This page is meant to provide a guide for developers to the Non Player Characters in the game. This should help us maintain a cohesive presentation for the characters, which in turn should provide for more fun for players.
In-game name: Francis
Internal ref: PERSON_FRANCIS
Dialog file: Francis.dialog
Model type: PRO
Location: Level 12 - Cryo Stasis Lab
Backstory: Francis Spark was a college professor who was protesting outside Megasys when the Great Assault occurred. He stole a car and escaped to a small mining community. When he discovered that there was a Linarian being held in stasis in a nearby cold storage facility, he took it upon himself to resuscitate that Linarian in hopes of bringing an end to the war.
Purpose: Francis is the first character encountered in the game. He gives a summary explanation of what's going on in the world, and is able to direct the player to the mining community. He gives no quests. He gives no items. He does not improve any skills.
In-game name: Geist
Internal ref: PERSON_MELFIS
Dialog file: Melfis.dialog
Model type:' GUB
Location: Level 8 - Temple Woods
Backstory: Geist and his brother Engel are bot hunters. After the bots killed their mother, they armed themselves and now live solely to kill them. Geist does not speak the local language.
Purpose: Geist mostly serves to kill bots in the Temple Woods. Between him and Engel, these really serve as the player's best chance of gaining armaments early in the game. Geist gives no quests. He gives no items. He does not improve any skills.
In-game name: Engel
Internal ref: PERSON_DARWIN
Dialog file: Darwin.dialog
Model type: GUB
Location: Level 8 - Temple Woods
Backstory: Engel and his brother Geist are bot hunters. After the bots killed their mother, they armed themselves and now live solely to kill them. Engel formerly helped construct the bots, and now helps to finance himself by recovering bot parts and selling them.
Purpose: Engel serves early on to kill bots in the Temple woods. Between him and Geist, these really serve as the player's best chance of gaining armaments early in the game. Geist gives no quests. He gives no items. He can teach the player to recover bot parts.
In-game name: Sorenson
Internal ref: PERSON_SORENSON
Dialog file: Sorenson.dialog
Model type: FSC
Location: Level 0 - Town
Backstory: Sorenson Clark is one of the most brilliant programmers ever to have lived. A former Megasys employee, she is rumored to have sold her soul to the devil in order to improve her coding skills. Like all such deals, this one has had consequences she could not have foreseen. It is said that she can be released from her burden, but that no human could bear to release her.
Purpose: Sorenson sells program books. At this point in the development process, she is the player's only chance to purchase programs. Sorenson gives no quests. She sells code books. She can increase the player's programming skill, which results in her death. The wrong answer to her questions or demands will turn her hostile to Tux and all other friendly NPCs.