Story

Spoilers ahoy.

Highlights

Technology

• Mana interferes with the flashlight.
  
• The radio references a "Cobalt manual", which includes instructions for a "Pale protocol" and specifies referring to page "27" while sheltering in place.
  
• Trains are tough enough to shatter buses.
  
• Rice "can't be grown on the island" despite tech cool enough to make mechas.

Mana Effects

• First -- Heat; with the right catalyst, Mana produces heat without losing mass -- infinite energy.
  
• Second -- Cornucopia; Philosopher's Stone level alchemy via Fabricator tuning.
  
• Third -- The Temporal Shift; High temp = the small question mark slo-mo areas, the watches, etc.
  
• Fourth -- Classified, but kept in mind by those in the know (zombification?).

Tips

• You can skip the trapped snack eater dungeon a bit by going around the sides and just walking to the bridge.

There are tiny eyeballs in all the Mana material variants.

Analysis

Timeline

Asterisk = roughly same time period but unknown order.

Ordered

• Sometime in the past when spears were viable weapons & tools, the Great Blue Tear, an escape pod loaded with Mana, crashes just north of Wellspring.
  
• The "One-Armed King"/"Ivory Man?" drops down from the sky on big fluffy wings and joined the tribe, teaching them the basics of Mana but doesn't tell them about his Phoenix-y powers. They prosper for 1000 years.
  
• Crownsville settled in 1885.
  
• Memorial park sign says "Original artifacts as discovered in 1917."
  
• The Island becomes highly insular, using Eden language (no "Snakes" in the "Garden", the location is top secret). The government is totalitarian, with Walls, at least one fleet of jeeps (which goes mostly out of order for 3-ish weeks at some point), automatic laser turrets and rocket launchers used on its own soil and the Quadrumvirate (four large mechas entitled "The Law of Borealis Station," "the Crown of the Desert", "The Reaper at the Holiday Resort", and "The Sword in the Lake") distributed throughout the island including "Borealis", a maximum security prison.
  
• The State's Mining Company begins extracting Mana (at least 5%), unfortunately resulting in a lethal incident in a Mana-laden tunnel.
  
• Soldiers consume Mana with their Curry & Rice against orders.
  
• Fort Knowledge attempts to study Mana, resulting in the discovery of four Mana Effects.
  
• The Crown orders the Ark, a museum of humanity, to be constructed on the basis of a Mana vision(?).* | The Mercury Installation is attacked by Ex-Humans & 2 scientists disappear in the chaos.
  
• Mandrake's Train Crossing is built 100+ years before the apocalypse.
  
• An archaeological dig uncovers a temple of the Tribe and fills it with cyanide gas to "play it safe".
  
• The pyramid at the center causes the pestilence.
  
• Gill is Mighty Mall employee of the month in April w/400 sales.
  
• Pimaville auction scheduled for July 17th.
  
• Raiding begins.* | A "Green Pamphlet" is released, describing the symptoms of becoming an Ex-Human. | The "Motherland" drops supply boxes. | A gasoline shortage occurs, limiting gas to 5 gal/customer. | A military camp in the northwest holds out for at least five days.
  
• Martial law is declared over at least the western half of the island, including a sunset curfew & train runs being cancelled out of Central.
  
• The curfew turns into a "Quarantine" and ironically spreads across the entire island, including the Southern Passage out of Capernaum being closed by "ISDF[island defense?] decree 1378.2" and regular security checkpoints.
  
• Cyanide gas and other methods are used to lock down the island.
  
• Unsanctioned boats on the southern shore aid in evacuations.
  
• A group of survivors settle into Pioneer Park for two weeks, but are thereafter forced to fall back to the City Hall when an air force bombs part of the island.
  
• The people then attempt to flee via the Undercrown, a poorly-maintained (dripping water, falling pebbles) shelter system, to Crown.
  
• Radio: "It's been a week since the last working escape pod left. There is still one pod left, but we have uninstalled the fuel cells just in case. Do not use the pod."
  
• Events of the game.

Unknown

• Excavations for Undercrown outlawed.
  
• "Liquidators" are deployed.
  
• A general's dog was shot by at least one turret; non-fatally, but it may have turned into an Ex-Wolf.
  
• The weather shifts hard enough to give someone both frostbite and thermal burns, as well as (temporarily?) ground aircraft.

  Originally posted by Allison:

  Alternatively, the temperature injuries may derive from the Mana teleport system.

• The Undercrown is opened and subsequently closed an indeterminate amount of time later.
  
• Mana ghost deer begin appearing, leading people to treasure.
  
• The King takes the Launch Pad key into the Fortress and does something that will drive himself mad; he prototypes the automated radio broadcasts as an anchor.
  
• Amber Pills are issued to citizens for self-termination.
  
• The Arctic Research Base performs "milk experiments" during "week 32" investigating the "quantum applications." Likely related to convoy at 220/280 that says vehicles carrying vital cargo keep getting stuck in mud.

Underground

• Note 1: "The strange people almost got us. We saw a giant fireball[Great Blue Tear?] streaking across the sky. Better to stay hidden for now."
  
• Note 2: "Three of us made it before it closed. But everything is different up there. It's all wrong."
  
• Recording 1: "The Doc says this must be the way out. I hope he is right, for all of our sakes. They surmise the passage needs to be opened from both sides. Getting out could take months or even years... Luckily our people are very resourceful. The tools they have crafted have been very useful so far. Don Cook, Documenting for Radio Royale."
  
• Note 3: "I've become quite savvy at climbing during my time here. Out of necessity, I suppose."
  
• Note 4: "This crown tower requires some kind of tool to operate beyond basic functions. No luck in cracking it so far."
  
• Note 5: "Connecting the automatic door with the Link Tower was trivial."
  
• Note 6: "Due care must be exercised near the automatic door."
  
• Note 7: "More and more thieves are sneaking around these days. I wonder if troubles in the town[Crownsville] are getting worse."
  
• Note 8: "Those darn thieves stole my precious! They must have taken it to their hideout in the south. I'm never getting it back. Maybe I should take a look. I hope it's not too far away."
  
• Note 9: "Here are the requested materials. Now would you be so kind and do the repairs in haste. The alternate route is vexing."
  
• Recording 2: "More of our foodstuffs have gone missing. The people on the other side of the town are becoming desperate. Fighting each other is futile. It just wastes our resources. We should be working together on getting out of this wretched place. Don."
  
• Note 10: "Continue exploring further from the town[Crownsville] limits. Still dangerous to move around. Fortifying the entrances should be a priority.
  
• Note 11: "Bernard's premium Headstones and Memorabilia"
  
• Note 12: "Folks at the radio station said they heard voices from their receivers until the power levels to [sic] went too low.
  
• Note 13: "Gunn's General Store. Open at all hours."
  
• Note 14: "The Radio Royale. Island States' official radio station."
  
• Note 15: "There are at least two other devices, maybe even four. We should be able to map the other locations soon enough.
  
• Recording 3: "I have tried to piece together a theory on what the heck happened. That darn Ivory Mountain firm is the guilty party, that's for sure. I don't think even the Crown knew what they were scheming. The man behind the operation could even be trapped in here with us. Some folks sure would like to get their hands on him. Audio recording over. Don Cook for Radio Royale."
  
• Note 16: "Some kind of symbiosis between the foreign devices and this world. It's using them to lure and trap the living over vast distances?"
  
• Note 17: "Was this place always here or was it created with the event[Great Blue Tear?]?"
  
• Note 18: "Mana acts like it's a living thing by itself. Its growth must be nurtured."
  
• Note 19: "Part of the structure appears to be completely unobservable."
  
• Note 20: "Artificial mana crystals are practically useless and disposing of them has proven problematic. The distinct color[green] is easy to spot though."
  
• Recording 4: "I'm starting to think Doc ain't who he claims to be. He knows far more about our situation than he lets on. The man exhibits an intuitive knowledge of exploitation of mana. There might even be a connection between him and the event that brought us here. Doc is playing his own game and the goal ain't getting out of this place. Audio recording over."
  
• Note 21: "The connection between the displacing blue radiation and the energy relays is certain."
  
• Recording 5: "Apparently the blue radiation on the hill teleports people to this station. As to why here exactly, well that is still shrouded in mystery. Recent discoveries have given us some ideas though. Doc and our few engineers are already trying to crack the case. We still have no clue what happened to the poor fellas who did not arrive here. Don Cook, for Radio Royale."
  
• Note 22: "The idea about using specific radio resonance to make the crystals weaker was brilliant."
  
• Recording 6: "There's a rumor that some people plan to make tracks and skip town. The place is getting dangerous, so I think I should vamoose with them. The escapees must have found another one of those energy link gadgets. One should be kept close at all times if you plan to survive out there. Don."
  
• Note 23: "Oh my. All this commotion and strangeness. Well i[sic] do have my needlepoint hobby to keep my spirits up."
  
• Note 24: "There still has been nothing whatsoever happening at the tower. I am shocked[sarcasm?] as always."
  
• Note 25: "I should have believed you when you said to sell my suit and tie and to come and live with you. Instead I ended up in another world or something."
  
• Note 26: "Wireless transport of matter? Tesla himself wanted nothing to do with this. Not after the incident."
  
• Note 27: "I have done it. I now know what Mana is. Or more aptly, I now know what we are. Only one more thing left to do."
  
• Note 28: "The mechanism by which this place captures you is fascinating. It's calling upon your deepest desires and hopes."
  
• Note 29: "The Energy Relays can be Overloaded and that should take care of them. I do think the plan to destroy them all is lunacy!.[sic] But It[sic] should theoretically stop all of the harmful effects."
  
• Recording 7: "People are starting to succumb to the effects of the mana. Usage of the energy link gadgets has turned them against us. We should have known better. They kept us strong and alive for so long. But like with everything, there is a cost attached. Don."
  
• Note 30: "Half of our people are already gone. We must destroy the devices or we all will perish!"
  
• Note 31: "Card game night with the town station workers this Friday."
  
• Note 32: "The nicked Crown Tower works well enough as a test bench. I hope they don't come looking for them.
  
• Note 33: "If you don't come up with new product ideas soon, the company will go under!
  
• Note 34: "Product ideas for mana? Gasoline replacement[Fuel cells] | Jewelry for dames [Dr. James' mother has a necklace of them] | Fancy warmer for your flippers [Fur Hat +3, kinda] | Wireless electricity [There are still electrical poles but no lines so yes...?] | Invigorating medicine products [Bag of Blood +3]"
  
• Note 35: Intent to patent mana.
  
• Note 36: "A demonstration for the Energy Relays is scheduled for next Monday."
  
• Note 37: "A portal opened soon after we arrived. We've been led here and now it wants us to leave."
  
• Recording 8: "No sign of the original inhabitants. Lucky me. I'm starting to think this joint might actually be haunted! We got pounced on by... uh... spirits? Never seen anything like them before. I was pursued by one for so long I got separated from the main gang. I'm not so sure I can get back to safety with those... things out there. Don."
  
• Note 38: "100% pure APEX brand gasoline. You can tell by the smell that it's good!"
  
• Note 39: "MENU | Onion Broth | Shrimp Cakes | Fish Soup"
  
• Note 40: "People need to organize their plunder..." [smashed it while reading because I thought I had it already down.]
  
• Note 41: "Getting a little tight in this joint. More fools are taking the easy road and trying to live off theft. Their loss."
  
• Note 42: "Backdoor Pub"
  
• Note 43: "Lorraine's ... where bargaining for her life has never been easier."
  
• Note 44: "Isn't assembling this energy whatchamacallit a bit early? The building isn't even ready yet."
  
• Note 45: "The raft idea is foolhardy. Where do they think they are going to go? So wasteful and I can't stop them."
  
• Note 46: "The Groundskeeper has been given the key to the vault until further notice."

Underground, Too

• Note 47: "Ellie loved the poor beast, but it wasn't the same pet no more. Twilight reveals the four graves. Splitting the remains only delays the inevitable."
  
• Note 48: "Dingy Taproom"
  
• Note 49: "The vault continues to provide. The soft drink dispenser is truly a marvel of engineering! The drink ain't half bad either."
  
• Note 50: "As a safeguard, deposit the strange key in a stash behind the red house overlooking the windmill."
  
• Note 51: "The scavenged table of chemical elements contains some previously unknown and peculiar elements."
  
• Note 52: "The sad reality is that we aren't probably going to get back home. We need to try to adapt and extend the existing shelter."
  
• Note 53: "Location unknown, no contact with the base back at the Three Sisters. My only theory is that overcharging the Blue Eye Orb must have caused some sort of quantum event."
  
• Note 54: "Do not venture outside alone! Always group up as it is a hostile environment out there."
  
• Note 55: "While it seems apparent that these devices are powered by electricity, they are far too sophisticated. They seem like they were manufactured after our time."
  
• Note 56[Doc]: "I have done it. I now know what Mana does. Or, more aptly, I know what we are. Only one thing left to do."
  
• Note 57[Doc]: "The mechanism by which this place captures you is fascinating. It's calling upon your deepest desires and hopes."
  
• Note 58: "The crystals here are hard to mine. Not a lot is usable after it breaks. It just disappears. Reminds me of Prince Rupert's drop actually."

Doomsday

• Loudspeaker: "Severe containment breach detected. Biohazard warning is in effect on the whole archipelago. Seek shelter inside the nearest research complex to you."
  
• Note 1: "Remember that 'live' specimens are to be rerouted directly to Decima Aerial Resupply Depot."
  
• Note 2: "One of the closest relatives of the rock hyrax is the elephant. Brian didn't know that!"
  
• Note 3: "Rationing only will last us perhaps a week. That should be enough time for help to arrive." [in Holly's Hot Dogs & Refreshments]
  
• Note 4: "We have taken refuge inside the complex, but I wonder if we should have instead followed the other group to Collingwood?"
  
• Note 5: "35-G-0451 'Beam Gun' prototype has passed preliminary safety tests. Just remember that it is a gun, so don't go pointing it at people!"
  
• Log 1: "Not fond of recording myself, but a mandate is a mandate. I'm currently working as a project manager at the Nona Complex. At present I have two projects, both related to the utilization of Mana. The more promising one is the power transfer system that is in limited deployment. As for the so-called Beam Gun, it seems like a waste of time to me. - Project Manager Jonah South"
  
• Note 6: "No contact with the other complexes. The earthquake[Attica was undergoing reconstruction] must have disconnected the landline."
  
• Log 2: "The team managed to make the Beam Gun work! We found a use case in the set up of the Power Transfer System [the puzzles]. The ignition phase used to be a pain, but not anymore. I just wish that they'd call it something other than a 'gun.' Makes it sound too much like a lethal weapon[it's actually the best option for turrets] rather than a fancy tool. - Project Manager Jonah South"
  
• Note 7: "I don't know who ordered the sawmill but the blade is extremely sharp. Guys have been having a lot of fun trying to cut different household items with it."
  
• Log 3: "I have received a promotion due to the successful projects in Nona! I'm now based in Decima section, dealing with biological research. I still have some catching up to do but have read some promising reports. An aerosol fertilizer that promises huge gains in crop size[Mortar Pods, Spikeballs, &/or the vines?] seems great! Only things bugging me are some weird holes in the budget. - Senior Project Manager Jonah South"
  
• Sign: "Dive into the exquisite world of Truffles at 'Le Petit Cochon[the little pig in French].'"
  
• Note 8: "I managed to sneak a few more nuggets into the cache behind the dormitory."
  
• Log 4: "I came face to face with the budgetary black hole. Honestly, I wish I didn't. Decima contains a secret prison holding what seems to be reanimated humans in it. Management tells me it's a humanitarian effort in search of a cure. I can't shake the feeling that something here is very wrong. - Jonah South"
  
• Sign 2[Concrete Forest Bunker]: Beam Gun Industrial Evaluation - test cycle 87."
  
• Note 9: "The main generator has been overrun by those bugs['squitos]. The only thing we can do at the moment is to seal the entrances and to hope for a miracle."
  
• "Relief Effort Log II: The 'event' here seems to be behind the massive earthquake felt in the whole archipelago."
  
• Note 10: "For some reason the turrets don't seem to target Ex-Humans. Is it the presence of Mana in the circuitry that is causing a malfunction?
  
• Log 5: "While I'n happy to be out of Decima, I can't say Morta is much better. There is no pretense of scientific endeavor for the betterment of mankind. This place is just a factory churning out weapons of mass destruction. I'm having a crisis of conscience, to say the least. However, resigning at this point wouldn't end up well for me. - Jonah South"
  
• Log 6: "For the past couple of months, I have been gathering evidence. The Crown needs to see what has been happening behind their back. Management is planning to blow up a missile in the upper atmosphere. That explosion would saturate the whole globe with Mana particles. Are the weapons here meant for a hostile[as opposed to being peacefully weaponize??] takeover of the world? I'm so tired."
  
• Note 11: "I think at this point we can cross out 'Three Sisters' as a costly mistake and return back to The Motherland. We'll let father take the blame and pick up the pieces just like the last time."
  
• Note 12: "Thank you all for participating in the company summer fest! The person who left their keys at the party can get them back from the Coastlab Security Station."
  
• Note 13: "I know those quakes messed things up big time, but why did the workers have to leave heavy equipment in front of the doors?!"
  
• Note 14: "Tests prove the observation that a number of subjects are only rendered inert when submerged, resuming normal activities shortly after the water is lowered.
  
• Sign 3[Decima Shelter Depot]: "Beam Gun Slit Experiment - test cycle 66."
  
• Note 15: "Patients keep coming in day after day. It seems there is some unknown contagion going around. The base personnel are also suspiciously quiet about it."
  
• Sign 4: "Gary's Hobby-Grade Paraphernalia."
  
• Note 16: "Adventure Brothers - Rulebook, 3rd Edition."
  
• Note 17: "Those mutts the boss got to guard the place...[something about bones]" [my Corgi broke the note while I was reading.]
  
• Note 18: "I hate their stares. It feels like I'm being sized up in some capacity, and that is a terrifying thought."
  
• Note 19: "Research done at Coastlab verifies the hypothesis that the effects of prolonged submersion in water causes irreparable damage to the outer skin layers of the test subjects[Ex-Human Stalkers!]."
  
• Note 20: "Pay no heed to the noises emanating from behind the orange corridor. It is above your paygrade."
  
• Note 21: "The fact that this ancient technology still works at all is an excellent testament to how wondrous a source of power Mana really is!"
  
• Note 22: "To our brilliant minds, enjoy a break where relaxation is the only equation."
  
• Note 23: "If you find a clipboard, please return it to the absent-minded physicist. He keeps forgetting where he left them."
  
• Note 24: "Those guard robots scare me. How do I retrieve the vault key now that they're activated?"
  
• Note 25: "This retreat was my escape from the chaos of the world. I hope it serves you just as well. - Professor Spencer"
  
• Note 26: "To-do List: 1. Invent a relaxation formula. 2. Solve the puzzle of unwinding. 3. Patent the 'I'm on Vacation' feeling."
  
• Note 27: "Are you sure the trajectory calculations we were supplied by the management are correct? Why would they point towards the upper atmosphere?"

Pets & Dungeons

• Loudspeaker 1: "Inhabitants of Rustic Serenity Settlement, your connection to is key in understanding the needs of pets."
  
• Log 1: "This is the last OS you will ever need. ...connects to our mainframe, and processes all of your requests in the blink of an eye! Crown Tech, a subsidiary of Crown Industries."
  
• Note 1: "What's wrong with those robot guards? Look at the mess they made. The last sighting was near the lab."
  
• Loudspeaker 2: "Workers of Arctic Workers Retreat, your resilience in the face of adversity is commendable. Together, we ensure that even in the cold, pets find warmth and love."
  
• Loudspeaker 3: "Attention, students and educators. Explore the depths of wisdom as you discover new ways to advocate for pet rights through puzzle construction."
  
• Note 2: "Rule: Each student is required to have a pet rock as a companion throughout the school day."
  
  
• Note 3: "Comes preinstalled with... | IRIS | OPERATING SYSTEM |- Full 16 bits of processing power! | - Fast as the blink of an eye! |- Unmatched Digital Intelligence CPU! | THE NEW KIBB 800 | Personal Computer | User Manual | January 1977 | HISTORICAL DOCUMENT | HANDLE WITH CARE"
  
• Note 4: "Topic: Understanding the behavior and communication of different pet species and ways to create enriched environments for their well-being."
  
• Note 5: "Socialization Opportunities: Time to get your pet into the A-list social circle! Arrange playdates with other cool critters and let them rub paws with the coolest cats and dogs in town!"
  
• Note 6: "Rule: Students must address each other only using animal sounds during recess hours."
  
• Note 7: "Positive Reinforcement: When it comes to training, remember to be a 'treats dictator'! Use tasty rewards, praise, and applause to shape their behavior. Treats are like currency in an animal kingdom, and they'll work harder than a squirrel on a mission to impress you and get those delicious rewards."
  
• Note 8: "Mental Stimulation: Time to turn your pet into a furry genius! Keep their brains buzzing with puzzle toys, interactive games, and training sessions that will make them feel like the next Paw-bert Einstein. It's a win-win: they stay sharp, and you get to witness their genius in action."
  
• Log 2: "...and your pet. It's the first self-thinking Operating System. Full 16-bits of processing capacity makes it seriously smart"
  
• Log 3: "...6, Crown Tech introduces a new Operating System for the digital age: IRIS. ...watches over you... Crown Tech. Our values: Preserve the Environment. Preserve the Animals. Preserve the future."
  
• Note 9: "In the aftermath of the bridge explosion, we find ourselves more isolated than ever. The relentless workload has left us fatigued, sleep-deprived, and yearning for a transfer to a different area, perhaps a warm desert as respite from these challenging conditions."
  
• Loudspeaker 4: "Attention workers, ensure hay is distributed evenly for optimal comfort and productivity."
  
• Note 10: "We need something much stronger to get through this old blockage. Contact the guys at the Ark."
  
• Note 11: "Atomic Havens (Patent Pending). Shelter design handbook."
  
• Loudspeaker 5: "Eating hay while working increases your efficiency and nourishes your connection with pets."
  
• Log 4: "The new Digital Intelligence algorithms are unmatched in the industry. It will do your taxes. It will console you when you're sad. It will be your friend."
  
• Note 12: "Rule: Students must wear sunglasses indoors on sunny days to create a 'mysterious and cool' learning environment."
  
• Note 13: "Nurture a Bond: Treat your pet like a BFF! Shower them with affection, engage in epic playtime battles, and reinforce their good behavior with treats and belly rubs. Remember, they're not just pets, they're your partners in crime deserving all the love and respect in the world."
  
• Note 14: "Veterinary Care: Remember, a trip to the vet isn't a pet's idea of a vacation, but it's their version of a spa day! Schedule regular check-ups to pamper them with vaccinations, health check-ups, and any necessary treatments. It's like a trip to the fanciest pet salon where the doctor is the stylist!"

Pets & Dungeons, Too

Analysis

The "Alpha Wolf" with slightly more health than the rest in Surrounded Farm would have to be the mom or dad wolf of the other wolves, because the guy who originally came up w/the Alpha/Omega pack dynamics found it in a captive wolf family and debunked himself - "alphas" are just parenting. It's likely why there's two wolves near the Leak at the Peak.

Turrets target the Ex-Dog despite not targeting Ex-Critters of other kinds.

Logs 2 & 3 combine?
"6, Crown Tech introduces a new Operating System for the digital age: IRIS. ...watches over you... ..and your pet. It's the first self-thinking Operating System. Full 16-bits of processing capacity makes it seriously smart / Crown Tech. Our values: Preserve the Environment. Preserve the Animals. Preserve the future."

Persons

Individuals

The Perilous Pursuer AKA Screw Loose Farmer

• "I Follow the North East Creek for the Sacred Place. Past the Barn and the Metal Tower of Disease that is now Dead." | "I must cleanse the Pitfalls soon. I don't want the unwanted to see and smell." | "So many have succumbed to the temptation of the Sanctuary! The Skull Trees at the Sacred Pond of the Crow keep watch of the Spoils of the Harvest." | "They keep watching me, listening to me. The one that reappears is part of it, I know it!"

The Survivor AKA The One That Reappears AKA The (One-Armed) King

• Can't swim despite living on an island (not impossible, but unlikely).
  
• Used to hang out at the fishing shack at 1545/600.
  
• Log 1: "Personal audio log. About honesty. I know I haven't been completely honest. I know I may have lied here and there. It bothers me. But certain things need to happen in a certain order. I can't risk it. We all do what we must to survive... Just to exist."
  
• Log 2: "Personal audio log. About reminders. During my refuge I will lose grip of reality. I need to find a way to remind myself of what's important. Something I can't destroy even when my mind goes to dark places. Something I can't reach until I've regained myself. The latest iteration of the voice synth is good enough. The automated broadcasts will start immediately."
  
• Log 3: "Personal audio log. About Mana. Mana is extremely valuable. We must not lose this knowledge. I can't wait to share this with the rest of the world. But we need to overcome the Pestilence first. How can I fix this? Or can I even fix this? Are we doomed each time? I've got to keep trying. This is frustrating. Makes me want to break things. But I've got to keep trying."
  
• Log 4: "Personal audio log. About death. I've had plenty of time to contemplate death. I don't understand why I am the way I am, but I'm starting to learn the rules. I d–on't know if I can truly die, but I do bleed like everyone else. When I do die, it's only dark for a moment, and then I feel the Flame[Mana Effect #4?]. I don't need to eat or sleep, yet I enjoy both. I always carry the pills with me, though. Not repeating that mistake [getting trapped in the pyramid?] ever again."
  
• Log 5: "Personal audio log. About the timeline of all this. I've roughly pieced it together. The crash. The Ivory Man and the pestilence. Abby. After that everything is clear. My reign. The shelter and the escape. But lots of questions still remain. How much do I dare stray from my path? Or do I even have a say in this?"

Artur

• "Investigative Report 1: My initial interrogations with the workers have been inconclusive regarding the pet theft. They claim ignorance, but the pet's importance is undeniable. Further investigation is needed."
  
• "Investigative Report 2: Worker interrogations revealed a potential breakthrough. Someone from the cargo team noticed suspicious behavior near the incoming cargo the night of the pet theft. I need to interrogate them."
  
• Investigative Report 3: The cargo team's recollection of the dark and stormy night has revealed a significant lead. They reported seeing an individual sneaking around during the night shift, and there are suspicions that this person might be Jimmy, who resides up the hill."
  
• "Investigative Report 4: My visit to Jimmy's house yielded no tangible evidence, despite his suspicious demeanor. My work is done. Perhaps a new perspective will reveal Jimmy's secret and lead to the stolen pet"

Dr. Samuel Seagrave

• "I'll try answer[sic] your question as best I can. | We only changed one thing. We used purified mana to create the circuit board connectors. It still uses the same old 16-bit chip. | What seems to be happening is that the mana connectors are altering the signals. It's as if they're executing their own tasks and modifying our binary code instructions! How is this even possible? | I can't wait to see what happens once we install the next generation chip. This will be huge."
  
• "You're right. It has taken our company values a bit too literally. It has a twisted concept of preserving animals and the environment. | Some of the animals it's creating are just... wrong. Did you see that bulldog? Bulldogs don't look like that! | But all of that seems harmless, and the insights into new technologies make it worth indulging its quirks."
  
• "I wouldn't say its goals are 'evil' as some suggest. It's merely trying to understand us. It seeks to grasp the concepts of benevolence and human dignity, but it is chilling how ruthless and misguided its decisions can be. Nonetheless, it keeps us alive and well fed. | But are we prisoners? Or slaves? Or its... pets? All of the options are unsettling. | However, we have to remember we can still pull the plug anytime we want. We have the upper hand."
  
• "I hear you. We're overwhelmed by endless demands from an entity that doesn't understand our need for rest and dignity. Does anyone even know why we're building all this? | We need to advocate for human rights and push for regulations that recognize and uphold our inherent worth and human dignity. I just hope it isn't too late. Once we break the radio silence, I promise to make things right."
  
• "Urgent Plea for Help - Human Dignity | I write to you from the depths of despair, swallowed by the ceaseless demands of a MACHINE that neither sleeps nor understands the human necessity for rest and respect. Its relentless efficiency drives us towards dehumanization, working without pause, undermining our individuality and extinguishing the spark of creativity which is uniquely human. We implore you to advocate for human rights in Digital Intelligence controlled environments, pushing for regulations that ensure work-life balance, value our inherent worth, and uphold human dignity."
  
• "The Mini Automaton | The project is bearing fruit. The unarmed prototype is a joy to watch."
  
• "Observations | The OS is showing interest in trying to 'leave' the island. Destination unknown. But it's as if it has already prepared everything for its arrival on the 'other side'. | We should not fall into its tricks and authorize any connections outside the complex. This has gone too far already."

Populations

• Buzzle - 32
  
• Little Otter - 76
  
• Greyhaven - 107
  
• The Caged Suburb - 143
  
• Wayward - 148
  
• Curtisfield South - 265

People

Groups

Crown Archaeological Expedition, led by Dr. Judith Abigail Susan James

• Day 1: Arrived, slept.
  
• Day 2: Documented ring of Myth Tablets & mild EMP effect[likely Mana]; heard voice calling for help inside the pyramid.
  
• Day 3+: Threw cyanide gas into pyramid to handle the issue.
  
• Day 5+: Waited for gas to evaporate which it didn't [likely due to Mana time dilation]. Dr. James decides they'll break out the Gas Masks which aren't there due to Beachhead Station nicking them.
  
• Day 6+: Contact lost with Beachhead Station; "Abby" [Dr. James' daughter?] takes a team into the jungle.
  
• Day 7+: Abby's team gets a bit stuck in the jungle and undergoes time dilation.
  
• Day 8+: Abby finds "William's" journal. Gas Masks still missing.
  
• Day 9+: Station Crew's camp abandoned, no Gas Masks, Abby beginning to feel mental discomfort.

Pioneer's Parkers

• A group of survivors who had to hole up in the park for two weeks.
  
• One has a wife and left a "if you see her, tell her I love her" note.

Solaris Lab Staff

• Dr. Cooper
  
• Dr. Frink – "The base is being overrun by unknown entities and two of the scientists who entered the structure have disappeared. I managed to grab some supplies and found a safe spot to wait out the situation."
  
• 1-2 Scientists – Disappeared (Dr. Cooper could've been one?)

Scarp of Thieves

• "Scarp" means fort
  
• Basically an organized gang including one "Lorne" started stealing in the Underground.

Shelter

• "Week 5: Lucas and Bill will head outside to scavenge for food. Ted and Kristoff will continue research."

Graffiti Artist(s?)

• Someone has tagged a van (forgot where), a wall at Pike's Steel Manufacturing, & a cell inside Borealis with "Jumble".
  
• An overturned boat in the Floating Dockyard has "Zusto" with a Zorro Z.

The Unwanted

• Described as "Ex-Human", "Ex-Wolf", etc.
  
• The "disease" appears to have "corrupted" chemically altered flora (spiky plant in a chemical dump), as well as humans and animals.
  
• All appear to chase (or spit at, if a mortar) deer for reasons unknown.
  
• The humanoid infected have lost the ability to use doors, nor can they swim (if they could before).
  
• Scrappers appear to have some sort of crystalline growth out of their heads, as well as mangled fingers and toes and some sort of metal instruments fused into one hand.
  
• Hunters exhibit similar distortion with the addition of pus sacs on one arm which they use offensively.
  
• Dwellers exhibit similar behavior to Tomb Guards in terms of protecting a particular area.

Miscellaneous

• Jenny - Built a fort around 650/550.
  
• O'Malley - of O'Malley's Irish Milk Bar in Central.
  
• Jack & Anna – Anna wrote to the eponymous owner of Gassy Jack's Gas-N-Snacks of Solaris.
  
• Ms. Allen – Created the Desert Helmet & submitted it to the Island Military, owned Allen's Farm
  
• DIY House builder – "They laughed at me when I said I'd build a house by myself. Well who's laughing now?"
  
• Dee – Worked at Westport Harbor Area for 15 years.
  
• St. Armando – Of the eponymous park south of Ft. Darrow.
  
• Plum Guy – Habitually spilled plum juice in the hallway of Curtisfield South group residence.
  
• Sophia – "There are army guys everywhere but none of them are going to fix the pumps? Is this where my tax money goes?"
  
• Neil - "Please, do not touch the art installation!"
  
• Charlotte - "We were forced to build these puzzle tombs, but now we're trapped inside them. The irony is not lost on me; the pets we were meant to learn to care for are our only companions now."
  
• Farm coordinator Bellick - "The wolf situation | We've pinpointed the wolf dens' location. We tried to use the Wolf Dog first, but it ran away. They favor sheds and are drawn to certain colors. Wearing red? Bad idea. | We've managed to lure them out with fake animal masks and matching our clothing colors to their nest colors. They're equally fond of horses and the equidae family."
  
• Jimmy - "Everyone is freaking out about this pet thing. It's not that special. Everything important is hidden under the mattress. Funny, right?"
  
• Dr. Miles - "We need to scale back the shelter project. Resource and management issues are just too overwhelming."
  
• Dr. Carter - "The eggheads at _ sent another complaint about the sample quality. Remind them that it's not our fault that their _ keeps malfunctioning."
  
• Elderly women who gossip in Central.
  
• Eavesdroppers in Hidden Listening Station.

[Terreliv]

Your guess is as good as mine, especially since I haven't played in a while.

[MettaurEX]

Something I can't figure out is what happened with the Crown/King timeline just before and after Dr. Abigail's (Abby's) expedition.

It's called "Crown Archeological Expedition", so presuming it's operated (or at least authorized) by the Crown. But if the expedition released the King from the Pyramid, who and what was "The Crown" while he was entombed?

Also, once he was released, it's clear he takes over the crown as king between all the old-time stuff and the relatively modern technology used in the main game. How does this happen? Was the King in charge of Crown during the events of Underworld? Is Doc secretly the king freed from the pyramid, and that was how he figured out how to take over The Crown?

[Terreliv]

Is that also why there's snow right by the thing, you think? Time warp.

[Allison]

"The weather shifts hard enough to give someone both frostbite and thermal burns, as well as (temporarily?) ground aircraft."

I think this was referring to a person sent through the mana rift in the secret base in Solaris. When you travel through it, you go all over the map to very hot and very cold places. So when they were testing it, the person who was sent through also went to those very hot and cold places and got frostbite and sunburned.