Aether Ridge

**Aether Ridge** is a Rain World mod created by kaeporo. It features a derelict desalination rig to the north of Sky Islands\*. Aether Ridge is a massive, sprawling complex with light "metroidvania" aspects. Players will navigate harsh winds and acidic brine pools as they traverse over 200 new rooms. This mod will also add new collectibles to the game.

\*Requires further description, if not (better) photos leading to the entrance.

## **Notable Areas**

* Aerial Tramway
* Blast Deck
* Brine Pool
* Ridgeworks
* Cold Storage
* Desalination
* Heat Ducts
* Thermal Relay
* The Surface

## Lore Pearls

Aether Ridge contains 12 lore pearls, all can be read by moon for unique dialog.

Tiger Orange Pearl: "These are error logs from the local platform. They are quite damaged. I will read them to you. 1950A787 - Tram System Alpha - Service Status - Offline 951C988 - Warning - High density solution is at maximum capacity 1961A991 - Warning - Excess heat build up in central duct 964C991 - Note: Central bank in error state. Request operator reset I would shut it down but the controls have been locked out."

Hot Pink Pearl: "This pearl contains no data. If it held information, it has since been corrupted. The surface appears to be etched with an impression of... you? It is a bit crude - I suppose. I would like to hold onto it. Is that possible?"

Olive Pearl: "This contains 71000 lines of text. Shipping logs. Agricultural data. That sort of thing. A sizable order of crystalized lipidic phased material was placed about halfway down. The requesting authority for this delivery has been masked. Very unusual. This file also includes technical drawing for industrial plants. Feed hoppers - cryogenic vacuum flasks - these were added within the last five cycles."

Teal Pearl: "This is a highly advanced design. I have seldom seen anything like it! Pearls of this complexity were used to evaluate pre-Iterator era engineers as a rite of passage. Simpler designs were sometimes gifted to children - as a sort of puzzle box. I'm sorry - reading this is beyond my ability. I cannot open it without an associated cipher key. ...please forgive me."

Dark Blue Pearl: "1711.280 - PRIVATE Five Pebbles, Seven Red Suns

SRS: You've become quite popular. And yet you refuse an audience!

5P: What exactly is your point?

SRS: Point is - your neighbor has been nagging me about... that thing we spoke of in confidence.

5P: Well... there's not much I can do about it at this point - probably better if she doesn't know.

5P: I've been working on ways to buy us more time.

SRS: I'm sure her safety is of your utmost concern."

"This appears to be the first half of their conversation."

Purple Pearl: "This is part of a conversation between Five Pebbles and his friend. I will read it to you.

5P: I could use your help with something.

SRS: Alright. I can probably find a break in my busy schedule. Kidding. Go ahead.

FP: I found samples outside one of our cans - inside SA-91 of all places.

FP: Its the perfect place to resolve some lingering questions - considering the environment.

SRS: And yet you have been locked out of the controls. Do you intend to share your gift with the others?

FP: Not yet."

Pine Green Pearl: "This is quite a long read. It concerns the structure near me - which seems to pull at something deep within my conscious. I will parse a small section for you. "...that this Conglomerate should, in its Noblest of Pursuits, extend to (to the Carrion scurrying about GS-Alpha) an offer far exceeding their valuation - speaks to the urgency of our most Essential Task. And yet! No other can provide the machinery required of this Service Annex (at said asking point). I surmise the obsolescence of our Primary Function will provide a great expanse for such pioneering. Replication of their technologies would cost only time - which we have in excess. Cross such thoughts from your mind! It has been tried - for every attempt, a failure. It is simply too foreign for Any Measure of Compatibility. ...and so, it is. To reach an impasse with such vermin nests in me a Stench of Impurity. May this plant, Steeped in Decay, seep its contents Below the Earth, far Beneath our Temples, to disquiet eternity itself. There appears to have been some disagreement. The constant chirping of such discourse was deafening back when they were still around. Their parting gift of silence rings louder in us than a hundred million of our vacuum tubes. Do not worry, little creature. Although it pains us - we were made to listen."

Sky Blue Pearl: "...the coefficients of each test were then estimated using correlated data points. The samples shown today were subjected to fluctuations in atmospheric pressure and temperature. You may have observed minor imperfections in terms of cell structure. None resulted in cell death. The body is a structure much like any fabricated from metal. With the right compound - it can be eroded." These appear to be minutes recorded from a speaker on ridge regression. I was unable to find their name. I don't think they will be much use to you - or anyone, really, at this point."

Dark Green Pearl: "These are maintenance records from a desalination system - the local platform - to be precise. It seems Five Pebbles has kept things in working order. Primary systems - such as those driving my servos - are cooled using free-flowing water to dissipate heat. Unfortunately, this design does not accommodate the smaller bore pipes used in older systems. These pipes would often freeze - slowing or disabling non-vital functions. Salt water is extracted from the ground and distilled to create a lower density solution. This solution is then mixed into our reservoirs to slightly lower the freezing point. This fluid is inherently corrosive so they should have all been shut down. Why is this one still active? Either way - a creature like you should avoid such places. You would shrivel up in an instant!"

Yellow: "This is a highly degraded archive. I can just barely make out a handful of files about halfway down. The clearest of which hazards against the open storage of electronics due to greywater runoff. Heated vapors are described as pooling on unfinished ceilings before cooling and coalescing into rock. An accompanying image shows several service tunnels - they appear quite cavernous. The local platform was built into a block of this material. Sedimentary erosion must be a routine challenge. Without regular maintenance this structure will likely hollow. I'm surprised it's still standing."

Red: "These are detailed work plans to retrofit the carriages in a telescopic rail station with additional parts. Freight systems like these were a popular and scalable solution for hauling cargo onto service utility decks. The parts in question are refillable hoppers and direct line sensors. The sensors would simultaneously shut the newly added hoppers and seal the carriage for transport. At least - that's what they were intended to accomplish. I don't know if these were actually built. Anyway... This particular system is very large - it could even reach the ground when fully extended!"

Light Grey: "Oh? This is actually a small rock. It - is - very smooth and round but I cannot read this. Its too bad you had to come all this way for nothing. Have you been eating well? I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of sustenance. Although... I feel something else moving through my structure. Perhaps you could eat that? ... I don't receive many visitors. Still - thank you for this gift. I will keep it with the others."