Storyline

The following page is a summary of the main storyline.

This is not a transcript and contains only the most important key notes.

Please be aware that this page will be **very heavy with spoilers** and it is intended to be used for reference purposes, such as recalling the order of events.

For more in depth information pertaining to the lore of the Text Express game world, please visit the Lore specific page.

## Main Storyline Key Events

### Book One: The Beginning

After the death of Granny, shortly after Tilly crosses the bridge, and enters the Yellowseed Plains, she is attacked by raiders, with their intentions unclear aside from apparent destruction and violence. [Occurs at Tilly Level 9]

Tilly is rescued from the dangerous raiders by Eleanor.

Afterwards, Eleanor offers to travel with Tilly so that she can have new experiences, which will grant her inspiration for new inventions.

During their journey, Tilly and Eleanor discover an abandoned egg in a black birdcage on the tracks. The two of them adopt the egg, despite not knowing what might hatch from it.

After building a heater to incubate the egg, the two women explore the perilous Basinbarrow Ruins. [Occurs at Tilly Level 35]

Tilly recognizes a symbol in the ruins that matches one in her parent's journal, meaning "Word Wielder," however, the rest of the page is smudged and she has not ever been able to read it.

Tilly accidentally sets off a trap when touching a relic in the ruins. The ruins begin to crumble.

After escaping the ruins, Eleanor reveals that she had retrieved the relic that Tilly found.

After rescuing Stanley, a delivery boy, from being locked in a trunk by raiders, Tilly enters Burt's word game tournaments and wins first place, allegedly gaining a new enemy in doing so. Her new title as local Champion will grant her access to future tournaments in other cities.

The following night, Tilly has what seems to be a prophetic dream in which she feels a power inside of her body and a familiar, yet unknown, voice telling her to find out who she is or else all is lost. [Occurs at Tilly Level 46]

Tilly learns a new sport called "Ragnutting" and two professional Ragnutters named Jacob and Flake, three times Ragnutting champions, invite her to join the Yellowseed Plains Ragnutting Society, an organization that they are members of, and to enter into a dangerous multi-tier Ragnutting race competition called the Kahuna.

### Book Two: Helping Hand

Tilly visits a tree that her parents had planted. Her first name is carved into the side of the tree. Remi tells her that the tree has not ever blossomed. After Tilly touches the tree, a single pink flower blooms on one of its branches. The rest of the tree blooms in the span of a single day.

After arriving in Branford, Tilly discovers the town to be flooded due to a broken dam. Strangely, her parents wrote about the same dam being repaired when they visited Branford prior. Tilly examines the now abandoned building that her parents slept in when they last visited Brandford and in the moonlight she discovers strange and mysterious runes scrawled on the wall. She believes her parents left them there. The runes vanish in daylight.

Tilly believes there is a connection between the disappearing runes on the wall, the runes on the enormous ancient statues and the relic that she found in the ruins. She asks Theodore about the relic and he identifies it as an old deciphering key. Tilly and Eleanor believe if they find another similar relic that they can decode the strange symbols on the messages they have found on the statues and on the wall. Theodore reveals that the symbols are runes from a forgotten ancient language and that the relics are from a time known as the "old world."

Tilly decides to do more research on the Great Train War after finding a letter from a soldier written to her great great grandfather B. Zedd Hudson whom assisted the soldiers by building weaponized trains. She explains that all she knows about the war is that it started as a result of a disagreement between King Edgar and his sister Mirri.

Tilly and Eleanor travel to the large ancient statues, discovering runes hidden away in the design of the first statue, which Eleanor notes down. Upon examining the second statue, Eleanor believes the runes on it stand for travelling and that it may be a map.

When on an errand, Emily tells Tilly that she should ask Theodore about her parents.

When asked, Theodore reads a small red ledger called "The Lineage" and tells Tilly to visit Poppy. He then warns Tilly not to tell anyone that her parents are Bo and Sophie because it is dangerous for others to know. He does not tell her why, refusing to speak anymore about the topic.

When repairing a recently breached dam, Ron finds a strange device. Oran brings it to Eleanor and she identifies it as a remote detonation device, meaning someone deliberately sabotaged the dam. Eleanor theorizes that the device was planted by raiders and that the raiders went back into a place called The Alabaster Hills.

### Book Three: High Stakes

Upon exploring the seemingly abandoned Cascada Springs, Tilly is attacked by Kaden, completely unprovoked, who mistakes her for the same people who took the adults from their village. Despite Tilly being unarmed, Kaden continues to strike Tilly while she cowers, until Eleanor disarms Kaden and the village elder, Ingrith, calms Kaden down. However, Kaden continues to be antagonistic towards Tilly, going out of his way to bully, harass and complain about her.

Tilly explains that she is looking for Poppy, and Ingrith informs her that Poppy's location is sacred and can only be accessed via majority vote from the villagers. Despite discouragement and mockery from Kaden, Tilly aids the citizens in preparing for their ceremony in order to gain their trust. The villagers, aside from Kaden, vote in favour of allowing Tilly to meet Poppy. Ingrith marks the location on Tilly's map and warns her that dangerous animals have taken residence in the canyon which leads to the Sacred Cave. She adds that the Skyreapers are not usually this aggressive, nor do they usually come this close to their village. Igrith says the Skyreapers used to be friendly and live along side them in harmony.

Tilly finds a baby Skyreaper asleep on the tracks. She attempts to wake it up by petting it, but its parents get upset that Tilly touched their baby and attack, trying to derail the train. With no way to go forward, Tilly has no choice but to go in reverse back to the village. The Skyreapers follow and attack the villagers, injuring many. Tilly and Ingrith begin to come up with a plan to find the source of the Skyreaper's aggression, so that they can soothe the beasts, but Kaden says the only solution is violence and attacks the Skyreapers. When night falls, the Skyreapers go to sleep, and Tilly and Eleanor stealthily load the injured villagers onto their train, so that they can bring them to the doctor in Branford to be healed. Eleanor comes up with the idea to create a steam veil so that the Skyreapers do not follow them to Branford. When the locomotive engine starts, Kaden decides for himself to attack the Skyreapers to keep them distracted while the train leaves the village.

Since the Mayor of Branford owes Tilly a favour, in return for her assisting with repairing the dam, he agrees to house the citizens of Cascada Village in his town, using the abandoned inn that Tilly's parents once stayed in. He helps Tilly furnish it with beds for the tribe members and feeds them sandwiches. Worried about Kaden's wellbeing, Tilly sneaks to her locomotive that night. When she arrives at Cascada Village, Kaden is prone and not moving between the sleeping Skyreapers. Thinking he has perished, Tilly mourns loudly for him, waking up the Skyreapers. Kaden, who was playing dead, hurriedly leads Tilly into a large building full of tables. While Tilly sleeps upon the tables, Kaden paces anxiously, uncertain of their fate now that they are both trapped.

The next morning, Tilly wakes up and attempts to apologise to Kaden for accidentally leading the Skyreapers to his people. Kaden interrupts her because a Skyreaper hears her and approaches the building. Tilly, unaware of the danger, misinterprets his interruption and becomes angry, insisting that he hear her apology. While she speaks to him, a Skyreaper strikes and bites Kaden's foot, swinging him in the air. Tilly rushes toward the Skyreaper that has Kaden, presumably to try and help free him, and she steps on a Red Note (A type of musical instrument resembling a bagpipe combined with a flute) in the process. The sound stuns the Skyreaper and it drops Kaden. Tilly realises the connection to the sound with the reaction of the animal and she responds by picking up the instrument and playing it. Now free, Kaden enters the building and retrieves a second instrument of the same type, and begins playing it along side Tilly. Using the music to keep the Skyreapers away from them, the two back up towards the locomotive, board it and escape.

Once Tilly returns to Branford, Eleanor rushes out to greet her. Eleanor is distraught that Tilly left without telling her, left her behind, to put herself in danger. After expressing her worries, Eleanor embraces Tilly and tells her that she forgives her. Tilly informs Eleanor about how the music deterred the Skyreapers. This gives Eleanor an idea for an invention that will amplify the sound of the Red Note and potentially convince the Skyreapers to leave the Village. After drafting a blueprint, Kaden suggests that they use the porcuhorn of a porcurhino in order to amplify the sound. Overhearing, the Mayor tips them off to an individual called "The Peddler" who is most likely to have a porcuhorn for sale. He then directs them to the Hillside Ruins, which was the last place The Peddler was seen.

Tilly and Eleanor venture to the Hillside Ruins, where they notice similar runes to the ones they discovered in the Basinbarrow Ruins. Unable to resist entering, they begin to study the ancient writings etched into the wall, when the floor unexpectedly drops out beneath them. Unharmed, they illuminate they dark cavern they find themselves in, unwittingly attracting the attention of three hungry Mole Lions. Using their light sources to temporarily blind the subterranean predators, they are able to flee through the Mole Lion's tunnel. Eleanor becomes stuck, but Tilly is able to pull her free. They seal the tunnel by rolling a nearby boulder.

Now safe to survey the area, the two of them soon have their intuition confirmed, finding another deciphering key similar to the one they found in the previous ruins. Although this time Tilly takes precautions by leaving a stone in place of the relic, the stone's weight is not exact enough and a trap is activated. The walls begin closing it to crush Tilly and Eleanor. Eleanor feels hopeless, unable to find any means of escape. Tilly then urges Eleanor to extinguish her light source. Although doubtful, Eleanor does so. In the darkness, a crack of light shines through a far wall. Making their way to the crevice, they can sense another person on the other side and call for help. A voice suggests that they back away for their own safety and then the unknown rescuer blasts a hole in the wall with a bomb.

Tilly and Eleanor escape uninjured and Eleanor recognises the man as her past lover, Dick. Dick confirms that he is known as The Peddler. After hearing their plight, he agrees to help, leading them to the Torrid Valley, where he had noticed a porcurhino skeleton hat still had its horn intact. Upon arrival, Eleanor uses her goggles to zoom in and locate the exact location of the skeleton. Dick warns the two of them that the porcurhinos are very protective of their young, but near-sighted, so they can sneak past if they crawl quietly. The plan is successful, however, after Tilly and Eleanor muscle the horn free from the skull, the sound alerts the porcurhinos, who them charge furiously at them. Dick makes the decision to use himself as bait and distracts the porcurhinos so that Eleanor and Tilly can get away safe and intact. Eleanor assures Tilly that Dick is capable of surviving and that they will see him again unscathed.

After returning to Branford, Till assists Eleanor with assembling the noise machine. Once its ready, Kaden offers to go with them, but both decline, and Tilly explains that she caused the problem and should be the one to fix it. Kaden gives her his mother's good luck charm before the two women set out to confront the Skyreapers. The noise machine works as intended and the Skyreapers make the decision to vacate the premises, presumably flying back home, although Tilly states that she feels bad for the animals. With the Village secured, they return to Branford to load up the tribe and bring them back to Cascada Village.

Cascada Village is damaged from the Skyreapers, so Tilly and Eleanor help the villagers fix it up before heading toward Poppy's cave. As expected, the Skyreapers are blocking the way in the canyon pass, only this time they have the secret weapon. Unexpectedly, the sound machine breaks and a short person concealed by a hood steps out from behind the Skyreapers and commands the animals to attack Tilly's Locomotive. They Skyreapers seem trained and familiar with the person, not hesitating to charge when ordered to. Tilly and Kaden poise to prevent the animals from interfering while Eleanor repairs the machine. The cloaked figure shoots at Eleanor with a sling stone and Kaden knocks it away. With that, the mysterious stranger whistles, calling back the Skyreapers, who immediately obey, and then the hooded person mounts a Nighttail and riding away, with all of the animals following.

Clear of the obstacle, Tilly drives her train through a long stone tunnel, arriving at Poppy's sacred garden. Poppy recognises Tilly and calls out her name, rushing over and hugging her with a gesture of familiarity. She tells Tilly that she is her other grandmother. Unfortunately, the words "Tilly" and "Grandma" are all she is able to say coherently. Kaden explains that Poppy's mind is fading in her advanced age and now she speaks only gibberish. Poppy urges Tilly to follow her and leads her to an ancient mural. Tilly reads an inscription about "Word Wielders" who are people capable of casting magic spells by using their understanding of words. The scripture goes on to tell how Word Wielders are being hunted and their numbers are decreasing. Poppy points to Tilly and tells her that she is a Word Wielder.

Tilly disagrees, saying that she is not a Word Wielder. Dismayed by Tilly's response, Poppy sadly retreats to her home. Tilly follows her inside and Poppy asks Tilly to collect paints for her. Kaden tells Tilly that a nearby city called Karn should have the paints that Poppy requires. While in Karn, Tilly comes across Finn, who offers to show her around. After trying new food in the night market, and flying a kite together, Tilly and Finn have a heartfelt conversation about her parents. Feeling a connection with one another, the two lean in for a kiss. They are interrupted, due to Tilly being distracted by the hooded child from Cascada Canyon, who has been caught spying on them. Tilly impulsively chases after him immediately. Finn is left behind feeling perplexed.

Tilly has a second eerie dream, similar to the first potentially prophetic dream in theme, in which she hears her mother's voice scream, "Tilly, save us!" Tilly awakens before she can respond.

### Trivia

For specific Trivia pertaining to the entire game, please visit the Lore page.

* A barrow is an ancient burial place covered with a large mound of earth. Whom the burial place belonged to is currently unknown.
* The relic from the ruins resembles the in game floating hub which the player utilizes to create words to solve puzzles.

### Speculation

For specific speculation pertaining to the entire game, please visit the Lore page.

* Kahuna means "wave" and may be comparing Ragnutting with surfing, as both sports involve balancing on the surface of water.
* Theodore refuses to speak about Bo and Sophie, shushing Tilly nervously. It is possible that he is worried about someone nearby overhearing.
	+ Later in the story line, Tilly discovers that Word Wielders are being hunted and killed. There is a fair chance that Bo and Sophie are Word Wielders and so was Tilly's late Grandmother. For this reason, there may be a hereditary link, since Bo and Sophie didn't tell their friends that they had a child and also hid Tilly away from the rest of the world for her entire life up until now.
* Neither Tilly nor Eleanor was aware that having a Word Wielder cipher was illegal. Tilly was sheltered from the outside world, so it is understandable that she was not ever told. Eleanor, although having access to the public, tended to live as a hermit, as indicated by her telling Tilly that she wanted to get out of her house to see the world. It can be inferred that Eleanor had been secluded to her home for quite a long while to not have heard of this law.

### Gallery

One of the Raiders whom attack Tilly at the Canyon Edge.One of the Raiders whom attack Tilly at the Canyon Edge.One of the Raiders whom attack Tilly at the Canyon Edge.Eleanor, when introduced before protecting Tilly.The mysterious egg found on the railroad tracks, adopted by Tilly and Eleanor.Basinbarrow RuinsSymbol found in Basinbarrow Ruins that means "Word Wielder."Tilly discovers the relic.The relic found in Basinbarrow RuinsEleanor holding two halves of a Ragnut.Stanley the delivery boy.Tilly's prophetic dreamJacobFlakeThe "Tilly" TreeSingle bloom on the Tilly TreeThe disappearing wall writing.Theodore identifies the artefact.The Tilly Tree, fully blossomed.The remote detonation device.Eleanor protecting Tilly by disarming Kaden.Ingrith calming down Kaden.The size of a Skyreaper compared to humans.A Skyreaper's dangerous beak, opened when attacking.The Red Note musical instrument.The size of a Mole Lion compared to humans.The second relic.The size of a Porcurhino compared to humans.Dick distracts the Porcurhino to protect Tilly and Eleanor.The good luck charm that belonged to Kaden's mother.The noise making machine that Eleanor invented.The hooded person holding a sling shot.The ancient mural in Poppy's garden.
### Journal Books

The Journal feature allows Players to watch any cutscene movies that they have already unlocked and seen.

The movies in the Journal can be watched for free, as often as the Player chooses.

There is also a screenshot feature built-in.

Some of the movies can only be unlocked with limited time events.

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