Boneworks
Boneworks

Factions & NPCs

Navigate Boneworks factions like the Monogon Research and their NPCs to gain quests, resources, and shape the narrative throughout your journey.

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Factions & NPCs

Navigating the complex social landscape of Boneworks is crucial for survival and progression. Interacting with the various factions and Non-Player Characters (NPCs) can unlock new quests, provide valuable resources, and even alter the game's narrative trajectory. This section will guide you through key interactions, questlines, and the rewards associated with each.

The Monogon Research Initiative

The primary antagonist and overarching corporate entity, Monogon's presence is felt throughout Boneworks. While you won't directly interact with their leadership, understanding their objectives and the nature of their experiments is vital for deciphering the game's lore and overcoming their security measures.

  • Key Interactions: Primarily through environmental storytelling, data logs, and hostile encounters with their security forces.
  • Strategic Advice:
    • Data Log Collection: Prioritize collecting all Monogon Data Logs found in levels like the Museum and Runoff. These often contain access codes or hints for bypassing security.
    • Security Bypass: Look for alternative routes around Monogon security checkpoints. Often, a ventilation shaft or a hidden maintenance tunnel (e.g., in the Sewers level, near the flooded generator) can bypass a heavily guarded area.
    • Weapon Scavenging: Monogon security personnel often drop high-tier weapons like the Monogon SMG or Monogon Pistol. These are excellent for early-game combat.

The MythOS Citizens

These are the digital inhabitants of the MythOS world, often appearing as friendly or neutral entities. While many are simply ambient, a select few offer critical assistance or questlines.

The Custodian

The first friendly NPC you encounter, the Custodian acts as your initial guide and provides essential information about the Boneworks system. He is a constant presence in the Hub area.

  • Location: Always found in the central chamber of the Hub, near the main console.
  • Key Quests/Interactions:
    1. Initial Orientation: Upon your first arrival in the Hub, the Custodian will initiate a dialogue sequence, explaining basic mechanics and the objective of reaching the Voidway.
    2. Tutorial Prompts: Throughout the early levels (e.g., Museum, Runoff), the Custodian will provide contextual tips via your HUD, such as "Utilize physics for environmental puzzles!" or "Watch out for Nullbodies!"
    3. Weapon Unlocks: Completing specific challenges or finding hidden Data Disks will allow the Custodian to unlock new weapons in the Armory section of the Hub. For example, finding the Blue Data Disk in Rooftops unlocks the Shotgun.
  • Rewards: Access to new weapons, lore progression, and general guidance.

The Janitor (Hidden NPC)

A reclusive but highly knowledgeable NPC, the Janitor holds secrets about the true nature of MythOS and Boneworks. Finding him is a multi-step process.

  • Location: The Janitor is not found in a single fixed location. His appearances are triggered by specific actions.
  • Activation Steps:
    1. The "Lost Keycard" Quest: In the Sewers level, after activating the main pump, backtrack to the small flooded office near the entrance. You'll find a Janitor's Lost Keycard on a desk.
    2. The Maintenance Room: Proceed to the Warehouse level. In the large open area with the moving platforms, look for a locked door labeled "Maintenance." Use the Janitor's Lost Keycard to open it.
    3. First Encounter: Inside the Maintenance Room, you'll find a series of broken machinery and a hidden vent. Crawl through the vent to a small, dimly lit chamber. The Janitor will be there, initially unresponsive.
    4. The "Power Cycle" Puzzle: To awaken him, you need to power cycle the room. Locate three Power Fuses (one on the wall, one under a broken crate, one on a high shelf accessible by stacking boxes). Insert them into the fuse box near the Janitor.
    5. Dialogue and Quest: Once powered, the Janitor will speak, offering cryptic clues and a side quest: "Retrieve the Anomaly Detector from the Voidway's forgotten sector."
  • Rewards:
    • Anomaly Detector: A unique utility item that highlights hidden collectibles and secret passages.
    • Lore Revelation: Unlocks significant lore about the game's narrative and deeper objectives.
    • "Janitor's Secret Stash" Key: After completing his quest, he will give you a key to a hidden room in the Museum containing rare ammo and a Gravity Gun prototype.

Hostile Entities (Nullbodies & Corrupted AI)

While not NPCs in the traditional sense, understanding the behavior and weaknesses of hostile entities is paramount.

  • Nullbodies: The most common enemy.
    • Weakness: Headshots are instant kills. Melee attacks to the torso can dismember.
    • Strategy: Utilize environmental objects for cover. The Crowbar is highly effective for conserving ammo against single Nullbodies.
  • Corrupted AI (Crabs, Turrets): More specialized threats.
    • Crabs: Fast, melee-focused. Target their glowing core for critical damage. The Pistol or SMG are good for quick takedowns.
    • Turrets: Stationary, high damage output. Use cover and grenades (Frag Grenade or Impact Grenade) to disable. Alternatively, a well-placed shot with a Sniper Rifle (found in Tower level) can destroy them from a distance.