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EVERYTHING we know about Portals, Dimensions, Magic and the frayed fabric of reality


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I've been thinking a lot about the Constant lately, trying to make sense of the multi-dimensional structure the game keeps referencing.
By now I've collected and sorted up every information I could find, but obviously the clues are vast and well-spread; there's no way I've found everything of interest. I would love for you to help completing my collection. Post any (preferably not yet cataloged) clue you've got in the comments.

Obviously, many clues are contradictory, many of them not even canon. During the last eight years the vision behind DS/T has changed progressively, so there's no telling whether a clue holds any significance. Still, what the hell, it's gonna be a mess anyways, here goes the list:


1. Every device used for inter-dimensional travel

Spoiler



DST

1.1. Jury-Rigged Portal

 365965744_JuryRiggedPortal.png.c58009455affc54e1bd7bbf86c5a4601.pngPortalComic.thumb.png.4a0e54816c5dd384bfbfbe93af82875c.png
   1.1.1 [Interpretation: The Portal was built by Maxwell and Wilson using information inside the Codex Umbra]

 

1.2. Florid Postern

Florid_Postern.png.0b54118b4b21a7d1460c987f76df899c.pngFinal.thumb.png.c847fa6f11ffaf5b855e72c0bdabd946.png
   1.2.1 [Interpretation: Charlie transformed the Jury-Rigged Portal into the Florid Postern after its construction]
   1.2.2 "Wilson and Maxwell constructed the first prototype of the Florid Postern, connecting the survivors' dimensions
 and allowing them to band together." - Florid Postern Portrait description

 

1.3. Celestial Portal

Celestial_Portal_Build.png.7a25c7c192313a98577168ae091623d3.png
   1.3.1 [Interpretation: Upon use, the survivors appear to experience death]
   1.3.2 "If Wolfgang buil
d it, they will come" - Wolfgang, exam. Portal Paraphernalia
   1.3.3 Moon Rock Idol

             Moon_Rock_Idol.png.4c4c592dd853b99e5f9fc54e8615b343.png
      1.3.3.1 "Curious. It rather looks like a key." - Wickerbottom, exam. Moon Rock Idol
      1.3.3.2 "They always need an offering" - Maxwell, exam. Moon Rock Idol

 

1.4. Ancient/Atrium Gateway

Ancient_Gateway.png.2f55f3c799001b4b7097d13d22db3176.png
   1.4.1 Ancient Key

            Ancient_Key.png.b280728b8b7330f90b8d655df4190c4a.png
      1.4.1.1 "Some sort of old power source." - Winona, exam. Ancient Key
      1.4.1.2 [Interpretation: The Key is guarded by the Ancient Guardian]
   1.4.2 Ancient Murals

               ObeliskImage1.thumb.png.666e173d65cb32bef25d64e7b883356a.pngObeliskImage2.thumb.png.0eb1adaa53d6c3c6a872ba7c1861c16a.pngObeliskImage3.thumb.png.4393829f9835bdab2d2d2cb50f0ef378.pngObeliskImage4.thumb.png.d544d62afec8e9987d903360f322502f.png
      1.4.2.1 [Interpretation: The Murals might depict two separate Gateways. This would imply that the Ancients came from the Constant and were sucked into another Dimension much akin to the Survivors.]
                        1403742784_ObeliskImage1-Kopie.png.f2d41ea6dccdaaf22c5e2b94849fa999.png 1448518287_ObeliskImage4-Kopie.thumb.png.bc78b71ad8d55a08485d1e05751cf23e.png
      1.4.2.2 "Stuff from the mortals who fell through the portals!" - Wortox, exam. "RELIC-" (Unimplemented)
      1.4.2.3 [Interpretation: Key elements from the first to third Murals Gateway resemble the Atrium Gateway. The Atrium Gateway differs from the last Murals Gateway, however. Either the Murals got more casual when it came to detail, or the last Mural depicts another Gateway, different from the Atrium one. It would make sense if the last Mural depicted the Hub/The Throne-pertaining Dimension, possibly the Shadow Realm.]

                       Unben42141421annt.png.1adf1c2bc6f4db0b516af5e23cd15d99.pngUnbena1242414nnt.png.8b1d1594bf0de0fbbdd1882acfbeb72b.png12323321.png.10ef96b254c1aa2bc1f006a238f1305d.pngUnbena2132134nnt.png.23e6d8c5565740f3cd56c99662b745f8.png
   1.4.3 "It is feeding off the dark energy." - Maxwell, exam. charging Ancient Gateway
   1.4.4 "Best not to overuse this power." - Maxwell, exam. Ancient Gateway on cooldown
   1.4.5 "The thing I hopped through!" - Wortox, exam. unactivated Ancient Gateway
   1.4.6 "That's how you get imps. Hyuyu!" - Wortox, exam. activated Ancient Gateway

 

1.5. Forge Gateway

Molten_Gateway.png.5729ee55e9191acc4ff7d7f46b754e3c.pngAncient_Gateway_Portrait_Background.png.84914932977cb1a01cb45ecdd405b42b.png
   1.5.1 Ancient Anchor

Forge_Ancient_Anchor_Key.png.f45d968753d8fff792733a179b4952d2.pngDatamined_Ancient_Anchor_1.png.f8dc455d84384d67c90ccdbd99ae7be9.png


   1.5.2 "Just like the one I came through..." - Winona, exam. Forge Gateway 
   
1.5.3 "My suspicions were correct. It has more than one destination." - Wickerbottom, exam. Gorge Gateway
   1.5.4 "Once you are dead, we will activate the Gateway. We'll return to the hub and destroy the Throne." - Battlemaster Pugna, Round 4 End
   1.5.5 "The Forge is a harsh dimension of molten lava where only the toughest survive. When the survivors activated the Ancient Gateway, they mistakenly reconnected th
is dimension to their own." - The Forge Portrait description

 

1.6. Gorge Gateway

Mossy_Gateway.png.04328f5fed87f3dfd08c82b2accb95c4.pngMossy_Gateway_Portrait_Background.png.b47885eedeab60a87de5655ce8777c22.png
   1.6.1 Gorge Key

            Ancient_Key_Gorge.png.c7357b9c2eabb83233265bed6f297aea.pngAltar_of_Gnaw.png.074db19fff5b5939952d1940ba4b12b2.png
      1.6.1.1 Queen Beast Statue with Gorge Key

                   Queen_Beast.png.2c7ed871aebcb23cdb8ac9a7626a843f.png
      1.6.1.2 "Favor from the Gnaw might recharge the old key." - Mumsy
      1.6.1.3 Gnaw's Favor containing an Iridescent Gem

                   Gorge_accomplishment_favored.png.812d4a84b109f0293f5752a2bae7ddfc.png

   1.6.2 "After defeating Battlemaster Pugna and reactivating the Molten Gateway, the survivors found themselves flung into the plagued Gate Realm of the Gorge." - Mossy Gateway Portrait description

 

1.7. Sealed Portal

Sealed_Portal.thumb.png.4b24cd74590cbb8182d28ff1e8488c73.png


   1.7.1 "I won't tell the mortals it's here, it'll just get their poor hopes up." - Wortox, exam. Sealed Portal while Archive Switch is off
   1.7.2 "My my, someone didn't want this door opened" - Wortox, exam. Sealed Portal while Archive Switch is on

 

1.8. Wagstaff's Portal

1170537815_Screenshot(647).thumb.png.e83f0d8f91bb4798484ac6dd5df87d74.png789390594_Screenshot(648).png.df54dd4e725bc22375b51b1f5b7d9186.pngFactory_Portrait_Background.png.1b62cc1e0ec140b1b198e1823ebcc51c.png
   1.8.1 [Interpretation: Built by Wagstaff, it allowed him to enter the Constant on his own.]
   1.8.2 [Interpretation: Though it is unknown, whether Maxwell was involved in inspiring the creation, Wagstaff intended to travel to the Constant (unlike Wilson)]
   1.8.3 "The Constant has a way of drawing in those who search for answers." - Factory Portrait description

 

DS

1.9. Maxwell's Door

1412864495_Maxwell27s_Door.png.1e4b8cefd7976e1c796a911537a92d38.png
   1.9.1 [Interpretation: Wilson build one under Maxwells influence, abducting him into the constant]
   1.9.2 [Interpretation: Found in the DS Constant, used to travel into the Adventure Mode Dimension]

 

1.10. Nightmare Throne

Nightmare_Throne.png.1c8e7f8a2db523bbd331c4884dcb6111.png
   1.10.1 [Interpretation: The Nightmare Throne exist inside a supposedely seperate dimension inside the "Umbral Throneroom")
   1.10.1 [Interpretation: Though being able to project himself throughout the Constant, Maxwell is originally bound to the Throne]
   1.10.2 [Interpretation: Maxwell and Survivors on the Throne are bound by the Nightmare Lock, a shadow-inundated Wooden Thing with three red runes instead of eight.]
   1.10.3 [Interpretation: The Nightmare Lock can be unlocked using a Divining Rod, trapping the rescuer on the throne and turning the rescued into dust (possibly reviving them like Maxwell was)] 
   1.10.4 [Interpretation: After freeing Maxwell and in turn being trapped unto the Throne, Wilson was freed by Charlie and cast away into the Constant]
   1.10.5 [Interpretation: Charlie is able to transform the appearance of the decor and the Throne. After internal discrepancies, Charlie transforms the Throne into its current form]
   1.10.5.1 Charlie's Throne 

Nightmare_Throne_2_Cinematic.thumb.jpg.c78ea3185e4899b7b6d93f6789115ca9.jpgNightmare_Throne_1_Cinematic.thumb.jpg.6f19fed056998a72fb5102fc2c57c794.jpgNew_Charlie.thumb.png.a214de70c558f9ecdd25107512da345b.png
   1.10.6 [Interpretation: Unlike Maxwell and the other survivors, Charlie does not seem to be bound by the Shadow Throne.]
   1.10.7 [Interpretation: Wagstaff will not be bound to the Nightmare Throne and is either able to escape at will or was purposely freed by Charlie]
   1.10.8 "It keeps the master in the chair." - Maxwell, exam. Nightmare Lock
   1.10.9 "The throne won't allow that. I've tried." - Maxwell (NPC), when survivor attacks Maxwell (NPC)
   1.10.10 "I've found it! The portal that can link worlds! The throne of ultimate power!!" - Wagstaff, exam. Nightmare Throne
   1.10.11 "It's less painful than it looks. Barely." - Maxwell, exam. Nightmare Throne "--You haven't escaped its pull..." - Charlie's hidden speech in the Gamecode.
   1.10.12 References about "The Throne", possibly the Nightmare Throne
      1.10.12.1 "Gatekeepers? Have you come to return us to the Throne?" - Battlemaster Pugna, Introduction
      1.10.12.2 "We were severed from the Throne! [...] Why serve a power that deserted my people?" - Battlemaster Pugna, Round 3 End
      1.10.12.3 "Once you are dead, we will activate the Gateway. We'll return to the hub and destroy the Throne." - BMP, Round 4 End
      1.10.12.4 "We will not live in the Throne's shadow!" - BMP, Round 5 Banter part 2
      1.10.12.5 "Warriors, rekindle the Gateway... Today we take the Throne!" - BMP, upon defeating the Survivors
      1.10.12.6 "No! My Forge, felled by the Throne's lapdogs!" - BMP, upon losing to the Survivors 2017 Version
      1.10.12.7 "[Chortle] You mortals have been quite enamored with the throne, haven't you?" - Shadow Inn Keeper, Idle

 


1.11. Wooden Thing (a.k.a Teleportato)


   Wooden_Thing.png.8b8447782b47acfdf404f4f26180a726.pngActivated_Wooden_Thing.png.9f5b663a51e3ac57a0e6bcb78bd7a735.png

   1.11.1 [Interpretation: A six-sided woodpiece with eight red runes inscribed. It is located and activated using the Divining Rod]
   1.11.2 [Interpretation: Upon assembling all pieces, it is used to travel into another Dimension/Version of the Constant.]
   1.11.3 [Interpretation: Inside Adventure Mode, it is used to travel to the next stage, finally leading to the Shadow Throne.]
   1.11.4 [Interpretation: The hidden Wooden Thing inside the Umbral Throneroom will not teleport the survivor into another Dimension]
   1.11.5 "Don't you think I've tried that? This is the end of the line. We have no escape." -Maxwell (NPC) using Wooden Thing in the last chapter of Adventure M
ode
   1.11.6 "The gears in here are so small they turn the fabric of reality." - Maxwell, exam. Metal Potato Thing
   1.11.7 "My design is quite similar to this. Though, without those runes..." - Wagstaff, exam. Wooden Thing
   1.11.8 "I can hear the sounds of another world!" - Weber, exam. Wooden Thing
   1.11.9 "A ring that could focus dimensional energies." - Wilson, exam. Ring Thing

1.12. Wooden Platform Thing

Wooden_Thing_Shipwrecked.png.94d919e337887bd45a06af5466e5bc99.pngWoodenthingshipwrecked.jpg.a4c45af70b6fb8c32c4d0784d0b12709.jpg
   1.12.1 [Interpretation: The Shipwrecked equivalent to the Wooden Thing. Unlike the Wooden Thing and the Stone Thing, it only has six runes inscribed.]

 

1.13. Stone Thing

Stone_Thing.png.c7edc4b1464e0acbba7a43aa6a16611b.pngStone_Thing_Activated_In-Game.png.8589198fae31494ea76b0b620ccfd070.png
   1.13.1 [Interpretation: The Hamlet equivalent to the Wooden Thing.]
   1.13.2 "Ah yes, this will combine the different dimensional fabrics quite nicely." - Wagstaff, exam. Hamlet Lever Thing
   1.13.3 "Fascinating! Its contents exist in more than three dimensions!" - Wagstaff, exam. Relic Thing


1.14. Seaworthy

Seaworthy_Build.png.47d49382979d53e37607d4a6fb76a07c.png
   1.14.1 "That invaluable dark fuel is powering transportation to another world!" - Wagstaff, exam. Seaworthy
   1.14.2 "Amazing! It appears to work similar to my radio." - Wagstaff, exam. Sea Worther

 

1.15. Skyworthy

Skyworthy-0.thumb.png.de71aaaeb70d4580996f322e145e64d4.png
   1.15.1 "Another innovation that runs on dark fuel!" - Wagstaff, exam. Skyworthy

 

Other

1.16. Voxola PR-76 Radio

Divining_Rod_and_Holder_ingame_with_Maxwell.png.d9917942cf40ce80bb054a0c845686e4.png


   1.16.1 "The radio is a Voxola PR-76, manufactured in 1919 by the Voxola Radio company of Sidney, Ohio. The radio offered revolutionary sound and reception quality for the time, and was promoted by an intense national marketing campaign. Very few units were actually produced, because the factory was destroyed in a fire only days after production began. Voxola founder Robert Wagstaff went missing the night of the fire, and the company declared bankruptcy soon thereafter." - Kevin, DS Developer
   1.16.2 [Interpretation: Used by Maxwell to communicate, trap and in turn abduct the Survivors into the Constant]

 

1.17. Codex Umbra

Icon_Shadow.png.5a80e42c61fabeadca1f3bfa15e94212.png
   1.17.1 [Interpretation: Maxwell and Charlie were sucked into the Constant through the Codex Umbra; it seems to function as a rift between the Constant
              and the Real world]

2. Interactions between the Constant and the real world

Spoiler


   2.1 The Codex Umbra, documenting the Constant, is found by William Carter in the desert following a mysterious train crash.
   2.2 A Shadow Watcher observes evidence about William Carter
      
William_Carter_Puzzle_4.thumb.jpg.0cf5fb5fca63d0c778fe6d76f9eaff54.jpg
   2.3 A Terrorbeak materializes during a ritual performed by Maxwell
      2.3.1 "A terrible form took shape in the air above the ritual last night! It was large and indistinct, but its countenance was infused with a sort of alien malevolence that chilled me to my very core. My fear was so great that I almost faltered in my incantations. It made no hostile motions, however and after having hung in the aether for a time, it shivered out of existence. What was it? Was it observing me? Is it the guardian of some deeper sec
ret to which I am drawing closer? In any event, I am not keen to meet its like again." - William Carter, Journal Page
   2.4 Shadow Hands and a Shadow Watcher manifest and trash Maxwell's apartment. 
      
William_Carter_Puzzle_8-6.jpg.6aa6b150e162bd2c419128cbfe05f971.jpgWilliam_Carter_Puzzle_8-13.jpg.97ca493b29864c8cfa7f1573e01e383c.jpg
   2.5 Shadow Hands ensnare Maxwell and Charlie during a Stage Performance and abduct them both into the Constant.
   2.6 Wigfrid is abducted by Shadow Hands. A shadow puppet of Maxwell appears shortly.
   2.7 Wagstaff creates a portal to the Constant. Wagstaff supposedly gets sucked in, quickly followed by Winona, gripped by Charlies Shadow Hands
      
789390594_Screenshot(648).png.df54dd4e725bc22375b51b1f5b7d9186.png
   2.8 Maxwell manipulates Wilson into building a portal to the Constant. Upon activation, Shadow Hands pull Wilson into the Constant.
   2.9 Clockwork Bishops created by Maxwell may have been sighted and photographed in the real world
      
RWP_229_Conspiracy_Board_Behind_The_Scenes.png.c78c0430c22f69e9bc5e177929692e5c.png
   2.10 "Evil Shadow Monsters" may have been spotted
      
NextofKin_Shadow_Creature_news.jpg.88f70abcd5fc9c177cbe40b67635b050.jpg
   2.11 A Terrorbeak haunts young Willow
   2.12 Warly is abducted
   2.13 Woodie is abducted inside of his shed.
      
image.png.8bf5bf5cafd1f46db97e881a99b810a2.png
   2.14 Walter is abducted by Shadow Hands inside of Woodie's shed.
   2.15 George T. Witherstone has contact with a Shadow Watcher
      
199203602_C27est_La_Vie_Shadow_Watcher_photo.PNG.png.2454bed10caf57fba13acecfd844da26.png
   2.16 George T. Witherstone is almost abducted by Shadow Hands. Wes is abducted instead.
   2.17 Several Real World objects throughout history are transported into the constant (possibly through rifts in the fabric of reality)
      2.17.1"I hypothesize this came in through a rift" - Wagstaff, exam. License Plate

 

3. Information and Speculations about the structure and the fabric of reality 

Spoiler

   3.1 Reality inside the Constant is damaged on a fundamental scale
      3.1.1 "This world's fabric is frayed and torn." - Ancient Fuelweaver, Player Battlecry
      3.1.2 "Your realm is a bit frazzled around the edges, hm?" - Shadow Inn Keeper, Idle
      3.1.3 "I hypothesize this came in through a rift." -Wagstaff, exam. Licence Plate
      3.1.4 [Interpretation: Interdimensional travel either causes or is enabled by dimensional rifts, quite possibly relating to lunar/nightmare fissures, Wortox' origin and dimensional portals like the Gateways or Wooden Things.]

      3.1.5 [Interpretation: Building or enabling portals to different dimensions connects those Dimensions.]
         3.1.5.1 "Wilson and Maxwell constructed the first prototype of the Florid Postern, connecting the survivors' dimensions and allowing them to band together." - Florid Postern Portrait Frame description
         3.1.5.2 "The Forge is a harsh dimension of molten lava where only the toughest survive. When the survivors activated the Ancient Gateway, they mistakenly reconnected this dimension to their own." - The Forge Portrait Frame description
         3.1.5.3  "Ah yes, this will combine the different dimensional fabrics quite nicely" - Wagstaff, exam. Hamlet Lever Thing

      3.1.6 [Interpretation: The Return of Them might be caused by disturbances in the fabric of reality itself. Supposing that the Ancients overuse of the Shadow Fuel is connected to their use of their Gateway, it would explain why the Shadow Entity woke up and consumed them.]

      3.1.7 [Interpretation: The Ancient Fuelweaver may have severed the Forge-Dimension, trying to stop the rifts from occuring in order to stave Them off. Noticing how we make the same mistakes as the Ancients, the Ancient Fuelweaver tries to stop the Dimensions from reconnecting and in turn the Elder Gods from awakening. He obviously encountered Them, and it didn't go well.]
           3.1.7.1 "You will fall as we did" - AFW, Battlecry
           3.1.7.2 "This is for the best" - AFW, Battlecry
           3.1.7.3 "They are coming. It cannot be stopped." "This world's fabric is frayed and torn." "I will save you." - AFW, Battlecry
           3.1.7.4 "I will make you understand." "Let us end it." "I will stop this" "I must do this, for your sake." - AFW, Battlecry/Mind Control
           3.1.7.5 "I will save us." "Curse Their name!" "It cannot end like this." "I was wrong." "Return them to me!" - AFW, Turning off the Ancient Gateway


      3.1.8 [Interpretation: The Gateways may provide infinite resources by connecting new dimensions to one's own. The Goats in the Gorge used the Scepter and in turn the Gateway to save the hungry population, but angered the Gnaw and brought upon its destruction. Similarly, the Ancients saved their population and came to prosperity. This use of the Ancient Gateway logically explains the resetting of the ruins.]
            3.1.8.1 "It is feeding off the dark energy." - Maxwell, exam. charging Ancient Gateway
            3.1.8.2 "Best not to overuse this power." - Maxwell, exam. Ancient Gateway on cooldown
            3.1.8.3 "The thing I hopped through!" - Wortox, exam. unactivated Ancient Gateway
            3.1.8.4 "That's how you get imps. Hyuyu!" - Wortox, exam. activated Ancient Gateway


      3.1.9 [Interpretation: The Scepters are used in opening rifts or operating Gateways.]
            3.1.9.1 "Trapped in a realm of stone and fire, with no scepter to provide." - BMP, Round 3 End
            3.1.9.2 "To tread ancient path
s, long forgotten" - Ancient Cane Skin description (possibly referencing Gateways)
            3.1.9.3 Edited: The Ancient Key symbol is included in the depiction of the Ancient Scepter (Thanks for the hint!)
                         
Gateway.png.84e363ae934c48c751681bb948d9b91c.pngGateway2.thumb.png.38ca65ee620f529e0f4db24ac5cb951e.png
            3.1.9.4 The Gorge-Scepter is the Gateway-Key
           
                Scepter.png.5e110c21edde396a268f088b598d4f49.png

      3.1.10 [Interpretation: The Shadow Throne grants the power of interdimensional travel/creating portals/opening rifts. While the Ancient Fuelweaver wants to save this reality by severing the Gateway-Connections, Battlemaster Pugna might be more pragmatic and plans to destroy the Throne itself in order to stop multidimensional travel.]
            3.1.10.1 "I've found it! The portal that can link worlds! The throne of ultimate power!!" - Wagstaff, exam. Nightmare Throne
            3.1.10.2 
"Once you are dead, we will activate the Gateway. We'll return to the hub and destroy the Throne. We will end this all, once and for all." - Battlemaster Pugna, Round 4 End
             3.1.10.3 "You have won the battle, but the war rages on eternally. We are not ready to give up yet." - BMP, upon losing to the Survivors

   3.2 Multi-Dimensional Travel needs either Lunar or Shadow Magic
        3.2.1 "That invaluable dark fuel is powering transportation to another world!" - Wagstaff, exam. Seaworthy
        3.2.2 "Another innovation that runs on dark fuel!" - Wagstaff, exam. Skyworthy
        3.2.3 [Interpretation: The Ancient Key and possibly the Forge Key run on Nightmare Fuel]
               3.2.3.1 "Some sort of old power source." - Winona, exam. Ancient Key
               3.2.3.2 "It is feeding off the dark energy." - Maxwell, exam. charging Ancient Gateway
               3.2.3.3 "NO POWER" - WX-78, exam. empty Forge Keyhole

        3.2.4 [Interpretation: The Gorge Key and the Sealed Portal are powered by Lunar Energy/Iridescent Gems.
               3.2.4.1 "Favor from the Gnaw might recharge the old key." - Mumsy 

   3.3 Hints about the Shadow-Realm
        3.3.1 Shadow Trade Inn Keeper Quotes
               3.3.1.1 "Greetings, mortal. Come to receive gifts from the Shadow realm? You need only open your chests." - Shadow Inn Keeper, Greeting
               3.3.1.2 "Be at ease, mortal. We exist outside time, here." - SIK, Idle
               3.3.1.3 "[Chortle] Have you met her yet?" - SIK,  Idle
               3.3.1.4 "It seems you've a few admirers lurking in the shadows." - SIK, Idle

        3.3.2 Transformation to immortal Shadow Beings
              3.3.2.1 "Do you ever tire of that ratty old mortal body?" - SIK, Idle
              3.3.2.2 "[Sigh] Immortality is such a burden." - SIK, Idle
              3.3.2.3 "A dark shadow, or perhaps a substance, overtakes the civilisation." - Wickerbottom, exam. 3rd Mural
              3.3.2.4 "The people are shedding their skins. They look different underneath." - Wilson, exam. 4th Mural
              3.3.2.5 "Monsters is bursting out of them!" - Wolfgang, exam. 4th Mural
              3.3.2.6 "You will be unraveled." "You will rip apart at the seams." - AFW
              3.3.2.7 [Interpretation: After being turned into Shadow Creatures, the Ancients have everything they need (although that is just nightmare fuel?) and live prosperously]

                    3.3.2.7.1"A glittering city, blessed by the göds." - Wigfrid, exam. 5th Mural
                    3.3.2.7.1 [Interpretation: The Ancient Mural could depict the Shadow Creatures having plenty shadow-food and gems/wealth.]
                                     
1237920174_ObeliskImage3-Kopie.png.8646f1d3e63bffe00521ffad80bbf6ca.png
 

        3.3.2 "Immortal's sight", granted to the Ancient King, akin to "True Sight" (related to insanity in the Constant? Ability to perceive the Shadow Realm?)
               3.3.2.1 "Immörtal's sight was nöt meant för thee." - Wigfrid, exam. Bone Helm
               3.3.2.2 "It gives me terrible visions." - Wilson, exam. Bone Helm
               3.3.2.3 Black Eye above Ancient King

                             1140527444_ObeliskImage2-Kopie.png.61d0e007b9dc1eb05f081e8ef868c0fc.png920292926_ObeliskImage4-Kopie(2).png.f2995f07bdd4a2fc8a751ab67d572acf.pngReanimated_Skeleton_Atrium2.png.11bd6a774176880766d01c550ee4a8fd.png
                    3.3.2.3.1 [Interpretation: The third Eye of the King represents his "Immortal's Sight", possibly used to understand/identify the Shadow Entity or Shadow Creatures like the True Sight does with Alter? A counterweight to the True Sight utilized by the Queen/The Torch bearer]

               3.3.2.4 Origin of the Fossil Pieces 
                     3.3.2.4.1 [Interpretation: Immortal's sight could be harnessed from otherwordly creatures e.g. Imps]
                     3.3.2.4.2 "That looks right as rain, it does it does!" - Wortox, exam. assembled Odd Skeleton
                     3.3.2.4.3 "Shall we dance, dearest demon?" - Wortox, exam. Ancient Fuelweaver
                     3.3.2.4.4 "Shall we dance?" - Wortox, exam. Klaus (2nd Phase)
                     3.3.2.4.5 [Interpretation: The Skeleton closely resembles a Goat- or a Deer Head, suggesting that it might be of Imp-Origin.
                     3.3.2.4.6  Similarities between Odd Skeleton and Imps

Odd_Skelet2on_Build.png.a4f21d481f9091e930be4b8b762eda4b.pngKl3aus.png.ce07f5228bd6fe72ecdf02e4dd3c9b30.pngKrampu2s.png.6f0401c3284540c398e3aacb24981833.png212332132.png.6656bf91afa17024904f6314716b2311.pngKlau123123s.png.191f357f4380c2a3f807b083fca908c3.png
                     3.3.2.4.7 Red Skull/Red Head, with Ancients representation of horns
                                      ObeliskImage2.png.9540525590b47b255fdc2be1e28f5605.png



3.4 Details about the Afterlife
      3.4.1 Ties between Lunar Magic and Ghosts
               3.4.1.1 "Is the moon... haunted?" - Walter, exam. Celestial Orb 
               3.4.1.2 "It has a strangely calming effect." - Maxwell, exam. fully decorated Sisturn
               3.4.1.3 "Such a calming presence..." - Warly, exam. fully decorated Sisturn

               3.4.1.4 "It seems dangerous, but it's oddly calming." - Warly, exam. Celestial Portal
               3.4.1.5 "Looking at it makes me feel... peaceful." - Warly, exam. Mourning Glory
               3.4.1.6 "It has a very peaceful energy." - Warly, exam. Meteor

               3.4.1.7 "Its pallor reminds me of Abigail." - Wendy, exam. Celestial Orb
               3.4.1.8 "When I gaze upon my reflection, a ghost stares back at me." - Wendy, exam. a hot spring.
               3.4.1.9 
"It doesn't feel of this world." - Wendy, exam. Moongleam
               3.4.1.10 "A poltergeist not affected by the dark fuel." - Wagstaff, exam. Ghost

               3.4.1.11 "Hm? What a familiar presence." - Maxwell, exam. Abigail's Flower 
                     3.4.1.11.1 [Interpretation: Maxwell might feel a presence familiar to them in Abigail, like when fighting the Celestial Champion.]
                     3.4.1.11.2 [The familiar presence might reference Maxwell being Abigail's and Wendy's Uncle. However, we don't know whether Maxwell knows about his relationship to the twins. Although Jack Carters letter implicates that Maxwell, unlike his mother, has met Abigail and Wendy before, Maxwell doesn't seem to acknowledge his relation to Wendy in any way. If Abigail's presence reminds him of the twins presence from his previous life, it seems weird for him to not feel the same with Wendy. Additionally, his examination quote for Abigail seems heartless even for Maxwell, assuming he know's about her. Wendy's quote about the Enlightened Crown makes it unclear whether Abigail is related to Lunar Magic at all, though]
                     3.4.1.11.3 "Have you corresponded with mother lately? The post is dreadfully inconsistent out here, I can't believe she hasn't met the twins yet!" - Letter from Jack Carter

                     3.4.1.11.4 "Why won't these mortals just stay dead?" - Maxwell, exam. Abigail
                     3.4.1.11.5 
"When I wear it, i-it's harder to see Abigail..." - Wendy, exam. Enlightened Crown



      3.4.2 Skeletons and Ghosts are Maxwell's previous victims (or previous incarnations of our survivors)
               3.4.2.1 "Ha, I remember that one!" - Maxwell, exam. Skeleton
               3.4.2.2 "I don't think so. They might still be mad."- Maxwell, attemting to revive a Ghost

               3.4.2.3 "Why won't these mortals just stay dead?" - Maxwell, exam. Abigail
               3.4.2.4 "I'm so sorry." - Maxwell, exam. Pipspook 



      3.4.3 Another "Spectral" plane of existence.
               3.4.3.1  "You're not from around this plane, are you?" - Wortox, exam. Lost Toys
               3.4.3.2 [Interpretation: Assuming that Nightmare Fissures could be rifts between dimensions through which Shadow Creatures creep out of the shadow realm, Celestial Fissures could act as rifts too, instead leading to a "spectral (?)" Dimension, compromising of Ghostly Figures like Ghosts, Pipspooks and possibly Gestalts, Moongleams and Alter.]
               3.4.3.3 "Wonder how far down it goes." - Winona, exam. inactive Celestial Fissure
               3.4.3.4 "It looks like it goes down forever." - Warly, exam. inactive Celestial Fissure
               3.4.3.5 "A deep, dark hole that knows no end!" - Wortox, exam. inactive Celestial Fissure
     
 

      3.4.4 The Archival Ancients messed up too.
               3.4.4.1 [Interpretation: If the Celestial Fissures are Rifts, the Archival Ancients may have messed with the fabric of reality too. We know that they built a Portal and we know that they harshly turned away from praising the moon at some point]
               3.4.4.2 Praising the moon
                     3.4.4.2.1 "They seemed to think quite highly of the moon." - Warly, exam. Ancient Moon Statue
                     3.4.4.2.2 "It seems they were quite enamoured with our fickle moon once." - Wortox, exam. Ancient Lunarune Stone
               3.4.4.3 [Interpretation: Judging from their high technological advancements, their knowledge pertaining Thulecite-Creation, Terraforming, Electricity and Advanced Weaponry, it seems fair to assume that they were baited by the knowledge Alter keeps promising us. After they took the bait, their society thrived.]
                     3.4.4.3.1 "It appears to be a remarkably advanced security system" - Wickerbottom, exam. Ancient Guard Post
                     3.4.4.3.2 "It tells me the most delicious secrets, hyuyu!" - Wortox, exam. Enlightened Crown

                     3.4.4.3.3 "The multitudes of knowledge it contains... if only I could write it all down..." - Wickerbottom, exam. Enlightened Crown
               3.4.4.3 [Interpretation: A possible reason for Alter to bait us and the Ancients with knowledge, is clearly that Alter profits from someone taking their bait. Like the Ancients, who were baited by riches and food by the shadow Entity, the Archival Ancients might have been baited by Knowledge and Technology. In both cases, the societies end up greedily opening up rifts, enabling the God-Entities to enter their worlds.]
               3.4.4.4 [Interpretation: The Lunarune Stones may describe their history and then  a cataclysmic event in a similar fashion to the Atrium depictions. Hence why the "Alter"-Symbol is repeated multiple times in the last few Stones.]
               3.4.4.5 [Interpretation: After opening up too many rifts and possibly enabling Alter to enter their Dimension, the Archival Ancients turn away from the Moon, lock their knowledge up and possibly destroy the Moonbases used for the creation of their Opals.]
                     3.4.4.5.1 "My my, someone didn't want this door opened." - Wortox, exam. Sealed Portal (Archive Switch on)
                    3.4.4.5.2 "The cave provides sanctuary from the "moon's" prying eyes." - Maxwell, exam. Moon Dial (In Caves)
                    3.4.4.5.3 "I had thought these were all destroyed eons ago." - Maxwell exam. Moonbase
                    3.4.4.5.4 "archive_lockbox" - console name for distilled knowledge



      3.4.5 Wagstaff may have taken Alters bait
               3.4.5.1 "Look at the carvings..." - Warly, exam. Archival Thulecite Wall
               3.4.5.2 Archival Thulecite Wall
                            
Archival_Thulecite_Wall.png.21d30e746dd237b372d8d6e10e10c11e.png
               3.4.5.3 Wagstaff's logo
                            Wagstaggggggg.png.2b6fb80e1537cf9055d162140d193c9f.pngLunar_Siphonator_.png.5b4017aac157b8cf5368194259362864.pngWagstagg.png.65ce81b3cfa6fb65233bc5f8f6d2ec87.pngWagstaggg.png.d35fb4341dc75967537f3bc33cf4ec83.pngWagstagggg.png.4a326ddc49378d1c18550bb5843beefd.png

               3.4.5.4 "The radio is a Voxola PR-76, manufactured in 1919 by the Voxola Radio company of Sidney, Ohio. The radio offered revolutionary sound and reception quality for the time, and was promoted by an intense national marketing campaign." - Kevin Forbes, DS Dev
               3.4.5.5 "My design is quite similar to this. Though, without those runes..." - Wagstaff, exam. Wooden Thing
               3.4.5.6 [Interpretation: We know that nightmare forces can interact with the real world, possibly through dimensional rifts. Especially dreams seem to play a huge role in this, as Willow supposedly had nightmares prior to her Terrorbeak-Attack and Wendy began hearing strange music in her sleep. Wagstaff possibly has been visited by Alter, who planted ideas and knowledge about interdimensional travel into Wagstaffs mind, luring him with even more knowledge. Giving how Alter baits us and the Archival Ancients with powerful knowledge, Wagstaff seems to be Alters perfect victim. Especially when it comes to overlooking possible hazards and dangers for greater scientific understanding.]
                     3.4.5.6.1 "I keep hearing strange music when I dream... the same song repeating over and over... is it you, Abigail? Are you trying to tell me something?" - Wendy's Nightstand Vignette Description (Likely referencing Ragtime)

               3.4.5.7 [Interpretation: Since Wagstaff seems to be fairly knowledgeable about dimensions and dimensional travel, a kind of information previously given to Maxwell and the Archival Ancients by a higher entity, it's possible that Alter is the source of his knowledge, whether he knows it or not.]
                     3.4.5.7.1 [Interpretation: His portal design is reminiscent of Maxwell's Wooden Thing design, as Wagstaff claims.]
                     3.4.5.7.2 "Amazing! It appears to work similar to my radio." - Wagstaff, exam. Seaworther
                             3.4.5.7.2.1 [Interpretation: Due to similarities between the Seaworther and his radio, the general lore around portals created from Wagstaff radios and the fact that the radio is described as having "revolutionary sound and reception quality for the time", one might assume that Robert Wagstaff used -dimensional-rift-using-technology bestowed by Alter himself to improve the sound and reception of his radio-models.]
                             3.4.5.7.2.2 "Ah, the Gramophone ML-77. I know it well." - Wagstaff, exam. Maxwell's Phonograph

                             3.4.5.7.2.3 [Interpretation: Wagstaff seems to be the creator of the Gramaphone too, judging from the iconic naming-method.]
                             3.4.5.7.2.4 Radio, Gramaphone, Telebrella and Telebrella Base
                           
Wagstaggggggg.png.2b6fb80e1537cf9055d162140d193c9f.png1831599353_TelepadRadio.png.dabf5592c22f8fe63bb21c2c1c064c57.pngWagsacascsa.png.14218a5b03902acbec9928dcd4eb23ee.pngWagstaffsasc.png.afd82e2fb633ac1443a7222d19a32647.png
               3.4.5.8 [Interpretation: The theme of divine chess players, manipulating characters is a recurring theme and would fit nicely in the narrative. Maxwell/Charlie manipulating us, Them manipulating Maxwell, Someone manipulating Charlie according to Ancient Fuelweaver and now possibly Alter manipulating Wagstaff]
                     3.4.5.8.1 "But even a King is bound to the board." "You can't change the rules of the game." - Maxwell (NPC), Epilogue
                     3.4.5.8.2 "Release me, shade!" "You are not Them..." "Are you so easily deceived? Ha..." - AFW, Deathcry

                     3.4.5.8.3 "That old fool..." - Maxwell, exam. completed Lunar Siphonator
                     3.4.5.8.4 "Mr. Wagstaff... did you plan for this?" - Winona, exam. Alter Guardian Phase 3 Dead Orb

 

 

3.5 Deep Sleep and spirits trapped between worlds
      3.5.1 The significance of sleep and dreams
               3.5.1.1 [Interpretation: Nightmare Fuel is described to originate from (bad) dreams. The survivors don't produce Nightmare Fuel each time they sleep, so a possible explanation is that Shadow Creatures manifest each time someone's having a nightmare. Nightmare Fuel is the residue substance after defeating them, as such the Nightmare Fuel counts as being "dreamt up".]
                     3.5.1.1.1 "With the sleep of dreams comes this stuff." - Wendy, exam. Nightmare Fuel
                     3.5.1.1.2 "It makes no difference where I rest my head, my nights are filled with bad dreams." - Wendy, exam. Portable Tent
                     3.5.1.1.3 "I dreamed it myself!" - Wilson, exam. Night Sword
                     3.5.1.1.4 "Light the night with your dreams." - Night Light Crafting Description
                     3.5.1.1.5 "Well, that's one way to restock nightmare fuel." - Wilson, exam. sleeping Pigman Erudite

                     3.5.1.1.6 "It's like dreams that can hurt real things!" - Willow, exam. Night Sword
                     3.5.1.1.7 "All of my fears in liquid form, eh?" - Woodie, exam. Nightmare Fuel
                     3.5.1.1.8 Willow having a Nightmare, manifesting a Shadow Creature
                     
853450120_Screenshot(836).thumb.png.21e28aecb9d6807d38974e7699b9617f.png
                     3.5.1.1.9 "Don't be silly, it's just a bad dream..." - "The Nightmare" Vignette description
               3.5.1.2 [Interpretation: Since the Ancients already used Nightmare Fuel and Nightmare Fissures obviously spawn Shadow Creatures, one might assume that Nightmares/Negative Emotions/Low Sanity don't create Shadow Creatures, but instead open temporary, small rifts through which they may appear]
               3.5.1.3 [Interpretation: Nightmares opening temporary rifts may explain why Maxwell could communicate with Wendy through her dreams (which, as she claims, are always Nightmares)]
                     3.5.1.3.1 "I keep hearing strange music when I dream... the same song repeating over and over... is it you, Abigail? Are you trying to tell me something?" - Wendy's Nightstand Vignette
                     3.5.1.3.2 "[...] Unable to accept the thought of life without her twin, Wendy began turning to the occult in the hopes of finding some way to communicate with the other side. [...] Wendy was nearly ready to give up and fall into despair... until finally, there was a sign. A ragtime tune might seem like a strange message to send from the great beyond, but Wendy was desperate to grab hold of anything that might bring her closer to her sister. And sure enough, a voice would soon tell her exactly what she needed to do..." - Wish You Were Here description
               3.5.1.4 [Interpretation: Negative emotions/Desperation seem to be the reason, for Maxwell to strike. So far, Maxwell either baits people through rifts in their Radio/Gramaphone (?) or their dreams, right when they are desperate enough to take on Maxwell's offers]
                     3.5.1.4.1 "[...] As time went on and Angeline's moments of clarity became fewer and farther in-between, Warly became more desperate, willing to try anything to bring back his beloved Maman... That was when he first started hearing the voice on the radio." - Taste Of Home description

 

   

   3.5.2 The Dreamscape
               3.5.2.1  [Interpretation: Sleeping persons may inhabit another realm, possibly the "Spectral" Realm, the Ghosts and Gestalts seem to share. Imps may be able to traverse this realm too]
                     3.5.2.1.1 "Their mind inhabits another plane right now." - Wortox, exam. sleeping mobs

                     3.5.2.1.2 "I see him when I'm sleeping..." - Wendy, exam. Klaus (Klaus could just be so scary that she has Nightmares of him)
                     3.5.2,1,3 "Sleep is but a temporary death." - Wendy, exam. Straw Roll
                     3.5.2.1.4 Sleep is but a preview of death." - Wendy, exam. Tent (of course Wendy is just being Wendy, but it would explain why Gestalts are so eager to set us asleep)
                     3.5.2.1.5 "It's trying to talk, we think" - Webber, exam. Celestial Fissure
                     3.5.2.1.6 "They want to talk, but they don't know how!" - Webber, exam. Gestalt'
                     3.5.2.1.7 "It communes with us through them." - Maxwell, exam. Gestalts
                     3.5.2.1.8 "We feel safe behind this wall... it makes us sleepy..." - Webber, exam. Moon Rock Wall
                     3.5.2.1.9 "They appear to have a sleep inducing effect. Best to stay away." Wickerbottom, exam. Enlightening Snare
               3.5.2.2 [Interpretation: The Gestalts seem to bait us into their Dimension, as theorized before, the Spectral Dimension. Supposing that we "die" when going through the Celestial Portal, it would support that the Gestalts occupy the Spectral Realm, to which the Celestial Portal leads]
                     3.5.2.1.1 "Cold and beautiful like death." - Wendy, exam. Celestial Portal
                     3.5.2.1.2 "Abigail?" - Wendy, going through Celestial Portal
                     3.5.2.1.3 "I can see the light!" - Wilson, going through Celestial Portal
                     3.5.2.1.4 "If Wolfgang build it, they will come." - Wolfgang, exam. the Portal Paraphernalia

 


      3.5.3 Stuck between worlds
               3.5.3.1 [Interpretation: There are some descriptions of objects and entities existing "between" worlds]
                     3.5.3.1.1 "It only half-exists on this plane." - Maxwell, exam. inactive Obelisk
                     3.5.3.1.2 "A spirit trapped between worlds." - Wigfrid, exam. Ghost
                     3.5.3.1.3 "Crows in trees mean souls trapped between worlds." - Wendy, exam. Crow Halloween Ornament 

                     3.5.3.1.4 "What a fun game, finding tools from another plane!" - Wortox, exam. Wagstaff Tool 5
                     3.5.3.1.5 "Hoohoo! You're not from around this plane, are you?" - Wortox, exam. Wagstaff Tool 1
                     3.5.3.1.6 "You're not from around this plane, are you?" - Wortox, exam. Lost Toy
                     3.5.3.1.7 "Poor Soul." - Wortox, exam. Abigail

               3.5.3.2 [Interpretation: Some Souls could be "anchored" to a dimension, using specific objects.]
                     3.5.3.2.1 "Poor dear. %s needs a heart to anchor him to this plane." - Wickerbottom, exam. Webber Ghost
                     3.5.3.2.2 "This provides a corporeal anchor for the ectoplasmic configuration." - Wickerbottom, exam. Telltale Heart
                     3.5.3.2.3 "Her spirit is already bound to something in this world" - Wickerbottom, failing to revive Abigail
                     3.5.3.2.4 "Part of my soul is within." - Warly, exam. Meat Effigy
                     3.5.3.2.5 "It's emitting a strange energy." - Wagstaff, exam. Abigails Flower (Medium Ready)
                     3.5.3.2.6 "The flower's energy is growing more powerful." - Wagstaff, exam. Abigails Flower (Almost Ready)
                     3.5.3.2.7 "Strange waves of energy are emanating from it." - Wagstaff, exam. Lucy the Axe
                     3.5.3.2.8 "It's emitting strange wavelengths of energy." - Wagstaff, exam. Ancient Guardian Horn
                            3.5.3.2.8.1 [Interpretation: Maybe the Guardian is still anchored to his horn? Maybe Wagstaff references the Nightmare magic, which maybe incresed his growth. On the other hand, Wagstaff doesn't describe this energy as "dark energy", possibly implying a different kind of energy, akin to Lucy and Abigail.]
                            3.5.3.2.8.2 "Discharging small packets of dark energy." - Wagstaff, exam. Thulecite Fragments
                            3.5.3.2.8.3 "That fascinating dark energy has amplified the brutality of this weapon." - Wagstaff, exam. Thulecite Club
               3.5.3.3 [Interpretation: Despite no evidence given, Lucy may have actually been a living person once, now anchored to her Axe. It would imply that Woodie is either very secretive about their past or is living in denial, and acts as though she has always been an Axe]
                     3.5.3.3.1 [Interpretation: Lucy gets along too nicely with Abigail for her to be a pigment of Woodies imagination]
                            3.5.3.3.1.1 "Hello... "Lucy"... I'd like you to meet my sister." - Wendy, exam. Lucy
                            3.5.3.3.1.2 "Abigail likes you, %s. But she likes Lucy more." - Wendy, exam. Reviver Woodie
                            3.5.3.3.1.3 "I'd never hear the end of it from 'Luce if I didn't try." - Woodie, failing to revive Abigail
                     3.5.3.3.2 [Interpretation: If Lucy really existed, her death might have to do with birds, specifically crows, fueling Woodies hatred for them]
                            3.5.3.3.2.1 "You'll pay for your crimes, crow!" - Woodie, exam. held Crow
                            3.5.3.3.2.2 "Think aboot what you've done, bird!" - Woodie, exam. occupied Birdcage

                            3.5.3.3.2.3 "It's where I try to make birds reform their evil ways." - Woodie, exam. Birdcage
                            3.5.3.3.2.4 "It tastes like justice." - Woodie, exam. Fried tallbird Egg
                            3.5.3.3.2.4 "I already know more than enough aboot those things." - Woodie, exam. Birds of the World
                     3.5.3.3.3 [Interpretation: Maybe Lucy isn't able to manifest because Woodie's and Lucy's bond is way to weak, unlike the the bond between Wendy and her twin sister. Maybe she's been dead for too long before Woodie entered the Constant?]
                     3.5.3.3.4 [Interpretation: Possibly Lucy's Soul can't manifest because Woodie only wanted to "hear her voice once again", when bartering with Maxwell]
                            3.5.3.3.4.1 [Interpretation: Maxwell lures people in the Constant via the "Pact with a devil"/Genie method (Thanks for the Mephistopheles-Input!!!)
                            3.5.3.3.4.2 "The Constant has a way of drawing in those who search for answers." - Factory Portrait description

Spoiler

                            3.5.3.3.4.3 Survivor 1: Woodie: ~Misses his Wife, Maxwell: ~'What would you give to hear her voice again?'
                            3.5.3.3.4.4 Survivor 2: Wilson: ~Failed scientist, wants to achieve knowledge, MW: "I have secret knowledge I can share with you"
                            3.5.3.3.4.5 Survivor 3: Willow: ~Wants a new beginning(?), MW: ~'I can let you start a new life'
                                    3.5.3.3.4.5.1 "Willow always regarded being brought to The Constant as a new beginning. It allowed her to leave everything behind, after all. [...]" - From The Ashes, description
                            3.5.3.3.4.6 Survivor 4: Warly: ~Wants to bring back his Mothers memory, MW: ~'?????'
                            3.5.3.3.4.7 Survivor 5: Wigfrid: ~Wants to regain her lost reputation and recognition, MW: "I can make the world your stage. Put you back into the headlines."
                            3.5.3.3.4.8 Survivor 6: Wendy: ~Wants her sister to come back, MW: 'I can bring your sister back to you'
                            3.5.3.3.4.9 Survivor 7: Wolfgang: ~????, MW:~'?????'
                            3.5.3.3.4.10 Survivor 8: Wickerbottom: ~??Maybe knowledge like Wilson??, MW:~ ??'Got you covered'??
                            3.5.3.3.4.11 Survivor 9: Webber: ~??Something about his "second chance"???, MW~ '?????'
                            3.5.3.3.4.12 Survivor 10: Winona [Not abducted by Maxwell]
                            3.5.3.3.4.13 Survivor 12: Wagstaff [Likely not abducted by Maxwell]
                            3.5.3.3.4.14 Survivor 13: Maxwell [Not abducted by Maxwell]
                            3.5.3.3.4.15 Survivor 14: WX-78 [Likely not abducted by Maxwell]
                            3.5.3.3.4.16 Survivor 15: Wes [Not directly abducted by Maxwell]
                            3.5.3.3.4.17 Survivor 16: Walter [Not abducted by Maxwell; triggered a dormant trap]
                            3.5.3.3.4.18 Survivor 17: Wurt [Not abducted by Maxwell]
                            3.5.3.3.4.19 Survivor 18: Wormwood [Not abducted by Maxwell]
                            3.5.3.3.4.20 Survivor 19: Wortox [Not abducted by Maxwell]




3.6 About the Hub and the Thrones
        3.6.1 [Definition of a "hub"]
                "1: the central part of a circular object (such as a wheel or propeller)spokes attached to the hub of the wheel"
                "2: a center of activity : FOCAL POINT" - Merriam Webster Dictionary


        3.6.2 [Interpretation: Pugna mentions a "hub", as a separate dimension accessible through dimensional travel.]
               3.6.2.1 "We'll return to the hub and destroy the Throne." - BMP, Round 4 End 2018
               3.6.2.2 [Interpretation: the Archival Orchestrina might depict the Ancient's understanding of the dimensional structures
                             
Archive_Orchestrina.thumb.png.599dc19dc03cf1f411056add1a920bb0.png

        3.6.3 [Interpretation: the Nightmare Throne (along with the Umbral Throneroom) is located in the Shadow Realm)
               3.6.3.1 [Interpretation: "Umbral" stems from the latin word "umbra"="shadow/darkness", as such it roughly translates to "Shadowy Throneroom", which fits right into the Shadow Realm]
               3.6.3.2 [Interpretation: The Triumphant Skins depict the survivors after claiming the Shadow Throne. According to the skins, the Nightmare Throne is located inside the Shadow Realm]
                     3.6.3.2.1 "The shadow realm is pretty much the same as here, just darker." - Triumphant Woodie face skin description
                     3.6.3.2.2 "Go to the dark side and be on top of the world. - Triumphant Wigfrid face skin description
               3.6.3.3 [Interpretation: Time in the Umbral Throneroom is described to work differently. The Shadow Realm is confirmed to be outside of time.]
                     3.6.3.3.1 "Be at ease, mortal. We exist outside time, here." - Shadow Inn Keeper, Idle

                     3.6.3.3.2 "What year is it out there? Time moves differently here." - Maxwell NPC line 16
               3.6.3.4 [Interpretation: BMP banter about the "Throne's shadow" could be taken literally, implying that Pugna refers to the Nightmare Throne]
                     3.6.3.4.1 "We will not live in the Throne's shadow!" - BMP, Round 5 Banter, part 2 2017

        3.6.4 [Interpretation: The Shadow Realm might be the Hub]
               3.6.4.1 [Interpretation: If BMP refers to the Nightmare Throne in his speech (as supported by 3.6.3.4.1), the Shadow Realm is implied to be the Hub]
               3.6.4.2 [Interpretation: Wagstaff's Nightmare Throne quote implies that the worlds are connected through or by the Nightmare Throne]
                     3.6.4.2.1
"I've found it! The portal that can link worlds! The throne of ultimate power!!" - Wagstaff, exam. Nightmare Throne

        3.6.5 [Interpretation: The Nightmare Throne and the Ancient Throne might be one and the same] 
               3.6.5.1 [Interpretation: If the Ancients were sucked into the Shadow Realm and the Umbral Throneroom exists inside of the Shadow Realm, it would make sense that the Throne is the same Throne, altered to the inhabitant, akin to Charlie's Throne variations]
               3.6.5.2 [Interpretation: Between "zero and zero" people sat on the Nightmare Throne before Maxwell, according to the Devs. Maybe this is because the Ancient Throne isn't considered the Nightmare Throne? Maybe it's because the Umbral Throneroom exists outside of time? Else the theory doesn't hold up.]

 

4. Every instance of magic neatly cataloged

Spoiler

4.1 Shadow Magic - "It's releasing a pulse. Almost as if it were alive!" [WIP]
        4.1.1 Attributes of Shadow Magic
               4.1.1.1
                     4.1.1.1.1

4.2 Lunar Magic - "It's not shadow magic." [WIP]
        4.2.1 Attributes of Lunar Magic
               4.2.1.1
                     4.2.1.1.1


4.3 White Magic - "I could be persuaded to dabble in white magicks."
        4.3.1 Attributes of White Magic
               4.3.1.1 [Interpretation: White Magic or Healing Magic seems tightly tied to "Life Blossoms", blue flowers so far only found in the Forge.]
               4.3.1.2 [Interpretation: White Magic is shown to provide healing, healing capabilities and even knowledge about healing]
               4.3.1.3 [Interpretation: While Shadow Magic is often ostracized by other survivors, White Magic is appreciated and considered "good" magic.
                     4.3.1.3.1 "Blessings of magicks within." Wigfrid, exam. Living Staff
                     4.3.1.3.2 "I'd not dabble in thy horrid magic." - Wigfrid, exam. Clairvoyant Crown

        4.3.2 - Living Staff 
               4.3.2.1 "I could be persuaded to dabble in white magicks." - Maxwell, exam. Living Staff
               4.3.2.2 "It conducts regenerative energy." - Wilson, exam. Living Staff
               4.3.2.3 "Blessings of magicks within." - Wigfrid, exam. Living Staff

                    1200720488_preview_Living_Staff.png.636ec20b50f3680ae4c801b2deadacfb.png

        4.3.3 - Flower Headband 
               4.3.3.1 "The blossom interacts well with healing magic." - Wilson, exam. Flower Headband
               4.3.3.2 "This will amplify the effects of incoming healing magic." - Wickerbottom, exam. Flower Headband

                     Flower_Headband.png.266bf0094b5eb91ebd16def73411dd37.png

        4.3.4 - Woven Garland
               4.3.4.1 "Looks like it amplifies healing expertise." - Wilson, exam. Woven Garland
               4.3.4.2 "It fill head with healing learning!" - Wurt, exam. Woven Garland
               4.3.4.3 "This strengthens the wearer's restorative magicks." - Wickerbottom

                     Woven_Garland.png.1928eb232e6defe7232d067f6c325c5b.png    

        4.3.5 - Blossomed Wreath
               4.3.5.1 "It makes you feel a little better when you wear it." - Wendy, exam. Blossomed Wreath
               4.3.5.2 "Proximity to the blossoms produces a restorative effect for the user." - Wickerbottom, exam. Blossomed Wreath

                     Blossomed_Wreath.png.ceb946d5b114d08f1772cb14c7d1a1eb.png

        4.3.6 - Life Blossom Battlestandart
                     Battle_Standard_3.png.4606e35b0da114454ea08203402753ce.png

        4.3.7 - Life Blossom Garland Skin
               4.3.7.1"This lovely wreath of Life Blossoms have lost their magic, but they still look divine." - Life Blossom Garland Skin description

                     Life_Blossom_Garland_Icon.png.0f7eeee7a698e92d22ee1672650c92ba.png


4.4 Forest Magic - "There is Magic in the Trees"
        4.4.1 Attributes of Forest Magic
               4.4.1.1 [Interpretation: While a part of the Forest Magic is observable as Fungal Magic or in Forget-Me-Lots, most Forest Magic is tied or related to either Nightmare Fuel/Shadow Magic or even Lunar Magic.]
               4.4.1.2 [Interpretation: Some observable Forest Magic seems to result from plants absorbing magically infused water, consequently gaining magical properties/being possessed.]
               4.4.1.3 [Interpretation: As mentioned in "Lunar Magic", moonlight seems to turn Lunar-Magic-Infused water to Moon-Glass. Unlike living creatures (which are disfigured from this transformation), plants are either "altered" or possessed/vivified by Lunar Magic. This could imply that plants absorbing Moon-Infused water are sometimes given minds, possibly related to Alter/Gestalts.]
               4.4.1.4 [Interpretation: Likely influenced by Lunar Magic are: Mush Gnomes, Saladmanders, Carrats, Mandrakes, (Elder Mandrakes). Likely influenced by Shadow Fuel are: Totally Normal Trees, Birchnut Trees, Dark Flowers and Dark Petals. Living Logs result from plants being possessed by either Magic]
               4.4.1.5 [Interpretation: Possibly, there is a strong connection between Shadow and Lunar Magic in "Ectoplasm". Ect0plasm so far describes both Nightmare Fuel as well as regular Ghosts. Also, haunting flowers, pig-heads, Pinetrees and Birchnuts has a change to "possess" and as such transform them. Since haunting Pigs can result in Werewolf-transformation too, the connection between Nightmare Fuel, Lunar Magic and "Ectoplasm" is unclear.]


        4.4.2 - "The Verdant" Maxwell skin
               4.4.2.1 "There is Magic in the Trees" - The Verdant Maxwell Skin description
               4.4.2.2 "Maxwell is capable of tapping into many magical energies, including those of the natural world." - The Verdant Maxwell Head Skin description

                     Maxwell_Verdant_Skin_Portrait.thumb.png.12c5fb660cd3bc3d1488c3f175200096.png

        4.4.3 - Funcap
               4.4.3.1 "It possesses a spritely magic." - Maxwell, exam. Funcap
               4.4.3.2 "This helm runs flush with the forest's magic!" - Wigfrid, exam. Funcap

                     Blue_Funcap.png.1dfa1fbed97605087b13fb21a138fba0.pngRed_Funcap.png.ac13dbeee89be3bc4d35f95f5d5f8004.pngGreen_Funcap.png.49aa4a0d5e00e92e45e3d6892f8e8dd7.png

        4.4.4 - Mushroom Planter
               4.4.4.1 "The sprite home requires sprucing up. With magical spruce!" - Wigfrid, exam. Mushroom Planter (needing logs)
               4.4.4.2 "It needs a log, imbued with magical properties." - Wickerbottom, exam. Mushroom Planter (needing logs)

                     Mushroom_Planter_Build.png.eaf4bc033928ec1d85a6fa11abbf92e2.png

        4.4.5 - Mushroom spore
               4.4.5.1 "We've been visited by a forest sprite, Lucy!" - Woodie, exam. Blue Mushroom Spore
               4.4.5.2 "Magical red, and yet it holds no power of use to me." - Maxwell, exam. Red Mushroom Spore

                     Green_Spore.png.42152f80ebb3ee788d272ad22be49566.pngRed_Spore.png.49fdcc9da1a46d55bf7bbc95376c13d0.pngBlue_Spore.png.99a5e3a097a1b1808b1c56c998b413e5.png

        4.4.6 - Toadstool
               4.4.6.1 "I don't like how much magic is collecting in that. - Maxwell, exam. Sporecal
               4.4.6.2 "It is coursing with fungal power!" - Maxwell, exam. enraged Toadstool
               4.4.6.3 "The artist captured the parasitic relationship beautifully." - Wickerbottom, exam. Toadstool Statue
               4.4.6.4 "It has formed a dangerous symbiotic relationship with fungal spores." - Wickerbottom, exam. Toadstool

                     Toadstool.thumb.png.704ba7c727082251fee39adcdbb4db6c.png

        4.4.7 - Elder Mandrake (yes I know, not DST and not certainly canon, but the weird design choices are important for the interpretation of Mandrakes)
               4.4.7.1 "He appears to be influenced by this world's satellite. Intriguing!" - Wagstaff, exam. Elder Mandrake
               4.4.7.2 "During the Full Moon or Aporkalypse, Elder Mandrakes become neutral, their facial expression changes from a frown to a smile, and they can be befriended with raw Vegetables." - DST Wiki

                     Elder_Mandrake.png.673d861acc43066ab3b3621779dfd1c0.png

        4.4.8 - Mandrake
               4.4.8.1 "Mandrake roots have strange properties." - Wilson, exam. dead Mandrake

               4.4.8.2 "I've heard strange things about those plants." - Wilson, exam. planted Mandrake
               4.4.8.3 "What an otherworldly flavor!" - Warly, exam. Mandrake Soup
               4.4.8.4 "The corpse of the rutabaga still retains its magic." - Wigfrid, exam. dead Mandrake
               4.4.8.5  "It has lost a lot of its power." - Maxwell, exam. cooked Mandrake
               4.4.8.6 [Interpretation: Mandrakes seem to be vivified by Lunar Magic, possibly from Ancient Archival times, when the Ancients used the Moon-Bases for Lunar infusions. It would explain Mandrakes spawning close to possible Moon-Base spawns. Elder Mandrake behavior and quotes support this. The "otherworldly flavor" would be a typical reference about the ominous "beyond"]
               4.4.8.7 [Interpretation: Like Lunar Shrooms infused with Lunar Magic results in sleep-inducing effects (akin to Gestalts), the sleep-inducing properties may stem from Lunar Magic too. This is further indicated by cooking the Mandrakes, which negates the narcoleptic effects like it does with Moon Shrooms (though, without preventing grogginess, but that wasn't a thing back when Mandrakes were introduced)]

                     Mandrake.png.a8dbfbb2daa6e036b3bec4b89c30e5c7.png

        4.4.9 - Pan Flute
               4.4.9.1 "Proven to produce a somnolent song." - Wagstaff, exam. Pan Flute

                     Pan_Flute.png.61ca6a563eaca753571ab8b86a94ca8f.png

        4.4.10 - Treeguards
               4.4.10.1 "That is an ancient woodland being." - Wigfrid, exam. Treeguard
               4.4.10.2 "A possessed tree! What a revelation!" - Wagstaff, exam. Treeguard
               4.4.10.3 "The trees have eyes!!" - Winona, exam. Treeguard

                     Lumpy_Treeguard.thumb.png.4db3115ceac28885024b1fca5d59393b.pngTreeguard.png.92d7049c1e21df11373e93c1db505f8d.png

        4.4.11 - Birchnuts
               4.4.11.1 "A tree. But it gives off a strange energy." - Wagstaff, exam. Birchnut Tree
               4.4.11.2 "Fantastic! I wonder what has possessed it." - Wagstaff, exam. Poison Birchnut Tree
               4.4.11.3 [Interpretation: Birchnuts dropping Nightmare Fuel indicates a possession caused(?) by Shadow Magic]

                     Poison_Birchnut_Tree.png.ad47258cc84e223757d97944f2e99d3d.png

        4.4.12 - Living Logs
               4.4.12.1 "It needs a log, imbued with magical properties." - Wickerbottom, exam. Mushroom Planter (needing logs)
               4.4.12.2 "Burning such magic would seem a waste." - Wigfrid, exam. Living Log
               4.4.12.3 "Magic building blocks!" - Warly, exam. Living Log
               4.4.12.4 [Interpretation: Living Logs being "a log, imbued with magical properties", indicate a simple infusion with Nightmare Fuel/Lunar Magic/Ectoplasm]

                     Living_Log.png.cb93a875727301da1182a1a6993a2c68.png

        4.4.13 - Evil Flowers
               4.4.13.1 "Interesting, these petals seem to have a mind of their own." - Wickerbottom, exam. Dark Petals
               4.4.13.2 "It's dripping with nightmare essence." - Maxwell, exam. Dark Petals
               4.4.13.3 "I calculate it's been infused with dark fuel." - Wagstaff, exam. Dark Petals
               4.4.13.4 "It's not often one sees a flower with such a powerful aura." -Wickerbottom, exam. Evil Flowers
               4.4.13.5 [Interpretation: After being "irrigated" with Nightmare Fuel, Evil Flowers are possessed too, as indicated by them having a "mind of their own". Since they are located next to Totally Normal Trees, one might assume that TNT are possessed by Nightmare Fuel too.]

                     Evil_Flowers1.png.6075f588bae660ae758e8db620c7c859.png


        4.4.14 - Forget-Me-Lots
               4.4.14.1 "They seems to have a tinge of magic about them." - Wortox, exam. Forget-Me-Lots
               4.4.14.2 "It makes my head feel a bit fuzzy... but I'm sure that's fine!" - Walter, exam. Soothing Tea

                     Forget-Me-Lots.png.c52d69ed7306bcaffb39275eadc81993.png


4.5 Imp Magic - "No gate can stop a sneaky imp!" [WIP]
        4.5.1 Attributes of Imp Magic
               4.5.1.1
                     4.5.1.1.1

4.6 Winters Feast Magic - "TRACE AMOUNTS OF SHADOW MAGIC DETECTED" [WIP]
        4.6.1 Attributes of Winters Feast Magic
               4.6.1.1
                     4.6.1.1.1

4.7 Crystal Magic - "Crystals hold many unique magical properties." [WIP]
        4.7.1 Attributes of Crystal Magic
               4.7.1.1
                     4.7.1.1.1

4.8 Other Magic - "It tastes a bit like magic." [WIP]
        4.8.1
               4.8.1.1
                     4.8.1.1.1


 

I'd love it if you've got anything to add! Preferably in the first two categories, the last one's rather speculative.

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I believe the scepter in the metheus wall is made up of three runes:

the key rune,

the walking cane rune and

something else unknown (the metheus wall seems to reference a wormhole/shadow atrium)

The key and cane are obvious. The third symbol is strange though

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I don't think nightmare fuel or moon magic is needed to build a working gate - both Wagstaff and Wilson did it using, presumably, mundane electrical power.

Also: if the ancients came from another dimension ... why didn't they go back, since they had at least one fully functional gate?
Isn't it more likely that THEY come from another dimension and, cyclically, return to the Constant?

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5 hours ago, Tim S. said:

Multi-Dimensional Travel needs either Lunar or Shadow Magic

In addition to lunar and shadow, it might also be possible with a third type, considering the yellow gem in the Forge key not matching with either of the previously mentioned eye things. Maybe that one's powered by the sun?

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2 hours ago, Pop Guy said:

I don't think nightmare fuel or moon magic is needed to build a working gate - both Wagstaff and Wilson did it using, presumably, mundane electrical power.

Good point! The Jury-Rigged Portal doesn't seem to include Nightmare Fuel either, judging from the comic.. Though I've been wondering, why Wagstaff is so glad to find the Throne, when he can travel through Dimensions just fine without it. Maybe common portals just enable transfer through rifts, whereas the Throne (or nightmare fuel-powered Gateways) "connect" these Dimensions and create rifts in the first place? There's not much evidence supporting this though (despite of Wagstaffs Nightmare Throne-quote ofc).

 

2 hours ago, Pop Guy said:

Also: if the ancients came from another dimension ... why didn't they go back, since they had at least one fully functional gate?
Isn't it more likely that THEY come from another dimension and, cyclically, return to the Constant?

Yeah you're probably right. The Gateway changes in appearance throughout the whole comic too, so it's more likely deterioration and not separate Gateways. The removed Wortox-Quote was the main inspiration behind this theory, but it's likely removed for a good reason. Maybe a Dev was writing quotes and confused a thing for another or maybe the "RELIC-" quote would've been about the replicas and we're the "mortals who fell through the portals".

 

1 hour ago, Mooagain said:

In addition to lunar and shadow, it might also be possible with a third type, considering the yellow gem in the Forge key not matching with either of the previously mentioned eye things. Maybe that one's powered by the sun?

Would love that! "Rekindling the Gateway" could be meant quite literally haha

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[Added 3.3 Hints about the Shadow Realm]

Could the Odd Skeleton be an ancestral Imp? (Or just an Imp, idk if evolution really makes sense for trans-dimensional beings)
If not, any clue what else? 

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1 hour ago, Tim S. said:

Could the Odd Skeleton be an ancestral Imp?

Something makes me think the skeletons that have horns are a entirely different species all together. They were featured in the Metheus hieroglyphics, so we should get lore on them in the future.

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This is really interesting. Especially the part about how the Ancient Fuelweaver and the Odd Skeletons look a lot like imps, as if they were somehow very closely related to each other. Maybe that explains Wortox's quotes for the Ancient Gateway and why he knows so much about the Constant's history. Maybe this will later explain why he never appears in any animated shorts.

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2 hours ago, minespatch said:

Y'know- If that is why the devs are silent, I'm gonna applaud them for their secrecy.:wilson_laugh:

"Imps don't disseminate precious knowledge so carelessly." - Wortox, exam. on Tentacles
Same goes for devs I suppose :roll:

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I've also been collecting information like this; however, you seem to have found everything as I have. 
My plan was to eventually combine it all into my own codex for future reference (although I haven't decided on a name for such a book). 
Magic in general fascinates me, and I make a hobby of recording information and compiling relevant ideas together. 
In short, this thread is fantastic and I encourage more discussion on the topic. 

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On 5/20/2021 at 11:20 AM, Pop Guy said:

Also: if the ancients came from another dimension ... why didn't they go back, since they had at least one fully functional gate?
Isn't it more likely that THEY come from another dimension and, cyclically, return to the Constant?

So I've spend some time thinking about what you said, and I may have found a possible explanation. While I know the two-Gateways-Thing is a huge logical leap, I can't get over the small differences in the Gateways design.

What I'm talking about is the Gateway-Socket and the Gateway-Arm:
GateArm1.png.766e8f1e018bed002cbdf3d69432e5b0.pngGateArm2.png.a544390d38cfbbc6d64e889009cbc602.pngGateArm4.png.3f39983503d806248cfabd35afff257a.pngGateArmReal.png.d659f1e1b60cf2711a5a09e87ebb294b.png in contrast to GateArm5.png.9c5f1cc642f52859516c30933f53abab.png
The inner side on the fourth Mural is oddly straight. Also notice how the iconic bend isn't depicted for some reason. The right side looks wrong in general why did they draw it so thick suddenly? And what's with these notches anyways? Where did the Ancients get that from?
Gate1.png.35cfdd772d3b5cd1c3a6c36e1cb43ad0.pngGate2.png.896f16a8c58939669d904a56a3be7337.pngGate3.png.7675bb3e66d5109597033f81667c425c.pngGateReal.png.a668f1aa5aade31488aef7c5db4c545f.pngGate4.png.0ab62013d48846f1a1b5b7c8e2669781.png
Concerning the socket, I don't know why the little steps disappeared. Otherwise I must admit, I can't complain much

So either the Ancients just got very lazy concerning fine details right after the third Mural (which would be fine with me), or there's something fishy going on. IF these design choices were intentional, I would suppose that the Ancients were born inside the Constant, but got abducted into another Dimension (the Shadow Realm?), when things went haywire (Mural 3). Meaning, the Throne suddenly appeared because the King is in a whole new place whatsoever. The Gateway we see could be a fourth Gateway. When the Shadow Entity got mad, it could've destroyed both Gateways, severing the connections and trapping the King with his people inside the Shadow realm without a Key or functioning Gateway.

It would explain the removed Wortox quote, and would most certainly explain why the Reanimated Skeleton inhibits only a fracture of the Kings might and consciousness when activated outside of the Atrium (using the Shadow-Energy seeping through the small dimensional rifts), and why the King fully possesses the Reanimated Skeleton in the first place with a open Gateway. It makes sense if the King was slumbering as a quasi-immortal Shadow-Being on the other side of the Gateway. Judging from his quotes, it's been a long time since he's seen his world and his city.

idk haha but I swear those little notches on the right Gateway-Arm keep me up at night, there's got to be something wrong with that!

 

(PS: That theory doesn't account for how the Ancients made the Murals without corporeal bodies, but I'm just hoping Klei ignored this contradiction, to bring across the lore.)

Edit:
UnbenanntSdasdasd.png.1614c0578008e10e81b275042ade0d83.png564840065_Screenshot(722).png.749824eac5424dbfa59396f49a30776e.png
 

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2 hours ago, WoodieMain45684 said:

If the scepters are keys then why does the gorge portal and constant portal have a separate key that you have to get from mumsy or the minotaur respectively?

I see the scepters as being controllers, not keys. 
You need the Key to activate the gate, and the Scepter to control what the gate does and where its destination leads. 
A gate with just a key is useless if there is no destination. That's what the survivors did; the re-activated the Ancient gate, in the Constant, which dropped them at the most recently-set destination - which was apparently the Forge. Then when Pugna activated HIS gate, which is not the same one as the Constant one, it dropped them at ITS previously-set location, which was the Gorge. Then the Gorge sent them back to the Constant, with them having just gone in a circle. 
Because without the Scepters, they cannot control WHERE it takes them. 

That's the theory, at the very least. 

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59 minutes ago, Wendy C. said:

I see the scepters as being controllers, not keys. 
You need the Key to activate the gate, and the Scepter to control what the gate does and where its destination leads. 
A gate with just a key is useless if there is no destination. That's what the survivors did; the re-activated the Ancient gate, in the Constant, which dropped them at the most recently-set destination - which was apparently the Forge. Then when Pugna activated HIS gate, which is not the same one as the Constant one, it dropped them at ITS previously-set location, which was the Gorge. Then the Gorge sent them back to the Constant, with them having just gone in a circle. 
Because without the Scepters, they cannot control WHERE it takes them. 

That's the theory, at the very least. 

This actually makes a lot of sense. But I wonder, why would the previously set location of Pugna’s portal be the Gorge?

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1 hour ago, SirToastyToes said:

I did want to point out you can see the form Alter takes with the three points on each side of the eye in the top of the Celestial Portal's design. I don't know how that factors into anything but it's an interesting detail.

Maybe Alter is a living portal. So... wormholes and portals are the same creatures? Some have only a clearly visible jaw (wormholes, the Gnaw), some of them have a eye.

(I posted this interpretation in an old thread thread) I play with the thoughts that the ancients "feed" their portal with organic matter and it suck out their lifeforce. You can see a fishbone and damaged radish thingies in the first mural. Also, it looks like the sun is consumed (for a night). This kinda match the Gnaw part. Wormholes drain some sanity though some characters aren't that disgusted by using one. Dunno who posted this before but I had read it: Wormholes in the sky are atleast the Dragon or the real Antagonists.

 

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Your theory is very revelatory! I never thought they could be related like this!

I noticed that Pugna once possessed a scepter, too.

Quote

Pugna's Ham Bat

This ham bat was fashioned after the scepter of the great Battlemaster Pugna.

And, though it is not known if it is the same thing, Pig Queen Malfalfa also has a sceptre. This may also be the reason why Hamlet pig civilization is more advanced than original pig civilization. Like the story of The Lord of the Rings, "They" provide the scpetre to the leaders of the different realm (An ulterior motive, of course). This allows them to use extraordinary power for the benefit of their own people.

On 5/21/2021 at 3:38 PM, axxel said:

Maybe Alter is a living portal. So... wormholes and portals are the same creatures? Some have only a clearly visible jaw (wormholes, the Gnaw), some of them have a eye.

This led me to the bold theory that the Ancient Herald was a living portal, so it can attack with dragoon eggs from SW world and Nightmare Creatures form original world, so the cloak made from its fragments would have storage space and some characters will say it "into the ocean depths","A deep dark hole full of storage space.".

Considering the strange connection between the Ancient Herald and the Moon, maybe you have a point.

 

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Excellent question.

On 5/21/2021 at 6:12 AM, Wendy C. said:

I see the scepters as being controllers, not keys. 
You need the Key to activate the gate, and the Scepter to control what the gate does and where its destination leads. 
A gate with just a key is useless if there is no destination. That's what the survivors did; the re-activated the Ancient gate, in the Constant, which dropped them at the most recently-set destination - which was apparently the Forge. Then when Pugna activated HIS gate, which is not the same one as the Constant one, it dropped them at ITS previously-set location, which was the Gorge. Then the Gorge sent them back to the Constant, with them having just gone in a circle. 
Because without the Scepters, they cannot control WHERE it takes them. 

That's the theory, at the very least. 

Excellent theory, i like it a lot!
 
I wonder though how much Pugna knows about Gateways. He seems to be quite knowledgeable about Gatekeepers, the Throne and Them, so I suppose he knows about the workings of Gateways. After the survivors lose, Pugna wants to mobilize his troops to the Hub in order to take the Throne. It would hardly work if Pugna couldn't control the destination. He talks as though the only obstacle in his conquest was the separation between the Dimensions..
On the other hand, he's severely deluded, so I think we should take his plans with a grain of salt haha

(I kinda hope he has full control over the Gateway, though. it would be fitting if he "gave up" after being defeated, just to take revenge on us and send us into a doomed reality to our deaths)

Oh, also:
[Added 3.4 Details about the Afterlife]

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4 hours ago, Tim S. said:

(I kinda hope he has full control over the Gateway, though. it would be fitting if he "gave up" after being defeated, just to take revenge on us and send us into a doomed reality to our deaths)

Yes indeed; Pugna describes how, once we (the Survivors) arrive in the Forge, that we have "reactivated the gateway"; meaning the only thing that had prevented him from traveling to the Constant was the fact that the Ancient Gateway was currently non-functional (not just simply "off", but outright non-responsive). Since the Umbral Throneroom seems to be a separate dimension (and Pugna describes it as the "Hub", implying "Center"), the Constant may be the dimension that is closest to the Hub, which is why the Throne's influence is so particularly strong there. 
Perhaps the severing of the dimensional ties was purposefully done to handicap the Throne's abilities, and the distances at which it can influence. 

 

Another thing worth mentioning, is that Maxwell discovered the Codex Umbra after surviving a train wreckage. Why was the volume on a train towards San Francisco? Who wrote it? For what purpose? How did the author have such an intimate understanding of the Constant if the book exists on Earth? Did the Codex have something to do with the above-mentioned train-wreck in the first place?
Not only is it a spellbook, it also seems to be an encyclopedia on ALL forms of knowledge relating to Shadows altogether; and all of their applications, be it technological, magical, alchemical, or otherwise. 
The Science Machine and the Alchemy Engine are the inventions of Wilson, who created them using the knowledge granted him by Maxwell during their "deal" (this may also explain why in order to accept your Gifts from the Shadows (daily drops) you must be within range of a Science Device; but I digress). We can infer that the knowledge granted to Wilson by Maxwell was only information that Maxwell himself already knew, presumably from the Codex Umbra itself. 
Who ever wrote the book, and consequently the book itself, possesses an unfathomable depth of understanding into the workings of the Multiverse. The book is so overloaded with Power that it even functions as a gate between realms when utilized properly. 

I think the Survivors are severely underestimating the usefulness of the Codex when it comes to these higher forces. 
And Maxwell seems to be either purposefully or incidentally ignoring some of the more extreme sub-chapters of knowledge the book contains. 
I daresay we haven't even begun to see what it is truly capable of. 

 

1354828825_ReadIt.thumb.jpg.dab16b6fce02fbd5767546dc0483cc9d.jpg

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15 minutes ago, Wendy C. said:

1354828825_ReadIt.thumb.jpg.dab16b6fce02fbd5767546dc0483cc9d.jpg

First of all, congratulations on the beautiful illustration. I love Wendy's pose, stretched forward while the knees are bent inward. It almost seems to be about to collapse, overwhelmed by the forbidden knowledge of the code. Also, another wonderful detail, is the flower that explodes in her hair, becoming like splatters of blood, almost as if her brain was coming out of the skull. Maybe I over-interpreted the illustration, but still, congratulations again * _ *

As for the codex, I believe William Carter exhumed it as he trudged through the desert; not in the wreckage of the train (how was he going to extricate himself among the sheet metal and wreckage of the train? With the beasts of the zoo on the run? Logically he had to flee quickly from the crash site in order to survive, and it was precisely because the authorities did not find him and they declared him dead.)
I believe that, while fleeing into the desert, William found some cave and there, perhaps looking for a break from the night, he found the Codex. Why was it right there? This is not given to us to know. We do not even know if it is unique or if there are other similar codes.

 

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BTW. I felt that the PR-76 was not a dimensional travel device. In the Wes short we learned that shadow portal amd shadow hand does not need a radio or any device to appear in our world. PR-76 was just doing what it was meant to do —— transmitting and modulate signals, but between different worlds. 

"Requires a PR-76 tuned to the right frequency."——wagstaff, exam locked Teleportato in adventure mode

"Amazing! It appears to work similar to my radio."——wagstaff, exam Sea Worther. sea worther is a radar, remember that?

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