We are approaching the 200 follower mark on Steam! As a way of saying thank you, we will begin to gradually lift the veil of mystery through a series of blog posts. To start, our first ARCHREP will explore the island's history, setting the stage for the game.
Welcome to Project Crimson Aurora. If you are reading this, you have passed all background checks and have been assigned to the 13th Strategic Logistics Group. From now on you will carry an honorable title of Pathfinder.
For operational efficiency, it is vital for all personnel to familiarize themselves with the brief history of Nastrondey and Crimson Aurora's presence on the island.
Explorers searching for the Northeast Passage first recorded sightings of the island in the 16th century. Though no landfall was made, the landmass soon began appearing on contemporary nautical charts. At the time, it was completely covered by ice and snow and was believed to be an ice shelf, offering little value to early explorers.
Between the 16th and 18th century, few expeditions by independent explorers were mounted, and although most of them ended in failure, multiple artifacts were recovered and distributed across black markets in Northern Europe and Russian Empire. To this day, 4th Special Disposal Unit runs operations to identify and recover artifacts from private collections.
By the 19th century, a combination of climate change driven by the industrial revolution and the island’s natural geothermal activity accelerated thawing, exposing large parts of the island which were buried under layers of ancient permafrost. At this point, ████████-██ were already aware of the island's existence for some time, and the changing climate allowed them to initiate their first reconnaissance excursions.
In 1979, as part of the Fenrir Directive, Project Crimson Aurora was launched - the first official initiative to explore Nastrondey and it's artifacts. Year 1987 marked the beginning of large-scale construction of permanent scientific outposts. Soon, one of them, OP02, will be assigned as your next deployment location.
You are hereby commended for your successful induction into the Project Crimson Aurora and for demonstrating the competence, discipline, and resolve required of a Pathfinder. Your first assignment at OP02 marks the beginning of your service within the 13th Strategic Logistics Group. Carry out your duties with honor, uphold operational doctrine at all times, as the success of Fenrir Directive relies on Pathfinders such as yourself.