Hourglass Twins

The Hourglass Twins are binary planets orbiting each other. Ember Twin is mostly desert rock divided into two halves by a wide equatorial canyon, and Ash Twin is almost entirely made of sand laid over a black, rocky core. Both planets orbit very closely to the Sun.

The twin planets' gravitational pull on each other changes from time to time, resulting in a natural phenomenon where sand is passed from one to the other over the course of about twenty minutes, creating the "hourglass" effect.

One minute into the game cycle, the Ember Twin will start to pull sand from the Ash Twin. Once the flow of sand stops, the current cycle will soon come to an end.

Description
The Hourglass Twins are the closest celestial bodies to the Sun (excluding The Interloper at its periapsis and the Sun Station). As they are relatively small planets, gravity is low compared to Timber Hearth, but not as low as that of the Interloper.

Sand Transfer
Over time, starting one minute into the game, sand will transfer from the sand planet to the rock planet, filling the inner caves, canyons, and crevices (including the ruins) with sand. Like an hourglass, all of the sand is on the Ash Twin at first, but then steadily "falls into" to the Ember Twin over the course of 20 minutes. When the Sun goes supernova and the current cycle ends, all of the sand will have filled the Ember Twin's deep cave systems; only a rocky core and a few skeletal stone pillars will remain on the Ash Twin.

Ember Twin
Ember Twin is primarily made of red canyons and cliffs, with cacti and various rock formations on the surface. The planet possesses a large canyon encircling its equator running to its core, into which the sand falls from Ash Twin. The planet has an intricate cave system with multiple entries and sections, which lead to and feature various Nomai structures and artworks. As sand begins transferring to the planet, the interior caves and tunnels soon become inaccessible, preventing the player from entering the caves or trapping them inside.

Escape Pod 2
The second Nomai escape pod can be found near Ember Twin's south pole detailing the events of their arrival on Ember Twin. The escape pod is embedded into the crust of the planet and creates an opening into the large Crash Site Caves beneath the pod. Trails of Nomai writing recount their history and mark trails which eventually lead to the Sunless City. Following other Nomai writings lead to other landmarks in the cave system, including a small grove filled with trees and an opening to the Anglerfish Fossil.

Sunless City
The Sunless City is a large ruined Nomai settlement located deep within the cave systems of Ember Twin. By following written directions left behind by the Nomai in the Crash Site Caves, the player must navigate through a labyrinth of dark tunnels to reach the city. The city itself is built into a massive vertical cavern, and is divided into four different districts much like the Hanging City located on Brittle Hollow, connected by a network of stairways and gravity lifts: the Anglerfish Overlook District, the Stepping Stone District, the High Energy Lab Trailhead, and the Eye Shrine District.

The middle of the city contains a lit central hub area built into the cavern wall filled with trees, and a Nomai control panel that switches on lights for each individual district.

While originally considered safe from the rising sand by the Nomai, erosion has opened up holes for sand to fall into the city, causing it to flood from bottom to top like the rest of the planet, sealing off districts and pathways.

Anglerfish Overlook District
The second highest district, it leads to a small cavern, the eponymous Anglerfish Overlook, where the player can view and fire a Scout at the Anglerfish Fossil from an opening above it, but is unable to enter its chamber from the overlook. This district serves as the main entrance to The Sunless City from the trail under Escape Pod 2. Due to the falling sand, a return trip from this district is often impossible.

Near the passage to the Anglerfish Overlook is a small, two-leveled neighbourhood of derelict Nomai houses. The bottom level of the district is a maze-like ruin filled with cacti, while the top level is a more open cavern, dotted with numerous sandfalls that connect to the lower level. While most of the sandfalls fall directly onto batches of cacti, one of the sandfalls leads to a normally inaccessible building deep within the district. Inside is a Nomai scroll revealing that an easy method of reaching the Sun Station exists on Ash Twin, as opposed to the more difficult method of landing via shuttle.

Stepping Stone District
The second lowest district, containing ruined Nomai homes belonging to children, and a passage that leads to the Stepping Stone Cave, a large open chamber with minimal footing and small, stepping-stone-like platforms that must be jumped between, at the bottom which lies the High Energy Lab Trail. The cave eventually loops back to the ruined Nomai homes and the Sunless City.

Nomai writings in the homes reveal that Nomai children frequented this district often, using it to access the Anglerfish Fossil using a secret entrance within the Stepping Stone caves - a hidden crack on the ceiling that leads into the Fossil cavern. As hinted by the writings, the entrance is best visible when a light is placed with the Fossil's mouth, such as from a Scout.

Eye Shrine District
The highest district, and acts as a temple to the Eye of the Universe, similar to the identically named district in the Hanging City. This district contains information regarding the Nomai and their search for the Eye of the Universe. The ground floor of the district is filled with pockets of Ghost Matter, with care being required to traverse it safely.

A door connected to the Eye Shrine District lies at the top of The Sunless City, leading to a trail to the Gravity Cannon. The trail, while filled with pockets of Ghost Matter and cacti, leads to a hole in the surface near the Gravity Cannon, and can be used to quickly access the Sunless City from the Cannon.

High Energy Lab Trailhead
The lowest district, which acts as the beginning of the trail that leads to the High Energy Lab on the planet's surface equator, marked by a long energy cable, leading from the city and snaking through the caverns. The trail is winding and particularly dangerous, being among the first landmarks to be covered by sand as the loop progresses.

The first half of the trail itself lies at the bottom of the Stepping Stone Cave, but the second half of the trail is initially inaccessible, with a powerful sandfall leading to a large field of cacti covering the passageway floor. Attempts at jetpack traversal will only result in the sandfall pushing the player into the cacti, and the loop must progress until the sand covers the cacti to be safely walked across. However, due to this long wait, little time is left to walk the second half of the trail before being filled completely by sand by the time it becomes accessible.

The second half of the trail contains several dead ends and scattered cacti, with the energy cable itself often passing through walls. The trail eventually leads to a long gravity lift to the caverns near the surface of the planet, and the path leads through the inside of an equatorial canyon bridge to a lift into the High Energy Lab. The cable leads to a surface cave on the bridge itself, which is inaccessible due to Ghost Matter.

Anglerfish Fossil
A large cavern containing a giant fossil of an Anglerfish can be found within the cave system, dubbed the Fossil Fish Cave by Nomai children. The cavern possesses multiple openings through which the Fossil can be seen, but not entered, including the Anglerfish Overlook. However, a single entrance exists in the form of a hidden crack on the ceiling, found in the Stepping Stone Cave in the Sunless City, hinted by writings left by Nomai children. How the Anglerfish came to be on Ember Twin is unknown.

A gravity lift above the Fossil leads to a chamber above that contains Nomai research into the Fossil and Anglerfish as a whole, discussing their blindness. The chamber leads out to the surface near Escape Pod 2 via a Nomai door.

Gravity Cannon
A huge cylindrical Nomai structure found near the equator of Ember Twin that can be accessed from the surface, used to launch Nomai shuttles on the landing pad with gravitational propulsion, as well as recall them. A door leading into The Sunless City is nearby that can be opened from the outside, albeit blocked by cacti. However, a hidden hole in the surface lies in the rocks above the Cannon, connected to a trail that leads directly to the Sunless City's Eye Shrine District.

The Cannon's controls can be used to launch anything on the pad into space, as well as recall a linked Nomai shuttle back to the launch pad, originally landed on the Interloper. Recalling the shuttle frees it from its encasement in ice, allowing access to the inside to discover more about its destination and crew, who set out for the intruding comet.

High Energy Lab
An intact Nomai structure built into the Twin's equatorial canyon, researching high energy warp cores, marked by a massive solar panel energy tower. The main entrance can be found near the surface of the site, but the mechanism to open the door is sealed from the outside.

As indicated by Nomai writing outside, the second trail leading to the Lab must be found in the lowest district of the Sunless City, which must be quickly accessed to avoid it being cut off by rising sand. A nearby bridge crosses the equatorial canyon and leads to a cave directly connected to the Sunless City trail, with a long energy cable leading from the solar panel tower to the City itself, supplying power to the City. However, the cave is filled with Ghost Matter, and is thus nigh-impossible to cross alive.

The bridge, however, has a branch pathway that leads along the canyon to the Crash Site Caves, through a grove of trees.

Within the Lab itself, a large experimental testing area can be found connected to the solar energy tower, with two input slots for nearby spare black hole and white hole warp cores and a viewport large enough for a Scout to pass through. Attaching a black hole and white hole core to the slots causes a small black hole and white hole to be created in the testing area respectively - a complete warp core.

Controls for the solar energy tower are also present in the Lab, and power can be redirected from either the Sunless City (where it is by default) or the warp core testing area.

Writings and logs here reveal the Lab's history: after the Nomai discovered the negative time readings from the White Hole Station, Pye and Ramie were assigned to the High Energy Lab to attempt to recreate the phenomena. While Ramie believed that there was time warping going on, Pye remained convinced that it was a measuring error in their equipment that was causing the negative difference between arrival and departure times.

After rerouting power from the Sunless City to the Lab, they were able to recreate the experiment on a larger scale, proving that the holes were warping objects before they actually went through, much to the excitement of both scientists. This prompted the Nomai at the Southern Observatory to ask if the effect could be increased to form a 22-minute jump. These new demands necessitated the requirements of a more advanced warp core, increased space to house the device infrastructure, and an exponentially immense source of energy, all of which became the basis of the Ash Twin Project.

Henceforth, the lab became used to further development for the Ash Twin Project, and where the Ash Twin warp tower network was designed, based on the White Hole Station - with five murals drawn marking the six tower designs (with two connected towers for both Hourglass Twins). One such warp tower is linked to Ember Twin, with its warp receiver lying next to the Lab itself.

The negative time phenomenon witnessed by the Nomai can be replicated using the Lab's testing area - attaching the warp cores and firing a Scout into the resulting black hole in the testing area. The Scout will exit the white hole slightly before entering the black hole, resulting in a brief moment where two Scouts (causing a Signal Duplication error) exist at once. When power is redirected from the Sunless City to the experiment using the Lab's controls, this effect is greatly pronounced, as per the Nomai's findings.

A secret Ending and Achievement can be discovered by shooting a Scout at the black hole and allowing the Scout to exit the white hole, but removing the black hole warp core before the original Scout can actually enter the black hole, resulting in two Scouts and a temporal paradox. The second Scout causes spacetime to fracture, resulting in the game ending.

Chert's Camp
Chert's camp is situated on a tall pillar on Ember Twin's north pole, in the centre of a deep dry lakebed. Their camp is filled with astronomy equipment. As with other occupied camps, the player can refill their oxygen and jetpack fuel here. Over the course of the loop, Chert will slowly realise that the universe is dying, with stars reaching the end of their lives en masse, including the Sun, and become overwhelmed by this revelation.

Quantum Caves
The dry lakebed around Chert's camp hosts two Nomai entrances to caves opposite each other. Within, the Cave Shard can be found in a small chamber in either cave, with Nomai writings chronicling the mishaps of the Nomai researching it. Of note, the mysterious disappearance of their fellow, Coleus, in the Lakebed Cave, another possible location of the Cave Shard.

Quantum objects, including cacti are found in proximity to the Shard.

Lakebed Cave
A deep winding cave at the very bottom of the dry lakebed at the Twin's North Pole that very quickly fills with sand in the first minutes of the loop. The first level of the cave is a dark and confusing maze, with many paths blocked by stalactites. A sandfall can be reached that leads to a higher level of the cave, where eventually quantum objects begin appearing. Stalactites and fields of cacti frequently block the trail, but exhibit quantum properties, and disappear when unobserved and clearing their pathways.

At the end of the maze, a large chamber is present as the third possible location of the Cave Shard. A Nomai lantern with a switch to control it, as well as Nomai writings are nearby, revealing the chamber as the location of Coleus' disappearance, after the lantern unexpectedly went out.

Using the secret of the Cave Shard hinted at by the Nomai logs, the fourth location can be accessed randomly by standing atop the Cave Shard and briefly entering complete darkness (switching off the flashlight) to change locations with the Shard. The fourth location is a hidden underground chamber with no entrances or exits, containing musings from Coleus and his peers after his rediscovery.

Reading their writings explains the unexpected quirk of quantum entanglement, in which contacting a quantum object and ceasing observation, such as entering complete darkness, allows one to travel with the quantum object.

Quantum Moon Locator
On the South Pole of the Ember Twin lies the Quantum Moon Locator, a device built by the Nomai to locate and track the Quantum Moon. On the device itself are a set of concentric rings with five different symbols, each depicting a different celestial body in the solar system, each symbol points toward its respective planet. The fifth symbol shows the location of the Quantum Moon and which body it is currently orbiting, moving to align with the corresponding symbol. Nearby is a small Nomai ruin with information regarding the device.

It is noted by the Nomai and can be observed that the Moon disappears without a trace from the five markers, with the Locator being unable to find it. The Nomai correctly surmise from this that there must be a sixth location the Moon can travel to.

Texts and recordings
{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Ash Twin Tower Receiver

 * Warp platform (dependent on in-game time, arrival time is always one hundred-thousandth of a second earlier than departure time)
 * Warp platform (dependent on in-game time, arrival time is always one hundred-thousandth of a second earlier than departure time)

Departure Time: XXX.XXXX

Arrival Time: XXX.XXXX

Return warp status: CHARGED. Step onto warp platform when ready.
 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Escape Pod 2

 * Status report recording
 * Status report recording

ANNONA: We need status reports for all systems, but initial things first: Is everyone unharmed?

RHUS: Our escape pod ’s passengers are afraid, but physically well, Annona; everyone survived the crash.

ANNONA: This is a relief, at least. You have my gratitude. Bur, were you able to find the other escape pods’ distress signals?

BUR: I can hear both signals somewhere in this star system, but I don’t believe either escape pod crashed on the same planet as us. Shelter discussion recording

MELORAE: The heat from this star system’s sun is more bearable below the surface.

MELORAE: When our escape pod punctured this planet’s surface, it broke into what scans show is a cave system with much cooler air. I would recommend we seek a site down there to build a long-term shelter, Annona, but these passages are a maze!

ANNONA: Even with this danger, they are still our best chance for survival. We’ll form teams and descend into the caves to look for a shelter site. We can mark our findings on the walls to avoid becoming irreversibly lost.

ANNONA: Be cautious, everyone.
 * Escape Pod flightlog
 * Escape Pod flightlog

BEGIN FLIGHTLOG: Escape Pod 2. Vessel has been mortally injured. Emergency sequence activated. Awaiting departure from Vessel.

Launching Escape Pod 3 ... Now launching Escape Pod 2.

ALERT. Collision imminent. Preparing for impact.

Scanning external environment... Scan complete. External temperature is prohibitively high.


 * Verdict: INHOSPITABLE. Do not seek shelter on planet surface.


 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Gravity Cannon

 * Shuttle info text
 * Shuttle info text

Activate the gravity cannon Call the shuttle home

The shuttle is currently resting at the comet.
 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

High Energy Lab

 * Outside
 * Outside

RAMIE: Note: This door will need to remain closed for some time! Pye and I are running an experiment based on the extraordinary findings from the White Hole Station.


 * PYE: Ramie and I will be running this experiment until one of us (specifically, me) can prove the other wrong, so although it’s inconvenient, the lab currently can only be accessed by the path from the Sunless City.


 * RAMIE: Inviting sand inside would disrupt our setup and could have enormous consequences. (We realize this is an intriguing prospect, but the door must remain closed nonetheless!)


 * RAMIE: An update: The High Energy Lab is now being used to design the Ash Twin Project! If you’re here to help (or even just to observe), be sure to use the Sunless City path to the lab.

Experiment setup

PYE: Records show Nomai arriving at the warp receiver on Brittle Hollow very slightly before departing from the White Hole Station. Ramie and I are devising an experiment to test if this is a real phenomenon or simple machine error.


 * RAMIE: In theory, what we want to try to reproduce is a negative amount of time elapsing between something entering the black hole and exiting the white hole at its destination.


 * PYE: Initial things first: Our experiment setup will first pair a small black hole core with a small white hole core to mimic the setup on the White Hole Station.


 * Hypothesis: It is possible for an object to exit a white hole before entering the corresponding black hole.

Experiment results

RAMIE: An update: Our experiment here reproduced the anomaly in arrival and departure times, but Pye is unconvinced it’s more than an equipment error. I hope to strengthen the effect to render it visible to the unaided eyes.


 * PYE: To that end, we’ve decided to try adding more energy. I imagine the Sunless City ’s energy supply should prove sufficient.


 * PYE: Of note, Ramie: Yarrow requests that we let him know before we reroute energy to the experiment.


 * RAMIE: I’d hate to leave him in the dark!


 * PYE: All available energy has been rerouted from the city to our experiment. Ramie and I are about to run a new test.


 * RAMIE: Hypothesis confirmed! Hypothesis confirmed! I saw it! Pye saw it! Hypothesis confirmed!


 * PYE: This is beyond extraordinary! This changes everything! What a beautiful day for the intersection of abstract theory and practical application!

Increasing the time interval

RAMIE: The Southern Observatory is asking if creating a 22 minute interval is possible (that is, to have something arrive 22 minutes before it is actually sent through the warp).


 * RAMIE: We’ve learned the negative interval of time between departure and arrival can be increased by adding more energy to the warp core. Problematically, the energy required to extend the interval increases at an exponential rate.


 * PYE: Hypothesis: Creating a 22-minute-long interval is possible, but we are currently unable to generate the necessary energy.


 * PYE: Ramie and I believe it would be necessary to invent a new method of producing energy, a thrilling but enormous undertaking. We would also require advanced warp technology able to handle such energy.


 * PYE: We would also likely need an enormous space to fit these proposed new energy and warp technologies together. The only location large enough would be Ash Twin.


 * RAMIE: The energy is currently unavailable, you say? You’re a gas, Pye!


 * PYE: My pun was unintended, Ramie, so I believe it’s you who’s aeriform!

Ash Twin Warp Towers

PYE: The Ash Twin Project will be one of our biggest undertakings (metaphorically and physically). To build it, we need a way to travel quickly between Ash Twin and each location that holds crucial project materials.


 * ROOT: What if we used warp towers (like the one we have on the White Hole Station ) to connect Ash Twin directly to each critical location?


 * CLARY: Poke, Root, and I can begin work on this immediately in the Black Hole Forge (this will keep us busy!).


 * YARROW: Of note: Each tower on Ash Twin will warp to a different planet.


 * YARROW: My gratitude to those who noted my imprecise language! Yes, the sun is not a planet. I believe this has been sufficiently clarified (kindly stop reminding me!).


 * PHLOX: We can design each tower to visually reflect its warp destination!


 * PHLOX: The Giant’s Deep tower, for instance, could resemble a cyclone. And we could model the Timber Hearth tower after a geyser mountain!


 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Lakebed Caves

 * Quantum Rock notes
 * Quantum Rock notes

MELORAE: This rock is very familiar! Did you travel here, my sedimentary friend? Because your unique color and texture appears identical to a rock I met earlier.


 * MELORAE: Wasn’t this same rock fragment in the cave we found at the bottom of the dry lakebed (at the north pole)?


 * COLEUS: We plan to reexamine the northern Lakebed Cave . (Maybe our friendly rock will meet us down there!)


 * COLEUS: An update: Melorae and I went back to the Lakebed Cave and observed this rock again. Sometimes it’s there, and sometimes it isn’t.


 * MELORAE: That means this rock wanders like the Quantum Moon does. How curious!

Coleus missing

MELORAE: Friends, if you find any sign of Coleus, I implore you to tell me! He vanished without a trace during our research trip, and has been missing ever since.


 * BUR: Melorae, some of us from the Sunless City are here to help search for Coleus. Can you tell us more about your expedition?


 * MELORAE: You have my gratitude, Bur! Coleus and I were studying the caves’ geology. We hoped to learn more about a unique and wandering rock that visits several different caves in the area.


 * ANNONA: Where was young Coleus lost, Melorae?


 * MELORAE: He disappeared in the cave at the bottom of the dry lakebed at the north pole. It happened in an instant, and without warning.


 * MELORAE: I turned away from Coleus to examine a sample, and when I turned back, he simply wasn’t there anymore. He had a limited supply of air, Annona! I’m afraid for him!


 * ANNONA: Hypothesis: We will learn more by examining the northern Lakebed Cave where Coleus disappeared. Search quickly, everyone; we have no time to squander!


 * Coleus point of disappearance
 * Coleus point of disappearance

Melorae: If you’ve come here to look for Coleus, this is where we were when he vanished. He’s been missing for two days now!


 * Annona: Your strange, wandering rock friend is here, though Coleus isn’t.


 * Melorae: Coleus and I observed this unusual-looking rock shard (and several smaller rocks) in at least two other caverns. I’m unsure if this is relevant.


 * BUR: What happened before Coleus disappeared?


 * Melorae: We were examining the different rocks. I recall Coleus standing on the largest one (the wandering rock). I was taking notes, and then my lantern died.


 * Melorae: When I lit it again, Coleus and the rock were both gone.

Coleus search continues

Melorae: Coleus is missing! He vanished from the Lakebed Cave (the one at the bottom of the dry lakebed at the north pole) several days ago, and we’re unable to find any trace of him. I don’t know how much air he had when he disappeared. I beg any friend reading this, help us recover Coleus! Coleus new quantum rule

COLEUS: How curious! This rock took me with it to a new location. I wonder why this happened?


 * COLEUS: Curious, but also alarming: This new cave appears to lack an entrance or exit. Also, the rock that brought me here disappeared while I wasn’t watching.


 * COLEUS: The wandering rock has returned! Never before have I been so delighted to see a sedimentary specimen.


 * COLEUS: I wonder if I myself became quantum briefly when the rock carried me here! This seems the clearest explanation. Hypothesis: If the rock can bring me here, it can also carry me out.


 * COLEUS: My hypothesis was correct! I can travel on this rock, as long as I’m not observing my surroundings (meaning I must be in complete darkness). I’m going to bring my mentor here to see this.


 * COLEUS: Melorae is here now, too. We theorize when a conscious being is in contact with a quantum object and ceases to observe his or her surroundings, the being can become entangled with that quantum object, and they move together.


 * MELORAE: Friends, Coleus has discovered a new quantum rule! (He has also promised me he’ll never vanish again, even if he does learn something useful from it!)


 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Quantum Moon Locator

 * Discovery of Quantum Moon
 * Discovery of Quantum Moon

MELORAE: This planet sometimes (and only sometimes) has a moon ! This is also of note: It disappears if no one is watching it! Isn’t that a fascinating orbital characteristic?


 * BUR: I found your note, Melorae; kindly count me among this moon ’s admirers! What is happening when it disappears (I doubt it ceases to exist)? Does it move to another location?


 * ANNONA: I believe so. Not only does the moon appear around Brittle Hollow, I can confirm it sometimes orbits Timber Hearth , as well.


 * MELORAE: This is my first time encountering a natural satellite with the ability to vanish when not being watched. We should study it! Or, even better, we should travel there!


 * BUR: I agree! Our first step would be determining a method to track this phantom moon so that we can always know where it is.


 * ANNONA: Given its reluctance to move while consciously observed, it might be a form of macroscopic quantum mechanics.

Existence of a sixth location

ANNONA: The Quantum Moon locator is functioning. We have markers for each of the places the moon goes.


 * MELORAE: Annona, Bur, I just observed the Quantum Moon in orbit around Dark Bramble.


 * ANNONA: You have keen eyes, my friend. So this moon travels to a total of five locations, not four.


 * BUR: I added a marker for Dark Bramble.


 * BUR: I thought the locator now accounted for all of the phantom moon ’s locations, but sometimes the locator can’t tell where the moon is. Perhaps there’s a problem with the device?


 * MELORAE: It’s also possible there exists a sixth place in this star system to which the phantom moon travels.


 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Sunless City - Caves to city

 * Dead end
 * Dead end

RHUS: Keep moving, friends: There is nothing of interest at the end of this passage but rocks.


 * RHUS: And while these rocks are interesting, they can wait until a less urgent time.

Horror tunnel

MELORAE: Do not follow this tunnel to its end! (Coleus and I will examine the horror that lies at its terminus later, provided we live through this.)
 * Oxygen tunnel
 * Oxygen tunnel

ANNONA: Of note: This passage leads to breathable air. Refill your supply tank there (we cannot tell how far or deep these tunnels may wind), but do not linger, as the area is exposed to the heat of this alien sun.


 * ANNONA: Refill your air supply tank and return quickly.

City plans

MELORAE: We have found an enormous cavern at the end of this passage that appears promising! I believe we could construct long-term shelter there.


 * ANNONA: The cavern Melorae found is a wise choice for shelter. Could one of you mark directions for the others to follow?


 * COLEUS: This is the start of the path to the shelter site. I’ve left directions to guide you there.


 * MELORAE: Of note: We must hurry, as the pathway there is filling with sand. Do not allow yourself to be buried by sand, and make sure no one is lost!


 * Path to city
 * Path to city

COLEUS: The path to the shelter site is somewhat convoluted, so follow the instructions ahead closely!

COLEUS: To reach the shelter site, walk forward until you meet the sandfall at the pit, then turn left. Continue to the room filled with rock column formations and climb upward through the opening above them.


 * COLEUS: The sand here is rising, so you must be cautious but swift.

COLEUS: Be cautious crossing the chasm ahead. The bridge Melorae and I crafted will do its job, but it isn’t strong.


 * COLEUS: Once on the far side, look for the tunnel hidden behind the falling sand. Follow it, and you’ll reach the shelter site.

COLEUS: You’re doing well! There’s only a little farther left to go now until you reach the shelter site. You can rest there. Hurry, before the sand comes!
 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Sunless City - Center
Should we build the Sun Station to power the Ash Twin Project ?


 * IDAEA: I almost can’t comprehend this is being suggested seriously. The purpose of the Sun Station goes against every standard we hold ourselves to and everything we believe in as a species!


 * PYE: Unsurprisingly, Idaea, I disagree. We’re pushing a possible new technology further than ever before. That, in my experience, is the defining characteristic of our species.


 * COLEUS: If we fail (and the probability of this is not insignificant), we will without question destroy ourselves, all life here, and the rest of this star system. I wish to protect these species.


 * IDAEA: The potential annihilation of an entire star system is too severe a cost. We shouldn’t build the Sun Station, no matter how badly we want the knowledge that comes with it.


 * POKE: Fear of failure is a poor reason not to try. I believe, if we’re cautious, the Sun Station will work. I believe in Pye.


 * PYE: Poke, I’m deeply honored. Idaea, I comprehend your position; however, if we aren’t all but certain the Sun Station will not cause destruction once we’ve built it, then I won’t support the station’s use.


 * YARROW: Are there other ways to generate this level of power?


 * PYE: Theoretically, yes. Practically, no. I can’t imagine discovering them in our lifetimes...


 * RAMIE: I understand this proposal is unsettling, but the Sun Station must be built if we hope to complete the Ash Twin Project.


 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Sunless City - Stepping stone district

 * Anglerfish alternate entrance
 * Anglerfish alternate entrance

LAEVI: We’re meeting in the Fossil Fish Cave to play the game! If you’re too big to climb through the Anglerfish Overlook hole:


 * LAEVI: You’ll have to go the long way, but it isn’t far. Go to the Stepping Stone Cave, and then up and into the Fossil Fish Cave.


 * TAGET: I tried to get to the fossil fish through the Stepping Stone Cave, but I couldn’t find the entrance. Where is it?


 * ILEX: Remember to feed the fossil fish first! If you go to the Anglerfish Overlook and throw a light into his mouth, he’ll show you the way.


 * LAMI: Taget can’t fit through the Anglerfish Overlook hole anymore because he grew bigger! He’s taller than Laevi now.


 * LAEVI: Who cares? Ilex is still tallest.

Anglerfish lantern

TAGET: Are we playing the fossil fish game tonight?


 * SOLANUM: I fed the fossil fish a new lantern. If you go to the Stepping Stone Cave, the entrance to the Fossil Fish Cave is easy to see now.


 * LAEVI: Gratitude, Solanum! It’s good you’re small enough to climb in through the hole at the Anglerfish Overlook.


 * LAMI: I’m still small enough!


 * LAEVI: You won’t be for long. Mom and Dad are tall, so you and I will be tall, too.


 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Sunless City - Anglerfish Overlook district

 * Anglerfish game
 * Anglerfish game

LAEVI: Whoever was it when we ended last time is the anglerfish.


 * LAEVI: Rule change! The anglerfish now has to wear a blindfold. (And do not peek!)


 * LAEVI: The rest of us (the littlefish) line up against one wall. When the anglerfish says go, the littlefish sneak across to the other side.


 * LAEVI: If the anglerfish catches you, you’re eaten.


 * LAEVI: Last littlefish to be caught is the new anglerfish! (The old anglerfish gives the new anglerfish the blindfold and becomes a littlefish.)


 * LAMI: Why are we changing it? It’s too hard if you can’t see anything!


 * LAEVI: Aunt Pye says real anglerfish are blind, so you have to wear a blindfold! The rule stands!


 * ILEX: Rule update: It’s okay if younger kids don’t wear the blindfold when they’re it. (The rest of us will still wear it for scientific accuracy and to make the game more even.)

Anglerfish observations

MELORAE: This is amazing (look inside the cave)! How did this come to rest here? We haven’t encountered others in these caves; I think this is a rare find.
 * MELORAE: From what we can see, Coleus and I believe the specimen must be very old indeed. Imagine what we might learn if we could examine it!


 * COLEUS: We both agree it’s unlikely this dry planet is this horror’s place of origin (especially considering what we observed during the Vessel ’s evacuation).


 * MELORAE: Clearly this hole is too small for it to have fit through. Hypothesis: There is another entrance to this cave. If there is, Coleus and I will find it! We can’t leave valuable information undiscovered!


 * COLEUS: An update: We need to find a way inside quickly, Melorae, because when I returned here to search for an entrance to the cave, there were children playing on the specimen!

Anglerfish study

MELORAE: Anglerfish study


 * COLEUS: This anglerfish’s digestive tract suggests death by starvation.


 * MELORAE: Visually, the specimen appears to be of the same species as the anglerfish in Dark Bramble . We don’t believe it originated from this planet.


 * MELORAE: The long growth protruding from its head is bioluminescent. Perhaps it used this growth to attract prey (a lure?).


 * COLEUS: An update: Melorae, while I was here making sketches of the anglerfish, I observed the children I saw earlier playing here again. They’ve added a rule to their game that incorporates our research (it’s wonderful)!


 * MELORAE: I’m entirely delighted! It’s never too early to appreciate biology!

Sun Station trajectory

Who’s been computing shuttle trajectories to the Sun Station ? Don’t worry; the station is in such a low stellar orbit, we’ve constructed a different, safer way to travel there from Ash Twin.


 * IDAEA: That would be Pye. I told her we wouldn’t be traveling there by shuttle, and that the Sun Station doesn’t even have a landing pad, but she said she knew.


 * PYE: It’s a purely theoretical exercise on my part, Yarrow. Who doesn’t love computing a good low stellar orbit shuttle trajectory!


 * IDAEA: Pye, I look forward to working with you, but I’m also relieved it will be easy to return to Ash Twin regularly.


 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Sunless City - Eye Shrine district

 * Young Solanum Eye thoughts
 * Young Solanum Eye thoughts

SOLANUM: I don’t know why everyone says the Eye is important.


 * SOLANUM: They say it brought us to this solar system, but is that good? Dad told me lots of Nomai died when our clan came here.


 * SOLANUM: What if the Eye wanted that to happen?


 * SOLANUM: What if the Eye isn’t something good?

Signal discussion

If the Eye called to us, why won’t it reveal itself? Why is it so difficult to locate it?


 * Did something happen to it?


 * Did the signal stop? Does the Eye no longer desire to be found?


 * Perhaps this isn’t the Eye ’s choice. The Eye may not be able to communicate with us more than it already has.


 * Eye origin
 * Eye origin

Is the Eye natural, or artificial?


 * Maybe someone built it.


 * The Eye is older than the universe itself. How could something exist before its creator?


 * It could be naturally occurring, though this doesn’t answer how the Eye could be as old as it is.

Did the Eye deliberately call out to us by sending the signal, or did we hear the signal by coincidence?
 * Why the Eye sent its signal


 * We could be seeing meaning where there is none. Suppose the signal was produced incidentally.


 * Does that mean the Eye is any less important, though?


 * Perhaps the Eye wanted to be found (could it be sentient?). Maybe it chose us.


 * Does the Eye desire something from us? Could it need us in some way?


 * Maybe it doesn’t have to be us.


 * }

Ash Twin
Ash Twin is initially covered with sand, however as the loop progresses, the sand drains away, revealing a small rocky core and many artificial Nomai structures, most notably, the Ash Twin Towers, and the two large solar panel energy towers at the planet's poles connected to the Ash Twin Project.

Ash Twin Towers
A network of five towers built by the Nomai to act as teleporters to various locations throughout the solar system crucial to the Ash Twin Project, set on a massive ring around Ash Twin's equator. As the sand recedes, more of the towers are revealed.

Each tower visually represents the planet it connects to (for example, the Sun Station's tower looks like a sun, while Giant's Deep's tower resembles a cyclone) and contains a warp platform that can be used to warp immediately to and from the associated location when the corresponding astral body passes over the tower. The player can be teleported to the Sun Station, Brittle Hollow, Giant's Deep, Timber Hearth, Ember Twin and to the Ash Twin Project.

The towers were presumably designed by Phlox, based off of the White Hole Station with designs made at the High Energy Lab, and the six warp cores inside were created at the Black Hole Forge.

The Sun Station Tower, shaped like a sun, is the tallest, and thus the first to appear as the sand recedes. The path to the warp platform is blocked by large numbers of cacti, which must be traversed early in the loop using the sand to walk through the pathway before the cacti are revealed in order to reach the platform and thus the Station.

The Giant's Deep Tower, shaped like a cyclone, connects to the warp receiver on the Statue Island.

The Timber Hearth Tower, shaped like a Geyser Mountain, connects to the warp receiver near the Nomai Mines.

The Brittle Hollow Tower, shaped like a vertical section of the planet's crust, connects to the warp receiver on the Black Hole Forge District in the Hanging City.

The Tower representing the Hourglass Twins, made up of two towers with a bridge between them representing the Twins and the sand funnel, is notable for containing two warp platforms - one for Ember Twin and the other for Ash Twin itself. Both platforms are activated when Ember Twin (and its sand funnel) passes overhead, as the Twins share an astral body.

The Ember Twin Tower is larger and segmented in two, and connects to the warp receiver outside the High Energy Lab, with the Ash Twin Tower is smaller and connects directly to a warp receiver within the Ash Twin Project in the planet's core. However, the ceiling of the Ash Twin Tower is broken, allowing the sand funnel's pull to reach inside and potentially suck one out before the platform can activate. To reach the Ash Twin Project, a method of circumventing the sand funnel's pull must be used, either by using the adjoining bridge as cover or hiding in the closet on the opposite side of the room until the Ember Twin is directly overhead.

Ash Twin Project
The Ash Twin Project is a massive Nomai facility located within the excavated core of the Ash Twin itself. It is the source of the time loop that the player experiences throughout the game, and is considered the culmination of the game's secrets and discoveries. It is only accessible from the Ash Twin warp tower on Ash Twin's equator.

An enormous machine housed within a hollow shell of impenetrable ore mined from Timber Hearth, at the centre of which lies the casing housing the Advanced Warp Core, connected to the two surface solar energy towers on the planet's poles. A long pathway of Nomai structures is built along the inside of the shell, spinning at high speeds to create artificial gravity, with the Ash Twin warp receiver at one end. A projection pool surrounded by eight Nomai masks, three of which are active, as well as writings summarising the creation, progress and history of the Project, and controls for the Project itself lie along the pathway leading from the warp receiver.

The two switch controls at the end of the ring control the casing surrounding the Advanced Warp Core, and the ring's artificial gravity respectively. Removing the Advanced Warp Core will cause the Project to deactivate, and the time loop to thus end in that iteration if not returned.

With the Nomai Statues across the system pairing a sentient lifeform or computer (of which only three are active), the conscious memories or data of the paired entity are sent to and stored by the Nomai Masks within the Project. Powered by the energy of a supernova harnessed by the solar energy towers, the Advanced Warp Core would create a warp powerful enough to send the Masks' stored memories/data back in time by 22 minutes to their corresponding paired recipients. Thus, the 22 minute time loop is created, where memories/data of previous loops are retained.

The Nomai had intended to use the Project to discover the Eye of the Universe by brute force, by pairing a Nomai Statue with the Orbital Probe Cannon's Probe Tracking Module, and artificially inducing a supernova using the Sun Station. The Cannon would fire its Probe into deep space at a random trajectory, sending the probe's data to its Nomai Mask in the Project. Upon the Project's activation, all the stored data would be sent 22 minutes back in time to the Cannon, allowing it to select a new trajectory and fire again, adding more data to be sent back. The loops would continue until the probe found the Eye by pure chance, upon which the Project would shut down.

However, the station failed to induce a supernova, and the Project was put on halt until an alternative method could be found. This would not come to pass, however, as the Interloper arrived in the system, wiping out the Nomai with a catastrophic system-wide explosion of Ghost Matter. The Project itself would only come to accidentally activate many, many years later from the supernova caused by the natural end of the Sun's lifespan, as part of the heat death of the Universe.

Texts and recordings
{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Ash Twin Project

 * Cycle information (dependent on how much in-game time has passed)
 * Cycle information (dependent on how much in-game time has passed)

X MINUTES, X SECONDS AGO: Received data from previous cycles.

MASKS RECEIVING DATA FROM: Probe Tracking Module Giant’s Deep memory statue Timber Hearth memory statue X MINUTES UNTIL END-OF-CYCLE TRANSMISSION Text wall - Excavation of Ash Twin

YARROW: Today we finished the excavation of Ash Twin. Here, in this space we carved, we will craft our most ambitious project yet: the Ash Twin Project, powerful enough to send information back in time.


 * COLEUS: We’ve also finished relocating all subterranean plants we met while digging.


 * RAMIE: We’ll need to keep our eyes on how significantly we’ve altered the environment here.


 * PYE: How far we’ve come since our experiments at the High Energy Lab ! I still can hardly believe Ramie’s hypothesis was true.

Text wall - Warp Tower connections

YARROW: Poke just sent the warp core for the final tower to us from the Black Hole Forge. Now Ash Twin can be connected with Giant’s Deep, where Cassava is working with Avens to craft the Orbital Probe Cannon , and where Phlox is sculpting the memory statues.


 * CASSAVA: Hypothesis: It was not by accident the core of our warp tower was the last to be forged.


 * POKE: Hypothesis: The cores could have been forged faster if Cassava had interrupted my work less frequently to ask for updates.


 * YARROW: The important point is we are all connected through Ash Twin now, and also that I’m no longer needed for mediating your disagreements.

Text wall - Orbital Probe Cannon tests

YARROW: Our friends on Giant’s Deep tested the Orbital Probe Cannon today. Mallow tells me the cannon is doing well, and that Avens advocates for more launch power. If anyone can coax the maximum power from a device, Avens can.


 * YARROW: But then, if anyone can goad a device into exploding, that, too, is likely Avens. Perhaps I should check in with the Orbital Probe Cannon crew in the interest of safety.


 * YARROW: Would it help to remind Avens that Mallow (his love) will be one of the Nomai aboard the cannon, or is Mallow part of the problem?

Text wall - Memory statues finished

YARROW: Phlox and Daz finished the memory statues today, and they are truly remarkable.


 * YARROW: When the Ash Twin Project succeeds (or in the event it fails), the memory statues will activate, allowing us to gather more data before we shut down the project.

Text wall - Sun Station complete

YARROW: Pye and Idaea have worked hard on the Sun Station, and it at last is complete. If everything goes as planned, this structure will prompt the sun ’s explosion, which will in turn supply the power the Ash Twin Project requires.


 * RAMIE: I’m impressed by their mental fortitude. This was the project’s most difficult task, in more ways than one.

Text wall - Ash Twin Project order of events

YARROW: We’re nearly ready to activate the Ash Twin Project ! Here is what will happen: First, the Sun Station will receive the order to fire at the sun, prompting it to explode.


 * YARROW: Using the energy from the resulting supernova, the Ash Twin Project will send the order for the Orbital Probe Cannon to fire back in time by 22 minutes.


 * YARROW: Exactly 22 minutes after these orders are received, the Sun Station will again trigger the supernova to send the probe data from this cannon launch back in time.


 * YARROW: In total, each cycle created by the Ash Twin Project will last precisely 22 minutes. We can end this cycle at will.

Text wall - Sun Station failed

YARROW: These words are difficult to write: The Sun Station did not work.


 * YARROW: However, this is the closest we have ever been. The Ash Twin Project is theoretically sound; we were only unable to power it. Perhaps there is another way.


 * PYE: Suppose we redesign the Sun Station . To generate power of that magnitude, a supernova is still our only viable option.


 * RAMIE: I believe we can still find a way to create a supernova, my friend. Don’t lose hope!


 * IDAEA: This is easier expressed than accomplished.


 * PYE: You can wait for the sun to explode on its natural timeline if you prefer, Idaea, but you’ll need to find some way to halt our aging process.

Text wall - Arrival of comet

YARROW: We are halting our research into creating a supernova for this moment; a comet has newly arrived in this solar system, and we’re anxious to explore it.


 * YARROW: It’s been a very long time since we last explored somewhere new, so we’re excited to welcome this comet . Imagine what knowledge might be gained there!

Projection stones - Brittle Hollow: Advanced warp core

CLARY: I have good news, Yarrow! The advanced warp core is ready to be installed in the central chamber of Ash Twin.


 * YARROW: I’m intrigued, love! Everyone here working on the Ash Twin Project is excited to see it (Pye is beside herself with joy!).


 * POKE: No, it isn’t!


 * YARROW: Is everything well at the forge ?


 * CLARY: Don’t worry, love; Poke is only nervous. The core is extraordinary, and her design work is beautifully clever.


 * POKE: The core’s durability could still be improved! I need more time!


 * CLARY: Ignore her, Yarrow. The core is finished. And if my sister tells you otherwise, then she will be finished, as well.


 * Projection stones - Giant's Deep: Fail-safe text
 * Projection stones - Giant's Deep: Fail-safe text

RAMIE: I’ve installed the masks inside the Ash Twin Project, Phlox. They look beautiful (although I do feel as though I’m being observed!).


 * RAMIE: It’s comforting to know the statues will not pair until the project succeeds. Otherwise, I imagine the experience would be hard to endure!


 * PHLOX: Ideally, they’ll only need to activate once the project succeeds; as a safety measure, however, the statues will also activate in the event of equipment failure.


 * RAMIE: They will? Why is that?


 * PHLOX: If anything goes wrong with the Ash Twin Project, the statues (and their masks) will make us aware of the situation and enable us to fix it. Otherwise, it would be possible for us to remain permanently unaware of the problem.


 * RAMIE: I hadn’t thought of that! What a profoundly horrific fate that would be.

Projection stones - Probe Tracking Module: Ash Twin Project and probe

YARROW: I have exciting news, Privet: The Ash Twin Project is almost prepared to receive the probe data from the Orbital Probe Cannon.


 * YARROW: Ramie is adding some finishing touches here, but she’ll be finished soon. Are you and the Orbital Probe Cannon well?


 * PRIVET: We are! The Probe Tracking Module is ready to record each launch’s flight trajectory and will automatically transmit all relevant data to you.


 * PRIVET: Once the probe determines the location of the Eye of the universe, I’ll send an alert directly to you and Ramie.


 * PRIVET: On the other appendage, I’m now worried about this cannon ’s structural integrity and its crew’s moral integrity.

Projection stones - Timber Hearth: Last of the ore

YARROW: My gratitude for the latest shipment, Oeno! This ore should be the last we’ll need for the Ash Twin Project.


 * YARROW: Once we’ve finished the shell that seals off the central chamber, we’ll check to ensure there are no longer any physical entrances. Ramie and I will be checking the interior and then the exterior for cracks (our final safety check).


 * OENO: This is exciting news! Can I offer an extra set of eyes for this final check (specifically, mine)? If my work here is complete, I’d be delighted to help.


 * YARROW: We’d be grateful if you would! The more eyes, the better, as the smallest flaw or opening in the shell that protects the Ash Twin Project could lead to disaster.

Project Control - Gravity

Artificial gravity control
 * Project Control - Core
 * Project Control - Core

Caution: You are about to access the core while the Ash Twin Project is active.

WARNING: Removing the core will disable the Ash Twin Project.
 * }

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

Ash Twin Towers

 * Sun Station Tower
 * Sun Station Tower

YARROW: Some time has passed since I checked in with you, Pye. How are you and Idaea progressing with the Sun Station plans?


 * PYE: Presently, my assessment is that our plan will either fail explosively or succeed explosively.


 * IDAEA: Pye, you know I don’t find that funny.


 * PYE: How curious; Ramie thinks I’m a gas. And I don’t recall requesting that you monitor this conversation, Idaea.


 * IDAEA: I don’t see what state of matter you are has to do with this. And I don’t recall supporting the Sun Station ’s construction, but here we are.


 * YARROW: Hypothesis: Time spent away from the station would be beneficial to you both.


 * PYE: I’m immensely interested in testing your hypothesis, Yarrow.


 * IDAEA: That, at least, we can agree on.

Ember Twin Tower

PYE: Friends visiting from the Hanging City, we are planning the Ash Twin Project at the High Energy Lab on Ember Twin ’s equator.


 * CONOY: I became lost on Ember Twin (my gratitude that Ramie found me!), but the High Energy Lab is the building with the large solar panels. I’m suprised(sic) I didn’t see it!


 * RAMIE: I imagine our otherwise immensely clever Conoy would lose his own head if it weren’t anatomically impossible!

Brittle Hollow Tower

CLARY: Here’s our first delivery, Yarrow: one warp core, fresh from the Black Hole Forge ! Root is installing this core’s sibling on Brittle Hollow as I write this.


 * CLARY: I wish I could wait here for you to arrive, but the forge (and my unfinished work there) is calling. I’ll return with more materials soon.


 * YARROW: My gratitude, Clary! With this, the Ash Twin Project is underway!


 * YARROW: I confess, I’m deeply curious about what you and Poke found on the White Hole Station that started this project. Could I visit sometime to learn more?


 * CLARY: I recommend you do! The White Hole Station is the model for the towers being built for the Ash Twin Project, so a visit to the station would be doubly useful.


 * YARROW: I suppose, more precisely, I would like to visit the White Hole Station with you, Clary.


 * CLARY: I’d be happy to explain our findings!


 * POKE: Yarrow, stop using this scroll wall to flirt with my sister (in romantic matters, her density rivals a neutron star’s) and go meet her on the White Hole Station.


 * }