Gabbro

*This article contains spoilers!* Outer Wilds and Echoes of the Eye should be played with minimal spoilers, knowing too much will hinder the experience!
Please play the game before reading any of this! (Or don't, I'm not your dad.)

## Gabbro

"So hey, don’t laugh, but I think I might have had some kind of spiritual experience with a rock shaped like a face."

### Location

Gabbro's Island

**Gabbro** is a Hearthian astronaut located at their camp on an island on Giant's Deep. They found multiple Nomai Statues and brought the statue the player character pairs to the observatory on Timber Hearth. They accidentally pair to one during the same loop as the player character, meaning they both experience the time loops but only remember starting at time loop 9,318,054. They play the flute.

Gabbro is friendly towards the protagonist and displays a very casual, laid-back attitude, although based on their knowledge about quantum mechanics and their musings about the time loop, they seem to be a competent and clever astronaut. According to Spinel, “Gabbro can be a little fanciful, sure, but they aren't a liar. I mean, probably, anyway.”

Selecting their dialogue option "How do you stay so calm in the face of repeated impending death?", which is unlocked on the third loop and after having already talked to Gabbro in a precedent loop, teaches the protagonist how to meditate to end the current loop early and adds the meditation option in the pause menu.

## Dialogue

### First Loop

#### Initial conversation

* "Nice, it’s you. Good to see you made it here in one piece. The first solo launch is a doozy, isn’t it?
So hey, don’t laugh, but I think I might have had some kind of spiritual experience with a rock shaped like a face."
	+ **>...What?**
		- "One of the islands on Giant’s Deep has a Nomai statue on the beach - ever seen one? I brought one back to Timber Hearth with me. Big stone sculpture of a Nomai’s head, three eyes and everything. Beautifully carved, too.
		So one minute I’m standing on an island looking at a Nomai sculpture on the beach, and the next thing I know, it’s looking back at me, glowing.
		The sculpture replays everything I’ve just done, like it’s been watching me through my own eyes, you know? And then suddenly it stops and everything’s normal again."
			* **>That happened to me at the observatory.**
				+ "You too, huh?
				It didn’t seem bad, just... weird? Were we the only ones who saw that happen?
				I tried radioing Hornfels and asking them about it, but they told me I must have just nodded off out here and gotten confused.
				Then we talked about dreams until Hornfels told me to go refill my oxygen tank before I talked myself to death.
				So that’s what’s new with me. But hey, this is your first solo voyage! Let’s talk about you, you know?"
					- Question menu
	+ **>Me too!**
		- "You’re saying the statue I brought to the museum started glowing at you? Yeah, sounds about right.
		One minute I’m standing on an island looking at a Nomai sculpture on the beach, and the next thing I know, it’s looking back at me, glowing.
		It replays everything I’ve just done, like it’s been watching me through my own eyes, you know? And then suddenly it stops and everything’s normal again.
		It didn’t seem bad, just... weird? Were we the only ones who saw that happen?
		I tried radioing Hornfels and asking them about it, but they told me I must have just nodded off out here and gotten confused.
		Then we talked about dreams until Hornfels told me to go refill my oxygen tank before I talked myself to death.
		So that’s what’s new with me. But hey, this is your first solo voyage! Let’s talk about you, you know?"
			* Question menu

#### Followup conversation

* "Have you ever stared at a cyclone for so long, it started to hypnotize you? I’m telling you, they’ll pull you into a trance if you look at ’em long enough."
	+ Question menu

#### Question menu

* "How’s space treating you?"
	+ **>What are you doing out here?**
		- "Well, what are any of us doing here, really?
		...Nah, I’m just kidding. I’m out here exploring our solar system, same as you.
		But I tell you what, outer space really gives you room to think. It’s quiet and peaceful out here.
		I mean, it’s usually quiet and peaceful. Sometimes a cyclone comes by and lifts my little island paradise clean out of the water. Then: less peaceful."
			* Question menu
	+ **>Where should I explore on Giant’s Deep?**
		- "Here’s something you might like — I saw a bright flash in the sky not too long ago. Something must have happened up there in orbit around the planet.
		What else, what else... Have you been to Statue Island? That’s what I’ve been calling it, seeing as it’s the *island* where I found the glowing Nomai *statue*. ...Get it?
		I was on the beach on Statue Island when the whole glowy business happened, by the way. It’s a nice beach for that kind of thing. I give it a solid 7 out of 10 on the Gabbro Relaxation Scale.
		If you feel like checking out Statue Island, it’s the one with two islands connected by a natural rock arch. Well... mostly connected, anyway. You’ll see."
			* Question menu
	+ **>What’s up with this planet?**
		- "Haha, I know, right?
		...Oh, you meant, like, tell you more about it? I gotcha. Well, Giant’s Deep is massive, and mostly water. No surprises there.
		There’s a strong current a ways beneath the surface that prevents anything from sinking below it. Seriously, I tried everything I could think of to get past that current, and neither idea worked.
		As for land masses, I’ve counted four islands, including this one. There’s also the one with that Nomai statue I saw on the beach.
		You’ve seen the cyclones? Yeah, they’re hard to miss. They’ll toss up everything in their path, islands included. Little tip — if you get picked up, try to land in water. Less likely to kill you."
			* Question menu
	+ **>Where’s your ship?**
		- "That’s a good question.
		It’s definitely on this planet *some*where. I mean, unless a cyclone came by and tossed it into space, I guess. Heh, that would be pretty nuts.
		I hope it’s not lonely."
		- (If asked again) "An excellent question. I haven’t seen it around lately.
		I hope it’s not lonely."
	+ **>See you later.**
		- "Cool, cool. Take it easy out there."

### Second Loop (if talked on first)

* “Okay, here’s a weird one for you — I think I might have just, like, died? Somehow? I tried radioing Hornfels at the observatory to ask them about it, but they’re convinced I fell asleep out here and had a nightmare or something. Do you remember, y’know, dying a few minutes ago? Maybe?”
	+ **>Oh yeah, we definitely died.**
		- “Okay, cool, that’s what I thought. It was all way too vivid to be a dream. I radioed Hornfels again to ask if they had died, too, but I’m pretty sure they thought I was being metaphorical. Well, if you remember dying, then I guess I didn’t just fall asleep and have a weird dream or something. But stars above, what’s going on, then? And then there was that thing with the Nomai statue earlier… Come to think of it, when I died, I saw what I’m pretty sure were my memories going backward, just like the time with that statue. Do you think the Nomai statues are related to us dying somehow? So… we died, but we aren’t dead? That’s pretty unusual for Hearthians. I am going to need to do some serious thinking before I come up with any theories. Maybe I’ll have figured something out by the next time you come by.”
	+ **>I think we’re the only ones who know.**
		- “Yeah, I radioed Hornfels again to ask if they had died, too, but I’m pretty sure they thought I was being metaphorical. Well, if you remember dying, then I guess I didn’t just fall asleep and have a weird dream or something. But stars above, what’s going on, then? And then there was that thing with the Nomai statue earlier… Come to think of it, when I died, I saw what I’m pretty sure were my memories going backward, just like the time with that statue. Do you think the Nomai statues are related to us dying somehow? So… we died, but we aren’t dead? That’s pretty unusual for Hearthians. I am going to need to do some serious thinking before I come up with any theories. Maybe I’ll have figured something out by the next time you come by.”

“So what’s up?”

(talking again): “Hey again. If you feel like roasting a mallow, feel free to use my campfire. It’s just up the path a little ways.”

### Third Loop (if talked on first/second)

* “I was hoping you’d be back — something *really* weird is going on.”
	+ **>Do you think we’re in a time loop?**
		- “Yeah, a time loop makes the most sense, right? Or at least, it’s some kind of fidgety time business. Hard to say what’s happening to the shape of time, exactly, but let’s go with “loop” for now. So it looks like you and I are the only ones who know we’re in a time loop. And even if you tell them about it, no one remembers by the next loop. What’s with that? Maybe it’s because we both made some seriously intense eye contact with a Nomai statue? I’m seeing my memories replay each time I die, just like I did when the Nomai statue on the beach opened its eyes and looked at me. So maybe… no glowing statue, no time loop awareness? I think that’s going to be my leading theory, but if you find out anything new about the statues or the time loop, let me know, okay? I’ll be here.”
	+ **>We’re definitely in a time loop.**
		- Oh. Yeah, that makes sense. Cool.
			* >**You're taking this pretty well**
				+ (see third loop or later, if not talked before)
			* **>What did you think it was?**
				+ I figured it'd be some kind of fidgety time business, but I wasn't really thinking about what's happening to the shape of time, you know? But a loop makes sense here. Let's go with "loop" for now.

(talking again): “Hey, my time buddy’s back! So what’s new?”

### Second Loop (if not talked before)

* “Nice, it’s you. Good to see you made it here in once piece. The first solo launch is a doozy, isn’t it? So hey, don’t laugh, but I think I might have just, like, died? Somehow? Do you remember, y’know, dying a few minutes ago? Maybe?”
	+ **>Oh yeah, we definitely died.**
		- “Okay, cool, that’s what I thought. It was all way too vivid to be a dream. I radioed Hornfels again to ask if they had died, too, but I’m pretty sure they thought I was being metaphorical. Well, if you remember dying, then I guess I didn’t just fall asleep and have a weird dream or something. I dunno what’s going on, though. Today’s been weird. Like, I was on a different island earlier, right? I was on the beach looking at one of those big stone statues of a Nomai head, and the next thing I know, it’s looking back at me, glowing. The sculpture replays everything I’ve just done, like it’s been watching me through my own eyes, you know? And then suddenly it stops and everything’s normal again.”
			* **>That happened to me at the observatory.**
				+ “You too, huh? Come to think of it, when I died, I saw what I’m pretty sure were my memories going backward, just like that time with the statue. Do you think the Nomai statues are related to us dying somehow? And another thing — we died, but we aren’t dead? That’s pretty unusual for Hearthians.”
			* **>I think we’re the only ones who know.**

“Well, that’s what’s new with me. But hey, this is your first solo voyage! Let’s talk about you, you know? How’s space treating you?”

### Third Loop or Later (if not talked before)

* “Nice, it’s you. Good to see you made it here in once piece. The first solo launch is a doozy, isn’t it? So hey, don’t freak out or anything, but lately I keep, like, dying repeatedly. I dunno, it’s pretty weird. What about you? Have you died lately, or is it just me?”
	+ **>No, it’s me, too. We’re in a time loop.**
		- “Time *has* been behaving unusually lately. Yeah, a time loop makes sense. Cool.”
			* **>You’re taking this pretty well.**
				+ “Heh, right back at you. Personally, I like new experiences, and I’ve never been in a time loop before. I mean, I don’t *think* I’ve been in a time loop before this one. It looks like you and I are the only ones who can tell that time’s gone all weird. I tried radioing Hornfels and asking if they’d died, too, but they thought I was being metaphorical. Even if I tell Hornfels about the time loop, they never remember by the next one. They don’t realize anything’s different. And here’s another weird one for you — every time I die, all of my memories from that loop replay back to me. I’m pretty sure that’s related to this big stone Nomai statue I found on one of the other islands. I was looking at it, and the statue opened its eyes and started glowing. It replayed my memories like it’d seen them through my own eyes, just like what happens each time I die.”
					- **>That happened to me with the statue at the museum.**
						* “You too, huh? Then the Nomai statues must have something to do with why we’re the only ones aware of the time loop. So… no glowing statue, no time loop awareness? I think that’s going to be my leading theory, but if you find out anything new about the statues or the time loop, let me know, okay? I’ll be here.”
			* **>What did you think it was?**

“Anyway, that’s what’s new with me. But hey, this is your first solo voyage! ...Kind of! Let’s talk about you, you know? How’s space treating you?”

### Third Loop or Later (if talked before)

“Heyo, time buddy. It’s a good thing I never get bored of rain, huh?” or

“If it isn’t my time buddy! How’s space treating you this loop?” or

“A few loops ago, a cyclone came by and tossed my little island into space. Dying like that was kind of unpleasant.” or

“You know, I kind of wish I'd built a hammock here before we ended up in this time loop.” or

“Hey, time pal! Nice weather we're having, huh? ...Wait. Have I used that one before?”

(talking again):

"Hello again. ...Again."

* "What's up?"
	+ **>I found something!**
		- “Nice, nice. Whatcha got for me?”
			* **>I found your quantum poem.**
				+ “Yeah, the one in the woods, I remember writing that. Pretty fun, right? It works out to be a good 24 poems. When I’m done exploring, I want to make some more quantum art. Maybe some kind of creature sculpture that just, like, shows up and scares the daylights out of you.”
			* **>I reached the inside of Statue Island.**
				+ “So the Nomai created those head statues to record memories, huh? ...Yeah, I could see the Nomai doing that. Not sure what for, but it seems like their sort of thing. Do you think the statues are recording our memories, then? ‘Cause I remember that one on the beach looked at me funny. That must be my memory-friend!”
			* **>I found the source of the time loop.**
				+ “Wait, whoa, really? The Nomai carved out the Ash Twin and built a time loop device inside? ...That is *wild.* Now we know what’s causing the loop, then. And… if it’s caused by a device, that must mean it had to be switched on, right? Huh… Hey, what do you think would happen if you turned off the time loop? Like, there’s a part of me thinks maybe you shouldn’t, what with the sun blowing up and all. Then again, who wants to spend eternity being blown up by the sun? Well, I’m no time loop expert. I’m just gonna sit here and ponder the intricacies of time and space. Maybe take a nap, too, if I feel like it.”
			* **>I found Nomai masks inside the Ash Twin Project.**
				+ “You’re saying the statues were made so memories could be sent back in time? I guess that makes sense, considering we both have our memories of every loop we’ve gone through. Wait, then it’s just our memories being sent back in time to us, right? Then… are we really experiencing multiple time loops, or not? That’s pretty deep… Like, maybe our consciousnesses have been through all these loops, but maybe our bodies haven’t, because technically the loops never happened. Meaning we’re receiving memories of things that will never happen to us. Cool, huh?”
			* **>I found what happened to the Orbital Probe Cannon.**
				+ “Whoa, that’s the cannon breaking apart at the start of each time loop? For real? Did you figure out why?”
					- **Too much power. / Overenthusiasm.**
						* “...It’s kind of scary how much that sounds like something Slate or Feldspar would do. I’m pretty surprised the Nomai built something that actually broke! Come to think of it, though, “broke” might be the wrong word. Because it looks like the Orbital Probe Cannon is still firing successfully at the beginning of each time loop.”
			* **>I found a photo of you inside the old radio tower.** (if *Echoes of the Eye* is installed)
				+ "Nice. Did I look busy in it? I hope I looked busy./Yeah, you mentioned that before. Did I look busy in it? *(if asked about before)*
				 Must have been from the time Hornfels sent me to check on the deep space satellite. They thought Ol’ Spacey might be malfunctioning, but I couldn’t find a single thing wrong with it.
				 Which is probably how it got a shot of my beautiful be-helmeted face, come to think of it. I always thought it was kinda sweet that the best way to find Ol’ Spacey is to use a map that’s generated by the satellite itself, isn’t it? Like it’s inviting us to visit. Good ol’ deep space satellite, always making sure we know where we’re going."
					- **>Why’d Hornfels think it was broken?**
						* "Dunno. Hornfels probably told me why, but Hornfels tells me lots of things, and sometimes I tune out. Or pretend there’s signal interference and I can’t hear them.
						 Best guess says the deep space satellite must have sent Timber Hearth some weird pictures, but like… what’s considered “weird” for a satellite, you know?
						 Anyway, if you ever want to visit Ol’ Spacey, fastest way is to jump into your ship and use your solar system map to lock on to the satellite, same as you would any astral body."
					- **>Um. “Ol’ Spacey”?**
						* "I mean, the satellite’s not *super* old, but it’s hardly brand-new. “Ol’” is more a term of affection. ...You’re being very literal-minded about this.
						 Ol’ Spacey likes visitors, you know! Fastest way to find it is to jump into your ship and use your solar system map to lock on to our faithful satellite friend, same as you would any astral body."
					- **>I have a map?!**
						* "Yeah, um, the one that’s standard with all our spacesuits? The one you have with you at all times that opens with the press of a button? …That map?
						 You didn’t get conked on the head by a rock or a meteorite or something on your way here, did you? No shame in that. Happens to me all the time!
						 In case you were hit especially hard, don’t forget that you can jump into your ship and use your solar system map to lock on to any astral body. It’s the easiest way to visit Ol’ Spacey, too.
			* **>Actually, nevermind.**
				+ “No worries. Feel free to let me know when you do find something cool, though. You know where to find me.”
	+ **>How do you stay so calm in the face of repeated impending death?**
		- “Deep breaths… no, seriously, I meditate. Want me to teach you? It’ll be the next loop before you know it.”
			* **>Sure, why not.** (ends current loop and unlocks meditation option in pause menu)
				+ “Ok, close your eyes…”
			* **>Nah, I’m good.**
				+ “Ok, let me know if you change your mind. Time flies when you’re in a deep, meditative trance.”
	+ **>What are you doing out here?**
		- “Well, what are any of us doing here, really? ...Nah, I’m just kidding. I’m out here exploring our solar system, same as you. But I tell you what, outer space really gives you room to think. It’s quiet and peaceful out here. I mean, it’s usually quiet and peaceful. Sometimes a cyclone comes by and lifts my little island paradise clean out of the water. Then: less peaceful.”
	+ **>Where should I explore on Giant’s Deep?**
		- “Here’s something you might like — at the start of every time loop, I keep seeing a bright flash in the sky at the start of every loop. Something must be happening up there in orbit around the planet. What else, what else… Have you been to Statue Island? That’s what I’ve been calling it, seeing as it’s the *island* where I found the glowing Nomai *statue.* ...Get it? I was on the beach on Statue Island when the whole glowy business happened, by the way. It’s a nice beach for that kind of thing. I give it a solid 7 out of 10 on the Gabbro Relaxation Scale. If you feel like checking out Statue Island, it’s the one with two islands connected by a natural rock arch. Well… mostly connected, anyway. You’ll see.”
	+ **>What’s up with this planet?**
		- “Haha, I know, right? ...Oh, you meant, like, tell you more about it? I gotcha. Well, Giant’s Deep is massive, and mostly water. No surprises there. There’s a strong current a ways beneath the surface that prevents anything from sinking below it. Seriously, I tried everything I could think of to get past that current, and neither idea worked. As for land masses, I’ve counted four islands, including this one. There’s also the one with that Nomai statue I saw on the beach. You’ve seen the cyclones? Yeah, they’re hard to miss. They’ll toss up everything in their path, islands included. Little tip — if you get picked up, try to land in water. Less likely to kill you.”
	+ **>Where’s your ship?**
		- “That’s a good question. It’s definitely on this planet *somewhere.* I mean, unless a cyclone came by and tossed it into space, I guess. Heh, that would be pretty nuts. I hope it’s not lonely.”
	+ **>See you later.**
		- “Cool, cool. Take it easy out there.”

### Ending

“Hey, time pal. So you’re getting the band back together, huh? Go on, go find the others. I’ll be here. You don’t need me yet, but you will.”
(after all travelers have been gathered):
* “What do you say, time buddy? Ready to start the music?”
	+ **>Yes.**
		- “Heh, this should be cool.”
	+ **>Not yet.**
		- “No rush, I’m not going anywhere.”

After Campfire Song
“I tell you what, this has been really fun. And I got to help make something pretty cool, so I’ve got no complaints. I mean, not me, exactly, but close enough. It’s the kind of thing that makes you glad you stopped and smelled the pine trees along the way, you know?”

## Notes & Trivia

* 'Gabbro' is a type of igneous rock.
* The flute playing is in very low pitch, making it hard to hear even with the signalscope.
* If you talk to Gabbro on the first loop, you'll get unique dialogue.
* Gabbro is the author of the poem found in the Quantum Grove on Timber Hearth.

## Gallery

* Gabbro's spaceship, floating in the water near the cyclone around the north pole.