Gatekeepers
|
The following page contains spoilers. Read at your own risk.
"Private Note. It's undeniable that operations at Cascade are being monitored by external forces. This much the Cascade Executive committee have been permitted to know. Exactly who has been infiltrating our communications, and to what ends, remains unknown." - Dr. Derek Manse |
The Gatekeepers, also referred to as GK in GATE emails, are a mysterious, occult mercenary group who serve as antagonists in Abiotic Factor. They are first encountered as enemies starting in Reactors, but a lone Gatekeeper Jotun corpse can be found in Cascade Laboratories and the Sister of the Unlost can be met before entering the Security Sector.
Organization
It is currently unknown where or how the Gatekeepers were founded. The Gatekeepers recruit from around the world, regardless of background. Presumably, the main criterion is a prospective recruit's ability to see "beyond", or in GATE staff parlance, "crazy enough to stare at an IS head-to-head". Their primary tasks were to capture IS and eliminate potential threats to GATE itself. While the Gatekeepers ostensibly work alongside regular GATE staff, their eccentric behavior and occult trappings tend to make even the most seasoned scientist feel uncomfortable near them, let alone work with them for prolonged periods.
Despite their official role as hired help for GATE staff, the Gatekeepers control access to the Shadowgate facility in Finland, which not even senior GATE administrators are allowed to visit without express permission. As a result of their secrecy, several members of the GATE research staff believe the Gatekeepers have their own agenda.
The Gatekeepers practice a syncretic religion that appears be centered around a handful of known beings deity or otherwise, including Yig, Anu, Shamash, Baal, Atum, Sagat, Tiamat, and Arkus. While the specifics of their beliefs and practices are unclear, at least Arkus appears to have been a mortal who is considered to have achieved apotheosis by leaping into what the Gatekeepers refer to as the Abyss. The Gatekeepers also make references to several New Age religious concepts, such as the "Seven Rays" and the "Summerland," although it is unclear how these tie into their beliefs at large. At least some GATE scientists, including Janet Ross, believe that the Gatekeepers do not practice a religion so much as invoke symbols and entities for more pragmatic purposes, such as protection.
Story
The player first glimpses the Gatekeepers during the initial elevator descent into the GATE facility, as several Neophytes and a Chieftain escort the subdued Behemoth along a subterranean access road. Although several survivors make references to the Gatekeepers, none are seen in any of the early sectors.
After unlocking the Security Sector, the player gets their first glimpse of a Gatekeeper, the Sister of the Unlost, who provides only a few cryptic hints before leaving.
When the player reaches the Hydroplant, they come across Defense Team member Jonas Conti, who mentions the Gatekeepers have pushed through the dam, past the Order soldiers, and down to the Reactors.
Upon reaching the Reactors, the Gatekeepers have seemingly started killing anyone, whether Order or GATE employee. Dr. Cahn speculates GATE has ordered the Gatekeepers to "clean up" after the massive containment failure, eliminating everyone at the Cascade facility regardless of affiliation though this is possibly just a guess or not the truth. The player fights through Gatekeeper forces at the Dusk and Gale reactors - the latter being the site of a stand-off between entrenched Order and Gatekeeper fighters.
Once the player makes it to the Cloud reactor, they hear a Gatekeeper Jotun taunting the Order soldiers. While also warning to stay away and giving the player a chance to back away. Despite fierce resistance from both factions, the player successfully reactivates the Cloud reactor and gains access to WG-Intrados, which contains a portal leading to the Shadowgate facility, the Gatekeepers' headquarters.
On the advice of Cahn, the player fights their way through the Gatekeepers' defenses and breaches the Shadowgate facility proper. There, they disable the restraints on IS-0117, allowing it to escape back to its home anteverse. Immediately after the super creature's escape, the Gatekeepers retreat to the now-freezing Residence Sector of Cascade and, allegedly, begin working to use to the Dark Lens to escape into another universe.
When the player reaches the Residence Sector, logs reveal that GATE has, in fact, ordered the Gatekeepers to seal off the GATE Cascade facility with the Dark Lens. Once the freezing portal storm is lifted, Gatekeepers are encountered around the Residence and Shopping District, skirmishing against various A2 entities. A unit of flash-frozen Gatekeepers marks the entrance to Fragments.
Further into Fragments, the player encounters more Gatekeepers guarding the hardlight shield generators that protect the Dark Lens, as well as an augmented, elite unit that protects the Dark Lens control booth.
Ranks
Currently, there are six known ranks/variations amongst members of the Gatekeepers.
The Tested
See Also: Neophyte
The Tested, more commonly referred to as Neophytes, are the Gatekeepers' initiates. They have both a Hardlight shield and an assault rifle, and are first encountered in Reactors. Although they have not yet been inducted into the higher ranks of the Gatekeepers, many have served as Neophytes for years, and a few for decades.
The Spear
See Also: Chieftain
The Spear, more commonly known as Chieftains, are the Gatekeepers' unit leaders. Unlike the Neophytes, Chieftains use a high-caliber handgun in addition to their Hardlight shield. Chieftains are promoted from Neophytes who have proven themselves as well as passed a test of three "Gateways".
The Abyssal
See Also: Mystagogue
The Gatekeepers' shamans, usually referred to as Mystagogues. Unlike the other Gatekeepers, Mystagogues can constantly hover in the air and are supported by varying numbers of laser-shooting Mystagogue Eyes. In combat, they throw fireballs at their enemies.
The Hexen
See Also: Witch
The Hexen, commonly referred to as Witches, are the most lightly-armored of the Gatekeepers. Unlike the other ranks, Witches use jump packs in addition to their Hardlight shields and are armed with shotguns. Witches are recruited from those who possess certain talents and a desire to seek out knowledge, and are further enhanced and trained at GATE Cascade Synaptic Labs. They are only encountered at Shadowgate.
The Bulwark
See Also: Jotun
The Bulkwark, more commonly referred to as Jotun, are heavily enhanced soldiers fielded by the Gatekeepers. In addition to their considerable armor, Jotun use a Hardlight shield as well and are armed with a heavy machine gun. Jotun are drawn from Neophyte volunteers who undergo the experimental, and some say unethical, procedures in return for greater strength.
Assessor
The Gatekeeper Assessor is a rank of Gatekeepers focused on recruiting new members.
Named Members
- Da'at (Mentioned by Janet in Mist Reactor.)
- Fane (Named in G. Kelly's "Cubes" email.)
- Tajik (Mentioned by George in the "Guns and Chalk" email.)
- Altar (Mentioned by Bridget Badwell in the "Your Runes?" email.)
- Chalice (Mentioned by Bridget Badwell in the "Your Runes?" email.)
- Pyre (Named in T. R. Enderson's "IS-0117" email.)
- Aspen (Mentioned in the Snowman Compendium Entry.)
The Unlost
See Also: The Unlost
A specialist Gatekeeper unit and the most renowned Seer group of the Gatekeepers, known for unconventional methods even by Gatekeeper standards. They specialize in data and soft retrieval.
The Fold
A unit of Gatekeepers stationed at the GATE Arch Defense Facility.