Documents
In 'Tomb Raider' (2013) you have the choice to pick up documents, which will add more background information to characters, locations and mythologies.
Ancient Scrolls
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Ambassador: First Impressions
An ancient scroll. It appears to be the recollection of an Imperial Chinese Ambassador’s visit to the court of the Sun Queen.
After a fortnight I was at last granted an audience with her majesty, Himiko of Yamatai. I must confess, she is unlike any woman I have ever encountered. Beautiful, yet inscrutable; calculating, even. She surrounds herself with her Priestesses of the Sun. No men attend her, save the general of her armies. When I met with her alone, I came to realise that she is not all what she seems. I was sent by my lord to spy on her… to assess the strength of her armies. But now I feel she is the one assessing me. My lord has perhaps underestimated the threat of Yamatai. Though I cannot gauge the true strength of her Stormguard, I cannot deny a powerful feeling that the Sun Queen should not be trifled with. Ambassador: Discoveries
The ambassador uncovered a mystery surrounding the Sun Queen. It seems she had some kind of unnatural hold over her people.
I have spoken to some of the villagers on the island. I was expressly forbidden to leave the palace, but this did not stop me. My duties here are clear, I must learn the truth! But the stories I uncover defy belief. Rumours abound of the Queen’s communion with the spiritual world. They say she commands the sun and the rain, that her lands are abundant by her will alone. This is certainly nonsense, but what can be the cause of such whispers? Is this how she controls her people, by engaging their primitive superstitions? I saw absolute reverence in their eyes when they spoke of her, yet I also sensed fear. Her people are treated with fairness, taxed reasonably and are well protected by her Stormguard. No wonder some of them even pray to her! It’s as if she were more than just a Queen to them. Spreading discontent through her people may well be a harder task than I imagined. Hoshi: Answering The Call
This is an excerpt from the ancient diary of Hoshi, a young Priestess of the Sun. Interesting…she feared her own queen.
Today I am Hoshi, daughter of Hilro and Kokoro. Tomorrow, I will be Hoshi, Daughter of the Sun. The Queen has spoken and I was given the robes. Every girl in the village dreams of this honor. Mother cannot stop crying and father is beaming with pride. I have never seen him smile so much. This greatest of honors will raise my family to the heights of Yamatai society. We will want for nothing. And someday the Sun Queen may even choose me to take her place. And yet…I cannot deny my feelings. At first I dismissed them as simple nerves, but the unease has grown within me. I could never refuse the call, to do so would invite ruin to my family. But I am frightened of my Queen. Ambassador: Dark Things
The ambassador discovered some terrible secret and fled Yamatai. What did he find? And what became of him?
It is time for me to leave this accursed island. I have seen enough of Yamatai. I cannot explain the power the Sun Queen wields, but it is not of this earthly plane. As I suspected, she knew my intent the moment I set foot on this island. She has manipulated me, toyed with me to see what information I would seek but she always knew. If I am allowed to leave this place alive, I must warn my lord, warn him that we should avoid Yamatai at all costs. If we wish access to her seas, we should pay any tribute she requires, but we should never cross the Sun Queen. To do so would lead to our ruin. Of the other things I have seen… those dark horrors, I can never speak of them again. Hoshi: At Her Side
This is fascinating. Hoshi describes her daily routine as a priestess, but something wasn’t quite right.
I want for nothing now. As a Priestess of the Sun Queen, I stand above all others in her court. I am being instructed in languages, etiquette, history, warfare – all the skills needed to rule. And the Queen has been like a mother to me. Warm, attentive, loving. But it all feels false, like some kind of performance. When I talk to the other Priestesses, I sense disquiet. Some of them feel as I do, perhaps all of them. But why? What is it that we all fear. General: The Oath
This old scroll contains the oath of allegiance taken by the Stormguard General. He pledged his very life to the Sun Queen.
My Queen, as I stand in your light, I swear this oath of allegiance to you. As your first Stormguard and General of your armies, I will serve you unconditionally and protect the lands of Yamatai and all your people. I will stand at your side for the remainder of my days, relinquishing my post only at your command. If I should fail in my duties, my life is forfeit. My heart beats at your command, my breath is drawn at your pleasure. From this moment onwards, I answer only to you. General: The Conquerors
A record of the General’s speech given on the eve of a great battle. If the Yamatai were conquerors, what stopped them?
Stormguard Warriors, today we stand on the brink of a great change. The enemy fleet that sails to our shores will be the last to ever attempt an invasion of our beloved Yamatai. The rage of our great Sun Queen will raise up a mighty storm and we will ride forth upon the winds to destroy them. But when we emerge victorious, we will not stop. A new day will dawn as our Queen’s light will reach the ocean to touch all lands. While we of Yamatai bask in the warmth of her grace, those who oppose us will burn. Hoshi: In Her Image
Priestess Hoshi seems frightened in this diary. She’s beginning to suspect she will be chosen as the new Sun Queen.
The Sun Queen grows old. Soon she will choose her successor. I fear it will be me. I am now her favorite. She dotes on me, calls me her precious first daughter. Like a doll, she always keeps me close to her, brushing my hair, dressing me in her favorite clothes. It unsettles me beyond words. But more disturbing, she constantly gazes upon my features as if… as if she’s looking at her own reflection. General: Failure Of Duty
Is this some kind of suicide note? It seems the Stormguard General failed his Queen and paid the ultimate price.
I have failed my queen. The ritual was corrupted. The priestess knew only death could save her and took her own life. Now the first and last Sun Queen lives a half-life, a soul in a decaying body. She rages in storms which will never abate while her soul is tied to this earth. My Stormguard are sworn to protect her; they must continue, but I cannot Hoshi: An End
Hoshi faced a terrible choice. I feel as though I am following her path. But what choices will I be forced to make?
I have no choice but to meet my fate. Tonight I climb the stairs to the Chamber of the Sun. But I will never submit to the ritual – I will not emerge Queen. None will ever believe what I now know to be the truth. A twisted evil beyond imagining lives within the Sun Queen. An evil that hungers for more than just the land and seas of Yamatai. This madness cannot continue. So I go the chamber, armed with the stolen dagger of her Stormguard General. By the time he realizes what I have done, it will be too late. For the sake of Yamatai, and all the priestesses that would follow me… I must die. |
Endurance Officers Documents
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WHITMAN: DON’T LEAVE ME
A letter from Whitman's notebook. He's such a self serving man. I can't believe I used to admire him!
Darling, think! Think before filing those papers. I've sunk the last of my fortune into this expedition. But it's all going to come back tenfold. If you divorce me now, you won't see a penny of it. You've been with me since I was nothing. You know what I'm capable of achieving. I haven't lost my touch, I'm just at a low point right now, don't you see? I'm onto something here. Lara, you remember her? My young Protégée... She has real data to back up her theories, but she doesn't have my savvy. It's going to be my name on the discovery and my face in front of the cameras. In this all pans out, the show will be huge. If you want to leave me then, I promise I won't fight you. But please... just wait on it. I can't have this kind of publicity muddling up my image. Please! REYES: DEAR ROTH
A hand written letter from Reyes. I can't believe this. Roth's a father. Has he always known?
Baby, I don't even know how to begin this, so I'm just gonna come right out with it. Alisha is yours. Maybe you've known it all along, but since I signed back on board the Endurance, I just can't keep the truth from you any longer. You've got to understand, I never meant to cut you out of her life. But I know you, Roth. I know how you live and what you want. Staying in one place and raising a kid is not on your agenda. Maybe I screwed up. Maybe I should have let you make a choice. But I made it for you. For what I thought was best. After the expedition, when the time is right, let's talk about the future. Take some time to think about what you want, okay? REYES: DEAR ALISHA
It's my fault we're in this mess. I have to make it right. I've got to find a way to get us out of here.
I didn't want to write this, but if I don't do it now, I might not have another chance. Your mama got herself into some trouble... and... I might have to be gone for a very long time. I don't know when or if you'll ever read this, but I want you to know I fought for you. Everything I did in my life was for you - all the time away, all the money I save, all the sacrifices. If I don't make it back, find Conrad Roth. You've never met him but he's the best man I've ever known. And he's your father. You have his eyes. You're the light of my life and I love you more than anything. WHITMAN: MY GREAT DISCOVERY
Whitman has lost his mind. His obsession with fame and fortune has consumed him.
This island is more than I could have hoped for. Of course, these islanders are absolutely insane, and those poor people from the Endurance... So tragic. But honestly, it adds to the drama! Not only is this the mythical land of Yamatai, but the shipwrecks... and the modern day cultists. It warrants at least two documentaries. Maybe even a series! Good lord, this place is going to ignite the world's imagination! And I'm going to be right in the center of it all. Such a huge relief... all of my chips were on this one number. I just need to be careful now. This situation could spin out of control on a dime. Once I have this Mathias fellow's ear, I can convince him that there's much to gain in cooperating. I mean, he can't honestly believe the things he preaches to these men, right? They're just lost and confused. I'll help to bring them all back to civilization. The sponsors are going to line up for this exclusive. The story is huge! ROTH: AN APOLOGY
Roth, I can't believe you're gone. Thank you for everything you taught me. You were the father I needed.
Lara, I'm sorry. I got you into this mess. I made a promise to your father. The last time I saw him, I swore that I would look after you, keep you out of trouble. And what did I do? I put you right into the thick of it. Now you're the one looking after me. You know, you're just like your father. He was smarter, wiser and stronger than anyone I know. And he never gave up, no matter how tough things got. I worry about you, but I know if there's anyone who can survive this place, it's Lara Croft. Whatever happens, I want you to know that I loved you like the daughter I never had. I'm proud of you. REYES: ABOUT LARA
Reyes was right. I was a fool and people did get hurt. But I'm going to do whatever it takes to get them home.
Roth, I know you want me to ease off Lara. But I'm hard on her for a reason. This big expensive ship and all its people are heading into uncharted, dangerous waters based on her theories. Lara needs to understand the weight of that responsibility. I know it was your call, but sometimes I think you forget that she isn't actually your daughter. No one else could get away with steering the Endurance into the Dragon's Triangle without at least some hard evidence. So you tell me - what convinced you? She's smart, I'll give her that. And I admit the expedition has potential. But big ideas and grand plans will only get us so far. You know as well as I do, nothing like this ever goes according to plan. Lara's green - if the shit hits the fan and she screws up, someone's gonna get hurt. Maybe it'll all play out fine. But until we're sailing home safe and sound with a pile of riches, I'm not giving that girl any slack WHITMAN: CROSSING THE LINE
Whitman, you foolish man. In the end, your ambition got the better of you.
Well, it had to be done. Lara left me no choice. If I thought she could play the game, I might have let her in on my plan. But she doesn't have the grit for this business. She isn't ruthless enough. And this discovery has to be mine. I've crossed the line. It won't look good, so... as unfortunate as it may be, she can't make it off this island. None of them can. And whatever happens with Sam... It just makes this whole story all the more newsworthy. I don't think Mathias or his Solarii can be reasoned with, so I'll need to slip away as soon as this ritual is completed. I'll make the perfect sole survivor, returning with the authorities, the cameras... and an appropriately convincing expression of sorrow |
Lara's Journal
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SHIPWRECKED
How do I start…?
How do I start…? Okay. This is Lara Croft – an archaeologist from The Endurance, shipwrecked on an island in the Dragon’s Triangle – east of Japan. This place is incredible. I’ve seen wrecks here that could date back centuries. We weren’t the first and I know we’re not alone. Something isn’t right about this place. If I don’t get off this island, maybe someone will eventually find this. NIGHTMARES
The thing about nightmares is sooner or later, you wake up.
The thing about nightmares is sooner or later, you wake up. But there’s no waking up from this place. Which means I’m really here, I’m really doing these things. No. Don’t think about it, Lara. Not now. It won’t help. I don’t know what’s happened to the rest of the crew. I hope they’re okay. They have to be. They have to be. I don’t know what the hell is going on here, but all that matters is that Roth finds a way to get us home. PREPARED FOR THE WORST
Thank god for Roth’s training. All those treks, all those climbs…
Thank god for Roth’s training. All those treks, all those climbs…It’s as if he’d been preparing me for something like this all along. It’s clear that there are people living here. And they’re organised. They’re killing and recruiting, but why? It’s like some kind of cult. But a cult of what? What do they want? What are they looking for? UNNATURAL STORMS
It must be dehydration, delayed shock maybe. I can’t really have seen that unnatural storm, can I?
I can’t get it out of my head. A storm that came out of nowhere, out of a clear sky, and brought down a plane. It’s not rational. You know it’s not rational, Lara. There must be some explanation I… I just don’t know what it is yet. ANCIENT GUARDIANS
Just when I thought this island couldn’t get any worse. What were those things in the monastery?
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse. What were those things in the monastery? They were dressed like Stormguard, and the sounds they made, almost… inhuman. Shit, just listen to yourself Lara. You sound like dad. It’s like they’re the remnants of some last civilization. Okay, now I really sound like dad. All I know is they killed those men, and I have a feeling they wouldn’t hesitate to kill me too. But I can’t think about this now. Sam’s in trouble and I’ve got to get her back. She’s counting on me… NO ESCAPE
Mathias thinks Himiko’s spirit is keeping us here. That’s not possible.
Madness. That’s what this place is. Mathias thinks Himiko’s spirit is keeping us here. That’s not possible…It’s not possible. But he’s so beyond crazy that maybe he’s come right back around to some kind of sane. The helicopter isn’t our way off. You know that, Lara – in your gut. I have to warn the others. If we board it, we’re dead. DON’T THINK, DON’T FEEL
I know the answer has something to do with Himiko and that monastery. I have to do something, I have to stop this.
Tears won’t bring me back, girl. That’s what Roth would’ve said. I just can’t believe he’s gone, no more stories about my parents, no more mountains climbs. God, I wish they’d killed me instead. But they didn’t. I’m here, I’m alive and I’m certain that no boat or plane is going to get us off this island, at least not yet. I know the answer has something to do with Himiko and that monastery. I have to do something, I have to stop this. THE PROMISE
I have to get Sam back, I made a promise and I’m not losing her too.
If I’m going to get to the ritual chamber in that monastery, we need to fix that boat. I don’t know how I’m going to convince the others to take it inland, rather than off this island, but I have to find a way. Reyes won’t be easy. She wants to get back to her daughter, and she’s in pain over Roth. We all are. I still don’t know exactly why Mathias wanted Sam in this first place, but it doesn’t matter. She's back with us now, she’s safe. THE MONASTERY
I know the answer is inside that ritual chamber, but getting to it won’t be easy. I’m so scared of what I’m going to find in there.
The prayer I found on that General talked about a soul in a decaying body being the cause of the storms. I know he must be talking about the last Sun Queen, but I don’t understand what Himiko has to do with this. She was the first Queen. Somehow Mathias thinks Sam’s connected. And that can’t be good. Damn you Whitman! You’ll do anything for a story. I know the answer is inside that ritual chamber, but getting to it won’t be easy. The Stormguard are devoted to guarding it. I know I have to do this, but I’m so scared of what I’m going to find in there. THE TRUTH
I used to be so certain of the truth.
I used to be so certain of the truth. But after what I’ve seen… what I’ve done, I don’t know what to believe anymore. This island has taken everything from me. I’m going to make sure I take as much in return. All its secrets. It owes me that. I have to find answers. I need to understand. |
Confessions of a Solarii
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SALVATION
This is the diary of a man named Nikolai, one of the survivors on this island. He mentions a Father Mathias. Is this the same man I met?
When we washed up on this rock, the rain and wind pounded us for days. We couldn’t build shelter or forage for food… Christ, we couldn’t even move. It was like some enormous hand was holding us down. Just as the storm was finally breaking, Father Mathias came to us. He was calm and soft-spoken. He seemed to know us… our names, where we were from. He spoke to us in our native language. And we listened. And as we listened, he told us the truth of this island. He offered us a choice: salvation or death. Some chose to defy him. And without hesitation, he killed them then and there. Father Mathias didn’t seem malicious or angry, just calm and decisive. As I stood there in the sand, wet with the blood of my comrades, I knew I could never refuse him. THE BEST JOB
This group Mathias has formed, the Solarii. They sound like prisoners…dangerous and power-hungry.
For better or worse, I now follow Father Mathias. If I’m going to be stuck on this island, at least I have the best possible job. He calls me his first Solarii. Mathias might be insane, but he’s smart and dangerous. He knows things about this island. I believe he’s our only chance of ever getting out of here. Mathias keeps us happy. We control the guns and the food. Anything the storms bring to this island is ours and we decide the fate of any new survivors. Any who defy us are killed. We’re masters of this fucked up prison. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
This is insane. Mathias has convinced these men that the spirit of the Sun Queen is somehow alive and keeping them on this island.
Mathias has us look for physically strong men for the brotherhood…but none too smart. They must be willing to take orders and work. Any who question or resist are immediately killed. And the women…Mathias decides their fate. Most are sacrificed to the dark walkers… but some are chosen for the ritual. We put up with this insane ceremony. Some brothers are even starting to believe in it. Something clearly controls the storms around this cursed island and it will never let us leave. Father Mathias claims to speak to it… her. This Sun Queen spirit, or whatever it is. I don’t know what to believe. I’m just doing what I can to survive. TOIL AND DISTRACTION
The Solarii are organised, they have rules and a purpose, Mathias has seen to that. But like most cults, they’re collectively mad.
There are over a hundred of us now. We’ve started work clearing out the old palace and soon construction will begin on a city around the base of the mountain. The Japanese built a cargo hauling system here years ago that we’ve gotten up and running around. Mathias claims we’re building in honor of the Sun Queen, like some ancient Egyptian monument. But it’s obvious what’s going on here. Mathias is stalling for time. This massive project is just to keep them distracted. Even with the rituals and storms and rampant killing, it’s only a matter of time before they turn against him. And when they do, I’ll be ready to take control. IN HER HONOR
What makes these men truly dangerous is their faith. They believe in the Sun Queen and will stop at nothing to bring her back.
Every new brother is assigned a job – a purpose in the Solarii. As long as Mathias continues to prove his spiritual connection to the Sun Queen, they will fall in line and believe. Initiation to the brotherhood is brutal. We need to destroy their humanity, so that they in turn can be inhuman. Now recruits are thrown into the depths of the caverns and left to starve and fend for themselves for days… sometimes weeks. Those who make it out alive are welcomed with open arms. I still can’t explain what kind of power Mathias has tapped into, but I don’t care anymore. We’re never getting off this goddamned island – some days I’m convinced we’re all in hell already. God knows with the things we’ve done…we might as well be. |
Diaries of a Madman
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STRANDED
This journal belonged to Mathias. He was marooned here years ago. Was this the same man who was with Sam.
25 July 1982 Days have passed since the plane crash. For a second time, we attempted to escape by boat… with disastrous results. I knew it would happen. Just like the first time, the calm sea turned hostile with no explanation. The moments we made for open water, the winds picked up followed by… an impossible wave. Like a child’s toy, our lifeboat was smashed violently into the rocky shore. Now, two more lie dead. And another is wounded beyond help. The others are starting to panic…and they’re looking to me for a plan. I do have one, but it doesn’t include them. They are weak and stupid… a liability in this place. I suggested they make another attempt to leave, but I won’t join them. To do so would be suicide. This is clear to me now. ALONE
Mathias sacrificed his fellow survivors to learn something new about this island. What kind of twisted man does this?
6 September 1982 I am alone now. The rest of them are dead. This is for the best. I watched from the cliffs as their makeshift boat was tossed and turned by the storms. The clouds looked like a hand upon the water, desperately clawing at their doomed boat. None survived the wraith of the storm. I observed it carefully – the storm was localized and sudden. And just as suddenly it was gone. And this is the most interesting details. It didn’t seem random. I sensed… emotion, something deliberate. I don’t know what’s happening on this island. Not yet. But if I ever hope to escape, I must understand this phenomenon. Now my real work begins. RESEARCH
Mathias started uncovering clues to the true nature of this place. But what was his plan?
17 September 1982 A plan is taking shape in my mind. In order to unlock the power of this island, I first need to understand what has happened here. I need time and room to study this place. There are many mysteries here, foremost of which, the ruins of an ancient Japanese Empire… and a mysterious Queen. It all started with her. THE SOLARII
Mathias is a truly evil man. The way he speaks of violence and killing so casually…this is madness.
13 October 1990 Over the years, there have been other survivors, but I have avoided them. And if they get in my way…I was not merciful. But now I know I need others. In order to move forward, I must fully control this island. So I will gather a small group of loyal followers. They must understand power and the need to organize. But more importantly, they cannot hesitate to kill or use violence. It will be part of their life here. They will need structure and purpose and work. But when this island is mine, I will discover the true secret of the storms. BELIEF
Mathias has fashioned himself a cult of true believers. What better way to justify moral bankruptcy and violence?
24 October 1994 My patience has been rewarded. At long last, I have my lieutenants, my enforcers of the way. The storms brought me exactly the men I need to begin building the Solarii Brotherhood. Strong of body, weak of will. They were broken in the storms, weakened and vulnerable. And I raised them up again. Now they serve me, and through me… her. The Sun Queen. She is showing me the way. She has always shown me the way. I cannot deny what I have seen. And soon, neither will they. She is everywhere on this island! But… the Solarii Brotherhood must grow. We will recruit as many as we can. I will draft laws, create a code for them to live by. And they will build for the Sun Queen while I search for the key. OBSESSION
Mathias drove his Solarii to build all of this in the name of a long dead Japanese Queen…incredible.
21 January 1997 The Solarii, my warriors of the sun, they have grown strong in number. And I have discovered everything I require to move my plans forward. It is time for us to move inland. We will build our city high up in the mountains, around the old palace. From there we can protect ourselves from the Oni guardians and I can access all points on the island swiftly. I must be prepared to capture anyone who comes to this place. I know now what I seek. The key to escaping this place… and perhaps much, much more. It may take years, but I will find her. LOST
This is the rambling of a truly lost madman. Mathias has committed his sanity to this cause and will stop at nothing to fulfil some twisted destiny of his own making.
5 June 2011 The years pass and I now hear her whispers in my sleep. It is the Sun Queen…she is urging me on. I see her magnificent face with every sunrise. Soon now… My Solarii toil in her name, building a city from all that she has brought to the island, torturing and sacrificing in her name. Soon now… we will find the one. I long for escape, but not simply from this island. From all of this… the wrecks, bodies, and squalor. If I can bring my Queen back, it will all vanish in an instant. And like the sun rising anew, she will bathe all the land and seas with her light, burning away everything. I will emerge from this scorched earth… reborn and pure. |
Wartime Intelligence
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SCIENTIST: SECRET PROJECT
An old World War Two field report. The Axis powers came here to study the storms. What did they find?
Expedition Field Report: Despite loss of two cargo ships to intense storms, the expedition has made landfall. We’ve established a communications center high in the mountains and coastal base construction has commenced. Initial surveys have revealed several possible excavation sites. The island is much larger than we originally anticipated and layered with many centuries of history. The task of identifying the source of the storms will be long and arduous, but if we succeed in our mission here, our victory in this war will be certain. SOLDIER: ONI STALKERS
From the diary of a soldier. He mentions Oni, demons from Japanese folklore. What could it have really been?
It… it happened again. Private Kosuke. He was on gate duty last night. No one heard anything. And this morning, they found his helmet… nothing else. No tracks of his leaving, no blood, no shell casings, nothing! The others are talking about Chinese partisans, maybe even American G.I.’s. Damned fools! They have no idea what’s happening here. It is the Oni who stalk us. The restless, evil spirits, they live in the old places of this island. We are trespassers here, and they are watching us, waiting. All these wrecks, the ruins… this entire island is a graveyard. It’s only a matter of time, the Oni will come for us. SCIENTIST: SECRET OF THE ISLAND
They found something in the cliffs… an old tomb. I might find answers there.
Months of excavation has at last yielded new information concerning the weather patterns gripping this island. The tomb of an important General dating from the Kamakura period was discovered in our coastal dig site. This discovery is the missing piece of the puzzle. It will allow us to finally gain control of the storms. SOLDIER: AWAKENING
The same soldier. Again he mentions the Oni. Could it be that thing I saw in the Monastery?
Soon after we discovered the tomb, they came, the Oni. First the lights went out. Then… then the screaming started. Was it us or them? That horrible sound, it still rings in my head. They wore the armor of my ancestors… they, they cut us down with ancient blades. Gunfire, shouting, blood. We couldn’t stop them. Everything turned to chaos. And then silence. They were gone. Why did they leave? Why didn’t they kill us all? Captain Osaka is in command now. We… we are leaving the base, but not the island. We’re heading inland, to the Monastery. There is no other way. We must follow the Oni, all of us. If we can’t control the star, we must destroy it. But I know… we… we’re all going to die. SCIENTIST: IN SEARCH OF THE STAR
They headed inland, to the monastery. But I don’t think they succeeded in their mission.
Our coastal base has been attacked by unknown assailants. We suspect the Americans have arrived and are attempting to sabotage our operations. Communications have been disrupted across the island and we’ve sustained heavy losses. Many of our soldiers have simply disappeared. All remaining personnel are proceeding to the ancient monastery to ensure control of the weather phenomenon. We expect to meet heavy resistance enroute. Request reinforcements as soon as possible. SOLDIER: LAST STAND
These poor soldiers, they had no idea why they were here. And they died alone. I’ve got to stop this.
We never…never had a chance. They were waiting for us, hundreds of them. We never even made it to the sacred chamber. From the beginning, we were doomed. And now I wait for my ancestors to take me. I can hear them. The Oni are killing my brothers, eating them, consuming their souls. So much death. I’m the last one. What is my fate? Will I become one of them? Ancestors hear me. Please, take me away from this, before the Oni come for me. Please take me to the afterlife. Let me die in peace. |
Endurance Crew Documents
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SAM: FEELINGS OF UNEASE
This is part of Sam’s diary. Something was really bothering her. Did she have a premonition about the expedition?
Lara’s having a crisis of confidence, so for her sake, I’ll keep up a happy face. But something about this expedition has been making me nervous. I have butterflies in my stomach. As we sail closer to the Dragon’s Triangle, I’m starting to feel nauseous. And this isn’t the excited kinda nerves. What the hell is wrong with me? I should be excited. This trip is going to be awesome. I just need to shake off this feeling. Maybe I can convince Lara to take a break and have a drink with me. SAM: FILMMAKER
Whitman was making it so hard for Sam to do her job. The good doctor has really shown his true colors on this trip.
Whitman is such a drama queen. I can’t believe the hissy fit he threw during the filler shoot. I mean, this is his job, right? It’s not like he’s offering anything to the actual research part of this expedition. Once we find Yamatai and the cameras are rolling, he’ll calm down. He might be a total pain in the ass, but he knows how to work a scene. I just need to do my job and keep my cool. Lara doesn’t know it, but I’ve been shooting footage of her too. I really want to make sure she gets the credit she deserves. And besides, she looks great on film. I think she’s a natural. That’s probably going to drive Whitman out of his mind with jealousy. But by the time he finds out, we’ll be enjoying the premiere in Telluride! SAM: FAMILY STORY
It’s Sam’s story about the Sun Queen and Yamatai. But I don’t think it’s anything like she imagined.
I can’t believe we’re actually on an expedition to the homeland of my ancestors. Ever since I told Lara the story of Himiko years ago, she’s been hunting for its location. I never really gave it much thought, that any of this could actually be real history. My grandmother used to tell me the story like it was a memory… Many thousands of years ago, Queen Himiko ruled the land of Yamatai. The sun rose at Himiko’s command and she ruled everything its rays touched, from the mountains to the sea and beyond. But one day, Yamatai simply disappeared without a trace, forgotten in time. SAM: ADVENTURES WITH LARA
This is one adventure neither of us will want to remember.
I suppose on some level I have Lara to thank for this job. She’s always believed in me. The academics in college dismissed filmmaking as nonsense. They just saw me as this ditsy American troublemaker with a camera. But you know what? Most people can use a little trouble in their lives. And deep down, I know Lara wanted to just cut loose sometimes. She just needed a little help unlocking her inner party girl. We had so many awesome adventures together. That insane backpacking trip through Bulgaria, I was always dragging her out to clubs. And the hiking trip on the south face of Kilimanjaro; all Lara wanted to was explore ruins, but who knew we’d run into so many cute guys? Certainly not Lara, haha! I have a feeling this expedition is going to be one for the books. Lara with her notebook, me with my camera… another crazy adventure! GRIM: THE GOOD OLD DAYS
Grim’s right, my father would want to study those Solarii. But he’d also do anything to save his friends.
Well, this is a right fucking mess. So much for a quiet retirement. If I find Roth somewhere on this goddamned island, I’m going to punch him square in the mouth for bringing us here. And then…then the two of us will kill every last one of these crazed sons a bitches. It’ll be just like the old days… Minus old Dicky Croft. If he was alive, he’d want to study these bastards. Some kinna twisted religious cult, he’d find em “fascinatin”. I hope his daughter knows better and finds a good place to hide. These nutjobs are dangerous. And I worry about those kids, Alex, Sam… this place will eat em alive! ALEX: OVER HIS HEAD
What was Alex thinking? This place is unforgiving. And the price of surviving it is just too high.
Lara is totally right. Something seriously fucked up is going on here. The “natural” phenomenon that causes the weather to go apeshit, the military research base, some kinda Sun Queen and a crazy cult? If I didn’t know better, I’d say this was a big put-on. Are there TV cameras hidden in the trees? But you know, I gotta admit, it’s scaring the shit out of me. I keep cracking jokes to cover it up, Reyes looks ready to kick my ass. I think I need to do something useful before I completely lose it. I wish I could be more like Lara… she just blows me away. Not only is she brilliant, she’s also an amazing ass kicker. And if she didn’t notice me before, she sure as hell won’t now. But maybe I can still do something to get her attention. JONAH: RECOGNIZING THE TRUTH
Jonah probably believed this island was cursed before any of us. I’ve got to find a way to get them all out of here.
I feel something in this place, something I haven’t felt since I was a child. When my father would go insane with rage, I would hide with my brother and he would tell me the tale of Pania of the Reef. I remember feeling the ocean calling to me. I wanted to escape, to give myself to the silent sea. And now, as I look at the reefs surrounding this beach, I feel that urge again. I see Pania’s green seaweed hair, woven among the wreckage. I feel her tears in the spray of the waves, lashing upon the rocks. Lara is right, this island is cursed. There is a rage here that will never let us go. If the worst happens and I’m the last one standing, I will let Pania take me. I will swim away and join my brother in the waves. |
GPS Secrets
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UNKNOWN: MYSTERIOUS ORDERS
Was there some other person…or group…interested in this island? I don’t have time to make sense of this now.
Command to Operative STOP Trinity is concerned STOP Acquisition of Star Phenomenon unacceptable. STOP Sabotage of Axis operation imperative. STOP UNKNOWN: FAILED MISSION
That name again…Trinity. Some kind of organization. But who are they? And how do they know about this island?
I was sent here to investigate a new threat to Trinity’s interests on this island. When I arrived, I discovered Mathias and his Solarii Cult. I believed then that Mathias could never acquire the Star Phenomenon, but I was wrong. I should have killed him when I had a chance, but now it’s too late. I’ve been compromised and mortally wounded, my mission incomplete. My time is short. If you’ve deciphered the numbers and found this stash, then you must be my replacement. Kill Mathias! He’s close to awakening the enemy that has long lain dormant. This cannot be allowed to happen. |