Bane Spider Ruben

Overview

Bane Spider Ruben
Arachnos Liaison
Zone	Cap au Diable
Coordinates	(-750, 135, -291)
Level Range	15-24
Introduced By	None
Introduces	None
Enemy Groups	Arachnos Longbow
Badges	Gifted Speaker

Bane Spider Ruben is a villain contact in the Aeon City neighborhood of Cap au Diable at coordinates (-750, 135, -291). His level range is 15-24. He is located on the far side of the doors to the Tech and Science stores, opposite Marshal Brass.

Introductions

Contact Introduced By

• None

Contact Introduces

• None

Information

Arachnos Liaison

Harvey Ruben exhibited enough psychic prowess to be inducted into the Bane Spider Network, as his title implies. However, compared to most of his peers, his superhuman mental abilities are relatively weak. To most people, this would be seen as a negative... but those people are not part of the Bane Spider Network. Ruben's lack of potent psychic ability means that his mind is not as well connected to the Network as it could be, which in turn leaves some room for his own free will to operate. Able to think and react to problems in ways his peers were simply incapable of, Ruben has been quickly climbing the ranks in Arachnos. What he lacks in psychic potential, he more than makes up for with nuanced thinking and martial skill.

Prior to Introduction

Missing Prior to Introduction Dialogue

Initial Contact

The Bane Spider is writing something into his notepad as you approach. At first, it doesn't seem that he has noticed your arrival. After a moment, the Bane Spider stops writing, and shifts slightly. He turns to face you directly.

Ah, Character. Harvey Ruben, Bane Spider Corps, 73rd Division. Thank you for arriving in such a timely manner. It's good to know that some of the so-called Destined Ones are capable of being prompt.

I know you're busy, Character, so I'll make this quick: I have a problem, and I think you possess the unique skills necessary to help me solve that problem.

• Go on.

It appears that there is a new player in Cap au Diable - a player that is working directly against Arachnos's efforts in the Isles. Specifically, someone has been targeting Destined Ones, and has been... converting them to his cause.

'Converting' can be considered a loose term, in this context, because I'm fairly certain that some level of psychic suggestion is involved.

Regardless, Arachnos is more than capable of tracking this guy down and ending his little charade. That's one possible solution.

• So what do you need me for, then? (Go to 'A')

• (Optional) Whoa, hold on. I don't work for Arachnos. I'm nobody's flunkie.

Ruben sighs, and his domed helmet cranes backward slightly. You can't see beneath his helmet, but you get the distinct impression that he's rolling his eyes at you.

Arachnos doctrine compels me to inform you that you are not required by Arachnos to comply with any order, request, or command given by an Arachnos operative of any rank below Arbiter. In the event that an agent gives such a command and attempts to coerce your compliance by force - which, by the way, I am not doing - you are within your rights to respond to the Arachnos agent with whatever force you deem necessary.

However...

I personally think that this would be a mutually beneficial operation, Character. Someone has been targeting Destined Ones and has been 'converting' them, probably by psychic influence. Arachnos doesn't like that, but you shouldn't either. If this guy keeps at it, who's to say he doesn't target you, next? This operation will be in both of our interests.

• Why doesn't Arachnos just kill this guy off then?

(A) Well, if we go with the brute force approach, we've only solved the immediate problem. Lord Recluse has a specific interest in the development and growth of the Destined Ones, and it doesn't bode well if someone can simply waltz in and mindwipe the lot of them. We don't know how that's being done, and that puts us at a long-term disadvantage.

Furthermore, there's the issue of the Destined Ones themselves. We have no idea how many have been converted so far, how their minds have been affected, or how long that process lasts.

Really, the only thing we know is that someone is turning Destined Ones against us, and that's not enough for us to work with. What we need is an inside man.

• So you want someone to be...'converted'?

Ruben chuckles at you.

Oh, lord no. THAT would be a grade-A disaster. No, we just need you to go undercover.

Ruben hands you a small plastic device, shaped like a coin.

Here, put this in your right ear. It's a Psychic Damper. It's based on the same tech that operates the Bane Spider Network, and it should be able to protect you from low-grade psychic interference. Hopefully, that includes the conversion process, whatever that happens to be.

Oh, and as an added bonus, it establishes a link between the two of us - I'll be able to communicate with you psychically, even while you're deep undercover.

• Sounds good. So, where do I find this guy?

(Begin mission briefing)

• (Optional) I won't be needing that. I don't have what tou call a 'normal' brain.

Ruben folds his arms, and his tone becomes somewhat disparaging.

Oh, is that so? You're completely immune to psychic influence? If I called in a Fortunata right now, she wouldn't be able to cause you any harm?

Ruben sighs beneath his helmet.

Look, I think you're underestimating the definition of 'mind' here. It's not a question of biology, it's a question of perception. If you're sentient enough to stand here, talk to me, and make your own decisions, then it's a sure bet that you have enough of a mind to be susceptible to psychic influence. That means psionic attacks, but it also means psychic persuasion and mind control.

There are ways to mitigate those dangers, however, and that's what I'm offering you. If you want to go undercover, you're going to need a Psychic Damper. Understand?

• Fine, have it your way. What's next?

(Begin mission briefing)

Greeting

• Let's get to work, Character.
• Let's keep this brief. I don't want to blow your cover.
• What news from the front, Character?

Too Busy

Oh, come on! That's really unprofessional.

If you want to run around and rob banks and stuff on your own time, that's fine by me. Just don't do it while you're trying to go undercover, ok? Take care of whatever it is you're doing, and then get back to me.

Too Low Level

Missing Too Low Level Dialogue

No More Missions

Don't think there's much left to do, Character. You got to play Pied Piper, and I got Longbow off my turf. Everyone's happy.

Well, the important people, anyway.

Store

None

Story Arc

Merit Rewards: This activity awards 2 Reward Merits.

Destiny Follows

Souvenir

Suggestion Engine Projector

This small metal disk was all that it took to enthrall your rival Destined Ones into following your every command. Though it's no longer functional, it serves as a reminder that sometimes...

Destiny Follows

It began when you were approached by a Bane Spider named Harvey Ruben. Ruben wanted you to infiltrate a cult that was convincing Destined Ones to turn to heroism. You infiltrated the cult's Meeting Grounds and met with Baron Zukor, who was clearly using some kind of psychic influence to control his followers.

After spending some time gaining Zukor's trust, you discovered a link between Baron Zukor and Longbow. Ruben gave you a spare Arachnos uniform, and you infiltrated a nearby Longbow base in search of answers. It was there that you learned of the experimental device called the Suggestion Engine.

Apparently, Zukor was using the machine to emit low-frequency psychic 'suggestion' to his followers, allowing him to control multiple subjects without using an excessive amount of psychic force. You confronted and killed Zukor, and took the Suggestion Engine for yourself.

However, the moment Zukor fell, Ruben informed you that Longbow was mobilizing to take Cap au Diable, and to hunt down the remainders of Zukor's cult. You used the Suggestion Engine to take control of your fellow Destined Ones, then used your newfound army to strike down Longbow before they could mount their assault.

In the end, the Suggestion Engine lost its residual charge and became effectively inert. While its power may be lost, your peers will always remember the day that they took orders, unquestioningly, from you. Template:Mission:Destiny Follows - Part One: Hi, My Name is (Character), and I'm a Villain Template:Mission:Destiny Follows - Part Two: Acceptable Losses Template:Mission:Destiny Follows - Part Three: Double Agent Template:Mission:Destiny Follows - Part Four: Man / Woman of the People Template:Mission:Destiny Follows - Part Five: General for a Day