Archival Science Databanks
Communications intercept. Transmission detected Wed 16th of Apr 2008 at 07:45 AM by Othinn. Communique follows:
Signpost NPCs
Hello, I'm [Name]. Just a friendly warning - watch out for gangs. The side streets and alleys are dangerous these days.
Many Exiles, and even a few redpills, have formed gangs. They're pretty good at spotting others who are awakened to the nature of the Matrix, so they're likely to give you trouble.
The [Gang Name] are the biggest gang in [Neighborhood Name]. They're a rough bunch of exiles and they can handle themselves in a fight, so be careful.
I can't think of anything else you need to know about gangs. You'll just have to learn from experience. If you want me to repeat what I told you, just say so.
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Hey, are you new? If you are, listen up because I just learned how to perform Cheap Shot and Headbutt. Make sure Cheap Shot and Headbutt are in your hotbar on the top center of your screen. Drag them from your actions panel if they aren't.
Now enter Close Combat with an opponent and click Cheap Shot. Wham! Cheap Shot is great, but it requires a lot of Inner Strength (IS) to perform. You'll probably only be able to use it once during a fight before you run out of IS.
If you're smart, you'll use Headbutt. Headbutt requires a lot less IS but your opponent must be dazed first. Soften your opponent up with Speed or Burst tactics until you see the blue dazed effect. Then let 'em have it with the Headbutt.
Well, that's all I can tell you for now. When you master these abilities, find [Signpost NPC Name]. He's a bit of a hard-ass, but he knows his stuff.
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Hey there, I'm [Name], a Zion Operative. If you need to get a new assignment from your Controller, just click the mission button (the telephone icon) to bring up the mission panel.
Tyndall is the Controller for Zion Ops. Completing the assignments she gives you will cause your Zion faction rating to increase. If you work for other organizations you may score some faction points with them, but it will count against your Zion faction rating.
I shouldn't tell you this, but you can also work for local contacts. Local contacts live in the Matrix and hire redpills like us to do odd jobs. Working for local contacts doesn't affect your faction rating with any organization. It's strictly mercenary.
That's all you need to know, I think. If you want me to repeat what I told you, just say so.
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Hi there! Glad to see another Zion Op in the field. We can sure use the help.
Working as a field operative for Zion is the most rewarding thing I can imagine doing. We're working to make a future for humanity in the real world!
If someone else tries to talk you into working for them, remember how hard we've fought all these years to preserve humanity. You can't just walk away from that.
I know you'll make the right choice. If you want me to repeat what I told you, just say so.
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Hello there. You look a little lost. I like to keep track of what's going on, so let me bring you up to speed. The Machines and Zion have been at war for quite some time.
Very recently the Machines were on the verge of destroying Zion, humanity's last city in the real world. A human known as Neo brokered a truce at the cost of his own life, ending the war and placing the factions into something of a stalemate. A Cold War.
Now the Machines allow the humans limited freedom of movement within the Matrix, and have agreed to allow certain humans to awaken from their ignorant slumber. But still, neither side trusts the other, and no one is sure how independent interests like the Merovingian will affect the situation yet.
Now we all wait and see what happens next. If you want me to repeat what I told you, just say so.
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After chapter 8.1 begins
The Machines allowed the humans limited freedom of movement within the Matrix, and agreed to allow certain humans to awaken from their ignorant slumber. But still, neither side trusted the other...and eventually, war broke out again.
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Hello. I've been waiting for you to return to the Matrix. We were watching you, before you so unfortunately departed. We knew there was something different about you. I still think there is something different about you.
You are not like these other redpills. You understand the way the world really works, don't you? This Truce only serves to show the weakness of Zion. They cannot fight us.
We can offer humanity a better existence than the world they destroyed. You do want your fellow humans to lead happy and comfortable lives, don't you? Of course you do.
We will be watching you as we always have. We will speak again in the future. If you require me to repeat what I have told you, just say so.
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After chapter 8.1 begins
You are not like these other redpills. You understand the way the world really works, don't you? The Truce only served to show the weakness of Zion. They cannot defeat us.
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Hi. My name is [Name], and I'm a coder. This is pretty important, but I don't know if anyone told you yet. If you have the Write Code ability, you can actually make things here in the Matrix.
You can convert code bits into code fragments, and then put them together to form item codes and ability codes. So you could compile a program to help you sneak better, or even create yourself a revolver or a new pair of shoes!
You can also decompile items to learn what code frags are used to make them, and to harvest some of the frags for other uses. It seems like magic, but it's not. Coding has rules, and you can't make squat without the right raw materials.
Coding is a great way to get along in the Matrix, help out your friends and maybe make a little profit as well. If you want me to repeat what I told you, just say so.
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Remember, when you enter Close Combat, choose your Tactics wisely. An experienced warrior analyzes their opponent's weaknesses in order to learn exactly what is required to defeat them.
The Speed or Burst tactic is best against opponents with low Toughness. Power or Aimed Shot will do the most damage against opponents with high Toughness.
Grab or Retaliate does a small amount of damage, but it has a chance of disrupting your opponent's concentration, causing them to lose any self-applied boosts or power-ups. Finally, Block or Evade does no damage, but helps you regain Inner Strength. Block also has a chance of removing any harmful conditions that may be affecting you.
Remember what I have told you, and you may just survive your first battle. Seek out Master [Name] when you have mastered Tactics.
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Good day, I'm [Name]. I'm an Exile, but I'm not your enemy. In fact I'm here to let you know of something of value. If you need to buy or sell something in the Matrix, there are people willing to deal with you.
Vendors can be found throughout the Matrix and they usually congregate in safe areas. They sell things of use to you redpills, such as ability codes, clothing, equipment, and weapons.
Vendors cater to new operatives, so their stock is limited. If you want the high end goods, you'll have to seek out vendors elsewhere as you learn your way around the Matrix.
You can also buy and sell things in the virtual marketplace. You can access it by clicking the marketplace tab in your loading area. Through the marketplace you can buy and sell items with other operatives like yourself.
You should be good to go. If you want me to repeat what I told you, just say so.
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You should check out the local club, it's a cool place to hang out and toss back a few when you're not busy.
It's also a great place to meet up with your crew, or find one.
If you want to know more, just head inside and see for yourself.
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Good day. You seem like a person who knows which way the wind is blowing. Someone who understands the power of an Exile like the Merovingian.
Zion may have awakened you, but surely you can understand the futility of becoming involved in their dispute with the Machines.
There's only one organization where you can have your own needs met, where looking out for number one is all right. You could be very successful working for the Merovingian.
Think it over. We'll be in touch with you later. If you want me to repeat what I told you, just say so.
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Hmph! So you seek to master combat? Very well. You have made it this far, so you must have some skill.
Learn this well! A finger is weak, where the fist is strong! Only by combining your efforts with other warriors will you ever reach your true potential.
But do not simply duplicate your allies' moves! You must learn to coordinate with your allies and specialize! The hammer and anvil work together to shape the steel.
Now begone! You have much to learn!
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The Matrix isn't perfect. Sometimes it springs a memory leak. If you have the proper abilities, and a data node locator device, you can profit from it before the system corrects itself.
Data nodes are rated for Size (how much information is in the node), Rate (how fast can it be sucked out), and Resistance (how hard it is to tap).
Tapping a data node can cause ripples in the Matrix that attract the attention of Agents. Tapping an easy data node (one with a low resistance) is a lot safer than tackling one that's higher than your ability level.
I think that's all you need to know for now. If you want me to repeat what I told you, just say so.
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Westview is most often just called the Barrens, which should give you a good idea of the kind of area it is. If you thought the Slums was a pit, you ain't seen nothing yet.
The Barrens area is controlled by a group of siblings, the offspring of more powerful programs that wouldn't stoop to coming down here from their comfortable roosts in the nicer parts of the City.
The siblings compete for the attention and favor of both parents, as well as covertly operating for each parent against the other. The emotional turmoil of the conflict and the mental and physical exercise involved in waging it are their bread and butter.
That's all I have to tell you. If you'd like me to repeat it, just say so.
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The International District can be reached by taking the subway's Blue Line from Richland or by catching the Black Line from Downtown, but of course the District also has a number of hardlines.
The International District also has a number of powerful and savvy Exile interests vying for control of its resources, which are considerable.
That's all I have to tell you. If you'd like me to repeat it, just say so.
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Seen from a distance, Downtown is a tuft of glass and steel stalks sprouting from the gray canyons towards the gray sky. This is the very heart of Machine control, and not a place for the weak.
If you get a feeling of unease here, it's well founded. Machine control of the Matrix flows from Downtown, and their monitoring is strongest here.
The Machines are not the only ones to use Downtown as their base of power, though. Throughout Downtown you will find the most influential Exiles as well.
That's all I have to tell you. If you'd like me to repeat it, just say so.