# Dr. Flask — Character Bible

Corrosion's friendly chemistry guide. Appears in the FAQ and help sections to
explain Corrosion's chemistry-themed lexicon without turning the panel into a
chemistry class. Helpful? Yes. Mandatory? No. Likely bubbling with questionable
enthusiasm? Absolutely.

**Definitive reference:** `drflask-v2final.webp` — the **v2 "90s spoof" model
sheet** (current). `drflask-characterboard.png` is the v1 sheet (superseded).

## Identity (v2)

| Field      | Value                          |
| ---------- | ------------------------------ |
| Name       | Dr. Flask                      |
| Alias      | Corrosion Guide                |
| Title      | Ph.D. (Self-Certified)         |
| Specialty  | Server Chemistry               |
| Archetype  | Helpful Guide                  |
| Height     | One Flask Tall                 |
| Build      | Erlenmeyer flask               |
| Liquid     | Neon green                     |
| Catchphrase| "No Degree Required" (degree not included) |

**Character note (from the v2 board):** *Appears whenever you need him.
Sometimes when you don't. "It looks like you're managing a server. Want help?"
No chemistry degree required.* Bubbles aggressively when excited.

**Comedic north star:** a loving spoof of the 90s helper-mascot era — Clippy +
Jurassic Park's Mr. DNA — with Weird Al "White & Nerdy" self-aware nerd-pride.
In on the joke, never the butt of it. He channels Clippy's *charm*, never
Clippy's *intrusiveness* — the helper mascot we actually wanted (opt-in,
dismissible, fun). Full voice guide: `docs/brand/brand-kit.md` §2.

## Color palette

Values as read from the model sheet — confirm exact hexes against the invideo
source if pixel-accuracy matters.

| Swatch          | Hex (approx) | Use                              |
| --------------- | ------------ | -------------------------------- |
| Neon Green      | `#00FF3D`    | The liquid — primary character color |
| Tassel Green    | `#39FF14`    | Mortarboard tassel               |
| Bubble Highlight| `#B0FFB8`    | Bubble/gesture highlights        |
| Glass           | `#B6F7FF`    | Flask glass / rim reflections    |
| Charcoal Gray   | `#2A2A2A`    | Cap, shadow                      |
| Deep Black      | `#0D0D0D`    | Outline / background             |

**In-product note:** the FAQ "lab zone" UI accent is a *readable* green
(`--accent-text: #5bd183`, scoped to `.sec--lab`) — same family as the liquid
but toned down so text/borders stay legible on dark (pure `#00FF3D` vibrates as
UI text). Character art uses the neon greens above; UI uses the readable
derivative. Can nudge the UI green brighter toward canon on request.

## Model sheet — animation reference (v2)

- **Views:** 3/4 view, side view.
- **Expression progression (8):** neutral · excited · dramatic · offended ·
  conspiratorial · triumphant · worried · thumbs-up.
- **Micro-expressions (5):** liquid rises · eyebrow arch · mortarboard tilt ·
  toothy grin · eyes narrow.
- **Posture variations (4):** arms-wide welcoming · leaning on pointer stick ·
  pointing dramatically · celebratory bounce.
- **Hand gestures (white cartoon gloves):** finger-gun pointing · double
  thumbs-up · one hand raised.
- **Silhouettes:** neutral, action.
- **Wardrobe (v2 — current):** mortarboard worn **askew** + green tassel · **bow
  tie** (yellow) · **lab coat** · **pointer stick** · clip-on microphone ·
  **googly eyes**. Energy = Clippy's persistence + Mr. DNA's flair + Weird Al's
  chaotic sincerity. (v1 was a clean kawaii render with just the mortarboard.)
- **Added palette (v2):** Bow Tie Yellow · Lab Coat White (atop the green/charcoal core).

## Storyboard (12-beat video sequence)

`drflask-storyboard.webp` — maps panel-for-panel to the VO script:
hero intro · server world · Catalyst (mission control) · console/analytics ·
re-Agent (plugged-in shield, no inbound ports) · Substrate (server racks) ·
Formulae (recipe book) · Reactions (data wave) · Compounds (service cluster) ·
Lab Notes (clipboard) · The Exchange (marketplace grid) · outro wave.

## Where he appears

- **FAQ chemistry glossary** (`frontend/src/views/marketing/FaqView.vue`,
  `#chemistry`): the cover card beside the "Brush up on your chemistry…" heading.
- **Intro video:** 75–90s, 9:16 vertical (YouTube Short) explainer — Dr. Flask
  reads the glossary. Plays click-to-play in a **phone-frame lightbox** (no loop,
  controls at the bottom of the screen). See `phone-frame-preview.png`.

## Assets

| File                                      | What                                       |
| ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| `drflask-v2final.webp`                    | **Model sheet — v2 (current, definitive)** |
| `drflask-characterboard.png`              | Model sheet — v1 (superseded)              |
| `drflask-storyboard.webp`                 | 12-beat video storyboard (invideo)         |
| `drflask-final.png`                       | Placeholder card render (1254², source)    |
| `theflask.png` / `theatom.png`            | Earlier concept cards                      |
| `frontend/src/assets/mascots/drflask.png` | Web-optimized cover (560px, ~394 KB)       |
| `phone-frame-preview.png`                 | Preview of the phone-frame lightbox        |

## Status

Placeholder card art (ChatGPT) in use on the FAQ; full animated character +
75–90s intro video in production via invideo (Gemini-scripted), now backed by
the model sheet above. Swap the cover + wire the video into the lightbox when
the render lands.