate the Darkness Laboratory.
You investigate the Smuggler's Hideout. It's got several pieces of treasure that are frozen solid in blocks of ice. Seems you'd need to melt the ice to get at the treasure.
"Afraid that's a trade secret. If you're meant to know, you'll find out."
The Crystal Quarry is full of crystals, small and glowing. Several of them surround a huge, opaque crystal in the center, with several different colors gleaming through its shape. It looks extremely valuable.
Oh yeah, I'll check out the Crystal Quarry too, now that I've made a bit of progress.
We've got one of those back at our facility too, or at least we did before... Before... Well, something happened I guess. I don't remember, so it couldn't have been that important. Let me guess, these ones are big and glowing? Kyahaha, when aren't they in these kinds of place?
The ceremonial chamber is a large room, with plenty of space to stand. In the center is a large dias, on which an ornate throne is sitting, radiating power and authority. A banner with an unknown symbol hangs on the wall behind it.
[As you continue to mess with the Shaft, an odd feeling settles over you. Despite knowing where everyone they've met so far is, there's a clear sensation of being watched...
A form slowly phases through the floor of the elevator, rising up to see you.]
"I've already said, Mona, if you want my attention...
Oh. So you're the new group for the experiment this year."
"Well, back to the grind... I am Tanner Tosca, the assistant to Gadd. The one he piles everything he doesn't want to do onto. Tanner, dive through two floors to give a message. Tanner, head out to town because I forgot one tool. Tanner, I need coffee."
"At least when other people are here, it can get interesting. Try and rattle him a little."
"Oh, you wanted to explore the basement? ...Alright. Don't break anything. I just finished tidying up down there after one of Gadd's experiments."
"Or break them, I guess... I'll have to clean it up either way..."
You pour over the books in the library. There appears to be a variety of topics, organised by the Spoowy Decimal System, a ghastly disorganised mess. You wander around the central, huge globe of the world in the middle of the room, and note a grand piano off to one side.
"Thanks. Nice to know someone appreciates craftsmanship. I stick to manual, myself. I tried the wheel a couple times, but it never gave me the same slice I could with my own work.
You check out the Container Yard. There's a whole lot of containers. Most of them are unlabeled, and some handtrucks sit around the room to help you with moving them around. There's a large roll-up door leading to the outside.Boosh. Dibs.
Guess I'll have a look-see in that Container Yard. That's my day job when I'm not punching faces in the Bear Pit, yunno; picking things up, putting them down somewhere else. I'll feel right at home! Except this place is creepy and kinda sucks.
By the by, Safety Sally, I'll let you know ahead of time - The Lash does all his own stunts. Things like 'codes' and 'standards' are for lesser men and boarding schools. And uh, probably that thing that jumped in the oven.
You investigate the Horology Studio. It seems this was the personal chamber of a clockmaker. In testament to that, the room has a bed and many broken clocks in various stages of repair. There's also a working jeweled clock, with intricate detail. A sign next to it says it was made by Faberge.
You already looked at the Smuggler's Hideout!
You investigate the Dining Room. A massive table dominates the room, enough to seat everyone in the Complex. There's also plenty of chairs and a couple beautiful centerpieces, as well as cabinets with dining equipment such as serving dishes and utensils.
You investigate the Hydro Generators. This is the power room for the entire Complex. A series of powerful hydroelectric generators use water connected to the Sewer's water cycling and create electric power for the building. Notably, you can see a small reservoir of emergency water nearby, with an open top. Water Elementals regularly fly out of the reservoir and can be captured for use. Sloshy!
You check out the Cellar, and are in luck. There's a whole lot of nonperishable food supplies and items, which includes a rack of wine bottles. Sadly, the vintage is recent.
You check out the Greenhouse. It's a well stocked room with plenty of conventional plants, as opposed to the more exotic varieties found in the Plant Nursery. Automated systems manage their care and ensure they are growing properly.
You check out the Sewer. It's a large open sewer, with two channels of water. One channel flows into the complex to provide fresh water and the water for the Hydro Generators, while the other carries wastewater out of the Complex.
You check out the Metal Laboratory. It's a high-end laboratory with all sorts of high-end technological equipment lying around in various stages of repair and examination. It seems this lab is dedicated to the study of paranormal technology and devices, in contrast to the innate paranormal studied in the Darkness Laboratory.
GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!
You- you- you- you've- you're- you're the- you've- I- you- the-
I'm- I'm- I'm just going to pretend I didn't- didn't see that. Ahem...
View attachment 64032
I don't know Gadd personally, but he's well-known in my line of work. And well-respected, which is heavily misplaced, I might add. I can't say I'm at all surprised the old hack's gone this long leaving us to our own devices. It's- it's shameful, is what it is! Probably one last insult to me after refusing to acknowledge my groundbreaking research for so long! I've- I've literally broken ground!
Whenever he finally rears his puffed-up head, someone come get me! I have a few- a few choice words for him!
For now, I'll be examining the state of the Metal Laboratory.