Rain World and Its Mysteries Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Spoilers ahead for Rain World and its DLC.
• The narrative is constructed through piecing together various dialogues and outcomes.
• Begins with a solitary journey to find one's way back home.

The Ancients

• Long-gone race central to the story, never seen directly.
• Their world operates on a cyclical nature of life and death.
• Death is not the end; believed to be a continuation or ascension.
• Ancients desired to escape the cycle, leading to significant technological advancements.

Void Fluid and Void Sea

• Void fluid discovery revolutionized ancient technology.
• Used for energy production and attempted as a means for ascension.
• Iterators were built to solve the mystery of ascension.

Iterators

• Massive structures that house cities and aim to solve Ascension mysteries.
• Iterators became crucial after Ancients disappeared.
• Looks to the Moon and Five Pebbles are key iterators in the story.

Five Pebbles and Looks to the Moon

• Five Pebbles conducted dangerous experiments, affecting water resources and neighboring iterators.
• Failed experiments caused decay and rot.
• Looks to the Moon suffers due to Five Pebbles' actions.

The Journey of Slug Cats

• Various slug cats journey through this world, each with unique stories.
• Artificer: Violent journey, dealing with scavengers and loss.
• Hunter: A timely mission with limited lifespan.
• Gourmand: Unlocks gates for others, connects with past events.
• Survivor and Monk: Initial campaigns to uncover history and cycle.
• Rivulet: Aids in restoring Looks to the Moon with rarefaction cell.

Key Events and Outcomes

• Five Pebbles is responsible for chaos through forbidden knowledge and experiments.
• The world undergoes massive changes due to iterator activities.
• Success and failure both explored through slug cats' interactions with iterators.

Philosophical Themes and Echoes

• Echoes of Ancients provide wisdom and express regrets, indirectly guiding slug cats.
• Exploration of existential themes: purpose of life, the desire for freedom from cycles.

The Saint's Journey

• The Saint has the power to remove creatures from the cycle.
• Travels back to assist Looks to the Moon and Five Pebbles.
• Ends up in the void, confronting a massive void worm.
• Various interpretations of the ending: pride and ego vs. instinct.

Conclusion

• The narrative of Rain World weaves together hopelessness and hope, mistakes and redemption.
• Themes of connection and community are highlighted amidst chaos and decay.

Lessons and Themes

• Let go of grudges, forgive mistakes.
• The importance of connection and not shutting oneself out from others.

Note: These notes are a summary of the intricate story presented in Rain World and its expansions. They serve as a guide to understanding the various characters, themes, and story arcs explored in the game.