Don't Starve Wiki
Register
Don't Starve Wiki
(add a speculation of Wickerbottom's missing; add the 1910 exposition universelle)
Tag: Visual edit
(Added Wendy's diary entry and a gallery section)
(11 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Notice|text=This page contains '''major spoilers''' for the plot of ''Don't Starve'' and ''Don't Starve Together'' as well as the story details of puzzles. Read at your own risk.}}
+
{{Notice|text=This page contains '''major spoilers''' for the plot of ''Don't Starve'' and ''Don't Starve Together'' as well as the story details of puzzles. Read at your own risk.}}The '''Story Line''' of ''[[Don't Starve]]'' is not just contained within [[Adventure Mode]]. The developers have expanded the lore through supplemental material such as animated promotional videos or hidden puzzles. Some clues can also be gleaned from [[Quotes|character quotes]]. The Story Line continues in ''[[Don't Starve Together]]'', the sequel to ''Don't Starve''.
<br>
 
{{Stub}}
 
The '''Story Line''' of ''[[Don't Starve]]'' is not just contained within [[Adventure Mode]]. The developers have expanded the lore through supplemental material such as animated promotional videos or hidden puzzles. Some clues can also be gleaned from [[Quotes|character quotes]]. The Story Line continues in ''[[Don't Starve Together]]'', the sequel to ''Don't Starve''.
 
   
In 2014, Klei developer Kevin Forbes<ref name="timeline">[https://forums.kleientertainment.com/topic/40533-will-there-be-anything-more-for-puzzlesbackstory-after-intermission/?do=findComment&comment=541083 Thread with Kevin's timeline post (on page 2)], originally posted on September 25, 2014</ref> posted a rough timeline for ''Don't Starve''. This page will incorporate this, however as it has been many years since this post, its accuracy can be questioned. For instance, this post was written before the reveal of ''[[Shipwrecked]]''.
+
On September 25, 2014, Klei developer Kevin Forbes<ref name="timeline">[https://forums.kleientertainment.com/topic/40533-will-there-be-anything-more-for-puzzlesbackstory-after-intermission/?do=findComment&comment=541083 Thread with Kevin's timeline post (on page 2)], originally posted on September 25, 2014</ref> posted a rough canonical timeline for ''Don't Starve''. This page will incorporate this, however as it has been many years since this post, its accuracy can be questioned. For instance, this post was written before the reveal of ''[[Don't Starve: Shipwrecked|Shipwrecked]]''.
   
 
{{see also|William Carter Puzzles|Forbidden Knowledge Trailer Puzzle|Cyclum Puzzles|Metheus Puzzles}}
 
{{see also|William Carter Puzzles|Forbidden Knowledge Trailer Puzzle|Cyclum Puzzles|Metheus Puzzles}}
   
 
== Pre-Game Events ==
 
== Pre-Game Events ==
  +
* 1873 - The Old Mill crossing is constructed.<ref name="puzzle4">[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/4/dark-enlightenment.html William Carter Puzzle #4: Papers in the desert]</ref>
 
  +
* 1890s - 1906: Time period of William Carter's origin story.<ref name="timeline"/>
* July 26, 1901: [[William Carter]], a stage performer, departs from Liverpool, England aboard a ship named ''Quest'' to move to the United States.<ref>[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/1/all-aboard.html William Carter Puzzle #1: William's Inspection card]</ref>
 
** In America, William Carter tries to make a living as a stage performer.<ref>[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/2/abracadabra.html William Carter Puzzle #2: William Carter the Magician poster]</ref> However, he finds himself in debt. He receives a postcard from a relative named Jack, who lives on the West Coast.<ref>[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/3/hard-times.html William Carter Puzzle #3: William's desk papers]</ref>
+
** July 26, 1901: [[William Carter]], a stage performer, departs from Liverpool, England aboard a ship named ''Quest'' to move to the United States.<ref>[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/1/all-aboard.html William Carter Puzzle #1: William's Inspection card]</ref>
  +
*** In America, William Carter tries to make a living as a stage performer.<ref>[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/2/abracadabra.html William Carter Puzzle #2: William Carter the Magician poster]</ref> However, he finds himself in debt. He receives a postcard from his brother, Jack, who lives on the West Coast.<ref>[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/3/hard-times.html William Carter Puzzle #3: William's desk papers]</ref>
 
* August 15, 1904: Someone, presumably William, buys a ticket for a train going from New York City, New York to San Fransisco, California.<ref name="puzzle4">[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/4/dark-enlightenment.html William Carter Puzzle #4: Papers in the desert]</ref>
+
** August 15, 1904: William buys a ticket for a train going from New York City, New York to San Francisco, California.<ref name="puzzle4"/>
 
** August 23, 1904: ''The Daily Speaker'' newspaper has a story about a passenger train striking an Abernethy & Parker Circus wagon at the Old Mill crossing. Dozens are injured and one man is missing and presumed dead. Based on his description, the man is most likely William Carter. This is the third incident at this crossing since its construction in 1873.<ref name="puzzle4"/>
 
  +
*** After the train accident, William writes a postcard to Jack from North Fork, Nevada, in which he reveals he is alive and that he has found a [[Codex Umbra|book]] containing "terrifying new possibilities." <ref name="puzzle4"/>
* August 23, 1904: ''The Daily Speaker'' newspaper has a story about a passenger train striking an Abernethy & Parker Circus wagon at the Old Mill crossing. Dozens are injured and one man is missing and presumed dead. Based on his description, the man is most likely William Carter. This is the third incident at this crossing since its construction in 1873.<ref name="puzzle4"/>
 
  +
** June 6, 1905: William Carter requisitions advertisements in ''The San Francisco Call'' for a lady assistant. He appears to be working under a new name: "[[Maxwell]] The Great." He no longer wears glasses, and appears very confident. He is now living in San Francisco, California.<ref name="puzzle5">[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/5/ladies-and-gentlemen.html William Carter Puzzle #5: Maxwell the Great poster]</ref>
** After the train accident, William writes a postcard to Jack from North Fork, Nevada, in which he reveals he is alive and that he has found a [[Codex Umbra|book]] containing "terrifying new possibilities." He does not elaborate any more for fear of attracting "unwanted attention," assuring Jack he will tell him all about it when they meet. It is not certain that Jack ever got the postcard, nor that William ever met him. Note that in the image from which this information was gathered, the circus poster, newspaper, book page, and postcard appear to be sitting on the dry, cracked ground of a desert. The crash occurred in such a place, which was a reason for the difficulty in finding William after the crash.<ref name="puzzle4"/>
 
 
*** Maxwell appears to be holding rituals and summoning [[Shadow Creature|strange beings]]. He is writing notes about what he's seen.<ref name="puzzle5"/>
 
* June 6, 1905: William Carter requisitions advertisements in ''The San Fransisco Call'' for a lady assistant. He appears to be working under a new name: "[[Maxwell]] The Great." He no longer wears glasses, and appears very confident. He is now living in San Francisco, California.<ref name="puzzle5">[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/5/ladies-and-gentlemen.html William Carter Puzzle #5: Maxwell the Great poster]</ref>
+
*** Maxwell has acquired an assistant, [[Charlie]], and has become a very popular act. He is using the Shadow Creatures from his book as part of his performance. In a letter to Maxwell, Charlie talks about working on a new finale when she comes back from her [[Winona|sister's]] place.<ref>[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/6/charlie.html William Carter Puzzle #6: Maxwell and Charlie poster]</ref>
 
** April 17, 1906: The night before Maxwell and Charlie's last show, Charlie visits Maxwell's apartment. She finds his hidden room behind the fireplace. As she takes a look at his book, shadowy hands appear in the other room. They are vanquished by Maxwell who magically manifests from a photograph on the wall. Charlie uses her lantern to look at the walls of his secret room, where Maxwell has scribbled troubling words and strange symbols. Distressed by what she sees, she runs out of the apartment with his outfit. She leaves a letter revealing that he had been out of contact with her for days.<ref name="puzzle8">[[William Carter Puzzles#Eighth puzzle|William Carter Puzzle #8]]</ref>
** Maxwell appears to be holding rituals and summoning [[Shadow Creature|strange beings]]. He is writing notes about what he's seen.<ref name="puzzle5"/>
 
** Maxwell has acquired an assistant, [[Charlie]], and has become a very popular act. He is using the Shadow Creatures from his book as part of his performance. In a letter to Maxwell, Charlie talks about working on a new finale when she comes back from her [[Winona|sister's]] place.<ref>[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/6/charlie.html William Carter Puzzle #6: Maxwell and Charlie poster]</ref>
+
*** That night, Maxwell and Charlie perform their final act. Maxwell attempts to pull shadows from the book, but they try to pull him in. Multiple shadow hands emerge from the book, grabbing Maxwell and Charlie.<ref>[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/max/stage/1/grand-finale.html William Carter Puzzle #9: The Final Act video]</ref>
 
*** A Shadow Watcher stands in the ruined remains of Maxwell's apartment.<ref name="puzzle8"/>
 
 
*** Maxwell takes the [[Nightmare Throne]] becoming the "king" of [[The Constant]], bending it to his will and creating many creatures to inhabit it. Charlie becomes the [[Night Monster]].
* April 17, 1906: The night before Maxwell and Charlie's last show, Charlie visits Maxwell's apartment. She finds his hidden room behind the fireplace. As she takes a look at his book, shadowy hands appear in the other room. They are vanquished by Maxwell who magically manifests from a photograph on the wall. He appears exhausted afterwards. Charlie uses his lantern to look at the walls of his secret room, where Maxwell has scribbled troubling words and strange symbols. Distressed by what she sees, she runs out of the apartment with his outfit. She leaves a letter revealing that he had been out of contact with her for days.<ref name="puzzle8">[[William Carter Puzzles#Eighth puzzle|William Carter Puzzle #8]]</ref>
 
** That night, Maxwell and Charlie perform their final act. Maxwell attempts to pull shadows from the book, but they try to pull him in. Multiple shadow hands emerge from the book, grabbing Maxwell and Charlie.<ref>[http://www.dontstarvegame.com/science/mdocs/max/stage/1/grand-finale.html William Carter Puzzle #9: The Final Act video]</ref>
 
** A Shadow Watcher stands in the ruined remains of Maxwell's apartment.<ref name="puzzle8"/>
 
** Maxwell takes the [[Nightmare Throne]] becoming the "king" of [[The Constant]], bending it to his will and creating many creatures to inhabit it. Charlie becomes the [[Night Monster]].
 
   
 
* 1906 - 1910ish: Unknown "crazy stuff" happens.<ref name="timeline"/>
 
* 1906 - 1910ish: Unknown "crazy stuff" happens.<ref name="timeline"/>
 
* Aug 14 and 15, 1910: A big fire gutted several pavilions of the exposition universelle(World's fair) in Bruxelles(Brussels), Belgium.<ref name="WinonaUpdatePost">[https://forums.kleientertainment.com/forums/topic/103604-winona-character-update-drop-system-changes/?page=3&tab=comments#comment-1162544 Zhuzha posted an exposition universelle post that appeared in ''Next of Kin'' Cinematic Trailer.]</ref>
 
   
 
* 1910ish - 1921: Over this time period, Maxwell starts taking [[Characters|people]] from the real world into The Constant. They are forced to survive the nightmare world he created.<ref name="timeline" />
 
* 1910ish - 1921: Over this time period, Maxwell starts taking [[Characters|people]] from the real world into The Constant. They are forced to survive the nightmare world he created.<ref name="timeline" />
  +
** 1910: The ''Exposition Universelle et Internationale'' is held.<ref name="NoK">[https://youtu.be/G-Kn9tgO0mQ The ''Next of Kin'' Cinematic Trailer]</ref>
 
* March 29, 1911: A library in New York City burns down, maybe it's the time Wickerbottom be drew into the The Constant. <ref name="NoK">[https://youtu.be/G-Kn9tgO0mQ The ''Next of Kin'' Cinematic Trailer]</ref> <ref name="LeakdPoster">[https://forums.kleientertainment.com/forums/topic/103875-leaked-poster-news Leaked Poster shows that there is a sticker about Wickerbottom's missing in ''Next of Kin'' Cinematic Trailer.]</ref>
+
** March 29, 1911: A library in New York City burns down.<ref name="NoK"/><ref>[[:File:RWP 229 Conspiracy Board Behind The Scenes.png|Full pegboard background]] from ''Next of Kin'' shown during ''Rhymes With Play'' #229. A missing poster for Ms. Wickerbottom is in the bottom right corner.</ref>
  +
** April 16, 1914: Wendy Carter writes an entry in her diary: "I keep hearing strange music when I dream... the same song repeating over and over... is it you, Abigail? Are you trying to tell me something?"<ref>[https://forums.kleientertainment.com/forums/topic/116540-wendys-character-refresh-is-now-available/ Wendy's Character Refresh is Now Available!]. Posted on March 19, 2020.</ref>
 
* 1919: The [[Radio|Voxola PR-76 radio]] is manufactured in Sidney, Ohio. The factory is destroyed in a fire days after production. Only a few radios remain, one being in the possession of [[Wilson]]. The founder of Voxola, Robert Wagstaff, went missing the same night as the fire.<ref>[https://forums.kleientertainment.com/topic/14816-rp-all-the-way-rp-product-suggestions/?do=findComment&comment=138649 Post by Kevin about the Voxola], originally posted on April 11, 2013. "The radio is a Voxola PR-76, manufactured in 1919 by the Voxola Radio company of Sidney, Ohio. The radio offered revolutionary sound and reception quality for the time, and was promoted by an intense national marketing campaign. Very few units were actually produced, because the factory was destroyed in a fire only days after production began. Voxola founder Robert Wagstaff went missing the night of the fire, and the company declared bankruptcy soon thereafter."</ref> Someone presumed to be Wagstaff is sucked into a strange portal in his office. Factory worker [[Winona]] runs to investigate while the other workers escape. She is unable to save Wagstaff and the portal breaks down. Winona repairs and reactivates the portal, and sees her missing sister Charlie. She tries to pull Charlie through, but Charlie's Night Monster side takes over and pulls Winona into the portal as well.<ref name="NoK" />
+
** 1919: The [[Radio|Voxola PR-76 radio]] is manufactured in Sidney, Ohio. The factory is destroyed in a fire days after production. Only a few radios remain, one being in the possession of [[Wilson]]. The founder of Voxola, Robert Wagstaff, went missing the same night as the fire.<ref>[https://forums.kleientertainment.com/topic/14816-rp-all-the-way-rp-product-suggestions/?do=findComment&comment=138649 Post by Kevin about the Voxola], originally posted on April 11, 2013. "The radio is a Voxola PR-76, manufactured in 1919 by the Voxola Radio company of Sidney, Ohio. The radio offered revolutionary sound and reception quality for the time, and was promoted by an intense national marketing campaign. Very few units were actually produced, because the factory was destroyed in a fire only days after production began. Voxola founder Robert Wagstaff went missing the night of the fire, and the company declared bankruptcy soon thereafter."</ref> Someone presumed to be Wagstaff is sucked into a strange portal in an office. Factory worker [[Winona]] runs to investigate while the other workers escape. She is unable to save Wagstaff and the portal breaks down. Winona repairs and reactivates the portal, and sees her missing sister Charlie. She tries to pull Charlie through, but Charlie's Night Monster side takes over and pulls Winona into the portal as well.<ref name="NoK" />
 
** 1921: Wilson, depressed after failing a scientific experiment, receives a message from his Voxola that he may be able to succeed with "secret knowledge", if he thinks he's ready for it. Wilson accepts the offer, and is given the knowledge to build a [[Maxwell's Door|strange contraption]]. He is ordered to pull the device's lever by the Voxola. Upon doing so, shadowy hands appear from below Wilson, pulling him into The Constant.<ref name="timeline" /> The Voxola was Maxwell all along.<ref>[https://youtu.be/N0QhvmisGWU The ''Forbidden Knowledge'' Cinematic Trailer]</ref>
 
* 1921: Wilson, depressed after failing a scientific experiment, receives a message from his Voxola that he may be able to succeed with "secret knowledge", if he thinks he's ready for it. Wilson accepts the offer, and is given the knowledge to build a [[Maxwell's Door|strange contraption]]. He is ordered to pull the device's lever by the Voxola. Upon doing so, shadowy hands appear from below Wilson, pulling him into The Constant.<ref name="timeline" /> The Voxola was Maxwell all along.<ref>[https://youtu.be/N0QhvmisGWU The ''Forbidden Knowledge'' Cinematic Trailer]</ref>
 
   
 
== In-Game Events ==
 
== In-Game Events ==
Line 47: Line 38:
 
=== Don't Starve Together ===
 
=== Don't Starve Together ===
 
* Charlie banishes Wilson back to The Constant and takes the throne for herself.<ref>[https://youtu.be/tAjbOJBfk5U The ''A New Reign'' Cinematic Trailer]</ref>
 
* Charlie banishes Wilson back to The Constant and takes the throne for herself.<ref>[https://youtu.be/tAjbOJBfk5U The ''A New Reign'' Cinematic Trailer]</ref>
* Maxwell and Wilson meet, form a truce, and build the [[Jury-Rigged Portal]], which joins the survivors' dimensions.<ref>Florid Postern Portrait Frame flavor text: "Wilson and Maxwell constructed the first prototype of the Florid Postern, connecting the survivors' dimensions and allowing them to band together."</ref> [[Wendy]], [[Wes]], and [[Wolfgang]] arrive through it just as Charlie takes the portal over and turns it into the [[Florid Postern]].<ref>[[Cyclum Puzzles]] comic</ref> All the other survivors (excluding the ''Shipwrecked ''and ''Hamlet ''crew) arrive through the Postern and join forces.
+
* Maxwell and Wilson meet, form a truce, and build the [[Jury-Rigged Portal]], which joins the survivors' dimensions.<ref>Florid Postern Portrait Frame flavor text: "Wilson and Maxwell constructed the first prototype of the Florid Postern, connecting the survivors' dimensions and allowing them to band together."</ref> [[Wendy]], [[Wes]], and [[Wolfgang]] arrive through it just as Charlie takes the portal over and turns it into the [[Florid Postern]].<ref>[[Cyclum Puzzles]] comic</ref> All the other survivors (excluding [[Walani]], [[Wilbur]], [[Woodlegs]], [[Wilba]], [[Wheeler]] and [[Wagstaff]]) arrive through the Postern and join forces.
 
* Wilson, Wendy, [[Wickerbottom]], and [[Webber]] fight the [[Ancient Fuelweaver]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/rmJ-mX9n5hM A New Reign trailer]</ref> Eventually, the Fuelweaver is taken away by Charlie. The Ancient Gateway destabilizes.<ref>[[Ancient Fuelweaver|Events of the Atrium raid event]]</ref>
 
* Wilson, Wendy, [[Wickerbottom]], and [[Webber]] fight the [[Ancient Fuelweaver]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/rmJ-mX9n5hM A New Reign trailer]</ref> Eventually, the Fuelweaver is taken away by Charlie. The Ancient Gateway destabilizes.<ref>[[Ancient Fuelweaver|Events of the Atrium raid event]]</ref>
* [[Winona]] arrives through a portal similar to the Ancient Gateway,<ref>[[Winona quotes|Winona quote]] for The Forge, Ancient Gateway (off): "Just like the one I came through..."</ref> attempting to rescue her sister.<ref>[[Winona quotes|Winona quote]] for The Gorge, Ancient Gateway: "I might not be good at rescue missions."</ref> Her profile can be seen through the Ancient Gateway as Charlie picks a rose from the ground.<ref>[https://youtu.be/6EIvYGSeGUU What Lies Beyond?], a video available after completing the Metheus Puzzles.</ref>
+
* [[Winona]] arrives through a portal similar to the Ancient Gateway,<ref>[[Winona quotes|Winona quote]] for The Forge, Ancient Gateway (off): "Just like the one I came through..."</ref> attempting to rescue her sister.<ref>[[Winona quotes|Winona quote]] for The Gorge, Ancient Gateway: "I might not be good at rescue missions."</ref><ref name="NoK"/> Her profile can be seen through the Ancient Gateway as Charlie picks a rose from the ground.<ref>[https://youtu.be/6EIvYGSeGUU What Lies Beyond?], a video available after completing the Metheus Puzzles.</ref>
 
* Wickerbottom activates the Gateway with the Ancient Key. Wickerbottom, Wilson, [[Willow]], [[Wigfrid]], Wendy, and Wolfgang enter it. Charlie appears at the activated Gateway and draws a white energy out of the structure, though the exact nature of her interference remains unknown. The survivors arrive in a dimension known as [[The Forge]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/_vygRnYnPL0 The Forge cinematic]</ref> The inhabitants were banished here by "the Throne".<ref>Battlemaster Pugna quotes, Round 6: "... Do you understand the forces you serve?"/"We were severed from the Throne!"/"Trapped in a realm of stone and fire, with no scepter to provide."/"Why serve a power that deserted my people?"/"They destroy all They touch..."/"That is why we cannot let you win."</ref> Their leader, [[Battlemaster Pugna]], calls the survivors "Gatekeepers" and accuses them of attempting to return his people to the Throne.<ref>Battlemaster Pugna quote, Introduction: Gatekeepers? Have you come to return us to the Throne?</ref> The survivors battle a series of increasingly difficult enemies in Battlemaster Pugna's arena before defeating the [[Grand Forge Boarrior]]. Pugna surrenders and allows them to use the Molten Gateway.<ref>Battlemaster Pugna quotes, Victory: "No! My Forge, felled by the Throne's lapdogs!"/"Please. No more, Gatekeepers. We surrender."/"The day is yours, as is the Gateway."</ref>
 
* Wickerbottom activates the Gateway with the Ancient Key. Wickerbottom, Wilson, [[Willow]], [[Wigfrid]], Wendy, and Wolfgang enter it. Charlie appears at the activated Gateway and draws a white energy out of the structure, though the exact nature of her interference remains unknown. The survivors arrive in a dimension known as [[The Forge]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/_vygRnYnPL0 The Forge cinematic]</ref> The inhabitants were banished here by "the Throne".<ref>Battlemaster Pugna quotes, Round 6: "... Do you understand the forces you serve?"/"We were severed from the Throne!"/"Trapped in a realm of stone and fire, with no scepter to provide."/"Why serve a power that deserted my people?"/"They destroy all They touch..."/"That is why we cannot let you win."</ref> Their leader, [[Battlemaster Pugna]], calls the survivors "Gatekeepers" and accuses them of attempting to return his people to the Throne.<ref>Battlemaster Pugna quote, Introduction: Gatekeepers? Have you come to return us to the Throne?</ref> The survivors battle a series of increasingly difficult enemies in Battlemaster Pugna's arena before defeating the [[Grand Forge Boarrior]]. Pugna surrenders and allows them to use the Molten Gateway.<ref>Battlemaster Pugna quotes, Victory: "No! My Forge, felled by the Throne's lapdogs!"/"Please. No more, Gatekeepers. We surrender."/"The day is yours, as is the Gateway."</ref>
 
* Directly after the events in the Forge, Wilson, Wickerbottom, and Wendy find themselves in a new dimension: the [[The Gorge|Elder Bog]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/SfzvtHDsgTU The Gorge cinematic]</ref> For years the goat-like inhabitants of this dimension have been under the threat of [[The Gnaw]], a giant wyrm in the sky that turns those who fail to satiate its appetite into [[Merms]]. Only a few beings remain alive, and the world has been left in ruins by the wyrm's rage. The survivors, with the help of [[Mumsy]] the goat woman, must cook to satiate The Gnaw and eventually earn enough favors to charge the Ancient Key and grant them an escape. Mumsy, who also considers them Gatekeepers,<ref>Mumsy quote: "Are you... Gatekeepers, by chance?"</ref> mentions that "another of [their] kind" passed through her dimension once.<ref>Mumsy quote: "Another of your kind passed through here once."</ref> The survivors succeed, making their exit through the Mossy Gateway along with Mumsy and her son [[Billy]].
 
* Directly after the events in the Forge, Wilson, Wickerbottom, and Wendy find themselves in a new dimension: the [[The Gorge|Elder Bog]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/SfzvtHDsgTU The Gorge cinematic]</ref> For years the goat-like inhabitants of this dimension have been under the threat of [[The Gnaw]], a giant wyrm in the sky that turns those who fail to satiate its appetite into [[Merms]]. Only a few beings remain alive, and the world has been left in ruins by the wyrm's rage. The survivors, with the help of [[Mumsy]] the goat woman, must cook to satiate The Gnaw and eventually earn enough favors to charge the Ancient Key and grant them an escape. Mumsy, who also considers them Gatekeepers,<ref>Mumsy quote: "Are you... Gatekeepers, by chance?"</ref> mentions that "another of [their] kind" passed through her dimension once.<ref>Mumsy quote: "Another of your kind passed through here once."</ref> The survivors succeed, making their exit through the Mossy Gateway along with Mumsy and her son [[Billy]].
  +
* A large piece of the Moon lands in the ocean. Wilson, Winona, and Wigfrid build a boat to reach the new island, on which they discover horrifying creatures and a bizarre aura of lunacy.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eznDM3AMPc Return of Them Turn of Tides cinematic]</ref>
   
 
== {{pic|32|Placeholder}} Trivia ==
 
== {{pic|32|Placeholder}} Trivia ==
* The date and location of Maxwell's last act, April 17, 1906, coincides with the real life [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1906_San_Francisco_earthquake 1906 San Francisco Earthquake].
+
* The date and location of Maxwell's last act, April 17, 1906, coincides with the real life [[Wikipedia:1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 San Francisco Earthquake]].
  +
* The 1910 ''[[Wikipedia:Brussels International 1910|Exposition Universelle et Internationale]]'' was held in real life in Brussels, Belgium. Notably, it suffered a large fire that gutted several pavillions.
 
* The library fire in New York City that is seen on a newspaper headline in ''Next of Kin'' may be a reference to the real life fire that broke out in the library of the New York State Capitol on the same date, [[Wikipedia:March_1911#March_29,_1911_(Wednesday)|March 29, 1911]].
 
* The library fire in New York City that is seen on a newspaper headline in ''Next of Kin'' may be a reference to the real life fire that broke out in the library of the New York State Capitol on the same date, [[Wikipedia:March_1911#March_29,_1911_(Wednesday)|March 29, 1911]].
  +
  +
=={{Pic|32|Blueprint}} Gallery==
  +
<gallery captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
  +
RWP 229 Conspiracy Board Behind The Scenes.png|A full version of Winona's pegboard from ''Next of Kin'' as seen in ''Rhymes With Play'' #229.
  +
Wendy Character Update Photo.png|Image posted with Wendy's refresh update.
  +
</gallery>
   
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

Revision as of 22:42, 19 March 2020

Gramophone This page contains major spoilers for the plot of Don't Starve and Don't Starve Together as well as the story details of puzzles. Read at your own risk.

The Story Line of Don't Starve is not just contained within Adventure Mode. The developers have expanded the lore through supplemental material such as animated promotional videos or hidden puzzles. Some clues can also be gleaned from character quotes. The Story Line continues in Don't Starve Together, the sequel to Don't Starve.

On September 25, 2014, Klei developer Kevin Forbes[1] posted a rough canonical timeline for Don't Starve. This page will incorporate this, however as it has been many years since this post, its accuracy can be questioned. For instance, this post was written before the reveal of Shipwrecked.

Glommer See also: William Carter Puzzles, Forbidden Knowledge Trailer Puzzle, Cyclum Puzzles, and Metheus Puzzles


Pre-Game Events

  • 1873 - The Old Mill crossing is constructed.[2]
  • 1890s - 1906: Time period of William Carter's origin story.[1]
    • July 26, 1901: William Carter, a stage performer, departs from Liverpool, England aboard a ship named Quest to move to the United States.[3]
      • In America, William Carter tries to make a living as a stage performer.[4] However, he finds himself in debt. He receives a postcard from his brother, Jack, who lives on the West Coast.[5]
    • August 15, 1904: William buys a ticket for a train going from New York City, New York to San Francisco, California.[2]
    • August 23, 1904: The Daily Speaker newspaper has a story about a passenger train striking an Abernethy & Parker Circus wagon at the Old Mill crossing. Dozens are injured and one man is missing and presumed dead. Based on his description, the man is most likely William Carter. This is the third incident at this crossing since its construction in 1873.[2]
      • After the train accident, William writes a postcard to Jack from North Fork, Nevada, in which he reveals he is alive and that he has found a book containing "terrifying new possibilities." [2]
    • June 6, 1905: William Carter requisitions advertisements in The San Francisco Call for a lady assistant. He appears to be working under a new name: "Maxwell The Great." He no longer wears glasses, and appears very confident. He is now living in San Francisco, California.[6]
      • Maxwell appears to be holding rituals and summoning strange beings. He is writing notes about what he's seen.[6]
      • Maxwell has acquired an assistant, Charlie, and has become a very popular act. He is using the Shadow Creatures from his book as part of his performance. In a letter to Maxwell, Charlie talks about working on a new finale when she comes back from her sister's place.[7]
    • April 17, 1906: The night before Maxwell and Charlie's last show, Charlie visits Maxwell's apartment. She finds his hidden room behind the fireplace. As she takes a look at his book, shadowy hands appear in the other room. They are vanquished by Maxwell who magically manifests from a photograph on the wall. Charlie uses her lantern to look at the walls of his secret room, where Maxwell has scribbled troubling words and strange symbols. Distressed by what she sees, she runs out of the apartment with his outfit. She leaves a letter revealing that he had been out of contact with her for days.[8]
      • That night, Maxwell and Charlie perform their final act. Maxwell attempts to pull shadows from the book, but they try to pull him in. Multiple shadow hands emerge from the book, grabbing Maxwell and Charlie.[9]
      • A Shadow Watcher stands in the ruined remains of Maxwell's apartment.[8]
      • Maxwell takes the Nightmare Throne becoming the "king" of The Constant, bending it to his will and creating many creatures to inhabit it. Charlie becomes the Night Monster.
  • 1906 - 1910ish: Unknown "crazy stuff" happens.[1]
  • 1910ish - 1921: Over this time period, Maxwell starts taking people from the real world into The Constant. They are forced to survive the nightmare world he created.[1]
    • 1910: The Exposition Universelle et Internationale is held.[10]
    • March 29, 1911: A library in New York City burns down.[10][11]
    • April 16, 1914: Wendy Carter writes an entry in her diary: "I keep hearing strange music when I dream... the same song repeating over and over... is it you, Abigail? Are you trying to tell me something?"[12]
    • 1919: The Voxola PR-76 radio is manufactured in Sidney, Ohio. The factory is destroyed in a fire days after production. Only a few radios remain, one being in the possession of Wilson. The founder of Voxola, Robert Wagstaff, went missing the same night as the fire.[13] Someone presumed to be Wagstaff is sucked into a strange portal in an office. Factory worker Winona runs to investigate while the other workers escape. She is unable to save Wagstaff and the portal breaks down. Winona repairs and reactivates the portal, and sees her missing sister Charlie. She tries to pull Charlie through, but Charlie's Night Monster side takes over and pulls Winona into the portal as well.[10]
    • 1921: Wilson, depressed after failing a scientific experiment, receives a message from his Voxola that he may be able to succeed with "secret knowledge", if he thinks he's ready for it. Wilson accepts the offer, and is given the knowledge to build a strange contraption. He is ordered to pull the device's lever by the Voxola. Upon doing so, shadowy hands appear from below Wilson, pulling him into The Constant.[1] The Voxola was Maxwell all along.[14]

In-Game Events

Don't Starve and Reign of Giants

  • Wilson spends an indeterminate amount of time in The Constant, dying multiple times.[1]
  • The events of Adventure Mode begins, as Wilson finds Maxwell's Door and survives his challenges.[1]
  • Wilson replaces Maxwell on the Nightmare Throne, and Maxwell becomes one of the survivors.[1]

Don't Starve Together

  • Charlie banishes Wilson back to The Constant and takes the throne for herself.[15]
  • Maxwell and Wilson meet, form a truce, and build the Jury-Rigged Portal, which joins the survivors' dimensions.[16] Wendy, Wes, and Wolfgang arrive through it just as Charlie takes the portal over and turns it into the Florid Postern.[17] All the other survivors (excluding Walani, Wilbur, Woodlegs, Wilba, Wheeler and Wagstaff) arrive through the Postern and join forces.
  • Wilson, Wendy, Wickerbottom, and Webber fight the Ancient Fuelweaver.[18] Eventually, the Fuelweaver is taken away by Charlie. The Ancient Gateway destabilizes.[19]
  • Winona arrives through a portal similar to the Ancient Gateway,[20] attempting to rescue her sister.[21][10] Her profile can be seen through the Ancient Gateway as Charlie picks a rose from the ground.[22]
  • Wickerbottom activates the Gateway with the Ancient Key. Wickerbottom, Wilson, Willow, Wigfrid, Wendy, and Wolfgang enter it. Charlie appears at the activated Gateway and draws a white energy out of the structure, though the exact nature of her interference remains unknown. The survivors arrive in a dimension known as The Forge.[23] The inhabitants were banished here by "the Throne".[24] Their leader, Battlemaster Pugna, calls the survivors "Gatekeepers" and accuses them of attempting to return his people to the Throne.[25] The survivors battle a series of increasingly difficult enemies in Battlemaster Pugna's arena before defeating the Grand Forge Boarrior. Pugna surrenders and allows them to use the Molten Gateway.[26]
  • Directly after the events in the Forge, Wilson, Wickerbottom, and Wendy find themselves in a new dimension: the Elder Bog.[27] For years the goat-like inhabitants of this dimension have been under the threat of The Gnaw, a giant wyrm in the sky that turns those who fail to satiate its appetite into Merms. Only a few beings remain alive, and the world has been left in ruins by the wyrm's rage. The survivors, with the help of Mumsy the goat woman, must cook to satiate The Gnaw and eventually earn enough favors to charge the Ancient Key and grant them an escape. Mumsy, who also considers them Gatekeepers,[28] mentions that "another of [their] kind" passed through her dimension once.[29] The survivors succeed, making their exit through the Mossy Gateway along with Mumsy and her son Billy.
  • A large piece of the Moon lands in the ocean. Wilson, Winona, and Wigfrid build a boat to reach the new island, on which they discover horrifying creatures and a bizarre aura of lunacy.[30]

Placeholder Trivia

  • The date and location of Maxwell's last act, April 17, 1906, coincides with the real life 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.
  • The 1910 Exposition Universelle et Internationale was held in real life in Brussels, Belgium. Notably, it suffered a large fire that gutted several pavillions.
  • The library fire in New York City that is seen on a newspaper headline in Next of Kin may be a reference to the real life fire that broke out in the library of the New York State Capitol on the same date, March 29, 1911.

Blueprint Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Thread with Kevin's timeline post (on page 2), originally posted on September 25, 2014
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 William Carter Puzzle #4: Papers in the desert
  3. William Carter Puzzle #1: William's Inspection card
  4. William Carter Puzzle #2: William Carter the Magician poster
  5. William Carter Puzzle #3: William's desk papers
  6. 6.0 6.1 William Carter Puzzle #5: Maxwell the Great poster
  7. William Carter Puzzle #6: Maxwell and Charlie poster
  8. 8.0 8.1 William Carter Puzzle #8
  9. William Carter Puzzle #9: The Final Act video
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 The Next of Kin Cinematic Trailer
  11. Full pegboard background from Next of Kin shown during Rhymes With Play #229. A missing poster for Ms. Wickerbottom is in the bottom right corner.
  12. Wendy's Character Refresh is Now Available!. Posted on March 19, 2020.
  13. Post by Kevin about the Voxola, originally posted on April 11, 2013. "The radio is a Voxola PR-76, manufactured in 1919 by the Voxola Radio company of Sidney, Ohio. The radio offered revolutionary sound and reception quality for the time, and was promoted by an intense national marketing campaign. Very few units were actually produced, because the factory was destroyed in a fire only days after production began. Voxola founder Robert Wagstaff went missing the night of the fire, and the company declared bankruptcy soon thereafter."
  14. The Forbidden Knowledge Cinematic Trailer
  15. The A New Reign Cinematic Trailer
  16. Florid Postern Portrait Frame flavor text: "Wilson and Maxwell constructed the first prototype of the Florid Postern, connecting the survivors' dimensions and allowing them to band together."
  17. Cyclum Puzzles comic
  18. A New Reign trailer
  19. Events of the Atrium raid event
  20. Winona quote for The Forge, Ancient Gateway (off): "Just like the one I came through..."
  21. Winona quote for The Gorge, Ancient Gateway: "I might not be good at rescue missions."
  22. What Lies Beyond?, a video available after completing the Metheus Puzzles.
  23. The Forge cinematic
  24. Battlemaster Pugna quotes, Round 6: "... Do you understand the forces you serve?"/"We were severed from the Throne!"/"Trapped in a realm of stone and fire, with no scepter to provide."/"Why serve a power that deserted my people?"/"They destroy all They touch..."/"That is why we cannot let you win."
  25. Battlemaster Pugna quote, Introduction: Gatekeepers? Have you come to return us to the Throne?
  26. Battlemaster Pugna quotes, Victory: "No! My Forge, felled by the Throne's lapdogs!"/"Please. No more, Gatekeepers. We surrender."/"The day is yours, as is the Gateway."
  27. The Gorge cinematic
  28. Mumsy quote: "Are you... Gatekeepers, by chance?"
  29. Mumsy quote: "Another of your kind passed through here once."
  30. Return of Them Turn of Tides cinematic