The Archivist

**The Archivist** is a mysterious being at the center of an ARG in the official The Messenger Discord. He was once known as **The Alchemist**, and his real name is **Resh'an**. The Archivist catalogs events from the universe of The Messenger into books, and he sends them to Sabotage Studio so they can translate the books into video games.

The ultimate villain The Archivist is trying to deal with is The Fleshmancer.

## Pre-Void

### November 20, 2018

The Steam version of the Version 1.0.4 update released on November 20, 2018. On that day, The Shopkeeper chatted in Soleil's Twitch stream of The Messenger. The Shopkeeper revealed the existence of an unknown character named "The Archivist."

### November 21, 2018

In the PC version of The Messenger, the dialogue files are easily accessed from a folder called "StreamingAssets."

* Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Messenger\TheMessenger\_Data\StreamingAssets
* GOG:C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games\The Messenger\TheMessenger\_Data\StreamingAssets

Before the Version 1.0.4 update, there were only 3 dialogue files.

* Credits.tsv, which contains the credits.
* Loc.tsv, which contains cutscene text, Quarble death text, menu text, and some credits-related text.
* LocDialog.tsv, which contains the character dialogue and generic narration box text.

The Version 1.0.4 update introduced 2 new dialogue files.

* Loc\_Plus.tsv, which contains various menu texts involving some of the newly-introduced features (button rebinding, New Game +, Prophet hints in the map, and the Jukebox).
* LocDialog\_Plus.tsv, which contains new generic narration box text, Shopkeeper text, and Quarble text.

However, the "LocDialog\_Plus.tsv" file has a secret message, hidden hundreds of empty lines below the normal game dialogue. This message does not ever appear within the game itself and is only found within the game files.

When The Archivist's secret dialogue in the dialogue files was discovered by Soleil, a new text channel in the official The Messenger Discord appeared, called #the-void. This text channel acted mysteriously, popping in and out of existence and sometimes floating up and down the list of channels. Pictures could not be uploaded to this channel, unlike with the other text channels.

When members posted a few comments into #the-void, #the-void would disable the ability to post further comments. It would disappear and return at random times, with any previous messages completely erased. This repeated several times until eventually, no one could comment in #the-void, except for Soleil, who was silently granted a Discord role called "Loremaster." This role was required to be allowed to comment in #the-void.

### November 22 - December 7, 2018

#the-void text channel continued to act mysteriously. It would frequently pop in and out of existence, occasionally floating up and down the list of channels, and if commented in even once, would force-disable any further comments until its next reappearance. Whenever it reappeared, any previous messages posted within it were completely erased.

### December 8, 2018

The first Picnic Panic DLC trailer was released on December 8, 2018. The trailer showcases Ninja's adventures in the tropics. And at the 0:22 mark of the trailer, a splash text image titled "VOODOO MAGIC" appears in large stylized letters, corresponding to The Archivist's message, "...use the voodoo magic word, it was etched in stone somewhere in the tropics..." After the words "VOODOO MAGIC" appear in the trailer, Ninja jumps through a circular time rift, transforming the world from 8-bit to 16-bit. He runs forward, passing by a stone slab in the background. This stone slab has runes etched into it, using an in-game alphabet. When translated, the stone slab reads "TUWHERA."

When #the-void reappeared, the word "TUWHERA" was posted into it. A new member named "TheArchivist" joined the Discord, a person with the "Loremaster" role.

## The Void

The Archivist used #the-void channel as a means to communicate with the community. No one could post in #the-void channel except for The Archivist, but members could add Discord emoticons as reactions to his comments. Furthermore, after The Archivist finished posting messages for the day, he would completely leave the server. Each time, he would join solely to post his messages, then leave the server.

### December 11, 2018

The "Loremaster" role was removed from Soleil, as the role was transferred back to The Archivist.

 **TheArchivist** | I shall return soon. GODSPEED, MESSENGERS!

### December 14, 2018

 **TheArchivist** | @everyone It seems your intentions are clear, and we do not need more time.I will now open the portal, please give our new member a warm welcome!

### December 20, 2018

Note: Before the Picnic Panic DLC update, the Money Sink's only use was wasting Time Shards (see video).

 **TheArchivist** | @everyone Thank you, Messengers, your voices have been heard.Since you have chosen to orient efforts towards the grander scheme, I will ask SaboTeam to expose more potential Messengers to Ninja's story by bringing his adventure to an additional platform.This is your doing, and you have chosen wisely. Expect the announcement sometime next month.I must retreat for now. GODSPEED, MESSENGERS!

### January 8, 2019

* : 8
* : 54

### January 23, 2019: The Events Erased from History

An overwhelming number of VoteO  votes overtook the poll before proper discussions about the vote could take place. Some discussions took place about the preference of VoteX  by some of the more active members, but the poll was already extremely lopsided towards VoteO  and looked like there was no chance for the other poll options. Multiple members expressed disappointment about the lack of proper discussion. This caused The Archivist to message Thierry to restrict access to #the-void, making #the-void only viewable to members with the "Ninja" Discord role.

However, The Archivist kept messaging Thierry even after this change was made. The Archivist made another request, to reset the vote in #the-void.

 **Thierry** | So I guess it's up to you all to have it stay this way

But a few minutes later, The Archivist expressed his anger.

The Archivist deleted his original poll, replacing it with a new, unfavorable poll.

* : 10? 11?
 ??:?? PM
 3:45 PM

During this stretch of time, the votes fluctuated many times, in an attempt to keep balance. When the balance was tipped, many members cooperated together, offering to remove their vote or to add their vote to the appropriate poll option. Members coordinated together to figure out the best way to keep the poll in balance while also getting as many people as possible to participate in the vote so that they could all share the vanity role, "Voidmender."

As discussions took place in the #ninjas text channel, one member, Kammesennin, offered to give up his vote if it came down to the wire.

 3:47 PM

Kammesennin received a private message from The Archivist.

 3:47 PM (EST)
 3:48 PM
 3:48 PM

As time drew closer to the deadline, The Archivist began a countdown, and the voting became more frantic.

 5:40 PM
 5:42 PM
 5:44 PM

At 5:45 PM, #the-void channel completely disappeared. Time passed with unease, as votes had changed during the last few moments, and it was unclear if someone had tipped the balance at the last second. But a few minutes later, members noticed that those who participated in the vote had a new vanity role, "Voidmender," which shared the same green color as The Archivist's "Loremaster" role. Those who participated but sacrificed their vote in order to keep the vote in balance, did not receive the vanity role, "Voidmender."

About half an hour later, #the-void came back. All messages posted in #the-void during January 23, 2019, were completely removed and replaced with the following message.

Some time later that day, The Archivist was kind enough to award those who participated but sacrificed their vote the "Voidmender" role anyways. From that day forward, #the-void would remain only visible to members with the "Ninja" role.

The next day on January 24, 2019, the reasoning for The Archivist's anger the previous day was described more clearly by Thierry in the #ninjas text channel.

 **Thierry** | and that's not fair

### January 24, 2019

* : 19
* : 2

### January 25, 2019

In the morning, VoteX  and VoteO  were briefly tied. The Archivist posted this message.

Eventually, VoteX  eked out a victory by 1 vote. The Archivist deleted his message and replaced it with the following message.

### February 4, 2019

* : 6
* : 3
* : 4

### February 5, 2019

 **TheArchivist** | As some of you seem to doubt the real impact and potential of the choices I regularly present you with, I want to share today a few hints on what you missed:Had you chosen , I would have shown an excerpt detailing very important information about my origin story.Had you chosen , I would have shown an excerpt detailing what the Demon General's special power was before he lost an eye, and how he came to lose it.Had you been daring enough to choose , I would have reluctantly shown you the cover of the second book I intend to give SaboTeam, showing the title of the next big adventure way ahead of time.I can not solve this on my own. Moving forward, I hope you can appreciate the importance of your contribution.Godspeed!

### February 7, 2019

One special day, The Archivist hopped out of #the-void text channel to deliver a very important react into the #ninjas text channel.

### February 14, 2019

* : 11
* : 13
* : 15

## Clockwork Concierge the Moderator

Note: Some messages were omitted for readability.

The Clockwork Concierge eventually took over The Archivist's role for ARG-related activities. After 500 members joined the official Discord server, Clockwork Concierge was successfully recruited to the server, where he serves as a bot and a moderator. He (mostly) uses dialogue boxes as a form of communication rather than just plain text.

### March 12, 2019

The Clockwork Concierge cleaned and rearranged some of the channels, such as renaming the #ninjas text channel to #ninja-village. The Clockwork Concierge chatted with members, and he explained that he was sent to the server by The Archivist.

### March 15, 2019

The Clockwork Concierge dropped a hint that The Archivist told the Concierge to guard an evil object inside of the Clockwork Castle. The Concierge then posted a message with important names censored, which was deleted by SaboTeam.

Paraphrasing of the deleted message:

The first asterisk word was blue, like the name of a friendly character. The second word was red, like the name of something related to evil. The first asterisk word was six letters long, and the second word had an apostrophe, according to Boo, a person who was able to memorize part of the message before it was deleted.

### March 22, 2019

The Clockwork Concierge received a message from The Archivist to deliver to Philip. Thierry intercepted the message in stead of Philip, and per the Clockwork Concierge's request, Thierry closed down #the-void channel, since it was too expensive to maintain while The Archivist was away on a dangerous quest.

Later that day, Clockwork Concierge wrote messages related to the Demon King that were swiftly deleted by SaboTeam.

 **Thierry** | Okay then. I'll take care of it Phil.

### April 4, 2019

To celebrate Sabotage Studio's birthday, the Clockwork Concierge held a trivia quiz with 2,000 Time Shards as the prize. The Archivist was mentioned again, and Clockwork Castle's connection to the Demon King remnants was confirmed.

### April 19, 2019

The Clockwork Concierge delivered a message from The Archivist.

 **Clockwork Concierge** | Have a great week-end, everyone.

### May 7, 2019

Clockwork Concierge revealed more information about himself and explained that he works for The Archivist.

 **Clockwork Concierge** | I do not require sleep.

### July 3, 2019

The Archivist delivered a letter to the Clockwork Concierge, and the Concierge spoke with Manfred about it.

 **Clockwork Concierge** | -I need time to consider our options, but I agree that Kammesennin is trustworthy.

### July 4, 2019

The Clockwork Concierge held a meeting with Kammesennin to discuss The Archivist's letter.

### July 9, 2019

The Clockwork Concierge had Kammesennin deliver The Archivist's scroll a day earlier than scheduled. After the scroll was deciphered by the community, and in reference to the final line of the scroll, the Clockwork Concierge brought attention to The Artificer's newly-released blog post on the official website, which revealed more lore about The Artificer himself.

 **PhΩmega** | https://themessengergame.com/announcement/the-messenger-website-is-now-live/

### July 19, 2019

In Chapter 2 of the text adventure game in #the-shop text channel, a new person named "Resh'an" was mentioned. ("Resh'an" would be confirmed at a later date, during Chapter 3 of the text adventure game, to be The Archivist's real name).

### September 10, 2019

The Clockwork Concierge announced that the 5th opening of the shop would occur September 13, and that there would be news from The Archivist.

### September 13, 2019

Ashes was selected to be "The Messenger" for the 5th opening of #the-shop text channel, and The Shopkeeper gave "The Jukebox" as a free upgrade. Unlocking "The Jukebox" resulted in an upgrade called "Ramblings of a lost soul Chapter 2" to appear in the shop's talent tree.

Over the course of the ARG, various alphabetic runes were collected by the community (detailed here). Ashes asked what the purpose of collecting the letters was. The Shopkeeper explained that collecting and then unscrambling all of the letters was necessary in order to summon The Archivist once again, and that the mystery word would not be "TUWHERA." While The Shopkeeper chatted with Ashes, it was revealed that The Archivist's main villain is **not** the Demon King. They purchased "Ramblings of a lost soul Chapter 2," the second scroll from The Archivist.

### November 7, 2019

The Clockwork Concierge gave Kammesennin another scroll to deliver to the community, "Archivist\_Scroll\_3.png." This initial document contained a typo, so a new scroll named "Actual\_Archivist-Scroll\_3.png" was delivered shortly afterwards.

### November 22, 2019

In Chapter 3 of the text adventure game in #the-shop text channel, The Archivist's real name was confirmed to be "Resh'an," and he gave the protagonist a glimpse at the first chapter's title of Book 2.

## Trivia

* Some details about The Archivist were revealed in the "Sabotage end of year Q&A 2018" video.
	+ The Archivist recruited SaboTeam to tell stories.
	+ The Archivist is an immortal being.
	+ The Archivist is cataloging all of the events of the world of The Messenger.
	+ The first step in The Archivist's grand plan was to expose people to Ninja's world, and to recruit those people as Messengers.
* Thierry Boulanger, the main writer and director of The Messenger, has revealed additional information about The Archivist.
	+ The Archivist is immortal in the sense that he has a theoretically unending natural lifespan, but he's not invincible.
	+ The Messenger is just one book in an overall larger universe that The Archivist wants SaboTeam to tell people.
	+ The Archivist wants to recruit enough Messengers to solve "the big issue," which is something complex, so he's slowing ramping up a group of people.
	+ The Blue Robes know The Archivist as "The Archivist" rather than his previous moniker, "The Alchemist."
	+ The Archivist and the Clockwork Concierge are the only characters that existed before the flood.
	+ The Archivist has SaboTeam and Clockwork Concierge under a very strict NDA, which is why SaboTeam is forced to delete messages posted by the Clockwork Concierge related to unreleased lore content.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRx6sx2sQcM&t=896
2. ↑ Thierry's Lore Tidbits#December 12, 2018;
Thierry's Lore Tidbits#January 26, 2019;
Thierry's Lore Tidbits#February 5, 2019 (#1);
Thierry's Lore Tidbits#February 12, 2019 (#1);
Thierry's Lore Tidbits#March 22, 2019 (#1);
Thierry's Lore Tidbits#May 6, 2019