All Events

This page is Exploration Events, Anu Haven Events, New Jericho Haven events and Synedrion Haven events combined on one page. All the text events that can trigger after exploring POI or visiting faction Haven for a first time.

If you are using CTRL+F to see the outcomes before making choice you can do it here and search all of them on one page instead of searching through 4 Wiki pages.

Exploaration events with choices

A Handful of Dust

The [AircraftName] has discovered the ruins of New Babylon, a city-state founded by a schismatic sect that broke off from the Disciples of Anu two years ago. Unlike the Disciples, who see the Pandoravirus as a challenge that must be overcome via evolution, the schismatics believed that all mutations were secretly beneficial and humanity must embrace them without question. When they left their old havens, they took many sacred relics that the Disciples would like to have returned.

These relics largely consist of mutated human remains: the bones of Anu martyrs, who died in the struggle for a more evolved humanity. But New Jericho takes a different view: these relics are actually dangerous bioweapons and potential sources of infection, and ought to be destroyed.

Return the relics

The Disciples are deeply grateful for the return of their sacred artifacts, reminders of the long journey they have been on. "Perfection cannot be reached in a day," as a popular Anu saying goes, "but those who have hope can glimpse it beyond the sunset."

To express their thankfulness, they send us a shipment of valuable supplies.

TECH +30, MATERIALS +60, FOOD +220, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Burn the ruins and the relics with them

New Babylon burns. The so-called relics will be reduced to ashes, as they should be. These people were not martyrs, they were mutants. Maybe the flames will bring some kind of purity back to this place.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -5.

A Luxurious Apocalypse

Our operatives have discovered what can only be described as a luxury shelter: an underground facility so extravagant it beggars belief. It has multiple swimming pools, a gym, a sauna, a cinema, even a dedicated VR room. The only thing it doesn't have is people.

Dismantle the lighter equipment and install it in our facilities

Entertainment is rare in this dark and miserable world, but nothing could be more necessary. Faced with the relentless horror of the Pandoravirus, our operatives often struggle to maintain their sanity, and having access to films and games helps them forget about what they've seen, if only for a little while.

These decadent luxuries are symbols of the old world. Destroy them

An obsession with superficial luxuries at the expense of meaningful growth was how the world ended up such a mess in the first place. It's not a coincidence that this shelter is empty. Better to destroy it and focus on true self-improvement.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Donate the equipment to New Jericho

A representative of New Jericho thanks us for our donation, which will be used to improve their training facilities.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Donate the equipment to Synedrion

A representative of Synedrion thanks us for our donation, which will be used to improve their entertainment centers. They are particularly grateful for a copy of the Complete Tarkovsky Filmography found in the shelter.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Aftermath

Our operatives have discovered an unsettling sight: on a hill near the ruins of a burned-down haven, eight New Jericho soldiers have been beheaded. Their heads, still wearing their helmets, have been placed on spikes. It's impossible to know what happened here, but it can't have been good.

Inform New Jericho of our discovery

A message from New Jericho thanks us for the information and asks us to bury the soldiers' remains. There is no comment as to what the soldiers may have been doing.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Hey, free helmets!

Whatever happened here, it's all over now. The dead soldiers won't mind their helmets being reused.

3 New Jericho Heavy Helmets received

Inform the other factions of our discovery, suggesting New Jericho committed an atrocity here

An official statement from New Jericho disavows any responsibility for the actions of these soldiers, who are said to have gone AWOL weeks ago, and blames the Phoenix Project for deliberately inflaming tensions.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -7, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +6, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Synedrion's attitude to New Jericho -7, Disciples of Anu's attitude to New Jericho -7.

At Peace

The [AircraftName] has encountered a large group of Anu pilgrims following the Path to the Hesychastic Ziggurat, a nearby sacred site said to bring peace and oneness with the Dead God. Despite the extreme danger of such travel, they are only lightly armed.

Accompany them

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be higher than -25 for this option.

The pilgrims are a merry lot, and at our offer of assistance, they spontaneously break into song. Making so much noise seems quite foolish, but by the time they've arrived at the Hesychastic Ziggurat, it's hard not to admit that they understand this world and know how to move within it. We might actually be able to learn a lot just by watching them.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Player receives 30 Skill Points.

Let them go

The pilgrims seem unconcerned by our lack of assistance. They're at ease with their surroundings.

Behind the Walls

The [AircraftName] has landed in the remains of a gated community. Judging from the design, this place was built in the early days of the Second Mist, when the upper classes abandoned the cities. The place seems to be in relatively good shape, if somewhat overgrown. Perhaps there are survivors?

Investigate

The more our operatives investigate, the stranger the situation gets. It's not entirely clear, but evidence seems to suggest that the inhabitants of the gated community actually killed each other following a dispute about an inheritance. The turrets, meant to defend the compound's walls, are turned towards the inside, and the lush gardens are full of shattered skeletons. The only thing really worth scavenging is the VR entertainment system.

TECH +130

Ignore

There is not likely to be anything of interest here.

Buried Treasure

Our operatives have discovered something of a treasure trove: an old underground lab full of functional tech. Unfortunately, the structural integrity of the facility is severely compromised. Deep cracks in the walls suggest collapse is imminent.

It would be possible to reinforce the facility to buy us enough time to retrieve all the tech, but it would be costly.

It's worth it. Retrieve the tech (-50 Materials)

Costs 50 MATERIALS. The operation proves exactly as complicated as expected, but also just as lucrative. Our operatives managed to retrieve so much tech from the old lab that it barely fits in the [AircraftName].

TECH +150

Tempting, but a waste of resources

Not every treasure is worth pursuing, and greed can be dangerous. We'll have to get our tech elsewhere.

Cetus (coastal site)

While following an odd trail, our operatives have discovered a huge but non-hostile mutant. The creature, once a bowhead whale, is slowly, painfully pulling itself along on enlarged but fragile centipede-like legs growing along the sides of its body. It appears to be in some distress.

Put the creature out of its misery

The creature's thick skin makes it hard to kill, but after a few shots to the head, it finally stops moving. Whether this was an act of mercy or not is hard to tell, but as one last, heavy breath escapes the creature's broken body it is difficult not to feel sorry for it.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Transport it to the sea (-10 Tech)

Transporting the whale-thing back to the sea is a major logistical challenge, and dangerous to boot. It's not even certain whether the creature can survive in the water. But all doubts are laid to rest when it finally, triumphantly bursts up from beneath the waves. The oceans may no longer belong to us, but it would appear that not every link is severed... at least not yet.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +7, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -4

Leave the creature where it is

The whale-thing continues to crawl, oblivious to the moral dilemmas of the tiny apes that surround it.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -2

Dead Town

An abandoned town, a remnant of the old world. The kind of place where children grew up, went to school, got jobs and grew old. A search of the buildings is like picking over the dead, but needs must. We might find some things we can use.

Search the area

A small cache of resources has been found.

MATERIALS +160, FOOD +60

Leave the place undisturbed

Leaving the dead where they are is all very well, but sometimes a sacrifice has to be made. We can only hope we won't regret this decision later when we're in need of food and supplies.

Death Is A Highway

Our operatives have set down beside a ruined highway. There are hundreds of burned-out cars and trucks lying all over the place. Nature is busy reclaiming the concrete and tarmac. It looks like people were trying to live here for a while. We should look around. There might be some stuff left over that we can use.

Search the area

Our operatives have discovered a small cache of resources in a makeshift shelter between two trucks.

MATERIALS +500, FOOD +80

Do No Harm

Our operatives have located an abandoned field hospital. This is an unremittingly depressing place where lives were lost in unimaginable agony during the days of the Second Mist. It probably contains useful supplies, but entering it will take a toll on our people.

Search the site

Our operatives return with the resources they could scavenge. None of them wishes to discuss what they've seen.

TECH +20, MATERIALS +150, FOOD +180, Stamina -10.

Let's stay away

Our operatives see enough horrifying things already, they don't need more.

Dulce et Decorum est

An eerie sight awaits our operatives at this location: hundreds of tanks stand abandoned on a crumbling road. No battle was ever fought here; the weapons of the past were designed to kill fellow human beings, not to withstand a shapeless, relentless alien mist.

To New Jericho, the soldiers who fought here were heroes worth remembering, even though they were let down by corrupt, foolish governments. To Synedrion, they were victims of a decaying political system that could only resolve its problems with violence. To the Disciples of Anu, they are an embodiment of the abominations of the old world. The question is: what are they to us?

Build a memorial that portrays them as heroes (-50 Materials)

The memorial to the fallen is inscribed with the words of the poet Joseph Morland: "War is truly noble / Death is finally glorious / Failure is assuredly honorable / Only when the cause is our humanity." Perhaps it will give people hope, and inspire them to keep fighting.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +6, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -2, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -2

Build a memorial that portrays them as victims (-20 Materials)

The memorial to the fallen is inscribed with the words of the poet Nadia Kammerer: "Ask not the blind giant / Why he crushes the people / Ask why we pay tribute / To a blind, fallen god." Perhaps it will inspire people to approach the struggle against the Pandoravirus in a more complex way.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +6, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Build a memorial that portrays them as fools

The memorial to the fallen is inscribed with a quote from the Gospel of the Exalted, Chapter 3: "Here were written the names of all of Man's cities, and all his nations; and all were dust and memories. No glory could last, no empire endure, for within Man was the seed of destruction, and all his creations were imperfect." Perhaps it will make people understand that they must change themselves before they can change the world.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +7, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -4, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Let these machines of death rot

There is no need to obsess over the failures of the past. If they couldn't defeat the Pandoravirus then, how can they help us defeat it now?

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3

Embalmed

In what appears to have once been a textile factory, our operatives have discovered hundreds of mummified bodies covered in a thin film of mucus. It is unclear whether this mucus was deposited on the bodies by an external source or whether it was excreted during the process of mummification.

Representatives of the Disciples of Anu demand that the bodies of the "martyrs" be turned over to them for study, while New Jericho demands that the bodies be destroyed to prevent infection.

Allow the Disciples to study the bodies

The Disciples thank us for protecting the bodies of the martyrs from the heathens at New Jericho and reward us for our good deed.

FOOD +300, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Demolish the building, burying the bodies

We receive a message of thanks from New Jericho. They're glad that we have the sanity to look at a bunch of mummified bodies and see a health risk, not objects to be worshipped, and they're not averse to expressing their thankfulness in material terms.

MATERIALS +320, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Flowers for the Dead

Our operatives have set down on the edge of a town abandoned and picked clean long ago. The nearest building appears to be a crematorium. The backroom is piled up with bodies as if people brought their dead to the place and just left them here. Pink, meaty flowers are growing from the mummified corpses, swaying even though there's no wind.

Search the crematorium

Looks like this is the only place that didn't get ransacked, probably because of the nauseating smell given off by the flowers, which is so intense it actually makes our operatives retch.

MATERIALS +90, FOOD +200, Stamina -10.

Leave

The smell of the flowers is too nauseating. Better to stay away.

Fun Games and Killer Clowns

Our operatives have set down near an old amusement park. The rides are rusted and overgrown with weeds and brush. The landing zone is pretty small and it will take quite an effort to explore the location around the aircraft. With no sightlines, it could be pretty dangerous, too.

Additionally, as one of our operatives points out, this is precisely the sort of place best avoided in horror movies.

Take off and leave the location undisturbed

Some might think this was a cowardly choice, but who needs mutated killer clowns in a post-apocalyptic amusement park?

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -1.

Clear a path and search the fun fair

It turns out that there are no Pandoran killer clowns in the amusement park, but there are plenty of broken railings and unstable roofs. Recovering the useful bits of machinery is quite hazardous.

TECH +50, MATERIALS +150, Stamina -10.

Fungus Humongous

Our operatives have encountered a New Jericho scientific expedition. The expedition has discovered a unique mutation of Pilobolus crystallinus in an abandoned commune's composting facility. The individual fungi are almost twenty times as large as the unmutated variety; when expelling spores, they do so with enough force to penetrate armor.

The expedition has begun preparations for burning the facility.

Petition to study the fungi first (-15 Tech)

While New Jericho disapproves of allowing the fungi to continue existing, even for a limited time period, they accede to our demands. The data collected by our operatives proves to be highly interesting and potentially useful in our own R&D.

Research +100

Help them burn the facility

The world doesn't need more dangerous mutations. The facility goes up in flames.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

Steal samples and donate them to the Disciples of Anu

Our actions have angered New Jericho, but the Disciples are grateful for the donation, which may help them better understand the transformation the world is undergoing, and how to make use of it for human ends.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -6, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4.

Let them burn the facility

Another threat to humanity has been eliminated, thanks to New Jericho.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Ghost Ship (coastal site)

Our operatives have located the wreck of a beached ship. The Mortzestus was a cargo vessel registered in San Francisco which mysteriously disappeared in the Sargasso Sea in 2026. How it ended up here is anyone's guess; the captain's log is nothing but mad scrawls, and the ship's interior is covered in a sticky, translucent membrane. The wind echoes weirdly down its corridors, distorted into an eerie moaning by the membrane. The cargo appears to be intact.

Retrieve the cargo

The cargo is indeed intact, but some of it is quite badly stuck in the membrane. Getting it out is exhausting, and once it's done, our operatives get out of there as quickly as possible. There's something unsettling about this ship.

TECH +70, MATERIALS +120

Get out of here

The Phoenix Project is a science organization, not a ghost-busting outfit. Not that ghosts exist. It's just that our operatives would rather be doing something else.

Growth Spurt

At the site of what used to be a lake, our operatives discover an unsettling sight: the entire surface of the water is overgrown with a thick layer of what appears to be dry, flaky skin. In the middle of the lake is a large orifice which pumps out a sticky, greenish liquid that has formed a small river.

A Synedrion science team led by Dr. Amanda Barlow has set up camp nearby. "I've never seen anything like it," she says. "And while I'm all in favour of life and science and all that, my personal inclination is to nuke the site from orbit. If only we had nukes and spaceships."

Dynamite the site (-5 Tech and -35 Materials)

Explosions rip the skin to shreds, exposing the viscous liquid underneath. Our team takes several samples, as does Dr. Barlow's, but for the moment it remains unclear whether or not any of this has been helpful. Perhaps we have killed whatever this organism was, but it's just as possible that the skin will just grow back.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

Contribute to Dr. Barlow's research (-20 Tech)

I guess we'll keep studying this... whatever this is," Dr. Barlow says with a resigned shrug. "Maybe we'll figure out what it does, maybe not. Maybe it doesn't do anything and the Pandoravirus is just insane. Who knows? Anyway, I'll make sure all the data we retrieve is shared with the Phoenix Project.

Research +75, value w+1.

Do nothing

"I don't blame you," Dr. Barlow says with a weary shrug. "We live in a messed-up world and nothing makes sense anymore."

Hard Justice

Our operatives land near a cluster of burned-out vehicles. There's been a fight here, recently by any guess, perhaps in the last week or so. On the ground, there are corpses that were tied up and left. These people were survivors, but on the losing side. They were left to die of starvation, lying in the dirt.

Search the wreckage and the corpses

It's grizzly work at times, but resources mean survival.

TECH +15, MATERIALS +250.

Search everything, but take time to bury the dead

Burying the dead may only be of symbolic value, but we need to cling to any shreds of decency we have left as a species.

TECH +15, MATERIALS +250, Stamina -10, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

Heads Up, A Head Ahead

Our operatives have discovered a large, screaming head which appears to have grown on top of an old warehouse. The head is only vaguely human, and in some ways resembles a very large pumpkin. Its eyes bulge and drip with a viscous, pus-like fluid. Stalks resembling antennae grow from its balding pate.

It appears to be screaming the same word over and over, something like "yooglog" or "noo-kot" in a variety of intonations."

Destroy the head and search the warehouse (-10 Tech)

Destroying the head proves more difficult than anticipated. Its thick skin is almost impervious to gunfire, and it takes a strong explosive shoved into its mouth to do the trick. Everyone is relieved but also disgusted as pieces of head-pumpkin rain down onto the [AircraftName]. The warehouse has not been looted and contains some useful resources.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5

Just search the warehouse

The warehouse has not been looted and contains some useful resources, but the head's incessant screaming is very disturbing. After a while, its effect is almost hypnotic.

MATERIALS +60, FOOD +120, Stamina -10.

Contact the Disciples of Anu

The Disciples send a team to investigate and promise to share any interesting findings. They are thankful for being alerted to the existence of this cephalic novum, whether it turns out to be sacred or just an aberration.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5, Research +50.

We should head off

Whatever this thing is, we don't want to be near it.

Horror from the Deep (coastal site)

Our operatives have located the wreck of a beached ship. It's eerily familiar... because it's the Mortzestus, the ship that disappeared in the Sargasso Sea in 2026 and was rediscovered by our operatives not so long ago! How could it possibly have gotten here?

Investigate

As our operatives start climbing on board, the entire ship begins to violently shake, and they are thrown off. With a horrifying howl, the ship begins to glide back into the sea, leaving a trail of luminescent mucus behind it.

Soldiers lose 30 HP.

Get the hell out of here

Thanks but no thanks. Our operatives are brave, not stupid. As far as they're concerned, the creepy ghost ship can quite literally get in the sea.

Hot Stuff

The [AircraftName] has landed less than a kilometer away from a huge fire. It looks like an entire abandoned village is burning. A few buildings at the edge of the blaze could still be searched, although it's risky.

Brave the flames

The buildings are overgrown with some kind of mutated lichen that smells intensely of sulfur; it reacts explosively to fire. Our operatives retrieve as many resources as possible before the fire gets too close.

TECH +60, MATERIALS +140, Soldiers lose 30 HP.

Leave

This risk is not worth taking.

How Do You Like Them Apples

The [AircraftName] has landed in an open field next to rows and rows of apple trees. The buildings nearby have been abandoned and the whole place has been neglected for quite a while.

Initial testing on the apples indicates that they are unfit for human consumption, as they have been affected by the Pandoravirus. While they look normal on the outside, on the inside they contain internal organs closely resembling those of a crab.

Forget the apples and search the area

A nearby abandoned farmhouse contains a few things we could use.

MATERIALS +150, FOOD +50.

Inform the Disciples of Anu

The Disciples send someone to investigate the potential of these literal crabapples. They might open up entirely new culinary possibilities! After all, how can humanity adapt to the new ecosystem without finding ways to enjoy it?

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Disgusting. Burn the place down

These abominations should not be allowed to keep infesting our planet. Every last one of these trees will be burned.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -5.

It Is Coming (needs value w higher than 3)

Our operatives have discovered a massive growth that seems to feature several elements that had previously been observed growing separately: a web of human hearts, connected to a series of tubes that resemble stitched-together pigs, which lead to purple, pulsating lakes covered in flaky skin, topped off with long, quivering spinal columns that reach into the sky.

It's almost as if the Pandoravirus was running tests before, and this is the next step - or maybe the final result?

Study the growth (-20 Tech)

The growth is almost like a mechanism of some kind. It could even be compared to a haven - after all, it has a power source, a command centre, and even communications equipment. But it seems to be malfunctioning, and despite being unfinished in some places, it is no longer growing.

Perhaps the experiment has failed. Or succeeded somewhere else.

Research +150

Destroy it (-5 Tech, -20 Materials)

Whatever this is, it's clearly part of a greater plan, and disrupting that plan is our primary concern. So let's raze this abomination to the ground before it can get any bigger.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +6

Inform the Disciples

The Disciples do not declare this place a holy site; instead, a group led by an Anagnostes and a Skeuophylax arrives and immediately demolishes the whole thing on orders of the Exalted. They don't explain why, because they don't know, and don't need to.

"Understanding is not required," one of them says, quoting an ancient holy text, "only obedience."

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5

Lad Land

Our operatives have discovered a theme park dedicated to the Lucrative Lads, a novelty boy band made up of young hedge fund managers, who enjoyed enormous success with their single "Golden Gecko" before crashing spectacularly when their second album failed to sell more than a hundred copies. The park, like the band itself, was initially thought to be intended ironically. It is unusually well-preserved.

"Rupert "Classy Lad" Caine, formerly of the band, now works as an analyst for New Jericho. In an urgent message, he pleads for us to destroy the park and not let anyone know about it.

"Mr West does not know about my history with the band," he says, "and I don't know what he would do if he found out I was part of something so... frivolous."

Set the park on fire

Given how much of this place is made of plywood, it's kind of a miracle that it hasn't burned down already. A bit of gasoline easily does the trick, and soon this abomination of the old world is finally gone.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3.

Share this information with New Jericho

While there is no official comment from New Jericho, Rupert Caine's position appears to have been suddenly vacated.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3.

Dismantle the park for material

Half the park appears to be made of plywood, but there's at least a few bits and pieces we can repurpose.

MATERIALS +300.

Lake Placid

Our operatives have encountered a Synedrion scientific expedition. Its purpose is to analyze a small lake that has turned an odd shade of purple and seems to be pulsating with some inner force.

"I can't tell whether this is a single organism or some kind of colony," Dr. Grigorovich, one of the expedition's scientists, tells our operatives. "Of course, that distinction might not really apply to something created by the Pandoravirus. In any case, we could use some help from the experts."

Help Dr. Grigorovich analyze the lake

The lake is actually a colloid hydrogel consisting of unknown multicellular organisms (the source of the light) and water. Small animals get trapped in it and are then digested by the organisms. The hydrogel has many interesting applications in our scientific projects.

Research +100, w+1, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, value w+1.

Cover the damn thing in concrete

Whatever it is, the world doesn't need more of it, so let's concrete the damn thing over and make sure no one else has to deal with it. Dr. Grigorovich may be disappointed, but safety is more important than curiosity.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Inform the Disciples of this potential holy site (needs rep higher than 0 with Anu)

We are informed that an Anagnostes has been dispatched to determine the nature of the lake and whether it bears the marks of the Dead God. Dr. Grigorovich's team has been asked to leave the area as a matter of religious tolerance.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Synedrion's attitude to Disciples of Anu -4,value w+1.

This is Synedrion business

Dr. Grigorovich will have to continue his analysis himself. The lake seems too trivial an issue for the Phoenix Project to get involved with right now.

Lay of the Land

The AircraftName has encountered a New Jericho scouting expedition. They're producing detailed maps of the region.

"We gotta think big," Commander McGrath explains. "Can't just sit around in our havens and hope this'll blow over. We need to know the lay of the land. It's our damn planet, after all. And you know what they say: the devil's in the details."

Ask them to share their data

"Sure, no problem," McGrath nods. "The more eyes we get on this, the better."

Sites added to Geoscape: 4 Exploration. Site added to Geoscape: An Idle king.

Pay for the data (-15 Tech, -30 Food)

"Alright," says McGrath, "that's a fair trade. Sending you everything we got so far."

4 sites revealed on Geoscape. One exploration, one independent haven and two scavenging sites.

We have our own scouts

McGrath wishes us good luck and goes back to his mapping interface.

Let's Go To The Mall

The [AircraftName] has landed on the outskirts of an abandoned town. There is a huge shopping complex here, built out of concrete and glass. The doors have been smashed, but most of the shops and goods are intact.

Search the mall

Wandering around is like going back in time twenty years or more. There's so much wealth here, it's hard to understand why so many people in the old world were poor.

TECH +60, MATERIALS +500

This symbol of the old world should be destroyed

This mall gives form to the worst of all sins: greed. The people of the old world lost themselves in these places, never noticing what was happening around them. We should destroy it.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5

Limpet Surge

Our operatives have discovered a military depot that could hold highly valuable supplies for our cause. However, the building is overgrown with enormous, mutated purple limpets, and they appear to be multiplying exponentially. The facility will soon be covered in so many layers of limpets that drilling through their shells will be nigh on impossible.

Let's do this while we can (-20 tech and -30 materials)

The process is boring and cumbersome, but eventually, our operatives manage to break through and recover the military equipment. Humanity 1, Limpets 0.

Stamina -10, Player obtains 3 Incendiary Grenades, 1 Gauss Assault Rifle, 1 Gauss Sniper Rifle and 1 Gauss Machine Gun.

This isn't worth the effort

The limpets keep growing. How strange and alien this world has become.

Listen Up

Our operatives have discovered a New Jericho listening post, used to spy on Synedrion and the Disciples of Anu. The facility is fully automated.

Demolish the listening post (-10 Tech and -25 Materials)

The facility is easily demolished, but our action has been observed and noted.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -5, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3.

Covertly sabotage the facility (-5 Tech and -25 Materials)

Destroying the listening post without being noticed is slightly more complicated, but this way our hand remains hidden.

Do nothing

The continued activity of the listening post will doubtlessly intensify the conflict between the factions as valuable information is intercepted and taken advantage of.

Synedrion's attitude to New Jericho -7, Disciples of Anu's attitude to New Jericho -6.

Long Pig

Our operatives are disturbed to report the discovery of what they describe as a "pig pipeline" - a bizarre growth resembling the stitched-together bodies of pigs, several miles long. It is unclear to what end the Pandoravirus created this organism, or why it recombined pig DNA to achieve its purpose. Perhaps the entire thing is an aberration.

Investigate it (-5 Tech)

At some point, it disappears into the ground. Readings suggest it may continue for several more miles in this fashion. Our operatives attach a number of sensors and take several samples. Perhaps some of the data thus collected will prove useful in our research.

Research +100, value w+1.

Burn it (-15 Materials)

It would be impossibly costly to burn the entire thing, so our operatives only set a section of it on fire. It writhes like a snake as it burns, and a dark brown liquid emerges with an awful gurgling sound. It smells of bacon.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Lost Expedition

Our operatives have discovered the broken remains of an experimental Synedrion mobile lab. Apparently, the vehicle suffered a containment failure; there are no signs of the crew, but some of the equipment could be salvaged.

Salvage the equipment without informing Synedrion

The research itself is sadly lost, but there are some useful parts that can be extracted from the lab.

TECH +300

Inform Synedrion regarding our discovery and give them the equipment

Dr. Hussein Habinek, a Synedrion scientist who helped design the lab, sends us a message of thanks. He had argued against deploying it so early but was outvoted.

"There is little pleasure to be had in being proven right about something so terrible," he says, "but at least we know what happened, and can learn from it."

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +5

Take everything useful, then inform Synedrion

Dr. Hussein Habinek, a Synedrion scientist who helped design the lab, sends us a message of thanks. He had argued against deploying it so early but was outvoted.

"There is little pleasure to be had in being proven right about something so terrible," he says. "I wish I knew what happened. I suppose it will always haunt me."

TECH +175, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Matters of the Heart

Our operatives report that stretching across an entire valley is a field of human hearts, interconnected by thin strands of connective tissue and slimy, pulsating veins. The effect is deeply hypnotic, and looking at it for too long causes a strange feeling of one's own heart becoming synchronized to the beat.

Set up a monitoring station and collect data (-15 Tech and -50 Materials)

There seems to be a connection between the speed at which the hearts beat and the movements of nearby Pandoravirus creatures, but the hearts don't seem to be controlling the creatures. Is it possible that we're monitoring a monitoring station? Does this bizarre network represent some sort of analytical organ?

As usual, we are left with more questions than answers, but every clue counts.

Research +150,value w+1.

Try to sabotage the organism (-20 Tech)

Unfortunately, the organism is so enormous, and grows back so fast, that any attempt to destroy it seems doomed to fail. But perhaps we can gain some useful insights by observing its regeneration.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +6 Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Research +80,value w+1.

Let it be

While unsettling, the organism poses no immediate threat. Better to focus our efforts elsewhere.

Memories

While exploring a seemingly unremarkable ruin, our operatives stumble across a book half-hidden in a pile of rubble: an old copy of Olaf Stapledon's visionary novel Star Maker. It is unusually well-preserved.

Further investigation reveals what appears to be a collapsed library. Sealed off under the rubble, the books have remained almost completely undamaged. While not useful in our war against the Pandoravirus, these books represent a vital part of humanity's history. Would digging them out be worth it?

Yes, this is part of who we are (-10 Tech, -15 Food and -25 Materials

Digging out the books takes a surprisingly long time, but the bounty is rich, including the Complete Works of Doris Lessing, Robert Byron's The Road to Oxiana, and a worn copy of Arkady and Boris Strugatsky's The Final Circle of Paradise, long thought lost.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +6, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -4

No, humanity must embrace new ways

Perhaps in this new era, the past should be left alone.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5

This choice should be left to a future generation if we survive the war

Perhaps the best way of preserving these texts is to let them stay exactly where they are, safely underground, until one day this war is over and there is time for books once more.

Mushrooming

The [AircraftName] has encountered a Synedrion scientific expedition. Led by Dr. Robert Laudan, its purpose is to investigate a large field of mushroom-like growths that release a cloud of spores upon contact. It's unclear whether this represents a new vector for infection or something more harmless, but Synedrion would like to know.

Assist Dr. Laudan's investigation (-50 Tech)

After gathering more data with the help of our operatives, Dr. Laudan comes to the conclusion that the spores do not contain any traces of the Pandoravirus. They are, however, highly poisonous, and could render areas uninhabitable with alarming speed. As such, the only logical conclusion is to destroy all the growths and hope they're the only specimen.

Research +120

Not a Barnacle

Clinging to the ruins of an old library, our operatives have discovered a half-mad creature that resembles a barnacle with a human face. The creature, apparently the former head librarian, is still human enough to give them directions to its hidden treasure. They're rambling and confusing, but somehow quite interesting.

Follow the creature's directions

It's not easy to make sense of the creature's directions, but eventually, after a lot of effort, our operatives manage to find the stash where the librarian hid his favorite book - The Complete Works of James Joyce. A valuable find for humanity, and for those of our operatives who are into this sort of thing.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, 25 Skill Points.

Better not, this could be a trap

Safety is more important than the dream-quests of unknown barnacles.

Shoot the creature

Our operatives put the poor creature out of its misery. How addled its mind must have been by the Pandoravirus! A terrible fate for anyone, to live for so long in so inhuman a shape.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -4, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -2.

This creature is an oracle! Ask the Disciples to set down its wisdom

"Riverrun, past Eve and Adam’s, from swerve of shore to bend of bay, brings us by a commodious vicus of recirculation back to Howth Castle and Environs," begins the prophecy which is to become the sacred Book of the Barnacle, one of the most mysterious texts circulated amongst the Disciples of Anu.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Piece of Mind

The [AircraftName] has landed at an unmarked and abandoned research base. Looks like this location was established in the last decade or so. The security fences are wrecked and the living areas have been picked clean, but there is a laboratory that appears to have been left alone.

Inside, in addition to the regular equipment one might expect in a lab, there is an extremely large nitrogen freezer containing a complete Arthron, its head neatly cut open.

The brain has been removed and hooked up to a makeshift device that resembles the offspring of a microwave oven and a satellite dish. It looks damaged.

Fix the device and retrieve the research data (-25 Tech)

Our operatives have fixed the device... probably. It's still not entirely clear what it does. Whoever built it was either a genius or a lunatic. Possibly both.

We now have access to many terabytes of fascinatingly incomprehensible data. Research +50

Dismantle the lab

We have no need for mad science, but we do need this equipment. Whatever these scientists were trying to accomplish with this strange setup, it's less important than what the Phoenix Project is doing now.

TECH +160, MATERIALS +80.

Santa Claus Is Dead

The [AircraftName] has landed near an abandoned convoy of six trucks. Our operatives have searched the cargo containers and discovered that they were all carrying toys and games for children.

Disassemble the toys for parts

Quite a few of these toys contain elaborate mechanical parts. To think that such complicated tech used to be available to children! It really was a different world back then.

TECH +60, MATERIALS +140.

Distribute the toys to havens

Growing up in this broken world can't be easy; it's our duty to do what we can to make life easier for our children.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3.

Scripture

Our operatives have set down in the middle of an abandoned town, right next to the local library. All of the buildings look empty.

Search the neighborhood

The library basement contains several crates full of useful resources. However, our operatives find that almost every book in the library itself has been ripped apart, the pages torn into fragments. The phrase "in his house, the dead god waits dreaming" has been scrawled all over the walls.

TECH +60, MATERIALS +140.

???

The library appears to have been set on fire, but the damage from the blaze is minimal. However, inside, our operatives find that almost every book has been ripped apart, the pages torn into fragments and the phrase "in his house, the dead god waits dreaming." written over and over again. With limited time available, our operatives are forced to return empty-handed.

Slimetown

Our operatives have discovered a warehouse full of useful resources. However, the warehouse, along with the town it stands in, is covered in a slimy, slippery algae-like growth that makes doing anything here tedious and exhausting.

Get the resources anyway

It's hard work and when it's over everyone's going to need a good shower, but the effort is worth it.

MATERIALS +500, FOOD +80, Stamina -10.

Just get whatever is easy to transport

Our operatives grab what they can and head back to the [AircraftName].

MATERIALS +40, FOOD +20.

Leave

Protecting our operatives is more important than acquiring more resources.

Smells Like Survival

The [AircraftName] has set down outside an abandoned sewage treatment facility. Our operatives report that the smell is "so disgusting, we might have to invent a new scale."

Search the site

Scavenging up resources from a site like this is pretty awful work, but we need whatever we can get.

Our operatives have recovered all the resources they could find. They were attacked by a mutated flukeworm, but in the ends, the fumes were more dangerous than the mutant.

TECH +25, MATERIALS +250, Stamina -10, -30 Hit Points.

Leave

There are limits to what a Phoenix Project operative should have to do.

Sometimes You Get Lucky

Approaching the burned-out husks of a New Jericho convoy, our operatives are suddenly startled by a shout. From a rudimentary shelter dug out under one of the burned vehicles emerges a battered New Jericho technician, waving his arms and laughing.

Exhausted by the ordeal yet deeply grateful, the survivor offers to join the Phoenix Project.

Recruit him. We can always use more people

"This month has not turned out the way I'd expected it," he comments as he sits down in the [AircraftName], wiping the dirt from his face.

The player obtains one New Jericho technician soldier.

Send him back to New Jericho

The survivor is too relieved to be alive to really care about being rejected. We receive a message of thanks from New Jericho for returning their man.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Execute him

This is most likely an attempt to infiltrate our ranks. We will not fall for it.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -6, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -2

Steel

Our operatives have discovered an abandoned scrapyard which appears to have once been used as a refuge by a group of steelworkers. The workers heroically defended this location for years until hunger finally forced them to abandon it. Remarkably, they recorded their history by engraving it onto the large metallic plates they used to keep out the enemy.

These plates would be extremely useful as construction material, but representatives of Synedrion have asked us to preserve them as a source of inspiration for future generations.

Resources are resources. Recycle it all

We cannot afford to be sentimental about such things. Metal is metal, and images won't win this war.

MATERIALS +260, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -4, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

We must remember our history. Preserve them

If we remember those who fought, if their struggle inspires our own, then their deaths were not in vain. In this way, these works of art may help us win the war for humankind.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -4.

The Beacon

The [AircraftName] has flown over a flashing beacon. After landing, our operatives have approached the source of the signal. It's an old emergency searchlight, all that's left of some kind of camp out here in the middle of nowhere. There are blackened bones and bodies everywhere. This happened years ago, but it looks like there was one hell of a fight.

Search the area

A cache of resources has been found. MATERIALS +60, FOOD +120.

The Beautiful Game

The [AircraftName] sets down on an old soccer pitch in the middle of an abandoned stadium. Long ago, people played sports here, before the world went to ruin.

Forget about scavenging and play soccer in the stadium

Sometimes it is good to remember what we're fighting for - not just to survive, but to live again. To have fun and enjoy life. A few snatched moments in this old monument to a forgotten game played by thousands and watched by millions are ones to remember.

25 Skill points received.

Search the stadium

Dismantling the few functional parts of the stadium feels strangely destructive, but at least our operatives will be bringing home a few things that we can use. MATERIALS +60.

The Fields of Annonaria

The [AircraftName] has landed at the abandoned haven of Camp Annonaria. It looks like the place was evacuated in an orderly fashion. The haven's fields are covered in immense jelly-like growths that seem to feed on small insects.

Destroy the growths (-5 Materials)

Whatever these vile things are, the world is better off without them. Entombing them in concrete should keep them contained for the time being.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Gift the growths to the Disciples of Anu

The Disciples of Anu are grateful for this unexpected contribution. By studying the way in which these organisms absorb nutrients, they can learn to improve their own farming techniques. This is another small step towards building a civilization that can survive on this rapidly-changing planet.

FOOD +500, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +7, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3

Study the growths

These organisms appear to attract insects by exuding a translucent, nectar-like substance. When the insects land on them, they get stuck and are slowly absorbed into the gelatinous material. DNA analysis suggests that although they share no phenotypical characteristics with flowers, these jelly-like growths are ultimately just highly-modified Earth plants.

Research +100, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +4.

The Forgotten

Our operatives have discovered the location of an abandoned lab. The doors appear to have remained sealed for at least twenty years. Unfortunately, it is impossible to ascertain the lab's purpose from the outside.

Break in (-35 Materials)

"The scientists who once worked in this lab are nothing but skeletons, starved to death long ago. It would seem they kept working to the end, trying to find a cure to the Pandoravirus.

As our operatives strip the base, they find a note left by the scientists. It's a short, simple message: "Make it all mean something."

TECH +120, Research +150, Stamina -10

Let it be

Perhaps it's best not to know what is in there. Our operatives will bury the lab, leaving its mysteries for another generation, should one ever come to pass.

The Games We Used To Play

What at first appears to be a bunker that might hide survivors turns out to be more of an archive: at some point before the collapse, someone used this facility to save an extensive collection of computer games for the long-defunct operating system DOS. Word of this discovery causes an unusual wave of nostalgia and excitement, culminating in requests from New Jericho and Synedrion for the material to be shared.

Share it with New Jericho

The enthusiasts of New Jericho are thankful for this precious artefact of old-world culture, which those anarchist hippies at Synedrion wouldn't know how to appreciate.

"They probably don't even know how to set up a sound card," the message from New Jericho notes.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Share it with Synedrion

The enthusiasts of Synedrion are grateful for this precious artefact of human ingenuity, which the crude militarists of New Jericho wouldn't be able to appreciate.

"Most likely they don't even know how to recreate the proper CRT look," the message from Synedrion notes.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

Share it with everyone

Everyone is very pleased, and just for a moment, it seems like we could all get along.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, New Jericho's attitude to Synedrion +3, Synedrion's attitude to New Jericho +4.

The Herald of Woe

Our operatives set down near an abandoned industrial complex. As the [AircraftName] lands, a man comes out of the building and starts waving at our operatives. He introduces himself as Doctor Peter Keen. He looks half-starved and feverish, staring at anyone who comes near with wide eyes. "I need you to take it! Take all of it! I need to shed the bonds of the past, the mortal concerns of machines! Take everything, please!"

Accept his offer

"Why are you wasting time? I'm not telling you anything about my past! The past is irrelevant! Only the future matters and I can't get there whilst I'm weighed down with all this mortality! The guilt is everywhere! Take it! Take it away!" Our operatives accede to Doctor Keen's wishes and retrieve his gathered inventory of resources.

TECH +60, MATERIALS +500.

Apprehend Doctor Keen for treatment

Apprehending Doctor Keen is not easy. The man is unarmed but quickly turns feral, biting and scratching at anyone who gets near. Eventually, he runs away.

Our operatives enter the building he was in and find a cache of resources.

TECH +50, MATERIALS +550, Stamina -10.

Reject his offer

This seems like some sort of trap. Our operatives politely refuse.

As they depart, Doctor Keen remains on the ground below, waving at them and urging them to return. Eventually, he's just a little dot on the ground.

The Heretic

The [AircraftName] has landed near a small river and what looks to be an old fishing village. The village is abandoned, but suddenly a woman approaches our operatives. Her clothes are ragged and she is bleeding from the eyes, but she doesn't seem to notice. "You must leave an offering to the New God," she tells our operatives.

Ignore the woman and evacuate immediately

Better safe than sorry.

Make an offering (-10 Materials)

"Believers!" the woman shouts and grabs the hands of our operatives, raising them up. "I am your witness! These souls will be delivered into your bounty when the world ends!" She turns to each of the team. "Your time will come soon. The Great Worm devours the Earth and only the New God can save us!"

Then she runs away from them, leaping into the river and swimming to the far side. Our operatives, somewhat confused, search the rest of the village and retrieve what resources they can.

FOOD +60, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -2.

Ignore the woman and search the site

A search of the site reveals some useful resources, but the woman continues to get in their way, babbling about making an offering to "the New God." It seems that she is the last surviving member of a cult that split away from the Disciples of Anu a few years ago, claiming that the Exalted is a false prophet.

FOOD +35, Stamina -10.

The Last Sacrament

Our operatives have set down outside a large abandoned building. It appears to have been a temple or church of some kind. Inside, there are dead bodies, still sitting in chairs and on the floor. There is a decayed corpse at the front dressed in battered robes - some sort of priest to these people.

Search the site

This is unpleasant work. The place still smells of death, and there is a sense of violation, of our presence disturbing the peace of the dead.

MATERIALS +180, FOOD +30, Stamina -10.

Let the dead rest

These people came here to escape the horrors of the world. Maybe we should not disturb them.

The Mines

Our operatives have set down near an abandoned mining complex. The machinery has been left to rust and no sign of anyone, alive or dead. The place has been picked clean.

Searching the mine itself might yield better results, but after years of abandonment, it may no longer be stable.

Search the mining complex

There wasn't much to find, but we've recovered what we could. MATERIALS +30

Search the mineshaft

We have recovered useful resources from the mineshaft, but there was a small accident.

TECH +50, MATERIALS +150, 30 Hit Points los.

Search the mines and the complex

The search was exhausting and there was a small accident in the mineshaft, but we have recovered several caches of useful resources.

TECH +95, MATERIALS +120, Stamina -10, 30 Hit Points lost.

Leave the place alone

Our operatives have returned to the [AircraftName] and are ready to leave.

The Renegade

Our operatives land near a cluster of vehicles. There's a group of refugees here, perhaps twenty or more. Their leader, a woman called Amma Erin, is cautious at first but greets our team with respect.

"Are you people with Isaiah Thompson? He came through here a few days back. Showed up at just the right time to help all these people. Said he'd send us someone to repair our vehicles."

Repair the vehicles (-15 Tech)

"Are you sure he didn't send you?" Erin asks. "Well, then we just got extra lucky, I suppose. Life is funny sometimes. One moment everything's going wrong, the next you run in several heroes on the same day. Here, you can have some of our supplies. Thompson left us more than we need."

FOOD +70

Leave

"Don't worry about us," Erin says. "We've already got a big damn hero on our side."

The Reshaping of Animals

The [AircraftName] has encountered what at first appears to be an Anu religious procession but is in fact a scientific expedition.

"We have come to seek understanding of the divine principles that guide the reshaping of animals," the Anagnostes leading the expedition tells our operatives. "To understand why claw replaces hand, why eye becomes stalk. It is only one step in a long road, of course, but how else will we reach enlightenment?"

Assist the expedition

The Anagnostes is grateful for our assistance.

"The Exalted has taught us that we cannot achieve anything that truly matters without cooperation," he says. "We need each other to survive, and all our understanding is built on the accomplishments of others. There is no other path to enlightenment. Therefore let us share in this knowledge together."

Research +50, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -4.

Sabotage the expedition

Any expedition to the world outside the havens is dangerous enough already. Making this one fall apart is as easy as damaging a few key instruments. No readings, no expedition.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -2.

Let them proceed

The expedition continues with its work. In the end, just like us, all they want is to make sense of the world.

The Signal

Our operatives report seeing a strange, spindly, quivering line on the horizon. When the [AircraftName] gets closer, they discover a gargantuan spinal column extending hundreds of meters into the sky. Rising up from a pool of mucus, it holds itself in place with an array of thin, near-transparent tentacles. It seems to emit a low hum.

Dynamite it

The explosion shatters the vertebrae and the entire column collapses, almost hitting the [AircraftName]. The tentacles ship madly for a while before the whole thing seems to finally die.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

Study it

It almost seems like the whole thing is some kind of emitter. An organic communications array, perhaps? But to what end? Our operatives retrieve as much data as they can, but answers remain elusive.

Research +100, value w+1.

Let the Disciples know about this

The Disciples are very grateful for the tip. This could be a holy site of great significance, or at least an opportunity to learn more about the ways of the new world.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

The Swarms

Our operatives have set down near an abandoned farm. A quick search of the house and the grounds reveals that the place has been picked clean. There's a lot of flies around, some of them bigger than a human thumb. Our team is taking precautions.

There's a large barn around 200 meters from the main buildings on the property. It might be worth investigating.

Leave the barn undisturbed

This seems like an unnecessary risk. Our operatives depart.

Search the barn

The closer our operatives get to the barn, the more agitated the flies become, swarming in spiral patterns and throwing themselves against our operatives. It's not dangerous at present, but it is exhausting.

The barn contains a makeshift lab. One wall is covered by an enormous pulsating organism that seems to somehow control or affect the flies. Our operatives recover as much of the lab equipment as they can before getting out of there.

TECH +160, MATERIALS +80, Stamina -10.

The Temple

The [AircraftName] has detected an abandoned structure. On landing, our operatives have been able to identify it. Someone has constructed a huge metal spire, welding together hundreds of pieces of abandoned junk into this strange object that, at 20-30 meters in height, towers over the landscape around it.

Take off and leave the location undisturbed

Perhaps this is some sort of holy site. It seems wrong to destroy it. Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

Ransack the structure for materials

With blood, sweat and heavy-duty cutting equipment our team manage to hack apart the structure. No one will ever know what it was for.

MATERIALS +450, Stamina -10, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +1

They Were Always Here

Our operatives have discovered an abandoned Phoenix Project microfiche archive. The building is almost entirely overgrown with pulsating yellow vines that are oddly reminiscent of long, headless moray eels. Trying to enter may result in injuries.

Search the site

Most of the microfiches are part of an archive documenting unsolved mysteries, created on the orders of Administrator Irina Semionova. Semionova was forced to quit her job after an intense conflict with the KGB in 1968, and the archive was never completed. The site languished until it was shut down by Administrator Fred Halleck in 1991.

The mysteries documented here may well represent older, isolated outbreaks of the Pandoravirus, and as such are invaluable to our scientists

TECH +80, MATERIALS +180, FOOD +100, Research +75, 30 HP lost.

Better stay away

Those yellow growths look dangerous. Perhaps this information can be recovered after the Pandoravirus has been defeated.

Titan's Grasp

This site is the location of The Titan's Grasp, an unsettling surrealist sculpture created by the artist Victoria Gutierrez. Hewn into a steep cliff and decorated with swirling patterns of onyx and lapis lazuli, it was the artist's masterpiece, and also her downfall. Claiming that the voices she heard were real, Gutierrez killed herself after completing her work, her suicide note consisting only of a single word scribbled over and over: YUKKOT.

This is obscene. Destroy it

This kind of mental corruption should not be encouraged. This sculpture is not an expression of the artist's beliefs but a manifestation of what killed her. To value it would be like valuing the Pandoravirus itself.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Study the artwork. Perhaps Gutierrez had some kind of insight

While many critics dismissed Gutierrez as merely mad, there is far too much method to her madness for such a simplistic diagnosis. Unsettlingly, the shapes she depicted in such minute, swirling detail seem to be a close match for the behavior of the mist.

Research +100

Turn this into a place of worship (-25 Materials)

There is a great deal to be learned from the visions of Victoria Gutierrez: not only because of what she saw but because of how it affected her. We must learn to see as much as she did, or more, without letting it destroy us.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5

Twisted Twister

The [AircraftName] has encountered a weather anomaly. On an otherwise clear day, a tornado that appears to consist of some kind of greenish gas is raging across the countryside. Such anomalous phenomena are the result of the planet's gradual change into an alien environment and would be worth studying, but there is a definite risk to our craft.

Study the anomaly

It's been a rough ride for our operatives on the [AircraftName], but the data they've collected is invaluable. Our planet is changing and we need to understand how.

Research +100. 40 HP damage to aircraft.

Stay away

This is just not worth the risk.

Welcome to Hell

Our operatives have set down outside an old prison facility. The whole place is still locked up tight, but using some heavy cutting equipment our people have been able to get inside.

There are hundreds of corpses in here, all in various states of decomposition. The smell is terrible, but what's truly horrifying is to think that all these people were just left to die, not even given a chance to fight for their lives.

Take off and leave the location undisturbed

Our operatives experience enough horror on a daily basis already.

Search the prison

Our operatives brave the awful conditions and manage to gather up all the resources they can find. The worst find of all is that there was food in the storage rooms while people starved in their cells.

MATERIALS +90, FOOD +90.

What Was Happening

A heavily-fortified building explored by our operatives has turned out to be an abandoned "server farm" for the social media platform Plapper, which collapsed in the mid-2020s. Millions of short messages are archived here, documenting in detail the lives of the pre-war middle classes.

Is this information worth preserving, or should we just take all the spare parts we need?

Take what we need

Pre-apocalyptic hot takes are not exactly a valuable commodity. Our operatives take all the parts we need, the past be damned.

TECH +125

Preserve the information

Perhaps one day we can figure out why people thought snarky comments were going to prevent the apocalypse.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

Just smash it all

This vile idiocy does not deserve to be remembered. Better to smash every single drivel-filled drive before such foolishness can infect us all again.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +6

Anu Haven Events

A Good Day

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0. Haven leader is female and haven is not starving.

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] of [HavenName] is offering a trade: building materials in exchange for food. The haven isn't starving, but there's a big festival coming up and supplies are inadequate for what she's imagining.

"Look, if I may be honest for a second," she says. "Call me [HavenLeaderForename], by the way. So, look, this isn't really about religion. We just need a good day, you know? Just one really good day to give everyone hope."

Agree to the trade (-120 Food)

"Thank you! Thank you very much!" [HavenLeaderForename] says with a big smile. "Thanks to the Phoenix Project, the people of [HavenName] will have a feast to remember! And if I'm right, that will give them enough strength to keep going for a while longer. Not forever, but... maybe until we win this war."

FOOD +200, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5, Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project +12

Donate the food (-85 Food)

"Thank you! Thank you so very much! Your generosity is astounding," [HavenLeaderForename] says with a big smile. "Thanks to the Phoenix Project, the people of [HavenName] will have a feast to remember! And if I'm right, that will give them enough strength to keep going for a while longer. Not forever, but... maybe until we win this war."

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5, Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project +18

Refuse the trade

"That's all right," the Exarch says. "I understand that the Phoenix Project has its own priorities."

Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project -5.

Careful Now

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0.

Things at [HavenName] are a little unsettled; a recent visit from the Shadowed Hierarch resulted in the previous Exarch disappearing overnight. Our operatives are greeted formally, with great attention paid to each necessary ritual.

After the rituals are concluded, the inhabitants present our operatives with gifts.

Accept the gifts

"These things were captured on the battlefield. We hope they shall be of use to you," the Skeuophylax says as a crate is delivered to our vehicle.

Player receives 2 New Jericho Assault Rifles (+3 ammo) and 1 New Jericho Machine Guns (+2 ammo).

Decline the gifts

We have gravely offended the people of [HavenName]. The Shadowed Hierarch shall hear of this.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -2 and Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project -6.

Convictions

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0.

One of the Anu soldiers at [HavenName] is asking to join the Phoenix Project. He's been an admirer of our organization ever since hearing about it when he was a child, and now that it's more than just a legend, he wants to do his best to contribute to our cause.

"I've been training ever since I heard the Phoenix Project was back," he says. "You know, I never believed all the lies they told about you. If the governments of the old world had supported you when it mattered... well, I guess it is what it is. But I want to help."

Recruit him

The soldier grins. "I... I get to join the Phoenix Project? Wow. The Exalted must have blessed me in my sleep. I can't believe this is happening!"

Player receives one Berserker soldier.

Tell him his haven needs him

It's hard for him to accept, but probably true. The haven needs every good soldier it can get, especially with how things have been going lately.

Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project +8

Reject him as a filthy mutant

The soldier is crushed not only by the rejection, but by the realization that the Phoenix Project could harbor such prejudice. He spits on the ground before heading back into the haven.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project -25.

Cut Off

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0. Haven leader is male.

The inhabitants of [HavenName] welcome our operatives with smiles and questions about the outside world. It appears their long-range communications equipment has been malfunctioning for some time, and they know very little about what's been going on recently.

Inform them about the current situation

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is pleased that we have chosen to share our information but saddened that things have not gotten better. To thank us, he offers some of the haven's food supply.

FOOD +240, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3 and Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project +10.

Help them fix their communications systems (-20 Tech)

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is extremely pleased. He commends us to the Dead God and his true prophet, the Exalted. There are many here who have family in other havens, he says, and they will finally be able to speak to their loved ones again, all thanks to the Phoenix Project. He asks his people to reward us generously.

FOOD +240, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5 and Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project +15.

Convince them things are even worse than they think

Horrified by our exaggarated tales, the people of [HavenName] retreat to their homes to pray to the god who seems to have abandoned them.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3 and Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project +12.

Epic Poetry

At [HavenName], a young poet is making a name for himself. Inspired by the teachings of the Exalted, he has written an epic in verse that is the part spiritual vision of the future, part guide to letting go of the old world. Despite the heavy subject matter, it's easy to read and entertaining, even humorous. Humankind's flaws are explained in ways that get loud laughs from audiences, and there is an overall feeling of hope.

The poet would like to produce a beautiful printed edition of the work as a present for the Exalted, but the haven leadership is less than enthusiastic, insisting that the only thing really worth reading is the Gospel of the Exalted, so he has turned to us for help.

Let's get it printed (Tech -10 and Materials -15)

The end product of our efforts may not match the truly great editions of the past, but given present circumstances, it's a huge success. The young poet thanks our operatives with tears in his eyes; he never thought he would get to create something so beautiful. The Exalted will be pleased.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +6, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3 and Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project -7.

Tell him to ask his people for support

The Phoenix Project shouldn't be getting involved in this issue, but if the people of [HavenName] really love his poetry so much, they should force their leadership to change its ways. That is the spirit of democracy.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3 and Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project -6.

Condemn this sick filth

This isn't poetry, it's religious propaganda disguised as art. The Phoenix Project will not support the spread of dogmatic beliefs that ultimately benefit the Pandoravirus.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -3 and Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project -5.

Don't get involved

Not getting involved is exactly what the [HavenName] leadership expected of us.

Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project +10.

Exposure

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is lower than -25.

At [HavenName], an engineer approaches our operatives, begging them for help.

"I need to get out of here as quickly as possible," he says. "Please! They're going to expose me to the damn virus, I know it. I thought... I guess I thought they knew what they were doing. Adapting to the new world, you know? But they treat people like cattle. Doesn't matter what happens to individuals so long as it's part of the Exalted's grand plan. It's terrifying. I have tech I can share if you help me get as far away as possible from these lunatics."

Help him join Synedrion

The priests at [HavenName] will be furious that a potential future Skeuophylax has escaped them, but it's clear that we've done the right thing for this person.

TECH +30, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3 and Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project -7.

Help him join New Jericho

The priests at [HavenName] will be furious that a potential future Skeuophylax has escaped them, but it's clear that we've done the right thing for this person.

TECH +40, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3 and Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project -7.

Don't help him

The Phoenix Project is a science organization, not a taxi service.

Faith in Transformation

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 50.

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] greets our operatives in the name of the Exalted and the Dead God, wishing them long life and the achievement of biological perfection.

"It is fortunate that you have chosen to follow the path of the Disciples," he says. "I believe your choice was a turning point for our faith, a moment that will be remembered and celebrated by generations to come."

To help us achieve our common goals, he orders the citizens of the haven to contribute to our cause. Accept

The citizens gladly gather all they can spare. To them, the Phoenix Project is as much part of the Exalted's vision as Taxiarch Nergal or the Blind Legate. It would seem that we have become figures of legend.

TECH +60, MATERIALS +120, FOOD +150.

Faithless

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is less than -25.

At [HavenName], our operatives are approached by an apostatical Anagnostes.

"I've been living a lie for too long," she says. "I have little faith in the Exalted and none at all in the Synod of Yearning. That triple-faced freak is nothing more than a monster in a fancy robe, and I'm tired. If you help me get out of here, I'm willing to sell you all the research data I've been working on."

Help the Anagnostes (-15 Tech)

The Anagnostes feels no guilt handing over information that is supposed to be part of the Sacred Mysteries; as far as she's concerned, they're neither sacred nor particularly mysterious.

Research +80, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -2, Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project -6.

Do not help

The Phoenix Project is a science organization, not a taxi service.

Feed the Hungry

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0. Haven has a Food production facility.

Lately, the inhabitants of [HavenName] have been struggling to produce enough food for the entire population; despite their best efforts, the Field of Transubstantiation is not growing properly. Their Anagnostes, who would normally find the source of such a problem, is unfortunately away on a pilgrimage. They plead for our help.

Investigate the problem (-10 Tech, -30 Food)

After a few experiments, our operatives determine that the problem lies with an unknown microorganism that has infested the haven. Its metabolic waste includes several derivatives of cinnamic acid, which inhibit growth in the fungi the Disciples grow for food.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project +15.

Refuse the request

Exarch [HavenLeader] expresses sadness at our choice, but promises to pray for us to the Dead God.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -2, Haven Leader's attitude to Phoenix Project -6, Food production facility is damaged.

Folk Heroes

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 25. Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be between 25 and 50.

The inhabitants of [HavenName] are pleased to see our operatives. They believe that the Phoenix Project could help humanity achieve its next evolutionary step and so withstand the Pandoravirus. They're glad that we have joined their cause and gained the blessing of the Keeper of the Threshold. Even greater things await us, they assure our operatives.

To make sure we don't go hungry while saving the world, they share some of their food with us. Thank them "You will always be welcome in [HavenName]," an old woman tells our operatives. "Not just because the hierarchy supports you, but because ordinary people believe in you. They even tell stories about you! You will help realize the vision of the Exalted."

FOOD +360

From the Shadows

Conditions:Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be higher than 60.

At [HavenName], our operatives are surprised to find a package waiting for them. It contains highly valuable electronic parts and a note from the Shadowed Hierarch: "Thought these might come in handy with some of the issues you've been having recently. Remember: the Exalted has a plan, and that's more than can be said about anyone else."

According to the locals, the Hierarch passed through weeks ago, so it's unclear how he knew our operatives would come here.

Accept the gift

Resources are resources, and we need all the help we can get. Even if there's something unsettling about the Shadowed Hierarch and all the things he seems to know.

TECH +160

Reject it

We don't need gifts from unpredictable shadow figures. This feels too much like being manipulated.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -2, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -6

Haunted

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be between 0 and 75.

At [HavenName], the atmosphere is subdued. A massive caravan of refugees from the fallen haven of Balarama Bridge has just arrived, and many of them are still shaken by the disaster that claimed hundreds of lives. The priests are busy tending to the injured, but they are afraid that many will die in the next few days. "The human body is imperfect," one of the priests sighs. "But it's not only external injuries that claim lives. Memories, too, can kill, when kindness is in short supply."

Contribute resources to help the refugees (-40 Materials, -50 Food)

With our help, the refugees can start rebuilding their lives under the protection of the Disciples. They are still deeply traumatized by what they went through, but the teachings of the Exalted give them hope, and they express their gratitude to the Phoenix Project.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +12, Population +637.

Offer thoughts and prayers

A passing Hiereus quotes the Gospel of the Exalted, chapter four: "Here were written all the names of all the faiths that had misled Man, promising salvation in the future world, yet offering nothing in the world of flesh. Yet Man knew in his heart that it was the flesh that was corrupt, and it was there that the healing must begin."

Population +1405

Offer resources in exchange for guarantees that the refugees will be granted religious freedom (-40 Materials, -30 Food)

"None shall be brought to the Dead God by force," a priest assures our operatives. "But those who do not follow the path of the Exalted, who refuse the wisdom of the Synod of Yearning, cannot receive the divine blessings, and will never attain perfection."

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +15, Population +1544.

Ask Synedrion for assistance

A representative from Synedrion agrees that it would be appropriate to forget about whatever differences exist between Synedrion and the Disciples in order to help these refugees. Our common humanity is all we have, after all, even if we can't quite agree on what to do about it.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +10. Disciples of Anu's attitude to Synedrion +4, Synedrion's attitude to Disciples of Anu +4, Havens population was changed by 550.

Idols

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0.

[HavenName] claims to be the birthplace of the Apostle to the Once-Born, the missionary-like figure sent to bring foreign havens into the Anu fold. Although there is no real proof of this in any of the canonical texts, Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] has decided to build a massive statue to honour the Apostle. All that's lacking is the right materials to build it with. Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is prepared to offer us a really good deal if we can help him. This is a one-time offer.

Trade materials for food (-35 Materials)

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is highly pleased by the deal we have struck, promising that the Phoenix Project will be credited on the plaque that will be attached to the statue's pedestal.

FOOD +400, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +16

Trade materials for tech (-45 Materials)

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is highly pleased by the deal we have struck, promising that the Phoenix Project will be credited on the plaque that will be attached to the statue's pedestal.

TECH +90, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +17.

Donate materials (-25 Materials)

When he hears of our generous donation, Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is overcome with emotion, promising that the Phoenix Project will be credited on the plaque that will be attached to the statue's pedestal.

[File:Anu.png|30px]] Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +17.

Reject deal

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is disappointed by our lack of appreciation for the Apostle to the Once-Born and all that he or she has done for the world.

Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -6.

Inner Workings

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be higher than 10.

The Anagnostes of [HavenName] would like to ask our operatives some questions about their experiences in the field. In exchange for this information, she is willing to share a copy of the Book of the Inner Workings, a compilation of scientific insights produced under the guidance of the Shadowed Hierarch.

Agree

The list of questions is surprisingly long, delving into a huge variety of minute details, from types of mushrooms observed in ruined buildings to when and where rations are consumed. None of it's classified information, and not much of it seems that useful, but the Anagnostes is satisfied and gives our operatives a copy of the promised book.

Research +75, Stamina -10, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +9.

Refuse

We don't have time for this. The Anagnostes will have to find her information somewhere else.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -2, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -5.

Maps of the Earth

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0.

The Anagnostes of [HavenName], formerly a professor of geography at a major university of the old world, is highly interested in the Phoenix Project and proposes an information exchange.

Exchange information

The world is changing rapidly, the Anagnostes says, and understanding the new shape it is taking on will be essential to the survival and evolution of humanity.

2 Scavenging sites revealed.

Politely decline

The Anagnostes shrugs. "I'm sure you have your reasons," he says.

Not Dead Yet

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be between 0 and 25.

At [HavenName], Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is greatly pleased to see our operatives.

"We had heard rumours that the Phoenix Project had been destroyed," she says. "That would have been a shame. There was not much about the old world that was good, but at least the Phoenix Project had the right intentions."

"Together," Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] continues, "we may have a chance of building a future worth living in. And to that end, allow us to share some Anu's blessings with you." Accept

"May the Exalted show you the way to perfection," Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] says with a smile. "As she did to me. Haven't gotten there yet, of course, but I'm working on it. That's what really matters."

TECH +50

Number One Fan

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be less than 25.

At [HavenName], our operatives are received warmly. It would appear that the local Skeuophylax, or Keeper of the Vessels, is a great admirer of the Phoenix Project. "I used to read all the conspiracy sites when there was an internet," he says. "Everyone else thought the Phoenix Project was evil or just a myth, but I always hoped it was real because an international science organization that fights aliens would just be so, so awesome. I mean, uh, such a thing would be like a blessing from the Dead God!"

Although he is not allowed to show our operatives the Hallowed Machines themselves, he takes the opportunity to share his insights and some of the devices he has built. Thank him

"Oh, it's nothing," he says. "I hope one day the Phoenix Project and the Disciples will be as one. Then we can work on all this cool stuff together. Oh, excuse me. I mean, we shall work on the Hallowed Machines in unison."

TECH +25, Research +100

Pernicious Precipitation

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0. Haven has these 3 zones: production, residential and training

"Toxic rain, a side-effect of the planet's climatic transformation, has been falling on [HavenName] at unpredictable intervals, causing widespread damage and even ruining the last Rite of Hope. The haven urgently needs to add new insulation to its housing, no matter how rough, but there's so much that needs to be taken care of and so few resources.

"I've tried explaining this to the higher-ups, but I only have access to the Voiceless Hierophant and, well, I guess they don't call him that for nothing," the Exarch explains. "Perhaps... the Phoenix Project could lend a hand? There would be payment involved."

Provide the basic materials necessary (-45 Materials)

It's a stopgap solution, but better than none. Hopefully, soon humans will evolve to the point where they can deal with such problems more easily. A few skin mutations should do, although that won't prevent the damage the rain is doing to buildings and statues. "And they thought acid rain was bad," one of the haven's citizens murmurs.

TECH +60, FOOD +280, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +9.

Reach out to the Anu leadership. They need to take this seriously

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be higher than 50.

We receive a message from the Blind Legate, assuring us that the matter will be taken care of immediately and that other havens will also begin taking precautions against toxic rain. Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is very thankful.

TECH +80, FOOD +400, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +12.

This is an internal matter

The Phoenix Project is a scientific organization, not an architectural firm.

All 3 zones: production, residential, and training are damaged.

Rite of Giving

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 5. Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be more than 5.

Our operatives are welcomed to [HavenName] with open arms. Today is the day of the Rite of Giving when the Disciples of Anu share food with friends and allies. After the appropriate rituals have been performed, fungi are gathered from the Field of Transubstantiation and processed so they may be donated to our cause.

Accept the gift

These fungi may be an unusual source of nutrition, but these are desperate times, and humanity needs to adapt.

FOOD +320

Decline the gift

Declining such a gift is taken as offensive, but not exceedingly so. "The Rite of Giving also reminds us to be kind. There are many who are afraid of the fungi because they grow on the bodies of the dead," a hiereus sighs. "Superstition is a burden to humanity. I hope you will overcome it one day."

Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -5

Rite of Hope

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0.

[AircraftName] arrives at [HavenName] during the Rite of Hope, which reminds the faithful to look beyond the problems of the present and believe in a bright future. The citizens march through the haven chanting "Perfection is possible" and praising the Exalted, the first human being to approach said perfection.

After the ceremony, there is a feast, and the priests share some of their provisions with our operatives. Thank them

After the feast, with a few beers in them, the priests are quite jolly. They share funny and sometimes graphic stories about how they used to believe the world was doomed and all the foolish things they did in their despair, but how they ultimately found hope in the Exalted.

FOOD +300, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +10

Rite of the Black Star

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0. Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be higher than 10.

Today the people of [HavenName] are performing the Rite of the Black Star, one of the darker, more unsettling rituals of the Disciples of Anu. Its purpose is to remind the faithful of the greed that once ruled the world, perverting all of humankind's efforts, and how nothing could break the grip of that greed - not politics, not technology, not even religion. Only the Great Flood, the apocalypse brought on by the Pandoravirus, gave our species a second chance.

Participate

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] makes sure to explain the Exalted's teachings correctly: the Pandoravirus is not in itself a good thing, and the Great Flood is not to be celebrated. What is to be celebrated is how this tragedy broke the old systems and the old faiths, giving humanity a chance to reconsider, to pick a new path.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -2, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +6.

Condemn the misanthropy of this ritual

Assuming that only a catastrophe could allow humanity to change course is a deeply misanthropic belief that rejects not only human ingenuity but all human agency. Such a belief is contradicted by the entirety of human history, in which human beings frequently overthrew old systems because they believed in something better, and the world did gradually improve.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -8.

Do not participate

It would be better to stay out of this. Let the people of [HavenName] celebrate their ritual without strangers getting involved.

Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -5.

Rite of the Clear Sky

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 25. Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be more than 25.

The Rite of the Clear Sky, performed today at [HavenName], is an act of imagination: each participant must meditate and imagine themselves looking up into a clear sky, and from there to the stars, and to the universe beyond. While doing this, they must seek to understand what it would take to reach out to those stars and to compare their current, limited bodies with the bodies that would be required to ascend into the sky.

It's an exhausting process, both mentally and physically, but participating would show that we take the teachings of the Exalted seriously.

Participate

Our operatives report feeling humbled and uplifted by the experience, and have gained insights that may benefit our entire organization.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, 30 Skill Points received.

Do not participate

Perhaps another time. For now we must focus on the world in front of us, not the stars.

Rite of the Crimson Moon

Conditions:Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be more than 0.

The Rite of the Crimson Moon is about to be performed at [HavenName]. This rite is dedicated to teaching the faithful the value of physical struggle in support of spiritual goals. Invented by former decathlete Anagnostes Ninshubur, who is personally present today, and blessed by the Exalted herself, the Rite of the Crimson Moon is a brutal challenge that should not be undertaken lightly.

Anagnostes Ninshubur extends an invitation to participate to our operatives. She would love to see whether the Phoenix Project can handle such a physical trial.

Participate

Anagnostes Ninshubur is impressed by our operatives.

"Clearly the Phoenix Project teaches its people some useful skills!" she laughs. "Although you do look a little worse for wear. As a reward for your bravery, I will teach you some of my personal training methods. Help you get a little bit closer to that physical perfection we must all strive for."

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +10, 30 HP lost, 60 Skill points received, Stamina -10.

Decline

"Cowards!" Anagnostes Ninshubur barks, but then she laughs. "We can't expect people to participate in this kind of event unprepared. We are not offended by your rejection."

Rite of the Luminous Deep

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 50.

The people of [HavenName] are undertaking the rare and sacred Rite of the Luminous Deep, which celebrates the tale of how Taxiarch Nergal came to serve the Exalted. But more than just a religious ritual, the Rite also involves learning techniques of self-control, of pushing oneself to the limits in the service of the greater good.

Our operatives are welcome to participate in the Rite and to share this knowledge with their peers.

Participate

The Rite of the Luminous Deep is far more punishing than its poetic name would suggest, but the techniques of mental and physical focus taught by the priests of Anu can definitely be applied to how we train our operatives.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +9, 25 Skill points received, Stamina -10.

Decline

It was an honour to be invited to participate, so our lack of interest is not received well.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -8.

Rite of Trust

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0. Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project is more than 0.

Our operatives have been asked to participate in the Rite of Trust. Performed today at [HavenName], this ritual involves stories and riddles that seek to recontextualize the faith of the Disciples in the Exalted: to teach that it's not a matter of blindly following someone, as the false prophets of the past demanded, but of trusting her as you trust a friend, knowing her intent is good even if you don't always understand her actions.

Participate

The ritual begins with a short reading from the Gospel of the Exalted, Chapter IV: "Here were written all the names of all the faiths that had misled Man, promising salvation in the future world, yet offering nothing in the world of flesh. Yet Man knew in his heart that it was the flesh that was corrupt, and it was there that the healing must begin."

This segues into an odd, almost koan-like parable about how easily people are misled, and how the purpose of the Exalted is different than that of the false prophets.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -4, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +8.

Openly reject the ritual

The Exalted is clever: her fake religion has an element of self-awareness, trying to quench criticisms before they arise. But the trust she asks for is no different from blind faith.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -7.

Politely decline

"Not everyone is ready for the Rite of Trust," says a local priest. "After all, you need to learn to trust us first."

Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -4

Sabotage!

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0. Haven has a factory.

When our operatives arrive at [HavenName], the local Skeuophylax is busy trying to repair the haven's production facilities, which were recently damaged by what she suspects was an act of sabotage.

Offer assistance (-25 Tech, -35 Materials)

As it turns out, the problem wasn't sabotage, but squirrels. Yellowish-purple glowing squirrels with strange frills, possibly incorporating nudibranch DNA. They've gnawed away at a lot of the machinery, but once located, they are easy enough to remove.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +7, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +20.

Wish her well

The Skeuophylax shrugs and gets back to work. Despite her fancy title, she is an engineer at heart.

Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +5, Factory is 25% damaged.

Sabotage the facilities even more

While the Skeuophylax is distracted, our operatives strategically disable some of the most important industrial machinery in [HavenName]. There will be suspicions, but no proof it was us.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -4, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -10. Factory is 50% damaged.

Safe Haven

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0.Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project is less than 75.

Our operatives have become entangled in a potentially messy diplomatic affair at [HavenName]. It would appear that a defector from New Jericho is asking the Disciples of Anu for asylum, and plans to join the religion if his request is granted. New Jericho demands their soldier be returned, claiming he has been brainwashed.

The influence of the Phoenix Project could be the deciding factor, but our choices will have political consequences.

Push for asylum to be granted

The soldier is allowed to join the Disciples of Anu and be initiated into the Waters of Life. Tobias West is said to be furious at our intervention.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +=15

Insist that asylum isn't an option

The soldier is returned to New Jericho, there to face trial for treason. The Synod of Yearning is reportedly furious at our intervention, and Synedrion expresses concern at our anti-asylum stance.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -2, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -2, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -5.

Recruit the soldier

There is no other solution that won't cause problems down the line, and the Phoenix Project can always use more recruits. Neither New Jericho nor the Disciples of Anu are particularly pleased, but neither can they really take offence.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3. One New Jericho Assault soldier join Phoenix Project.

The Exarch Blues

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0.

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] of [HavenName] is desperate: a lot of her haven's ordinary machinery is breaking down, but the haven's Anagnostes has taken all the spare parts for his Hallowed Machines.

"It's a funny thing, being an Exarch," she tells our operatives. "In theory, you're in charge of the haven, but there are a lot of other forces at play, and sometimes you end up having no authority at all. Right now all I can do is hope you're willing to trade."

Help out in exchange for resources (-15 Tech)

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is relieved. "Let me tell you, in some ways, things were a lot easier before we joined the Disciples. Well, not easier. Less complicated. But it's never been easy. And at least the Exalted has a vision for the future."

MATERIALS +90, FOOD +80, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +14

Help out for free (-15 Tech)

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is relieved and deeply grateful. "Let me tell you, in some ways, things were a lot easier before we joined the Disciples. Well, not easier. Less complicated. But it's never been easy. And at least the Exalted has a vision for the future. I hope the Phoenix Project will be part of that vision."

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +6, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +20

Appeal to the Blind Legate

The Blind Legate judges situations based not on hierarchy, but the truth. And the truth is that the Anagnostes has prioritized his personal needs over those of the haven, and must do penance. Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] thanks us for our assistance, praising the Phoenix Project for being a unique force for good within the Disciples.

MATERIALS +130, FOOD +330, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +15.

Reject deal

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] sighs. "I guess I'll have to try trading with Synedrion then," she says. "But by the time they're done arguing about what to do half our haven will have fallen apart."

The factory is 50% damaged. The energy generator is 25% damaged.

The Old World

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0.

In one of the public squares in [HavenName], a loud debate between a supporter of Synedrion and a local priestess has drawn a lot of attention. The debate itself is actually friendly, as the two women have known each other for a long time, but there is an unusual intensity in the crowd as arguments fly back and forth. People are deeply invested.

The Synedrion supporter argues that there is a lot that we can learn from the old world. That not everything was bad, just the way it was organized, and that we could build a civilization that had many of the same features, but without the systemic flaws.

The priestess disagrees: she thinks the old world was fundamentally broken, and that without a change in human nature, we would just repeat all the same mistakes again.

Side with the priestess

What makes us human is the best thing about us, but also the worst. We're greedy and violent, not because of our spiritual nature, but because our bodies evolved to be this way. The good news is we can change those bodies and allow ourselves to become better people in the process.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Side with the Synedrion supporter

There is far too much to be admired about the old world to just dismiss it as sinful or broken. The system that dominated the world was incapable of correctly distributing resources and couldn't respond to planetary-scale crises, but that doesn't mean everything about that time was bad. It's not about human nature; human nature isn't really a steady concept, but something that changes based on material conditions, and it's those conditions we have to take control of.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +4, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3.

Stay out of it

It's better to let this argument play out on its own. We don't need to impose our opinion on public debates of this kind.

The Waters of Life

At [HavenName], our operatives are approached by a young woman. She is uninfected, but has been selected to be taken to the Chamber of Baptism and anointed with the Waters of Life - that is, deliberately exposed to the Pandoravirus. The effects of the Pandoravirus will then be disrupted by the secret methods of the Disciples, allowing her body to transform but keeping her mind free.

The young woman is the daughter of a high-ranking New Jericho officer. He has sent several messages demanding the conversion be stopped and his daughter returned to him. She has no intention of returning, however, having abandoned New Jericho to seek out the teachings of the Exalted. Still, she is nervous and asks for advice.

Encourage her to convert

"The young woman is relieved to know that others think this is a good idea, too.

"I want to be better," she says. "I really think we can evolve, as a species. It's the only way to survive on this planet. This crazy idea my dad has that one day everything will go back to normal... I know he misses my mom, but the old world isn't coming back, and neither is she. And, I guess... neither am I."

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +6, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -4, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +14.

Encourage her to go back home

She thinks about it, but ultimately decides to stay.

"Changing myself scares me," she admits. "But I really think we can evolve, as a species. It's the only way to survive on this planet. This crazy idea my dad has that one day everything will go back to normal... I know he misses my mom, but the old world isn't coming back, and neither is she. And, I guess... neither am I."

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -9

Kidnap her and return her to her father

In the chaos of the slums, someone disappearing can easily go unnoticed. A drop-off point is arranged and the young woman's father shows up in person to collect her.

"Tobias West personally gave me this vehicle so I could get here as quickly as possible," he tells our operatives. "He understands how important it is to save every single person we can from this cult. Thank you. Thank you for saving my daughter. She won't understand right now, but hopefully one day, she will."

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +7, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -4, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -8.

This is a matter of religious freedom. We can't get involved

What people choose to do with their lives based on their beliefs is none of our business. Whether we agree or disagree, having the freedom to believe what you want is a human right. What are we fighting for if not that?

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +6, Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -8.

Unto Him That Is Ready to Perish

Conditions: Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project must be more than 25.

At [HavenName], the members of a local monastic order known as the Shrouded Smile are proudly announcing the creation of a new type of beer, which they are calling Exalted Ale. It is intended to help one get in touch with one's inner spiritual perfection by eroding some of the biological barriers that inhibit the human body - such as sobriety.

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname], however, seems less than pleased. She feels that drinking is a sin and only leads to regression.

The monks have invited our operatives to participate in the first public tasting of Exalted Ale. Should they attend?

Of course

The ale is a great success: dark and rich, it leads to long, passionate conversations and the invention of entirely new forms of dance.

Exarch [HavenLeaderSurname] is disappointed by our support for the Shrounded Smile, but the rest of the Anu hierarchy doesn't seem to care.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, Stamina -10, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project -4.

Better not

The Exarch thanks us for respecting her beliefs and offers a little thank-you.

TECH +100, Haven Leader’s attitude to Phoenix Project +10.

What's Ahead

Conditions: Haven Leader's attitude to the Phoenix Project is more than 0.

The Skeuophylax of [HavenName] has been processing the information recently gathered by the haven's scouts and offers to share some of it with us in exchange for parts for the Hallowed Machines she is tasked with maintaining.

Agree to the exchange (-10 Tech)

She uploads the data to our system.

3 Scavenging sites revealed.

Decline

"I understand your reluctance. Good spare parts are rare to come by," the Skeuophylax says. "I hope the Exalted will guide us to the world where the beauty of machines is better understood."