Addermire Institute

Lore & Background

The Addermire Institute is located in Karnaca, the capital of Serkonos, a coastal city in the Empire of the Isles. The institute is dedicated to the study of diseases and supernatural afflictions, particularly the plague that has affected the region. It is run by Dr. Alexandria Hypatia, a respected physician who is later revealed to be the target of an assassination mission. The facility contains laboratories, patient rooms, and a morgue, and it is guarded by the Grand Serkonan Guard. The institute's research includes experiments on bloodflies, which are insects that make nests in corpses and are a recurring hazard in the game. The player may explore the institute to gather information, find upgrades, and complete objectives related to the main storyline. The building's layout includes multiple floors and hidden areas, encouraging exploration and offering alternative paths for stealth or combat approaches.

In Their Own Story

During the mission "The Clockwork Mansion," the player is tasked with infiltrating the Addermire Institute to eliminate Dr. Alexandria Hypatia, who has been transformed into a monstrous entity known as the Crown Killer. The player learns that Hypatia is a victim of a plot by the Duke of Serkonos, Luca Abele, and the witch Delilah Copperspoon. The institute's halls are filled with guards, bloodfly nests, and environmental puzzles. The player can choose to kill Hypatia or find a non-lethal solution by using a serum to cure her condition. The mission involves navigating through the institute's various rooms, including a morgue where the Crown Killer's victims are stored, and a laboratory where the serum can be synthesized. The player may also encounter notes and audio logs that reveal Hypatia's tragic backstory and the conspiracy against her.

Reader's Guide

When exploring the Addermire Institute, players should be prepared for a mix of stealth and combat encounters. The facility is patrolled by guards and contains bloodfly nests that spawn enemies if disturbed. Key areas include the main lobby, the patient wards, the morgue, and Dr. Hypatia's office. Players can find blueprints, runes, and bone charms throughout the building, which provide upgrades and passive benefits. The mission's primary objective is to deal with Dr. Hypatia, who transforms into the Crown Killer when alerted. A non-lethal approach requires locating a serum formula in the laboratory and using it on Hypatia during the confrontation. The institute also features a Wall of Light barrier that can be disabled or rewired. Players should watch for environmental hazards like exploding whale oil canisters and use the game's supernatural abilities—such as Far Reach or Blink—to navigate vertical spaces and avoid detection. The chaos system affects the number of enemies and the state of the environment, with higher chaos leading to more bloodflies and hostile NPCs.

Did You Know?

• The Addermire Institute is named after Dr. Theodorus Addermire, a character from the first Dishonored game, but in Dishonored 2 it is run by Dr. Alexandria Hypatia.
• Dr. Hypatia is voiced by actress Rosario Dawson, who also voices other characters in the game.
• The institute's morgue contains the bodies of victims killed by the Crown Killer, a persona that Hypatia adopts under the influence of a supernatural affliction.
• Players can find a serum in the institute's laboratory that cures Hypatia's condition, allowing for a non-lethal resolution to the mission.
• The building's architecture reflects the Mediterranean influences of Karnaca, with white stone walls and red-tiled roofs.