Hearthian

**Hearthians** are a species native to Timber Hearth.

## Biology

Hearthians are a bipedal race of blue-skinned humanoids with four eyes and long ears. The sclera in Hearthians' eyes come in multiple colors, although shades of orange appear to be the most common throughout the species.

Their hands are composed of two fingers and a thumb. As Hearthians get older, their ears begin drooping. This appears to be the only visual sign of aging for Hearthians.

Despite their semi-aquatic nature, they are unable to breathe underwater.

## Culture

Hearthian culture is genderless and places a strong emphasis on community and exploration. The Village is an extremely close-knit community and the only Hearthian settlement in the Solar System. Every member of the Village seemingly knows each other by name and young Hearthians are encouraged to interact with older Hearthians in their community. Older Hearthians seem to still be involved with day-to-day activities. For instance, Tektite is one of the oldest Hearthians and even bears a prosthetic leg, yet is still in charge of firewatch on Timber Hearth.

Hearthians constructed an observatory to both study the Solar System and act as a museum to display artifacts and information retrieved from space exploration. The Hearthian space program is overseen by Outer Wilds Ventures. Outer Wilds Ventures was founded by Feldspar, Gossan, Slate and Hornfels with the goal of training new astronauts to explore the Solar System. Traditionally, every new recruit to Outer Wilds Ventures camps under the stars on the night before their first launch into Space. Astronauts who work for Outer Wilds Ventures can be found across the Solar System.

## Technology

Hearthian technology is, overall, somewhat primitive. On Timber Hearth, Hearthian structures are made out of wood and are often uneven and lopsided. They seem to have electricity, but are only able to use it for basic purposes, such as lighting, radio signals, cameras and projectors, presumably because they have yet to develop it any further.

When it comes to space travel, Hearthian technology is much more powerful and developed. This is because Hearthians used Nomai technology, scavenged from Nomai ruins, to develop their space-faring technology. However, even with Nomai technology built into them, the Hearthian ships, space suits and other pieces of equipment still retain the cobbled-together style seen in the Hearthian village. The ships are primarily made of wood, have asymmetrical designs and also house plants inside the cabin. Space suits are also extremely rugged and are held together with visible stitching and tape.

## History

Much of Hearthian history is largely unknown. Hearthians evolved from aquatic creatures that once lived within the flooded caves of Timber Hearth. While their species was too young to remember it at that point, prehistoric Hearthians were once visited by the Nomai following their arrival in the Solar System. The Nomai took extreme care when mining Timber Hearth for resources as to not disturb the Hearthians' ancient predecessors dwelling there.

At one point, The Interloper arrived in the Solar System, bringing with it the deadly Ghost Matter, which wiped out all life in the Solar System. The Nomai present in the Solar System were all killed. The prehistoric Hearthians were spared, most likely due to the deadly effects of Ghost Matter having no effect underwater.

Eventually, over an unknown period of time, the Hearthians evolved into bipedal creatures capable of complex thought and speech. The evolved Hearthians did not require water in order to survive and began living on the surface of Timber Hearth. They settled inside a large crater and constructed a village. Later on, Hearthians began exploring the Solar System after discovering Nomai technology, which allowed them to build ships capable of space travel.

## Fate

The Hearthian race evolved at a point in time when the Universe was beginning to die. By the time they began to understand more about the Solar System, stars within the night sky began to slowly go supernova. Eventually, the Hearthians' sun goes supernova, with the ensuing explosion encompassing the Solar System and killing every Hearthian. While their deaths were prevented for a time due to the Nomai's Ash Twin Project, the core was eventually removed and the project was disabled. Upon the final supernova of the sun, all but one of the Hearthians in the solar system are killed. The player then becomes the only Hearthian remaining, provided they actually warped with the Vessel.

If the player is able to reach the Eye of the Universe and interact with it before 22 minutes has passed, then the Hearthians, alongside the rest of the universe, would've been wiped out by the ensuing Big Bang.

## List of Known Hearthians

* The Protagonist
* Arkose
* Chert
* Esker
* Hal
* Hornfels
* Feldspar
* Gabbro
* Galena
* Gneiss
* Gossan
* Marl
* Mica
* Moraine
* Porphy
* Riebeck
* Rutile
* Slate
* Spinel
* Tektite
* Tephra
* Tuff

## Notes & Trivia

* Most Hearthians are named after types of rocks or geological terms.
* If you shoot a scout at a Hearthian, they will cower in fear for a few seconds.
* Riebeck is the only known Hearthian to have more than two fingers on each hand. This was likely done in order to have their banjo playing more plausible. Although, from a story standpoint, it could imply Hearthians are capable of growing more than the standard two fingers seen throughout their species.