Hal

 is a Hearthian located in the Observatory in the Village on Timber Hearth. They are the Protagonist's close friend and the two of them built the Nomai translator tool together.

Initial Conversation

 * “Hey, hey, it’s my favorite astronaut! Launch day at last, huh, buddy? it’s the translator tool’s inaugural flight, too! I’m so excited it’s making me nauseous. Just think — you’ll be able to translate any Nomai text you want, anywhere you are. The two of us put a lot of hours into inventing that tool, so don’t break it, okay? Haha! ...Oh, geez. Do not break it. ...Ugh, ignore me, okay? I’m just nervous. And I’m not even the one going into space! How are you feeling?”
 * >I’m excited!
 * “Good! You’ve only been waiting for this day since we were hatchlings. I can’t wait to see all your training pay off!”
 * >I’m terrified!
 * “Aw, don’t let me make you nervous. You’ve been training for this day since we were hatchlings, remember? You’ll do great, I promise!”
 * “So what’s the dirt? You here to see the new Nomai statue?”
 * >New statue?
 * “You haven’t heard? Gabbro brought it back with them from Giant’s Deep, and Hornfels just finished prepping it for display. This is it right here. Neat, huh? Makes me wish we could see what a real live Nomai looks like, but I guess this is as close as we’ll ever get. Check it out — looks like they had fur! Fur is weird. This is the first fully intact statue ever found, you know. And for how old it is, it’s in great shape! ...Ah geez, I got a little carried away there. Go on, you have a ship to launch! Take care of yourself out there, you hear?”
 * >Of course!
 * “Heh, I knew you’d want to see it before you headed off! Hornfels just finished prepping it for display today. Amazing, isn’t it? Makes me wish we could see what a real live Nomai looks like, but I guess this is as close as we’ll ever get. Check it out — looks like they had fur! Fur is weird. This is the first fully intact statue ever found, you know. And for how old it is, it’s in great shape! ...Ah geez, I got a little carried away there. Go on, you have a ship to launch! Take care of yourself out there, you hear?”
 * >Just here for the launch codes.
 * “Yeah, I get that you’re dying to head out into space, but seriously, you’ve got to see this statue before you go. It’s an amazing find! Makes me wish we could see what a real live Nomai looks like, but I guess this is as close as we’ll ever get. Check it out — looks like they had fur! Fur is weird. This is the first fully intact statue ever found, you know. And for how old it is, it’s in great shape! ...Ah geez, I got a little carried away there. Go on, you have a ship to launch! Take care of yourself out there, you hear?”

Follow-up Conversation

 * “Hey again! What’s up?”
 *  (if talked about Gabbro) >Where on Giant’s Deep would I find Gabbro?
 * “Gabbro said they were going back to Giant’s Deep to wherever they found that Nomai statue. One of the islands, I think. You remember Gabbro plays a flute, right? Like, all the time? I bet your Signalscope could find them easily. If you do see Gabbro, say hi for me!”
 * Dialogue Menu
 * >Where did this statue come from?
 * “From Giant’s Deep! Gabbro fished it out of the oceans and brought it back here for study. Hornfels doesn’t know much about it yet, just that it’s crazy old and super tough. I wonder why the Nomai carved it? Apparently, Gabbro went back to Giant’s Deep to try to learn more about the statue. Maybe they’ll find some answers there.”
 * Dialogue Menu
 * >Why did the Nomai make this statue?
 * “Good question! So Gabbro found this fully intact statue on Giant’s Deep, right? Well, Hornfels told me it’s made from the same type of special stone as that statue fragment Chert brought back from the Hourglass Twins. We know the stone from Chert’s fragment can store information — that’s why some of the stone from that statue fragment was repurposed for your ship’s computer. Maybe the statues were made for storing information, too?”
 * Dialogue Menu
 * >Think I’ll discover anything cool in space?
 * “Hey, you never know — maybe you’ll be the one to solve the mysteries of the Nomai! Or maybe you’ll discover a new kind of rock or something. But honestly, as long as they don’t end up naming new safety equipment after you, I’m sure you’ll have done a great job.”
 * Dialogue Menu
 * >Sorry, nevermind.
 * “No problem. Take it easy!”

Dialogue Menu

 * “Was there something else?”
 * >Where’d you say this statue came from?
 * “From Giant’s Deep! Gabbro fished it out of the oceans and brought it back here for study. Hornfels doesn’t know much about it yet, just that it’s crazy old and super tough. I wonder why the Nomai carved it? Apparently, Gabbro went back to Giant’s Deep to try to learn more about the statue. Maybe they’ll find some answers there.”
 * Dialogue Menu
 * >Where can I find Gabbro?
 * “Gabbro said they were going back to Giant’s Deep to wherever they found that Nomai statue. One of the islands, I think. You remember Gabbro plays a flute, right? Like, all the time? I bet your signalscope could find them easily. If you do see Gabbro, say hi for me!”
 * Dialogue Menu
 * >Why did the Nomai make this statue?
 * “Good question! So Gabbro found this fully intact statue on Giant’s Deep, right? Well, Hornfels told me it’s made from the same type of special stone as that statue fragment Chert brought back from the Hourglass Twins. We know the stone from Chert’s fragment can store information - that’s why some of the stone from that statue fragment was repurposed for your ship’s computer. Maybe the statues were made for storing information, too?”
 * Dialogue Menu
 * >Think I’ll discover anything cool in space?
 * “Hey, you never know — maybe you’ll be the one to solve the mysteries of the Nomai! Or maybe you’ll discover a new kind of rock or something. But honestly, as long as they don’t end up naming new safety equipment after you, I’m sure you’ll have done a great job.”
 * Dialogue Menu
 * >Nope, that was it.
 * “No problem. Take it easy!”

Path to launch pad
Right after the player has activated the statue, Hal will move outside the Oservatory and intercept the player if they get near.

Initial conversation

 * “Hey, hey! So did you get a good look at that Nomai statue?”
 * >The statue looked at me and opened its eyes!
 * >The statue was glowing! Why was it glowing?!
 * “Whoa, whoa — the statue was doing what? So its eyes opened, and then you saw images from your own memories and glowing lights flying around? You mean like a hallucination? Listen, no offense, but… are you sure you’re okay to launch? Like, medically speaking?”
 * >You know what, don’t worry about it.
 * "Maybe you should sit down for a bit and take it easy. I'd hate for anything bad to happen if you tried to launch while you're not feeling great. But hey, when you are ready, then you can make the most of our translator tool! Sniff.... I can't believe it's all grown up and leaving for space already. For real, though, I'm glad you're the one carrying it and not, like, Riebeck. They'd fall on it for sure. Say, if you want to do a short trip to just get your space legs under you, you could check out the ruins on The Attlerock. I'd love to learn what those are. Good luck, and safe flying!"
 * >No, that statue is definitely weird.
 * “I mean, if you’re saying it happened, then… I guess maybe it did. But why? Hornfels tried everything to get the statue’s eyes to open, and nothing like this ever happened to them. I don’t think you’re going to get any answers from the museum statue, but Gabbro said they were going back to Giant’s Deep. Dunno which island they’re on, though. Maybe they’d be able to tell you more? On the other hand, Gabbro’s, y’know, Gabbro, so maybe you’d be better off searching for more info on your own. ...Geez, now I’m really jealous you’re going into space! Hey, see if you can use our translator tool to find out more about the statue, okay? Good luck, and safe flying!”

Followup conversation

 * “Hey again!”
 * Followup Menu

Followup Menu

 * “Was there something else?”
 *  (if talked about Gabbro)>Where on Giant’s Deep would I find Gabbro?
 * “Gabbro said they were going back to Giant’s Deep to wherever they found that Nomai statue. One of the islands, I think. You remember Gabbro plays a flute, right? Like, all the time? I bet your signalscope could find them easily. If you do see Gabbro, say hi for me!”
 *  >Where’s the Nomai statue in the museum from?
 * “From Giant’s Deep! Gabbro fished it out of the oceans and brought it back here for study. Hornfels doesn’t know much about it yet, just that it’s crazy old and super tough. I wonder why the Nomai carved it? Apparently, Gabbro went back to Giant’s Deep to try to learn more about the statue. Maybe they’ll find some answers there.”
 * Followup Menu
 *  >Why did the Nomai make that statue?
 * “Good question! You know how Gabbro knocked a fragment off the statue while they were hauling it back from Giant's Deep? Hornfels analyzed the fragment and figured out the stone it's made from can store information — I heard Slate ended up repurposing it for your ship’s computer. I’m not sure what the statue opening its eyes has to do with anything, but maybe the statue was made for storing information, too?”
 * Followup Menu
 *  >Wonder if I’ll discover anything cool in space.
 * “Hey, you never know — maybe you’ll be the one to uncover the Nomai’s mysteries! Or maybe you’ll discover a new kind of rock or something. But honestly, as long as they don’t end up naming new safety equipment after you, I’m sure you’ll have done a great job.”
 *  >See you later.
 * “Be careful out there in space!”