Difference between revisions of "Dawn Bloom"

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[[Category: Dawn Bloom]]
 
{{argbox
 
{{argbox
 
| float      = right
 
| float      = right
 
| name        = Dawn Bloom
 
| name        = Dawn Bloom
 
| image      = File:dawn_bloom_logo.png
 
| image      = File:dawn_bloom_logo.png
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| imagewidth  = 250
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| description = The Dawn Bloom ARG is part of the Black Watchmen series of ARGs.
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| description = The Dawn Bloom ARG was part of the Black Watchmen series of ARGs.
+
| creator    = [https://www.aliceandsmith.com/ Alice & Smith]
−
| creator    = [https://www.aliceandsmith.com/ Alice & Smith] & [https://www.facebook.com/theloventgroup/ the Lovent Group]
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| creator2    = [https://www.facebook.com/theloventgroup/ the Lovent Group]
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| type        = [[List_of_Investigations#Type|Official]]
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| type        = Official
−
| status      = Active
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| status      = Completed
 
| discovered  = 2016-12-24
 
| discovered  = 2016-12-24
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{ArgHeader|arg=Dawn Bloom}}
  
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{{ArgHeader|arg=Dawn Bloom}}
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''For a condensed timeline of events, see [[Dawn_Bloom/Timeline | the timeline.]]''
−
Operation DAWNBLOOM is an operation in the [https://www.blackwatchmen.com/ Black Watchmen] (a permanent ARG). It differs from past operations within the Black Watchmen in that it is expected to run for several months, and relies very little on previous lore within the game's universe. You can access the Discord server for this operation [https://discord.gg/nsBXqNw here], and the Black Watchmen forum thread [https://forums.aliceandsmith.com/threads/operation-dawnbloom.1855/ here].
+
__TOC__
−
==NPCs==
+
 
−
This operation involves interaction with Special Task force Q98A66, which we have been told stands for Query 98, Admin 66. Q98A66 has five members, only three of which we have met. Those three members (Diagnostic, Control, and Liaison) are apparently able to do their jobs interchangeably, while Brain and Tactical are too highly specialized to 'swap out' with other members of the team.
+
 
−
===Liaison===
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Operation DAWNBLOOM is an operation in the [https://www.blackwatchmen.com/ Black Watchmen] (a permanent ARG). It differs from past operations within the Black Watchmen in that it is expected to run for several months.
−
Liaison handles communication between Q98A66, Division 66, and Division 79(the players). His personality is fairly stable, and he dismisses 'unlikely' causes to the anomalies being recorded(such as time travel, aliens, demons, etc.) He is usually the one to come to us with new information, requests for more intel, or general commentary on the mission.
+
<br/><br/>
−
===Control===
+
<div>'''How Do I Join?'''</div>
−
Control is in charge of Q98A66, as indicated by her handle. Her personality is hard to gauge, as she isn't often in the Discord chat.
+
If you want to join the operation, it's really quite easy. Read through the [[Dawn_Bloom#Plot_Synopsis | Plot Synopsis]], take a glance at the [[Dawn_Bloom/Timeline | Timeline]], check out the[[Dawn_Bloom#To-Do_List | To-Do List]], and make sure to hop into the [https://discord.gg/nsBXqNw Official Discord]. The Discord is where the Taskforce directly communicates with the Agents working on this operation-- if you want to be involved, you ''need '' to be in there.
−
===Diagnostic===
+
 
−
Diagnostic's job is handling technical and performance related testing. He seems more relaxed than Liaison, and openly states that he believes the signals we are receiving are a result of time travel.
+
==Core Information==
−
===Brain===
+
 
−
Formerly called 'Specialist', we haven't met Brain but have heard him described. He appears to be unstable psychologically and poses a threat to himself and those who surround him. What he contributes to the team isn't entirely clear, but he is ostensibly Q98A66's specialist in esoteric or unique information. Because he isn't allowed online, Agents requested a mailing address to communicate with him. He can be contacted by mail at:<br />
+
{| class="wikitable"
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<blockquote>212 Showroom<br />68-10 58th Avenue <br />Apt Nine<br />Flushing New York 11378</blockquote>
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!colspan="2"|[[:Category:Dawn Bloom | Dawnbloom Subpages]]
−
===Tactical===
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!style="border-left:solid 2px gray" | Off-site Resources
−
We only knew of Tactical's existence because Liaison had said there were 5 members of the task force, but only 4 had been mentioned in conversation. Direct questioning about the fifth member yielded some additional insight into the fifth member, Tactical. Their job is focused on 'in person' threats. If agents are contacted by Tactical, it means Q98A66 is under attack or otherwise compromised. Liaison has said that the rest of the team doesn't see Tactical that often.
+
|-
 +
|[[Dawn_Bloom/Timeline | Timeline]]
 +
|Condensed timeline of events.
 +
|style="border-left:solid 2px gray" |[https://discord.gg/nsBXqNw Official Discord]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations | Investigations]]
 +
|Topics that are currently being researched, solved or otherwise have agent activity.
 +
|style="border-left:solid 2px gray" |[https://forums.aliceandsmith.com/threads/operation-dawnbloom.1855/ A&S Forum Thread]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Dawn_Bloom/Incidents | Incidents]]
 +
|Major events that have occurred in the Operation either with input from agents or without.
 +
|style="border-left:solid 2px gray" |[mailto:[email protected] Q98A66 Email]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Dawn_Bloom/Personnel_%26_Organisations | Personnel & Organizations]]
 +
|Individuals and groups introduced or frequently referenced within the operation.
 +
|style="border-left:solid 2px gray" |[https://forums.aliceandsmith.com/threads/operation-dawn-bloom-faq.1905/ Operation DAWNBLOOM FAQ]
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
The mission itself has three major parameters (it began with two, but a third was added when Lphabeta's involvement was realized. They've since been revised further after confirmation of SIGIL involvement). They are updated from time to time, but the most up to date mission parameters follow:
 +
<pre>Parameter One: Prevent anyone but the Agency from gaining critical information about the origin of the Signals.
  
−
==The Black Watchmen's History with Montauk==
+
Parameter Two: Destroy or Capture SIGIL critical assets.
−
Dispatch told Q98A66 that there was a previous incident at Montauk before the current incarnation of The Black Watchmen (so 1960s or so), but they won't give us any more details than that. They weren't given a casefile.
 
−
<blockquote>Liaison: We were told there are significant reasons why we were formed to investigate<br />
 
−
That there was an incident at Montauk, and if this is related there cannot be a repeat of events<br />
 
−
So far we are outside any kind of relation with those incidents<br /></blockquote>
 
−
==Enemies and Threats==
 
−
Q98A66 has stated they are fairly certain SIGIL is involved at this point. An ocean glider was captured, and subsequently released by, the Chinese navy([http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/20/politics/china-drone-return/ Source]). They think this has to do with SIGIL operatives sensing the anomalous signals in the ocean.
 
−
Liaison also mentioned his computer had been attacked recently on January 6th, and they were unsure if it was technical error or sabotage.
 
−
Q98A66 has alluded to enemies when abruptly leaving the Discord as well. It's uncertain if they are being actively tracked or monitored by hostile agents.
 
−
<blockquote>Control: Speaking of enemies, Q98A66 is moving.</blockquote>
 
  
 +
Parameter Three: Identify, communicate, and secure the advanced technology being used by "The Expedition", whom are sending the signals.</pre>
  
−
==Operation Commences==
+
==Initial Call to Action==
 
In the Christmas Eve newsletter, Alice & Smith announced Operation DAWNBLOOM.
 
In the Christmas Eve newsletter, Alice & Smith announced Operation DAWNBLOOM.
 
<blockquote>Agents, Special Task force Q98A66 needs your help - a abnormal radio signal was picked up across the Atlantic in the last two weeks, it’s meaning and origin remain unknown. We understand little about this bizarre phenomenon, besides the fact that it must have come from a satellite, it originates from a single location, and it is growing stronger...<br />
 
<blockquote>Agents, Special Task force Q98A66 needs your help - a abnormal radio signal was picked up across the Atlantic in the last two weeks, it’s meaning and origin remain unknown. We understand little about this bizarre phenomenon, besides the fact that it must have come from a satellite, it originates from a single location, and it is growing stronger...<br />
Line 46: Line 59:
 
For your first mission briefing, head to the Situation Room (In-Game) and look for static. </blockquote>
 
For your first mission briefing, head to the Situation Room (In-Game) and look for static. </blockquote>
 
By accessing the Situation Room (a page within the Black Watchmen's game client where Operations are often announced), players were directed to [http://archive.blackwatchmen.com/search/S2J3L9 Archive Case File S2J3L9]. In short, a mysterious signal was picked up around the 14th of December and a taskforce set up to analyse it. The intensity of local interference is strongest at Camp Hero in Montauk, New York. We were given a [https://clyp.it/oegfe5kx copy of the recording] and a contact link to the taskforce: [mailto:[email protected] [email protected]]
 
By accessing the Situation Room (a page within the Black Watchmen's game client where Operations are often announced), players were directed to [http://archive.blackwatchmen.com/search/S2J3L9 Archive Case File S2J3L9]. In short, a mysterious signal was picked up around the 14th of December and a taskforce set up to analyse it. The intensity of local interference is strongest at Camp Hero in Montauk, New York. We were given a [https://clyp.it/oegfe5kx copy of the recording] and a contact link to the taskforce: [mailto:[email protected] [email protected]]
−
==Contents of the Audio Files==
 
−
[[File:Simplecycle.png|thumb|Simple version of the cycle decryption visual by Agent codex]]
 
−
There were [https://clyp.it/search?type=hashtag&query=Q98A66 three audio files] in total. Two of them were of a man reading seemingly random words while occasionally a high pitched noise was played, and the last was a 'clean' version of the man reading words. Agents determined that the spoken words and the high pitched audio were two separate encrypted messages.
 
−
===The Cycle Cipher===
 
−
Agents dylanamite and BPotatoes were the ones to crack the cycle cipher, by first noticing that certain words were always read in order. A 'chain' of words was determined, with groups of three words being used to indicate a letter. The cycle cipher was constructed of cardinal and ordinal directions, moon phases, and the primary/secondary/tertiary colors of the RGB color wheel. Agent codex created an image to help visualize the cycle cipher.
 
−
 
−
The spoken words decrypted to:
 
−
 
−
HELLO YOU ARE THE MOST PERFECT WORLD
 
−
 
−
===SSTV Audio===
 
−
[[File:LongIsland.png|thumb|SSTV images combined with discernible text overlaid.]]
 
−
The other audio was analyzed by Agent KiRa, who used SSTV analysis software called [http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/rxsstv.htm RX-SSTV] on mode Robot-36 to extract images from the audio. Agent UNLorD combined the images into what appeared to be the silhouette of Long Island created out of text. Preliminary analysis of the SSTV images showed that the text was related to viruses, possibly RNA retroviruses or viral classification methods.
 
−
 
−
==Q98A66 Requests Additional Intel==
 
−
The taskforce announced they would be attempting to send a return broadcast on December 28th, 2016 at approximately 7:20 AM EST. They shared the results of this attempt, and requested additional intel regarding the observed frequency shift.
 
−
<blockquote>Q98A66 - Research Data<br />
 
−
 
−
Hypothesis: The signal is bouncing off the moon<br />
 
−
 
−
Test: Use Communication Array and Satellite to ‘ping’ lunar body, and observe if signal distorts.<br />
 
−
 
−
 
−
12/27/2016 20:00 EST: Broadcast SSTV signal with no actual photo, just errant signal, after two seconds we observed no change in signal. Called Signal One.<br />
 
−
 
−
Broadcast AM Radio Signal, tone B sharp, and after two seconds observed no change in signal. Called Signal Two.<br />
 
−
 
−
When Signal One reached Montauk, there was no observable difference.<br />
 
−
 
−
When Signal Two reached Montauk, there was no observable difference.<br />
 
−
 
−
There was also no visible effect in the areas where the signals overlapped.<br />
 
−
 
−
12/27/2016 20:30 EST: Q988A66 member suggests we are not observing enough data, that an emergent quality would appear if we tested in larger numbers. Suggests we attempt to imitate the broadcast of the original signal by altering the waveform in the same format. So scaling across the AM spectrum in loops. <br />
 
−
 
−
Q98A66 begins hammering target with large numbers of signal ‘noise’. <br />
 
−
 
−
After reviewing data, it was determined that occasionally HF AM Band Radio waves would lose very small pockets of itself similar to the phenomenon observed in the original signal. <br />
 
−
 
−
The effect was not consistent, but we believe there is a frequency or format relative to Lunar Position that will generate an effect similar to the type observed in the original signal.<br />
 
−
 
−
We need to determine that sequence. <br />
 
−
 
−
Resolution: We need to determine the starting AM Band, and what the Band scales by incrementally in order to maintain the effect of signal ‘vanishing’. A consistent ‘vanishing’ will allow us to map the Apolune and Perilune of whatever is causing the signal effect. That in turn tells us roughly what kind of object or anomaly is causing this.<br />
 
−
 
−
THANKS TO: All Agents submitting Research and aiding us in this endeavor, we won’t name you here for fear of compromise, but you know who you are and those observing will remember your contributions.  <br /></blockquote>
 
−
 
−
===Cycle Cipher Pt. 2===
 
−
[[File:cycle.png|thumbnail|Cycle decryption visual with degrees and kHz added.]]
 
−
Agents returned to analyzing the cycle cipher for additional clues. Liaison noted in the Discord server that the meanings of the categories used for the cipher hadn't been addressed, and agents followed that lead. The cardinal/ordinal directions were determined to be a reference for orienting the cycle, and the moon phases were determined to have relevance to the date (or current moon phase). Since the date at this point was December 29th, it meant we were almost at the start/end of the cycle ('New', for new moon). After some more fiddling with the cycle cipher, agents determined that the signal frequency required for the broadcast must be correlated with the current moon phase. To determine the integer value that the frequency would need to be scaling by, agents mapped the frequency range given to us by Q988A66 (535kHz to 1605kHz) to the outside of the circle, with 0 degrees = 535kHz and 360 degrees = 1605kHz. We then determined the kHz value of 1 degree (2.97kHz). Using this as the scaling integer, and 1600kHz as the starting frequency (just a little bit before 'New' for the new moon), a transmission was successfully 'vanished' at approximately 6:30UTC on December 29th.
 
−
 
−
==Contact with Peter Moon==
 
−
Agent madvillain reached out via email to Peter Moon, the author of the book [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Montauk_Project:_Experiments_in_Time The Montauk Project].
 
−
<blockquote>Hi, I am writing to you because of your relationship with the Montauk Project. Recently, my organization observed very strange radio signals being broadcasted by unknown entities. The signal is not on a single frequency, but appears as increasingly larger bursts across a scaling frequency on AM spectrum. As this is not possible without a satellite in orbit, we determined that these signals were being bounced off the moon itself (a possibly irrelvant, although interesting, coincidence with your name). The age of the waves is always the same despite location, which indicates a spontaneous manifestation. Interestingly, as you approach areas in Long Island such as False Point and Hampton Bay, the signal carries more and more interference - the interference is strongest at Camp Hero, which is where your book comes in.<br />
 
−
Your book describes the process of 'frequency hopping', where researchers at Camp Hero broadcasted signals that shifted between different frequencies incredibly fast. This is incredibly similar to the behavior of the observed frequencies. However, the observed frequencies are not in the range you gave as being experimented with - they are in the AM radio spectrum, not within 425-450 mHz. There are two messages contained in this broadcast: an elaborately encoded message which we decoded as being "HELLO YOU ARE THE MOST PERFECT WORLD", and an SSTV image describing the behavior of RNA retroviruses, with the text in the shape of Long Island.<br /><br />
 
−
My questions to you:<br />
 
−
1. What, in your opinion, is the source of these broadcasts? Some in my organization believe aliens are the source, while others believe time travel is involved.<br />2. Would any alien lifeforms you may have encountered have sent messages of these types?<br />3. Is time travel likely, given the behavior of the broadcast?<br />4. Would researchers at Camp Hero, in any time period, have sent these messages?<br />5. Was any research being done at Camp Hero related to retroviruses?</blockquote>
 
−
 
−
Somewhat surprisingly, he received a reply.
 
−
<blockquote>Thank you for your email, Victor. I've attached a recent newsletter about my trip to Romania last summer but only for the purpose of you getting the drift on "white noise".  I'm working on a video which also addresses the subject but very briefly and not so much in the context of what you asked. The article should suffice. Aliens is a word I don't like but such a communication, according to my new vocabulary, would come from the 8th dis. mension where all potentials manifest.  There is a constant effort in that dimension for different entities to communicate and/or empower themselves or even resolve situation. To reduce this to the lowest common denominator, yes, aliens and time travel would be involved....my guess.  Plum Island has done most of the biological research and its connected to Camp Hero. It still exists. Can't say if Camp Hero sent them in the first place but I would guess not. There have also been signals from Europa and they are mentioned in the book "Secret Parchment". What you say is interesting and I wish I could be of more help. Above is the best I can do for now. Can you tell me more about your group?</blockquote>
 
−
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B22NLkJP-mUGa01BbE03cE53alVQUUpmNDQzUm5qY3NUY1E4/view?usp=sharing Attachment]
 
−
 
−
The following response was sent:
 
−
<blockquote>Thank you very much for your time. Your help is sincerely appreciated. We may have more questions for you in the near future - I will keep you updated.<br />
 
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We are an independent organization dedicated to monitoring potential threats to global security and taking the appropriate responses when necessary.</blockquote>
 
−
 
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And response received:
 
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<blockquote>OK, Victor, and thank you. I'll be happy to hear from you.</blockquote>
 
−
 
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Agent madvillain reached out to Peter Moon again late in the evening on January 6th.
 
−
<blockquote>Hello,<br />
 
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We have received another communication of the same type as before. You can listen to the message here, and a transcript is provided here. This message raises some very interesting questions.<br />
 
−
1. The message starts off with "Hello Moon". Could this be in reference to you? Do you recognize this voice?<br />
 
−
2. He speaks of "another place" that is very similar to ours, and later says "both worlds". In your book, Project Moonbeam was an experiment involving two separate timelines. Are these things likely to be related?<br />
 
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3. Do you have any theories on who "the others" he mentions are?<br />
 
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4. He mentions a cycle, and says that we must stop it. What could this be referring to?<br />
 
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5. "The moon you see is not the moon but a perilous device closer than we imagine." Any thoughts on what this could mean?<br />
 
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Thank you for your time.</blockquote>
 
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And the reply
 
−
<blockquote>I can't hear the audio that well. COmputer  is in the shop. THis is clearly a lost soul who is "strung out" in space time. ALl sorts of theories  including what you suggest apply.  THis is another example of spirits being lost.  FAiled time experiment?  YES! We live in that realm.
 
−
 
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SOlution = grounding and breathing</blockquote>
 
−
 
−
==Q98A66 Detects a Second Signal==
 
−
On Jan 2nd at 00:59 UTC, Liaison informed the discord channel a new signal was found off of False Point. They estimated about two nights to track it down manually (aka bruteforcing the correct scaling). It appears to have been broadcasting since the 28th. Liaison returned to the discord at approximately 17:00UTC on January 3rd to confirm that they had the data, and were currently preparing it for analysis. They also mentioned there was a large amount of it.
 
  
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Later that evening, the signal was made available for analysis. The [https://clyp.it/gvscwcuq audio recording] appears to be a male voice, echoing, but speaking in English. It also has what sounds like another SSTV signal overlaid on top of it.
+
==Plot Synopsis==
 +
''Updated 2017-03-23''
  
−
===Spoken Words===
+
Operation DAWNBLOOM is primarily focused around a [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/False_Point_Signals | series of AM radio signals]] that have been and are continuing to be received in Montauk, NY (also referred to as False Point). The signals themselves are faint, requiring that they be recorded underwater to minimize background noise. They are also received as individual ‘packets’ that are out of order, but a second SSTV signal is broadcast alongside the AM signal, and by using that signal they can be reconstructed and analyzed.
−
A partial transcript of the text was compiled by the community.
 
−
<blockquote>Hello moon<br />
 
−
You probably want to know who I am, or how I am doing this<br />
 
−
That isn’t important, and I couldn’t even tell you if I wanted to<br />
 
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I just don’t understand it all, but please, listen<br />
 
−
I am coming from another place. We are very similar<br />
 
−
We can’t do something by ourselves, so we sent people to try and find answers<br />
 
−
This is my second trip<br />
 
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First trip went horribly wrong<br />
 
−
I survived but things get worse on the other side<br />
 
−
The wrong people got the wrong information and the cycle repeated<br />
 
−
There are people like you, watchers, looking for answers in the dark “who helped me???”…(something)<br />
 
−
I am not alone<br />
 
−
The others are being lied to<br />
 
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And have been lied to<br />
 
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For them, we are already doomed<br />
 
−
Fear the men who [?]<br />
 
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There is a coming trap meant to ensure our failure<br />
 
−
Do not reveal …. “when /where you go?” (yourself?)<br />
 
−
Or the others will panic<br />
 
−
[sigh]<br />
 
−
Send me a way to know where you are<br />
 
−
But it has to be the place where my shadow landed<br />
 
−
There’s only one place like it in the whole world<br />
 
−
If I knew where that was, I could concentrate to within a mile of you<br />
 
−
But now I am (just) shooting into the void<br />
 
−
The moon you see is not the moon but a perilous device closer than we imagine.<br />
 
−
Only you see the true night sky, we are trapped in it’s shadow<br />
 
−
Save both worlds or repeat the cycle<br />
 
−
I have to be vague, or the others will find us first.<br />
 
−
There is no code in this message, just a sad lonely man<br />
 
−
[laughing? Or crying?]<br />
 
−
I guess you can call me the man in the moon<br />
 
−
That is not the moon</blockquote>
 
  
−
===SSTV Images===
+
The contents of the AM radio signals and the SSTV signals are related to an [[Dawn_Bloom/Personnel_%26_Organisations/Faunus_2_Expedition | expedition of explorers]] who appear to be in a shadow version of our world. Their expedition is called ‘Faunus 2’, and they are currently stuck in their location without a means to return to their home. They seem to be from a different reality than us, and one member of the expedition (Bud Vaughn) appears to be from a separate reality than the rest of the expedition. Most of the SSTV images we have received are notes from the expedition’s biologist, who [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/xXMoonMan420Xx_Comms | Bud claims]] is a very important person and represents hope for everyone. Other members of the expedition include their navigator Noah Vance, Captain Zhang, and their service engineer Randall Churchill (who is currently separated from the rest of the expedition and injured). A [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/Farside_Signals | second set of signals]] stolen from Lphabeta Inc. (a third-party group unaffiliated with the Agency), were distress signals from Service Engineer Randall, indicating that he might not have a way to contact the rest of the expedition.
−
Eight images were extracted from the overlaid SSTV signals.
 
−
<gallery>
 
−
File:SSTV_1.jpg
 
−
File:SSTV_2.jpg
 
−
File:SSTV_3.jpg
 
−
File:SSTV_4.jpg
 
−
File:SSTV_5.jpg
 
−
File:SSTV_6.jpg
 
−
File:SSTV_8.jpg
 
−
File:SSTV_9.jpg
 
−
</gallery>
 
−
===Analysis===
 
−
Agents believe that one organism described in the images is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasitaxus ''Parasitaxus urda''], a parasitic gymnosperm that is endemic to remote forests in New Caledonia, based on the text transcribed from the third and eighth SSTV images.
 
−
<blockquote>“leaves”
 
−
In absence of usual leaves<br />
 
−
this fauna sample has brown<br />
 
−
fan like structures covered in (?)<br />
 
−
of some sort<br />
 
−
Reminds me of Paragorgiidae<br />
 
−
Not a similar makeup to most<br />
 
−
photosynthesizing plants. Leading<br />
 
−
me to believe it’s not truly a plant at all.<br />
 
−
Bulbous, does not feel like wood at all<br /><br />
 
−
Present on all branches<br />
 
−
“Polyps”<br />
 
−
Very similar to coral<br />
 
−
Unlike anything found on land<br />
 
−
Taking samples<br />
 
−
Hopefully able to go to a (?) lab<br /></blockquote>
 
  
−
Liaison, as well as several agents, is unsure if the author of the field notes retrieved via SSTV and the speaker on the audio are the same person. However, we are assuming that our 'moon man' was a part of the expedition mentioned.
+
The Expedition (as they’ve become known) has a ship called the Thronn, which utilizes a particular type of technology called a Kick Drive. This technology was initially developed at Montauk in the 70’s and 80’s, possibly with Agency involvement. Because the Kick Drive itself is such a valuable (and powerful) piece of technology, securing it (and the other technology utilized by the Expedition) has become a parameter of the operation.
  
−
Diagnostic believes given the distance that his signal appears at False Point that our target is spamming either different physical locations or different temporal/dimensional locations, and that some earthbound location synchronizes this event. Exactly like our moon point vanishing, the moon man would observe all of his signal going to one point in time and space.
+
In the process of receiving the AM signals, the Special Taskforce that has been assigned to this operation ([[Dawn_Bloom/Personnel_%26_Organisations/Special_Taskforce_Q98A66 | Q98A66]]) has come under attack from an outside party that is presumed to be Lphabeta Inc. The attacks have primarily taken the form of [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/Drones_In_False_Point | unmanned aquatic drones engaging their boat]] as they attempt to receive signals, but cyberattacks have also taken place against the team and the Agency as a whole that have been attributed to Lphabeta. We have begun moving against Lphabeta in retaliation, even [[Dawn_Bloom/Incidents/Drone_Launch_Site_Raid | conducting a strike]] on one of their drone storage facilities and pushing further into what appeared to be a research facility. [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/Lphabeta_Infiltration | Infiltration of their organization]] is well underway, with one member of Q98A66 (Control) having successfully constructed a cover identity within their ranks. The main focus of Lphabeta from a publicly facing business standpoint appears to be wearable bioinformatic devices. There is a strong suspicion that they have ties to SIGIL (a major enemy of the Agency) but as of yet direct ties are not confirmed.
  
−
Given there is only one radio tower in the world like the one at Montauk, and that it shares a relationship to his signal, it’s likely that radar is the location we’re looking for. Agent codex compiled a [https://docs.google.com/document/d/12xfdx8cMUdYe1jqpjHvg7NLLVDDbsPG5UDyzZH1uNuk/pub report on the radar] for the taskforce and emailed it to them previously.
+
Throughout the course of the operation, a member of Q98A66 designated with the handle ‘Diagnostic’ has [[Dawn_Bloom/Incidents/First_Transformation | been]] at the [[Dawn_Bloom/Incidents/Second_Transformation | center]] of a [[Dawn_Bloom/Incidents/Third_Transformation | series]] of [[Dawn_Bloom/Incidents/Turkey_Mountain | incidents]] coinciding with [[Dawn_Bloom/Incidents/Hostage_Situation | lunar phases]]. The working theory at the moment is that the initial SSTV signal recovered from False Point triggered some kind of change in him that caused him to become a sort of ‘spirit bottle’. Various demons or rift entities (the two terms are somewhat interchangeable within our understanding) have been getting, for lack of a better word, stuck to Diagnostic and causing major incidents that disrupt the entire operation and imperil many Agents and civilians. An effort is being made by the Agency to better understand and eventually harness this unique property. As a side effect of his condition, Diagnostic’s health, strength, and size increases and declines in sync with the amount of the moon that is illuminated.
−
<blockquote>Liaison: The big thing about Montauk is that while the AM signal erratically appears everywhere, the SSTV signal only joins there</blockquote>
 
−
Diagnostic and Liaison share the hypothesis that our window to send a message begins tonight, and lasts until the next full moon
 
  
−
===Response===
+
As the result of one such incident, at least two members of Q98A66 appear to have been [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/Familiar_Faces | replaced by parallel timeline variants of themselves]]. Liaison and Diagnostic have different memories of past events than the Agents who are working on this operation remotely through the official Discord server, and Brain (another member of Q98A66) has confirmed they are different individuals. However, they are physically identical to the Liaison and Diagnostic that previously were involved in the operation, to the genetic level. It is also possible that the original Agent on the taskforce who was designated Tactical and was [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/Turkey_Mountain_Aftermath | presumed killed in action]] was replaced by a timeline variant, and it’s extremely likely that a barn cat the Taskforce had adopted and named [[Dawn_Bloom/Personnel_%26_Organisations/Adjective_Alpha | Adjective Alpha]] was also swapped. The current working theory on these swaps is that the incident reproduced the conditions which a Kick Drive uses to operate.
−
Before leaving abruptly on January 6th around noon EST, Q98A66 shared three possibilities for broadcasts to be sent.
 
−
====Control's Suggestion====
 
−
Control wants to send a series of messages with different locations in an attempt to gain intel on our enemy
 
−
<blockquote>Control: See I'm still partial to the idea that we send out multiple messages with only one of them having the correct shadow location but that encryption would have to be complicated enough to make the third party believe it's real but it would have to have something to make it obvious to moon man which is correct</blockquote>
 
  
−
====Diagnostic's Suggestion====
+
==To-Do List==
−
Diagnostic wants to use the kHz wheel/cycle cipher as a sphere to describe a location in time and place, relative to information the moon man will understand.
 
−
====Liaison's Suggestion====
 
−
Liaison believes that we should send a question to him as we lack data.
 
  
−
==Broadcast #2==
+
===Decode OMT Cipher===
−
When the time window opened for our second return broadcast, we first began by sending a test tone in order to ensure we had the right values to achieve 'vanishing' of the signal. We also created a simple math equation to make it easier to calculate the kHz value our broadcast needed to start on.<br />
+
During the [[Dawn Bloom/Incidents/Lphabeta Double Date|Lphabeta Double Date]] operation, the agent that was sent to assist in the operation passed out after what seemed to be them getting Glasswicked. During this period they appeared to get in contact with Virgin Sacrifice and Bud somehow where they received a strip of paper with some strange cipher on it
−
[[File:Cipherequation.png]]
+
that agents are working to translate. Additional pieces of paper with the same cipher were located at Turkey Mountain and Mystic Shipyard. Efforts for the translation is available [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FOBt4EWYiQo03UAn7MX4IE0SGPtIkAOej3iAzHv8h_w/edit?usp=sharing here].
  
−
===Someone Else is Broadcasting===
+
===Decode Signal 3 Cipher===
−
To our surprise, another signal was detected being broadcasted- and it was identical to our first broadcast of Agent zaelong reading out the cipher-cycle encrypted message 'WE HEAR YOU'. Q98A66 believes that this isn't the result of our signal being intercepted, but of the network they are using being compromised. Because Liaison's computer was recently attacked, this is definitely not outside the realm of possibility.
+
In the [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/False_Point_Signals#2017-02-10 | third signal broadcast]], we were sent a cipher that seems similar to the [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/False_Point_Signals#2016-12-27 | cycle cipher]] in the first broadcast, although no one has gotten too far while attempting to decode it. The cipher includes similar wording and style as in the first broadcast, but has some new additions as well. Liaison hinted that the narrative portion of the broadcast contained literary references in it. This may or may not serve as a clue, but we should definitely look into it. In agent Codex’s [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/xXMoonMan420Xx_Comms#2017-03-19 | second AIM discussion with Bud]], he briefly brought up a language that he references to as Glyph, and said a few things that seemed to surround the broadcast. (lines ~73-103)
  
−
===Our Broadcasts===
+
===Decrypt and Transcribe Signal 5 SSTV===
−
We sent an initial broadcast to our 'moon man' asking him in plain words (without encryption) if there was an easier way for us to contact him, just past midnight on January 7th (having worked for most of the evening of January 6th trying to come up with a better encryption method or other ideas on what to broadcast).
+
The [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/False_Point_Signals#Part_B | fifth broadcast]] included another SSTV signal, but we haven’t been able to transcribe it yet due to the amount of static in the signal. Our two best choices in order to decrypt the SSTV now are to try and recreate it, or to try and modify the original broadcast in order to decrypt it. Control claims to have a “better way” to decrypt the signal, although that hasn’t been specified yet.
  
−
On the evening of January 10th, we sent several messages. We sent coordinates for a jazz bar in Boston called 'The Bee Hive', as well as coordinates for Camp Hero in Montauk, both as encrypted Cartesian coordinates. The Boston coordinates were sent in duplicate, in the hopes that our 'moon man' would remember his own words: "The wrong people got the wrong information, and the cycle repeated." With that clue, ideally he would realize the coordinates that were broadcast once were the correct coordinates.
+
===Search for online documents related to the Expedition and its crew===
 +
So far, a few documents have sprung up online that are related to the Faunus 2 expedition. These have been found on multiple social media sites. (YouTube, reddit, tumblr, etc.) More information detailing the posts and how we’ve found them so far can be found at [[Dawn_Bloom/Investigations/Online_Document_Leaks | Online Document Leaks]].
  
−
We also sent an additional unencrypted message, asking him "Did you send the flowers?" This is a reference to the SSTV signals. As far as we are aware, we are the only people who have identified and decrypted the SSTV signals, so it was important we keep information about them under wraps. However, we still wanted to know if they had been intentionally sent by our 'moon man'.
+
===Solve Lphabeta Twitter Puzzles===
 +
On 2017-03-12, a post was made on the Lphabeta twitter account, that seemed to have some Morse code playing in the background, which was masked by music playing. More posts were made later that we have looked into and only the video morse has yet to be completely solved. More specific details on what we have looked into can be found [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y8lUAo4O3aKvq_DvvO48kPvFHURmYssu0EpIuotY8fQ/edit here].

Latest revision as of 15:58, 7 July 2018

Dawn Bloom
Completed
Dawn bloom logo.png
The Dawn Bloom ARG is part of the Black Watchmen series of ARGs.
Type Official
Creators Alice & Smith & the Lovent Group
Discovered 2016-12-24

Main Page > List of Investigations > Dawn Bloom

For a condensed timeline of events, see the timeline.


Operation DAWNBLOOM is an operation in the Black Watchmen (a permanent ARG). It differs from past operations within the Black Watchmen in that it is expected to run for several months.

How Do I Join?

If you want to join the operation, it's really quite easy. Read through the Plot Synopsis, take a glance at the Timeline, check out the To-Do List, and make sure to hop into the Official Discord. The Discord is where the Taskforce directly communicates with the Agents working on this operation-- if you want to be involved, you need to be in there.

Core Information

Dawnbloom Subpages Off-site Resources
Timeline Condensed timeline of events. Official Discord
Investigations Topics that are currently being researched, solved or otherwise have agent activity. A&S Forum Thread
Incidents Major events that have occurred in the Operation either with input from agents or without. Q98A66 Email
Personnel & Organizations Individuals and groups introduced or frequently referenced within the operation. Operation DAWNBLOOM FAQ

The mission itself has three major parameters (it began with two, but a third was added when Lphabeta's involvement was realized. They've since been revised further after confirmation of SIGIL involvement). They are updated from time to time, but the most up to date mission parameters follow: 

Parameter One: Prevent anyone but the Agency from gaining critical information about the origin of the Signals.

Parameter Two: Destroy or Capture SIGIL critical assets.

Parameter Three: Identify, communicate, and secure the advanced technology being used by "The Expedition", whom are sending the signals.

Initial Call to Action

In the Christmas Eve newsletter, Alice & Smith announced Operation DAWNBLOOM.

Agents, Special Task force Q98A66 needs your help - a abnormal radio signal was picked up across the Atlantic in the last two weeks, it’s meaning and origin remain unknown. We understand little about this bizarre phenomenon, besides the fact that it must have come from a satellite, it originates from a single location, and it is growing stronger...

Welcome to Operation DAWNBLOOM, an experimental project created by the Lovent Group [head writers of Ahnayro: The Dream World] in collaboration with Alice & Smith. This project is all about dynamic, reactive storytelling putting control of the narrative fully in the hands of our community.
[...]

For your first mission briefing, head to the Situation Room (In-Game) and look for static.

By accessing the Situation Room (a page within the Black Watchmen's game client where Operations are often announced), players were directed to Archive Case File S2J3L9. In short, a mysterious signal was picked up around the 14th of December and a taskforce set up to analyse it. The intensity of local interference is strongest at Camp Hero in Montauk, New York. We were given a copy of the recording and a contact link to the taskforce: [email protected]

Plot Synopsis

Updated 2017-03-23

Operation DAWNBLOOM is primarily focused around a series of AM radio signals that have been and are continuing to be received in Montauk, NY (also referred to as False Point). The signals themselves are faint, requiring that they be recorded underwater to minimize background noise. They are also received as individual ‘packets’ that are out of order, but a second SSTV signal is broadcast alongside the AM signal, and by using that signal they can be reconstructed and analyzed.

The contents of the AM radio signals and the SSTV signals are related to an expedition of explorers who appear to be in a shadow version of our world. Their expedition is called ‘Faunus 2’, and they are currently stuck in their location without a means to return to their home. They seem to be from a different reality than us, and one member of the expedition (Bud Vaughn) appears to be from a separate reality than the rest of the expedition. Most of the SSTV images we have received are notes from the expedition’s biologist, who Bud claims is a very important person and represents hope for everyone. Other members of the expedition include their navigator Noah Vance, Captain Zhang, and their service engineer Randall Churchill (who is currently separated from the rest of the expedition and injured). A second set of signals stolen from Lphabeta Inc. (a third-party group unaffiliated with the Agency), were distress signals from Service Engineer Randall, indicating that he might not have a way to contact the rest of the expedition.

The Expedition (as they’ve become known) has a ship called the Thronn, which utilizes a particular type of technology called a Kick Drive. This technology was initially developed at Montauk in the 70’s and 80’s, possibly with Agency involvement. Because the Kick Drive itself is such a valuable (and powerful) piece of technology, securing it (and the other technology utilized by the Expedition) has become a parameter of the operation.

In the process of receiving the AM signals, the Special Taskforce that has been assigned to this operation ( Q98A66) has come under attack from an outside party that is presumed to be Lphabeta Inc. The attacks have primarily taken the form of unmanned aquatic drones engaging their boat as they attempt to receive signals, but cyberattacks have also taken place against the team and the Agency as a whole that have been attributed to Lphabeta. We have begun moving against Lphabeta in retaliation, even conducting a strike on one of their drone storage facilities and pushing further into what appeared to be a research facility. Infiltration of their organization is well underway, with one member of Q98A66 (Control) having successfully constructed a cover identity within their ranks. The main focus of Lphabeta from a publicly facing business standpoint appears to be wearable bioinformatic devices. There is a strong suspicion that they have ties to SIGIL (a major enemy of the Agency) but as of yet direct ties are not confirmed.

Throughout the course of the operation, a member of Q98A66 designated with the handle ‘Diagnostic’ has been at the center of a series of incidents coinciding with lunar phases. The working theory at the moment is that the initial SSTV signal recovered from False Point triggered some kind of change in him that caused him to become a sort of ‘spirit bottle’. Various demons or rift entities (the two terms are somewhat interchangeable within our understanding) have been getting, for lack of a better word, stuck to Diagnostic and causing major incidents that disrupt the entire operation and imperil many Agents and civilians. An effort is being made by the Agency to better understand and eventually harness this unique property. As a side effect of his condition, Diagnostic’s health, strength, and size increases and declines in sync with the amount of the moon that is illuminated.

As the result of one such incident, at least two members of Q98A66 appear to have been replaced by parallel timeline variants of themselves. Liaison and Diagnostic have different memories of past events than the Agents who are working on this operation remotely through the official Discord server, and Brain (another member of Q98A66) has confirmed they are different individuals. However, they are physically identical to the Liaison and Diagnostic that previously were involved in the operation, to the genetic level. It is also possible that the original Agent on the taskforce who was designated Tactical and was presumed killed in action was replaced by a timeline variant, and it’s extremely likely that a barn cat the Taskforce had adopted and named Adjective Alpha was also swapped. The current working theory on these swaps is that the incident reproduced the conditions which a Kick Drive uses to operate.

To-Do List

Decode OMT Cipher

During the Lphabeta Double Date operation, the agent that was sent to assist in the operation passed out after what seemed to be them getting Glasswicked. During this period they appeared to get in contact with Virgin Sacrifice and Bud somehow where they received a strip of paper with some strange cipher on it that agents are working to translate. Additional pieces of paper with the same cipher were located at Turkey Mountain and Mystic Shipyard. Efforts for the translation is available here.

Decode Signal 3 Cipher

In the third signal broadcast, we were sent a cipher that seems similar to the cycle cipher in the first broadcast, although no one has gotten too far while attempting to decode it. The cipher includes similar wording and style as in the first broadcast, but has some new additions as well. Liaison hinted that the narrative portion of the broadcast contained literary references in it. This may or may not serve as a clue, but we should definitely look into it. In agent Codex’s second AIM discussion with Bud, he briefly brought up a language that he references to as Glyph, and said a few things that seemed to surround the broadcast. (lines ~73-103)

Decrypt and Transcribe Signal 5 SSTV

The fifth broadcast included another SSTV signal, but we haven’t been able to transcribe it yet due to the amount of static in the signal. Our two best choices in order to decrypt the SSTV now are to try and recreate it, or to try and modify the original broadcast in order to decrypt it. Control claims to have a “better way” to decrypt the signal, although that hasn’t been specified yet.

Search for online documents related to the Expedition and its crew

So far, a few documents have sprung up online that are related to the Faunus 2 expedition. These have been found on multiple social media sites. (YouTube, reddit, tumblr, etc.) More information detailing the posts and how we’ve found them so far can be found at Online Document Leaks.

Solve Lphabeta Twitter Puzzles

On 2017-03-12, a post was made on the Lphabeta twitter account, that seemed to have some Morse code playing in the background, which was masked by music playing. More posts were made later that we have looked into and only the video morse has yet to be completely solved. More specific details on what we have looked into can be found here.

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