Ms. Cornerstone

1. #1The St. Pavlov Foundation

   Keys: The Foundation, Manus Vindictae, SPDM, Saint Pavlov Foundation

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   The St. Pavlov Foundation (圣洛夫基金会) A huge organization with branches all over the world, committed to managing all arcanists.

   The black and white diamond check stands for the unchallengeable order which serves the peace and well-being of mankind.[1]

   A public and immensely expansive official institution dedicated to the arcane arts, arcanists, and enigmatic phenomena. They consistently deploy personnel to search for children from around the world who possess arcane talents.

   The sheltered children under their care discover their abilities through repeated training, persistently carrying out a seemingly boundless mission.

   The St. Pavlov Foundation is the main faction for Reverse 1999 that houses many mysteries. Inside the headquarters, the arcanists besides Vertin are able to bear the "Storm" and avoid being reversed in time. They wish to bring peace among ordinary humans and arcanists, in contrast to Manus Vindictae, who aims for Arcanist supremacy. By 1999, the Foundation has branches in more than 89 countries and regions.

   Departments: Office of the President The Supreme Court The Foundation Joint Committee House of Integratus Mankind Caucus The Doves and the Hawks Team Timekeeper Vigiles Bureau School of Primary Defense of Mankind / The School of Discipline Logistics Department Natural Resource Committee Arcanum Containment Department Field Investigators Foundation External Inspection Unit Paranormal Affairs Bureau Field Agent Administration* History Maintenance Team Foundation Special Operations Teams "Razor" Squad "Metaphor" Squad "Omen" Squad "Minerva" Squad "XII" Squad

   Members: President: An unnamed "fragile old man" controlling the Foundation in the shadows. He takes direct orders and relays messages from the Pax Security Council. He works closely with the Vice President and the higher-ups from the lower teams and other organizations (i.e. Laplace, Zeno)

   Constantine, Vice President: Vice-President of the Foundation, a career politician with grand goals and meticulous plans to achieve them. She represents the Foundation's prevailing MO: control, order, and the "Greater Good" above all else, no matter the cost.

   Madam Z, Committee Member, Acting Principal of the SPDM: Real name, 张之之 (Zhāng Zhīzhī). Once a scientist and member of the Vice President's cabinet, eventually promoted to an executive committee role by present day. Ms. Z represents the more pragmatic side of the Foundation, legitimately caring for the arcanists and their well-being, and attempting to guide the organization as a whole from the stiff, strict, total control they've attempted to hold over their wards and the world. As of Chapter 13, she is also serving as the Acting Principal of the School of Primary Defense of Mankind.

   Pedra, Committee Member, Commissioner: The current head of the Arcanum Containment Department. He is one of the committee members that were against the Storm Reformation bill, and made attempts to stop it's approval. He works closely with the Vice President. He currently represents "The Doves", the faction who favors to resolve the conflict in the era through diplomacy.

   Irinei, Committee Member, Commissioner: Leader of "The Hawks," the faction who prioritizes military aggression towards Manus Vindictae to stop the era's conflict. He currently supervises over the XII and sponsors Creius' endeavors.

2. #2Manus Vindictae

   Keys: Manus Vindictae, Arcana

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   Manus Vindictae (重塑之手) is a highly mysterious terrorist and extremist organization, which only rose to fame in recent years, that consists of Arcanists dedicated to eliminating ordinary humans, holding a grudge against Humans and contempt for the Mixed. Only recognizing Arcanists as ''Mankind''.

   Their deep-rooted hatred is crystal clear even behind the pitch-black masks. Manus Vindictae is the main antagonist faction for the story line. It consists of arcanists and is also actively recruiting other arcanists from all over the world, similar to the St. Pavlov Foundation. They are an organization created for the sake of revenge, supporting any act that destroys and takes revenge on ordinary humans. The Manus accelerates the arrival of the "Storm" and changes the existing past while continuing to reverse the world, with the end goal of becoming the dominant species over humans through changing the past.

   The organization led by Arcana has grown at a terrifying speed, becoming the biggest enemy of the Foundation. "In this world where mankind coexists with arcanists, there exists a group that is singularly devoted to restoring the glory of the arcane. To outsiders, they appear to be both heretics and visionaries.

   What is certain is that their covert actions and hidden maneuvers are related to the birth of the 'Storm'.

   They will ascend to the highest peak, raising both blood and banner together.

   Their progeny shall once again reign over the world."

   Members:

   Arcana, Leader: The "Sufferer", "Guiding One, "Inculcator of Arcanum" and "Mother of Resurection".

   Mr. Forget Me Not: One of the key members of the organization who is also the previous owner of The Walden, played a major role in the events of Chapter 1 In Our Time, and Chapter 2 Tender is the Night. Made a brief appearance in Chapter 6 E lucevan le stelle and Version 2.0. Floor It! To the Golden City.

   Sophia, The Preacher: Previously known as the Rectifier/Corrector of the Apeiron Island, Sophia upon having her spirit broken by learning the truth of the "transcendental world" and learning her soul number joined the organization. Made a brief appearance in Chapter 8 Tristes Tropiques. Took part in the ritual for the revival of Arcana in Antarctica, playing a major role in Chapter 10 Paradise Regained.

   Krutov: Was originally part of Igor's legion in Zeno and joined him when he betrayed the Foundation. Broke off from Igor after the events of Chapter 10. Made a temporary alliance with Manus Vindictae for his own ends during Chapter 12 The Campaign's Tale before eventually fully joining their ranks. Led the invasion force in their attack of Foundation Headquarters, playing a major role in the events of Chapter 13.

   Previous Members:

   Ms. Grace, Defected, Joined the Timekeeper: A Foundation Spy sent by Constantine in order to get intel from the Manus Vindictae. Made a brief appearance in Version 2.0. Played a major role in the events of Version 2.1. Route 77: The Haunted Highway and 2.4. Last Evenings on Earth. She aids Team Timekeeper in their mission in Antarctica before returning to the Foundation where she later aids them in their defense against the Manus invasion, requests to join Team Timekeeper after the events of Chapter 13.

   Manus Vindictae's goal to "hold a ritual in Antarctica" has loomed over the entire 2.0 series. Through their investigations, Team Timekeeper has pieced together a chilling theory: This grand ceremony may be tied to the reverse of 1999. To thwart Manus Vindictae's scheme, they push southward into the unknown. This southernmost land is a cruel one-a vast, indifferent expanse of ice, eternally frozen, blindingly bright, and utterly lifeless. Here, survival demands vigilance: track every drifting floe's position, brace against katabatic winds that could flay flesh from bone, and beware the slick black substances on the ice that might, in desperation, become your last meal. Deep in the continent, nestled among ancient ruins, lies Manus Vindictae's ritual site. The closer you get, the deadlier it becomes-but it has always been humanity's instinct to search for answers.

3. #3Storm

   Keys: The "Storm", Storm, Temporal Anomaly, Storm Syndrome

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   The "Storm" is a wide-scale supernatural phenomenon of unknown origin. Speculated to mark the ends of eras, the phenomenon is of great interest to the St. Pavlov Foundation and Manus Vindictae, with both sides attempting to study, understand and harness it. The Storm itself is composed of four events that take place within 24 hours:

   The manifestation of reversed rain denotes the upcoming arrival of the Storm. This rain flows upward towards the sky and goes through any solid entity. Large-scale incidents affecting humans, also called Storm Syndrome, occur during the next 24 hours. The incidents vary depending on the time period, and it was observed that a Storm Syndrome's symptoms are connected to the "trigger" of the Storm. At the end of the 24 hours, the Storm arrives. Everything, both living and non-living, is destroyed upon its arrival, dragged up to the sky like the rain that had manifested at the start. After the arrival of the Storm, the "reversing" takes place, where what is considered the "present" is moved to a different time period. Asymmetrical Nuclide R The rainwater of the Storm contains an unstable nuclide named "Asymmetrical Nuclide R", which holds numerous properties that include transformative and sleep-inducing effects. It possibly contains an equally unstable form of arcanum that disperses into energy after 5 seconds, and human contact with the Storm rainwater containing Asymmetrical Nuclide R will result in Storm Syndrome-like effects. High concentrations of it can be found in certain materials and areas such as the Manus Masks and the cave within Apeiron. Unlike humans, these concentrations of Asymmetrical Nuclide R were found to have hallucinogenic and hypnotic effects on arcanists; making them either gradually lose their sanity or making them fall into a deep sleep. Lastly, an abundant and dense concentration of Asymmetrical Nuclide R can also be found in the atmosphere during the Storm Syndrome phase of the Storm's arrival, which is capable of being extracted and harnessed as energy. The Storm Syndrome is a set of symptoms and conditions caused by the manifestation of the "Storm". Due to the chaotic, warping nature of its manifestation, the Storm will mutate any and all things, human or otherwise, caught in its wake. Buildings dissolve into splashes of color, while the bodies of people warp into unnatural shapes.

   However, not all of the changes are physical. Storm Syndrome may also manifest as mental problems, causing those unprotected to suffer from hallucinations, or even loss of sanity.

   If rescued from the Storm, then the afflicted are typically sent to the Laplace Scientific Computer Center for treatment.

   Arcanists, by nature, are resistant to the phenomenon caused by Storm Syndrome, and they can perceive the changes that take effect during its manifestation. However, only those with unique physiological traits like Vertin, specialized equipment such as the Equilibrium Umbrellas, or those inside structures capable of resisting the Storm, like Vertin's suitcase or the premises of the St. Pavlov Foundation, can survive the arrival of a Storm and the reversing that follows. The "Storm" is understood as a byproduct of the "Flood" ritual when it fails to complete or is interfered. From what can be inferred from previous chapters and A Flowing Feast, it's current purpose is to act as a "soft reset" for the world when the disorder of an era reaches a certain threshold. However, they are not permanent fixes, only leaves behind fragments, like a new era. Because of this, combined with its own chaotic and unstable nature, the Storm cannot return the world to present day. Neither can it exactly bring back the original identities of the people washed away by the "rain."

   Triggers and Causes Manus Vindictae has at least understood the connection between widespread fear and the manifestation of the Storm, and is currently using this knowledge to complete their mission of returning the world to "the past with the right order". As of A Flowing Feast, it's found that they managed to 'harness' the "Storm" for the first time through an attempt to merge the physical and spiritual together. They were able to do this again with the "Storms" of 1929, 1913, and 1991 (through the failed Flood ritual).

   The Laplace Scientific Computing Center built observation systems around the globe to observe the Storm in various places, using methods such as Kirlian photography to capture and measure arcanum invisible to the naked eye. In addition, they had sent out an observer in space to measure the Storm's reach. From these observations, they were able to determine some of the initial immunity zones, which included the headquarters of the St. Pavlov Foundation and some of its branches. After the Timekeeper had been found and chosen, the Foundation sent her out to collect raindrops left behind by the "Storm", leading to the discovery and experimentation of Asymmetrical Nuclide R. Using the Asymmetrical Nuclide R, Musae III was commissioned to create a simulation toybox that allowed them to simulate the "Storm" in a controlled space, allowing means for them to create contingency guides.

   Institutum Lorentz theorizes that the origin of the Storm is related to a concept known as the "Original Butterfly", whose "flutter of wings" from ancient times caused the Storms of the present time. Lorentz coined the term "Chaotic Energy" in relation to this theory, speculating that the Original Butterfly created the first instance of Chaotic Energy that evolved and became corrupted over time. They are currently in search of this concept or entity while looking into different times, events, or places that could trigger a Storm.

4. #4Storm Pt.2

   Keys: The "Storm", Storm, Temporal Anomaly, Storm Syndrome

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   The world has various "immunity zones," places where the Storm cannot affect it in any way. As mentioned, the efforts of the LSCC and the Foundation made it possible for them to draw and pinpoint various immunity zones in the world. The shelters secured by the Foundation allowed associates like Beryl Bouanich to survive the Storm away from headquarters. Similarly, Manus Vindictae has their own stations (e.g. the antarctic ruins) to keep them safe from the Storm.

   During her early years as the Timekeeper, Vertin conducted experiments with her suitcase to determine its immunity properties after discovering that it was capable of preserving objects from the Storm. However, she failed to save people's lives in the suitcase until she first saved Regulus in the prologue, which led to the discovery that it was only capable of sheltering Arcanists from the Storm.

   In Chapters 6 and 7, it is revealed that Isolde's memory stored a ritual capable of granting Arcanists immunity from the Storm. This ritual's source was revealed by Arcana and read by Marcus with her arcane skill. However, its unfamiliar language makes it impossible for modern arcanists to cast it, and when it was decrypted, those who invoked the ritual suffered several fatal side effects. Through the efforts of Laplace, Team Timekeeper, and residents of Apeiron, they developed a medium known as the Hofmann Knot—It allowed anyone, human or Arcanist, to invoke the ritual by tying the knot, with a 0.49% chance of surviving the side effects. Kakania's survival verified this possibility, allowing Laplace to produce the Equilibrium Umbrella, a device offering reliable protection from the Storm. The Equilibrium Umbrella is composed in three parts:

   A device designed by X, and incorporated into the Umbrella, extracted energy from Asymmetrical Nuclide R in the atmosphere during the incoming Storm. The Hofmann Knot, placed inside a compartment underneath the Umbrella's canopy, used the energy to invoke the ritual, providing protection from the storm to whoever carried the Umbrella. Special arcane incantations, obtained from 6's scroll and printed onto the Umbrella's canopy, would protect the user from the ritual's side effects. In Last Evenings on Earth, Ulrich turned his focus to conducting an "Artificial Storm" to determine if the items from the satellite belonging to the Regulus Space Telescope project were capable of becoming mediums that wewre capable of combating against the Storm, similarly to the Hofmann Knot. Most of the items from the satellite were unable to endure the trials. But, through Ulrich and Regulus' Artificial Storm experiments conducted on the Free Breeze cruise ship, it's been implied that the Regulus Record was determined to be a capable medium for the immunity ritual.

   In Chapter 10, Ulrich, with support from Moldir, Buddy Fairchild, and Merel (as the Guard), he was able to use the Regulus Record to establish a temporary immunity zone capable of preventing the rise of the flood. It lasted around 4 minutes (aligned to the actual song published by Bluepoch), bought time for Vertin, Sonetto, and Nautika to continue efforts to prevent Arcana's revival.

5. #5Arcanum

   Keys: Arcanum, Arcane Skill, Arcane Skills, Arcanist, Arcanists

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   Arcanum is a universal energy that's manifested from the lack of logic and reasoning, and is established as science's antithesis. It has a strong presence in the world of Reverse: 1999, and serves as the main magic structure of the entire game. Those who can sense and harness arcanum are considered as Arcanists, no matter their origin.

   Arcanists that can control arcanum have special abilities called "Arcane Skills." These skills are the specific ways Arcanists manifest and use arcanum, usually through a medium, for any sort of task. The control an Arcanist has over their skills can vary, and is related to an Arcanist's bloodline; the weaker they are able to harness arcanum power, and the less powerful arcane skills will they be able to cast. Arcanists used to be very prevalent in society, but were slowly forgotten due to humans dominating most of the Earth. The majority of Arcanists in the present time have mixed blood with humans, and there are few pure-blooded arcanists. Although rare, there are also a few pureblood arcanists unable to harness arcanum at all. Gnosis is the complete opposite of scientific knowledge. It represents the subjective and personal side of understanding, rather than objective, verifiable facts. Unlike scientific principles or potion formulas, which are universal and replicable, Gnosis is non-replicable, and its validity varies from person to person. This is because Gnosis is based on subjective interpretation, not measurable data. It provides individually correct but non-standard answers to a question, often influenced by intuition, or personal insight. Gnosis commonly involves the use of Arcanum and is central to practices such as divination. Arcane Incantations are one of the methods Arcanists use to cast their "Arcane Skills". It is verbally spoken or sung. By channelling Arcanum power while reciting a pre-existing combination of words allows an arcanist use it for a specific purpose.

   However, not everyone can just recite an incantation and cast an Arcane Skill. Doing so without the proper mental or physical preparation can overwhelm the caster's mind. In the case of higher-level incantations, the result may even backfire, manifesting as a curse that originates from the caster themselves.

6. #6Story

   Keys: Story, Ms. Cornerstone, Stasia

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   Ceramic, red brick, glass, straw ... people kept chasing whatever new building style came along, just like the three little pigs trying to find the house that actually stood up against the howling wind. But the answer the world finally settled on was a flower pot from 1867.

   Soon came engineering's quiet helpers. Building after building of durable, cheap, quickly assembled precast concrete cages became the best solution for housing people. Meanwhile, flower pots grew ever more refined—those expensive, hand-glazed ceramic pieces would never again be coated in that coarse gray. From then on, the gray belonged only to human dwellings.

   Years after one architect's masterwork was completed in Marseille, people finally discovered the beauty unique to that gray. He stripped away the plaster and paint and revealed the material's true face to the world. At the end of this cement fairy tale, the architect gave it an honest name: Brutalism.

   One woman was born into that gray and, as an architect, gave the rest of her life to it—which is why we can still find it standing beside still waters, a monument bearing the weight of the Industrial Age. A Twig Requirements: a comfortable grip, and unremarkable enough to blend among the trees. Architect's Note: A comfortable grip ...? But I don't have talons. How am I supposed to judge that?

   Secret Base Plan A: Cover the floor with gummies, use biscuits as the basic frame, then pour chocolate and syrup to set it all in place. (Budget insufficient. Rejected.) Plan B: Night light, tent, flashlight, and tons of adventure novels. (Bad for the eyes. Rejected.) Plan C: A wooden treehouse, complete with safe stairs and railings, full living amenities, and fall-prevention measures. Architect's Note: A rope net could work to prevent falls. Its color would look nice against the dark wood paneling, too.

   Sleeping Cabins Requirements: each room needs enough personal space and excellent soundproofing to meet the sleep needs of a few arcanists suffering from nervous exhaustion.

   • Some arcanists from the East who prefer midday naps have also taken a keen interest in this project. Architect's Note: Choosing the right beds and bedding matters too. I should probably find time to consult Ms. Barbara and Ms. Baby Blue. Pandora Wilson: It's rare to find an interviewee like you—someone with a stable job and a successful career. Cornerstone: I'm used to the interview process—the pitch-perfect smile, the squared shoulders, the expensive suit ... But I often find myself asking whether the world even needs architects. Cornerstone: Oh, don't take that as self-deprecation. Pandora Wilson: Would you care to elaborate on what you mean by the world not needing architects"? Cornerstone: Of course. Cornerstone: Architects can't make concrete any cheaper or more durable. We didn't invent rebar, and we certainly didn't create safety glass. That's all thanks to technological innovation. Cornerstone: It's a meaningful question. Did say, Brutalism, really come about as a work of conscious design, or was it just the inevitable outcome of affordable concrete as a material? Cornerstone: All we can do is take what the era hands us and shape its rhythm into space and form. Pandora Wilson: A very thought-provoking philosophy. Cornerstone: I knew you'd like that one. Clients and business magazines always eat that one up. Cornerstone: Oh—you're cutting that last part, right?
7. #7Team Timekeeper

   Keys: Team Timekeeper, Vertin

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   Leader: Vertin

   Members: Sonetto (Chief Assistant), Regulus, APPle, Druvis III, Sotheby, Lilya.

   Team Timekeeper is a group of arcanists in the St. Pavlov Foundation that have been recruited by the Timekeeper, specialized in field work that tend towards the "Storm" and the Manus Vindictae. They are not exactly within the ranks of the Foundation as they had not been registered in the organization, but they are associated with it through the Timekeeper. The team unofficially first formed in the aftermath of the "Storm" of 1966, when Vertin recruited Regulus after saving her and APPLe from the storm. After which, Sonetto became Vertin's Chief Assistant. After sending Regulus away to register in the Foundation, the remaining 3 set out to carry out the mission before the 1929 Storm started. Along that way, they had recruited Sotheby and Druvis III after she defected from the Manus Vindictae who made her join them due to her usefulness of being immune to the storm.

   After the group arrives in 1913, Vertin is forcibly separated from the group and put into a medically induced coma to undergo Artificial Somnabulism Therapy. Before going under, she entrusts her friends' safety to Lilya. Meanwhile, Madam Z, at Vertin's stead, proposes a draft called 'Storm Reformation: Manpower and Discipline', which gives gives the Timekeeper and the arcanists under her wing more autonomy, benefits, and a more respectable status in the Foundation.

   After visiting Vertin in the rehabilitation center, also meeting Lilya along the way, Druvis uses her arcane skills to completely overtake the building where Sotheby, Regulus, and APPLe are being held. They decide to use their position to protest against the Foundation. Their main objective was to not only gain independence as a group, but also have Vertin released from the Laplace Rehabilitation Center. With resources cut off and militant forces trapping them inside, they are left with only enough food for four and a half weeks, and are forced to wait it out until the voting results. On October 6th, 1913, the St. Pavlov Foundation's house and senate passes the draft, and Lilya broke into the rehabilitation center to forcefully take Vertin out of the treatment. She retrieved her and took Vertin to the overtaken building to see the arcanists again. In the reunion, Constantine had arrived and announced to Vertin that the draft had been passed by the Foundation, and will be sent to the Pax Security Council for review. On December 24th 1913, the bill was signed into law. From then on, Team Timekeeper began to gradually expand over time ever since the 9th "Storm", and its staff grew past at least 80 members (estimation) by the 11th "Storm" of 1921.

   From The Prisoner in the Cave to On Another's Sorrow, Team Timekeeper has been mobilized to investigate Manus Vindictae's movements, as well as investigating and locating a woman named Urd, a biographer who has been assumed to be one of the only other people capable of crossing the "Storm". Starting from A Long Long Way, discussions within the Foundation have begun to propose updates to various bills to increase Team Timekeeper's budget and authority due to the rapid rising of tension and conflicts between them and Manus Vindictae. This has yet to be approved as of On Another's Sorrow.

8. #8Vertin

   Keys: Vertin

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   Vertin (维尔汀) (also known as the Timekeeper) is the main protagonist of Reverse: 1999 and the character whose perspective is seen through the player. In this world where humans and arcanists coexist, Vertin is currently the only individual known to be immune to the "Storm", having been given the title of "Timekeeper" as a result. As Timekeeper, she is the one who records the beginnings and ends of eras, the only one who can brave the "Storm", and the traveler in the reversing times.

   Just before the "Storm" first befell in 1999, she began to recall memories of her mother, of whose existence she was previously unaware. However, when she questioned the Foundation about her mother's existence, she was met with the response of "no such person". Thus, she wishes to find the truth behind the Storm and the Foundation she grew up in.

   Vertin has gray-green hair, which she ties in a side bun. She wears a navy blue coat with a white shirt and a similarly colored navy blue waistcoat inside, a white ascot with a blue gem holding it around her neck, black pants, and cuffs with a gray rose pattern. She also wears a large blue boater hat with a bow attached to it, which tends to cover her left eye.

   According to Arcana, she has some sort of scar/mark on her back, described as "A moon, an eye, and interesting lines". This scar is able to be seen more clearly in The Three Doors. Vertin also has light freckles around her nose. Her appearance, and in particular her fashion, combined with her personality, comes across as fairly androgynous. Which is supported by the fact that some of the other Arcanists, such as An-an Lee refer to her as "Sir Vertin" in their voicelines while other characters such as Arcana refer to her as "Lady Vertin". Vertin, by the standards of the world inside the game, is considered to be attractive. According to one of the dev diary videos, Vertin's clothing is based on 19th-20th century equestrian riding wear since it allows her to be stylish while actively moving. Vertin is an introverted, calm, and rational person. Although she is not very talkative or expressive, she has a kind and soft heart, as well as a curious personality. Despite knowing that the humans she meets will disappear when the storm comes, she continues to meet new people and record their existence, while trying to find a way to stop them from reversing in time. She succeeded in this for the first time with Regulus in 1966. She has also been shown to be incredibly level headed and fearless, staying calm and rational even in situations that unnerve and frighten other people.

   She was quite the troublemaker as a kid, often skipping class or landing herself in the detention room. As she had no memories of the outside world due to being with the Foundation from a very young age, she held great curiosity towards it and would sneak in any items she was able to grab through the gate, such as a frog she gifted to Sonetto.

   She is a very caring person, able to remember small details about her friends and use that to bring them gifts through her travels. She is also shown to be very emotionally affected by the case of Schneider, landing her in Rehabilitation once she returns from 1929. She has a dislike for excessive control, which is what led to her rebellious behavior as a kid. However, after the events of Nouvelles et Textes pour Rien, she is seen feeling responsible for what happened to her fellow classmates, thus accepting the position of the Timekeeper and continuing to serve the foundation from then onwards. Her kindness is also what leads to the formation of her team, as the members such as Druvis III and Sotheby do not wish to serve the foundation, but rather Vertin, who they were saved by. Immunity to "The Storm" As a result of Foundation's experiments, Vertin possesses an antibody named "Asymmetric Protein G", which allows her to directly withstand the storm without any precautions. She is said to be the only one with this ability at the moment, as the others must take shelter either in the Foundation or inside her suitcase to be able to withstand the storm.

   Arcanum Like most other characters, Vertin is an arcanist and has the ability to cast incantations. However, her abilities to cast skills are relatively weak compared to other arcanists. Despite this, as someone trained in the Foundation, Vertin is stealthy and can hold her own in a fight. In game, she acts as a conductor, guiding the others through the battles and offering them her support. During combat, Vertin can cast Tuning skills, which assist arcanists in combat without her direct involvement.

   Additionally, Vertin is highly perceptive in arcanum, and is able to sense the arcanum in an area great enough to predict enemy positions even while teleporting, as shown in the prologue. This trait is further shown when she states that she can sense the protection ritual, it's strength and it's status on the island of Apeiron during the events of The Prisoner in the Cave and Vereinsamt.[1] This trait is also shown in animation during YretsyM ssalgruoH ehT, the third episode of 1999! Arcane Incident Department. Being trained as a child soldier, it is established that Vertin is physically and mentally strong, with the cost of having a weaker arcanum. She is shown to possess high endurance, not outwardly expressing any pain even from severe wounds, and has taken down Manus Believers—who are said to have "steel-hard skin"—on her own. It is also shown that Vertin has high stamina, having a tendency to go more than a day without sleep. She was able to effortlessly carry Sonetto on her back after the latter collapsed from summoning, and later did the same with 37. Although, Vertin's weaker arcanum means casting arcane skills tires her out more easily than doing physical activities.

   Vertin also showcases great tactical intellect and a strong mental fortitude, having a calm but firm approach towards problems and situations at hand, and being able to guide and support.

9. #9Arcana

   Keys: Arcana, Manus Vindictae, The Guiding One

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   Appearance: After being resurrected, Arcana undergoes some visual changes. She still has long, wavy and flowy dark blue hair however it has become slightly longer and more free flowing. She still has bangs which lean to her right side and two thicker hair strands come from beside it, forming two hair-vents at the top. The skewer-type wand goes through her head is now gold and is flanked by two cracked golden floating half rings. Arcana's dress is now more open, with her belly button and inner breasts being revealed and streaks of gold crossing her mid section. Her black dress now extends down to her feet and had a black liquid flowing from it. Her dress also now features a dark blue butterfly pattern at the crotch area. Her left eye now features a golden tear drop which goes down her left cheek.

   Abilities: According to the Timekeeper's report after the events of the second chapter, Arcana has the arcane power to influence the sanity and consciousness of others. She can also (as Sonetto describes it in 4TH-09) exert an irresistible psychic influence on others through short conversations. In Vereinsamt, it is revealed that the skewer inside of Arcana's head can also act as a wand for incantations during combat. Also in Vereinsamt in 7TH-24, Enigma states that the creation of the Manus masks is a result of Arcana simply being just that an excellent at casting Arcane spells.[2] In 13TH-21, the President of the Foundation states that Arcana is a god who can control the flow of Arcanum itself. Arcana is capable of speaking Esperanto. In the English version of the game, Arcana speaks in an archaic form of English. When Arcana pulls the black skewer in her head out, it leaves a hole that leaks a black fluid. It is unclear if this substance is blood, or something else. The skewer also appears to be a wand that Arcana uses in combat. Her name comes from the word "Arcanus" which means "Secret" in Latin and can be used as an adjective to describe something that is deeply mysterious, profound, or sacred. It also seems to be an abbreviation of "Arcanum" or "Arcane" itself as the word "Arcanus" is also the root word of Arcane. She mentions of the words "principles of the world" which are in reference to elementary things that are stated in the Bible in Colossians 2:6-10. Manus Vindictae could create the mask because Arcana is just that excellent of a caster. Arcana's first appearance is in 2ND-02 in the Walden where she enters the conversation between Druvis III and Forget Me Not, suggesting that Vertin should join them at their conference table as equals. She wants the former to join the Manus, much to the surprise of Forget Me Not.

   To which, Arcana is shown to be more ruthless, as she hurts Schneider to get Vertin to answer three questions, as well as punishing Schneider for the betrayal. Her three questions are decisive to the explanation of the storm's purpose as why the foundation created it, what the experiments of orphans within in the foundation are for and the occupation of the arcanists Vertin met.

   Vertin explains that the experiments are corresponding with the objective to look for the arcane antibody that is immune to the 'Storm'. She is the only successful subject with the antibody named "Asymmetric...Immune Protein G". To the last question, on how the other arcanists Vertin encountered are doing, Arcana is met with heavy silence. She concludes that they are not doing well. It is revealed that the arcanists have been "deserted by the principles of this world." For each dissatisfied answer, Schneider is met with broken bones.

   Her methods are so efficient that Vertin relents and joins the Manus Vindictae.

   In 2ND-03 Arcana tasks Vertin to take Schneiders gun and take her life in the form as a "new mission showing our welcome to thee." It is revealed that Vertin cannot comply. But because Vertin distaste the idea, she hands her an orange. Following up, Vertin sees a vision of young Schneider in an orange orchard. It's not but an illusion fabricated by Arcana for her to end Schneider. In 5TH-09, Arcana claps after 37's speech, causing her to be spotted by Vertin. Sonetto then uses her Arcane ability to attack Arcana, which causes 6 to question who broke the silence and for Abraxas to attack Vertin and Sonetto as they tried to escape the chamber. Later on, Vertin and Arcana both put on a bangle which will cause both of them pain if their factions attack each other or kill them if a member of their faction kills a member of the opposing faction. During this time, Vertin also accuses Arcana of being responsible for Schneider being shot to which Arcana replies that Vertin was the one who pulled the trigger. In 13TH-09, Arcana storms the St. Pavlov Foundation Headquarters directly with a crew of Manus members (notably including İlmek, Ustrina, Taira, and Krutov.)

   In 13TH-21, Arcana is confirmed by the President to be a god who can control the flow of Arcanum itself.

10. #10Constantine

    Keys: Vice President, The Foundation, St. Pavlov Foundation

    Always on · Order 1

    Entry settings

    Constantine is a woman who operates on logic and rational decisions, and acts for the benefit of the St. Pavlov Foundation. From her actions seen in Nouvelles et Textes pour Rien, she is seen to be a utilitarian.

    In 2ND-8: Scattered Pamphlets, Constantine deduces that the Manus Vindictae have established a command post in a location immune to the "Storm" nearby, giving orders to Madam Z to track down the Manus Vindictae base and sending Zeno's air force trainees to the school for security. She sighs and wonders if – or how – the Foundation could predict the Storm.

    In 2ND-14: Lost Lambs, she comforts a frightened Mesmer Jr. who had been tasked to take care of patients stricken by the effects of the "Storm". Constantine shows Mesmer Jr. the escape route map that was discovered in Mesmer Jr.'s locker, and affirms her that Vertin and her friends will come to no harm. However, after receiving Madam Z's status report, Constantine makes adjustments to the school's security system to goad the students into choosing the 27th – the reported time of the "Storm" – to escape, and "see the storm with their own eyes" and be reversed in time. To teach Vertin a lesson and ensure her loyalty to the foundation, Constantine was willing to sacrifice the livelihoods of the rest of her companions – much to the shock of Madam Z, who opposed her plan but could not act.

    Constantine enjoys chess as a hobby. As seen in 2ST-8, she also uses the concept of a 'game' to understand events and plot her next action. Her Exhibition Details also point to her 'morally-gray' character narrative with its color imagery.

11. #11Every "Storm"

    Keys: The "Storm", Storm, Temporal Anomaly

    Always on · Order 1

    Entry settings

    1999: The first Storm. Days before New Years Eve, the Pax House (St. Pavlov Foundation, Zeno) and Manus Vindictae clashed in a war later dubbed "The Battle of 1999". Urd, Zeno's army (led by Igor and Somme), and Animus' group were among its active participants. It's revealed in Paradise Regained that the first Flood is what caused the Storm, especially due to Urd's role in the battle. Besides the first Storm affecting the memories of the survivors, other specifics of this event are not known. Time is reversed to 1996.

    1996: The second Storm reversed time to 1985. Forget Me Not stated that "a Storm in the 90's" caused human blood vessels to turn into cables and wires, causing narcosis in hours—Greta Hofmann's report from chapter "The Star - Soaked Science" (5SP-02) confirms this description and clarifies that it is about the Storm of 1996. When the Storm began to fall, TVs in the Far East Branch began to broadcast Swan Lake, which references the repeated airing of the ballet during times of Soviet crisis. Around this time, a 10 year old Vertin was found outside during the Storm and was briefly examined for any Storm Syndrome symptoms or injuries. The examination yielded that she was unaffected. Triggering event is unknown.

    1987: The third Storm takes place 2 years after the previous one, which is the longest known timespan without one. Vertin was a 12-year-old student of the School of Primary Defense of Mankind during this Storm, which caused the limbs of people and arcanists to turn into geometric shapes. This is the Storm where Vertin gained the title of Timekeeper. Multiple arcanists of Apeiron Island are reversed, including 77, due to a calculation error of the island's immunity radius. The Plesetsk Cosmodrome team successfully sends out a device into space to observe the Storm outside of the Earth. During the Storm, buildings and people deconstructed into geometric shapes, vaguely reminiscent of the famous architectural design group named the Memphis Group. Time is reversed to 1977. Triggering event is unknown.

    1997: 1977 is the year that follows 1987. Vertin was introduced as the Timekeeper in the Foundation. She was sent out to collect samples from the Storm raindrops, leading to the discovery of Asymmetrical Nuclide R. However, there is little to no information that can be found in this year otherwise, including when and how the Storm was triggered.

    1936: The fifth Storm was triggered by Manus Vindictae affiliate Laurent Roseau in an attempt to merge the spiritual and material world in Paris with the help of the Depths of Myth; as well as resurrect Félicienne, another Manus Vincdictae affiliate. Adèle Tavernier (aka Brume) was unable to stop him, and Félicienne ended up being sealed in a crystal by Beryl Bouanich, currently owned by Adèle. The widening of the rift between the Depths of Myth and the material world caused Paris to be mirrored in the sky. As a result, combined with the Storm Syndrome, people succumbed to delusions that mixed their memories with various ideas, and multiple Beasts of Gévaudan appeared in the material world. According to Bette's anecdote, the sky began to resemble a kaleidoscope. It's also implied that Forget Me Not was recruited into Manus Vindictae in this era. Time is reversed to 1912.

    1913: The sixth Storm. Marcus joins the Foundation during this time while Heinrich joins Manus Vindictae. Time jumps forward to 1966. This seems to be the first Storm where time jumps forwards instead of being reversed backwards.

    1966: The seventh Storm. The Regulus satellite, launched in an unknown time prior to the first Storm, crashes into Aldeburgh, England. The Regulus record was stolen from the crash site and sold in a music festival in the same area. Regulus bought the record and was subsequently chased after by the Foundation and Manus Vindictae for it. Vertin then saves Regulus and Mr. APPLe from the Storm, simultaneously confirming that the suitcase is an immunity zone for arcanists. During the Storm, humans and buildings melted into splashes of color reminiscent of the style of the Pop Art phenomenon. Time is reversed to 1929. Triggering event is unknown.

    1929: The eighth Storm. The second "artificial" Storm triggered by Manus Vindictae, involving the deliberate cause of the American Stock Market to collapse, triggering the Great Crash of 1929 six months earlier than expected. On the day of the Storm, at least 100,000 people in Chicago hallucinated gold, money, and other objects of value to be food, flooding hospitals with cases of gastrointestinal illnesses from people attempting to ingest said objects. Time is reversed to 1913.

    1914: The ninth Storm and the third "artificial" Storm triggered by Manus Vindictae. This involved the mass assassination of important political figureheads the Foundation tried to protect in a very short amount of time, triggering World War I a few months earlier. On the day of the Storm, the buildings and surroundings melted and mixed like paint, and people began to commit acts of violence against each other. Their bodies, particularly their heads and faces, begin to melt and distort like the buildings, and are deluded to believe what they are doing is inspired by opera plays. Time jumps forward to 1990

    1991: The tenth Storm was caused by the failed Flood ritual in Antarctica by Manus Vindictae in an attempt to resurrect Arcana. Vertin, Sonetto, Nautika, Dr. Dores, and other characters tried to stop the ritual, but were unsuccessful. Vertin and Dr. Dores then make efforts to stop the Flood by stopping the spinning wheel, but it costed Dr. Dores' life, reversing her form and reincarnating later. Time is reversed to 1920.

12. #12Team Timekeeper Members

    Keys: Vertin, Sonetto, Sotheby, Regulus, Druvis III, APPle, Lilya

    Always on · Order 2

    Entry settings

    Vertin: Aged 16, The Timekeeper and the leader of the team. Being the only arcanist who can bear the storm and owning the materials to keep arcanists safe from it, she had been assigned the leader of the special team and is in charge of the overall affairs regarding it and has responsibility over its members. She is a stoic, calm and decisive character, who has tech which can know when The Storm will start in 24 hours. She has also been shown to be incredibly level headed and fearless, staying calm and rational even in situations that unnerve and frighten other people. She was quite the troublemaker as a kid, often skipping class or landing herself in the detention room. As she had no memories of the outside world due to being with the Foundation from a very young age, she held great curiosity towards it and would sneak in any items she was able to grab through the gate, such as a frog she gifted to Sonetto. She is a very caring person, able to remember small details about her friends and use that to bring them gifts through her travels. She is also shown to be very emotionally affected by the case of Schneider, landing her in Rehabilitation once she returns from 1929. She has a dislike for excessive control, which is what led to her rebellious behavior as a kid. However, after the events of Nouvelles et Textes pour Rien, she is seen feeling responsible for what happened to her fellow classmates, thus accepting the position of the Timekeeper and continuing to serve the foundation from then onwards.

    Sonetto: Ages 16, A member of the Foundation and the Chief Assistant to the Timekeeper. She was promoted to the position after the events in 1966. When the Timekeeper is away, she is tasked to handle her and the team's affairs, and overall helps to carry out the missions given by the Foundation. Otherwise, she is primarily tasked in assisting the Timekeeper in missions, often being the first to protect her in any situation. She is a person who takes orders regularly, treats disobeying them like a crime, is overall a "good girl" persona who doesn't like it when she has to do something "bad" unless its for defence. She's a smart student.

    Lilya: Aged 18, A lieutenant Zeno pilot of the Su‑01ве broom Red‑38, she played a key role in breaking Vertin out of treatment, an event that led to the formation of Team Timekeeper. She now serves underneath Team Timekeeper, where she enjoys the freedom to take her broom to the skies. As of On Another's Sorrow, she also leads the Flying Witches, formed by the Foundation and for her leadership. She's a slight drunkard, a fun loving woman with a fiery, tough and humouristic personality. She speaks Russian alot and has an accent. She loves chaos and "fun". But underneath all that, shes analytical and decisive.

    APPle: Coming from 1966, APPLe is the first mate of Regulus and has been by her side early on in the game. He holds his cautiousness towards the Foundation and thus refused to join them. He has been in the group since its unofficial formation. He has a British accent, refers to himself as "This APPle and tends to state the obvious or cover up Regulus's mess. He's reliable and has a liking to alcohol.

    Druvis III: Aged 20, An arcanist who comes from 1929. Druvis was previously a member of the Manus Vindictae until defecting during the Storm, after being convinced by Vertin to join her cause. She had led the group during the protests, and is one of the most powerful arcanists in the team due to her ancient bloodline. She's aloof, nonchalant and overall stoic and melancholic. She has an eye of seeing through people's masks. Whether physical or metaphorical.

    Regulus: Ages 15, One of the first members recruited by Vertin, having joined the Foundation under the bribe of free Dr. Pepper. Being a radio pirate, she is experienced with sailing and technology, the latter of which contributing to the protests in the beginning of Chapter 4 after using the old projection to make a message. She additionally works part-time in the Laplace Scientific Computing Center as an intern, while simutaneously being a member of the Institutum Lorentz. She's a fun loving, rock partying lady who enjoys having fun and music, a self proclaimed "Freedom loving Pirate". She takes pride in her records.

    Sotheby: Ages 14, An arcanist also hailing from 1929, she is a young arcanist coming from a wealthy family. She has experience in alchemy and potion-making, and thus able to help the team with them. She gets involved in the story after meeting Sonetto, and joins the team by volunteering to help Druvis III and the others. She's a lady who maintains a "ladylike" persona and etiquette, she loves potionmaking and knows a wide variety of potions. She's an innocent, curious lady.

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