Chapter 1.4
Quake 1 Codex Addendum
Ranger Corps equipment, recovered artifacts, observed lifeforms
Ranger Corps Database Query QE-190821 returned the following results:
Entry #22533 – "Megahealth": The Ranger Corps has deployed a number of experimental bits of equipment in an attempt to even the odds as its troops explore the strange alien dimensions. These include a variety of medicinal products, though transporting and using them in the field has proven to be quite clumsy and problematic. A solution was proposed by Doctor D. Lokey – a single device that, when activated, analyses the biological parameters of the user and administers an optimal mixture of booster drugs, resulting in a surge of vitality in the subject. The effect is only temporary, though, as the human body cannot maintain such metabolic levels for long. There have been rumors among the troops that the Megahealth device utilizes not just ordinary medication, but alchemical substances recovered from other dimensions as well, though Dr. Lokey has dismissed them as the "fantasies of bored soldiers."
Entry #25623 – "Biosuit": The hostile nature of the other dimensions, as well as the presence of hazardous materials at some of the Ranger Corps bases, necessitate the development of wide-spectrum protective gear. The Biosuit covers the user's entire body and provides protection against all known caustic and radioactive substances, as well as an internal air supply that enables underwater swimming for prolonged periods. The suit's only drawback is that it ceases to function once its air supply is exhausted, and the current air tank capacity is still low. The Biosuit is not designed to protect against extreme pressure or heat sources (e.g. molten lava).
Entry #10808 – "Ring of Shadows": Recovered artifact (ID: 10808) appears as a golden ring without any distinguishable decorations or emissions. Its true purpose remained unknown until one of the researchers put it on (possibly due to a bet he made with the others in the lab) and found out that it renders the body of its wearer completely transparent and thus invisible, with the exception of the eyes (see note below). Several other scientists have tried the ring and the effect was always the same. All users reported feeling a vague sense of menace as well as hearing silent whispers while wearing the ring, although there is no possible sources for such manifestation. Further research pending. Note: Dr. Lokey has suggested that the wearer's eyes being unaffected by the invisibility effect is a necessary safety mechanism, as most biological eyes rely upon the refraction of light to see. Complete transparency would eliminate refraction, and thus render the ring wearer blind for the duration of the effect.
Entry #52906 – "Pentagram of Protection": Recovered artifact (ID: 52906) appears as a pentagram-shaped talisman, in a dark red color that resembles blood. It took many months to discover its purpose, as all attempts at scanning human subjects wearing the talisman returned no data whatsoever. It was eventually theorized that the artifact created some kind of shielding effect, which could explain the lack of data, even when the most powerful scans were utilized. Tests with volunteers confirmed this hypothesis – the pentagram makes its user virtually invulnerable to all forms of damage (including explosions). The effect extends only to the user's body – any armor or other clothing worn could still be damaged. The exact mechanism of the invulnerability effect is still not known – does it infuse the wearer's body, or create a force field on its surface. Further research pending.
Entry #60107 – "Quad Damage": Recovered artifact (ID: 60107) is a blue-colored talisman with a very peculiar shape featuring an incomplete circle and a "stake" driven through its base. A series of experiments have determined that it has a very specific effect that concentrates on any weapon (or weapon-like object) that a user is carrying (or the user's fists, if no suitable object is present), increasing the damage said weapon can do on impact. The "Quad Damage" can thus turn even something as weak as a pocket knife into a weapon powerful enough to punch holes into concrete walls. Users often report a feeling of euphoria and restlessness while under the talisman's effect. The exact nature of the damage enhancement is still not fully understood, but collected data suggest it has something to do with focused resonance waves. Further research pending.
Entry #75405 – Inhabitants of the Exo-dimensions:
Ranger Corps expeditions have managed to observe numerous indigenous creatures within the other dimensions and collect some data on them. These specimens can generally be divided into two sub-categories – human and non-human.
1. Human: Our teams have often observed armored warriors resembling medieval knights throughout the explored exo-dimensions. Their armor and weapons appeared to be the same in design and craftsmanship, suggesting they had originated from the same place. We were able to differentiate two types of knights – the more common ones seem to be armed with ordinary swords, whereas the heavier and more rarely encountered "Death Knights" were spotted summoning energy projectiles of an unknown nature from the blades of their swords, suggesting they are not as mundane as they appear. The so-called Death Knights were observed issuing orders to the common knights, implying a higher rank. It remains unclear whom exactly these knights serve and for what purpose.
2. Non-human: Several creatures have been observed, directly or indirectly, by the Ranger teams. Currently, there is very little data about them – the science division is not even sure if these beings are mere animals or sentient. One creature that is most likely an animal is the so-called "Fiend" – a predatory quadruped, whose front limbs appear deformed as sharp spikes. Fiends have been confirmed to be highly mobile and capable of jumping great distances. "Ogres" are large and brutish humanoids, which are definitely not human, as indicated by their external anatomy. They have been observed carrying weapons, including objects resembling chainsaws. Some water pools in the other dimensions were infested with "Rotfish" – aquatic carnivores reminiscent of Earth's piranha, but even more aggressive and ravenous. "Scrags" are flying creatures spotted near some buildings. Initially assumed to be animals, they have been observed spending time in libraries and crude alchemical laboratories, which suggests some level of intelligence. There have been partial and unconfirmed reports of other creatures as well, including huge lumbering beasts that could summon bolts of lightning, blobs of slime that appeared sentient, and spider-like horrors inhabiting the darkest pits of the exo-domains. No survivors have ever returned to report on these specimens, and all we know of them is based on partial communications and salvaged telemetry. Further research required.
One more new chapter follows... brace yourselves, it's a longer one!