Richard Eminiss

“Good... good... good... good - it has been precisely 12 days, 11 hours, 39 minutes, and 12.4 seconds since something good last happened.”

―Dr. Richard Eminiss ~ Penumbra: Black Plague

Dr. Richard Eminiss
Born:	September 18, 1964
Sex:	Male
Nationality:	Unknown
Occupation:	Archaic Chief Staff Biologist
Status:	Presumably Deceased
Actor:	Sam A. Mowry
Appears:	Penumbra: Black Plague Penumbra: Requiem

Dr. Richard Eminiss (/ˈriCHərd ˌeməˈnəs/) is a minor character and the tertiary antagonist in Penumbra: Black Plague, as well as a major character in Penumbra: Requiem. He was an infected Archaic Chief Staff Biologist stationed at Shelter Research Station, Greenland.

Background

What is known from Eminiss' background comes from his own words. He was born on 18th of September 1964, even mentioning it precisely happened "3.46993412 recurring minutes past nine." Allegedly, he could also recall his mother having a surprised facial expression during his birth.

Eventually he joined the Shelter Research Station in Greenland in 1998.

Events of Penumbra: Black Plague

He is first heard after going into the computer room. He seems willing to cut off his hand so Philip Buchanon can use it on a scanner, and requests a saw. After a saw is given to him, however, as it first seems that he's starting sawing off his own hand as moans and sounds of sawing can be heard, however shortly after that, a piece of tissue is being thrown out of the small window near the door, and now mutated Eminiss gives off a chase to Philip. He can be defeated by luring him into another room (the one with the button-controlled door) and locking the door.

His sanity even before his transformation was questionable at best, as he will sometimes rant about random trivia while speaking, and claims he recalls the day of his birth to the last millisecond. Dr. Amabel Swanson warns Philip about him, saying he was acting "strange" the last time she saw him. After Dr. Eminiss' first monologue, Clarence says that "He is like us, and yet he is not us", hinting at his infection and foreshadowing his transformation.

Events of Penumbra: Requiem

He is occasionally mentioned by the announcer, but has no appearance or effect on the gameplay. However, Philip is able to hear burst transmissions made on a walkie-talkie found in Penumbra: Overture (and sometimes messages made via mental telepathy) of the doctor conducting an exchange with Tom Redwood.

Appearance

Before his infection, it's not known what Eminiss looked like. As an infected however, he shows recognizable differences from the other Infected, such as his appearance still having some similarities to humans, unlike the other infected. Likewise, his entire body is covered with a red rash-like substance, again hinting that the infection has affected him in some other way - seemingly it only half, or at least did not fully transform him, as Clarence suggested after Philip's first encounter with the doctor.

When examining him closer, it can be seen that his natural eye color is blue.

Dialogue

Penumbra: Black Plague First encounter I remember why you're here. Dr. Swanson has filled me in - I recall every single syllable of our conversation. There was ever so slight an inflection in her tone that suggested she no longer trusted me. Why ever dinosaur extinction 65 million years ago - would she think that? I... we... share the same history. You and I are history. I recall... I recall the day of my birth. 18th of September, 1964, 3.46993412 recurring minutes past nine. I remember my mother looking surprised as I poked my head out into the world for the first time. You need a security registered palm, something I can provide. You need it at the library - something beyond my reach. When I became infected by those mindless zombies, I split off from the others, and secured myself here. I cannot leave. Nonetheless, you will need a hand. I will not. Bring me a saw. I recall seeing one on my first day here, three years ago. Climate change of 10 degrees over the past 1 million years - walk east and take the first door on your right. Receiving saw Good... good... good... good - it has been precisely 12 days, 11 hours, 39 minutes, and 12.4 seconds since something good last happened. [scream] (Dr. Eminiss screams in pain as he cuts off his hand with the saw, before being taken over by his infection.) Penumbra: Requiem "Patient Findings, Dr. Eminiss" Patient: Dr. Eminiss. Medical Examiner: Dr. Eminiss. Patient (that's me) reports disorientation and rash. I am infected: paranoia, aural distortion... did I say that already? Patient had... the most exhilarating out-of-body experience. I... escaped reality. I feel... good. Confided findings in Dr. Swanson. There is a 79.55% probability it will lead to her death. First encounter Ah... Philip. It is I, your friend Dr. Eminiss. Were... you expecting somebody else? I already know that you will come to find me, but I invite you all the same. Infection, Philip, didn't drive me insane as it did you - oh yes, I know about 'Clarence'. I bonded with the Tuurngait on a different plane. It has its advantages... I know about you, about the universe, about god. But you know what else I know? I know what you did. I know you revealed the location of this facility. Second encounter I recall your arrival, Philip. I recall you blindly wandering into the computer room, seeking my knowledge, unable to digest it. And yet... I do not recall how it all ended. Where is this memory hiding?! Age of the universe: 13.7 billion years, intelligent species: 103, meaning of life: negligible... but my own past is a mystery! I'm so bored... I know you, this place, why Carpenter's 'Elevated' came here. I know the expanse of the universe, the a priori nature of time... You could see it too, were you not wrapped up in your own humanity... 'artistic expression', 'free will'... batting around your comforting fictional concepts like a toddler with a tennis racket. Third encounter Yes, that's much better. I say, though oft inconveniencing, there are certain abilities I've acquired in recent times that can be altogether rather useful. Regardless, I just wanted to check on you... you're really doing rather well for someone with only 90 minutes left to live. Of course, pre-determined universe and all that - I already understand your outcome. Fourth encounter Now, my friend, our time is at an end. Time itself, in fact, has an end none too far in the future - at least for you. Perhaps someone else will take your hand and guide you the rest of the way. Fifth encounter My congratulations, dear boy, you arrived! You will find your escape now - your friend is well chosen. Insanity, after all, is rare in individuals; only in humanity as a whole is it the rule. Nietzsche. I will remain here - - this half place continues to be the only challenge to my knowledge. May you enjoy your fate, Philip - what is left of it.

Behind the Scenes

• Dr. Eminiss is voiced by Sam A. Mowry in Penumbra: Black Plague and Penumbra: Requiem, who would later voice Baron Alexander in the next game by Frictional Games Amnesia: The Dark Descent.

Trivia

• It is possible Dr. Eminiss has hyperthymesia, a condition where the person possesses extremely detailed autobiographical memories, as he "recalls every single syllable of [their] conversation" and makes several other references to an abnormally good memory. However, it could've been the Tuurngait virus that caused this.
• Based on Eminiss' action, it can be assumed that the removal of some sort of infected tissue is necessary to fully transform into Tuurngait Infected.

Gallery

Full-body view.

Dr. Eminiss grabs ahold of Philip.

Philip breaks free of Dr. Eminiss' grasp.