Storyline: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Geist Tombstone.png|alt=A tombstone that says "HIER RUHT FAMILIE GEIST", showing the birth and death dates of Johann, Walter, and Jeanne Geist.|thumb|The Geist family tombstone|270x270px]]
[[File:Geist Tombstone.png|alt=A tombstone that says "HIER RUHT FAMILIE GEIST", showing the birth and death dates of Johann, Walter, and Jeanne Geist.|thumb|The Geist family tombstone|270x270px]]
[[File:1934 box.png|thumb|268x268px|Box in Yellow Lane dated 1934]]
[[File:1934 box.png|thumb|268x268px|Box in Yellow Lane dated 1934]]
[[File:Rescue Beam 1939.png|thumb|[[Rescue Beam]] billboard dated 1939|269x269px]]
''For the timeline of Deadlock's development, see [[Deadlock#Development]].''{{Quotation|[[Warden]]'s background|Most people think the supernatural came into the world 50 years ago. They’re wrong.}}
''For the timeline of Deadlock's development, see [[Deadlock#Development]].''{{Quotation|[[Warden]]'s background|Most people think the supernatural came into the world 50 years ago. They’re wrong.}}
The following is a list of known dated events in the ''[[Deadlock]]'' timeline.
The following is a list of known dated events in the ''[[Deadlock]]'' timeline.


== Timeline ==
== Timeline ==
The Deadlock timeline is mostly kept ambiguous, as the game is still in development and story aspects are subject to change. However, based on context clues such as references to the 1949 musical [[wikipedia:South_Pacific_(musical)|South Pacific]]<ref name=":0">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_39.mp3|transcription=Rodgers and Hammerstein's latest musical 'South Pacific' has become the hottest ticket in town. With some would-be theater-goers selling 1/8th of their souls to scalpers for prime seating!}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Ivy|file=Tengu unselect 03.mp3|context=(in Spanish and English)|transcription=Talvez deberia comprar tickets for South Pacific. (Maybe I should buy tickets for South Pacific.)}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Viscous|file=Viscous_unselect_06.mp3|transcription=The Patrons can wait. I want to see South Pacific.}}</ref> by various characters, it can be inferred that the game takes place around the 1940s (see ''Historical References'' below). Even so, there are elements that could be considered anachronic: [[Shiv]]'s design is reminiscent of a 1950s [[wikipedia:Greaser_(subculture)|Greaser]], while [[Billy]] is inspired by 1970s [[wikipedia:Punk_subculture|Punks]].
The Deadlock timeline and time period are kept purposefully ambiguous, as the game is still in development and story aspects are subject to change. However, based on context clues such as references to the 1949 musical [[wikipedia:South_Pacific_(musical)|South Pacific]]<ref name=":0">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_39.mp3|transcription=Rodgers and Hammerstein's latest musical 'South Pacific' has become the hottest ticket in town. With some would-be theater-goers selling 1/8th of their souls to scalpers for prime seating!}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Ivy|file=Tengu unselect 03.mp3|context=(in Spanish and English)|transcription=Talvez deberia comprar tickets for South Pacific. (Maybe I should buy tickets for South Pacific.)}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Viscous|file=Viscous_unselect_06.mp3|transcription=The Patrons can wait. I want to see South Pacific.}}</ref> by various characters, it can be inferred that the game takes place circa the 1930s-1940s (see ''Historical References'' below). The buildings in the Cursed Apple use architectural references from New York City up to 1932.<ref>https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3378301007</ref> Even so, there are visual references from later in the 20th century: [[Shiv]]'s design is reminiscent of a 1950s [[wikipedia:Greaser_(subculture)|Greaser]], while [[Billy]] is inspired by 1970s [[wikipedia:Punk_subculture|Punks]]. The computer in the [[Hideout]] is similar to the 1973 [[wikipedia:Xerox_Alto|Xerox Alto]], one of the first personal computers, albeit with a typewriter keyboard.


The timeline below is based on mentioned in-game events and the [[The Binding of Oathkeeper|Lady Geist visual novel]], while estimated dates using 1949 as the "current day" reference point are marked with an asterisk.
The timeline below is based on mentioned in-game events and the [[The Binding of Oathkeeper|Lady Geist visual novel]]. Events without a specific year use the date of the ritual as a reference point.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Date
!Date
!Event
!Events
|-
| colspan="2" |'''17th Century'''
|-
|-
|Undated (1624-1664)
|Undated (1624-1664)
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|1692
|1692
|The Salem Witch Trials take place, leading to the killing of {{HeroIcon|Vindicta}}<ref name=":4">{{BackgroundCite|name=Vindicta|quote=A victim of John Hathorne during the Salem Witch Trials, Vindicta got a second chance of life when her spirit was brought back to the mortal plane during the first Maelstrom (the event that introduced the supernatural to the public at large).}}</ref>
|The Salem Witch Trials take place, leading to the killing of {{HeroIcon|Vindicta}}<ref name=":4">{{BackgroundCite|name=Vindicta|quote=A victim of John Hathorne during the Salem Witch Trials, Vindicta got a second chance of life when her spirit was brought back to the mortal plane during the first Maelstrom (the event that introduced the supernatural to the public at large).}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" |'''19th Century'''
|-
|-
|1805
|1805
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|[[Minor characters|Johann Geist]] dies<ref name=":2" />
|[[Minor characters|Johann Geist]] dies<ref name=":2" />
|-
|-
|1899*
|50 years B.R. (Before the ritual)
|The first [[Maelstrom]] occurs. The existence of the supernatural is revealed to humanity.<ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Warden|quote=Most people think the supernatural came into the world 50 years ago.}}</ref> {{HeroIcon|Vindicta}} is brought back to Earth as a ghost, {{HeroIcon|Dynamo}} loses his body and becomes a dying star, and {{HeroIcon|Lady Geist}} makes a deal with [[Oathkeeper]] in exchange for eternal youth.
|The first [[Maelstrom]] occurs. The existence of the supernatural is revealed to humanity.<ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Warden|quote=Most people think the supernatural came into the world 50 years ago.}}</ref> {{HeroIcon|Vindicta}} is brought back to Earth as a ghost, {{HeroIcon|Dynamo}} loses his body and becomes a dying star, and {{HeroIcon|Lady Geist}} makes a deal with [[Oathkeeper]] in exchange for eternal youth.
|-
|-
| colspan="2" |'''20th Century'''
|18-20 years B.R.
|-
|1918*
|{{HeroIcon|Dynamo}} and [[Minor characters#Marla|Marla]] get married<ref>[[Dynamo/Quotes#Conversations|Dynamo and Kelvin conversation]]</ref>
|-
|1929*
|{{HeroIcon|Ivy}} comes to life<ref>[[Ivy#Background|Ivy's background]] says it was 18 years ago, but in the [[Ivy's visual novel|visual novel]] she says it has been 20 years</ref>
|{{HeroIcon|Ivy}} comes to life<ref>[[Ivy#Background|Ivy's background]] says it was 18 years ago, but in the [[Ivy's visual novel|visual novel]] she says it has been 20 years</ref>
|-
|-
|1939*
|10 years B.R.
|{{HeroIcon|Grey Talon}} retires<ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Grey Talon|quote=Wesley Grey Talon spent close to 40 years hunting monsters that preyed on man before finally deciding to find a replacement and lay down his bow.}}</ref>
|{{HeroIcon|Grey Talon}} retires<ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Grey Talon|quote=Wesley Grey Talon spent close to 40 years hunting monsters that preyed on man before finally deciding to find a replacement and lay down his bow.}}</ref>
|-
|-
|1944*
|5 years B.R.
|[[Ixia|South Ixia]] joins the US<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_63.mp3|transcription=Next week will mark the 5 year anniversary of South Ixia officially joining the United States as its 52nd state.}}</ref>
|[[Ixia|South Ixia]] joins the US.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_63.mp3|transcription=Next week will mark the 5 year anniversary of South Ixia officially joining the United States as its 52nd state.}}</ref> An assassination attempt occurs on {{HeroIcon|Pocket}}'s 18th birthday and they are thought to have been killed,<ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Pocket|quote=Arin Fairfax, the eldest heir to Fairfax Industries, has been living in hiding for the past 5 years after being shot and left for dead on their 18th birthday.}}</ref> leading {{HeroIcon|Mina}} to become a vampire.
|-
|1944*
|An assassination attempt occurs on {{HeroIcon|Pocket}}'s 18th birthday and they are thought to have been killed<ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Pocket|quote=Arin Fairfax, the eldest heir to Fairfax Industries, has been living in hiding for the past 5 years after being shot and left for dead on their 18th birthday.}}</ref>
|-
|1947*
|{{HeroIcon|Ivy}} defeats the [[The Mendoza Syndicate|Mendoza Syndicate]], freeing Spanish Harlem<ref>{{PageRef|name=Ivy}}'s background - ''"18 years have passed since the day the Arroyo's took Ivy home... and during that time she made it her mission to dismantle the Mendoza Syndicate and free Spanish Harlem from its grasp."''</ref>
|-
|-
|1948*
|6 months B.R.
|[[Minor characters|The Troubadour]] murders multiple people in Illinois and disappears<ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Holliday|quote=When she confronted him he exploded into a murder of crows and flew away. That was 6 months ago}}</ref>
|[[Minor characters|The Troubadour]] murders multiple people in Illinois and disappears<ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Holliday|quote=When she confronted him he exploded into a murder of crows and flew away. That was 6 months ago}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Current Day 1949*
|Year of the ritual
|Celestial Alignment, the second [[Maelstrom]] and the ritual take place
|Celestial Alignment, the second [[Maelstrom]] and the ritual take place
|}
|}
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== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==


* A poster used to advertise a Jazz Festival in 1927. It has since been edited to remove the date.
* Some posters on the map used to show specific dates, such as a Jazz Festival poster dated 1927 and a Rescue Beam poster dated 1939. Those posters have either been edited or removed from the map over time.


== References ==
== References ==
[[Category:Lore]]
[[Category:Lore]]
<references />{{Lore Navbox}}
<references />{{Lore Navbox}}

Revision as of 03:11, 17 December 2025

A tombstone that says "HIER RUHT FAMILIE GEIST", showing the birth and death dates of Johann, Walter, and Jeanne Geist.
The Geist family tombstone
Box in Yellow Lane dated 1934

For the timeline of Deadlock's development, see Deadlock#Development.

Most people think the supernatural came into the world 50 years ago. They’re wrong.

Warden's background

The following is a list of known dated events in the Deadlock timeline.

Timeline

The Deadlock timeline and time period are kept purposefully ambiguous, as the game is still in development and story aspects are subject to change. However, based on context clues such as references to the 1949 musical South Pacific[1][2][3] by various characters, it can be inferred that the game takes place circa the 1930s-1940s (see Historical References below). The buildings in the Cursed Apple use architectural references from New York City up to 1932.[4] Even so, there are visual references from later in the 20th century: Shiv's design is reminiscent of a 1950s Greaser, while Billy is inspired by 1970s Punks. The computer in the Hideout is similar to the 1973 Xerox Alto, one of the first personal computers, albeit with a typewriter keyboard.

The timeline below is based on mentioned in-game events and the Lady Geist visual novel. Events without a specific year use the date of the ritual as a reference point.

Date Events
Undated (1624-1664) The Drifter visits New Amsterdam[5][6]
1692 The Salem Witch Trials take place, leading to the killing of Vindicta[7]
1805 Johann Geist is born[8]
1815 Jeanne (Lady Geist) is born[8]
1850 Walter Geist is born[8]
1880 Johann Geist dies[8]
50 years B.R. (Before the ritual) The first Maelstrom occurs. The existence of the supernatural is revealed to humanity.[9] Vindicta is brought back to Earth as a ghost, Dynamo loses his body and becomes a dying star, and Lady Geist makes a deal with Oathkeeper in exchange for eternal youth.
18-20 years B.R. Ivy comes to life[10]
10 years B.R. Grey Talon retires[11]
5 years B.R. South Ixia joins the US.[12] An assassination attempt occurs on Pocket's 18th birthday and they are thought to have been killed,[13] leading Mina to become a vampire.
6 months B.R. The Troubadour murders multiple people in Illinois and disappears[14]
Year of the ritual Celestial Alignment, the second Maelstrom and the ritual take place

Historical references

List of references to real-world historical events, groups and individuals in Deadlock and their real-world dates.

Branching Timelines

Due to the multiple choice aspect of the Deadlock visual novels, there are multiple potential timelines of events that happened shortly before and after the ritual.

Trivia

  • Some posters on the map used to show specific dates, such as a Jazz Festival poster dated 1927 and a Rescue Beam poster dated 1939. Those posters have either been edited or removed from the map over time.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Newscaster's in-game voice line - "Rodgers and Hammerstein's latest musical 'South Pacific' has become the hottest ticket in town. With some would-be theater-goers selling 1/8th of their souls to scalpers for prime seating!"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Ivy's in-game voice line (in Spanish and English) - "Talvez deberia comprar tickets for South Pacific. (Maybe I should buy tickets for South Pacific.)"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Viscous's in-game voice line - "The Patrons can wait. I want to see South Pacific."
  4. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3378301007
  5. Drifter's in-game voice line - "The elders of New Amsterdam are soft, clinging to archaic titles like they grant them real power."
  6. Amber Hand's in-game voice line - "Welcome back to New York, Drifter. Oh, how we missed you."
  7. 7.0 7.1 Vindicta's backstory - "A victim of John Hathorne during the Salem Witch Trials, Vindicta got a second chance of life when her spirit was brought back to the mortal plane during the first Maelstrom (the event that introduced the supernatural to the public at large)."
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 The Binding of Oathkeeper - Chapter 5H
  9. Warden's backstory - "Most people think the supernatural came into the world 50 years ago."
  10. Ivy's background says it was 18 years ago, but in the visual novel she says it has been 20 years
  11. Grey Talon's backstory - "Wesley Grey Talon spent close to 40 years hunting monsters that preyed on man before finally deciding to find a replacement and lay down his bow."
  12. Newscaster's in-game voice line - "Next week will mark the 5 year anniversary of South Ixia officially joining the United States as its 52nd state."
  13. Pocket's backstory - "Arin Fairfax, the eldest heir to Fairfax Industries, has been living in hiding for the past 5 years after being shot and left for dead on their 18th birthday."
  14. Holliday's backstory - "When she confronted him he exploded into a murder of crows and flew away. That was 6 months ago"
  15. 15.0 15.1 Raven's backstory - "Led by the specter of Catherine the Great, the Soviet Empire has flourished in a brave new world of mysticism."
  16. Newscaster's in-game voice line - "George Frederick Cooke is primed to take the stage once more. But are audiences ready to see a headless ghost as a leading man?"
  17. Raven's in-game voice line - "Rasputin has best not meddle in my plans."
  18. Raven's in-game voice line - "The Romanovs don't take kindly to failure."
  19. Newscaster's in-game voice line - "Is Harry Houdini really dead? Recent reports suggest that the legendary magician's final trick was to escape death itself!"
  20. Newscaster's in-game voice line - "A necromancer harvesting fear from the Coney Island cyclone was arrested today. Coney Island officials could not be reached for comment."
  21. Newscaster's in-game voice line - "The tree is lit, the Rockettes are kicking, and magic is in the air. It's holiday time in New York!"
  22. Shopkeeper's in-game voice line - "Wow, if it isn't the poster boy for the Celtics!"
  23. 23.0 23.1 Trapper's in-game voice line - "First I summon a god, then I watch the Knickerbockers destroy the Celtics!"
  24. 24.0 24.1 Newscaster's in-game voice line - "The Knickerbockers' losing streak continues, after a humiliating defeat to the Celtics. In unrelated news, no one likes the Celtics."
  25. Haze's backstory - "The Occult Security and Investigation Commission is a black box government organization that makes the CIA look transparent."
  26. Wrecker's backstory - "From CIA-employed seers identifying threats decades before they rise to power to occult pacts made in smoky backrooms"
  27. Paige's in-game voice line (ping Billy) - "Let's take out Mr. Tumnus!"
  28. Newscaster's in-game voice line newscaster_headline_77 - "The EPA has issued another sanction to Fairfax Industries. Citing their improper disposal of spiritual waste was not just an affront to nature, but a threat to it!"