Phonograph (Justine)

Phonographs (or gramophones) are audio playback devices which can be found in various places around the Cabinet of Perturbation. They contain recordings by Justine Florbelle, which she recorded to guide her future self around the cabinet after locking herself in there and overdosing on lithium to induce amnesia.

The existence of phonographs around the cabinet might suggest that the Suitors had been kept imprisoned in the Cabinet for around 30–40 years before Justine's test; since phonographs weren't invented until 1877, and the type of phonograph present in the Cabinet (the graphophone) weren't invented until 1886.[speculation]

Cells[]

Introduction[]

Fånågraf — A Phonograph found in *Amnesia: Justine.*

This phonograph can be found in the cell at the very start of the game.

“
Bienvenue, you are now listening to the sound of my disembodied voice. It will serve you no purpose to look for me, for this is a voice from the past.

I bid you welcome to my Cabinet of Perturbation. it is my study of the human psyche - specifically yours. A set of recordings have been prepared to chaperone you through the chambers ahead.

There are a few parts to this study and it is up to you - not only to pass but figure out what elements are important. Please go on, move into the next chamber. Just remember they can all be saved, there is always a way.
”

Basile[]

This Phonograph can be found in the corridor after dropping down from the narrow tunnels in the Cells. The Wax Cylinder is needed to use this phonograph.

Justine
[laughter]
Speak into the phonograph, Basile, mon chéri.
Basile
[groans]
What did you put into the wine?
Justine
Absinthe, silly Basile, strong men like you don't drink wine – wine is for helpless women like myself.
Basile
My head, what is this thing, get me out. I'm not up for your games.
Justine
No, you have to say it first. How beautiful am I?
Basile
Plenty, now let me out of this thing?
Justine
No, that is not what you say!
Basile
[annoyed groan]
Your beauty is blinding.
[screams]
Aah! My eyes! What have you done to my eyes!? Justine, this isn't funny, you blinded me!
Justine
Ha-ha, you can't catch me now!
Basile
I'll kill you, you whore!
Justine Florbelle drugs, then blinds Basile Giroux.

Monsieur Fournier[]

This phonograph can be found in the cell area, in the small room with torture instruments after dropping down from the tunnels in the ceiling.

“
Congratulations for coming this far, I am so excited for you. I do hope you managed to save Monsieur Fournier. He was a friend and a colleague of my papa, you know. Friendly fellow, a real bon garçon, but frail of mind. He puts up an impressive front, but it is all an act, I assure you. Please go on, we are just getting started.
”

Library[]

Library introduction[]

This phonograph can be found at the entrance of the library.

“
On this next piece you should be looking for some divine inspiration. Time to delve into your spiritual side. What do you see? Is the man begging for mercy or is he being blessed? Perhaps both! Father used to say, there were no right answers. Have the light guide you.
”

Father David[]

This phonograph can be found halfway down the stairs to the basement area beneath the library.

“
I wonder, is father David with his God now? Maybe you helped him there. Don't you worry, I'm sure he didn't have a family, he probably wasn't even all that well-liked. With the current political climate, I'm surprised someone hadn't killed him already.

We can't all be saved. Some don't even want to be saved. Yes. That is a comforting thought. Saves us from trying.
”

Dungeon[]

Dungeon introduction[]

This phonograph can be found at the entrance of the dungeon.

“
I'm sure you have figured out how it all works by now. Are you enjoying my quips? I think they are quite clever. Not that I ever was much of a conversationalist, poetry has always been my forte. But I digress. You should press on, it will all be over soon. Also, the police are here, maybe they can help you.
”

Crypt[]

Inspector Marot[]

This phonograph can be found at the entrance of the Crypt.

“
Inspector Marot, are you still with us? I'm looking forward to see if you managed to save him or not. I know very little about him, but surely he had a family, don't you think? Poor, poor, fatherless children. But he falls on his own sword. His kind is not meant to come for people like me.

Laws are made for cretins. The aristocracy doesn't need to know right from wrong. We are always right.
”

Congratulations[]

This phonograph can be found right before entering the narrow hallways in the Crypt.

“
Well done. You have triumphed – conquered my cabinet. I wish I could tell you how you did, but alas this is a recording. You will have to figure it out all by yourself.

Did anyone survive? The doctor? The priest? Or perhaps the police man. Who was allowed to live? Why?

You should really reflect on these past events and consider what they meant to you, what you have learned about your true nature.

Father never knew me. He thought he did, but then he was frightened and nothing was ever the same again. I can still see him, lying there on the floor, he looked so surprised.

–– The star-shaped soapstone stained by his blood, fell to the floor with a sonorous thud. Blame me not, for I was but a child; with careful ambition, I dared a smile ––

Rest in peace, papa.
”

End[]

This phonograph is found right at the end of the crypt, taped to the dummy or body in the ceiling.

“
And so it comes to an end. Now that you have seen what you truly are, you are able to go on and face eternity without fear – without doubt.
”

Removed phonograph[]

See also: Potato Sack

There is one Phonograph that was added to Amnesia: The Dark Descent as part of the Potato Sack ARG. It is in the Study, at the first room to the right from the entrance. Note that as of version 1.2, the phonograph is not present anymore.

“
Daniel, you killed me! You took my life away!

If only you'd realize what you've done, what violence you've forced upon history! You have to make it right, you selfish old boy! I am offering you redemption, but I need you to give me the answers. Save yourself or guilt, tell me at once!

The man who escaped death in Grenoble, who is he? Who is hunting you, and who is the banished one? You laughed when I told you I would call on Gabriel for help. You know him! Where did you meet him? You are slipping, your mind is questioning my existence! My request is sincere, Daniel, this is all real! Where did you leave your sister?

Daniel, you are going mad! Go home, call on her, ask her name, and let her bring you home to England. Listen, if there is any will in you left, answer my questions and let them make a name for yourself!
”

The recording is made from the perspective of Elise Zimmermann, the young girl Daniel killed in the Storage rooms. From a story perspective, the message could be explained away as an elaborate hallucination; however, it was part of an elaborate puzzle from VALVe's Potato Sack ARG. The hint in the recording is the final line, "answer my questions and let them make a name for yourself", as well as in the first paragraph, "[...] I need you to give me the answers."

The questions in the recording and their answers are:

Question:	Answer:
Who is the man who escaped death in Grenoble?	Agrippa
Who is hunting you (Daniel)?	Shadow
Who is the banished one?	Alexander
Where did you meet him (Gabriel)?	Bremen
Where did you leave your sister?	Canterbury
Ask her name!	Hazel

Taking the first letter from every answer gives ASABCH. The clue in the recording tells the player to "Let (the questions) make a name for yourself". Rearranging the letters gives you the word CASBAH, which is a type of medieval fortress in northern Africa or the middle east.

Creating a new profile in the main menu and naming it "Casbah" caused a login screen to open up. The code for this screen was "troubled memories" – a code that was found in a text file inside of the video game Defense Grid: The Awakening. Inputting the code downloaded a file called "keypotioningredi.ent" to Amnesia: The Dark Descent's root folder. Renaming this to "keypotioningredient.rar" gives the player a locked .rar file . The password for the file was "damascus rose" (damascus rose being a key potion ingredient in the amnesia potion).

The file contained some Portal 2 concept art, as well as an archive named only "o", which was used for another part of the ARG.

Gaining access at the Aperture Science login screen also awards the player with a potato, a steam item. Collecting these in different games gave the players different awards at the end of the ARG, depending on how many of them they collected.

This phonograph was later patched out after the end of the ARG, and can no longer be found if the game is updated to the latest version.