It's Time For Our Last Stretch Goal Vote! Get Your Pledges in now so you don't miss out on:
Cornwell Asset Management - Abnormality Abnormalities are classified as... well you can describe them as... if we had to pick a word, it would be: Frustrating. This is what Cornwell scientists classify something as when they’ve exhausted all other options of identification. Abnormalities usually form when and where people least expect them too, and as such are rarely “created”- at least on purpose. On the rare occasion that they are, they start their life as Artefacts until they take on their own twisted traits (and often sentience in the process) that often defines their more helpful counterparts.
These can be anything in Shiver with a complex mechanical or narrative impact. They can range from Enemies, to NPCs, to an entity with story-wide mechanical effects.
I'm Sure You Know the Drill By Now, But Just In Case...
A Reward For Backers Backers of SHIVER: Corporate now get to vote on which of these strange Abnormalities is going to be featured in both the "Asset Mismanagement" Card Deck, and one of (we won't spoil it) the Cornwell Consolidated Supplements ("Mandatory Company Greeting", "Have A Safe Corporate Takeover", "Your Last First Day on the Job").
All Backers need to do is pick an Abnormality, vote for it (thereby telling all the world its your favourite), and then tell us in the comments WHY it should win. Now, we're not saying your reasoning will outweigh the vote totals, but we also never said Cornwell was a democracy.
And if you haven't backed yet, don't miss your chance to have your say! Back today, and let us know which of these weird little critters you want to see!
You Can See the Abnormalities On Offer (As Well As Some Notes From Cornwell's Files On Them) Below:
Option #1: Abnormality 7x-GAMMA - “The Entrail Juggler” We originally thought this Asset was a regular Specimen, but it proved to be just... too odd. No one is entirely sure what it is. It's classified on its official paperwork as a "Spider...? No? No. Probably not." Here's what we do know:
It's survived six separate attempts at vivisection.
The only thing that seems to keep it sedated is 6 inches of solid metal, composed in a sphere, wrapped around it tightly like a coffin.
It's name is not ironic.
Highly lethal, and with seemingly no purpose other than to be so. Has no personal goals, as far as we can tell. If you ever should see this thing wandering the facility then you should - actually we have no protocols here. Run, pray, do a little jig if it makes you feel better. Who knows, maybe you'll find something that works?
First Appearance: "Termination Notice", to be published 2026
Option #2: Abnormality 1890 - Pavlov's Dogs This abnormality is an odd breed, even for their particular brand of Asset. Functioning as a pack, each "dog" is actually an extension of a singular entity, fractured throughout space. These "echoes" appear to function as individuals, with singular focused behaviour. You know, eating, prowling, more eating... But overall, they appear to be the same "dog", at least genetically speaking.
Oh, awe say "dog" because it definitely isn't - their back legs are far too "tentacular". That and their heads are gigantic ringing bells made entirely of flesh. We're not sure which scientist could claim this pet-project as their own (definitely long ago turned into kibble), but they still inhabit some select facilities. Keep it fed, and it might be placid enough to be considered a co-worker. Definitely not a therapy pet, though.
First Appearance: SHIVER Epic 2025: "The Recruitment Gauntlet"
Option #3: Abnormality CK-22 - The Crow This one really makes me squirm. Its just a stuffed crow, right? Yeah. Keep telling yourself that. Once this thing's perched on your shoulder, it isn't coming off. Not unless you give it what it wants. What does it want? It wants to give you what you want - in exchange for a price. That price? Your humanity. Sort of. As far as we know your mind remains most unchanged, it's just the rest of you that you should worry about. "Be Like Me," says the bird. "Be Like The Crow."
Ever noticed how many corvids are stuck down here? Weird, right? Especially since there's no windows, airducts or ways leading directly to the outside? It's not like they're riding the elevator down, that's all I'm saying.
