#the larynk

[khascoil]

The Larynk

(An old concept redesigned and given new life)

The Larynk explores the concept of a species that predates the Hearthian/Nomai/Inhabitant universe, ie. beings from the previous universe. The whole idea centers around the concept of the Eye being malleable in all aspects, including how it appears to observers when it comes time to collapse the possibilities. Therefore therein remains the possibility that the Eye was not always the Eye of the universe, but its form was influenced by those who observed it, as well as the signal it emits.

The Larynk was designed based off the appearance of whales, and the common loon, to a much lesser extent. The goal was to encompass the creatures absolutely known for their eerie and melancholic songs to be a sample for the next quantum signal. Their name was chosen as such because the rule for naming Outer Wilds species appears to be based on their most characteristic attribute, and the Larynk tend to sing a lot as a social custom, with the word being derived from "larynx". (Nomai are nomads, Hearthians are from Timber Hearth and proud of it, and the Inhabitants are simply just that: inhabitants of the Stranger, for their home is no more at this rate.) The color palette and singular large eye would become the basis for the next form for the anomaly that transcends space and time to preserve the cycle of the universe.

As for their story, I could figure that they are a more primitive species, much like the Hearthians are in terms of space travel, who grapple with the fear that they are truly alone in this vast, old universe. They search and scan the stars, but to no avail. Perhaps their tech is too basic to pick up signals of intelligent origins from so far away, perhaps there really is no one out there. Maybe it is a universe where they are the only living things in all of this universe's existence, which would make the stakes of continuing the cycle even higher than before. There is the possibility that the anomaly senses this, and so before the spark of curiosity is extinguished within the Larynks' souls, it sends out a signal. It sounds so… organic, but it's strong enough to be picked up by the Larynk. After all this time of the Larynk calling out to the stars and getting nothing in return, they finally get a response. They dub this signal the "Friend of the universe" and put all their time and resources into locating its precise location. They find it out in the middle of space, much like a rogue planet, just half a light year away from their home system, and devise a plan to reach it with haste, knowing now it's lonely, too. When they reach it, they all enter inside together, for no one should ever have to be alone in this cold and oftentimes cruel world, and they bring forth the new universe with the knowledge that theirs was truly empty and devoid of life, but at least they had each other, and they sang one last time in sorrow and union.