[from here]

Recluse checked the corners of the room for any waiting creatures before stepping fully into the office. The whole place was almost weirdly clean, though it was easy enough to smell that someone had been smoking in this room.

Tags: lord recluse, statesman

( Recluse's handwriting )

I am most likely going to have in-character entries up fairly soon. Recluse being the person that he is, these entries will be coded. In City of Villains, it is possible to find several of his own notes, all written in this manner.

I will be uploading handwritten text. Recluse has his codes memorized, but I will be using a code generator for the text.

If you want a translation, ask me through an e-mail or AIM. The code is complex enough that in-game, it requires the decryption key to be able to make any sense of it at all. Some characters might be able to decrypt it- those who absolutely specialize in codebreaking or have some psychic ability that would allow them to find the meaning/decryption of the text in Recluse's mind. Others will not, therefore the meaning will not be posted with the writing.

...He's paranoid like that. Stay tuned.

The title for this journal comes from a speech Recluse made. It's played as Arachnos propaganda in-game, directed at the player characters. In the interest of giving a little insight into Recluse, here's a transcript I made up. (The feed was hard to hear at some points, so a few words may be wrong.)

"I must therefore rely on all of you to spread the word of Lord Recluse's vision. A vision of a glorious future, in which man is not encumbered by the desire for truth, peace, or justice. A future where you no longer must obey others. Where you must no longer bow down to those who deem themselves your superiors. A world in which you can finally say "No more!" No longer will you have to listen to those who tell you that you must earn what you wish, that you must work hard to achieve your goals. You will have the strength to take what you desire! ((the crowd cheers))
Through my way--the way of villainy--you can have what you want now. You can leave the weak lying in your wake as you grasp with both hands the glorious future of havoc. The heroes are doomed! ((more applause from the crowd)) Join me now, or you will suffer the same fate that awaits all who defy me. I, Lord Recluse, shall cover this world in darkness! ((crowd cheers until audio feed loops))"


I would just like to point out a few things- The speech is not meant for Arachnos troops or civilians. It is broadcasted in an area that players must frequent for basic tasks, facing this. Its also where players new to the area pass through (note the civilian checkpoint).

The player characters are all considered as having potential for living out a prophecy. Depending on how things play out, one individual has the potential to kill Statesman or Recluse. The prediction was rather vague- no specifics were given as to who would be the Destined One, only a general idea of where to find them. Recluse therefore needs to control all of the potentials, and this speech was delivered in that spirit. And it is quite effective. I always analyze speeches for political spin or propaganda, but the first time I heard this, I grinned, regardless.

...The second time I heard it, though, I laughed- what Recluse is saying is totally against his actual character and goals. The only portion of it that squares with his ideals is the "not encumbered by the desire for..." He has no morals whatsoever. He considers such things to be artificial barriers to clear thought, and would be quite content if the rest of the world would agree with him on that.

The rest of the message to the players appears fairly anarchist, but that is merely bait to bring in the Destined One. If Statesman is killed, Recluse wants such the player character to remain under his complete control. Or dead: The main plan after Statesman dies is to kill the Destined One as well.

Recluse doesn't intend to make good on any of the ideas stated in the speech. Except for himself. When he was a normal human, he was always pushed out of the spotlight by Marcus Cole (who became Statesman). He played the role of supportive friend for years, hiding his own problems until he finally snapped. This background gives another layer to the propaganda. The speech works to convince him of what the future will be like. The message just happens to play well with the potential Destined Ones as well.

Mood: sick
Enjoying: Destati- Kingdom Hearts OST

Recluse is not inclined to write down his thoughts- he's too paranoid, and his memory is good enough so that he doesn't really need to. He does tear out the pages and use them to fold origami, however. So far, he has folded this scorpion during Day 23 Breakfast. He gave it to Haku, and folded another during the Evening Shift when he was sitting by himself.

All origami that he folds will be archived here. Unless otherwise noted, all pictures of Recluse's work will be of models that I have folded.

Scorpion model was created by Peter Engel, folded on a 10"x10" square of tracing paper. A little messy- water got spilled on it before I was able to take a picture. Will upload a better shot if I get another one folded.

This is everything that Recluse has done up until the present date.

Landel's Day 22
Day 22 Afternoon Shift: Woke up in Landel's
Day 22 Afternoon & Evening Shift: Sun Room: Bothered Soujirou, then had a migraine
Day 22 Dinner Shift: Roommate on hiatus. Tried to organize thoughts
Day 22 Bulletin: Expressed interest in Eddie Brock's offer to conduct interviews
Night 22 M1-M10 Hall: acted like a creepy bastard asked Ichigo for directions
Night 22 Sun Room: Shot in the left thigh, blinded by light, and more general unhappiness how totally embarrassing (see profile for details)
Night 22 Kitchen: Obtained sharpening steel (see profile for details)

Landel's Day 23
Day 23 Breakfast: Talked with Haku
Day 23 Shift 2: Male Showers: Conversation with Eddie Brock and Darkwing Duck
Day 23 Lunch: Interview with Eddie Brock
Day 23 Dinner: Roommate on hiatus. Disassembled bed and began working on turning pieces of the angle-iron frame into a usable weapon. Also put a point on his sharpening steel (see profile for details)
Day 23 Bulletin: Contributed to general confusion over Psycho Mantis' 404 Error in the Night 22 Sun Room
Night 23 M1-M10 Hall: Snarked at the latest rantings from the head doctor and radio. Also got his gunshot wound anesthetized by Haku.
Night 23 Stairs Near Lobby 1: Ran into Eddie Brock not stalking the man, I swear. Raven's flashlight was not appreciated.
Night 23: Second Floor Library/Training Hallway: Caim joined group
Night 23: Chapel: Attacked by a Leftover

Location: My Room
Mood: restless
Enjoying: Gjallarhorn: Kokkovirsi