Elevator Power Arrangements
- Template
- Artifact
- Status
- Canon
- Kind
- Technology
1. Summary
Schwarzwald's elevators run on two electrical generations. The D1–D2 elevator belongs to the earlier infrastructure and has an independent supply, while the elevators serving D3 and lower levels belong to a later architecture associated with the nuclear power infrastructure, deliberately disabled in 1999. Only the D2–D3 elevator also has a separate diesel-powered emergency arrangement.
2. Origin
The elevator connecting D1 to D2 was constructed as part of the installation's earlier infrastructure. Its power supply operates independently of the distribution systems used by the deeper elevators. The elevators serving D3 and lower levels belong to a later electrical architecture associated with Schwarzwald's principal nuclear power infrastructure.
3. Nature and Properties
Every elevator requires a password for authorized access. How a code differs from the power of the controls, and what a correct code can and cannot do, are rules of the access codes. See: Systems › Access Codes And Elevator Passwords
The layout of the elevators between levels belongs to the base.
3.1 The D1–D2 Elevator
The D1–D2 elevator is operational through an older independent supply arrangement. It operates on its independent electrical supply despite the shutdown of the deeper elevator circuits. Its operational power system must not be confused with that of the inoperative D2–D3 elevator.
3.2 The D2–D3 Elevator
The D2–D3 elevator possesses a separate emergency power arrangement that can potentially be restored: an emergency electrical circuit supplied by the diesel generator at A2. The remaining deeper elevators do not share this particular diesel-powered emergency system.
Restoring the emergency supply does not activate the principal nuclear electrical distribution system, so the D2–D3 elevator may become operational while D3 itself remains completely dark. Restoring the main nuclear power system does not repair the emergency interlock if it has been physically destroyed.
See: Artifacts and Technology › A2 Emergency Generator And Interlock
3.3 The Reactor-Dependent Elevators
In the deeper levels, the elevators depend on the fusion reactor and stay dark until it is restored. The elevators necessary to reach D4 cannot operate without the fusion system, and without the reactor the elevator toward D5 cannot run either. Reactivating the principal nuclear power and electrical distribution infrastructure may permit other lower-level elevators to function.
4. History and Custody
During the 1999 evacuation, personnel deliberately disabled access to the deeper elevator systems. This measure helped prevent surface military patrols or unauthorized personnel from reaching the abandoned underground research installations. Consequently, the D1–D2 elevator remains operational, while the controls for descending from D2 toward D3 are inactive.
An emergency maintenance access route between D2 and D3 exists because the installation's technical personnel required a means of accessing elevator machinery and related infrastructure when the ordinary lift was unavailable. It is physically separate from the elevator's authorization mechanism.
See: Places › D2
5. Role in the Game
Chapter Four ends with Edmund descending through the working D1–D2 elevator. In Chapter Five he finds the D2–D3 control panel completely inactive, with no functioning indicators, no illuminated keypad and no response, and must restore its emergency supply or take the maintenance route. In Chapter Six the reactor must be restored to reach D4.
See: Campaign › 4. Project Schwarzwald
6. Open Questions
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