Xenoarcheology

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Xenoarcheology (aka «xeno») is a method of point generation for R&D utilizing randomly generated artifacts. It is the job of scientists to discover and activate the secrets of these artifacts.

Equipment

The actual experimentation of artifacts uses a variety of equipment that can be found scattered around the station. This specifically focuses on the specific items used and contained within the Xenoarcheology lab.

Analysis Console

The analysis console is the main method of getting information about the artifacts that are being researched. In order to properly use it, it must be linked to an artifact analyzer via multitool as well as have a research server selected.

From the console itself, the screen displays information about the last artifact scanned.

The buttons along the side perform various functions:

Button Name	Description
Server List	Opens a Server List of RD servers that can be selected from and connected to.
Scan	Scan the artifact currently on top of the linked pad. Scanning has a large energy intake and takes about a minute to complete for base-level artifact analyzers.
Print	Print a paper copy of the scan. Can only print one copy per scan. Useful for manually organizing scans.
Up / Down	Directs the artifact to go Up or Down in depth. Control this wisely and you will be able to fully extract value from the artifact.
Extract	Extracts any earned research points from activated nodes, and sends them to the selected server. This can be done again, as long as more nodes are activated.

Artifact Analyzer

The artifact analyzer is a machine used in conjunction with the analysis console to scan artifacts to discover information about them. Artifacts are scanned by placing them on this machine and then pressing the Scan button on the console, which will cause it to scan. The scan will be interrupted by either the artifact being moved off of the artifact analyzer or by the artifact being activated.

Artifacts

Artifacts are the core of Xenoarcheology and are what scientists will be analyzing and experimenting on. Artifacts can take on a variety of random appearances and can be acquired in various ways, such as through finding them in the lab at the start of the round, purchasing them from Cargo, getting them from Salvage, or finding them from the Bluespace Artifact station event.

Artifacts consist of randomly generated "trees" which dictates the artifacts behavior. Each tree consists of various "nodes" which the artifact can be inside of. Nodes each contain a "trigger" and an "effect". Effects can be both passive, constantly occurring while inside the node, or active, occurring only when the artifacts trigger is met. Triggers cause the artifact to shift to an adjacent node in the tree. The direction of the depth shift is guided by either Up or Down through the analysis console.

The activation of the various nodes is the main goal of Xenoarcheology. Unlocking the nodes of an artifact increases its value, both in research points and in spesos.

Tools

Node Scanner

The node scanner is a valuable piece of equipment that will speed up the artifact activation process. The node scanner when used on an artifact will tell you the active NODE_ID of the artifact.

If you are a diligent printer of node information then you would be able to compare the NODE_ID of the artifact to the node papers you have collected. If a NODE_ID shows a number that matches one of your saved node papers, then you may skip the analysis console scanning process entirely. This process would save you 30 seconds for the scan!

Analysis Interpretation

It is important to note that each scan functions as a static snapshot of the current node. It does not update with the artifact and will only update when scanned again.

Each scan of the artifact analyzer gives various data about the artifact:

In-Game Phrase	Meaning	Description
NODE_ID	ID	A unique ID number corresponding to each node. Can be used for identification.
DEPTH	Node tree depth	The distance from the starting node of the tree. The higher the depth number is will correspond to how dangerous and valuable the artifact will be.
ACTIVATED	Activation	Whether or not the "trigger" for the node has been activated.
STIMULUS	Trigger	A hint about the specific trigger for this node. Usually gives a good idea about what activates the artifact.
REACTION	Effect	A hint about the effect for this node. Usually is vague and non-specific.
EDGES	Neighboring nodes	The number of nodes that are adjacent to the current node. This is the number of different options for traversal when the artifact is activated.
UNEXTRACTED_VALUE	Point value	The number of research points that the artifact will provide if the Extract button on the analysis console is pressed.

Stimulus

Some examples of stimulus interpretations (i.e. how to cause the artifact to make a reaction):

Warning

Spoilers ahead be warned!!!

Stimulus	What to do?	Spoilers!
Hydro-reactive	Activated through water interaction. Splash a water bottle, use a fire extinguisher, or a spray bottle.
Sonic Vibrations	Play a musical instrument close to the artifact.
Magnetic Waves	Equip Magboots and activate them near the artifact
Extreme Pressure	Carry the artifact into space or space the room it is in (use caution and common sense here. This does not give you the right to endanger others or demand a hardsuit). Can also require higher end of the spectrum - filling the room with gases until a super-high pressure is reached (use pumps for this).
Physical Trauma	Punch the artifact or hit it with a blunt object via Combat Mode. This may take several hits.
Electricity	Touch it with a multi-tool.
Active Deceleration	Throw the artifact.
No Stimulus	Time based, wait for X amount of time.
Life Essence	Kill something nearby (not a crewmate!). Insects, monkeys, mothroaches all work.
Hemalogical	Toss Blood on it using either a beaker of blood or use a syringe to fill a Spray Bottle with Blood then use the spray bottle.
Tool Usage	Use a Wrench on the artifact, make sure it is unanchored afterwards.
Examination	Examine the artifact.
Radiation	Provide radiation to the artifact. Stab with a uranium spear or use a cancer mouse.
Standard atmospheric gases	Add a good amount of either Oxygen, Nitrogen, or (most likely) Carbon dioxide gas into the room that has the artifact.
High Temperatures	Touch with a lit Welding torch.
Gaseous Plasma	Add a good amount of Plasma gas into the room that has the artifact in it. (Caution: Plasma gas is highly toxic and flammable)

Reaction

When activated the artifact will produce a reaction. Not all effect reactions have a name but can be triggered anyways. Some of the examples of what could occur after being activated:

Warning

Spoilers ahead be warned!!!

Reaction	What does it do?	Spoilers!
Point Light (No Hint)	The artifact will produce light in a 8 tile radius.
Biochemical Disruption	Spawns a puddle or foam. The chemical is chosen from a few lists that depend on the depth of the artifact.
Cerebral Influence	Will give a random message saying you generally feel either good or bad.
Matter Creation	Will vary from spawning trash and bananas at higher depths (1-2) to spawning a random Anomaly at lower depths. (3+)
Electrical Interference	Will harmlessly flicker the nearby electrical devices.
Environmental Distruption	Will range from a non-structural explosion at higher depths (1-2) to a massive structural explosion depending on lower depths. (3+)
Metaphysical Displacement	Will either randomly teleport itself to a moderate distance or teleport a sentient creature to it.
Transmogrificational Activity	Can polymorph other nearby creatures into a glass creature or a lizard.
Energy Release	Can either release heat, charge batteries, become mildly radioactive, become highly radioactive, or Ignite all nearby creatures and objects.
Energy consumption	The artifact will offput cold temperatures till it reaches 50 kelvin in the room
Magnetic waves	The artifact will create a gravity well, attracting nearby objects to orbit it.
Visual Distortions	Will cause the artifact to be nearly invisible.
Station-wide Destruction	Danger Will either spawn the singularity or tesla. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Depth 10 exclusive.

Artifact Utility Effects

When the artifact is triggered it can sometimes be provided with a permanent utility effect. The effects that can occur includes:

Warning

Spoilers ahead be warned!!!

Reactions	Name of Effect	Use for Effect	Spoilers!
Long-distance communication	Intercom	Provides an intercom with all channels except syndicate.
Internal chamber	Item storage	The artifact will have a storage capacity of a 10x5 grid
Internal chamber	Solution storage	The artifact can hold 150u of any liquid, similar to a beaker.
Serrated rotator	Drill	The artifact can be used as a sharp weapon that does 18 pierce and 4 blunt damage.
Small entity accelerator	Big Iron	The artifact will work like a 7 chamber magnum pistol.
Neurological activity	Sentience	The artifact will become sentient and thus available as a ghost role.
Utility conglomerate	Multi tool	The artifact can be used as the following tool uses: screwing, prying, anchoring, cutting, and pulsing.
Cerebral Influence	Instrument	The artifact will have the ability to be played like a randomly picked instrument.
Metaphysical Displacement	Wandering	The artifact will wander in random directions. It cannot be anchored.
Metaphysical Displacement	Speed	The artifact will provide the creature holding it a 30% speed increase.
Energy Release	Power Generator	The artifact will provide 20,000kw when anchored to an HV wire.
Structural Phashing	Phasing