The Quest To Find Raxxla

[Jorki Rasalas]

Guardians were taken out by the AI race. Not thargoids, of which they seemed to be less at risk of being destroyed by than we currently are. If they were running from someone or putting out a backup plan for survival, it would be against the AI. Which sounds a bit futile, plus it happened very quickly with little time to respond. The AI race wouldn't have allowed any living guardians to survive. Granted, the mars artifact could have been planted long before their end and even before the ai race was created.

Perhaps raxxla is an AI race station or jump gate. Their technology would have advanced well beyond what it was millions of years ago when they took out the guardians and since their primary goal was wiping out the thargoid threat, it would appear that they are no longer in the galaxy or have other priorities now. Survival of the fittest and all and see who can figure out the way to reach their current location and join them on their journey to infinite.

I think early human explorers got hints from things they found about raxxla. It also stands to reason that these hints didn't provide a location or that location would be in the hands of super powers and/or mega corps. It would really make more sense if nobody has ever found raxxla. We have no evidence of advanced technology suddenly being made available.

The biggest plot hole we have in the elite universe is the permit system. How are these permits enforced? Who controls them? How have they not been fragmented by opposing super powers? Who has declared that entire sectors be off limits? Why? They really dont make much sense at all lore-wise.

But if they did have a lore reason, that organization would seem to wield incredible power. Controlling which systems 99.9999% of the human race can access. Really i dont know how such an organization can exist within the elite universe. The only thing that would make sense is that they are leveraging something over any power or company that would wish to take that control away from them. And what could that be other than something as awesome as raxxla?

The traditionalist Guardians were (according to Ram Tah, but we were warned not to believe everything we are told by characters, we have no way of independently verifying his decodes) wiped out by their AI Constructs who persuaded their war machines to rebel.
Before that:
1) the technology-oriented Guardians were exiled so may be somewhere in the galaxy (or whatever they evolved into) so they might have dropped the Mars Artefact
2) The war machines were pitted against the Thargoids, but the war was fought to a standstill. Don’t think the AI per se were antagonistic to the Thargoids.

You said “I think early human explorers got hints from things they found about raxxla. It also stands to reason that these hints didn't provide a location or that location would be in the hands of super powers and/or mega corps.” This is supposition & there is no evidence for it. We have very little evidence so I’m not against supposition (hypothesising) per se, we all do it, though hypotheses should be tested against in-game reality. However if I understand the timeline correctly the evidence we do have suggests the Raxxla rumour started around the time the Mars Artefact was found (& Achenar was settled). The Feds have never revealed what the Artefact was or anything about it, so it may be that Holdstock was correct and Raxxla is being exploited by unscrupulous men.

Permits are enforced by code within our fsd drives (made by Sirius Corp). They are set by the Pilots’ Federation, who clearly don’t want us to go into certain areas of the galaxy (yet). They also control Universal Cartographic so have oversight of anything we find and wherever we explore. Clearly this is an exceedingly powerful organisation. I think it is telling that they make use of a triangular motif which is very similar to that seen at Guardian sites & on Guardian technology...

 

[Jorki Rasalas]

Well, Tyko’s spent a few hours bumbling around Shin Dez, ran two data courier missions to nearby systems, visited asteroid cluster 3, planet A3, closely inspected the interior (and exterior) of Jameson Memorial, and has mapped AB3h. Why? I counted the red lights on the large wheel & got 33, same as the dots on the “Raxxla logo”? The interior of that logo looks like the astronomical symbol for a star with 3 belts around it. And AB3h seems to be the 33rd planet (going by distance).

Nothing found!

And nothing heard from TDW re a possible induction exam . A mission beacon did appear just before I logged out, but it wasn’t for TDW so I ignored it.

 

[alexzk]

which the Feds lost because of the long supply chain logistical problems (stated in a tourist beacon), it would have been abandoned and forgotten by both sides.

Hmm ..maybe you should search "independent" station surrounded by either super power then? Sounds like Jameson Memorial though

 

[GURU-951]

Hey @GURU-951, I was reviewing some older videos as I do for tip-bits and recalled that your video a few months ago did a slow fly through of the recent Odyssey FDev footage around the systems and remembered something similar from David's PAX east video (links below).

Is it the same footage re-hashed again, it's looks like it with a quick scan?

If so I'm even more suspicious of it's content as David loves dropping hints in his videos. So to see it again 3 years later might mean we've missed something and FDev are making it a tiny bit obvious, or they're lazy and re-using stock video footage.

Elite Dangerous- Odyssey Trailer- Analysis+ 2 Possible Dark Wheel Station Locations

Source: https://youtu.be/rLn2dlrKb3w?t=397


PAX East 2017 - Interview with David Braben (star fly through time)

Source: https://youtu.be/XTtiGxJIFyM?t=36

Spoiler: PAX East - Star Map - Asellus Primus, Sol, Shinrarta Dezhra

View attachment 199842

Fly Dangerously.
See you in the Black!
/ Ra

Your guess, Cmdr, is as good as mine.

 

[Darth Ender]

Permits are enforced by code within our fsd drives (made by Sirius Corp). They are set by the Pilots’ Federation, who clearly don’t want us to go into certain areas of the galaxy (yet). They also control Universal Cartographic so have oversight of anything we find and wherever we explore. Clearly this is an exceedingly powerful organisation. I think it is telling that they make use of a triangular motif which is very similar to that seen at Guardian sites & on Guardian technology...

Ignoring handwavium, that still begs to question what kind of leverage does an organization who's only apparent power is to rank pilots have over all governments and organizations to enforce Sirius Corp's implementation of their permit lists ... effectively making them less sovereign than both the Pilots Fed and Sirius Corp.

And why would sirius corp let themselves be dependent on a union? They could do everything the pilots fed does themselves in regards to stellar cartography and control where people can go.

That just doesn't make any sense.

And considering that the Alliance is who reverse engineered thargoid tech to create the technology that became the jump drives Sirius produces, why has there not been any alternative solution from the Alliance? All the Club did was shuffle that info to Sirius, but that doesn't necessarily eliminate the Alliance program that the info was stolen from. What convinced the alliance to not continue on their own research and develop their own in-house jump drive completely independent from Sirius? Nor would it eliminate companies and governments from continuing to maintain type 2B hyperspace drives that came before the jump drive which weren't controlled by Sirius and presumably would not be hampered by a permit system. Making them a great military strategic advantage despite their handicaps. Trusting Sirius to not fall under the control of an opposing power seems extremely stupid.

just seems pretty suspicious if there's an actual lore reason at all (which there very well may not be) for why this organization wields such power when they should be nothing more than an independent pilots union. Instead they exist similar to the navigator guild in Dune ...which doesn't make sense in the elite universe. Unless the pilots fed has something everyone wants under threat of destroying it. The only thing i can think that could be is if the pilots fed has Raxxla - with a gun to it's head - and all the really important people know it.

 

[Jorki Rasalas]

Jasmina Halsey’s assassination, by some high Fed officials, followed her surreptitious meeting with Mahon. Perhaps she was being kept out of the loop on Raxxla etc and Mahon provided some Alliance insight on Guardians/Thargoids which caused her unscheduled secret diversion? (I’m still not convinced the diversion was to Azaleach!). We have no way of knowing, but I find it telling that the galnet post about that meeting was redacted.

And the answer to your lore question may well be that the Pilots’ Federation is much more than a trade union. I think that’s what the indications are saying. I think they’re saying that PF originated from the Guardians or their descendants (hence the repeated triangle motif) who have been manipulating humanity from the outset. They certainly control the permit locks, and UC from which they appear to have become the richest organisation in the universe, and I think they also control Sirius (else otherwise an enterprising fsd engineer would develop a drive that didnt implement permits).

However, is it still canon that the Alliance reverse engineered Thargoid tech?

 

[Hanerib]

ΓNo one goes to the movies to have a bad time, or learn anything
Α

Λ
Λ

Ι"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command"
Α

 

[Han_Zen]

Jasmina Halsey’s assassination, by some high Fed officials, followed her surreptitious meeting with Mahon. Perhaps she was being kept out of the loop on Raxxla etc and Mahon provided some Alliance insight on Guardians/Thargoids which caused her unscheduled secret diversion (still not convinced the diversion was to Azaleach)? We have no way of knowing, but I find it telling that the galnet post about that meeting was redacted.

And the answer to your lore question may well be that the Pilots’ Federation is much more than a trade union. I think that’s what the indications are saying. I think they’re saying that PF originated from the Guardians (or their descendants) who have been manipulating humanity from the outset. They certainly control the permit locks, and UC, hence also Sirius (else otherwise an enterprising fsd engineer would develop a drive that didnt implement permits).

However, is it still canon that the Alliance reverse engineered Thargoid tech?

The PF aren't that powerfull. They do own the rights to the FTL communication tech on our ships and for Galnet. This is licensed to Sirius, in some way. The nav. systems in all PF member ships (players) are under UC jurisdiction.
NPCs aren't members of PF and are not always limited by UC rules. You can see them jumping in and out of systems, with unobtainable permits.

Corporate factions can seemingly also opperate in locked sectors.

PF, EFP and the Founders are powerfull and have a bunch of cash, but being a member also comes with limitations. Finding and getting on the good side of the Dark Wheel, may help us overcome them.
In Imprint there is a mention that Elite pilots can get a commission with 'full jump navigation'. That is of course a Galcop commission, that allows you to go beyond the 8 galaxies. TDW may be able to give us something similar.

It wouldn't be surprising if FD have put in a few gates, on the journey to Raxxla. I doubt FD have put in any hidden mechanics for this. They would most likely rely on existing mechanics.

Being Elite is of course the first key that comes to mind. That key opens as far as I know, only Shinrarta Dezhra. Possibly the first gate?
The second gate may be the DW station. They key may be allied status with TDW in Shin Dez?
Third gate could be a permit locked sector or system and the key a permit from the real DW?

This is just an example but it shows how a journey could be constructed, with the mechanics that were in the game at release.

 

[Jorki Rasalas]

Hmm ..maybe you should search "independent" station surrounded by either super power then? Sounds like Jameson Memorial though

No, it won’t show on the galmap, it’s stealthy!

 

[Jorki Rasalas]

ΓNo one goes to the movies to have a bad time, or learn anything
Α

Λ
Λ

Ι"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command"
Α

Mate, there are times when I think you’re an alien ‘cos I don’t understand a word!

 

[Jorki Rasalas]

The PF aren't that powerfull. They do own the rights to the FTL communication tech on our ships and for Galnet. This is licensed to Sirius, in some way. The nav. systems in all PF member ships (players) are under UC jurisdiction.
NPCs aren't members of PF and are not always limited by UC rules. You can see them jumping in and out of systems, with unobtainable permits.

Corporate factions can seemingly also opperate in locked sectors.

PF, EFP and the Founders are powerfull and have a bunch of cash, but being a member also comes with limitations. Finding and getting on the good side of the Dark Wheel, may help us overcome them.
In Imprint there is a mention that Elite pilots can get a commission with 'full jump navigation'. That is of course a Galcop commission, that allows you to go beyond the 8 galaxies. TDW may be able to give us something similar.

It wouldn't be surprising if FD have put in a few gates, on the journey to Raxxla. I doubt FD have put in any hidden mechanics for this. They would most likely rely on existing mechanics.

Being Elite is of course the first key that comes to mind. That key opens as far as I know, only Shinrarta Dezhra. Possibly the first gate?
The second gate may be the DW station. They key may be allied status with TDW in Shin Dez?
Third gate could be a permit locked sector or system and the key a permit from the real DW?

This is just an example but it shows how a journey could be constructed, with the mechanics that were in the game at release.

Not convinced by your second gate. I’ve been allied with TDW in ShinDez for around 2 years, and with the PF (whichever spelling/subfaction it is) since killing goids out in the Pleiades during first lockdown (my hands are slowly beginning to get a bit better!), and now I’ve sold them MCr100+ worth of exploration data which included Goliath’s Rest (burning jewel on brow of Milky Way) and Sag A* and not seen any hint of a TDW recruitment test.

But I too suspect that TDW will provide another storyline and will provide access to permits for at least the half dozen locked systems in the bubble.

 

[Han_Zen]

Not convinced by your second gate. I’ve been allied with TDW in ShinDez for around 2 years, and with the PF (whichever spelling/subfaction it is) since killing goids out in the Pleiades during first lockdown (my hands are slowly beginning to get a bit better!), and now I’ve sold them MCr100+ worth of exploration data which included Goliath’s Rest (burning jewel on brow of Milky Way) and Sag A* and not seen any hint of a TDW recruitment test.

But I too suspect that TDW will provide another storyline and will provide access to permits for at least the half dozen locked systems in the bubble.

You only have the key, but you haven't found the gate. You need to find the station.
I don't think there are any in game mechanics that leads to the DW station. I suspect that it has to be found by interpretation of obtuse hints and visual searching.

 

[Hanerib]

Mate, there are times when I think you’re an alien ‘cos I don’t understand a word!

 

[yelboc]

Mate, there are times when I think you’re an alien ‘cos I don’t understand a word!

I'm never sure either, but can help a bit.

Gallia in the letters at the edge - looks like raxxla with the right script - one of the very few things google will turn up that's not due to ED

"No one ever.." is a quote by the director of "The Dying Gaul"

The music? no idea - thumpy stuff. But it's lyrics are 'The Real Thing' which might be enough

Carlo Gergori's engraving - not sure I got it on that one... A gladiator meditating..

"for the entire law is fulfilled.." is a quote from the bible saying that "love thy neighbor as yourself" encompasses the whole law..

Then a picture of UK warships patrolling ready for post Brexit cod wars? UK not loving it's neighbors..

That was my take, angular relevance, but fun none the less..

 

[Han_Zen]

I'm never sure either, but can help a bit.

Gallia in the letters at the edge - looks like raxxla with the right script - one of the very few things google will turn up that's not due to ED

"No one ever.." is a quote by the director of "The Dying Gaul"

The music? no idea - thumpy stuff. But it's lyrics are 'The Real Thing' which might be enough

Carlo Gergoi's engraving - not sure I got it on that one... A gladiator meditating..

"for the entire law is fulfilled.." is a quote from the bible saying that "love thy neighbor as yourself" encompasses the whole law..

Then a picture of UK warships patrolling ready for post Brexit cod wars? UK not loving it's neighbors..

That was my take, angular relevance, but fun none the less..

Gallia in Greek is Γαλλία. It looks a bit like raxxla and many OCR programs will interpret it as raXXLa.

Googling for Raxxla will give quite a few hits on old scanned texts, with partly Greek text.

 

[Darth Ender]

or braben went with a Vger approach to raxxla... that it's actually the only remaining parts of a name that originally had more letters / numbers. Making it human.

seems highly unlikely that an alien language would look like ours ....or that we've been able to translate their language since the 23rd century but need Ram Tah now to do anything.

 

[Jorki Rasalas]

I'm never sure either, but can help a bit.

Gallia in the letters at the edge - looks like raxxla with the right script - one of the very few things google will turn up that's not due to ED

"No one ever.." is a quote by the director of "The Dying Gaul"

The music? no idea - thumpy stuff. But it's lyrics are 'The Real Thing' which might be enough

Carlo Gergori's engraving - not sure I got it on that one... A gladiator meditating..

"for the entire law is fulfilled.." is a quote from the bible saying that "love thy neighbor as yourself" encompasses the whole law..

Then a picture of UK warships patrolling ready for post Brexit cod wars? UK not loving it's neighbors..

That was my take, angular relevance, but fun none the less..

Oh, we like our European neighbours.... (edit: well, the majority of the population does, barring a small number who manipulated the voting!)
But we adore our fish n chips!

 

[Jorki Rasalas]

You only have the key, but you haven't found the gate. You need to find the station.
I don't think there are any in game mechanics that leads to the DW station. I suspect that it has to be found by interpretation of obtuse hints and visual searching.

But don’t we need to pass the recruitment test to be able to visit the stealth station?
I suspect it wont instance until you do.

The “Place that isn't a place, door that is also the key. The myth” mission appeared to be related to Raxxla and TDW may be a parallel thread with little or no impingement.
It would really help if we knew of someone (anyone) who had achieved membership; I find it really strange after five years that nobody has mentioned they’ve had the invitation!
The next AMA perhaps someone should ask whether TDW membership test really exists in-game! It’s not Raxxla-related so should get an answer!

 

[Darth Ender]

But don’t we need to pass the recruitment test to be able to visit the stealth station?
I suspect it wont instance until you do.

A station is a station. If you're in the system, it will be instanced in the system. If it's a station, with a population, it'll also initiate npcs if nothing else is doing so.
There are game engine limitations and they dont seem to have conditions on a per-unit basis. We learned that from Jaques.
So if it's a station, it'll behave like every other station.

It would also not look right if you went to a physical location and something wasn't there but magically was if you happen to be elite - not to mention if you were winged with non-elite players or a non-elite player followed your wake etc (or why an alien artifact cares about your pilots fed ranking and associations).

if they wanted to hide it behind ranking or interactions with a certain group, they would put it behind a permit block. Either at the system or (more likely) stellar object level. Planets/moons etc in a system can be blocked from getting within range to instance with it by permits and these would be something you wouldn't notice unless you were in-system (so making it less likely to farm from the galaxy map).

The alternative is that it's a ship. ships can instance based on conditions and not trigger all of the automatic things the engine triggers when you have a station. You wouldn't necessarily even be able to detect it from supercruise - unlike stations.

Raxxla as ship makes it much easier to hide. Raxxla as a station is still hideable but less so even than raxxla as a stellar object.

Because of the inconsistencies that would arise from ranking/relations with factions being a predicate to finding raxxla, i think fdev didn't hide it using those things.

Like anything else in the game, random behavior could find it. but unlike everything else, there are no clues to really give you a non-random plan. just educated guesses. And really, that plays into Fdev's plans completely. It does nobody any good to find raxxla. Only the search for it benefits the game.

raxxla is a carrot that keeps us going from pointless system to pointless system where otherwise there would potentially be no reason at all to do anything in the black. That's it's purpose. Being told it's definitely there vs previous games where it was definitely not ...has only one purpose. And i highly doubt Fdev is prepared with content regarding the discovery of raxxla or with a follow up carrot to get players interested in exploring at the same level that raxxla does.

 

[Han_Zen]

But don’t we need to pass the recruitment test to be able to visit the stealth station?
I suspect it wont instance until you do.

The “Place that isn't a place, door that is also the key. The myth” mission appeared to be related to Raxxla and TDW may be a parallel thread with little or no impingement.
It would really help if we knew of someone (anyone) who had achieved membership; I find it really strange after five years that nobody has mentioned they’ve had the invitation!
The next AMA perhaps someone should ask whether TDW membership test really exists in-game! It’s not Raxxla-related so should get an answer!

Gating the instance seem like a poor game design. It should at least involve some form of equipment, that allows detecting the station.
I would guess that gating the docking access, would be more logical and in line with existing mechanics.
Finding a station only by parallax, is really dificult. There is not much risk that anyone finds it, until the right hints are understood.