People
The Mentor
A mysterious Lower-Levels figure who fronts the player a loan, teaches shopkeeping, and keeps watching.
First meeting
“Hey, just dropping by to see your first day.”
Site narration
The Mentor turns up on your first day, leaves a few notes on the counter, and says he took a risk to front you the loan that bought the shop. He comes back weekly for his repayment, warns you off the Loan Shark, and says he will be watching.
What is recorded
Site narration
- ConfirmedThe new-game welcome text says a poor scavenger was taken in by a mysterious figure known as the Mentor, who fronted a generous loan and taught the basics of running a shop; his true motives remain unclear.
- ConfirmedOn the first trading day the Mentor drops by, leaves notes from his jacket, tells the player to keep both sides of the counter clear, not to leave goods on the outside counter overnight (or they get stolen), and says 'Good luck, Rookie. I'll be watching.'
- CorroboratedA later Mentor visit says he took a risk on the player; starting next week he collects a 200 Credits loan repayment, the Landlord collects 300 credit rent every week, and the player must not take any shark loan.
- ConfirmedThe Mentor teaches Bargains: offering a better price to a customer increases faction reputation (and buyer budget); demanding a better price decreases reputation (and buyer budget). Deals that favor the customer are always accepted; demanding a better price depends on reputation.
- ConfirmedThe Mentor points at the display case: merchandise attracts buyers, neon signs attract sellers, richer goods pull richer customers, and anything added after the shutter opens does not apply until the next day. He also tells the player to check the Clientele Interface.
- ConfirmedThe Mentor tips a returning mining expedition that will flood the market with Materials (prices fall while supply outweighs demand) and says he arranged a daily Newspaper delivery.
- ConfirmedThe Mentor says after closing there is time to go outside before sleep, reminds the way to the Dumping Grounds, and warns going out at night means opening later next day and missing a customer.
- ConfirmedA Security contact of the Mentor's explains investigations: if Security suspects too many crimes they launch an investigation, then enforce the sentence once they have enough proof; keep a low profile and watch who you deal with when trading Contraband because some will blabber more than others.
- ConfirmedThe Mentor reports rogue-AI brain implants creating Augs, says Security now mandates shopkeepers kill any Aug on sight, hands over a gun with paperwork already handled, warns not to call Security because Augs accessed their communications, and to shoot only if certain.
- ConfirmedAfter a counterfeit-cigarette shipment unloads at the Docks, the Mentor brings identification tools: magnifying glass on the cigarette box, handbook as reference; one discrepancy is enough to confront; a correct call lowers the price, a false accusation loses reputation.
- ConfirmedThe Mentor warns that the trade board will require a trading permit, that permits go on sale in two weeks, and that enforcement follows a week later; the board can be quite flexible, but keep enough back for the permit and for rent.
- ConfirmedWhen basics are done the Mentor tells the player to buy upgrades, machines and contacts; with more Credits, find someone for a mortgage or buy the store outright; property value is on the Calendar Interface.
- ConfirmedAn item named Mentor's Handbook is described as a book for keeping track of all notes given by The Mentor.
- ConfirmedMultiple UI notes are titled Mentor's Note and signed '-The Mentor'.
- ConfirmedThe rent-default ending says the player is abandoned by customers, contact, and even The Mentor, and is forced back to scavenging.
- ConfirmedThe Rock Bottom start text says the Mentor didn't help with anything aside from negotiating the lease with the Landlord.
- ReportedA Rock Bottom challenge video says there is no mentor / the mentor does not help out.
Where to look next
The person
Site narration
- Where they appear, and what they want, is written above from the game's own lines.