The truth behind Agrippa (and Alexander [spoilers]).

[Smithens]

In other words... Whose the real bad guy?

This thread is mainly meant to discuss Agrippa's true motives and theories behind his goals and origins. Unless you want your virgin eyes to be deflowered by major spoilers, read no further. I'll keep my post spoiler-protected for safety's sake.

Spoiler below!

Since you first hear about Agrippa, his true identity remains something of a mystery. Many of you might remember this note early on in the game:

Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, the well known erudite, visited Altstadt at the start of the 16th century. He resided in the local inn for a fortnight as he looked for remnants of kingdoms past. During his stay all the prominent members of society paid notice and he is mentioned in many records of the time. One day he went to investigate a burrow in the northwestern glades only to never be seen again. Heinrich is known to have passed away in Grenoble some ten years later. He dismissed the notion of ever visiting Altstadt, which makes you wonder what really happened. Who was this mysterious man who visited the sleepy hamlet in the woods and what happened to him?

Another note found later in the game, written by the supposed Agrippa himself, describes the adventure he undertook in Altstadt and provides an explanation for his appearance. Below is a part of the note.

Suddenly a blue shimmering light engulfed me and the colors of the forest were washed away before my eyes. I kept running through the bleak surroundings, the trees had turned charcoal black with leaves of cinder, the ground covered in murky water. I pressed on through the drenched land as the glowing ember gave way to the rising wind and rained on me. I could hear pleading screams in the distance and I joined in as pain and fear overtook me. I fell to the ground gasping for air.

This certainly must sound strange, but I had been carried miles away across the Alps to a grassy field outside Genoa. The guardian had taken the orb from me, but still until this day I fear its return. Sometimes I lay awake at night listening for the howling cry I heard in the forest. It has been nearly a decade since that day and I still haven't been able to write about the incident.

The above text may also seem familiar to Daniel. Daniel underwent the same experience after he found the orb - a blue, shimmering light, horrible death to the people involved with him, hallucinations, and fainting. But the only difference is that the Shadow left Agrippa alone, while it continued to mercilessly pursue Daniel. So that means something else must have happened.

One theory to Agrippa's true identity is just the fact that he is himself; the latter text explains that unknown forces transported him very far from Altstadt, across the Alps, and into Genoa somehow. According to the former text, he passed away in Grenoble, which isn't far from Genoa.

But that theory just doesn't make sense to me. Who was the man in Grenoble claiming to be Agrippa? And whose voice was in that lifeless husk in the depths of Castle Brennenberg?

And here's something else to wet your noodle. At the end of the game, Alexander chastises Daniel for his ignorance and naiveté, and gives hints to the true nature of Agrippa:

I was wondering if you were going to show up. I see Agrippa convinced you to run some errands. Tell me, is everything nice and clear now? Am I the villain? Good and evil. Such comforting concepts - but hardly applicable. Are you so blind that you see no good in me? Or evil in Agrippa?

After hearing this, I began to doubt my cause (my cause being me going for the "good" ending; throwing Agrippa's head in the portal, sacrificing Daniel and Alexander). Think about it; if anyone should go through the portal, it should be Alexander. It's heavily implied that he's some sort of supernatural being, and whatever is through that portal is his home which he was banished from initially. Daniel has no business there, and neither does Agrippa (as far as we know). Alexander also criticizes Daniel for not seeing the good in him or the evil in Agrippa - so who is the evil one here? Sure, Alexander tortured countless people to death and manipulated Daniel, but he took no pleasure in it; all of that was necessary for him to reach his ultimate goal, which is beyond human life: to return to his alien realm (Alexander's true form? o:). But does Agrippa not also manipulate Daniel? Does he not convince Daniel to free him from his body, and then throw him in the portal in place of Alexander, leaving Daniel to die from the Shadow?

Throughout the game, most of the characters Daniel interacts with - Alexander, Agrippa, and even Herbert - give off the mysterious impression that they know more than they're letting off. They all seem to have a far greater understanding of the events transpiring than Daniel and the player. This continuation of mystery and the apparent omniscience of the characters is also what makes Amnesia's plot so scary and delectable. But that's besides the point.

Only Alexander and Agrippa know the real truth about each other. No one else in the real world can say for certain except (maybe) the developers. So that leaves it up to debate.

tl;dr: There's lots of mystery surrounding Agrippa and his true motives in the game, so what is his true origin? Is he the real bad guy? Feel free to post your suggestions.