DEPTHS OF SANITY
Character Note/Audio Log Samples
A large chunk of Depths of Sanity’s story takes place via crew notes and audio logs the player finds throughout their journey, which flesh out the backstories and relationships of those who were aboard the Baroness.
Here, I’ve picked samples from two characters with very different backgrounds and voices, who are diametrically opposed to each other throughout their journey—Claire Redding and Dr. Albert Cross.
*Note: Below are two screenshots of how audio logs and notes worked in the game (audio log on the left, notes on the right).
If you would like a pdf version off these samples, read this.
Claire Redding
Claire is the ship’s weapon and drilling expert. She’s from the South, has a pretty colorful history, and is the funniest/most easy going of the crew. Here are two notes you find of hers, followed by her final audio log.
NOTE ENTRY – DOG PEOPLE
Albert is a cat person. I think most of us suspected it, on account of him being an ornery little shit most of the time.
Satia and me love sharing photos of our dogs. Showed me a photo with her Iditarod pack. They looked like they could’ve taken over the world together. Big, beautiful huskies just ready to tear through the snow.
Angel and Boomhauer would be no match for them. Angel just might be the laziest dog in the world, and Boomhauer the dumbest. At my family’s house they sometimes spend entire Sundays either not moving or being unable to catch a squirrel that was clearly in jumping range.
I was surprised my daddy put up with them. Then again, he’s always been softer than I imagined.
When I went off to the military, most of my family understood. My dad tried to act tough about it, same as my mom. Tommy though...well, it was one of the first nice things he ever said to me—I’m proud of you Sis. Good luck.
I wondered if that meant he thought I was definitely gonna to die.
But Mae. God she gave me the toughest shit. Wouldn’t talk to me in the week leading up to it. Came out of the bedroom weeping when I left. And then our dogs...they knew something was up. Kept trying to block my way out of the house. All cuddles and whines. Acting in ways they never acted.
Maybe they weren’t as dumb as they seemed.
NOTE ENTRY – WORKING ON THE OIL RIG
Yeah, I worked for the oil industry—get over yourself Albert. I’m sorry we occasionally got your precious snow crabs dirty. It’s not like we power the entire planet or anything.
Even Satia gives me sideways glances anytime it comes up. I tell them I used to blow up buildings full of terrorists, then I switch to blowing up the ground for oil, and then people start actin' ashamed of me? Get outta here.
It was an easy transition, and despite the rap they get, oil workers were much more my people. They hired me to help them blast and drill into difficult areas and find ways to do it without wrecking the site or their equipment, and without causing damage to the environment.
I was a good guy Albert. Honest.
And damn if it didn't suit me. I liked it. A lot. It was a fun puzzle, and the people I worked with were great. I would’ve stayed with them longer term if it weren’t for...well...
Look, it gets lonely on a rig, okay?
But I’ve stopped my co-worker canoodling ways. Honest. Even though half the time I wish I hadn’t.
Claire Final Audio Log (Included in main cutscene, hence formatting change - and every time you see (X) that means the player is hitting a button to advance the dialogue box)
CLAIRE
If somebody finds this, well...then I guess me and Mae's plan ended with my bits scattered around the ocean floor.
(X)
So uh...just in case...
(X)
Tommy...you can get it all.
(X)
Everything in my apartment. Specially the fireworks set I've been saving up. I got a pack of M-80's with your name on it.
(X)
Lord knows I stole so many of yours over the years.
(X)
Mom and Daddy...well...I loved you lots. Hope you know that.
(X)
And if any of the crew finds this, I guess don't do whatever the hell I did? And I hope things work out for you. Even you Albert. You smug prick.
(X)
Oh – one last thing.
(X)
Mathias, I've been wanting to jump your bones since we met. So...if you made it out, and I make it out, let's make that happen.
(X)
Alright, it's time to try this. Here's to hoping two heads are better than one.
Dr. Albert Cross
Albert is the team’s biologist, fresh from a bitter divorce. He’s from Britain, thinks highly of himself, and is often putting down the rest of the crew for not measuring up to his standards. Besides his argumentative nature, he’s usually informing everyone of the changing flora and fauna across the trip.
NOTE ENTRY—Nature’s Own Nightlight
Noctiluca scintillans, a fairly common strand of bioluminescent algae. Nature’s own night light. Has a tendency to get stuck to any vessel it touches down here – millions of tiny, bright hitchhikers attached to your hull like a flashlight.
I brought some back home for June once. Scooped it into a clear jar during an expedition and put it on her nightstand. She loved it. Every time she’d shake it, it would light up the room for a half hour at a time.
Of course, Pamela complained. Said there was an odd smell coming from it. About the only thing she enjoyed at that point was finding the flaw in every little thing I did and trying to get June to agree with her. But June loved it. She kept that jar for six months, until the algae inside began to dim from lack of food.
Strange seeing this type of algae here. You don’t typically associate this kind with caves. Not enough light.
I’ll make a note of it.
NOTE ENTRY—Broken Toilet Again!
The toilet is broken. Again. Christ almighty can we not get a ship without a bloody sprung leak? Clay tells he’s going to fix it, but when? And with everything else breaking? For the millions upon millions of dollars put on this vessel, you’d think everything would hold up better under pressure. Don’t worry Clay. Take your time. I’ll only be busy defecating in plastic bags.
NOTE ENTRY—The Patterns Aren’t Right
I know none of you value my skills highly, but pay attention.
One of the most well-known examples of animal mimicry involves the North American Coral Snake. Its venom is incredibly deadly, and its color is a distinctive red, yellow, and black pattern that makes it stand out.
Other, non-venomous snakes mimic this coat to avoid danger. For instance, the Milk Snake looks almost identical, except for a minor variation on its patterns - red touching black, not yellow. There is even a sing-song pattern people use to help themselves know which is which.
The patterns on some of the creatures down here are changing. At first I thought it was just my eyes, but it’s not. It’s subtle enough that you’d never notice on your own. But it’s happening, and not in the way that normally occurs.
Something else is trying to blend in with the docile sea creatures. I don’t know what. But there’s only one reason for an organism to pretend to be non-threatening...
Be careful.
Albert Final Audio Log (Included in main cutscene, hence formatting change - and every time you see (X) that means the player is hitting a button to advance the dialogue box)
ALBERT
I think I know how it feeds now.
(X)
I keep seeing her. Sitting on a park swing. It must've been...maybe 4 years ago? But I'm there again. I'm THERE.
(X)
Before the custody battles. Before all the unpleasantness with Pamela. When it's just me and June, playing on the playground.
(X)
I've heard her voice in my head the whole time I've been here. Calling to me. Whispering. Telling me what I want to hear.
(X)
It's showing me what it thinks I want to see. That's how it gets you. It makes you fat and stupid. Docile. Happy. It's trying to figure out just what I need to see to let it...let it...
(X)
I thought I was smarter than it was. Stronger.
(X)
I'm not going to let it take me. That's what I thought. I thought I was strong enough...
(X)
But she was THERE.
(X)
God help me, I felt her hair graze my hand every time I pushed her on the swing.
(X)
She was there...
(X)
I just want to see her again. I just...
(X)
I'm sorry, Junebug.