Difference between revisions of "Dr. Graves"

This looks like the registration console Dr. Graves told you to use when you showed up. Large flashing words indicate that you should use one of the buttons below the screen.

Applicant will provide a biological sample to prove they are not in the employ of organizations as Longbow.

Insert sample of bio-organic composition.

• Insert blood sample
• Insert hair sample
• Refuse to provide sample

Words begin streaming across the display.

All candidates must submit biological samples or face immediate termination.

A mechanical arm extends from the console. At the end of the arm is what appears to be something that could only be described with one word - 'probe'. Before you can react, the arm goes to work procuring a rather... painful... sample from your body.

Analyzing...

Matter Composition - No traces of known Longbow nutrition supplements detected.

• YOU. WILL. PAY!!!!

Genetic Analysis - Subject missing one strand of DNA within early strand sequence. Anomaly recorded.

• Wait... Did you just say I'm missing DNA???

Genemap Database Query Results - Subject matches no known genetic match from S.A.M. database. INTERPOL records show two known matches. Further inquiries prevented due to Triple Black Secret Clearance information lockdown.

• Two matches? How... How is that even possible.

Psychological Profile - Subject shows signs of narcissism normally associated with sociopathic disorders. Additional negative traits evidenced are the following - Delusion of Grandeur, Persecution Complex, Poor Impulse Control, and Exceptional Gullibility.

• Whan have I ever been gulli - hold on... Uh oh.

Final Analysis - Subject has failed the first test. initiate self-destruct sequence.

• [Quickly step away from the console!]

Upon approach

Dr. Graves: Well, at least you're not as gullible as it would seem.

Dr. Graves: You have passed the initial test. let us talk, shall we?

After interacting with Dr. Graves

Do not congratulate yourself too quickly. That was but the first of many tests you will need to pass if you are to win the right to be our faceless master's protege.

• What would have happened if I failed?

You would have made yourself useful in other ways. For instance, I could likely find a use for any undamaged limbs that still remained. However, there will be time to pursue that line of thinking later. In the meantime, we will need to gather the rest of the candidates so that I may explain the rules to all of you.

• Others? Rules? I want these answers now, Graves.

My, my... rather demanding, aren't we? Allow me to point out that currently you are not in a position to make any demands. Perhaps things may change in the future, but for now, you will be following my instructions if you wish to be part of this trial. Now follow me as we gather the rest. I believe I saw Omnicore nearby.

Upon approach

Omnicore: Doctor! How much longer am I to wait?

Omnicore: And who is this cretin?

After interacting with Omnicore

You are to be one of my rivals? You? If you are an indicator of the type of competition I am to expect, then it would seem this contest has ended before it even has begun.

• And you believe I view you as a threat?

I couldn't care less what simple beliefs you hold, - what was it again - Character. The fact remains that I am by far your superior on an intellectual level, and by the looks of you, on a physical level as well. These indisputable facts are all that are important.

You may wish to spare yourself the humiliation of me besting you by just leaving - now.

• So... You plan to beat me with pathetic, hollow threats?

Dr. Graves: Both of you - cease this bickering at once!

Zephyr: Heyyyy... Sounds like somebody's about to get in a fight.

Zephyr: You guys are totally going to fight, right?

Dr. Graves: I will not warn both of you again.

Dr. Graves: If either of you continue this arguing, I will have both of you disqualified IMMEDIATELY!

Zephyr: That sucks... I was hoping to see her pull off that torso trick.

Omnicore looks at Dr. Graves with what you believe to be glaring hatred from behind her mask. A moment later she screams in frustration, then looks back at you.

I will not let someone like you ruin my chance at gaining unimaginable power. We'll finish this at another time, Character.

• I'm looking forward to it, Omnicore.

Omnicore jerks her face towards the direction of the newcomer, Zephyr.

And what exactly are you supposed to be? You look like the lame excuse for being a fog machine.

Zephyr: Whooooaaa... Do you have any idea who you're dealing with, you mechanical freak?

• You should hear what I think *you* look like, Omnicore.

WHAT!? How dare you... Both of you. I will no longer tolerate this from either of you.

Omnicore glares at Dr. Graves.

I may not be allowed to kill these miscreants, but I will not lower myself to speaking with them any longer.

• It's about time you shut up, Omnicore.

You turn around to talk with with Zephyr.

Upon leaving

Omnicore: Ugh... Both of you disgust me. I will no longer subject myself to your idiocy.

Omnicore: Doctor, come find me when this is to begin.

I can't believe you let her talk to you that way and you just let her get away with it... just sayin'.

• Who are you supposed to be?

Me? I'm Zephyr. You know, like the wind.

• You named yourself after the wind?

No. I am the wind. You know, like the whole 'Fwoooooosh! Haha! Crashed your ship into a shoal and now you're all gonna drown! Boohoo... now cry your eyes out, you wuss.'

That kind of wind, you know?

And, man... I gotta say... that kinda thing never gets old, I'm telling you.

• So you're telling me you're THE zephyr wind?

Uh, yeah. I thought I was pretty clear the couple first times I said it, but hey, you know, whatever. Oh yeah, and I'm also the one who's gonna kick your butt in the competition, too.

• Wait - why is the wind - you - competing for the prize?

Meh... I got nothing else better to do, you know? Ever since mankind got all technological-like, like that robo-freak, it's hard to cause all kinds of pain and sorrow and all that junk. Stuff like making widows - or blowing down houses - or flipping up a gal's skirt.

Okay, well, I still do that one.

Anyways. So, to get to the point, one day I turned myself into -

• I am no longer entertaining this conversation with you.

Dr. Graves: Enough of this idle chatter. We still need to gather the other two. Let us go find Dollface next.

Upon approach

Dollface: Um... I think I'm lost. Would someone please help me?

Dollface: This place is scary.

After interacting with Dollface

Oh! You... You're not going to hurt me, are you?

• That depends. Are you Dollface?

Who's Doll-

Dollface stops short as she is interrupted by Dr. Graves.

Dr. Graves: This is indeed another one of your fellow competitors.

*hmpf*

Yeah, I'm Dollface. You're one of the other contestants, I'm guessing?

• Look, kid, this contest is for the grown-ups. Why don't you run along home.

Dollface glares at you.

Hey, pal. I'm older than I look, ok? Probably older than you, from the looks of it.

And who the heck are you anyway, turning your nose up at me, huh?

• I am known as Character.

Hmph. Yeah, I can see you calling yourself that. So what makes you so special that you think you can beat someone like me? Do you shoot frogs from your eyes or something?

• I have no desire to reveal my powers to you.

Okay, okay! Calm down. I was just asking because I wanted to know if I was going to get grossed out if I ever have to fight against you. First of all, it's not nice to hit a girl. But if you're going to start throwing pukes at people or growing spikes from your body... well, I just don't want to see that kind of thing, okay?

• Then how do you expect to win?

Oh, that's easy! I'm going to convince everyone that I'm the best for the job. I'm very talented at what I do. I wouldn't say I'm the best at what I do, but I'm pretty darn good at it. And if that doesn't work, then maybe I'll just stab you in the neck or something.

...tee hee...

I'm just kidding. But you got real scared, didn't you? Didn't they, Mr. Doctor? They got so scared they were going to run away!

Just like how you're scared you're going to run away right now.

Like now.

• I doubt the Doctor is going to listen to -

Dr. Graves: Um... I'm... I have to leave you all... I, um, have to go find Crosscut...

...tee hee...

He is so silly, and a very nice man. And he listens really well, too.

Really well.

Don't worry, though, I don't know you guys well enough yet. I don't know what you like to hear. But maybe I will one day, you know?

And then we can have a real fun time playing together.

• What did you just do to him?

What? Little old me, do something?

...tee hee...

All I did was suggest to him that he had a better place to be. And I guess I was right, huh? It's a coincidence, you know?

• Sure it was. A coincidence...

Dr. Graves said there was another person, too? Maybe we should go find them. What was it, Cross-slice or something like that?

Dollface looks right into your eyes.

I think it would be fun if we all went and looked for that guy, don't you agree?

• Yeah... I think I would be... A lot of fun...

Upon approach

Crosscut: Ding-a-ling-ling! DING-A-LING-LING!

Crosscut: Look at what I've done...

Crosscut: I brought us all some presents...

After defeating the Longbow Intervention team

Crosscut: Well now... Who wants the dark meat?

Crosscut: Now now... Don't all speak up at once...

Dr. Graves: I see you've met our final contestant.

After interacting with Dollface

So... Any preferences to the type of cut? A rump-roast perhaps? Or perhaps some ribs...?

• You're... going to eat them?

That would be a waste of such interesting textures, wouldn't you agree? No no... I have something else in mind.

Crosscut stares at you with a gargoyle-like gaze for a moment

Did you know you have very pretty eyes?

• What? What makes you say that?

I was wondering...

I was wondering if I could have them...

• Over my dead body.

Oh, you are so kind...

Dr. Graves: I shall now explain to you all the rules of the contest.

• Yeah, ok. We're done.

Dr. Graves speaks to all of you.

Now that I have all of you assembled - save for Omnicore - it is time for the proceedings to begin. I am sure each of you have many questions -

• Yes, and it's time we get some answers, Graves.

You're impertinence has been noted, Character.

Now then. Each of you will be given a trial to test the strength of your powers. More important will be how you use them and on whom.

Throughout these trials, your faceless benefactor shall be watching you - and judging you. Once each of you have completed your test, we shall then move onto the true competition.

For now, concern yourself with only how you can show that you are superior to your rivals.

• I can kill them all right now if you'd like. Will that work?

No, Character, that will not work. All of you are prevented from killing each other upon threat of immediate disqualification and proceeding termination. I would suggest that you all abide by this rule.

Another important thing to note... The one hosting this contest - the very same person who will grant you untold powers - does not wish to be identified until the winner has been chosen. Thus, this tournament is unsanctioned by Arachnos.

If any of you speak of this to anyone, you will not only be discredited, but will forever be known as a 'snitch'. This, my friends, can in itself be a fate worse than death here within the Rogue Isles.

You will await further instructions as the trials are being prepared. Now go.

• I'll see you soon, Graves.

What is it that you want, citizen? I am not required to speak with you unless you feel you need training. Out with it already!

• So, umm... You're a trainer, right?

What kind of foolish question is that? Of course I'm a trainer!

Arbiter Richards stares at you with extreme annoyance.

Hold on a moment... You're Character, are you not? You've already been granted the right to increase your powers several times now. As a matter of fact, I believe I may even have granted you that right personally. What is this all about?

• I don't remember... I think I may have been, um, mindwiped.

Mindwiped? I'm unaware of any local individual who has been authorized use of those powers, let alone deign to use them on you. Now speak up! Who was it that mindwiped you?

• I don't remember. I was mindwiped, remember?

How convenient. Alright then. I'll play along... For now.

Arbiter Richards glares at you.

To answer your original question, yes... I'm a trainer. An arbiter, to be exact. You will come to me when you feel you can demonstrate increased powers through undertaking tasks that please Arachnos and Lord Recluse. If you can exhibit enough gained experience I, or another Arbiter, may judge you worthy of the privilege of increasing your powers.

• I forgot what experience means.

WHAT?! How could you forget something as simple as that? Experience is gained by combating those that Arachnos deems an enemy. Or by undertaking special missions, as well. Only a simpleton would ask such a ridiculous question!

...oh yes... I forget...

You've been mindwiped.

• Oh no! Maybe you've been mindwiped, too?

I HAVE NOT --

Arbiter Richards viciously snarls as if he is seriously considering striking you. After a deep breath, he regains his composure.

I have an idea... let me help you, Character. I want you to go to speak with Arbiter Unger in Port Oakes. I'm quite certain that he will be more than happy to answer any and every question you have for him. Please be sure to ask him, oh I don't know, any little thing you're even the slightest bit curious about. Perhaps you would like to know why the sky is blue? Well then, you be sure to ask, alright? That'll be fun, won't it?

Travel south beyond the wall until you arrive at the Ferry at which point you can take it to Port Oakes West. Now... leave my presence...

Immediately.

• Thank you so much for your help, Arbiter. Have a nice day!

Citizen. If you are standing before me, that must only mean you are claiming your right to increase your powers? You in no way would be here to waste my time, am I right? I mean...

That would be quite dangerous, wouldn't you agree?

• Actually, Arbiter Richards directed me to you.

Oh he did now, did he? What is it that you need from me that he could not deal with himself?

• I wanted to know how the Ferries worked.

You wanted to know how the ferries work...

And he sent you to me. To ask me 'how the ferries' work.

Let me make sure I understand this correctly. Arbiter Richards, rather than answering this pathetic question himself, sent you to ME. And he very specifically said, to you, that you were to speak to Arbiter Unger... am I understanding this right?

• No sir... He said 'speak to that brown-nosing Unger'.

...Brown.... nosing?...

Arbiter Unger clenches his teeth.

I see. Very well. I'll answer your question, citizen.

The ferries are but one means of transportation throughout the islands that make up the Rogue Isles. By the grace of Lord Recluse, these ferries are free to use and will take you to a number of different ports. You can use them any time you wish, reducing the time it would take to travel there through conventional means.

Know this. Although Arachnos has provided you the means of transportation, we do not provide you protection in your journeys. If you wander into a neighborhood with individuals far more powerful than you, your body will be unceremoniously dumped into the ocean.

Similar to what I have in mind for Richard when I next see him?

• You're going to kill him? Are Arbiters allowed to do that?

What? Oh no, you mistake me. I would never lay a hand upon one of my fellow Arbiters, even a buffoon the likes of Richard.

However, I understand he is still dealing with the problem of a corrupt police force within his purview. Were the Rogue Island Police force to start winding up in the hospital after a spate of mysterious attacks... well, I'm quite certain their Police Chief will want answers from Richard personally...

And when that's all done, I'd be curious to see whose nose is browner.

Now then... I've answered your question. Unless you have real business with me, I would suggest that you go about your day - somewhere - else.

• I understand. I'll be on my way now.