The Formidine Rift - Part 2

[simulacrae]

This search has been draining .. and ive been drawing spurious conclusions in this forum ... but I hope to attain enlightenment during a desperate dragon rich moment

ya not good at this ... was going for maximum effect tho

 

[Han_Zen]

To clarify this one. The original text in "And here the wheel" was approved by Frontier and was copyedited out by accident *afterwards* as part of the proofing process. We're not quite sure how that occurred, but it was an unfortunate mistake that we've only just become aware of. Ebook version will be updated, but the audio and physical copies can't be.

Cheers,

Drew.

Thanks Drew,

This means something like:

- The Amiral has been to the Formidine Rift.
- It has nothing to do with the octagonal ships or endless grave yards he has seen as well.
- His audience is familiar with the term 'Formidine Rift'.


Edit: Is there any particular reason for the ablative case in the word Formidine?
I don't quite get it, but that may be because my native language has a limited case system.

 

[Genar-Hofoen]

A mild rant.

Well, at the moment, my opinion on this whole thing is that it's Too Clever By Half.

The perpetrator(s) of this Formidine Rift mystery know what they're on about - and I have no doubt that <something> exists somewhere in the game and that it has been in the game for a long time - however the fact remains that the rest of us not in the know are all flailing around here in the dark (quite literally too!), with very little to go on.

Basically, what clues there are, are esoteric at best, and unhelpful at worst - except to those who already know, and let's face it, that's FDEV and Drew and perhaps some close confidants.

Right now, this is nothing more than a hunt for a needle in a galactic-sized haystack.

Sure, it's been confirmed that the RR-line is more or less correct. Big deal. The rest of the clues are ambiguous and esoteric to the point of uselessness - well... they are useful in a manner - they're useful for generating a high noise/signal ratio.

Now, I'm not calling for a hint such as "Jump to <this star system> to find the <something>". What I am calling for, however, is less of the irritating "teehee!"-style hints, and something that increases the signal and reduces the noise.

Again, some people might be enjoying the ambiguous "teehee!" hints. I for one am not.

Too clever by half indeed.

/rant

 

[Qohen Leth]

I'll second that.

 

[Muetdhiver]

I agree that the clues are quite esoteric, and very much prone to over-interpretation.

Also, the fact that some things might be clues, or might not and that we have no way to know which is which, tend to muddy the waters quite a lot.
And when one only look at the clues we are 'sure' of, there is little to work with.

I'll give an example of working with 'unsure'/'elliptic' clues :

Drew gave rep to Luckyluke for looking into the prism system naming. Part of what Luckyluke talked about was Autolycus, the "Wolf itself/Lone wolf"
Then Drew put a comment about 'lone wolf' CMDRs in like page 100 or so of this tread, with 'lone wolf' in quotes.

If say, you are looking into the idea of supernovas/neutrons stars as being tied to the 7 veils / core of the problem / Cambridge / most enlightening line from Kahina,
then you might see a clue there that would be pointing to Fritz Zwicky, the 'lone wolf'. Is that a clue ? Is it not ? Since you got no way to know, you can dig yourself
quite deep.

 

[Han_Zen]

Well, at the moment, my opinion on this whole thing is that it's Too Clever By Half.

The perpetrator(s) of this Formidine Rift mystery know what they're on about - and I have no doubt that <something> exists somewhere in the game and that it has been in the game for a long time - however the fact remains that the rest of us not in the know are all flailing around here in the dark (quite literally too!), with very little to go on.

Basically, what clues there are, are esoteric at best, and unhelpful at worst - except to those who already know, and let's face it, that's FDEV and Drew and perhaps some close confidants.

Right now, this is nothing more than a hunt for a needle in a galactic-sized haystack.

Sure, it's been confirmed that the RR-line is more or less correct. Big deal. The rest of the clues are ambiguous and esoteric to the point of uselessness - well... they are useful in a manner - they're useful for generating a high noise/signal ratio.

Now, I'm not calling for a hint such as "Jump to <this star system> to find the <something>". What I am calling for, however, is less of the irritating "teehee!"-style hints, and something that increases the signal and reduces the noise.

Again, some people might be enjoying the ambiguous "teehee!" hints. I for one am not.

Too clever by half indeed.

/rant

Please remember that this is not a treasure hunt. It is an evolving story. Information will be available as the story progresses. No one is twisting our arm to go overboard with crazy ideas. We do that our self.

It is quite obvious to me that we don't have enough information to pinpoint the exact system form the current clues. Searching the haystack is probably the only option for now. If you think the haystack is to big, you will just have to wait for more clues. The haystack will shrink.

 

[hiciacit]

Whilst on the subject - very little has been made of Luko. Who he actually is, why he was there and so on... Maybe he is simply intended as a mentor figure. I suspect there is something hidden about him though.

Yeah, he is a bit overlooked, isn't he? I thought it was a bit silly that he just happened to be marooned for 20y, surviving on the luxury food in his cargo, a few km from where Kahina crash lands (although it fits with the game's current POI mechanic ). I sort of hoped there might have been more to him, for instance him being a member of the Dark Wheel (he's quite a decent pilot) that somehow followed Kahina (traced her misjump?) to see if she'd be worthy as a Dark Wheel member. But considering his cobra is described as being covered in vegetation, that doesn't make too much sense.

He is the one that is most outspoken in pushing Kahina towards her Salome persona, though. And the link between Saloma and the Dark Wheel hasn't been discussed that much either (as far as I know). According to the GalNEt report on her disappearance she doesn't only leave behind her Imperial tiara (giving up her identity as senator Kahina?), but also a medallion with Salome and a Dark Wheel symbol on it. Did she also leave behind her Salome identity? (Guess not because she's flying around ingame now.) Does it imply Salome became a member of the Dark Wheel somewhere between the retaking of Chione and her disappearance on Achenar? That could be intriguing if for instance she obtained the coordinates from the old woman's message way before her disappearance, and in the meantime had the chance to travel there and discover something related to the Dark Wheel. That doesn't seem to be the case either though, considering the timeline.

 

[Muetdhiver]

I tend to disagree here :

Of all the confirmed 'clues', the only one that help us in any way to reduce the haystack size is the RR line,
and only because Drew steped in to say it points to about the right area.

In other words : the clues have been mostly useless to narrow down the search. That is with 5-6 clues.
I am far from convinced that adding one more elliptic clue will help in any way.

My interpretation is that the clues point to either Tycho/Cas - A, but this is based partly on 'uncertain' clues,
i.e. no way to know if I'm way off base, or on the right track.

 

[Genar-Hofoen]

Please remember that this is not a treasure hunt. It is an evolving story. Information will be available as the story progresses. No one is twisting our arm to go overboard with crazy ideas. We do that our self.

It is quite obvious to me that we don't have enough information to pinpoint the exact system form the current clues. Searching the haystack is probably the only option for now. If you think the haystack is to big, you will just have to wait for more clues. The haystack will shrink.

Sure, I can grok that it's an evolving story. At this time though, it hasn't evolved beyond the "prehistoric goo" stage yet.

Like I say, I'm not calling for clues that point to an exact system name - I'm calling for less of the "too clever by half".

Regards

 

[Han_Zen]

I tend to disagree here :

Of all the confirmed 'clues', the only one that help us in any way to reduce the haystack size is the RR line,
and only because Drew steped in to say it point to about the right area.

In other words : the clues have been mostly useless to narrow down the search. That is with 5-6 clues. I am far from convinced that adding one more elliptic clue will help in any way.

The most obvious clue we have received lately is that selling exploration data will influence the story. Selling data is significant and where it's sold is significant. This is basically what we are 'told' to do and why the haystack search may turn out to be rather productive, even if nothing significant is found.

 

[Genar-Hofoen]

The most obvious clue we have received lately is that selling exploration data will influence the story. Selling data is significant and where it's sold is significant. This is basically what we are 'told' to do and why the haystack search may turn out to be rather productive, even if nothing significant is found.

Who mentioned that quite literally "selling exploration data will influence the story", out of curiosity? Can you point to a forum post made by someone?

It would be useful if the OP could be updated with this new information as well.

Regards.

 

[{SAS}Stalker]

Well, at the moment, my opinion on this whole thing is that it's Too Clever By Half.

The perpetrator(s) of this Formidine Rift mystery know what they're on about - and I have no doubt that <something> exists somewhere in the game and that it has been in the game for a long time - however the fact remains that the rest of us not in the know are all flailing around here in the dark (quite literally too!), with very little to go on.

Basically, what clues there are, are esoteric at best, and unhelpful at worst - except to those who already know, and let's face it, that's FDEV and Drew and perhaps some close confidants.

Right now, this is nothing more than a hunt for a needle in a galactic-sized haystack.

Sure, it's been confirmed that the RR-line is more or less correct. Big deal. The rest of the clues are ambiguous and esoteric to the point of uselessness - well... they are useful in a manner - they're useful for generating a high noise/signal ratio.

Now, I'm not calling for a hint such as "Jump to <this star system> to find the <something>". What I am calling for, however, is less of the irritating "teehee!"-style hints, and something that increases the signal and reduces the noise.

Again, some people might be enjoying the ambiguous "teehee!" hints. I for one am not.

Too clever by half indeed.

/rant

The core of the problem is we have no idea where we are going or what we are looking for, only Salome knows exactly where to go, have we thought to simply ask her?

 

[Muetdhiver]

There is no post about it, it's all in the CoR message from Kahina.

There might also be a clue in said message (old astronomer poem verse). (rep from Drew).
Then again, it might not be a clue. No way to know. Then if it's a clue, which part of the
poem is important ? The Tycho name ? The paired line of the verse ("Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;") ?

Who knows :/

 

[SpocksOddSocks]

Who mentioned that quite literally "selling exploration data will influence the story", out of curiosity? Can you point to a forum post made by someone?

It would be useful if the OP could be updated with this new information as well.

Regards.

I there is a post on this thread with a transcript of the conversation involving Salomé from the livestream. I haven't found the post, but I did copy the text so that I didn't have to find it again (I think it could probably do with being in the first thread:

Spoiler

Salome: Hello CMDR Lewis.
Ed: Greetings
Salome: We welcome you to Beagle Point, CMDR. I trust the Empire find you well?
Ed: Yeah... fine
Salome: That is gratifying. I have brought the Children of Raxxla to visit you.

[following Ed not realizing he is misdirecting his chat]

Ed > Ulysses Wolf: I loved your flyby
Salome: We are searching the void for the mystery of Raxxla, the secrets of the Rift and ... whatever else we might find.
Ed > Ulysses Wolf: People want to know about the Rift
Salome: All is not well in the core worlds. Thus I must soon return. But keep that exploration data safe... it is far more important than you know...
Ulysses Wolf > Ed: change to LOCAL.
Ed: Wow.
Ed: Okay, cool... so like, don't sell it?
Salome: Be careful who you sell it to.
Ed. Okay. Thank you Salome.
Salome: I must depart now, be safe in the void... and good luck. You will need it.
Ed: Thanks? Why?
Ed: Will I need luck.
Salome: The answer will come,,,
Salome: ...soon.

Salome's message to the Children of Raxxla
April 7th 3302
Sanctuary Hill, Beagle Point

Commanders, I am gratified to see so many of you have survived the voyage here.

My heart goes out to those who lost their lives along the way.

Remember them with me.

We are tens of thousands of lightyears from your homes in the core worlds.

What you have achieved is nothing short of breath-taking.

The first mass expedition to the far side of the galaxy.

Reflect on that for a moment.


You have proved yourselves true explorers, true adventurers.

You have survived many perils along the way; neutron star, black holes...
Damage, high gee worlds, double stars... and the haunted emptiness
of the void.

I can assure you that the exploration data to have amassed will be invaluable
in the future.

Guard it carefully.

It may be more important than you know.

Six months ago the Children of Raxxla began an undertaking that has bee tried
many time before.

Raxxla itself has eluded everyone for nearly five hundred years.
I have found that it was first mentioned in the year 2814.

Since then, many have set out to identify it, locate it and even exploit it...

Those who went before you failed, lost in the darkness and now long forgotten
by all but historians and lore masters.

Yet, the legend remains.

We have better technology than they did. We can push further and faster.
We have proved we can traverse the galaxy.

Thus I firmly believe the mysteries of the galaxy will be revealed to us.

Raxxla, the Rift, and the strange permit locked sectors of the galaxy.

We will uncover the truths that have been concealed by powers
both seen and unseen.

We are the vanguard of that search, to us it falls to keep looking when
others give up.

To keep pushing the veil of the galaxy aside, to find out what lies
beyond the darkness.


Now i must return home, I fear that danger threatens the fragile
peace we left behind.

Shadowy forces are at work in the core worlds.

You must make the journey too, a voyage as daunting as the one we have
already undertaken.

So when the loneliness stalks you, when the isolation gnaws at your mind...

When fear is your only companion, when the sheer scale of the galaxy
crushed in upon you...

Then look up... Look up and say to yourself:
"I have loved the starts too dearly to be fearful of the night."

Find your resolve, Commanders, for you are the true "Children of Raxxla."

I wish you a safe voyage home, but for now...

Remember!

 

[Qohen Leth]

I there is a post on this thread with a transcript of the conversation involving Salomé from the livestream. I haven't found the post, but I did copy the text so that I didn't have to find it again (I think it could probably do with being in the first thread:

Add that to the OP.

Also, no one followed her when she departed from BP...

 

[simulacrae]

There is no post about it, it's all in the CoR message from Kahina.

There might also be a clue in said message (old astronomer poem verse). (rep from Drew).
Then again, it might not be a clue. No way to know. Then if it's a clue, which part of the
poem is important ? The Tycho name ? The paired line of the verse ("Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;") ?

Who knows :/

Nice ! Just read the poem ... sounds like Omar Khayam

 

[Han_Zen]

I there is a post on this thread with a transcript of the conversation involving Salomé from the livestream. I haven't found the post, but I did copy the text so that I didn't have to find it again (I think it could probably do with being in the first thread:

And this one: https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/57062eac9657bab80860adb8

 

[slartybartfast]

Who mentioned that quite literally "selling exploration data will influence the story", out of curiosity? Can you point to a forum post made by someone?

It would be useful if the OP could be updated with this new information as well.

Regards.

I think it was the ED show when they were at Beagle point Salome turned up and said about finding the right people to sell all the exploration data to.

 

[Genar-Hofoen]

I there is a post on this thread with a transcript of the conversation involving Salomé from the livestream. I haven't found the post, but I did copy the text so that I didn't have to find it again (I think it could probably do with being in the first thread:

Thanks - I've seen the fluffy video made of that. I felt awkward watching it and I felt awkward reading that.

So in fact - there was no definite "selling of exploration data will help to solve the problem". Because the game mechanics don't allow for that. Exploration data updates a database of what you discovered in some system. That, was just some headcanon.

I guess it shows that I'm sooo not into fantasy stories. I prefer hard science fiction, and what I'm seeing here is fantasy and fluff. Give me Iain. M. Banks over space dungeons and dragons any day.

 

[Elementalist]

Yeah, he is a bit overlooked, isn't he? I thought it was a bit silly that he just happened to be marooned for 20y, surviving on the luxury food in his cargo, a few km from where Kahina crash lands (although it fits with the game's current POI mechanic ). I sort of hoped there might have been more to him, for instance him being a member of the Dark Wheel (he's quite a decent pilot) that somehow followed Kahina (traced her misjump?) to see if she'd be worthy as a Dark Wheel member. But considering his cobra is described as being covered in vegetation, that doesn't make too much sense.

Well, there may be something to that. Of course we have no idea what Raxxla actually is (yet), but if Drew's earlier depiction of it is even remotely accurate (yes, I know that wasn't canon at all) then Luko's perceived plight could well have been planted with the sole purpose of encountering Lady Kahina. So here's the idea: Luko is a member of the Dark Wheel. He uses Raxxla to figure out where Kahina mis-jumped. He then goes back to Raxxla and uses it to travel back in time 20 years, and goes to that spot. He has an amazing vacation there and poof, here she comes right on time... Or, he travels back the 20 years with an accomplice. He plants his Cobra and the food and whatever else there, and rides away with his accomplice. He then has 20 years to do Dark Wheel things before he and his accomplice go back to the Cobra, he gets dropped off a couple weeks shy of Kahina's arrival, and the rest is history. Or he could have just jumped 20 years forward using Raxxla to just skip the two decades of adventures, assuming he considered his meeting with Kahina to be top priority.

Yeah, it's pretty far-fetched, but it's definitely possible that Luko planted himself there specifically to meet her. Of course, I only just started reading Reclamation today, so I'll have to report back again once I get to that part.

Thanks - I've seen the fluffy video made of that. I felt awkward watching it and I felt awkward reading that.

So in fact - there was no definite "selling of exploration data will help to solve the problem". Because the game mechanics don't allow for that. Exploration data updates a database of what you discovered in some system. That, was just some headcanon.

I guess it shows that I'm sooo not into fantasy stories. I prefer hard science fiction, and what I'm seeing here is fantasy and fluff. Give me Iain. M. Banks over space dungeons and dragons any day.

The game mechanics absolutely allow for that. Yes, selling your data adds the "first discovered" tag, but lore-wise and in-game any given station, faction, or power would conceivably "know" only what data they bought from explorers. You can see this mechanic at work when you scan a system in the Bubble and systems within 20 Ly will not buy the data. Anyway, in this case, if Salome's admonition is to be taken seriously then it implies that soon there will be some sort of competing exploration CG in which who the DWE explorers sell their data to will directly influence what direction the story takes. We've already seen exploration CGs, multi-CG story arcs (kill pirates, discover escape pods, recover escape pods, discover Dr Palin and a new strain of Cerberus Plague, ship tea to cure plague...), and competing CGs to determine specific outcomes in certain systems. The mechanics are all there.

Idunno. Maybe it is all just fluff. But I'd rather not take the chance of royally jacking up our chances of figuring this out because we all jump the gun on selling data. If I'm right though, what do you want to bet that the guy who spent 6 hours selling his data on live stream winds up quitting the spacer life because he could have single-handedly determined the fate of Humanity if he had just held onto his data for another couple of months.