Xenobiology study of Thargoid Ship Logograms - Compendium

[Orodir]

I am compiling a gallery of any and all Thargoid ship symbols. Special thanks to CMDR Moribus and CMDR Olivia Vespera for vectoring the symbols. The ultimate goal of this thread will be to collect as many symbols as we can so that we may start to understand what the symbols mean and if they relate to different behaviors/phenotypes.

Thargoid Symbols
For every Thargoid logogram there is an inner circle and outer circle, these inner circle and outer circle markings can be seen mix and matched between the various symbol shots in the imgur, and many repeat themselves leaving a finite number of inner and outer circle combinations. We know the center symbol is Oresrian on all Thargoid and barnacles that we have encountered. We are seeing only 3 inner ring symbols, but there is a lot more variation on the outer rings of the symbol. This could mean the inner circle is the job/designation and the outer circle could be the Thargons name or possibly age.

The first theory is the outer symbols denote the age and or prowess of the Thargoid, possibly getting thicker as they age.

The second theory is the inner circle could be a job/type designation of the Thargoid as the behavior between encounters seems to vary and so do the colors(confirm?).

The last theory is the outer symbols are the name of the ship or Thargoid, but this has no evidence yet.

CMDR Lexic Meise
Ok, so the basic idea is that since according to premonition we have as of now only see the Oresrians, the barnacle logo is an Oresrian faction marking. So from there, you have two distinct rings adding to the outside of it. The inner ring represents something more constant as it changes less, and the outer ring is something more varying.

Thargoid Phenotypes
Hyperdictor: These goids are the ones that pull you out of hyperspace.

Mimic: These goids can show up in any thargoid encounter/hyperdiction. They come up to you as if to scan but follow you around(no cargo). From what we've seen this appears to be a thargoid stuck in between AI actions and is a bug.

Scavenger: You encounter these at the NHSS locations, They come to scan you immediately and then go back to scooping up cargo.

Scavenger Helper: This goid is called by the scavenger once you give it more meta-alloys than he can handle(5-6 MA's will usually bring them in). He uses an EMP blast on you when he enters the instance then goes to collect with his friend.

Soldier/Rager: This goid is reported to kill on sight. I have been in over 50 encounters and have not seen one instance of them going red for no reason. If you get within 500km of any thargoid and stay there, it will aggro the goid. As long as you keep your distance I wouldn't worry about these.

Seeder/Feeder: A live seeding Courtesy of CMDR PanPiper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HXKLFDMg7o&t=3s

Meta-Alloys & Barnacles:
The thargoids have been seen "seeding" their barnacles almost like a farmer watering his crop. The barnacles produce a lot of MA's which leads me to believe that they need this material to feed/heal. We know our ships have integrated MA type technologies since the first thargoid war. Could this be why the thargoids have come back?

Project Equinox Monitoring Log - 3172.08.16
They're shutting us down. After all this time we finally have a breakthrough, and they're shutting us down. How in the hell can the Federation and Empire be so short sighted?
It was literally under our noses the entire time. The Thargoids didn't leave. Not all of them, at least if we had more time we might've been able to run a more detailed analysis but the data we have right now already paints a pretty grim picture as the Thargoids are sowing the seeds for their return. We couldn't detect them before because the traces were so miniscule, but it's clear that these new self-repairing alloys that are starting to pop up in labs everywhere share an alarming amount of physical characteristics with Thargoid bio-alloys pulled from their ships during the war.
This is the smoking gun, and no one is willing or able to do anything about it anymore, the Federation won't listen, Duval won't listen, and GalCop has fractured to the point where even the Old Worlds probably won't listen. Maybe the Thunderchild could've done something, but they went dark in '69.
We're almost out of time.

• Cassandra Lockhart.

Credit to reddit user Smarty_771 full post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDange...xploration_adventure_and_discovery_of_an_old/

CMDR Olivia Vespera - MASTER LIST

Canonn Research Thargoid Codex
https://canonn.science/codex/the-unknown-live-encounter/

Imgur gallery of over 50 thargoid symbols Updated!
https://imgur.com/a/XAy6Z

Submit all HUD thargoid symbols here
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B5p67-3SKI2XRDZBMG96N1d4WUE

Thanks for the shoutout Polygon!
https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/2/16404138/elite-dangerous-thargoid-language-logogram-lexigram

 

[Orodir]

Analysis of Thargoid Interceptor Acoustics - CMDR Maligno


Introduction

In this study we analyze the acoustic features of Thargoid Interceptors. The scope of this study is limited to non-combative observation of Thargoid Interceptors in a typical Non-Human Signal Source (NHSS) area, all of which were of threat level 5. Observation of Thargoid acoustics in a combat environment is difficult to control and may be the subject of a future study. The main goal is to catalogue acoustic features and perhaps observe any correlation to Thargoid Interceptor markings.

Methodology

The experiment starts while in supercruise in a system known to spawn NHSS (in this case, Pleiades Sector IR-W D1-55 and HR 1183). A video recording of the encounter is started before entering the NHSS. After a NHSS is identified and approached, the ship throttle is set to zero right before dropping from supercruise in order to slow down to zero velocity as quickly as possible. It is important to come to a stop as far away from the wreckage scene as possible so as not to provoke the Thargoid vessel when it scans and scoops objects. As the Thargoid vessel approaches the ship a passive scan is carried out followed by an active scan with the Xeno Scanner. The Thargoid marking is recorded. After the encounter, portions of the audio are extracted from the video recording using Audacity. It should be noted that no Thargoid itechnology is carried in order to keep the encounter peaceful.

Observations

Before outlining each of the acoustic features, it is important to note the basic sequence of events that normally take place in a NHSS. Upon detecting the pilot’s ship, it flashes white lights and emits a specific sound. After scanning the pilot’s ship, the Thargoid vessel makes its way to the nearest object in the scene. It reaches out with its green tendrils and examines the object. If it is a derelict ship it carries out “Deep Scan” similar to the one it does on the pilot’s ship. If it is an object that it is interested in, such as a Thargoid Sensor or an Occupied Escape Pod, it will proceed to scoop it up with its tendrils and green beam.

After examining all of the derelict ships and canisters in the scene, the Thargoid ship proceeds to accelerate out and open a wormhole through which it jumps out. As everyone knows, if one comes within 500 meters of the Thargoid vessel it will flash red lights and issue a warning, and if one persists within this distance it will attack. In this study, a distance greater than 500 m after the initial encounter is maintained in order to suppress an aggressive response and the deployment of Thargons, which can add noise to the video recording.

We now turn to the list of sounds emitted by the Thargoid vessel as it wanders around the NHSS scene. A brief description is given for each sound as well as the corresponding spectrogram from Audacity. It should be noted that the audio has sample rate of 44100 Hz, and the spectrogram is generated with a window size of 2048.

1)Human Ship Detected.

https://clyp.it/ozmn3rth

2) Deep Scan of Pilot’s Ship.

https://clyp.it/nmfcsrhy

3) Engaging Green Tendrils. The Thargoid ship emits this sound everytime it gets ready to go scoop something with its tendrils. It should be noted that sometimes the Thargoid ship flutters its “petals” when making this sound (it was previously believed this was something that only happened when picking up meta-alloys). Additionally, there are times it doesn’t emit this sound if it is examining objects in quick succession.

https://clyp.it/sejdl12o

The next set of sounds are Deep Scans of a number of Imperial and Federal vessels. Aside from minor gain and registration differences, the sounds are the same. The Deep Scan itself occurs first, followed by a “Deep Scan Completed” sound, both of which are the same regardless of ship scanned. Additionally, the sound is not dependent on Thargoid marking. It appears to be universal to all Thargoid Interceptors.

4) Deep Scan of Federal Corvette.

https://clyp.it/ychbcvp5

5) Deep Scan of Federal Dropship.

https://clyp.it/hdgw3hdx

6) Deep Scan of Imperial Clipper.

https://clyp.it/ht2pxrw3

7) Deep Scan of Imperial Cutter.

https://clyp.it/vjkvtxco

When a Thargoid vessel reaches out to an object with its tendrils, it will make one of the following four sounds. It should be noted that these are emitted by any Thargoid ship regardless of marking. They also apply (randomly) when a piece of Thargoid technology or canister of Meta-Alloys is getting scooped. Additionally, one of these sounds are emitted by the Thargoid vessel right after scanning the pilot’s ship. It is rare, but possible, for two of these to be emitted back-to-back when the tendrils are engaged on an object.

8) Tendril Response 1.

https://clyp.it/jnqtmtzj

9) Tendril Response 2.

https://clyp.it/syaxpquh

10) Tendril Response 3. This one has some tendril background noise.

https://clyp.it/josmf5ah

11) Tendril Response 4. You’ll notice there was a Thargoid Sensor in the background.

https://clyp.it/nmqepo0g

The exception to the above four sounds are instances when the Thargoid ship is scooping an Escape Pod, either Occupied or Damaged. The sound emitted in this case is the same for either type of Escape Pod, and it is the same regardless of Thargoid marking.

12) Occupied Escape Pod.

https://clyp.it/kjiwomou

13) Damaged Escape Pod.

https://clyp.it/fubtld45

13.5) Finished Scooping Canister. It makes this sound after it is finished scooping any type of canister:

https://clyp.it/l3sao3xp

When the Thargoid ship is finished with scanning everything in the scene, it accelerates away from the area and opens a wormhole. Below are three separate instances of that event. The marking of the Thargoid is indicated with each one. All instances are the same, indicating that the sound it makes is not dependent on the marking. There is no hidden clue or pattern in the spectrogram indicating the destination of the jump, at least not something obvious.

14) Opening Wormhole, 7A-3

https://clyp.it/zgtfg0is

15) Opening Wormhole, 7A-2

https://clyp.it/1cbxvfqt

16) Opening Wormhole, 4D-1

https://clyp.it/eymybk2j

Conclusions

A number of important observations have been made:

1) Thargoids definitely have a special interest in escape pods because the sound emitted when they find one is distinct and unchanging, unlike the sounds they emit when they find other types of objects.
2) No correlation has been observed between the details of the sounds emitted and the markings on the Thargoid vessels, at least in the scope of this non-combative analysis.
3) The sound emitted when opening a wormhole is unchanging. It is the same regardless of Thargoid marking or direction of jump.
4) A Deep Scan of a derelict ship sounds and looks the same for any type of derelict vessel.
5) The sequence of events in a peaceful, non-combative encounter in a NHSS is the same regardless of Thargoid marking.

Outlook

Some have suggested that effectiveness and skill of Thargoid ships in combat might depend on its marking. A future study will need to be carried out in order to understand the behavior and sequence of events in a typical combat engagement scenario.

In the context of non-combative interactions, a comprehensive analysis of all available commodities will need to be done. There might be something else Thargoids are interested in aside from their own technology, human escape pods, and Meta-Alloys.

 

[Stevenblindwulf]

The inner cirlce looks always the same to me, and it is the same symbol as the Barnacles

 

[CMDR BlackHogg]

Maybe the symbols are 'hand' prints. All done by the same alien 'hand' dipped in paint and the differences are just the differences you might get from different applied pressure. Like the hand prints on Saruman's Olog-hai?

 

[Orodir]

Maybe the symbols are 'hand' prints. All done by the same alien 'hand' dipped in paint and the differences are just the differences you might get from different applied pressure. Like the hand prints on Saruman's Olog-hai?

Check out this picture comparing oresrian's vs a klaxian inner symbol. They are slightly different but the only one we've seen is the oresrian center symbol.

 

[Lucius-Darcia]

We should collect as many as possible. Maybe we can find some relation between their colours.
I guess it could be, that Thargoids act like earth insects in a swarm with drones, soldiers and a queen.

 

[Thatchinho]

I am compiling a gallery of any and all Thargoid ship symbols. The ultimate goal of this thread will be to collect as many symbols as we can so that we may start to understand what the symbols mean. Please post any screenshots here and I will add them to the gallery(Canonn is working on a proper codex entry).

https://imgur.com/a/hNfxD

Thargoid Symbols
For every Thargoid logogram there is an inner circle and outer circle, these inner circle and outer circle markings can be seen mix and matched between the various symbol shots in the imgur, and many repeat themselves leaving me to believe there is a finite number of inner and outer circle combinations. I don't think the symbols represent rank because there is so many combination it would be impracticable.

The first theory is the symbols denote the age of the Thargoid, possibly getting thicker as they age.

The second theory is it could be a job/type designation of the Thargoid as the behavior between encounters seems to vary.

The last theory is the symbols are the name of the ship or thargoid but this has no evidence yet.

Those three options might not necessarily be mutually exclusive.

But, there seems to be 3 layers as far as I can see:

1. Inner - always the same. The same symbol that appears on the barnacles. Personally I suspect this is the symbol for the queen/hive, (in this case Oresrian).
2. Middle circle - Partial or complete
3. Outer circle - None, partial or complete

Each layer might have a different meaning.

 

[Vola00]

There are a lot of thing that the symbol could mean:

- What Hive they belong to
- Ships status Energy / food / cargo space or mission
- Ship kill count

 

[Orodir]

Those three options might not necessarily be mutually exclusive.

But, there seems to be 3 layers as far as I can see:

1. Inner - always the same. The same symbol that appears on the barnacles. Personally I suspect this is the symbol for the queen/hive, (in this case Oresrian).
2. Middle circle - Partial or complete
3. Outer circle - None, partial or complete

Each layer might have a different meaning.

Right, we've only seen the same symbol on the barnacle as the Oresrians. No sign of anything different which means we my have Klaxians yet to come. Just a thought.

 

[Orodir]

Thanks Lucia! Added to the compendium. I will make a V2 imgur gallery once i reach 100 different shots.

 

[Siobhan]

Of course they might be the thargoid equivalent of pf ranking decals...

 

[JonesTheFilm]

One thing that intrigues me about all the different images of these markings is that the central icon, which is the only constant between them all and also the only marking we've seen on its own (on the barnacles), is always identical, uniform, crisply formed and sharp edged. The other outer markings have a much rougher, daubed and spattered effect to them. It's almost as if the inner marking is an official 'stamp' or decal whereas the other designs are 'hand' painted (or claw-painted maybe?).

The mundane explanation is it may just be because that's the way the particular texture artist(s) at FDev did them, the neater one being the oldest (appearing on the barnacles way before the Thargoids appeared) and therefore for speed was just copy-pasted into the other, newer, bespoke designs as they were created.

But assuming there's an intended in-game reason behind the difference... what could it mean?

My favourite (not-particularly-serious) theory is the common central image means "Property of Thargoid Navy" and the outer splodges are just personalised doodles the pilots have painted.

 

[Orodir]

There is way to many symbol combinations. If that were the case they have something like 40+ different ranks.

 

[Louis Calvert]

As requested. I've used all the screenshots I've found so far and started tracing the markings so we can see them more clearly.

I've done all the ones I found on the forums so far, I'm adding Orodir's as we speak but it might take a while to update. The ones in dark blue are ones from low-res screenshorts or ones that were obscured in some way, so they're less reliable, the others are pretty spot-on. However, I haven't corrected for angle, I've only corrected for rotation so the barnacle icons are all pointing the same way.

FYI, the layout here is totally random, it's just whatever order I did the image in, so don't read anything into that.

The variations that you can get from the middle and outer rings is vast, so this may even be their actual language.

The fact that there's some parts of some symbols that are similar indicates these may well be words, there's already too many for them to be numbers, it could be something like sound indicators, unfortunately without some form of rosetta stone it may not be possible to crack something like that.

I think the middle symbol is most likely some form of identifier. Let's call it a "hive mark".

The middle ring, the most common marks are the "kidney and liver" marks, so that might be a common sound, like our Vowel sounds, so might be variations of the Thargoid version of AEIOU.

My feeling from doing this is the language is made up of blobs (dots) in two circles, these markings do feel like they're made with blobs sort of swirled around - imagine something like morse code, but arranged in circles.

As others have noted it could also simply be something like "the more complete the circles the more accomplished the pilot", like our ranking symbols that get more complex, but there seems to be too many marks for that.

I'm also working on this a bit, I was wondering if the language might be arranged around an 8-element pattern, since 8 is clearly important to them, something lije this:

 

[Siobhan]

There is way to many symbols. If that were the case they have something like 40+ different ranks.

We have nearly 30... And some of them could be for thargoid-canonn or various tharg-cons they went to...
Maybe they're kill counters.

 

[JonLuis69]

Maybe it's their bellybutton!

Some have innies, some have outies, some have flatties...

But, you know, like the pics.

 

[JonesTheFilm]

Check out this picture comparing oresrian's vs a klaxian inner symbol. They are slightly different but the only one we've seen is the oresrian center symbol.
https://i.imgur.com/CYqmer2.jpg

What's the origin of the image comparing Klaxian & Oresrian symbols? Is it official FDev, in-game or concept art or similar, or is it player-created speculation?

 

[Siobhan]

What's the origin of the image comparing Klaxian & Oresrian symbols? Is it official FDev, in-game or concept art or similar, or is it player-created speculation?

Lore from Elite 1/Dark Wheel and from Oolite... Mostly retconned out now.

 

[Louis Calvert]

What's the origin of the image comparing Klaxian & Oresrian symbols? Is it official FDev, in-game or concept art or similar, or is it player-created speculation?

I've traced dozens of symbols now and I've never seen the second variant they have there. However there are some that appear "puffy" compared to others, I suspect it's a texture rendering thing at some distances/hardware specs that makes them a bit more fuzzy.

 

[JonesTheFilm]

Lore from Elite 1/Dark Wheel and from Oolite... Mostly retconned out now.

Thanks. In my defence the last time I read The Dark Wheel was probably 1984!

Putting my Canonn hat on (tin foil obviously) and trying to be as scientific as possible about this, I just wanted to make sure that the fiction I was speculating on was officially sanctioned fiction rather than fan-fiction. If you see what I mean.