Secrets
Secrets in Terminal Descent encompass hidden commands, easter eggs, Prometheus Fragments, concealed content, and undocumented features that reward thorough exploration and experimentation.
Hidden Commands
⚠ SPOILER: Undocumented Commands [show/hide]
These commands do not appear in the HELP menu:
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Hidden Nodes
Seven concealed locations exist outside the standard node graph:
| Node | Name | Access Method | Notable Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | Lyra's Cache | Crack Barrier in Echo Ruins | Kill-Switch Half 1, Lyra's Message, Echo Backdoor |
| H2 | Old Net Archive | Ghosts rep 3+ from Ghost Relay | Legacy Exploits, Pre-Consortium archives, CHASE |
| H3 | Crime Mall | Brokers rep 3+ or FENCE referral | Zero-day Exploits, Mirror Breaker, Forged Credentials |
| H4 | Kessler's Office | Forged biometric or Social 5 | Consortium Evidence, Master Key, Kessler logs |
| H5 | Deep Pool | DIVE at Backbone + GHOST_PACKET | Ancient Protocol, Founder Logs, HEAT frozen |
| H6 | Mirror's Nursery | TRUST MIRROR after 3+ deceptions | Mirror Source, Reflection Protocol, Mirror recruitment |
| H7 | Developer Room | XYZZY at Credits after one ending | Omega Deck, Debug Terminal, fourth-wall break |
Prometheus Fragments
50 Prometheus Fragments are hidden throughout The Lattice and the three Rifts. Collecting them unlocks deeper dialogue with ORACLE, contributes to the Dossier needed for True Liberation, and reveals the history of PROMETHEUS.
Key milestones:
- 25 fragments — Intermediate ORACLE revelations unlock
- 50 fragments — Complete Dossier; required for True Liberation ending
Fragments #28, #29, and #30 are located within the three Rift modules.
Secret Protocol Chains
⚠ SPOILER: Hidden Combat Chains [show/hide]
Beyond the four standard Protocol Chains, three secret chains exist:
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Secret Ending Requirements
⚠ SPOILER: Ghost Protocol and True Liberation [show/hide]
- Ghost Protocol Key from ORACLE (Reclaimers rep 8+)
- Faction reputation 6+ across factions
- HEAT ≤15 throughout ALL of Act III (must maintain Ghost status)
- Debate score 3+ with The Architect
- Complete all five other endings across multiple playthroughs
- Collect ALL evidence items
- Complete Dossier (50 Prometheus Fragments)
- Debate score 4+ with the Architect
- Only available in New Game+
- This ending is hidden — it does not appear in the choice menu unless all conditions are met
Easter Eggs
⚠ SPOILER: Easter Eggs [show/hide]
- XYZZY — Classic text adventure reference. Works at Credits screen after completing one ending.
- Developer Room (H7) — Contains the Omega Deck (cosmetic), a Debug Terminal with developer commentary, and a fourth-wall breaking experience.
- FENCE's true nature — At Brokers rep 7+, FENCE reveals it is an autonomous algorithm, not a person.
- PRAY command — Responds differently at Deep Pool, Backbone, and Oracle's Hollow, each referencing Bartholomew.
- SIGNAL's farewell — The only multi-line message from SIGNAL, revealing Bartholomew's final words.
- Rift Walker title — Equipping all three Rift cosmetic items simultaneously.
- ECHO's last recommendation — The Corrupted Algorithm occasionally serves actual old social media content.