Chapter 1.2

Quake Mission Pack 1

Scourge of Armagon

The first mission pack is often considered to be the better one – including by myself. Brace yourself for another journey into the dark pits of Quake.

Ranger Corps Archive

Slipgate Project

Assessment of Aurora Project – Parameters and Results

(by Captain S. Engel, 5L platoon)

Recent advances in Slipgate technology have allowed us to expand beyond the initial scope of the project. While most of our surveying, retrieval and analysis efforts have so far been focused on four more prominent exo-dimensions (KL-0603, ND-1721, DZ-0513, YK-0780), we are aware of the existence of other realms deeper in the void.

The first iteration of the Slipgate device was unable to detect them and it seems the initially discovered four dimensions were the only ones in existence. The construction of the Aurora mega-portal has amplified our range and we have detected numerous new signals. Most of them turned out to be interference and vorpal echoes within the void, yet a few of them are promising, with an estimated 67.32% probability of being coherent exo-dimensions.

One of the detected entities has been singled out and chosen for further investigation, under the name of XX-0001. We shall commence with the standard breaching and surveying procedure.

Episode 1: Fortress of the Dead

Site 1 is the largest facility involved in the Slipgate program, which is why it serves as the project's command center as well as the headquarters for the Ranger Corps. In more recent months it has also become the main site of the Aurora Project. The base is considered impregnable, at least with regard to any familiar earthly threats.

The Command HQ

At the very heart of Site 1 is a small fortified Command HQ, which contains several critical control systems, as well as the Slipgate prototypes that are linked to the main test pad. The HQ is fully automated and rarely requires human interaction, which is why it is normally deserted and completely sealed off, accessible only via Slipgate modules.

HIP1M1 – The Pumping Station: Initially planned for demolition, it was later determined that it would be more efficient to retrofit the old pumping station and integrate it within the larger military installation, considering the need for water as coolant. Security has been considerably enhanced, including with the addition of an experimental force field gate. All water tunnels have been secured with strong underwater barriers, which remain sealed as long as the main pump remains operational – a supposedly efficient security mechanism since few have the engineering knowledge needed to shut it down.

HIP1M2 – Storage Facility: The base's primary storage depot houses numerous types of supplies – weapons & ammo, scientific equipment, recovered artifacts, and even biological specimens in cryo-stasis. This sector is positioned within the central zone of the base, to ensure that materials are distributed quickly and efficiently. An experimental force bridge has been installed as a means of facilitating troop and cargo transport.

HIP1M3 – The Lost Mine: An old mining complex found itself surrounded by the growing military base, eventually becoming a mostly abandoned section that no one bothered to visit. In more recent times, however, studies have revealed that the minerals that can be gathered from the mine's depths can be very useful in the Aurora project and the site was re-opened. New machines and security measures were installed as well. The mine's deepest reaches are very hot and notorious for the strange events occurring there. Some workers have even claimed the lowest caverns were haunted, though this is dismissed as the product of stress-related disorders.

HIP1M4 – Research Facility: The main Aurora research facility is the heart of this military base and the site where the latest Slipgate research is carried out. The Aurora super-portal is the largest one ever built, positioned within the void itself and expanding our Slipgate range hundredfold. Security is tight and there are numerous security protocols in place to ensure that hostile entities from beyond would not be able to infiltrate the facility and our world.

HIP1M5 – Military Complex: The high-security section of the base is dedicated to weapons research and development, working on new laser weaponry prototypes. It also serves a training facility for elite rangers and enforcers. Access is strictly restricted and available only to troops with Level 4 Aurora credentials.

Episode 2: Dominion of Darkness

Initial surveys of XX-0001 have revealed a world mostly similar to Earth, yet noticeably darker, possibly due to a smaller, fading or simply more distant primary star. Climate can best be described as a colder variety of continental, with the landscape being dominated by coniferous woods, deep cold lakes and several high mountains within the surveyed zone.

Signs of habitation include a variety of structures in a style reminiscent of gothic, yet with a number of unique twists. Preliminary data suggest at least two species of sentient humanoids inhabited this realm, which is confirmed by some of the collected intel materials. These aboriginal life forms appear to have built a good foundation of scientific and arcane studies and there must have been quite a few distinguished scholars among them.

Recovered books and other documents suggest this world followed a certain path in its development until it drew the attention of the so-called Old Ones, after which their teachings and influence started to spread and affect the beliefs, philosophies and way of life of everyone who inhabits this plane. Before long, the Old Ones became the dominant deities of this world and gained full control over it, bringing about a permanent change in its society.

Quotes from various collected materials are provided below for further reference, providing further detail on XX-0001's history.

HIP2M1 – Ancient Realms: Our entry point into XX-0001 was established near a small fortress-like structure, possibly a guard post or barracks of some sort. Preliminary scans have revealed several objects within, which could be weapons or artifacts. Referential material: "When the voices of the Old Ones first appeared as faint whispers in the dark, the blessed ones who heard in their minds would gather in small bastions, to keep themselves separated from the heathen rabble and to prepare for the day of purification. Though they were few at first, their numbers slowly grew and the blessings of the Old Ones spread to more and more souls. Our bastions grew and the day of destiny came closer..."

HIP2M2 – The Black Cathedral: A notable feature that we detected in a mountainous region was a large temple-like edifice that resembles a gothic cathedral. In-depth scans of the structure proved to be impossible due to unexpected interference – it was as if the building itself radiated power. Possible reference: "As our numbers grew, we erected great temples to spread the word of the Old Ones and prepare this wretched world for their coming. The greatest among them was the Black Cathedral, a monument to the glory and power of our newfound faith, as well as a symbol of our resolve to reshape this world in our image. We gathered here to perform the blessed rituals and commune with the Old Ones, to receive their guidance and protection..."

HIP2M3 – The Catacombs: Despite the difficulties during scanning of the temple, we were able to obtain some vague data about an area that appears to be hidden beneath the building itself. "Far below the cold earth, in the dank catacombs that we dredged with our bare hands, was where the true service to the Old Ones took place – away from the prying eyes of heathens and apostates. Guided by the whispers in our minds, we dug to a lava lake and built fortifications, tunnels and various chambers near it. There we kept our most prized artifacts, as well as the war beasts that our otherworldly protectors had sent to serve us..."

HIP2M4 – The Crypt: The recovered writings reference two areas that we have been unable to find and observe directly. They are possibly located in another part of this world. "Ancient beyond remembrance, the burial grounds of our ancestors now serve a new and greater purpose. As the emissaries of the Old Ones finally made their way into our world, they elected this place to serve as their staging area on this plane, training many new initiates and spreading the Word faster than ever before. Symbolic, as it shows their supremacy over the foolish old ways of our people, now just a pile of old tombstones and long-forgotten superstitions. As the minions of our otherworldly mentors came in greater numbers, the old crypts were expanded and restructured to better serve their new calling..."

HIP2M5 – Mortum's Keep: "As the Old Ones tightened their grip over our domain, they selected an isolated and long-abandoned keep in the western shadowlands as the site of their primary outpost in our world, from where they would oversee and control our ascension. The keep's defenses were reinforced and the highest-ranking creatures from beyond claimed it as their lair. They are now working on something – a blessed machine that would enhance the dimensional pathways and pave the way for the new teachings to spread beyond the boundaries of this world, to others in the void beyond..."

HIP2M6 – The Gremlin's Domain: The swamplands appeared devoid of any traces of civilization at first, yet we eventually detected a small decaying castle huddled in the mire. "The Gremlins, though a primitive and barbaric people, were also blessed by the Old Ones and one among them was chosen to hear their whispers. He led his followers to an abandoned old castle, where he taught them the ways of our benefactors and trained them to be worthy of receiving their gifts. It has been said that this enlightened Gremlin eventually became a powerful general in the Old Ones' armies and was given command over a great arcane fortress in the infinite void..."

Episode 3: The Rift

An experimental sweep of XX-0001's local vortex cluster revealed an unexpected interdimensional connection. The surprising thing about it was the fact that it does not connect with another exo-dimension, but rather with an anomalous region within the void. Normally we would have ignored this anomaly as studying it would be an unjustified risk, yet interest in it was renewed in light of some recent discoveries.

Several ancient texts recovered from the "Dominion of Darkness" refer to a place that appears to be very similar to the detected anomaly. It is described as a sea of otherworldly energy and a natural "amplifier" of interdimensional portals. It is also supposedly the location of a fortress held by a being named "Armagon", which may have once been a native of XX-0001.

The precise nature of this fortress is unknown, though the text seem to suggest it is built on a free-floating entity, likely a planetoid suspended within the void. Several more cryptic reference provide some insight into this eldritch place, provided below.

HIP3M1 – Tur Torment: "The Master's fortress has several entrance points, though all of them are fiercely guarded, to prevent any interlopers from setting foot within these unhallowed halls. Steep cliffs, lakes of flesh-consuming poison and unsleeping guards patrolling the great guard towers – no one can even approach without great Armagon's sanction. Numerous armies have tried and failed throughout the millennia, only to see their homeworlds razed by the Master's wrath as he brought his swift retribution unto these heathens..."

HIP3M2 – Pandemonium: "The lower levels of Armagon's fortress are dark, hot and covered with a layer of soot. Several lava flows power the forges where the weapons and armor for the Master's armies have been forged since times beyond remembrance. The holding pens for many of the ferocious fiends used in warfare are also housed within this shadowy domain. It is unthinkable that anyone would be foolish enough to enter these halls willingly, though many reckless challengers have challenged the Master's legions, only to become food for the inhabitants of Pandemonium..."

HIP3M3 – Limbo: "The largest segment of the Master's citadel is the abode of his numerous minions and enforcers. The practitioners of the dark arcane arts gather here to hone their skills and rekindle their malice towards the enemies of the Old Ones. The moisture gathered from the chaotic astral winds is condensed into a cold and bleak stream that runs through this area. Rumors there are of planar portals that lead to some distant retreats of the Master and his chosen ones..."

HIP3M4 – The Gauntlet: "The upper levels of Armagon's fortress are reserved for his elite – the most distinguished and most fearsome among his minions, the ones that make worlds tremble and armies fall like lambs to the slaughter. They serve as the Master's personal guard and as mentors to those who seek to rise in the ranks and prove their worth to the Old Ones. Only the mightiest can walk among these dark champions, and so this place is built as a deadly gauntlet of challenges that reveal if one is worthy enough to walk these halls, or even to gain audience with Armagon himself..."

HIPDM1 – The Edge of Oblivion: "The Old Ones had long ago built outposts within the eternal void, though most of them had been lost or destroyed throughout the eons. This one stood the test of time – abandoned and reclaimed time and time again, until it has come under the rule of great Armagon, who placed numerous fearsome guardians and has given this forsaken place new life as a doorway to various other planes to conquer and plunder..."

Armagon's Lair

"At the very heart of the great fortress lies the Eye of the Void – the greatest portal, the doorway to nowhere and everywhere. The grand throne chamber built beneath it is the inner sanctum and personal retreat of our great Master – Armagon, one of the greatest warlords in the armies of Quake. Crawl on the ancient stones and beg for mercy as his burning gaze falls upon you, lest you be swept away by his wrath..."

Next stop - Dissolution of Eternity...