Penumbra Black Plague notes and artefacts: early locations and tracking
A selective early document checklist and the difference between notes, collectibles and saves.
Edition covered
The 2008 Black Plague campaign, which continues Penumbra: Overture. Requiem is a separate puzzle expansion and is not covered. Images come from Frictional’s Black Plague Steam listing. Later story sections contain spoilers.
Early documents worth checking
These early records supply both puzzle clues and background. Read the first computer’s files before leaving for the sewer route.
| Record | Where to look | Useful information |
|---|---|---|
| Escapee Note | Opening vent route | Points toward the Mess Hall |
| Medical Report | Corridor with the dead doctor | Describes the infection’s symptoms |
| Password Changes | Mess Hall-area computer | Matches doors with current passwords |
| Howard’s Research | Same early computer | Connects Philip’s father to the facility |
Track the different discovery types
The end statistics distinguish note collection from optional collectibles. Touching a save artefact is not the same task as collecting a small secret artefact.
| Type | How it is used | Tracking implication |
|---|---|---|
| Paper note | Read or collect in the environment | Check the notebook afterward |
| Computer document | Open the file at a terminal | Read all available relevant files |
| Collectible artefact | Pick up a hidden secret object | Counts toward the ten collectibles |
| Save artefact | Interact to save progress | Tracked separately as saves used |
The first secret is near the kitchen
Search the kitchen cupboards beyond the Mess Hall rather than heading directly from the alarm puzzle to the next route. One cupboard contains a collectible artefact.
Use totals as a final check
The campaign statistics show 20 notes and 10 collectibles as their full totals. This page supplies an early checklist, not all locations; check remaining areas before claiming a complete collection.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Penumbra: Black Plague publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Official Black Plague manual | shared.fastly.steamstatic.com |
| Black Plague puzzle and document reference | gamefaqs.gamespot.com |
| Frictional Games Penumbra | frictionalgames.com |
| Narrative analysis and character context | media.gdcvault.com |