From the logs of Doctor Patricia Tannis:
Salutations, my name is Patricia Tannis. I hold Doctorates of Philosophy in Eridian History, Eridian Technology and Engineering, and Vault Studies, as well as an Associate's Degree in Wine-Tasting. My work here on the planet of Pandora has revolutionized the way we as a species integrate the works left behind by the alien species known colloquially as "Eridians" and scientifically as "Eridians." I perfected the Sherman's Set for decoding and translating Eridian information-storage methods. My Doctoral thesis provided the functional model utilized by Klingman in his creation of E-tech weaponry as we know it. I proposed the now-contentious Tannis Theory of Space-Time contraction, based on the apparent principles of Eridian phase-tech, and I maintain that the test-ship arriving before it departed is proof of the validity of the theory. The Eridians, before their disappearance, achieved a level of understanding of reality that has so far remained mostly unrecognized by the Human species. The obvious path before us is to attempt to tap the collective knowledge of the Eridians, understand it, and continue to advance. But the first step in any of this chain of happenings is to risk opening more Vaults.
In my time on Pandora, I have come across many terrible things, many strange things, and a select number of terribly strange people. Vault Hunters are exceptional individuals foolish, desperate, faithful, or mad enough to willingly seek out the Eridian Vaults, because, despite the fact that only two Vaults in history have not contained or been guarded by horrible, enormous monsters capable of levelling cities, the wealth that was generated for the openers of those two valuable Vaults was monumental. Even without opening a Vault, Vault Hunters have a tendency to pursue mercenary work, making use of and honing the violent skills necessary to survive the finding and opening of a Vault. Most Vault Hunters have become fabulously wealthy because of this frequent mercenary work, with one un-notable exception, because it is a sentient robot, and therefore not legally entitled to any sort of property.
What makes Vault Hunters absolutely essential to the fields of Eridian study is their willingness and drive to risk the most dangerous conditions this galaxy has yet to offer in pursuit of their namesake. Perhaps more importantly, everything of value we know about Eridians has come from a Vault. Had Mike, Gavin, Nathan, and Lucy not opened the Pluto Vault, the Human race would still be bound to the star of our conception by Einsteinian principles. But it takes more than just willpower to overcome the dangers inherent in opening a Vault; not only are they inescapably guarded by powerful Eridian defenses, there have been, without exception, myriad other obstacles delaying the opening of a Vault.
What sort of characteristics contribute to a Vault Hunter's success, and what might lead to their grisly, far-too-early death? There is no good answer to that question, because the number and subjectivity of the contributing factors precludes it, and no self-respecting scientist should quantify opinions. However, something I've learned on Pandora is that a perfect answer is less effective than a passable answer oftentimes, and in this case, a passable answer will have to do.
I am compiling biographies of Vault Hunters, survivors, mercenaries, and oddities I have met on Pandora. Ideally, these will aid in the documentation of their deeds, but if the only thing that this whole self-appointed mission accomplishes is help me keep track of these people, I will be satisfied.
Author's Note: Hey, to everyone who's read my other story. Sorry I haven't updated in forever, I hit writers' block, but it's the sort of writers' block where I could work through it if I sat down and typed for a few hours, if that makes sense. Anyway, I am hoping to have the next chapter of Hunting on Hera out by mid-January.
Regarding this whole debacle, it was an idea I've had for a while now. I needed a way to articulate my characterizations of the main characters of my fiction, and writing shitty biographies from Tannis' POV seemed a good enough idea. The end result is me having a much clearer idea of the sort of characters I'm writing about, and, hopefully, you've enjoyed reading my working towards that understanding.