Zail's Tales: Outer Wilds - Chapter 7: Perchance to Dream

Introduction

Hello everyone, welcome back to Zail's Tales, and welcome to episode 7 of our adventure with Outer Wilds. I am your host, Zail, your dragon driving the wagon.

Recap of Last Episode

In our last episode, we came face to face with the Stranger. We don't know much about this mysterious entity, but we do know it housed an alien civilization separate from the Nomai. This civilization has its own mysteries aboard a large ship, and they are somehow connected to the eye of the universe. They scanned it, didn't like what they saw, and burned their own buildings in horror.

Current Objectives

1. Explore the Cinder Isles: We've already found a large metal symbol for the eye of the universe inside a burnt-out building and realized the civilization was terrified by what they saw.
2. Investigate the Reservoir: We need to delve deeper into this enormous area to uncover the connection between the Stranger and another mysterious craft.
3. Examine the Submerged Structure: This large metal structure is suspended by chains and must be entered from below. Inside, there’s a strange Vault illuminated by green fire.

Exploration Begins

With renewed determination, we suit up and set out on our expedition. We focus on the Stranger and make a stop at the Cinder Isles, where I realized that the murals inside aren't simply decoration; they seem to guide us to hidden secrets.

Furthermore, we discovered that the river in the Stranger poses significant danger. Successful navigation is critical to uncovering more secrets. While exploring, I stumbled upon a new area after narrowly avoiding death multiple times by being swept away by the river current.

Hidden Cavern and Fidget Cubes

Continuing our search, we found a hidden cavern beneath the previously explored tower. Inside, there was another projection and a peculiar metallic artifact akin to a fidget cube but with far more profound implications.

Upon returning to the structures with murals, each appeared to harbor secret tomb-like chambers filled with these fidget cubes – artifacts that seemingly hold the essence of the inhabitants.

Investigating the Dam

Next, we ventured to the dam for a closer look before it breaks. This mission resulted in a shocking discovery – the projection indicated the Stranger is moving outside the Supernova radius of the sun. Could this mean the Stranger is somehow escaping the cyclical destruction that plagues us?

Unlocking Secrets

Nearing the end of this episode, we uncovered a series of fidget cube slide reels describing the mechanisms behind the chains on the submerged structure. Watching these reels, we saw the aliens meditating and seemingly surviving within their fidget cubes, even as their physical forms faded.

Our final experiment involved me using one of these fidget cubes and falling into a serene sleep, echoing the actions seen in the slides…

Keyword

Keywords:

1. Zail's Tales
2. Outer Wilds
3. Stranger
4. Eye of the Universe
5. Nomai
6. Submerged Structure
7. Cinder Isles
8. Reservoir
9. Fidget Cube
10. Supernova
11. Hidden Cavern
12. Dam Investigation

FAQ

FAQ:

1. What is the Stranger in Outer Wilds?

   • The Stranger is a large ship housing an alien civilization different from the Nomai, who have their own mysteries tied to the eye of the universe.

2. What did the alien civilization react to in the eye of the universe?

   • They were horrified by what they saw and burned their buildings in response.

3. What is the significance of the murals in the Cinder Isles?

   • The murals guide players to hidden secrets and tomb-like chambers filled with significant artifacts.

4. What is the submerged structure?

   • It’s a large metal structure within the Reservoir, containing a Vault illuminated by green fire, sealed with chains.

5. What was discovered at the dam?

   • A projection showed the Stranger moving outside the Supernova radius of the sun, indicating a potential escape from the cyclical destruction.

6. What are the fidget cubes?

   • The fidget cubes are mysterious artifacts that seem to hold the living essence of the alien inhabitants, providing them a means of survival beyond physical death.

7. How does the river in the Stranger pose a challenge?

   • The river can sweep players away into dangerous currents, making navigation critical but often perilous.

8. What was the outcome of Zail using the fidget cube?

   • Zail falls into a serene sleep, suggesting these artifacts may allow travel into another dimension or state of being.