 The Paragon Wiki Archive documents the state of City of Heroes/Villains as it existed on December 1, 2012.
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Mission:A Woman's Scorn - Part Four: Where Even Devils Dare Not Go
Part Four: Where Even Devils Dare Not Go
Unnecessary Solicitation
So, Diabolique isn't behind this at all, it's Praetor Tilman?
Diabolique may be using us as much as we are using her. Find out as much as you can about what she knows regarding Tilman and the Apparitions.
Briefing
As you can see, Character, there are horrors in this world that are much, much worse than me.
The sad truth is that these Apparitions aren't souls at all, they're just fragments of a person's psyche, cut off and discarded like the trimmings of a well pruned rose bush. I find it poetic that the pile of carelessly discarded thorns would make Tilman bleed the moment she took a misstep.
- Sounds like you don't much like the Praetor.
Seeing Tilman fall would do me more good than harm.
If you wish to take advantage of the situation then I won't hinder you.
- Will you help?
Not directly. There are still too many questions left unanswered for my taste...
But, if you were to gain access to the Asylum and its computers I'm sure you would find all the answers you desire.
That's assuming you could even breach the Asylum's security. Getting past that is the biggest challenge. So, if you know of a way to avoid being detected by a hundred telepaths and can pass through dozens of meters of rock, concrete, and steel, then I think you'll be fine.
Just be aware... there's magic at work here. Powerful magic...
- I just might... (Find Katie Douglas)
Talk to Katie Douglas and Infiltrate the Asylum
Unnecessary Solicitation
I sense you are close to discovering a dark secret. Keep at it.
Briefing
Katie rolls her eyes dramatically as you approach
Oh god... what now?
Before you can answer Katie blanches. Having read your surface thoughts she has already discovered what you have learned from your experience inside the memories of the apparition.
No... No no no. That can't be right, Character! Praetor Tilman couldn't be doing that...
No!
No! I feel fine, this must be some sort of trick! What are you trying to do to me? Ruin EVERYTHING in my life?
No... you can't be lying... it's right there in your thoughts... those memories are true...
Why was this done to me? Why can't people just leave me alone for once?!
I... I can't believe that part of my psyche... part of ME... was cut out like... like... some sort of cancer.
Diabolique must be lying! She said it herself, she doesn't like her, right? This must all be some kind of lie!
- Theres only one way to find out for sure, Katie.
Katie fumes and kicks a rock into the water
You're crazy thinking I'm going to transport you into the Asylum. Just because you have the memories you experienced from that poor woman and her...
Katie pauses, obviously upset at the implications that these memories you experienced suggest.
Do you understand what this means, Character? If this is true, that Praetor Tilman is cutting pieces of our psyche out, then it means every girl like me who is turned into a Seer, every one of them that I've removed from the Seer Network, isn't really saved. Part of them is wandering the world as one of these damned Apparitions!
What if we can't put them back together? What if they can never be made whole ever again?!
What if... what if I'll never be whole again...?
- Katie, we won't know for sure until I get into the Asylum.
Katie blinks rapidly as she fights off tears and regains her composure.
This sucks!
All I wanted to do was get my life back. All I wanted to do is help these other girls from being Seers and have a chance to live a normal life, and here we are, hiding out in downtown Apocalypse-ville, tired, hungry, and now told we aren't even right in the head anymore!
I... I give up Character. Just... tell me what you want me to do.
- Teleport me into the Asylum.
Katie looks at you for a moment in silence.
Sure, fine. I'll do my best to block you from the Seers, but no guarantees that I can keep it up forever.
I'm ready to go die if you are...
Katie lets a small smile form.
Who knows... maybe we won't die, and maybe you'll find something in the Asylum that can make me and the other girls whole again. So, are you ready to go or what?
- I'm ready to go, but neither of us is going to die (Start Mission)
Mission Objective(s)
The strong smell of disinfectant triggers a familiar memory which is not your own. This is definitely the right place.
- Talk to Katie Douglas and Infiltrate the Asylum
- Download secrets from the Asylum Archives
- Escape! Get back to Katie Douglas!
- (Click on Katie to exit)
You downloaded secret data from the Asylum computers involving the Seer Program and Praetor Tilman's questionable practices during their transformation from unstable psychic to obedient seer.
Enemies
Seers
Imperial Defense Force
Template:Enemy Asylum Staff
Notable NPCs
- Dr. Kindly
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Ambush! After triggering the Awakened, you are ambushed by eight waves of Seers. |
You have acquired detailed medical records and analysis from the Asylum Archives proving that the Apparitions are created by Praetor Tilman's Seer Program.
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Asylum Archive Data |
| This data has logs for over 1400 of Praetor Tilman's famous "psychic surgery" operations. The logs are thorough and explain in great detail the gradual degradation of the patient's behavior as all signs of strong negative emotions are eradicated by Tilman's technique. What the logs don't reveal, either by design or ignorance, is that the psychic surgery isn't eradicating the patient's emotions, it is severing them and discarding them like trash. After witnessing the memories of an Apparition you know full well that those emotions don't stay discarded, they come back, with a vengeance! |
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Ambush! After accessing the archives, you will be ambused by five waves of Imperial Defense Forces. |
Discuss with Diabolique what you have discovered
Unnecessary Solicitation
Diabolique must have some insight on your findings. Speak with her first and then return to me.
Briefing
Found what you were looking for, Character?
- I have.
So tell me, what did your foray into Praetor Tilman's house of secrets reveal? What nastiness is dear old Mother really up to?
- (Explain your findings)
I see, so the Apparitions are the emotions and personality that would rebel against Tilman's control, cut out of the patient during her psychic surgery and cast away like dirty linens. They are neither dead nor wholly alive either.
Is Tilman even aware that her trimmings have found a way to manifest themselves and possess new host bodies?
- Ask her yourself. I'm not here to satisfy your curiosities.
I know.
You're here to learn what I know about the sorceries I discovered on the Apparitions.
There is something familiar about this magic. Something old and... kindred...
- Kindred? Like your father?
No... It's different than that. Stronger.
Whatever it is it is lying dormant, as if it were incomplete somehow. The magic does nothing, and yet, it is so strong...
- You sound almost afraid of this magic.
Far from it, Character. As your research shows, the Apparitions are merely emotions and memories run amok, they cannot harm me.
Now, go and inform Cerulean of what you've learned like a good little pet. Tell him that if he wants to learn more then he is welcome to... join me...
- I'll do just that.
Debriefing
The Apparitions are created by the Seer Program!?
This is horrifying!
Tilman is cutting out the strongest emotional parts of people's personalities and discarding them like trash. The result is an obedient seer, loyal to Mother and willing to obey her every command.
I thought what Diabolique did was bad, but at least she has the decency to kill you before enslaving your eternal soul, Tilman is butchering people's psyches and keeping them alive in a living hell!
You show courage in the face of death. I could ask nothing more than to have such a brave friend to stand at my side.
