The Formidine Rift - Part 2

[Dielos]

Rho Cassiopeiae? (RO, C). Plus it's actually in the rift, and difficult (perhaps impossible?) to get there.

Passed a couple of days ago near it. I was on the galaxy plane, and if I remember correctly, that system was exactly below me around 400ly away. I tried to spot if I could reach it, but seemed impossible with my range.

I do think an Anaconda with FSD injections could manage it, although I think to remember that the nearest star was right below it, so you might have to fly around it first. Stars down there seemed really sparse...

 

[Acheron Kimald]

Looks like I will have another early day at work. I might take a look at Rho when I get home.

I'm afraid, however, that it might not be anything special. But it may be a clue. I don't have jumponium, so I won't make it to it but maybe the area will provide some insight.

Maybe it's a point of reference? A lighthouse of sorts?

 

[Legacy_LuckyLuke]

Maybe it's a point of reference? A lighthouse of sorts?

That's what I was wondering too. Crazy thoughts, but I thought maybe there is some triangulation of lines we could do, between different systems that would mark a spot where the lines cross. I've nothing to base this on, just a thought that occurred to me when various system names kept popping up like Leesti, Rho Cass and so on...

 

[woodhouse]

I'm curious about the 'Leesti' morse code that was quoted a few posts back - where did that come from? I hadn't seen it before.

As far as I can see, the Leesti morse code (.,.. . . ... , ..) is a hoax. It's similar to .,.. ......,. ... but not the same. Dots are missing and spaces were inserted. Unless I missed something.

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

So, do we know for sure that Rho Cassiopeiae can be reached or not? (With 80kly jump range? With 23kly jump range?)

 

[Gypsy12]

Reposting this.

It strikes me as odd. Im no English teacher but the structure seems off. Also, bear in mind that at the start of that message, the coordinates were said to be at the end of the message. Then "The holofac faded, leaving them with just the text." Meaning... that's all they got, and the coordinates ARE in the message.

Just read it.

"The video played.
"If you're listening to this it means your smart enough to have bypassed Galcop, Federation, and Imperial security." The woman on the video smiled. "Not bad, but it's nothing compared to what's coming. I'm guess you'll be pressed for time so I'll be quick. You'll find the co-ordinates at the end of this message. You'll need a tough ship and a good pilot. It's a long way, so make sure you're prepped, no one will be around to help you out. Once you reach the rift you're going to have to plot a way across. There are no stars for dozens of light years and the dark systems haven't been mapped, so take your time, watch your six." The woman leaned in closer to the recording device. "What's there? Wish I could tell you, but they edited my memory pretty good, took me long enough to stitch this lot back together. Whatever it is, it's something that Galcop, the Imps and the Feds don't want us to see. Good luck, and ... right on, Commander." The holofac faded, leaving them with just the text."

Hrmmm...

Also of note: "Watch you six" most likely means "You will have to backtrack so pay attention to where you have been!"

Also: The "..." is preceded by a space. This isn't normal. At least, im pretty sure it isn't.

 

[TFW Primus]

Looking through your old post, the piece of clothing (tiara) she left could be the first of seven. After all, I think to remember that Drew mentioned that we didn't have yet all the clues to solve this. He also specifically said to watch galnet and that more might come in April. We might see more pieces of clothing lying around in the future... She might be leaving these as bread crumbs.

Nice post that one though... I bookmarked it for future reference. I saw it when you originally posted but was traveling and forgot to recheck later! That story ties too strongly Salomé and the Seven Veils...

Hmm, are there any other references at all to the tiara, or was that the only one? I find it quite curious that a tiara can be directly related to the constellation Cassiopeia which contains the star Rho Cassiopeia, which can be found in the rift. Are any of the other stars of the constellation Cassiopeia found within the rift?

Further to this, some of the stars of Cassiopeia can be found within the bubble. Maybe local Galnet there might contain some clues.

I'm about half way to the rift. I think the following need further investigation:

• Alpha Cassiopeiae i.e Schedar - just outside the bubble
• Beta Cassiopeiae i.e Caph - inside the bubble and has port/stations
• Delta Cassiopeiae i.e Ruchbah - inside the bubble and has ports/stations. One port called Elder city...
• Gama Cassiopeiae - Couldn't find in game
• Rho Cassiopeiae - In the rift. Explore if possible. Very far below the galactic plane.

 

[stocko1111]

Reposting this.

It strikes me as odd. Im no English teacher but the structure seems off. Also, bear in mind that at the start of that message, the coordinates were said to be at the end of the message. Then "The holofac faded, leaving them with just the text." Meaning... that's all they got, and the coordinates ARE in the message.

Just read it.

"The video played.
"If you're listening to this it means your smart enough to have bypassed Galcop, Federation, and Imperial security." The woman on the video smiled. "Not bad, but it's nothing compared to what's coming. I'm guess you'll be pressed for time so I'll be quick. You'll find the co-ordinates at the end of this message. You'll need a tough ship and a good pilot. It's a long way, so make sure you're prepped, no one will be around to help you out. Once you reach the rift you're going to have to plot a way across. There are no stars for dozens of light years and the dark systems haven't been mapped, so take your time, watch your six." The woman leaned in closer to the recording device. "What's there? Wish I could tell you, but they edited my memory pretty good, took me long enough to stitch this lot back together. Whatever it is, it's something that Galcop, the Imps and the Feds don't want us to see. Goodluck, and ... right on, Commander." The holofac faded, leaving them with just the text."

Hrmmm...

There's nothing wrong at all with the structure, speech doesn't have to follow a structure. There's a mistake with 'I'm guess you'll be pressed...' but I'm guessing that's a typo. Same with 'Goodluck'. I think the ending is simply left as an ambiguous ending and some people are reading far too much into this. Could be wrong though!

 

[Gypsy12]

Reposting this.

It strikes me as odd. Im no English teacher but the structure seems off. Also, bear in mind that at the start of that message, the coordinates were said to be at the end of the message. Then "The holofac faded, leaving them with just the text." Meaning... that's all they got, and the coordinates ARE in the message.

Just read it.

"The video played.
"If you're listening to this it means your smart enough to have bypassed Galcop, Federation, and Imperial security." The woman on the video smiled. "Not bad, but it's nothing compared to what's coming. I'm guess you'll be pressed for time so I'll be quick. You'll find the co-ordinates at the end of this message. You'll need a tough ship and a good pilot. It's a long way, so make sure you're prepped, no one will be around to help you out. Once you reach the rift you're going to have to plot a way across. There are no stars for dozens of light years and the dark systems haven't been mapped, so take your time, watch your six." The woman leaned in closer to the recording device. "What's there? Wish I could tell you, but they edited my memory pretty good, took me long enough to stitch this lot back together. Whatever it is, it's something that Galcop, the Imps and the Feds don't want us to see. Good luck, and ... right on, Commander." The holofac faded, leaving them with just the text."

Hrmmm...

Also of note: "Watch you six" most likely means "You will have to backtrack so pay attention to where you have been!"

Also: The "..." is preceded by a space. This isn't normal. At least, im pretty sure it isn't.

The way I see it is that the "..." is there to point out that there are three blocks of words, divided by commas: "Good luck, and ... right on, Commander"

Suspiciously like coordinates...

 

[stocko1111]

The way I see it is that the "..." is there to point out that there are three blocks of words, divided by commas: "Good luck, and ... right on, Commander"

Suspiciously like coordinates...

For reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipsis

Out of interest, is the mathematical notation usage important?

 

[Acheron Kimald]

There's nothing wrong at all with the structure, speech doesn't have to follow a structure. There's a mistake with 'I'm guess you'll be pressed...' but I'm guessing that's a typo. Same with 'Goodluck'. I think the ending is simply left as an ambiguous ending and some people are reading far too much into this. Could be wrong though!

Yep, typo on my part. I caught it last night but got distracted then forgot. Will fix it in a moment

 

[graeme.firth]

As far as I can see, the Leesti morse code (.,.. . . ... , ..) is a hoax. It's similar to .,.. ......,. ... but not the same. Dots are missing and spaces were inserted. Unless I missed something.

Hi, things I've tried in order to try and get co-ords out of the "Good luck, and ... right on, Commander." - all to no avail, but it may give ideas or save someone else time.

In order to try and evaluate whether a method was viable, I have made the following assumptions.

The co-ords (if indeed they are encoded) are in the format x,z,y as in the Galactic Map
X = -8000 +/- 2000
Y = -8000 +/- 2000
Which would place somewhere in and around the rift - if a decoding scheme came somewhere close to this (often ignoring numeric sign) it would be viable (sadly ... none did). During the decoding process I have tried to address the issue of encoding for + or - minus values (binary two's compliment) but no joy there either.

Failures as follows:
Swap chars for number A=1 B=2, add results seperated by comma's. Result = Too low - not signed
Swap chars for number A=1 B=2, multiply results seperated by comma's. Result = Too high - not signed.
Create MD5 and SHA1 hashes. Result = No discernable pattern despite occasional individual co-ord being in the area - not signed.
Convert to ASCII decimal, and sum. Result = too low - not signed.
Convert to ASCII decimal, and multiply. Result = too high - not signed

Going on from the idea that Leesti equated to 1,2113,2 (replacing dashes for commas) I have searched for a character set with that number of characters, UTF8 is a possibility but too vague and so dismissed.

I am now at a loss for ideas - will keep viewing post and if I have any more ideas - I'll let you know.

Keep searching!!

 

[Belthize]

While the possibility that the last line of dialogue is the encoded coordinates would be brilliant, that would lead us to a string of either coincidences of galactic proportions, or conspiracy theories dating back several hundred years.

ROC has been used as a term since the very beginning of the game, and is the perfect salutation for the Old Woman to use with her protege. More unusual for her NOT to use it.
So either :
1) The coordinates of a random location 10 Kylie away can be encoded into a normal everyday phrase. Try and encode your telephone number into "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish". Its would require a Fingerprint of God type coincidence for this to be true.
2) Many years ago, it was noticed that the coordinates of the big secret could be encoded into this as yet unused phrase, and those in the know started using it like a Masonic Handshake. Every time the original Elite 84 said "RIGHT ON COMMANDER" it was actually giving you a hint to the location of the secret. Not sure Drew has the clout to get such a conspiracy inserted into the game.

That leaves you with the punctuation

I agree with Illuminati-esque interpretation but I think that's actually the right track.

My brother and I (we're both 50-ish now) used to do treasure hunts as kids and he still does them for his kids. The model was always find something cool and then craft hiding places that matched that hint. I've been trying to approach this from the other end, rather than working backwards from Drew's clues I've been trying to recreate his steps, thinking about what he wanted to hide, where he'd hide it and then the shape those clues would take.

For instance he may have been intrigued by the idea that "Right On, Commander" was a hidden message all along. Poked around the rift area and realized he could pick a system that matched a plausible encoding of RoC. If that's true then it's not really Illuminati-esque astronomical coincidence, it's intentional.

To go back to the treasure hunts, our clues were always broad, narrower, narrower, repeat as needed, point right at it. I've been assuming there are 3 clues.

1) RR Line which points to the area of the Rift.
2) Core of the matter which points to the center of the Rift.
3) Right on Commander, which actually encodes a specific star system. In the area I'm in there pattern is <Constant String> <Constant String> XX-X -X##-X# where X is a letter and # is a number. Further more the XX-X bit is basically unique. For a given XX-X there is normally one and only one X##-X# so XX-X is sufficient to specify a given system.

I'm out there now. I actually thought that "AIM ON-C" (right on-commander) was the name of the system but I arrived there this morning and so far it looks like a normal system. I still have some planets to search but I had to head to work.

There are some other interesting XX-X patterns, some were posted further up like EB-P and RO-C which is where I'm headed next unless somebody beats me to it.

Space out there is vast so I may be in the wrong region. The first <Constant String> encompasses a cube nearly 1000LY on a side and the second <Constant String> is all or some portion of that. So one of the first steps (for me) is to figure out which cube clue 2 points to, ie where is the core of the rift, and then look at candidate XX-X systems within that cube.

One last point. It's been mentioned repeatedly that you don't need Horizons to reach the system so that means no Jumponium, which means isolated systems are probably uninteresting. I'm running around with a 32LY jump range when fully fueled.

 

[Dommarraa]

To me the ... is just a pause. Normally for the speaker to consider their next phrase, or for emphasis. She had already decided to give the coordinates, so there is little need for her to consider the next phrase carefully. That leaves emphasis, so "right on, Commander" is the clue. In common English that could be
1) Turn right when you reach "Commander" (wherever "Commander" might be)
2) Continue straight and keep going
3) The normal validiction between 2 members of the Pilots Federation. There is no clue in the wording

There is ambiguity as to the nature of the "remaining text". Sure it could be a transcript of the audio from the Holofac, or it could be like an Attachment that appears when the HoloFac has finished as the old lady said would happen (in some manner).

Drew might be persuaded to clear up this purely technical ambiguity, but I doubt it.

 

[woodhouse]

Personally I find it most likely that the ellipsis is an introduction to the co-ordinates. In other words, I think the co-ordinates are to be found in 'right on, Commander'.

Good luck and ... (as promised, the co-ordinates: ) ... right on, Commander.

 

[Sgt.Barnes]

Hi Guys
I have been lurking around this thread and others relating too this for a while. I have been reading all the associated docs online like Drew's site and CoR etc. I have also had the pleasure to speak to two or three well know explorers regarding there actual findings from the area in question. I have spent a while comparing maps of the area and have come to a bit of a variation on the conclusion/theory you guys are chasing and wanted to throw it out there for discussion.
I have deliberately ignored all non canon and fan fiction material and stuck to actual evidence and witness info e.g. Erimus's brilliant maps are direct witness evidence as are the quotes and clues from Drew. Oolite & most of the original 1984 Dark wheel etc is now considered non canon (as confirmed by drew & Frontier) so I have ignored its content. I have also looked at the progress other groups have made and the findings of other explorers who have found things in the region. The last few days I have spent reading through the threads here seeing how far you guys got. The last part of the puzzle for me dropped into place this morning when I messaged a commander who has been "out there" and told me a very interesting fact. This fact leads me to believe that I know roughly where the thing I have been looking for is. To be very clear I 'am looking for

A) Raxxla or the gateway too it or
B) Thargoid home world

Either would be amazing to find. Both would be mind blowing.

Several groups including your own have all followed similar clues and are all heading in the same direction just beyond the rift. Beyond the rift is a known and well mapped region called as you probably know the Explorers end. This is as far as you can go because the next region Bovomit and the Bovomit badlands are permit locked ! I' am sure that one of the two aforementioned (if not both) lost worlds are in that region and why ? because why the hell would they be locked and they are in roughly the right place all the clues say they are. It would be a coincidence of huge proportions if it where not.
Now if we pretend for a moment this theory is correct this completely changes the whole job. It means that we are now not looking for the location of the lost worlds but are in fact looking for a Permit. That poses a completely new mystery and loads of new questions. The main one being how to get a permit.

Speculation (my best guess) This is where I got stuck for leads until I read on this thread the Seven veils theory and a new idea popped out at me. Acquisition of seven permits (veil being a permit) to get the final 7th Bovomit permit. The clues too in which systems the permits could be acquired could be the systems Kahina visits. Surely she would have to collect the same permits to unlock the 7th Bovomit region. This also fits with the "who goes looking" clue Drew gave us as the person with the permits is the "right person" It also fits the other pre conditions 1 & 2.

1. It is there to be found in game in ED.
2. You do not need 'Horizons' to find it as it was finalised long before 'Horizons'.
3. Whether it is found or not depends entirely on who goes looking.

I did think about the "ranking being irrelevant" issue and my theory around that is that simply becoming allied/influenced to a minor faction at a station could give you the permit just like the Peregina permit by doing minor missions for that faction. This means anyone can do it. The explorer I spoke to this morning who has actually been to the Bovomit border made it in a 33ly ASP exp. The first System Kahina visits is Sol the first permit system ! Then on too Achenar (permit system) The rest she must have done in the company of the Dark Wheel or as their prisoner. After all if she had figured it out they may have decided to stop her ? to protect the location of Raxxla ? after all thats what they do. Perhaps after the Thargoid war there was an agreement that you would require a permit from each of the major powers to access the region due to some secret they are keeping form the general population. Fed permit, Imp permit, Alliance permit, then maybe some influential independents ? just a thought. The medallion she left behind may have been a message for Salome to tell her she has been taken by the Dark Wheel or that she has simply gone with them to you know where.

These are the conclusions and idea's I have bumbled too on my own in the last 3 months drawing from several sources of leads and clues. I would love to know what you think. Perhaps the truth is a mix of this idea and others ? I don't know for sure but I would love to see if any of you can add too it or discount it for any reason. I suppose if I 'am right the Dark Wheel reps should be busting through my door shortly so I may disappear

CMDR Sgt.Barnes

 

[Stattick]

"Good luck, and ... right on, Commander"

G% L% a-ro (planet c)

Would have to find an "a-ro" system.

The other thing I noticed is the message is audio/holo/video. All the quotes in the passage are from the video. When the video ends it tells us it left behind text.

We don't get to see the text.

Is there any way to investigate where she found this and find this text?

Sorry if this is erroneous, I haven't read the book yet as the forums are keeping me distracted from my normal reading time.

 

[Belthize]

These are the conclusions and idea's I have bumbled too on my own in the last 3 months drawing from several sources of leads and clues. I would love to know what you think. Perhaps the truth is a mix of this idea and others ? I don't know for sure but I would love to see if any of you can add too it or discount it for any reason. I suppose if I 'am right the Dark Wheel reps should be busting through my door shortly so I may disappear

CMDR Sgt.Barnes

That's a very interesting theory. One that I hope is wrong because it means I'd have to drag my carcass back to human space and start permit hunting . But it is interesting. It implies that the whole story is the clue (retrace her steps) rather than the single vid with 'right on commander' in it, at that point the vid potentially becomes a total red herring.

 

[woodhouse]

Nothing at +/- 18, +/- 15, +/- 3 (R=18, O=15; C=3)

 

[hiciacit]

That leaves you with the punctuation

Or the 'goodluck' that's written as a single word (bit like godspeed almost). Unless of course that is badly quoted from the book.

 

[Warmaster Will]

Hi Guys
I have been lurking around this thread and others relating too this for a while. I have been reading all the associated docs online like Drew's site and CoR etc. I have also had the pleasure to speak to two or three well know explorers regarding there actual findings from the area in question. I have spent a while comparing maps of the area and have come to a bit of a variation on the conclusion/theory you guys are chasing and wanted to throw it out there for discussion.
I have deliberately ignored all non canon and fan fiction material and stuck to actual evidence and witness info e.g. Erimus's brilliant maps are direct witness evidence as are the quotes and clues from Drew. Oolite & most of the original 1984 Dark wheel etc is now considered non canon (as confirmed by drew & Frontier) so I have ignored its content. I have also looked at the progress other groups have made and the findings of other explorers who have found things in the region. The last few days I have spent reading through the threads here seeing how far you guys got. The last part of the puzzle for me dropped into place this morning when I messaged a commander who has been "out there" and told me a very interesting fact. This fact leads me to believe that I know roughly where the thing I have been looking for is. To be very clear I 'am looking for

A) Raxxla or the gateway too it or
B) Thargoid home world

Either would be amazing to find. Both would be mind blowing.

Several groups including your own have all followed similar clues and are all heading in the same direction just beyond the rift. Beyond the rift is a known and well mapped region called as you probably know the Explorers end. This is as far as you can go because the next region Bovomit and the Bovomit badlands are permit locked ! I' am sure that one of the two aforementioned (if not both) lost worlds are in that region and why ? because why the hell would they be locked and they are in roughly the right place all the clues say they are. It would be a coincidence of huge proportions if it where not.
Now if we pretend for a moment this theory is correct this completely changes the whole job. It means that we are now not looking for the location of the lost worlds but are in fact looking for a Permit. That poses a completely new mystery and loads of new questions. The main one being how to get a permit.

Speculation (my best guess) This is where I got stuck for leads until I read on this thread the Seven veils theory and a new idea popped out at me. Acquisition of seven permits (veil being a permit) to get the final 7th Bovomit permit. The clues too in which systems the permits could be acquired could be the systems Kahina visits. Surely she would have to collect the same permits to unlock the 7th Bovomit region. This also fits with the "who goes looking" clue Drew gave us as the person with the permits is the "right person" It also fits the other pre conditions 1 & 2.

1. It is there to be found in game in ED.
2. You do not need 'Horizons' to find it as it was finalised long before 'Horizons'.
3. Whether it is found or not depends entirely on who goes looking.

I did think about the "ranking being irrelevant" issue and my theory around that is that simply becoming allied/influenced to a minor faction at a station could give you the permit just like the Peregina permit by doing minor missions for that faction. This means anyone can do it. The explorer I spoke to this morning who has actually been to the Bovomit border made it in a 33ly ASP exp. The first System Kahina visits is Sol the first permit system ! Then on too Achenar (permit system) The rest she must have done in the company of the Dark Wheel or as their prisoner. After all if she had figured it out they may have decided to stop her ? to protect the location of Raxxla ? after all thats what they do. Perhaps after the Thargoid war there was an agreement that you would require a permit from each of the major powers to access the region due to some secret they are keeping form the general population. Fed permit, Imp permit, Alliance permit, then maybe some influential independents ? just a thought. The medallion she left behind may have been a message for Salome to tell her she has been taken by the Dark Wheel or that she has simply gone with them to you know where.

These are the conclusions and idea's I have bumbled too on my own in the last 3 months drawing from several sources of leads and clues. I would love to know what you think. Perhaps the truth is a mix of this idea and others ? I don't know for sure but I would love to see if any of you can add too it or discount it for any reason. I suppose if I 'am right the Dark Wheel reps should be busting through my door shortly so I may disappear

CMDR Sgt.Barnes

I hated ya in Platoon but I love you in Elite Dangerous Sgt Barnes,rep for you.....this mans theroy seems sound as hell.
And what better way to find the biggest secret in the game than to have to play and get permits for every major location,faction,whatever.