Lore

This page is dedicated to collecting the fictional lore of the Text Express world, thoughtfully crafted by the creative developer's imaginations, which both adds intrigue and brings the game's setting to life.

The following fantastical lore is collected from clues in the main storyline, subtle hints in the realm's backgrounds and souvenirs, and even from dialogue found in souvenir cutscenes and event stories.

Stay tuned, as new information will be added here when it becomes available.

## Word Wielders

Word Wielders are an important focal point of the main story plot.

### Trivia

* At the end of Book 3, Tilly is told by Poppy that she is a Word Wielder.
* The only other confirmed Word Wielder in the game so far is Aurelius Magnus.
* For reasons yet to be revealed, Word Wielders are being hunted down and killed.
* A runic symbol found in Basinbarrow Ruins that means "Word Wielder" is similar to the "TX" logo which is found in numerous instances throughout the game. See the Sacred Marker section below for a list of sightings.

### Speculation

* Word Wielding is likely a supernatural power that is associated with the rings of runes often seen in backdrops, on items, and in cutscenes. These circular rune rings resemble the letter interface that the player uses to input words during gameplay. Tilly's Granny uses her cane to draw such a rune ring, before seeming to cast a magic spell, as a result of the word she makes when connecting the runes in a certain order.
	+ An item strongly resembling the ring of runes is featured in the background of the Letter Upgrades screen.
* "Wielder" appears as a word solution in one of Tilly's Dreams minigames, and may imply an association with Tilly being a Word Wielder.
* 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, similarly to how Poppy was in hiding, guarding the secrets of the Word Wielders in a hidden cave.
	+ Theodore warns Tilly not to tell anyone that her parents are Bo and Sophie because it is dangerous for others to know.
	+ Granny lies to Tilly and tells her granddaughter that she landed in the river and "the people" brought her home. It is currently unknown why Granny does not want Tilly to know that she used supernatural means to rescue her, and could be explained by Granny's desire to protect Tilly from knowing too much and thusly becoming a target to be hunted as well.
	+ One could presume that one of Tilly's parents, or both, are Word Wielders and have to stay moving to avoid the aforementioned hunters, which would support their motive for travelling without Tilly, isolating her from the rest of the world, and keeping her a secret, by not telling even their closest friends that they have a child.
* Aurelius and the Goddess of Truth both hold the Quill of Creation in their Star Signs constellation images. Aurelius is confirmed to be a Word Wielder. This could suggest that the Goddess of Truth is also a Word Wielder.
* The book "The Art of Word by Anon" may be both about Word Wielding and written by a Word Wielder. The book seems to have the Quill of Creation on the cover, possibly being held by a Word Wielder.
* The artifacts that Tilly and Eleanor found, which look like the word-making interface that the player uses, and was found out to be a translator for deciphering the runes on the ancient statues, will likely teach Tilly how to Word Wield, possibly via the mysterious writing on the walls of the abandoned apartment that was likely left by her parents.
	+ These symbols are the primary focus of the Ancient Rune Research minigame.
* Aurelius Magnus may be inspired by one of the Netherland's mythological folk tales, since the game is made in the Netherlands, or possibly even influenced by neighbouring country's mythology.
	+ One possibility is Fostedina (the Lady of Justice) or Wilhelmina (The Sovereign Lady of the Golden Helm), since Aurelius also wears a helmet. If this is the case, Aurelius may have helped end the Great Train War as a Valkyrie.
	+ If Aurelius is also a goddess herself, then she has the potential to be based upon Cathubodua, the Gaulish battle goddess.

### Gallery

The first relic.The second relic.Symbol found in Basinbarrow Ruins that means "Word Wielder." (W.rd Wielder)The "TX" symbolGranny's magic circle from the official youtube video.Granny seemingly casting magic in the official trailer.Mysterious rune writing that appears in moonlight and vanishes in sunlight.Framed Ancient RunesAurelius Magnus, Word Wielder
## Goddess of Truth

The Goddess of Truth is mentioned numerous times through the Text Express game.

### Trivia

* So far, gods have only been mentioned in terms of phrases and exclamations, yet no direct information has been revealed about the Goddess of Truth thus far, despite her being named and depicted in many different places during game play.
* In the depiction of the mural in Poppy's garden, the Goddess of Truth has coal smudged underneath her eyes in lines similar to Tilly's.

### Speculation

* The large woman depicted on the ancient mural in Poppy's garden is likely The Goddess of Truth and she is perhaps holding the Quill of Creation.
* The book "Words as Weapons by Anon" seems to depict The Goddess of Truth on the cover, whom is possibly holding the Quill of Creation.
* The Goddess of Truth might be the same person as the Giantress.
* The Goddess of Truth is possibly the first Word Wielder.
* Given that the game is made in the Netherlands, The Goddess of Truth may draw inspiration from one of their country's mythological folk tales, or influenced by neighbouring country's mythology.
	+ One possibility is Mopates, the Dutch native Goddess of protecting children, who is also depicted holding an open book in one of her hands and an oracle staff in the other. Oracle staves were used by women who could use premonitions to ordain the future. It was believed "that there resides in women something holy and prophetic, and so do not scorn their advice or disregard their replies."
	+ Another feasible option is Exomna, the fearless Batavian Goddess.
	+ A plausible alternative could be Mórrígan (Mór-Ríoghain in Modern Irish), the Celtic goddess of fate and war. This goddess was both a warrior and had the ability to foresee the future.
	+ Another possibility might even be Freyja, the Norse goddess of war and seiðr (magic for seeing and influencing the future).

### Gallery

Goddess of Truth ConstellationDrawing by Ruud Havenith, the Art Director of the game.Statue of a woman resembling the Goddess of Truth, holding what appears to be the Quill of Creation.The ancient mural in Poppy's garden.The Goddess of Truth seems to be depicted in the book, "The Cascada Paintings- A Window to the Past? by Alexander Frederick"An image of an ancient carving, seen in the background of the "Letter Upgrades" screen.Words as Weapons By AnonA painting in Poppy's cave resembling the Goddess of Truth.
## Giantess

Depictions of the Giantess have been used multiple times in Text Express related imagery.

### Trivia

* The depiction on the Giantress Amulet matches the Story Giant Games logo.
* So far, nothing has been mentioned in the story about the Giantess, neither have giant-sized humanoids been spoken of.
* Giant humans appear in the mythological folk tales of the Netherlands, the country where Text Express is made.

### Speculation

* There is an enormous hand print along side normal sized human hand prints on the ancient mural in Poppy's garden. Its unknown if this is an artistic depiction, or an actual mark left by a massive humanoid being, such as the Giantess. The hand could conceivably represent the Hand of the Ancients.
	+ So far, the Giantess is always depicted with one hand as a focal point of the image.
* The bird-like print in the centre of the giant sized hand print may be a Volan hand print.
	+ Some folklorists, who specialise in the folklore of the Netherlands, have documented a similar mark in their research. There was an ancient tradition of adding the mark of a goose's foot print to a site in order to supernaturally protect that place from evil. These marks were sometimes called a “*Hexefuss*,” meaning "Witch Foot." If there is any correlation, instead of mere coincidence, then it would make sense that a similar symbol is in Poppy's grove where she is hiding from those who hunt her and her loved ones, and to possibly also protect her traditions from those who would seek to destroy them.
* Given the presence of giant humans in the mythology of the Netherlands, the Giantess may be grounded in part upon one of the Netherland's folk tales, or possibly even influenced by neighbouring country's mythology.
	+ One option could be Baduhenna, the Dutch Goddess of battle and the forest. This is surmised due to how the Giantess' hair resembles the coniferous needles of the trees that surround her in Ruud Havenith's art. This coincides with the theme of the sacredness of trees in Netherlands folk tales.
	+ Conceivably, a different possibility might be Arduinna, the eponymous tutelary nature goddess of the Ardennes Forest, that once spanned a part of the Netherlands.

### Gallery

Drawing titled "Giantess" by Ruud Havenith, the Art Director of the game.The Giantess AmuletStory Giant Game's Logo, for comparison to the Giantess Amulet.Hand of the Ancients ConstellationThe giant sized hand print has human hands in the lower right corner for comparison.Rune Stone 19 strongly resembles the Hand of the Ancients.
## Quill of Creation

The Quill of Creation is a recurring symbol and element which is prevalent in many aspects throughout the game.

### Trivia

* The Quill of Creation has been mentioned by name only during game play, yet both the function and the purpose of the item are still shrouded in mystery.

### Speculation

* The Quill of Creation will likely become an important aspect of the main story.
* As Aurelius is a Word Wielder, and holds the Quill of Creation, the aforementioned item might be used in a similar fashion to a spell focus, such as a wand, staff, orb, or other focal item, used to channel magical energy into the caster's intended outcome.
* A large item that is visually similar to the Quill of Creation is seen in the backdrop of the Letter Upgrade screen.
* Tilly will likely come into possession of the Quill of Creation at some point, as it seems directly related to Word Wielders.

### Gallery

A drawing that includes the Quill of Creation, by Ruud Havenith, the Art Director of the game.Quill of Creation ConstellationQuill of Creation BadgeArt of Word by Anon, with what appears to be the Quill of Creation depicted on the cover.An item strongly resembling the Quill of Creation in the background of the Letter Upgrades screen.On the Quill of Creation by AnonRunimoes with a symbol that may be the Quill of Creation.Rune Stone 17 strongly resembles the Quill of Creation.
## Volans

Volans are an ancient race of bird-like people that are said to be mythical.

### Trivia

* Although some people in the game's realm consider Volans to be mythical, others believe that Volans used to live live outside of the kingdom.
* A creature resembling a Volan has appeared in the shadows of every game loading screen thus far.
* Volans have finger-like digits at the ends of their wings, that resemble the toes on their feet, ending in talons. These are the same digits found on the ends of the wings of real-life, now extinct, avian dinosaurs, such as raptors, and on some species of still living, real-life ducks, and the hoatzin bird, which use the digits to climb trees.
	+ Skyreapers are another creature found within the game which also share this same trait.
* Volaria may be where the Volans live, as the names are similar to one another and there appears to be a symbol of a Volan on the cover of the book "Tales of Volaria Vol I-III by Blanchard et al."

### Speculation

* A creature resembling a Volan interacts directly with Tilly in an official game trailer, possibly insinuating that Volans are not extinct nor merely legends. It is also possible that the scene takes place in a dream, or that the creature is a different species, as there are many animals with bird features in the game.
* The inclusion of a possible Volan on the game's loading screen might imply that a Volan may join Tilly's adventure as a passenger of her locomotive, as so far all of the characters that have decided to travel with Tilly are also depicted on the loading screen.
* The stone book rest modeled after the Volan is visually similar to the ancient statues of the ruins, as well as the good luck charm given to Tilly by Kaden. It is possible that the statues and the charm are also meant to be depictions of Volans.
* Ash is possibly of the Volan race, since he is capable of human intelligence, unlike the other animals of the in game universe.
	+ The bird-like person on the loading screen might be an adult Ash. Both of the them have the same colour feathers in the same locations and the adult Volan's head is turned so that the ash mark would be hidden.
* Volans may have reptilian ancestors that were similar to avian dinosaurs, given their digits on the the ends of their wings that they have in common. This would only be possible if the theory of evolution applies to the Text Express game world. Since Harvey mentions the evolution of berries, it is likely that it does.

### Gallery

Sign of the VolanTilly and possibly a Volan.Wooden Volan ToyStone Volan BookrestThe good luck charm that belonged to Kaden's mother.Ancient Statue that strongly resembles a Volan.The map icon of the Ancient Statue.The map icon for the Hillside Ruins, with what strongly resembles a Volan face in the top centre.A drawing that includes a Skyreaper's claw-tipped wings, drawn by Ruud Havenith, the Art Director of the game.What seems to be a Volan in simplified symbolic form.
## Spirituality

### Trivia

* The people of Cascada Springs hold a sacred remembrance ceremony, in which they drink a ceremonial fruit punch and gaze into a fire during a ritual that allows them to see their loved ones who are absent- Be it deceased, or alive yet physically far away.
* The people of Karn use ceremonial chimneys to burn the favourite belongings of loved ones who have passed away, so that they may enjoy their possessions in the afterlife.
* Characters have used phrases such as "Thank Thepsion." (Bennett and Stanley), and "What in Thepsion's name?" (Eleanor). As well as, "Thank the gods." (Remi), and "Oh gods..." (Tilly).
	+ This is similar to the way real life people use Deity's names as exclamations of relief and surprise, and could imply that Thepsion is a Deity.
	+ Remi and Tilly's phrasing implies that there are multiple gods in the game's world.
* Oblin prays to a higher power named Helva.
	+ Helva is so far the only named Deity in the game.
* Ruud Havenith, the Art Director of the game, has posted art of a "Celestial" on an official social media page. He also added an image of Granny depicted as a Tilly's guardian angel.

### Speculation

* The unknown Cleric featured on the stone bust found in the Book Reading minigame may be a religious leader, a spell caster (such as a Word Wielder), or possibly both, as cleric is a word used for religious leaders in the real world, and also for spell casters in fantasy worlds.
* Helva may be the name of the Goddess of Truth or of the Giantress.

### Gallery

Bust of Unknown ClericFramed art that seems to feature a Deity; possibly the Goddess of Truth.A drawing of Granny depicted as an angel, titled "Guardian", by Ruud Havenith, the Art Director of the game.
## The Darkness

"The Darkness" is mentioned in multiple instances throughout the game.

### Trivia

* A tome titled "The Darkness by Anon" rests on the player's collection bookshelf with a candle atop it, turned away from the viewer to obscure its cover.

### Speculation

* The Darkness may become a significant threat in the main storyline.
* The Vase of Darkness may be the source of "The Darkness."
* The same Anon who wrote the book "The Art of Word" and "Words as Weapons" may have also wrote the book "The Darkness," and its possible that their tales might be related to one another.
* Tilly is warned in a prophetic dream, by a familiar yet unknown voice, that if she does not learn the truth of her identity, and learn to wield her inner power, then "all will be lost." This may be alluding to "The Darkness."

### Gallery

Tilly's prophetic dream, warning her of an unknown threat.Vase of Darkness Constellation
## Politics

The following information is pertaining to fictional politics within the game's realm, not to real life politics. Any similarity is purely coincidental.

### Economics

* Eleanor tells Tilly (during the Wendy's Winter Wonderland 2023 event) that "The old kings used the stone [Nuiguisa] to lay rails in the richer parts of town." alluding to an economic based classification system, in which there is a resource difference between citizens, which sorts "poorer" and "wealthier" people into segregated residential areas, and the more affluent populations are prioritised with preferential treatment.

### The Great Train War

* Tilly's great great grandfather, B. Zedd Hudson, assisted the soldiers in the Great Train War by building weaponized trains.
* An unnamed soldier from Regiment D- Stationed at nightvale- claims that the Hudson company's train weapons were integral to winning the Great Train War.
* All that Tilly knows about the war is that it started as a result of a disagreement between King Edgar and his sister Mirri.
	+ Miri attacked King Edgar from outside of the kingdom, using trains that she built herself.

### The Monarchy

* The realm is governed by a Monarchy, which is currently lead by a King.
	+ Very little is known about the current King and his appearance has yet to be revealed.
* With the Monarchy as the head of the realm's government, smaller settlements are allowed to have Mayors and Chiefs to keep order locally, however they are subject to all of the laws mandated by the King.
* Theodore mentions that the King has spies which try to fool rebels into confessing.

### Laws and Enforcement

* Historical tomes about Word Wielders and the true history of the realm are deemed illegal contraband and outlawed. Keeping these books is a crime punishable by execution in the form of decapitation.
* Word Wielder ciphers are deemed illegal artefacts, and even touching one is a capital offense.

### Speculation

* Given the current laws and their extreme punishments, it is unlikely that the current King is a good person, and will possibly become a major antagonist.
* The motivations of the Raiders is still unknown. It is possible that the Raiders are working under the King to eliminate Word Wielders as hired assassins, possibly to prevent a prophecy from being fulfilled which would unseat the King.
* Since history is written by the victors, it is plausible that the Word Wielders were the reason that the war began and that they lost, which would explain why Theodore said that the legal history books available to the public are nothing but fabricated tales rife with lies, and why anything related to Word Wielders is outlawed.
* Theodore, a known rebel against the King who sides with the Word Wielders, enjoys a novel titled, "The Raisins of Rage." This novel is a parody of the real life classic novel, "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck, which was published in 1939. The theme of the novel is proletarian, advocating social change, and is considered to be controversial, banned in many places. This detail might imply that Theodore hopes for social change in his world.
* Eleanor tells Tilly that many people had their own train wagons during the "golden age." The golden age could be what the time prior to the war was referred to.

## Sacred Marker

The Sacred Marker is a symbol that resembles the letters "T" and "X" overlapping one another. This symbol is frequently seen throughout the game in many instances.

### Trivia

* The Sacred Marker symbol is seen in many of the game background screens, as well as on the metal grill covering the furnace of Tilly's steam boiler, on the Ornamental Screw, on the Old Pamphlet Snippet, the Honorable TX Cross and Striped Device, the Campfire Tales Badge and TX Badge, several book covers, and on the pink gems [Tilly Tokens] given for travelling.
* In the December 2023 Wendy's Winter Wonderland event, a mysterious man leaves a gift for Tilly which has wrapping paper that is decorated with holiday themed artistic depictions of the Sacred Marker.

### Speculation

* The "TX" letters of the Sacred Marker could stand for "Text Express."
	+ The words "Text Express" on the Number Plate and Old Tickets could be the name of a locomotive.
* The inclusion of the Sacred Marker symbols, which have been associated with Word Wielders in the past, may indicate that the mysterious holiday man is an ally of the Word Wielders.

### Gallery

The metal grill covering the furnace of the steam boiler.The Old Pamphlet Snippet #2.TX BadgeCampfire Tales BadgeSacred Marker darts with "TX" on the ends.A sacred Marker on the spine of a book.A gift with the Sacred Marker used to decorate the wrapping paper.
## Culture

### Cuisine

* Harvey and Dale use several fictional cooking ingredients, including carronions, cherubocca, orleander[sic] cabbage, peppolies, and peterparsley.
* The realm features some fictional dishes that are not found in our world, including all mongrape treats, fried platicoon egg on mudbread, and cooked Fire Rat prepared on a stick.
* The Platicoon egg on mudbread is among two of the only fictional food so far that has a canon flavour, with the aforementioned described as being spicy and sweet.
	+ The platicoon egg on mudbread visually resembles the real world dish called avocado and tomato toast.
* Mongrape-frumpling soup is described as being sweet and savoury.
	+ The soup is made with sausages, carronions, orleander[sic] cabbage, pepolies, flour, mongrapes, and various spices.
* Ducken eggs are used to make Eggnog in the realm.

#### Speculation

* A carronion is likely a spice similar to an onion.
* Orleander sounds similar to "oleander" except that oleander is toxic.
* Peppolies are visually similar to red peppers and may taste similar.
* Frumplings might be similar to soup dumplings, which could explain the flour that is needed for the recipe.

### Fashion

* Many women in the realm wear flowers behind their ears, or in their hair, as an accessory.
	+ The cultural significance of this has not been elaborated upon thus far.

### Cultural Sayings

This section is for aphorisms, apothegms, idioms, maxims, proverbs, similes, truisms and other culturally significant phrases.

* "Like the morning dew off a Goatler's back." (Quoted by Wendy)

### Superstitions

* If one sees a Goatler in the wild, then their loved ones' hearts and stomachs will become open for the coming bounty of love and food.
	+ This superstition originates from the Great White, of which Goatlers are indigenous to.

### Traditions

* Decorating an evergreen tree with lights and giving gifts are both done during wintertime holidays.

#### Speculation

* During the December 2023 Wendy's Winter Wonderland event, a mysterious man leaves a gift for Tilly. Despite never having met before, he knows Tilly's name, knows her location and knows that she has been helping people. This man may be a type of demigod or perhaps even a deity himself, since he demonstrates apparent omniscience. It's also possible that he is a mortal human who has simply heard stories of Tilly and was tipped off to her location.
	+ The aforementioned mysterious man has many characteristics in common with other wintertime holiday mythological figures. Examples include a rotund midsection, long beard, red attire, and a sleigh pulled by a *Cervidae* type animal. Similar real life mythical persons include Ded Moroz (Father Frost) [4500 BCE], Père Noël [280 AD], Sinterklaas [4th Century], La Befana [13th Century], Olentzero [16th Century], Jólasveinar (Yulemen) [17th Century], Nisse [19th Century; 1840], and Mikulas [19th Century; 1850], to name a few.

### Regional Activities

* People of this universe use Ragnuts for recreational purposes, by attaching them to their feet in order to walk on water. This activity is called "Ragnutting." Ragnutters are able to glide across water very quickly while wearing Ragnuts and propelling themselves with a long pole.
	+ Ragnuts are large coconut like shells that come from an unspecified tree, likely nearby water given where they are found.
	+ Ragnutting can be done competitively, as there is a Ragnutting Society which involves Ragnutting contests where professional athletes vie for the title of champion.
* It is not uncommon for children to catch Hueflies with a butterfly net and then store them in a jar temporarily, eventually releasing them.

### Gallery

Cooked Fire Rat prepared on a stick.A carronion.Planted Peppolies.Plattycoon egg on mudbread.A net used to capture Hueflies.Hueflies captured in a jar.A decorated evergreen tree.Mysterious holiday man.The sled belonging to the mysterious holiday man.*Contribute any additional relevant content to help others find the information they need!*

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