[SPOILER] Story Discussion

[Froge]

It says somewhere on the wiki (I think) that Brennenburg is located in northeastern Polish woods. This information may have been derived from the "Remember" stories.

We can only assume that Alexander's control over the gatherers is of supernatural origin. It is true that some of the gatherers were once human (e.g. Wilhelm), and a note in the Archives does state that they have been known in rumours since the thirty years war of the 17th century. Deserters were apparently "transformed" into the gatherers. However, that does not mean all gatherers are human, as there may be some original gatherer (perchance a creation of Alexander) that isn't.

"How do they stay alive with the horrible injuries they have sustained?" This shouldn't really be a question. Considering how magic exists in the game there can be an infinite number of possibilities. I'd personally go with Vitae feeding.

Alexander's world is never once explained in-game or in "Remember" so everything is all up to speculation. "Through the Portal" custom story does provide a pretty satisfying answer. In that mod, the world of Alexander is extremely barren; Kaernks originate from there, and there is a large tower where much technological research is conducted. The inhabitants of this Realm are able to perceive the Shadow and Kaernks and can control Orbs very effectively. They use it to travel to other worlds.

"Abduction" also takes you into Alexander's world, but all you get to see is his castle. In that custom story, it is explained that Gatherers are the baron's servants who have been operated on using alchemy procedures that allows them to be immortality.

Personally, I've always found Daniel's psychology to be the most interesting part of Amnesia's story rather than speculative stuff. Most of the worst atrocities in history are committed by people who are "simply following orders."