THE FORMIDINE RIFT MYSTERY (Part 4)

[[Diplomacy] Carnegie]

Anyway, I do also wonder if whatever we are trying to find is bugged, or not even added yet.

This conversation comes around every time we run out of things to brute-force.
And every time I remind people that we're dealing with a story, not a treasure-hunt and that the answer isn't going to be found by searching until we actually know what we're searching for.

I'm increasingly convinced that whatever the Rift mystery is, a whole lot of you are going to be disappointed by it, since I'm pretty sure it's not going to be something you can take selfies in front of.

 

[eadghe]

This conversation comes around every time we run out of things to brute-force.
And every time I remind people that we're dealing with a story, not a treasure-hunt and that the answer isn't going to be found by searching until we actually know what we're searching for.

I'm increasingly convinced that whatever the Rift mystery is, a whole lot of you are going to be disappointed by it, since I'm pretty sure it's not going to be something you can take selfies in front of.

So how is it supposed to be findable since the beginning? Though, I agree that it will probably something which is underwhelming on its own and only gets some meaning once you know the story behind it...

 

[Harley Quinn]

Well, they less touchy now, I was at Palin's yesterday and Feds could not care less about me

Spoiler

http://i.imgur.com/Hgkvnni.jpg

Just wonder how close you were to the ship before they actually started shooting, I got much closer then on this photo, but I did not actually try to touch them to see what will happen, because I had the feeling they may not like it

Flown through the fork on it and they didn't fire on me

- - - Updated - - -

This conversation comes around every time we run out of things to brute-force.
And every time I remind people that we're dealing with a story, not a treasure-hunt and that the answer isn't going to be found by searching until we actually know what we're searching for.

I'm increasingly convinced that whatever the Rift mystery is, a whole lot of you are going to be disappointed by it, since I'm pretty sure it's not going to be something you can take selfies in front of.

I think there is stuff out there, but no real way to narrow the search until we find out what meta alloys, an asteroid and buckets load of tantalum leads to and I doubt we will get that until the next update.

 

[Edelgard von Rhein]

This conversation comes around every time we run out of things to brute-force.
And every time I remind people that we're dealing with a story, not a treasure-hunt and that the answer isn't going to be found by searching until we actually know what we're searching for.

I'm increasingly convinced that whatever the Rift mystery is, a whole lot of you are going to be disappointed by it, since I'm pretty sure it's not going to be something you can take selfies in front of.

I completely agree.
.
My thoughts at the moment are that we might be searching for something that the superpowers are afraid of. That is, the mystery is 'what is our 'primal fear'?', if that's the correct usage of the term. As such, we are not searching for a 'thing'; we are searching for the source of our fears. Something about 'it' will frighten us when we find it and that is how we will recognise it. Then the story moves on and we will have to learn to face it and conquer it (although at that point FD might need to add some assets). In other words, the Formidine Rift 'mystery' is really a story about humanity, Salome and also ourselves facing our fears and finding our courage. The 'core' of the problem then becomes the question: 'what do we fear most?'

 

[Han_Zen]

So how is it supposed to be findable since the beginning? Though, I agree that it will probably something which is underwhelming on its own and only gets some meaning once you know the story behind it...

It kind of goes without saying that the release content of the rift isn't something spectacular. It has to be part of what was in the game at the time.

It's a story prop of some kind. Not something we haven't seen before.

 

[JesusRocks1988]

I completely agree.
.
My thoughts at the moment are that we might be searching for something that the superpowers are afraid of. That is, the mystery is 'what is our 'primal fear'?', if that's the correct usage of the term. As such, we are not searching for a 'thing'; we are searching for the source of our fears. Something about 'it' will frighten us when we find it and that is how we will recognise it. Then the story moves on and we will have to learn to face it and conquer it (although at that point FD might need to add some assets). In other words, the Formidine Rift 'mystery' is really a story about humanity, Salome and also ourselves facing our fears and finding our courage. The 'core' of the problem then becomes the question: 'what do we fear most?'

Then don't we come back to themes like isolation and emptiness? Which draws right back around to the theory that the mystery of the Rift is in its sparseness?

 

[Saool]

Then don't we come back to themes like isolation and emptiness? Which draws right back around to the theory that the mystery of the Rift is in its sparseness?

But in that case why would TOL have said to plot a way across? And why would a sparse area of space prompt her to say "and they thought the Thargoids were trouble", (without some evidence of something like a star killer weapon).

 

[[Diplomacy] Carnegie]

Then don't we come back to themes like isolation and emptiness? Which draws right back around to the theory that the mystery of the Rift is in its sparseness?

This, I believe, is a clue:

Expedition Log: 21/08/3270
"Why the hell are we out here? No one seems to know. It's taken months and still we're not there. Wherever 'there' is. We're dropping these beacons. Supposedly nobody knows what they're for. If they do they ain't telling. Makes no sense, there's nothing out there... and who would come all this way anyway?"

Expedition Log: 28/08/3270
"We're still travelling. Jump drive malfunctioned today, that made an interesting diversion. It's going to take a while to fix. This area of space is g me out. Could have I heard some weird voices in the last jump. We are a long way from home. We're struggling to plot a course now, we're leaving the galactic arm and the jumps are getting longer."

Expedition Log 07/09/3270
"Finally fixed the drive, more monotony. Can't believe it's nearly six months sice we set out from Riedquat. Did I say Riedquat? I meant Reorte. It's getting to me, this endless emptiness. The guys are showing the strain. Three more months before we can turn and head back. The stars are thinning out, you can the whole galaxy just hanging there..."

Expedition Log 22/09/3270
"The darkness grows. The galaxy is faint and dim behind us. I'm told this place has been nicknamed the Formidine Rift. Apparently that means fear in some old Earth language. It's an apt name, some of the guys are going space crazy out here in the void. We had to sedate one guy, he went completely doolally. We've not seen another soul for weeks. Just us and this ship... alone... in the darkness..."

Expedition Log 07/10/3270
"I'm scared... help me someone... I can't bear another jump. The lights in witch-space are coming for me. The lights... always the lights... they're calling to me... a siren song... I must join them..."

Expedition Log 08/10/3270
AUTOMATED TELEMETRY REPORT: CANOPY BLAST BOLTS ACTIVATED. LIFE SUPPORT MALFUNCTION. CREW VITAL SIGNS TERMINATED. SHIP SYSTEMS ENGAGING STANDBY MODE. DISTRESS BEACON ACTIVATED.

There's something out there which messes with peoples' minds.
That's what we need to be afraid of.

 

[Saool]

This, I believe, is a clue:

Expedition Log: 21/08/3270
"Why the hell are we out here? No one seems to know. It's taken months and still we're not there. Wherever 'there' is. We're dropping these beacons. Supposedly nobody knows what they're for. If they do they ain't telling. Makes no sense, there's nothing out there... and who would come all this way anyway?"

Expedition Log: 28/08/3270
"We're still travelling. Jump drive malfunctioned today, that made an interesting diversion. It's going to take a while to fix. This area of space is g me out. Could have I heard some weird voices in the last jump. We are a long way from home. We're struggling to plot a course now, we're leaving the galactic arm and the jumps are getting longer."

Expedition Log 07/09/3270
"Finally fixed the drive, more monotony. Can't believe it's nearly six months sice we set out from Riedquat. Did I say Riedquat? I meant Reorte. It's getting to me, this endless emptiness. The guys are showing the strain. Three more months before we can turn and head back. The stars are thinning out, you can the whole galaxy just hanging there..."

Expedition Log 22/09/3270
"The darkness grows. The galaxy is faint and dim behind us. I'm told this place has been nicknamed the Formidine Rift. Apparently that means fear in some old Earth language. It's an apt name, some of the guys are going space crazy out here in the void. We had to sedate one guy, he went completely doolally. We've not seen another soul for weeks. Just us and this ship... alone... in the darkness..."

Expedition Log 07/10/3270
"I'm scared... help me someone... I can't bear another jump. The lights in witch-space are coming for me. The lights... always the lights... they're calling to me... a siren song... I must join them..."

Expedition Log 08/10/3270
AUTOMATED TELEMETRY REPORT: CANOPY BLAST BOLTS ACTIVATED. LIFE SUPPORT MALFUNCTION. CREW VITAL SIGNS TERMINATED. SHIP SYSTEMS ENGAGING STANDBY MODE. DISTRESS BEACON ACTIVATED.

There's something out there which messes with peoples' minds.
That's what we need to be afraid of.

But I don't think that is what it is. If anything these logs reinforce the idea that whatever it is, is on the other side of the rift. The logs suggest probes are being dropped, three months before they arrive at there ultimate destination. One would think that then is EAFOTS, where they are at that time. Then they start the crossing and don't survive. The last log is only one month later; a full two months of travel from their suggested destination.

 

[[Diplomacy] Carnegie]

But I don't think that is what it is. If anything these logs reinforce the idea that whatever it is, is on the other side of the rift. The logs suggest probes are being dropped, three months before they arrive at there ultimate destination. One would think that then is EAFOTS, where they are at that time. Then they start the crossing and don't survive. The last log is only one month later; a full two months of travel from their suggested destination.

Personally, I'm not too worried about the WHERE - whether it be EAFOTS, the sparse areas of the Rift or the galactic arm on the far side.
It's irrelevant to me because I'm not planning on searching until I know WHAT I'm looking for.
All of that is dependent on the WHY - and the answer to that, I firmly believe, is in the Bubble.

 

[Malcotch]

Interestingly, Drew's comment about 'the core of the problem' was in response to two commanders discussing the NGC 7822 star cluster. Also Obsidian Ant observed that some systems in that nebula are so dark that you can longer see the core of the galaxy. Its amazing how much confusion that comment has created!

 

[ScolioTheMost]

This, I believe, is a clue:

Expedition Log: 21/08/3270
"Why the hell are we out here? No one seems to know. It's taken months and still we're not there. Wherever 'there' is. We're dropping these beacons. Supposedly nobody knows what they're for. If they do they ain't telling. Makes no sense, there's nothing out there... and who would come all this way anyway?"

Expedition Log: 28/08/3270
"We're still travelling. Jump drive malfunctioned today, that made an interesting diversion. It's going to take a while to fix. This area of space is g me out. Could have I heard some weird voices in the last jump. We are a long way from home. We're struggling to plot a course now, we're leaving the galactic arm and the jumps are getting longer."

Expedition Log 07/09/3270
"Finally fixed the drive, more monotony. Can't believe it's nearly six months sice we set out from Riedquat. Did I say Riedquat? I meant Reorte. It's getting to me, this endless emptiness. The guys are showing the strain. Three more months before we can turn and head back. The stars are thinning out, you can the whole galaxy just hanging there..."

Expedition Log 22/09/3270
"The darkness grows. The galaxy is faint and dim behind us. I'm told this place has been nicknamed the Formidine Rift. Apparently that means fear in some old Earth language. It's an apt name, some of the guys are going space crazy out here in the void. We had to sedate one guy, he went completely doolally. We've not seen another soul for weeks. Just us and this ship... alone... in the darkness..."

Expedition Log 07/10/3270
"I'm scared... help me someone... I can't bear another jump. The lights in witch-space are coming for me. The lights... always the lights... they're calling to me... a siren song... I must join them..."

Expedition Log 08/10/3270
AUTOMATED TELEMETRY REPORT: CANOPY BLAST BOLTS ACTIVATED. LIFE SUPPORT MALFUNCTION. CREW VITAL SIGNS TERMINATED. SHIP SYSTEMS ENGAGING STANDBY MODE. DISTRESS BEACON ACTIVATED.

There's something out there which messes with peoples' minds.
That's what we need to be afraid of.

This might be insignificant, but it was 6/7ths of this trip to the edge of the arm than an additional 1/7th until this pilot lost their minds. It may be helpful for determining a relative distance to be looking for. Distance from riedquat to the edge of the arm divided by 6. That is the distance you would still need to reasonably go. Also the galaxy "just hanging there" makes me thing that they are above or below the galactic plane.

Interestingly, Drew's comment about 'the core of the problem' was in response to two commanders discussing the NGC 7822 star cluster. Also Obsidian Ant observed that some systems in that nebula are so dark that you can longer see the core of the galaxy. Its amazing how much confusion that comment has created!

Or the core of the cluster.

 

[Saool]

Personally, I'm not too worried about the WHERE - whether it be EAFOTS, the sparse areas of the Rift or the galactic arm on the far side.
It's irrelevant to me because I'm not planning on searching until I know WHAT I'm looking for.
All of that is dependent on the WHY - and the answer to that, I firmly believe, is in the Bubble.

Fair point. But you will have to take a virtual +1.

 

[JesusRocks1988]

Just thought I'd report in with this. I've found the first earth like I've come across from within the Rift itself. Nothing to report about it - no beacons or anything else here unfortunately, and I've scanned nearly everything in this system.

For reference it's in the Tyroopps sector. I'm in two minds about whether to divulge the exact location because it's untagged as well... Might wait until I get back to the bubble.

Then again, might not... We'll see. I'll definitely share if it turns up anything interesting as I carry on searching this system.

It also has a landfall rocky moon, which I will search quickly once I've finished scanning...

 

[Forum_Dad]

This is scary and interesting! I can't help right now, but reading your discoveries is really intriguing!

 

[JesusRocks1988]

Nope! Nothing here, moving on...

 

[Vasquess]

Hi, after coming back to the bubble I started shipping tantalum to Hiram's Anchorage. (Had to leave the empty space for a while before going mad) Having a look at the Prism system map I would expect to arrive at the star that is on top of the system map: Prism! But instead I arrive at Sapphire. Is this well known for Prism? And is there an explanation why it is this way?
(As far as I remember this is my 1st system whre it is that way)

 

[Assimilator1]

But I don't think that is what it is. If anything these logs reinforce the idea that whatever it is, is on the other side of the rift. The logs suggest probes are being dropped, three months before they arrive at there ultimate destination. One would think that then is EAFOTS, where they are at that time. Then they start the crossing and don't survive. The last log is only one month later; a full two months of travel from their suggested destination.

There is nothing in that log to suggest they are in Eafots, the logs have been transmitted to Eafots from somewhere, unfortunately there is almost nothing concrete in any of the logs

 

[kenworth]

Hi, after coming back to the bubble I started shipping tantalum to Hiram's Anchorage. (Had to leave the empty space for a while before going mad) Having a look at the Prism system map I would expect to arrive at the star that is on top of the system map: Prism! But instead I arrive at Sapphire. Is this well known for Prism? And is there an explanation why it is this way?
(As far as I remember this is my 1st system whre it is that way)

If I recall correctly, you always drop into a system at the star with the highest mass, not necessarily the named system star.

 

[Vasquess]

That's plausible. But isn't the star with the highest mass then on the top in the map???