Outer Wilds Wiki

Spoiler Warning! This wiki contains spoilers for the game! The Outer Wilds is a game about exploration and we strongly encourage you to explore on your own first.

READ MORE

Outer Wilds Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Outer Wilds Wiki
Outer Wilds Wiki
181
pages
in: Hearthians, Characters, Outer Wilds Ventures Members, Travelers

Changes: The Protagonist

Back to page
Sign in to edit
No edit summary
Tag: Visual edit
DoodleEh (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
Tag: Source edit
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{Infobox character
 +
{{Spoiler}}{{Infobox character
 
| name = "Hatchling", "Time Buddy"
  
| name = "Hatchling", "Time Buddy"
 
| image = Protagonist_Suit_Closeup.JPG
  
| image = Protagonist_Suit_Closeup.JPG
Line 5: Line 5:
 
| planet = Timber Hearth
  
| planet = Timber Hearth
 
| location = The Village
  
| location = The Village
  +
|caption="Just, y'know, ricochet off the walls. Spin around a lot. That kind of thing."}}
−
}}
  
   
−
{{PAGENAME}} is a [[Hearthian]] whom the player controls. Like most Hearthians, they seem to have an affinity for toasted marshmallows and sap wine. They are adolescent, the newest cadet in the [[Outer Wilds Ventures]] ranks. Their name is never specified, and they are usually affectionately referred to as "Hatchling", or some other descriptive term or pronoun.
 +
'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is the [[Hearthian]] whom the player controls. Similar to most Hearthians, they seem to have an affinity for toasted marshmallows, although, they don't seem to enjoy sap wine<ref>The Protagonist: The Good Stuff is less "delicious sap wine" and more "daunting digestive challenge". [[Porphy]] : An iron stomach is the mark of a true Hearthian, my friend. Our hardy hunter-gatherer lifestyle stems from trial and error. By which I mean our ancestors survived eating a lot of bad things.
  +
</ref>. They are adolescent, and are the newest cadet of [[Outer Wilds Ventures]]. Their name is never specified, though they are usually affectionately referred to as "Hatchling" or another descriptive term or pronoun.
  +
  ⚫
Due to the nature of this character being decided by the player's actions and attitude, this page will describe them based on the extrapolation of all of the choices the player could take. In other words, this is a description of the "ideal" Protagonist. Most of this information is taken from the [[Endings#Self_Ending|'Self' ending]], which provides the most exposition by the Protagonist themselves. A full transcript of this exposition is at [[#dialogue|the bottom of the article.]]
   
⚫
Due to the nature of this character being decided by the player's actions and attitude, this page will describe them based on the extrapolation of all of the choices the player could take. In other words, this is a description of the "ideal" Protagonist. Most of this information is taken from the [[Endings#Self_Ending|'Self' paradox ending]], which provides the most exposition by {{PAGENAME}} themselves. A full transcript of this exposition is at [[#dialogue|the bottom of the article.]]
  
 
== Appearance ==
  
== Appearance ==
 
=== Without EVA ===
  
=== Without EVA ===
  +
[[File:Protagonist Closeup.JPG|thumb|257x257px|The Protagonist, as a child, without their suit]]
−
As with most Hearthians, they have four large eyes, wide notched ears, and three nailed digits per hand. Their clothes, typical for Hearthians, are primitive, scruffy and roughly stitched together. Their sleeves are rolled up, and they wear outdoor socks into which their legwear is tucked. Despite being mentioned as having an inauspicious academic career, they seem to be free of any injuries, unlike [[Gossan]].
 +
{{PAGENAME}} has four large, orange eyes, wide, notched ears, and three nailed digits on both hands. Their clothes are primitive, scruffy and roughly stitched together; their sleeves are rolled up, and they wear outdoor socks into which their legwear is tucked. Despite being mentioned as having an inauspicious academic career, they seem to be free of any injuries.
   
−
They are the only Hearthian to be seen both in and out of their EVA suits.<ref>It is usually impossible to see {{PAGENAME}} in their entirety without their EVA suit. The page photo was acquired through modding - a free-camera hack (to decouple the camera from the player) and a debug hack (to remove the EVA suit without having to be in the ship).</ref>[[File:Protagonist Closeup.JPG|thumb|257x257px|The Protagonist without their suit]]
 +
They are the only Hearthian to be seen fully<ref name="nosuit">Outside of [[Slide Reels|projections]], it is usually impossible to see the Protagonist in their entirety without their EVA suit, though an image can be acquired through modding by using free-camera (to decouple the camera from the player) and debug (to remove the EVA suit without having to be in the ship) hacks.</ref> both in and out of their EVA suit.
   
−
<br />
  
 
=== With EVA ===
  
=== With EVA ===
−
No two Outer Wilds EVA suits are the same. {{PAGENAME}}'s suit consists of a helmet with a large opaque gold-filmed visor, a baggy - possibly burlap - outer layer and thick rubber gloves, a reinforced belt, and large, rugged laced-up boots. Pressure seals are apparently maintained by straps, belts, and what appears to be a poncho around the chin, neck, and shoulders. The belt holds a small pocket-book and a reel of suture, presumably for tending to ruptures in the clothes. On the back is an RCS jetpack, a rucksack and bedroll - much like those worn by mountaineers - with racks for a [[Signalscope]] and [[Scout Launcher]].
 +
{{PAGENAME}}'s suit consists of a white helmet with a large, opaque gold-filmed visor, a baggy and run-down dark beige outer layer, and thick rubber gloves. They have a reinforced belt and stocky, brown boots with orange strings. Pressure seals are maintained by straps and belts, and they wear an army-green poncho around their neck and shoulders.
   
−
This iteration of the EVA suit apparently does not include legwear - preferring to keep the torso and head pressurised and ventilated.
 +
The suit's belt holds a small pocket-book and a reel of suture, presumably for tending to ruptures in the clothes. On the back is an RCS jetpack, a rucksack, and a bedroll, with racks for a [[Signalscope]] and [[Scout Launcher]]. Their EVA suit does not include legwear, preferring to focus on keeping the torso and head pressurised and ventilated.
   
 
==== Helmet telemetry ====
  
==== Helmet telemetry ====
Line 31: Line 33:
 
* The Scout's last photograph
  
* The Scout's last photograph
 
* Data from the Signalscope
  
* Data from the Signalscope
−
* Various environmental heads-up messages and warnings (such as Ghost Matter proximity, RCS fuel exhaustion, or suit ruptures).
 +
* Various environmental heads-up messages and warnings (such as [[Ghost Matter]] proximity, RCS fuel exhaustion, or suit ruptures).
   
−
== History ==
 +
== Personality ==
  +
As the Protagonist is a surrogate for the player, most of their personality is derived from the choices the player makes in what they do and how (and if) they speak to others. What is definitely known is that they are possessed of great sardonicism and gallows humor. Initially anxious of their mission (and distressed of the repeated cataclysm), they cope by seeing their cyclical day as choresome, and in one scenario, they wonder morbidly what it would be like to cause a paradox.
−
The game begins on the day of {{PAGENAME}}'s first solo launch, before which they accidentally and unknowingly pair with the [[Nomai]] statue in the [[Observatory]], causing them to be aware of the ongoing time loop. The game (and each loop thereafter) begins with them waking up in front of a campfire, roused by [[Orbital Probe Cannon|a mysterious flash]] surrounding the Giant's Deep gas giant.
  
   
  +
They are generally patient, well-composed and curious of the universe around them (if only to attempt to stop it from exploding). They are affable and concerned for the wellbeing of their fellows. However, they eschew safety as a concept of importance, even before they gained functional immortality.<ref>'''[[Slate|Slate:]]''' What, you suddenly care about safety ''now?''</ref>
⚫
They seem to have had a part in the destruction of one of Gossan's eyes, or at least have borne witness to the incident.<ref>[[#gossaneye|'''{{PAGENAME}}:''' That and the whole mishap with Gossan's eye.]]</ref>
  
   
  +
They are willing to forego procedure if they are able (such as using the Launch Codes before formally receiving them from [[Hornfels]]), and can be boastful.<ref>[[#hotshot|'''{{PAGENAME}}:''' Remember landing our ship on the Sun Station?]]</ref> Their sense of organization is fastidious, able to create a detailed organigram on their ship's [[computer]] to lay out what they have learned to extrapolate what they haven't.
−
== Personality ==
  
−
As {{PAGENAME}} is a surrogate for the player, most of their personality is derived from the choices the player makes in what they do and how (and if) they speak to others. What is definitely known is that they are possessed of great sardonicism and gallows humor. Initially anxious of their mission (and distressed of the repeated cataclysm), they cope by seeing their cyclical day as choresome, and in one scenario, they wonder morbidly what it would be like to cause a paradox. They are generally patient and well-composed - if resigned - and curious of the universe around them (if only to attempt to stop it from exploding or fizzling out). They are affable and concerned for the wellbeing of their fellows. However, they eschew safety as a concept of importance,<ref>'''Slate:''' "What, you suddenly care about safety ''now?''"</ref> perhaps due to their foresight and functional immortality. While patient, they are willing to forego procedure if they are able (such as using the Launch Codes before formally receiving them from [[Hornfels]]). They can be braggadocious.<ref>[[#hotshot|'''{{PAGENAME}}:''' Remember landing our ship on the Sun Station?]]</ref> Their sense of organization is fastidious, able to create a detailed organigram on their ship's computer to lay out what they have learned to extrapolate what they haven't.
  
   
−
They are, unsurprisingly, terrified of anglerfish.<ref>[[#geh|'''Past Self:''' Hopefully not. Besides, an extra version of us is definitely better than if we'd created an extra anglerfish or something.]]</ref> They can also be whipped-up into a panic; when confronted by themself, one possible exchange can involve wild flailing and hysterical screaming.
 +
They highly dislike anglerfish<ref>[[#geh|'''Self:''' Hopefully not. Besides, an extra version of us is definitely better than if we'd created an extra anglerfish or something.]]</ref> and can also easily be whipped-up into a panic; when confronted by themself, one possible exchange can involve wild flailing and hysterical screaming.
   
 
== Abilities ==
  
== Abilities ==
−
As a Hearthian, they are ordinary, and most of their abilities come from their EVA pack and their equipment. The main conceit of the game is their unwitting pairing to the [[Nomai Statue|Nomai sculpture]] at Hornfels' Observatory. As such, they are precognitive of the impending destruction of the solar system. When they die, their memories are sent into the past and bequeathed to them as they sleep in front of the campfire. They seem to possess a sizeable technical aptitude, able to operate devices of both Hearthian and Nomai construction. They have a great (possibly eidetic) memory, and can recall information to interrogate others or update the Ship Log on a subsequent loop if they are unable to reach it before their demise (although this is probably for the sake of gameplay convenience).
 +
As a Hearthian, they are ordinary. Most of their abilities come from their EVA pack and their equipment. The main advantage compared to other Hearthians is their unwitting pairing to the [[Nomai Statue|Nomai sculpture]] at Hornfels' Observatory. As such, they are precognitive of the impending destruction of the solar system. When they die, their memories are sent into the past and relayed to them as they sleep in front of the campfire.
   
  +
They seem to possess a sizeable technical aptitude, able to operate devices of Hearthian, Nomai or Stranger construction. They have a great (possibly eidetic) memory, and can recall information to interrogate others or update the Ship Log on a subsequent loop if they are unable to reach it before their demise (although this is probably for the sake of gameplay convenience, or because of the interaction between the computer and the [[Ash Twin Project]]).
⚫
They are able to learn how to meditate and fall into a peaceful sleep, even in the face of imminent (or excruciating) demise, such as being crushed, asphyxiated, impaled, cooked, vaporised by [[Ghost Matter]], or by the [[Supernova|eponymous apocalypse]]. They cannot swim. Their practical mastery of aviation is dependent on that of the player's, but is historically poor, as on their inaugural jetpack launch, they had become stuck in a crater at Timber Hearth's south pole.<ref>Conversation with Gossan.</ref> They are not shown to possess any musical talent or affinity, though it could be argued by the Ending that they are at least an adequate conductor.
  
  +
  ⚫
With [[Gabbro|Gabbro's]] help, they are able to learn how to meditate and fall into a peaceful sleep, even in the face of imminent demise. They cannot swim nor breathe underwater, despite their species' semi-aquatic nature. Their practical mastery of aviation is dependent on that of the player's, but is historically poor, as on their inaugural jetpack launch, they had become stuck in a crater near Timber Hearth's south pole.<ref>'''[[Gossan|Gossan:]]''' Is that so? Funny, I seem to recall the first time you strapped on a jetpack, we had to come fish you out of the crater near the south pole.</ref>
  +
  +
They are not shown to possess any musical talent or affinity, though it could be argued by the [[Endings#Eye of the Universe Ending|'Eye of the Universe' ending]] that they are at least an adequate conductor.
  +
  +
== History ==
  +
The game (and each loop thereafter) begins on the day of the Protagonist's first solo launch, with them waking up in front of a campfire, having been roused by [[Orbital Probe Cannon|a mysterious flash]] orbiting [[Giant's Deep]]. They accidentally and unknowingly pair with the [[Nomai]] [[Nomai Statue|statue]] in the [[Observatory]], causing them to be aware of the ongoing time loop.
  +
  ⚫
They seem to have had a part in the destruction of one of [[Gossan|Gossan's]] eyes, or at least have borne witness to the incident.<ref>[[#gossaneye|'''{{PAGENAME}}:''' That and the whole mishap with Gossan's eye.]]</ref>
   
 
== Intended Ending ==
  
== Intended Ending ==
  +
{{ExtraSpoiler|
−
Armed with the knowledge that there is a [[The Vessel|warp-capable spaceship]] nearby and an [[Ash Twin Project#Advanced Warp Core|Advanced Warp Core]], they use the Vessel to travel to [[Eye of the Universe|the Eye of the Universe]], fall into it, and emerge in a post-mortem facsimile of Hornfels' Observatory, where they learn about the demise of the Nomai and Hearthian civilisations and the heat death of the universe. They gather together quantum versions of the other Hearthian travellers (as well as [[Solanum]] and/or [[the Prisoner]], if they've met them), and instruct them to play music around the campfire one last time. They leap into the anomaly presented to them, and are consumed by the expanding nuclear fireball of the Big Bang.
 +
Armed with the knowledge that there is a [[The Vessel|Decrepit Nomai Vessel capable of Warp Travel]] nearby and an [[Ash Twin Project#Advanced Warp Core|Advanced Warp Core]] powering the [[Ash Twin Project]], they use the [[The Vessel|Vessel]] to travel to [[Eye of the Universe|the Eye of the Universe]], fall into it, and emerge in a post-mortem facsimile of Hornfels' Observatory, where they learn about the demise of the Nomai and Hearthian civilizations.
  +
  +
They are transported to The Ancient Glade, where they watch all the galaxies simmer out similar to the heat death of the universe. Eventually, once everything goes dark, they pick up a signal of their own breath. They run into themselves but that version ends up becoming a campfire, once lit, [[Esker]] will appear shortly after their rocking chair.
   
  +
They gather together quantum versions of the other Hearthian [[:Category:Travelers|travelers]] (as well as [[Solanum]] and/or [[the Prisoner]], if they've met them), and offer for them to play music around the campfire one last time. They jump into the anomaly presented to them, and are consumed by the Big Bang. The Protagonist dies, with their presence being the kickstarter for the [[Endings|next universe]].}}
−
If they had become separated from their Little Scout on the Eye (such as by launching it into the maelstrom), it is seen in the sky 14.3 billion years later.
  
   
 
== <span id="dialogue">Dialogue</span> ==
  
== <span id="dialogue">Dialogue</span> ==
Line 104: Line 117:
 
*******Yeah, now you've got it. That was an incredible day. <span id="nextgreatestday">But today is probably the next greatest day of our life after that one.</span>
  
*******Yeah, now you've got it. That was an incredible day. <span id="nextgreatestday">But today is probably the next greatest day of our life after that one.</span>
 
********'''>Wait, can you read my mind?'''
  
********'''>Wait, can you read my mind?'''
−
*********Definitely no. I just have the same memories as you. ...Except for this loop, I mean. I started this loop by popping out of a white hole inside the [[Ash Twin Project]], since in the loop before this one I jumped into the black hole. So [[#jumpblackhole|what do you think happens if you don't jump into the black hole again at the end of this loop?]]
 +
*********Definitely no. I just have the same memories as you. ...Except for this loop, I mean. I started this loop by popping out of a white hole inside the Ash Twin Project, since in the loop before this one I jumped into the black hole. So [[#jumpblackhole|what do you think happens if you don't jump into the black hole again at the end of this loop?]]
 
********'''>What other memories do you have?'''
  
********'''>What other memories do you have?'''
 
*********Let's see... We should have all the same memories before the whole "going into space and becoming aware of the alien time loop" thing.
  
*********Let's see... We should have all the same memories before the whole "going into space and becoming aware of the alien time loop" thing.
Line 127: Line 140:
 
****'''>I wonder if there being two of us screws anything up.'''
  
****'''>I wonder if there being two of us screws anything up.'''
 
*****[[#nothingexplodedyet|Well, we're talking to each other and nothing's exploded yet.]]
  
*****[[#nothingexplodedyet|Well, we're talking to each other and nothing's exploded yet.]]
−
**'''>AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!''' (From here on, Future Self gesticulates wildly.)
 +
**'''>AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!''' (From here on, Self gesticulates wildly.)
 
***What have we done?! Jumping into that black hole was a ''terrible'' idea!
  
***What have we done?! Jumping into that black hole was a ''terrible'' idea!
 
****'''>Yes. Yes, it was.'''
  
****'''>Yes. Yes, it was.'''
Line 165: Line 178:
 
**** '''>We were disasterously unprepared for space.'''
  
**** '''>We were disasterously unprepared for space.'''
 
***** "It's unsettling to think about. Especially when you remember even [[Riebeck]] survived their first launch."
  
***** "It's unsettling to think about. Especially when you remember even [[Riebeck]] survived their first launch."
−
** <span id="hotshot">'''>(If flew [[Achievements|manually]] to the [[Sun Station]]) Remember landing our ship on the Sun Station?'''</span>
 +
** <span id="hotshot">'''>(If [[Achievements|manually]] flew to the [[Sun Station]]) Remember landing our ship on the Sun Station?'''</span>
 
*** "YES. I can’t believe no one was around to see that.<br/>We’re probably the best pilot in the space program by now."
  
*** "YES. I can’t believe no one was around to see that.<br/>We’re probably the best pilot in the space program by now."
 
****'''>Yeah, but we’ve also died more than anyone else.'''
  
****'''>Yeah, but we’ve also died more than anyone else.'''
Line 184: Line 197:
 
File:OWProtagMugshot.png|Mugshot (Sitting in the pilot seat)
  
File:OWProtagMugshot.png|Mugshot (Sitting in the pilot seat)
 
File:OWProtag.png|Waiting in the [[Ash Twin Project]], wearing their EVA suit.
  
File:OWProtag.png|Waiting in the [[Ash Twin Project]], wearing their EVA suit.
−
File:OWProtagNaked.png|Without EVA suit, in the Ancient Glade.
 +
File:OWProtagNaked.png|Without their EVA suit, in the Ancient Glade.<ref name="nosuit" />
−  
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==

Latest revision as of 16:19, 10 September 2023

Outer Wilds Venture logo holo orange

This article contains spoilers! Outer Wilds and Echoes of the Eye should be played with minimal spoilers, knowing too much will hinder the experience! Please play the game before reading any of this!


The Protagonist is the Hearthian whom the player controls. Similar to most Hearthians, they seem to have an affinity for toasted marshmallows, although, they don't seem to enjoy sap wine[1]. They are adolescent, and are the newest cadet of Outer Wilds Ventures. Their name is never specified, though they are usually affectionately referred to as "Hatchling" or another descriptive term or pronoun.

Due to the nature of this character being decided by the player's actions and attitude, this page will describe them based on the extrapolation of all of the choices the player could take. In other words, this is a description of the "ideal" Protagonist. Most of this information is taken from the 'Self' ending, which provides the most exposition by the Protagonist themselves. A full transcript of this exposition is at the bottom of the article.

Appearance

Without EVA

Protagonist Closeup

The Protagonist, as a child, without their suit

The Protagonist has four large, orange eyes, wide, notched ears, and three nailed digits on both hands. Their clothes are primitive, scruffy and roughly stitched together; their sleeves are rolled up, and they wear outdoor socks into which their legwear is tucked. Despite being mentioned as having an inauspicious academic career, they seem to be free of any injuries.

They are the only Hearthian to be seen fully[2] both in and out of their EVA suit.

With EVA

The Protagonist's suit consists of a white helmet with a large, opaque gold-filmed visor, a baggy and run-down dark beige outer layer, and thick rubber gloves. They have a reinforced belt and stocky, brown boots with orange strings. Pressure seals are maintained by straps and belts, and they wear an army-green poncho around their neck and shoulders.

The suit's belt holds a small pocket-book and a reel of suture, presumably for tending to ruptures in the clothes. On the back is an RCS jetpack, a rucksack, and a bedroll, with racks for a Signalscope and Scout Launcher. Their EVA suit does not include legwear, preferring to focus on keeping the torso and head pressurised and ventilated.

Helmet telemetry

Being the primary means of ascertaining the status of the astronaut and the universe around them, the helmet is loaded with a great deal of telemetric data. It includes:

  • Meters for oxygen, fuel, and available extra-thrust.
  • The current force of gravity acting upon them (relative to Timber Hearth)
  • Thrust vector
  • Physical wellbeing
  • Global position
  • The Scout's last photograph
  • Data from the Signalscope
  • Various environmental heads-up messages and warnings (such as Ghost Matter proximity, RCS fuel exhaustion, or suit ruptures).

Personality

As the Protagonist is a surrogate for the player, most of their personality is derived from the choices the player makes in what they do and how (and if) they speak to others. What is definitely known is that they are possessed of great sardonicism and gallows humor. Initially anxious of their mission (and distressed of the repeated cataclysm), they cope by seeing their cyclical day as choresome, and in one scenario, they wonder morbidly what it would be like to cause a paradox.

They are generally patient, well-composed and curious of the universe around them (if only to attempt to stop it from exploding). They are affable and concerned for the wellbeing of their fellows. However, they eschew safety as a concept of importance, even before they gained functional immortality.[3]

They are willing to forego procedure if they are able (such as using the Launch Codes before formally receiving them from Hornfels), and can be boastful.[4] Their sense of organization is fastidious, able to create a detailed organigram on their ship's computer to lay out what they have learned to extrapolate what they haven't.

They highly dislike anglerfish[5] and can also easily be whipped-up into a panic; when confronted by themself, one possible exchange can involve wild flailing and hysterical screaming.

Abilities

As a Hearthian, they are ordinary. Most of their abilities come from their EVA pack and their equipment. The main advantage compared to other Hearthians is their unwitting pairing to the Nomai sculpture at Hornfels' Observatory. As such, they are precognitive of the impending destruction of the solar system. When they die, their memories are sent into the past and relayed to them as they sleep in front of the campfire.

They seem to possess a sizeable technical aptitude, able to operate devices of Hearthian, Nomai or Stranger construction. They have a great (possibly eidetic) memory, and can recall information to interrogate others or update the Ship Log on a subsequent loop if they are unable to reach it before their demise (although this is probably for the sake of gameplay convenience, or because of the interaction between the computer and the Ash Twin Project).

With Gabbro's help, they are able to learn how to meditate and fall into a peaceful sleep, even in the face of imminent demise. They cannot swim nor breathe underwater, despite their species' semi-aquatic nature. Their practical mastery of aviation is dependent on that of the player's, but is historically poor, as on their inaugural jetpack launch, they had become stuck in a crater near Timber Hearth's south pole.[6]

They are not shown to possess any musical talent or affinity, though it could be argued by the 'Eye of the Universe' ending that they are at least an adequate conductor.

History

The game (and each loop thereafter) begins on the day of the Protagonist's first solo launch, with them waking up in front of a campfire, having been roused by a mysterious flash orbiting Giant's Deep. They accidentally and unknowingly pair with the Nomai statue in the Observatory, causing them to be aware of the ongoing time loop.

They seem to have had a part in the destruction of one of Gossan's eyes, or at least have borne witness to the incident.[7]

Intended Ending

Wink emote
Spoiler alert
This section contains spoilers for Outer Wilds (and possibly Echoes of the Eye)! Please play the game before reading!

Armed with the knowledge that there is a Decrepit Nomai Vessel capable of Warp Travel nearby and an Advanced Warp Core powering the Ash Twin Project, they use the Vessel to travel to the Eye of the Universe, fall into it, and emerge in a post-mortem facsimile of Hornfels' Observatory, where they learn about the demise of the Nomai and Hearthian civilizations.

They are transported to The Ancient Glade, where they watch all the galaxies simmer out similar to the heat death of the universe. Eventually, once everything goes dark, they pick up a signal of their own breath. They run into themselves but that version ends up becoming a campfire, once lit, Esker will appear shortly after their rocking chair.

They gather together quantum versions of the other Hearthian travelers (as well as Solanum and/or the Prisoner, if they've met them), and offer for them to play music around the campfire one last time. They jump into the anomaly presented to them, and are consumed by the Big Bang. The Protagonist dies, with their presence being the kickstarter for the next universe.

Dialogue

First Loop

Due to how many times the conversation branches, transcribing it could easily become an exercise in recursive futility. This dialogue tree has been constructed in such a way that significant parts of a response may be a link. Clicking it will scroll the browser to that content to continue reading.

  • ...Whoa.
    • >What the heck happened?
      • If you're me, then I'm just as confused as you are.
        • >Do you think we have the same memories?
          • Good question. Let's see...
        • >Do you think it's okay there's two of us?
          • Well, we're talking to each other and nothing's exploded yet.
            • >Yeah, it's a pretty novel experience.
              • Right? It's kind of nice!
            • >Gossan always says that means the date's going well.
              • Yeah, but it's Slate's definition of a boring date. Makes sense Gossan and Slate never dated.
                • >That and the whole mishap with Gossan's eye.
                  • Oof. Yes. The eye thing. Yeah, that's... yeah.
                    • >Yep./Sure is.
                      • Uh huh.
                    • >I very much do not want to discuss that.
                      • Nor do I. Hasty segue?
                        • >Hasty segue.
                          • So hey, what do you think happens if you don't jump into the black hole again at the end of this loop?
                            • >Huh. That's a good question.
                              • It's something I've been wondering about. We're in thoroughly uncharted territory at this point.
                                • >Unlike all the other time manipulation we've experienced.
                                  • Are you being sassy? You can't sass me! You are me! Does kind of prove we're the same person, though.
                                • >Truly, we are the Feldspar of weird time stuff.
                                  • Oh geez, Feldspar would just use the time loop to try increasingly outlandish stunts, wouldn't they. Might be a good thing they aren't aware of it.
                            • >If I don't, then where did you come from?
                            • >Guess we'll find out!
                              • I guess so!
            • >Maybe the universe doesn't mind two of us.
              • Hopefully not. Besides, an extra version of us is definitely better than if we'd created an extra anglerfish or something.
                • >GEH.
                  • My thoughts exactly.
                • >That's setting the bar pretty low.
                  • That's not just setting the bar low, that's setting it at tripping height.
                • >Agreed. We're charming and have fewer teeth.
                  • That probably counts for something.
    • >This is the greatest day of my life!
      • Sure, two of us is great and all, but is it the greatest? What about the day we, you know... what about that one?
    • >Are you me from the last loop?
    • >This got weird in a hurry.
    • >AAAAAAAAAAHHHH! (From here on, Self gesticulates wildly.)
      • What have we done?! Jumping into that black hole was a terrible idea!
        • >Yes. Yes, it was.
        • >I needed to know what would happen.
        • >AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
          • AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
          • >AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
            • AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
              • >AAAAAaaaAAAAAaAAaaaaaHHH!
                • AAAAAaaaAAAAAaAAaaaaaAAAHHH!
                  • >AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGHHHH!
                    • AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!
                  • >AAAAAAaaah... hhh... ha.
                    • AAAAAAAHHHhhh... (pant, pant)...
                    • AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!
              • >WAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGH!

Second paradox loop or later

  • "Hey, me."
    • >Remember leaving on our first solo trip?
      • "Yeah! That feels like ages ago.
        We'd have died that first time out if the time loop didn't exist, though. Isn't that weird to think about?"
        • >Weirder than there being two of us now?
          • "Wow, I guess I AM pretty sarcastic."
          • (If made Tuff too sick) "Tuff was right - I AM the worst."
        • >We were disasterously unprepared for space.
          • "It's unsettling to think about. Especially when you remember even Riebeck survived their first launch."
    • >(If manually flew to the Sun Station) Remember landing our ship on the Sun Station?
      • "YES. I can’t believe no one was around to see that.
        We’re probably the best pilot in the space program by now."
        • >Yeah, but we’ve also died more than anyone else.
          • "That’s true. I’m not sure how to factor that in."
        • >Not that anyone else knows it.
          • "Still, it’s kind of nice to get to say it out loud. Even if it’s just to ourself."
        • >I needed to brag about that to someone a little.
          • "That’s fine. It’s kind of nice to hear it said out loud."
        • >Did that technically happen, with how the time loop works?
          • "What? ...Oh, come on, don’t take that away from us!"
            • >Just kidding, I don't care how time works.
              • "Haha, yeah, me either. ...Obviously."
            • >But given it only happened in a previous loop...
              • "The worst part is we’re the same person, and you know I’m going to agree with you. (Sigh...)"

Gallery

  • Mugshot (Sitting in the pilot seat)

    Mugshot (Sitting in the pilot seat)

  • Waiting in the Ash Twin Project, wearing their EVA suit.

    Waiting in the Ash Twin Project, wearing their EVA suit.

  • Without their EVA suit, in the Ancient Glade.[2]

    Without their EVA suit, in the Ancient Glade.[2]

Notes

  1. ↑ The Protagonist: The Good Stuff is less "delicious sap wine" and more "daunting digestive challenge". Porphy : An iron stomach is the mark of a true Hearthian, my friend. Our hardy hunter-gatherer lifestyle stems from trial and error. By which I mean our ancestors survived eating a lot of bad things.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Outside of projections, it is usually impossible to see the Protagonist in their entirety without their EVA suit, though an image can be acquired through modding by using free-camera (to decouple the camera from the player) and debug (to remove the EVA suit without having to be in the ship) hacks.
  3. ↑ Slate: What, you suddenly care about safety now?
  4. ↑ The Protagonist: Remember landing our ship on the Sun Station?
  5. ↑ Self: Hopefully not. Besides, an extra version of us is definitely better than if we'd created an extra anglerfish or something.
  6. ↑ Gossan: Is that so? Funny, I seem to recall the first time you strapped on a jetpack, we had to come fish you out of the crater near the south pole.
  7. ↑ The Protagonist: That and the whole mishap with Gossan's eye.
Community content is available under CC BY-SA 3.0 unless otherwise noted.