It could do!
What would you say is the 'next step' if the circle-dot (circumpunct) relates to Sol or Earth?
The Quest To Find Raxxla
- Thread starter Macros Black
- Start date
What would you say is the 'next step' if the circle-dot (circumpunct) relates to Sol or Earth?
I agree. I don't see anything about that specific site that seems significant! Defo worth a look though.Wow that’s brilliant grand job O7, I’ve barely moved an inch since last weekgranted I am distracted by other games at present.
I think if the site at Delphi was relevant then the site would be hexagonal, not octagonal, and the inner design ought to have very ‘obvious’ design similarities. This absence is telling.
Still there is the correlation of Delphi - Oracle - Donars Oak (link to Zeus)…. Unless Delphi is telling us to look elsewhere?
Donars Oak being a very peculiar name to be utilising… again an axi-mundi. You have Greek mythology mixed with Saxon mythology.
Donars Oak, t!he World Tree of the Chatti
You mentioned Taranis in a previous post, and it's well noted that Thargoid-stuff is Greek-myth named: Cyclops, Hydra, Basilisk, Leviathan, Titan, etc.
Aegis stuff seems to share the Greek myth naming structure: Aegis itself, Alexandria (Megaship), Delphi (Aegis Research home base), Operation Andronicus in 3303, etc.
I assume narratively Aegis (or those involved) are naming the Thargoids, and that's why. The Codex text came after Aegis and the Thargoids were firmly embedded, which to me means the naming convention wasn't coincidental. You're totally right in that the "Omphalos" specifically links only to Greek Myth, plus "the siren of the deepest void" is likely a reference to the Odyssey's sirens, 'Cora' from Art Tornqvist's journal is another name for Persephone. These references do seem to be linking Greek Myth with the Raxxla hunt, and Greek myth is already heavily embedded into the Thargoid story - so it seems hand-in-glove tbh. Edit: meant to include here that "mother of Galaxies" could be Cassiopea (who game birth to Andromeda), or Hera (in Greek Myth the Milky Way is her milk, spilt while feeding Heracles), so in away she's the mother of the galaxy... sort of.
I've no idea where to go next tough with the Thargoid connection (other than the permit locked system revealed by the Spiralling Stars of the Thargoid 'map')? any ideas welcome!
The Wiki page suggests that Donar's Oak was the first Aegis starport built - which would certainly be strange considering The Oracle fits the naming convention better?! The wiki does have quite a few errors though.
Does anyone know whether The Oracle or Donar's Oak was built first? I honestly can't remember that far back
Incidentally, the Raxxla logo is all 6's (6, 6 sided shapes, 6 gaps between them), does that mean anything to anyone? Rochester is there anything in your Yggdrasil/Milton research that makes sense of '6'?
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You mean like a three-body problem sort of 'weird orbit'? or something massively off-plane and elliptical like comets and such?
There is a further clue and it is buried in the very end of the Brewer Corporation codex entry with a VERY EXPLICIT REFERENCE to Tau Ceti (Raxxla rumors start there per the Raxxla codex). There was a competitor to Brewer Corporation call Merritt Group mentioned that that had a station get destroyed. The etymology of Merritt means "boundary gate". Is this the mysterious Omphalos Rift?
SurnameDB | Merritt Surname: Meaning, Origin & Family History
Discover the meaning, origin, and history of the Merritt surname. Explore its roots, notable figures, and genealogy resources.
www.surnamedb.com
Meaning, origin and history of the name Merritt
The meaning, origin and history of the given name Merritt
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The Treasure is a Ultimate Anti-Xeon-Weapon from the Guardian.
One can still dream...
One can still dream...
Yes, we have assumed MB was the lead on Raxxla, but the way DB chuckled when he said “but you don’t know what it is”, very much emphasising the “what”, makes me think it’s DB’s baby rather than MB. At least that’s one of the foundation stones of my current hypothesis
Interesting ideaThere is a further clue and it is buried in the very end of the Brewer Corporation codex entry with a VERY EXPLICIT REFERENCE to Tau Ceti (Raxxla rumors start there per the Raxxla codex). There was a competitor to Brewer Corporation call Merritt Group mentioned that that had a station get destroyed. The etymology of Merritt means "boundary gate". Is this the mysterious Omphalos Rift?
SurnameDB | Merritt Surname: Meaning, Origin & Family History
Discover the meaning, origin, and history of the Merritt surname. Explore its roots, notable figures, and genealogy resources.
According to the Codex the Meritt group's station was destroyed in 3255 in the Tau Ceti system. I suppose you could investigate by going to Tau Ceti and examining the space around planets?
So, what the heck was discovered in 2296 or earlier? Was this mystery station built on some alien structure?Interesting idea
According to the Codex the Meritt group's station was destroyed in 3255 in the Tau Ceti system. I suppose you could investigate by going to Tau Ceti and examining the space around planets?
The codex says that the Omphalos Rift is an alien artefact, described as a gateway or tunnel... (allegedly). There's no way to know how big it is. It might be the size of a child's hand or a Niven ring megastructure. The idea that it's contained inside a station isn't at all unreasonable
Edit: Actually, stations are pretty much the first thing we were able to interact with in-game, so if Raxxla now is the same as it was back then, Raxxla being in a station (or a station) makes a lot of sense. Trigger it somehow, the mailslot is the Omphalos Rift - Zoom - you end up somewhere different instead of inside the station. That's 100% a thing that could have existed since day 1. Edit 2: As Jorki says too, DB's "You don't know what it is" could also be applied to the idea that Raxxla is a station. People are looking for something weird and alien, the best hiding place is in plain sight.The only problem with that idea (as with so many other good ones) is testing it.
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In regards to numerology I’ve not delved into that particular maelstrom.
Again the Yggdrasil Conundrum; now renamed the Milton Conundrum was put together via interpretation of the Tau Ceti location and date as a simple area of influence (that comes from a previous life in GIS) then looking at what else was there, and looking for correlation.
I then found something interesting about the position of Pandemonium, which I can’t attest as being intentional or projection.
Nothing in regards to numerology I’m sorry to say.
A quick dive and the numbers three and nine are significant in Norse mythology and Germanic paganism. Eg the three Norms. These are the ‘muses’ Odin seeks in his journey (that’s one version of it, there are others) these galls sat around a well - of which is deep and fathomless!
Regarding Milton I know of no known definitive link to numerology, if there is it’s likely contemporary.
Back into the point of “it’s a little bit silly” I respectfully disagree. In a previous life I was a ‘transcriber’ working verbatim. In my professional opinion, he is addressing Ed directly and effectively giving him a polite dressing down; I slowed the audio and transcribed it, the inflection in Ed’s voice is very telling, as does the interactions between the two - I did post that here some time ago… In my opinion it’s in regards to not knowing the order of questions, and that question was actually a surprise. I’ll eat my hat on that point.
If given Shrouds insight that Braben was not concerned with Holdstock, but Brookes was, and Brookes was intent to develop Raxxla as a story played out in game; Braben’s reaction could be interpreted - in this new context - as more like disregard! It didn’t concern him, which makes it Brookes?
I don’t know if or how that helps, probably it does not, we are slowly steering into speculation.
Back to the World Tree of the Chatti; the Germanic Saxons did use ‘hexagonal’ shields!
Again the Yggdrasil Conundrum; now renamed the Milton Conundrum was put together via interpretation of the Tau Ceti location and date as a simple area of influence (that comes from a previous life in GIS) then looking at what else was there, and looking for correlation.
I then found something interesting about the position of Pandemonium, which I can’t attest as being intentional or projection.
Nothing in regards to numerology I’m sorry to say.
A quick dive and the numbers three and nine are significant in Norse mythology and Germanic paganism. Eg the three Norms. These are the ‘muses’ Odin seeks in his journey (that’s one version of it, there are others) these galls sat around a well - of which is deep and fathomless!
Regarding Milton I know of no known definitive link to numerology, if there is it’s likely contemporary.
Back into the point of “it’s a little bit silly” I respectfully disagree. In a previous life I was a ‘transcriber’ working verbatim. In my professional opinion, he is addressing Ed directly and effectively giving him a polite dressing down; I slowed the audio and transcribed it, the inflection in Ed’s voice is very telling, as does the interactions between the two - I did post that here some time ago… In my opinion it’s in regards to not knowing the order of questions, and that question was actually a surprise. I’ll eat my hat on that point.
If given Shrouds insight that Braben was not concerned with Holdstock, but Brookes was, and Brookes was intent to develop Raxxla as a story played out in game; Braben’s reaction could be interpreted - in this new context - as more like disregard! It didn’t concern him, which makes it Brookes?
I don’t know if or how that helps, probably it does not, we are slowly steering into speculation.
Back to the World Tree of the Chatti; the Germanic Saxons did use ‘hexagonal’ shields!
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I really like this idea!
No idea where to take it next, but it fits a lot of the criteria! Nice find
In Elite Dangerous, there is definite repeating theme of triples (this even show up on materials collection as you get 3 of that type of material). Insofar as the mythology connection, triple deities is a definite thing that shows up in Elite Dangerous. This actually predates the Abrahamic religions and comes from the concept of mother, daughter, and crone and father, son, and elder/sage. Also, we have 3 intelligent species: Guardians, Humans, and Thargoids (and yes they are in that specific order on purpose). I personally suspect this is actually intentional.
Triple deity - Wikipedia
Nondualism - Wikipedia
This goes further as triples are important as it represents non-dualism. I cannot quite explain it without you being fully aware of the religious group that seems to run the Federation (potentially linked to The Dark Wheel - though explanation on that is exceptionally long and complicated). Details are in beacon "Revised Catholic Mission" around Cooperworld in Aymiay. Symbols for non-dualism are also prevalent on our ships and in stations. Much more detail is in the First Encounters journals. They basically became something similar to the Gnostics of ancient Earth. The groups has locations in Aymiay, Beta Hydri, and Olympic Village, Mars.
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Hi, I've searched for Raxxla before and gave up 2 years ago.
Seeing the coversation get what I think, I'll throw in my tin-foil hat and share some theories.
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Raxxla is real and has been the same since the very begining
As stated in early interviews, it's there, they wont hint further. People been there and left, no one found it as far as we know.
Using the lore and extenal inverviews. I belive It is achieavable without following any processes and all the hints in game are either misdirections or very basic information on steps to triangulate it.
Also that it has been moved in-lore and it's tracking method is contantly 'moved' in game.
There is also no ''new information'' update in-game to facilitate its finding. So changing of names and places, variations to the games narrative, none of that will change the ''intended steps method'' of finding Raxxla. It still follows it's original pattern.
Therefore it is in space. Just space, no scanners to find it, no SRV, just looking at it. But it's not meant to be seen.
So all the steps are meant to make you realise it's there. It was added by very specific Frontier employees into the game, and since no new updates can affect the way it is found, it needs to be in a constant system of the game (not galatic system, but game-mechanic way). One that has never changed.
Raxxla has a simple Meta-game solution, impossible in universe.
The whole mistery of Raxxla is a meta factor to the game. A way to unite lore, imagination and community. Therefore, every hint is not meant for a single person, so most of them incredably simple solutions hidden among confusing possibilities, or based on specific undersanding of the lore, needing different skills to find a solution to each step.
Therefore Raxxla is not easly findable by looking at clues but more on how the people hidding it thought. Both developers and in-game characters.
Therefore I belive the solution to finding it revolves around a very simple thing to stumble uppon in-game, but quite impossible to observe a pattern alone. The way to consistantly find Raxxla involves a game breaking feat or an oddity in the recurring and most basic gameplay.
We already have all the awnsers, but we make the wrong questions.
Looking at all the evidence posted here and other sources. I belive the period of finding new ''clues'' is gone and we are starting to overlap conceps, probably all the steps are there, as said no information will be added. And I think all has been found.
There is the meta part of piecing it all together and bulk-testing the hipostesis. And I think the current ''green-glow'' is a good start. To go about decifering the inner workings of Devs/Characters and find a pattern to identifying what is a clue and what is just a causallity. A first proof of its existence would also start generating the ''right questions''.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summing up my theories, here is how I think we can find it:
I think Raxxla is movable and was moved in the game lore. The Dark Wheel lost it or some reason, and I think that for some reasons Sirius Corp either has it or had it at some point. So looking where it is through these sources will only lead to finding where it was. But the DW toast still is a clue, for me and old map. Not to Raxxla but for more clues.
''To the jewel that burns on the brow of the mother of galaxies! To the whisperer in witchspace, the siren of the deepest void! The parent's grief, the lover's woe, and the yearning of our vagabond hearts. To Raxxla!''
-To Sol, hyperjump, (blackhole/pulsar?), important colony from earth that died, somewhere exploited,(i think jump again), Raxxla's location
The Logo for Raxxla
I think it is either the first or last step to finding it.
Originally it looked as a Coriolis station bihind something, now I actually think It represents a jump into hyperspace after D-scanning something, a ploting a route though 6 points, might be the Winter hexagon as now Raxxla is moving. Hyperjump being inside the hidden aspect might be, through the 6 steps above, leading to the triangulation.
The Dark Wheel Logo
[Edited/Removed] The next comments informed me it was fan made.
So I left this section as a warning for anyone who also didnt know =]
And for last I think the Omphalos Rift naming is to create a '''direction'' and since Delphi is the first mention and a rare instance of name changing, it might not be the way. But if it is, than it is litteraly a direction, creating a north from sol and stablishing where is ''up'' or ''left'' one position. I think Geb might be the opposing direction since its where ''the other omphalos stone'' should be resting. But taking the Hyperjump-Route centric nature of my theory. I think the Omphalos Rift is reinforcing the Idea that whatever is Raxxla, a sun is involved. The center of somewhere.
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-What a wall of text...
I hope this gave some ideas to you guys.
My only objective sujestion is that we create a collective effort to test the Sol Glow. Use 33 ships to record 24h during a sunday. One in each sector. And look at the footage to find a pattern. Arrange the 33 sectors with some orientation that we can universally refer to until more information. But so far, test a possibility.
Good luck on the hunt and thanks for reading.
Seeing the coversation get what I think, I'll throw in my tin-foil hat and share some theories.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raxxla is real and has been the same since the very begining
As stated in early interviews, it's there, they wont hint further. People been there and left, no one found it as far as we know.
Using the lore and extenal inverviews. I belive It is achieavable without following any processes and all the hints in game are either misdirections or very basic information on steps to triangulate it.
Also that it has been moved in-lore and it's tracking method is contantly 'moved' in game.
There is also no ''new information'' update in-game to facilitate its finding. So changing of names and places, variations to the games narrative, none of that will change the ''intended steps method'' of finding Raxxla. It still follows it's original pattern.
Therefore it is in space. Just space, no scanners to find it, no SRV, just looking at it. But it's not meant to be seen.
So all the steps are meant to make you realise it's there. It was added by very specific Frontier employees into the game, and since no new updates can affect the way it is found, it needs to be in a constant system of the game (not galatic system, but game-mechanic way). One that has never changed.
Raxxla has a simple Meta-game solution, impossible in universe.
The whole mistery of Raxxla is a meta factor to the game. A way to unite lore, imagination and community. Therefore, every hint is not meant for a single person, so most of them incredably simple solutions hidden among confusing possibilities, or based on specific undersanding of the lore, needing different skills to find a solution to each step.
Therefore Raxxla is not easly findable by looking at clues but more on how the people hidding it thought. Both developers and in-game characters.
Therefore I belive the solution to finding it revolves around a very simple thing to stumble uppon in-game, but quite impossible to observe a pattern alone. The way to consistantly find Raxxla involves a game breaking feat or an oddity in the recurring and most basic gameplay.
We already have all the awnsers, but we make the wrong questions.
Looking at all the evidence posted here and other sources. I belive the period of finding new ''clues'' is gone and we are starting to overlap conceps, probably all the steps are there, as said no information will be added. And I think all has been found.
There is the meta part of piecing it all together and bulk-testing the hipostesis. And I think the current ''green-glow'' is a good start. To go about decifering the inner workings of Devs/Characters and find a pattern to identifying what is a clue and what is just a causallity. A first proof of its existence would also start generating the ''right questions''.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summing up my theories, here is how I think we can find it:
I think Raxxla is movable and was moved in the game lore. The Dark Wheel lost it or some reason, and I think that for some reasons Sirius Corp either has it or had it at some point. So looking where it is through these sources will only lead to finding where it was. But the DW toast still is a clue, for me and old map. Not to Raxxla but for more clues.
''To the jewel that burns on the brow of the mother of galaxies! To the whisperer in witchspace, the siren of the deepest void! The parent's grief, the lover's woe, and the yearning of our vagabond hearts. To Raxxla!''
-To Sol, hyperjump, (blackhole/pulsar?), important colony from earth that died, somewhere exploited,(i think jump again), Raxxla's location
The Logo for Raxxla
Originally it looked as a Coriolis station bihind something, now I actually think It represents a jump into hyperspace after D-scanning something, a ploting a route though 6 points, might be the Winter hexagon as now Raxxla is moving. Hyperjump being inside the hidden aspect might be, through the 6 steps above, leading to the triangulation.
The Dark Wheel Logo
So I left this section as a warning for anyone who also didnt know =]
And for last I think the Omphalos Rift naming is to create a '''direction'' and since Delphi is the first mention and a rare instance of name changing, it might not be the way. But if it is, than it is litteraly a direction, creating a north from sol and stablishing where is ''up'' or ''left'' one position. I think Geb might be the opposing direction since its where ''the other omphalos stone'' should be resting. But taking the Hyperjump-Route centric nature of my theory. I think the Omphalos Rift is reinforcing the Idea that whatever is Raxxla, a sun is involved. The center of somewhere.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-What a wall of text...
I hope this gave some ideas to you guys.
My only objective sujestion is that we create a collective effort to test the Sol Glow. Use 33 ships to record 24h during a sunday. One in each sector. And look at the footage to find a pattern. Arrange the 33 sectors with some orientation that we can universally refer to until more information. But so far, test a possibility.
Good luck on the hunt and thanks for reading.
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Three has always been an important number, especially for us Druids, and this realm (Earth or Abred) seen by many within the order as not the real world.In Elite Dangerous, there is definite repeating theme of triples (this even show up on materials collection as you get 3 of that type of material). Insofar as the mythology connection, triple deities is a definite thing that shows up in Elite Dangerous. This actually predates the Abrahamic religions and comes from the concept of mother, daughter, and crone and father, son, and elder/sage. Also, we have 3 intelligent species: Guardians, Humans, and Thargoids (and yes they are in that specific order on purpose). I personally suspect this is actually intentional.
Triple deity - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
Nondualism - Wikipedia
This goes further as triples are important as it represents non-dualism. I cannot quite explain it without you being fully aware of the religious group that seems to run the Federation (potentially linked to The Dark Wheel - though explanation on that is exceptionally long and complicated). Details are in beacon "Revised Catholic Mission" around Cooperworld in Aymiay. Symbols for non-dualism are also prevalent on our ships and in stations. Much more detail is in the First Encounters journals. They basically became something similar to the Gnostics of ancient Earth. The groups has locations in Aymiay, Beta Hydri, and Olympic Village, Mars.
The celestial realm Gwynfyd is spiritually our home with Abred where we get to experience every life as a different creature.
We all originate from the other realm Annwn (the underworld)
Basically its the mind that travels and not the body.
There are many references to duality and the Barddas describes the spiritual journey as the ‘triplicity of realms’.
Not sue if that’s relevant
O7
I think most of this is brilliant. It makes sense, I like it a lot - I need to think more on it so will reply in more detail later, just wanted to complement your ideas atm.
Only note is that the Dark Wheel logo you used in that last bit is fan made and not any part of Fdev's game, so don't read anything into it
for this bit... it's fan created... which is why people don't comment much ;-)
I didn't know about the logo, thanks for that info and all the compliment =]I think most of this is brilliant. It makes sense, I like it a lot - I need to think more on it so will reply in more detail later, just wanted to complement your ideas atm.
Only note is that the Dark Wheel logo you used in that last bit is fan made and not any part of Fdev's game, so don't read anything into it
I think @Maidor made some good points. particularly this idea:
Let's explore some of the plausible Raxxlas that have been put forward here over the years. I've made a start below, and tried to arrange them from "easiest" to "hardest" to implement and maintain in the game - input most welcome in better defining these or adding more versions
Raxxla is a barren non-atmospheric moon or planet. Optionally on the surface is a (Horizons) planetary outpost built to hide the Omphalos Rift by the Elites that have controlled it for centuries. The Rift is inside the station itself, it's inaccessible and not visible. A variant of this would be to replace the human port with a known alien object, like a Thargoid Surface Site or Guardian Ruins using existing assets.
Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!
Raxxla is a planet of any non-landable type, and orbiting it is an Coriolis station crewed by the Elites that have controlled the secret of Raxxla for centuries. The Omphalos Rift may be on the surface of the inaccessible world below, or it may be inside the station itself. Either way, the rift itself is inaccessible and unseen.
Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!
Raxxla is a black hole, one very specific one. A variant of this could have an Outpost orbiting it crewed by the Elites that have controlled the secret of Raxxla for centuries. Interacting with it does nothing.
Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!
Raxxla is a planet or an alien artefact of a type similar to the Thargoid Surface Sites, Guardian Ruins, Thargoid probes, etc. There could be ruins or other special indicators on the planet itself. The (non functioning) Omphalos Rift may be in orbit or on the surface, but either way it's a unique object unlike anything else in the game. However: nothing exceeds the scale or accessibility of the Thargoid surface Sites, crashed ships, ancient Guardian Ruins, or known planetary-geological features. E.g.: Nothing like a Niven Ring, Dyson Sphere, planet-sized stargate, etc.
Personally I think this is a less likely overall scenario to have been in-game from near the beginning. I've lumped several lower-probability but similar ideas together. I think these are at least possible* because for all we know the Guardian and Thargoid stuff was prototyped earlier on a small scale with the technologies and techniques necessary to make Raxxla. All these ideas are essentially the same game mechanics, technology and interactions that we experienced with Thargoid and later Guardian content - so it's not unreasonable, although it is much less likely than the other hypothesis'.
* Due to the technology in-game at the time that would be needed to pull this off.
Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!
Raxxla is an exotic and unique non-landable planet, with a visually unique texture like a plasma world or ecumenopolis, or an artefact of a type similar to a Niven Ring, or full Dyson Sphere, etc.
Personally I think this is another less likely overall scenario to have been in-game from near the beginning*. I've lumped several similar* ones together. The idea of a 'distant object' that's clearly strange, new and different but otherwise unreachable is possible, particularly if the only true interaction is visually at a distance. All of these options could be done with something as relatively simple as a unique texture graphic so long as no interaction is needed. For example jumping into the system containing Raxxla, a binary, and seeing the above Niven Ring image around the distant B star - but due to 'local stellar factors' your Supercruise drive doesn't work so there's no way to get closer, you can jump in-and-out and maybe interact with more conventional systems near the A star (could be any of the above Hypothesis; stations, ships, etc). Similarly a sci-fi variant of a Dyson Sphere could be created by changing the entire skybox of one system to resemble the surface of worlds, again simply disabling supercruise would prevent the illusion from breaking. An exotic planet type that you can only orbit would, again, 'only' require a unique texture that's visible from orbit and is therefore no more complicated than Earth, Luna, or Mars (custom planet textures as opposed to procedural).
* Due to the technology in-game at the dev time that would be needed to pull this off.
Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!
Raxxla is within Witchspace, or a parallel dimension, or other extreme and exotic environment like the inside of black hole or wormhole.
Personally I think this is another less likely overall scenario to have been in-game from near the beginning*. I've lumped several similar* ones together. Since a hyperspace jump is functionally translating you from one instance to another while displaying the witchspace environment, then there no reason a hypserspace jump can't land you in any environment the devs want to create. Getting 'stuck inside Witchspace' and finding Raxxla could be easily as possible as the above 'distant exotic' hypothesis. Transitioning from one location to another using a similar but visually distinct system to a hyperspace jump is also entirely feasible; from what I know a Thargoid Hyperdiction event is a specific type of witchspace jump environment that's loaded instead of a normal one when certain system flags are met. The game simply loads "hyperdiction" instead of "transfer to next system". To us it looks like a normal hyperspace jump until it goes wrong, but it's actually a different mechanism. Using that same mechanic the Devs could code a transition from anywhere into a custom location. Even something like a certain black hole could force-trigger a custom instance transition and land you in a unique instance. That method could have existed since the first day of the game and been re-used for Hyperdictions.
* Due to the technology in-game at the dev time that would be needed to pull this off.
Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!
As per Maidor's suggestion, it's reasonable to assume that we need to consider not only the effort to implement 'Raxxla' in the first place, and what is feasible technologically, but also what's needed to keep it running across updates, patches, and staff changes. Also consider that there's been no leak, and nothing has been data mined or even accidentally discovered via bugs in 8 years (that we're able to identify as Raxxla related), it's easier to keep smaller and simpler things secret over longer timeframes...
What do you all think?
Although I personally agree with others in the idea that Raxxla has likely been updated at least once, as we saw with the Zurara, I still think it's really valuable to actually list out and see what the possibilities are.
Let's explore some of the plausible Raxxlas that have been put forward here over the years. I've made a start below, and tried to arrange them from "easiest" to "hardest" to implement and maintain in the game - input most welcome in better defining these or adding more versions
Hypothesis 1: Barren Moon
Raxxla is a barren non-atmospheric moon or planet. Optionally on the surface is a (Horizons) planetary outpost built to hide the Omphalos Rift by the Elites that have controlled it for centuries. The Rift is inside the station itself, it's inaccessible and not visible. A variant of this would be to replace the human port with a known alien object, like a Thargoid Surface Site or Guardian Ruins using existing assets.
It could be indicated by one or more of the following:
- It's very remote, thousands of lightyears from the bubble, therefore a planet with a large surface port stands out.
- The planet or surface port is literally named 'Raxxla'.
- The surface port has a significant name, i.e. "Omphalos Base".
- The surface port is controlled by a faction with a significant name, i.e. "The Elite Federation of Pilots", or "the Dark Wheel".
- When you approach the port/planet you get a rude/threatening comms message warning you away - you're denied landing permission.
4 (a). As above, unless you're carrying a significant type of cargo and/or meet other criteria (allied/Elite/etc.), in which case you get a significant message of welcome and granted landing permission. - When you approach, a wing of Elite combat ships drop in and attack you, more attack you continually regardless of your criminal status or faction standings.
- Any ships in system or near the base have significant names or pilot details, i.e. All-black ships flown by only Elite pilots, every ship is part of a significant faction (see above), and/or every ship is named in a strange way - '1230RXL'
- Upon approach you get a comms message with a "congratulations you discovered Raxxla" message, i.e. the same style as the rank increase messages.
- There's a beacon in orbit/on surface, when scanned it gives you a text-message that's significant, i.e. A Tourist Beacon containing a message confirming this is Raxxla.
- ??
If Raxxla were some variant of Hypothesis 1, what would it take to put that in-game?
Disclaimer: I'm no game developer so I have no idea. From what little I do know though I can make a start on this and more knowledgeable people can help fill in more details Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!- Some coding that would obfuscate any significant ID tags or text identifiers from data mining or accidental discovery.
1 (a) presumably this would need doing with everything, and so the more complex Raxxla is, the more that needs hiding and the larger and more complex this part is. - Some coding that would obfuscate the presence of factions/stations/trade/population from accidental discovery simply via the Galmap entry
- Placing the base on this planet - it's got to be hand placed??
- Creating the assets for anything unique about the logos, liveries, or decals on any ships or the port itself.
- Coding the necessary systems to create factions/ship spawns in that specific area/system with that specific faction - must surely be hand-coded?
- Coding the necessary comms or beacon messages
6(a). Writing the necessary text - getting it approved and checked for accuracy
6(a). As above, but include voice acting scripting, hiring, recording, integrating into the game. - Coding the necessary 'discovery' triggers for unique comms messages.
- Playtesting, bugfixing.
- ??
Hypothesis 2: Orbital Station
Raxxla is a planet of any non-landable type, and orbiting it is an Coriolis station crewed by the Elites that have controlled the secret of Raxxla for centuries. The Omphalos Rift may be on the surface of the inaccessible world below, or it may be inside the station itself. Either way, the rift itself is inaccessible and unseen.
How would you know it was Raxxla?
It could be indicated by one or more of the following:- It's very remote, thousands of lightyears from the bubble, therefore a planet with a an orbital station stands out.
1(a). The planet may show a population (lights on the dark side, comms chatter from it, Galmap shows it to have a population, etc.) - The station has a significant name, i.e. "Omphalos Orbital".
- The station is controlled by a faction with a significant name, i.e. "The Elite Federation of Pilots", or "the Dark Wheel".
- Features visible on/in the station are unique and significant.
- When you approach the port/planet you get a rude/threatening comms message warning you away - you're denied landing permission.
4 (a). As above, unless you're carrying a significant type of cargo and/or meet other criteria (allied/Elite/etc.), in which case you get a significant message of welcome and granted landing permission. - When you approach, a wing of Elite combat ships drop in and attack you regardless of your criminal status or faction standings.
- Any ships in system or near the station have significant names or pilot details, i.e. All-black ships flown by only Elite pilots, every ship is part of a significant faction (see above), and/or every ship is named in a strange way - '1230RXL'
- Upon approach you get a comms message with a "congratulations you discovered Raxxla" message, i.e. the same style as the rank increase messages.
- There's a beacon in orbit, when scanned it gives you a text-message that's significant, i.e. A Tourist Beacon containing a message confirming this is Raxxla.
- ??
If Raxxla were some variant of Hypothesis 2, what would it take to put that in-game?
Disclaimer: I'm no game developer so I have no idea. From what little I do know though I can make a start on this and more knowledgeable people can help fill in more details Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!- Some coding that would obfuscate any significant ID tags or text identifiers from data mining or accidental discovery.
1 (a) presumably this would need doing with everything, and so the more complex Raxxla is, the more that needs hiding and the larger and more complex this part is. - Some coding that would obfuscate the presence of factions/stations/trade/population from accidental discovery simply via the Galmap entry
- Placing the station around this planet - it's got to be hand placed??
- Placing this particular planet type (assuming it's not simply picked from what Stellar Forge made).
- Creating the assets for anything unique about the logos, liveries, or decals on any ships or the station itself.
4 (a). Creating new station assets if the interior docking bay of the station isn't one of the standard set. - Coding the necessary systems to create factions/ship spawns in that specific area/system with that specific faction - must surely be hand-coded?
- Coding the necessary comms or beacon messages
6(a). Writing the necessary text - getting it approved and checked for accuracy
6(a). As above, but include voice acting scripting, hiring, recording, integrating into the game. - Coding the necessary 'discovery' triggers for unique comms messages.
- Playtesting, bugfixing.
- ??
Hypothesis 3: Celestial Object
Raxxla is a black hole, one very specific one. A variant of this could have an Outpost orbiting it crewed by the Elites that have controlled the secret of Raxxla for centuries. Interacting with it does nothing.
How would you know it was Raxxla?
It could be indicated by one or more of the following:- It's very remote, thousands of lightyears from the bubble, therefore a black hole with a an orbital outpost stands out.
- The outpost has a significant name, i.e. "Omphalos Observatory".
- The outpost is controlled by a faction with a significant name, i.e. "The Elite Federation of Pilots", or "the Dark Wheel".
- Features visible on/in the outpost are unique and significant.
- When you approach the port/planet you get a rude/threatening comms message warning you away - you're denied landing permission.
4 (a). As above, unless you're carrying a significant type of cargo and/or meet other criteria (allied/Elite/etc.), in which case you get a significant message of welcome. - When you approach, a wing of Elite combat ships drop in and attack you regardless of your criminal status or faction standings.
- Any ships in system or near the black hole have significant names or pilot details, i.e. All-black ships flown by only Elite pilots, every ship is part of a significant faction (see above), and/or every ship is named in a strange way - '1230RXL'
- Upon approach you get a comms message with a "congratulations you discovered Raxxla" message, i.e. the same style as the rank increase messages.
- There's a beacon in orbit, when scanned it gives you a text-message that's significant, i.e. A Tourist Beacon containing a message confirming this is Raxxla.
- ??
If Raxxla were some variant of Hypothesis 3, what would it take to put that in-game?
Disclaimer: I'm no game developer so I have no idea. From what little I do know though I can make a start on this and more knowledgeable people can help fill in/correct more details Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!- Some coding that would obfuscate any significant ID tags or text identifiers from data mining or accidental discovery.
1 (a) presumably this would need doing with everything, and so the more complex Raxxla is, the more that needs hiding and the larger and more complex this part is. - Some coding that would obfuscate the presence of factions/stations/trade/population from accidental discovery simply via the Galmap entry
- Placing the outpost around this black hole - it's got to be hand placed??
- Creating the assets for anything unique about the logos, liveries, or decals on any ships or the outpost itself.
4 (a). Creating new assets for the black hole if it's visually distinct in any way at all. - Coding the necessary systems to create factions/ship spawns in that specific area/system with that specific faction - must surely be hand-coded?
- Coding the necessary comms or beacon messages
6(a). Writing the necessary text - getting it approved and checked for accuracy
6(a). As above, but include voice acting scripting, hiring, recording, integrating into the game. - Coding the necessary 'discovery' triggers for unique comms messages.
- Playtesting, bugfixing.
- ??
Hypothesis 4: Alien Structures
Raxxla is a planet or an alien artefact of a type similar to the Thargoid Surface Sites, Guardian Ruins, Thargoid probes, etc. There could be ruins or other special indicators on the planet itself. The (non functioning) Omphalos Rift may be in orbit or on the surface, but either way it's a unique object unlike anything else in the game. However: nothing exceeds the scale or accessibility of the Thargoid surface Sites, crashed ships, ancient Guardian Ruins, or known planetary-geological features. E.g.: Nothing like a Niven Ring, Dyson Sphere, planet-sized stargate, etc.
Personally I think this is a less likely overall scenario to have been in-game from near the beginning. I've lumped several lower-probability but similar ideas together. I think these are at least possible* because for all we know the Guardian and Thargoid stuff was prototyped earlier on a small scale with the technologies and techniques necessary to make Raxxla. All these ideas are essentially the same game mechanics, technology and interactions that we experienced with Thargoid and later Guardian content - so it's not unreasonable, although it is much less likely than the other hypothesis'.
* Due to the technology in-game at the time that would be needed to pull this off.
How would you know it was Raxxla?
It could be indicated by one of more of the following list.- None of the Alien structures match Guardian or Thargoid visual style/naming/etc.
- Approaching the Alien Structure triggers some significant but never before seen effect, i.e. the Guardian Relic pillars rising up when in proximity
- Scanning the Alien structure reveals a significant name, i.e. "Raxxlan Structure".
- When you approach the planet/artefact you get a comms message warning you away, unless you're Elite in which case you get a significant message of welcome from some anonymous person, i.e. the same way Ram Tah 'hacks your comms' to ask for help when you first visit Guardian Ruins..
- When you approach, a wing of Elite combat ships drop in and attack you regardless of your criminal status or faction standings.
- Any human ships in system or near the Alien Structures have significant names or pilot details, i.e. All-black ships flown by only Elite pilots, every ship is part of a significant faction (see above), and/or every ship is named in a strange way - '1230RXL'
- Upon approach you get a comms message with a "congratulations you discovered Raxxla" message, i.e. the same style as the rank increase messages.
- There's a beacon in orbit, when scanned it gives you a text-message that's significant, i.e. A Tourist Beacon containing a message confirming this is Raxxla.
- Scanning or approaching the Alien Structures or planet will generate a previously unseen sound or visual effect, i.e. flashing, moving, or emitting sounds like some of the celestial life forms found in space, or the Thargoid artefacts.
9 (a). The sound or visual effect contains coded information, i.e. the Thargoid items containing coded messages, decoding it reveals significant information - Scanning a discovered alien object gives coded information, the coded information leads to another puzzle, eventually confirming Raxxla as any one or more of the above Hypothesis, i.e. The Thargoid discovery cycle: 'Find strange object >decipher clue >goal reveal' that can be linked together and repeated as long as necessary - Raxxla is confirmed by the clues and methods of discovery, the same way we all knew the 'Unknown Aliens' were most likely Thargoids long before 'the game confirmed it' by meta knowledge and piecing together background storytelling from the clues and discoveries.
- ??
If Raxxla were some variant of Hypothesis 4, what would it take to put that in-game?
Disclaimer: I'm no game developer so I have no idea. From what little I do know though I can make a start on this and more knowledgeable people can help fill in/correct more details Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!- Some coding that would obfuscate any significant ID tags or text identifiers from data mining or accidental discovery.
1 (a) presumably this would need doing with everything, and so the more complex Raxxla is, the more that needs hiding and the larger and more complex this part is. - Some coding that would obfuscate the presence of factions/stations/trade/population from accidental discovery simply via the Galmap entry
- Placing the assets on/around the planet - they are presumably hand-placed?
- Concept artwork and iteration to develop the look and feel of the alien structures.
- Design iteration of the unique interaction processes.
- Creating the assets for anything unique about the logos, liveries, or decals on any ships or any alien artefact itself (like the logo on the barnacles).
- Creating new assets for every pat of the Alien Structure - this includes 3D models, textures, lighting... things...? more technical stuff?
- Coding any 'active' elements in the Alien Structures - moving bits, animated elements, interactable parts.
- Creating unique sounds and vfx for the Alien Structures.
- Developing and implementing any hidden codes into the visuals or sounds of the Alien Structures
- Coding the necessary systems to create factions/ship spawns in that specific area/system with that specific faction - must surely be hand-coded?
- Coding the necessary comms or beacon messages
8(a). Writing the necessary text - getting it approved and checked for accuracy
8(a). As above, but include voice acting scripting, hiring, recording, integrating into the game. - Coding the necessary 'discovery' triggers for unique comms messages.
- Playtesting, bugfixing.
- ??
Hypothesis 5: Distant Exotic
Raxxla is an exotic and unique non-landable planet, with a visually unique texture like a plasma world or ecumenopolis, or an artefact of a type similar to a Niven Ring, or full Dyson Sphere, etc.
Personally I think this is another less likely overall scenario to have been in-game from near the beginning*. I've lumped several similar* ones together. The idea of a 'distant object' that's clearly strange, new and different but otherwise unreachable is possible, particularly if the only true interaction is visually at a distance. All of these options could be done with something as relatively simple as a unique texture graphic so long as no interaction is needed. For example jumping into the system containing Raxxla, a binary, and seeing the above Niven Ring image around the distant B star - but due to 'local stellar factors' your Supercruise drive doesn't work so there's no way to get closer, you can jump in-and-out and maybe interact with more conventional systems near the A star (could be any of the above Hypothesis; stations, ships, etc). Similarly a sci-fi variant of a Dyson Sphere could be created by changing the entire skybox of one system to resemble the surface of worlds, again simply disabling supercruise would prevent the illusion from breaking. An exotic planet type that you can only orbit would, again, 'only' require a unique texture that's visible from orbit and is therefore no more complicated than Earth, Luna, or Mars (custom planet textures as opposed to procedural).
* Due to the technology in-game at the dev time that would be needed to pull this off.
How would you know it was Raxxla?
It could be indicated by one of more of the following list.- A completely unique and previously unseen distant stellar object that's astonishing (i.e. Niven Ring)
1(a). As above, but a unique planet texture
1(b). As above, but a total or partial skybox change - When you approach the planet or jump into the correct system you get a comms message warning you away, unless you're Elite in which case you get a significant message of welcome from some anonymous person, i.e. the same way Ram Tah 'hacks your comms' to ask for help when you first visit Guardian Ruins.
- When nearby the planet or in the system a wing of Elite combat ships drop in and attack you regardless of your criminal status or faction standings.
- Any human ships in system or near the exotic planet have significant names or pilot details, i.e. All-black ships flown by only Elite pilots, every ship is part of a significant faction (see above), and/or every ship is named in a strange way - '1230RXL'
- Upon approach to the exotic planet or arrival in the system you get a comms message with a "congratulations you discovered Raxxla" message, i.e. the same style as the rank increase messages.
- There's a beacon in orbit of the sun or planet, when scanned it gives you a text-message that's significant, i.e. A Tourist Beacon containing a message confirming this is Raxxla.
- Supercruise failure immediately after hyperspace jump to prevent in-system travel.
- ??
If Raxxla were some variant of Hypothesis 5, what would it take to put that in-game?
Disclaimer: I'm no game developer so I have no idea. From what little I do know though I can make a start on this and more knowledgeable people can help fill in/correct more details Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!- Some coding that would obfuscate any significant ID tags or text identifiers from data mining or accidental discovery.
1 (a) presumably this would need doing with everything, and so the more complex Raxxla is, the more that needs hiding and the larger and more complex this part is. - Some coding that would obfuscate the presence of factions/stations/trade/population from accidental discovery simply via the Galmap entry
- Placing the exotic assets in system or in that particular skybox.
- Concept artwork and iteration to develop the look and feel of the planet or distant object or skybox.
- Creating the assets for anything unique about the logos, liveries, or decals on any ships.
- Creating new assets for the distant artefact or exotic planetary texture - this includes 3D models(?), textures, lighting... things...? more technical stuff?
- Creating unique sounds and vfx for the exotic world or sounds for the distant artefact.
- Developing and implementing any hidden codes into the visuals or sounds of the Alien Structures
- Coding the necessary systems to create factions/ship spawns in that specific area/system with that specific faction - must surely be hand-coded?
- Coding the necessary comms or beacon messages
8(a). Writing the necessary text - getting it approved and checked for accuracy
8(a). As above, but include voice acting scripting, hiring, recording, integrating into the game. - Coding the necessary 'discovery' triggers for unique comms messages.
- Coding a conditional disabling of Supercruise mode only, while retaining the Jump function to allow exit.
- Playtesting, bugfixing.
- ??
Hypothesis 6: Exotic Location
Raxxla is within Witchspace, or a parallel dimension, or other extreme and exotic environment like the inside of black hole or wormhole.
Personally I think this is another less likely overall scenario to have been in-game from near the beginning*. I've lumped several similar* ones together. Since a hyperspace jump is functionally translating you from one instance to another while displaying the witchspace environment, then there no reason a hypserspace jump can't land you in any environment the devs want to create. Getting 'stuck inside Witchspace' and finding Raxxla could be easily as possible as the above 'distant exotic' hypothesis. Transitioning from one location to another using a similar but visually distinct system to a hyperspace jump is also entirely feasible; from what I know a Thargoid Hyperdiction event is a specific type of witchspace jump environment that's loaded instead of a normal one when certain system flags are met. The game simply loads "hyperdiction" instead of "transfer to next system". To us it looks like a normal hyperspace jump until it goes wrong, but it's actually a different mechanism. Using that same mechanic the Devs could code a transition from anywhere into a custom location. Even something like a certain black hole could force-trigger a custom instance transition and land you in a unique instance. That method could have existed since the first day of the game and been re-used for Hyperdictions.
* Due to the technology in-game at the dev time that would be needed to pull this off.
How would you know it was Raxxla?
It could be indicated by one of more of the following list.- Using some method or system to trigger a special hyperjump, or entering a specific black hole, etc.
- A completely unique and previously unseen environment, likely reached by a hyperspace jump.
- Some HUD indicator of a non-standard jump - similar to the warnings and visuals of a Hyperdiction.
- Upon arrival in the exotic environment you get a comms message with a "congratulations you discovered Raxxla" message, i.e. the same style as the rank increase messages.
- There's a beacon in the exotic environment, when scanned it gives you a text-message that's significant, i.e. A Tourist Beacon containing a message confirming this is Raxxla.
- Any of the previous Hypothesis components, i.e. there could be a planet in the exotic location that's essentially Hypothesis 1 or 2, with all the associated systems.
- ??
If Raxxla were some variant of Hypothesis 6, what would it take to put that in-game?
Disclaimer: I'm no game developer so I have no idea. From what little I do know though I can make a start on this and more knowledgeable people can help fill in/correct more details Assume all of these are literally just guesses, please do correct/add points to these!- Some coding that would obfuscate any significant ID tags or text identifiers from data mining or accidental discovery.
1 (a) presumably this would need doing with everything, and so the more complex Raxxla is, the more that needs hiding and the larger and more complex this part is. - Some coding that would cause an 'exotic transition' instead of the normal hyperspace jump (similar to trigger conditions for a Hyperdiction)
- Coding the mechanics of the exotic transition (similar to a Hyperdiction where the ship flips around and HUD warnings trigger)
- Coding unique HUD warnings and effects necessary for an exotic environment.
- Placing the exotic assets in the exotic location.
- Concept artwork and iteration to develop the look and feel of the environment.
- Creating the assets for anything unique about the logos, liveries, or decals on any ships.
- Creating new assets for the exotic environment - this includes 3D models(?), textures, lighting... things...? more technical stuff?
- Creating unique sounds and vfx for the exotic environment and/or the exotic transition.
- Developing and implementing any hidden codes into the visuals or sounds of the trigger conditions, or clues to the trigger conditions.
- Coding the necessary 'discovery' triggers for any unique comms messages.
- Anything from any other Hypothesis that relates to Raxxla specifically rather than the location it's in (for example, the planet Raxxla from Hypothesis 1 or 2 is located inside the exotic area, and will therefore need some or all of the requirements of those Hypothetical versions in addition to what's necessary for the location.
- Playtesting, bugfixing.
- ??
As per Maidor's suggestion, it's reasonable to assume that we need to consider not only the effort to implement 'Raxxla' in the first place, and what is feasible technologically, but also what's needed to keep it running across updates, patches, and staff changes. Also consider that there's been no leak, and nothing has been data mined or even accidentally discovered via bugs in 8 years (that we're able to identify as Raxxla related), it's easier to keep smaller and simpler things secret over longer timeframes...
What do you all think?