Side Quests & Activities
Beyond the Ministry's demands, Beholder: Conductor offers numerous side quests and activities that enrich the narrative, provide additional income, and allow Carl to influence the lives of his tenants. These often involve helping tenants with personal problems, engaging in petty crime, or assisting the underground resistance.
Side quests typically emerge from conversations with tenants or by observing their behavior. They often have deadlines and can significantly impact Carl's reputation with both the Ministry and the residents.
- Tenant Personal Problems:
- Finding Lost Items: Tenants might ask Carl to locate a lost family heirloom or a specific item. This often involves searching other apartments or the general building areas.
- Mediating Disputes: Two tenants might have a disagreement, and Carl can choose to mediate, side with one, or ignore the situation. For example, helping the Danton family resolve issues with their neighbors.
- Financial Assistance: Some tenants might be in debt and ask Carl for a loan or help finding a way to earn money. This could involve Carl selling their belongings or arranging illegal work.
- Medical Needs: Similar to Martha, other tenants might require specific medicine that is hard to obtain. Carl can choose to procure it for them, often at a high cost or risk.
- Illegal Activities:
- Blackmail: After discovering incriminating evidence on a tenant, Carl can choose to blackmail them for money instead of reporting them to the Ministry. This is a quick way to earn cash but can sour relations with the tenant.
- Selling Contraband: Any prohibited items found during searches can be sold to shady characters who occasionally visit the apartment block. This is a reliable income source but carries the risk of being caught by the Ministry.
- Smuggling: Some side quests might involve Carl acting as a courier for illegal goods or messages between various parties, including the resistance.
- Assisting the Resistance:
- Delivering Messages: Members of the resistance, like Antoine, might ask Carl to deliver coded messages or packages to other operatives.
- Sabotage: Carl might be tasked with subtly undermining Ministry operations, such as tampering with surveillance equipment or spreading anti-Ministry propaganda.
- Harboring Dissidents: In later stages, Carl might be asked to provide temporary refuge for individuals fleeing the Ministry.
- Building Maintenance: While not a quest, Carl is responsible for minor repairs in the building. Fixing broken pipes or electrical issues can improve tenant happiness and prevent larger problems.
Strategy for Side Quests:
- Evaluate Risk vs. Reward: Many side quests involve illegal activities or defying the Ministry. Weigh the potential financial gain or reputation boost against the risk of fines, arrest, or losing Ministry favor.
- Time Management: Side quests often have deadlines. Prioritize them based on urgency and your current main objectives.
- Consequence Awareness: Helping one tenant might anger another. Assisting the resistance will likely decrease your Ministry reputation. Consider the long-term impact of your choices.
- Resource Management: Some side quests require specific items (e.g., tools, medicine). Ensure you have the necessary resources or know where to acquire them.
Engaging with side quests adds depth to the game, allowing players to shape Carl's moral compass and experience different facets of life under totalitarian rule.