Talos-II
| “ | Humanity's history on Talos-II is an arduous journey filled with tribulations. Since the day we first set foot upon Talos-II, this world embraced us, yet did everything she could to push us away. Humanity fought hard for every inch to reach where we are today. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Talos-II is our home. | ” |
| —Perlica |
Talos-II (Chinese: 塔卫二) is the primary setting of Arknights: Endfield. Although commonly considered a planet by its inhabitants, Talos-II is in fact the second moon of the gas giant Talos.
Overview
| “ | The pioneers from Terra re-opened the Æthergate and first stepped foot upon this moon 152 years ago. Talos-II has a nitrogen-rich atmosphere, enough oxygen for life, and sufficient greenhouse gases to keep it warm. However, the alien sun and the massive gas giant that looms in the skies are constant reminders for the pioneers and the countless light-years that exist between their current location and their distant homes.
Fortunately, the great mountain ranges, crisscrossing river systems, and rich vegetation cover gave rise to a rather resilient biosphere. After the Aethergate collapsed, the Terrans survived on Talos-II for well over a century. Natural resources have been essential to supporting the livelihood of local populations. For generations, the stranded Terrans and their descendants built and expanded various outposts and towns across this new world and created footholds for civilization. According to astronomical observations, there are an undisclosed number of natural satellites besides Talos-II orbiting around the gas giant, but only the latter is habitable. Given the unique position of Talos-II in this star system as well as the presence of the Æthergate, we have reasons to believe that this habitable environment was not a coincidental gift of the Universe. | ” |
| —"Talos-II", Nexus Files |
Features
Aurora of Talos-II
| “ | During the very first hour after the First Aggeloi War broke out, Endfield Industries received numerous witness reports of strange cascading veils of light appearing in northern Talos-II. The full extent of this band of light looming above the cloud ceiling was only documented after the successful launch of OMV Dijiang into the artificial orbit. For over a hundred years afterwards, people continued to call this band of light the Aurora of Talos-II.
According to mainstream belief, the Aurora of Talos-II comprises 2 parts. The first being the lower portion of the Aurora that exhibits structural and energy profiles similar to those of the Terran Starpod, essentially making this lower portion the Auroral Barrier (though this assumption remains controversial). Fortunately, the Auroral Barrier only surrounds the north polar region and several isolated pockets of Talos-II and does not envelope the entire world like it did on Terra. The second part is the Æther Tide that stretches from the ceiling and origin of the Auroral Barrier to its outer envelope. This Tide would appear as the static Aurora visible to the unaided eye. Æther bursts and flares occur on a regular basis within the Aurora as it spreads from the north pole of Talos-II, leaving powerful Active Blight phenomena in wake. For the last century or so, multiple attempts to approach the polar north with auto-drones have failed. No orbital deployment systems have succeeded in breaching the Auroral Barrier, and no low altitude aerial vehicles are capable of surviving the intense Auroral Blight. Hosts of Aggeloi active in the Auroral Region are extremely protective of areas surrounded by the veils of light. It is essentially impossible to traverse these areas by land. The Terran aurora is a natural phenomenon only visible in northern Ursus and Sami. However, Talosians have realized that the Aurora of Talos-II is a ticking clock for humanity's existence on this moon. | ” |
| —"Aurora of Talos-II", Nexus Files |
Ætherside
Main article: Ætherside
Blight
Main article: Blight
Regions
As of the Closed Beta Test, there are currently 2 regions that can be visted on Talos-II:
Trivia
- The name Talos originates from Greek mythology, where it refers to a man of bronze who guarded the island of Crete.