Risk of Rain - The Lore Behind The Void

Hello! Thanks for reading the description.
Please enable captions to help you follow the story.
After 2 years of hiatus, hopefully this video will have been worth the wait.
This is my own interpretation of the lore behind the Void, but it is highly possible that I have made some mistakes along the way.
If you have any questions, please leave them down below!
0:00 Intro
1:34 Part 1: What is the Void?
4:46 Part 2: The Void Inhabitants
16:50 Part 3: The Simulacrum
27:58 Outro
Thumbnail art is from Chris Christodoulou's vinyl of the SOTV OST: blackscreenrecords.com/produc...
I have also gotten permission to use the artwork from the artist Daniele Giardini: www.demigiant.com/art/illustr...
Music:
Chris Christodoulou - A Glacier Eventually Farts [in-game version]
Chris Christodoulou - Nocturnal Emission
Chris Christodoulou - Prelude in D flat major
Chris Christodoulou - Who Can Fathom the Soundless Depths?
Hollow Knight - Dream
Hollow Knight - Reflection
Hollow Knight - Resting Grounds
Hollow Knight - Fungal Wastes
ULTRAKILL - Heaven Pierce Her - The World Looks White

[@thegrovetender]

Hello, thanks for watching! Please enable captions to help you follow the story. After 2 years of hiatus, hopefully this video will have been worth the wait. If anyone asks where I've been, I got Voided. Sorry. This is my own interpretation of the lore behind the Void, but it is highly possible that I have made some mistakes along the way. If you have any questions, please leave them down below!

[@shmaynshumgi]

👍

[@gristCollector]

WELCOME BACK!

[@Riklli000]

And when we needed him the most he returned.

[@ARedFalkus]

Great video, and glad to see you back!

[@sandtexture]

so glad you are back I love your content

[@hamishfox]

So glad he made it out of the void to bring us this sweet lore

[@BestAsparagus]

me too! got excited when I saw a new video!

[@muddak3292]

Ah sweet, the lore of eldritch abominations beyond mortal comprehension, an excellent way to start the day

[@jackspielman5488]

THE RETURN!!!!

[@HexagonThatReallyLikesVinegar]

The Risk of Rain Returns?

[@reformedorthodoxmunmanquara]

The Return of Risk of Rain.

[@mrdeadflower]

risk of rain:

[@HexagonThatReallyLikesVinegar]

I think the void fiend was probably the person in the Planetarium Logbook, and that was one of their experiences in the Simulacrum pre-going completely insane.

[@paquixyz4000]

OMG THAT'S AN AWESOME THEORY!!!

[@Nickle_King]

The Void is a fascinating addition to the game. Creatures that try to kill you, but if they run across something they can’t kill, they try to capture it. It’s like they are a species that are running on orders, not thought. Like a hive mind, but the queen is gone. Now they just do without understanding why. Which could be why the Void Fiend exists. Something run through test after test after test, the Void creatures not knowing why the tests exist or when to stop. Until, one day, when the creatures were distracted by a gap in Petrichor’s armor, the Fiend found a crack, and got loose. Because that is the question I want answered. Why. Why test the captured subjects? What would this information grow into? Is it simple curiosity, or is it a grand plan? Because, if it is a plan, wouldn’t the Fiend be a success? It was an inevitability.

[@Bat3p]

THe whole "awaiting your sentence at the end of time" thing when you get killed by the reavers explosion, combined with this video and other comments, I think the void is not simply trying to grow in power, but to prepare for something. I think it actually is our universe, just literally at the end of time.

[@fogsster]

I have an odd theory that the Fiend breaking out could have been the results that the Void was looking for. You mentioned the Void creatures being similar to a hivemind with no queen, and perhaps the breaking out of the Fiend was a sort of coronation? I don't know, it's kind of weird. If that's not the case, maybe the void isn't just a region, but an organism in it of itself, like Ego, the living planet, and the Voidling is its own offspring. If the cut content show in the video is canon, that would mean that the Reavers, Jailors and Devastators were created to serve the Voidling by the void itself. I'm not the best at theorizing, but that's just my thoughts on the whole thing.

[@spencerbanks4026]

The voiceovers are immaculate. We should mod them into the game

[@Yogarpg]

Yes

[@Jera2271]

After watching this quite a few times, especially 15:00, it is worth noting that the Lunar Chimera family event can ALSO happen in the Void Locus, which could mean that not only can Mithrix fight back against the Void, he can also take the fight to the Void's own territory.

[@z6847]

Oh really? That’s a very neat detail, my spin too is that he would have succeeded, his perfected creations of mass, design, blood and soul would have won and possibly stopped the voids invasion, or at the very least crippled their advance. However the survivor intervenes, destroying the chimeras as they go. Going off further I’d say that due to the nature of family events only allowing a single type of enemy, whether intentional or not paints the picture that Mithrix was winning. Lunar constructs everywhere with not a void enemy in sight. I don’t know everything about the lore so if something conflicts with my theory let me know

[@lizardizzle]

The Simulacrum'slog about the trapped and looping survivor growing old, dying, and waking up, over and over again, is terrifying. The song Chris's Prelude in D flat Major perfectly encapsulates that feeling. Nicely putting the survivor through the end of his life, while the void slowly infects into his death. The notes trail off, the final note in the song never occurring. The music trails off, leading back into the void.

[@christopherdoamaralcorrea3687]

Legendary! The comeback king! Love your work with Risk of Rain 2, pls make more content at your pace and I'm also loving the bite-sized shorts too! God speed you incredible creature!

[@Pumpqueen]

Something that I find really interesting is on the artwork of the Survivors of the Void vinyl packaging. It's a bunch of tentacles you see under the ocean next to Voidling's corpse. Since you mentioned void-beings that may be even stronger than the Voidling, maybe that is one of them?

[@thegrovetender]

Sadly the artworks are not canon, but it is a fun thing to think about!

[@tecky17]

Literally the best summarised and visualised storytelling to watch and enjoy, many thanks for your efforts!

[@mootnt2505]

You could say, the Risk of Rain Returns

[@thatguy7828]

i like the use of “The World is White.” and the reading of the logs. Great video!

[@TheCabalOnMars]

Even the scenario is fitting. The mannequins are lost souls that wandered the endless mazes of violence for too long, got exhausted, and slept. Their mind gave into the endless test, and they became part of the forces of Hell itself carrying out their punishment. Parallels the void creatures, in a way, I think.

[@TheZombieMack]

There's a theory I heard once that suggests that, once you enter the Void, it's actually impossible to ever escape. Every time you think you've escaped the Void, you've actually simply gone a layer deeper. The Void itself is therefore suggested to be some kind of cyclical hell. From that, the further theory is that Risk of Rain 2 itself takes place ENTIRELY within the Void. I always thought it made a little sense, honestly. You have to repeat the survival on the planet over and over, never able to escape, only given little sprinkles of rewards to encourage you to keep trying despite the long term hopelessness of never ending repetition. Of course, that also suggests that the Void Fiend didn't actually escape, merely entered another layer that was twisted to look like the world he once came from. Edit: Totally should have listened to the last 5 minutes of the video before I posted this. xD

[@DingbatOOF]

Please stay these videos are what made me love the lore, and they are the only easily accessible way to learn more. Keep up the good work dude!

[@leonardosoza6467]

I love reading this games lore, each and every log, but i cant piece it togheter the way you do, thats why i love your videos so much, you bring a whole new vision into this stories, keep it going man rlly great content, cant wait for the next dlc and se your video putting togheter the lore

[@GearWorks]

THE RETURN OF THE KING Your content is presented so well, you do such a fantastic job, glad you came back, looking forward to seekers of the storm even more now!

[@rcytray]

And just right in time for the lead up to the new DLC! Thank you for all that you do, and welcome back!

[@charliepettigrew2818]

I came across your Channel fairly recently, I'm so glad you decided to come back!

[@CreativelyJake]

as an absolute lore nut, very excited to compare this to what my perception of the void based on what we've been presented is. and thank you so so much for making these, because ror lore is underappreciated af

[@cannibalskitchen8421]

This has been incredible! It is so good to have more Grovetender content!

[@emptywinds3965]

Even though this is your understanding of the lore, the video is still deeply satisfying to watch because of all the work you put into it, and I feel like a lot of the missing pieces from the game are fit together in a very pleasing way with the time that you dedicate. Keep it up, this is awesome

[@Helmotz.]

Excellent video. I discovered your channel and instantly binged your videos (especially the gup one, really important that one) because I was eager to know more about the game I spend so long playing, and I got exactly what I wanted, thanks !👌

[@snowliteral233]

I'VE SEEN THE OTHER LORE VIDEOS SO MUCH, THANK YOUUUUU!

[@Purechamp97]

This is so high quality it’s crazy! Good on you mate!

[@thecorn-cl2vg]

I genuinely think you do the best ror lore videos, glad your back

[@XentziS]

So glad you're back! Looking forward to the next video :)

[@FoolishFenk]

It has been worth the wait.

[@elgato1752]

YES. FINALLY!!!! So glad this came out! Was defiantly worth the wait.

[@Dovy_pdf]

Such an incredibel video man, congrats

[@Supercon57]

Awesome video, thank you for all the work you out into these The editing, voice overs, modding the game for all the scenes..you out so much work into these I have about two hundred hours in the game, didnt play the first game, i dont have all the unlocks but i was very curious of the lore, thank you for taking the time to wrap gour head around everything and make these Excited for the new DLC coming out soon

[@michaellynch2178]

Glad to see you back!!

[@MioloCosmico]

Very glad to see you again!

[@rinder0315]

Nice to see you back from your deep slumber. Great video!

[@Wheatly_Labs]

THIS CHANNEL IS FANTASTIC I’m SO GLAD THEY UPLOADED!!!

[@d2cuadrados510]

Awsome as always. Seekers of the storm dlc got announced looking forward to that vid too

[@Bloop-lw7kx]

Great Video as always!

[@squiddeon9164]

I literally just discovered your just a few hours ago. What insane timing.

[@theduckscp]

And here I was looking for somthing to watch. The great return!

[@BlackFox941]

Return of the King! Great video!

[@echobro7895]

only a few videos but i love your content, hope to see more from you

[@countpaisley9729]

GLAD TO HAVE YA BACK

[@mevi874]

Glad you're back

[@SingerBoxerMartian]

This channel has the best RoR lore videos. I can't wait for more content.

[@Bakura686]

Thank you 🙏 thank you for coming back

[@darksenn1991]

great video

[@btv469]

Great video worth the wait

[@olenhol2przez4]

My gawd finally. I waited so long... welcome back

[@hungnguyen8100]

Love your vid i really like risk of rain but it not that popular to have many theories so when i find a channel make content about it make me feel so much joy

[@radutorsan5580]

Keep up the great work ❤

[@jcdkr1171]

It's actually cinema, I love your videos, thank you for everything❣

[@goodra5860]

this is why i love the grovetender, both in game and on youtube

[@wisscal]

the legend is back

[@Breaker_Of_Sieges]

I WAS LITERALLY TELLING MY FRIENDS WHO GOT INTO THE GAME ABOUT YOUR BIG LORE VIDEO LAST NIGHT AND NOW YOU DROP THIS?! OH I'M IN HEAVEN!! Also I'm really glad to see you're back!!

[@slizor9-273]

Legend returned ❤

[@blackwater403]

Welcome back friend

[@Shuflduf]

FINALLY. I LOVE YOU MAN.

[@Fenn-if8wo]

Started playing and wanted to know the lore. This stuff is amazing!

[@dahaut]

The legendary loremaster of ror is back with another deep dive... Can't wait for your video about an upcoming dlc Btw resting grounds theme for the third part literally blew me away man

[@AndyTheDude2]

THANK YOU GROVETEENDER!!! I CAN LORE NOW!

[@Lyka_41]

Sick video I love eldritch horrors beyond my comprehending

[@rainycake]

I recently found this channel and it's pretty awesome.

[@AstralDragn]

its pretty cool the connections you've drawn. Maybe the new dlc will add more onto this story (seems kinda unlikely though with its title) anyways, well done!~

[@dal0011]

After what would seem like eons passed, the grovetender, returns, much to the job of the little ones he looks over. Amazing lore interpretation as always!

[@TruthIsLove.]

After watching this to the end, I want to say thank you for bringing so much insight that I have never paid attention to until now. Here is some realisations I have had from watching this: 1) I agree I am slightly compelled to entertain the idea that after the planetarium map, after defeating the voidling, that portal takes you to the beginning of the simulacrum, which I believe the crab thing is the voidling that has simply become small and in bay form again from expending all of its power trying to defeat it's visitors/intruders. 2) However, If the voidling is killed, from the short video of watching voidling collapse, this would also suggest that the void reavers will also either collapse or it's void influence will cease to affect the commando character, returning him back to normal 3) It could be a dev mistake from not thinking too much into it, or not, but in the void fields, there is clearly the bone remains of a void reaver, suggesting that this is a place where some void reavers didn't self implode, which suggests is the place where void reavers have died from losing connection to the voidling if we are choosing to believe the voidling is indeed in some hive mind control over the void reavers. Some other thoughts I have: 2) If the void criters infestors can transform organic lifeforms, and the void fiend is the commandos version of a void lifeform transformation, then Devs have all the other characters, and enemy characters to choose from to bring into the game as their alternative variants which could be interesting. Or a game mode, like we see in games like Time Splitters or COD zombies called virus where you essentially play tag, and last man unaffected wins. 3) Selene from the game Returnal is commando.

[@Mozzarellapumpkin]

YOOOO YOU RETURNED

[@lukenutley5363]

THE GREATEST COMEBACK

[@djair5646]

This is the happiest day of my life. Finally the return of a legend

[@DelRubikeo]

Very good! So exited to play second dlc ang get an video update on lore too

[@kainekriegar5132]

HES BACK I LOVE YOU

[@ColeLemmenes]

Welcome back:)

[@Borando96]

I dislike it ended. Where is my 2 hour long lore deep dive rabbit hole? In all seriousness, great video, good to have the Vaatividya of RoR2 lore videos back, can't wait for more videos, probably when the DLC drops (hopefully it's gonna be good).

[@whereismycup]

cool video thanks for interesting stuff.

[@vizthex]

noice, the lore man is back.

[@KeepCalmSoldierOn]

LETS FUCKING GO! WELCOME BACK KING

[@kingcrowbro2486]

We making it out the Void with this one fellas. Welcome back Grovetender.

[@techno952]

He’s back!

[@keenices1972]

We still have Seekers of the Storm lore to figure out, and I am gonna watch that lore video soon, Grovetender

[@airjairj1203]

YOU RETURNED

[@luk4aaaa]

I like to think that the void fiend slowly but surely gets un-corrupted over time by returning to our reality, never being fully cured, but his mind mends over time.

[@orangetabby7122]

I think it depends on what items he collects. Healing items _suppress_ his void. Void items _increase_ it. If you collect too many void items as the fiend, he's stuck in his void form.

[@osteohiveporosis6882]

And he's back.

[@manchezv.2503]

Just being straight up with you bro. If you were to make lore videos on items, characters and anything else of substance you’d become huge. Especially with big updates coming out now would be the time to make it big 😎 You’re editing, music choices and soothing voice make these videos a treat to watch 👍

[@smlglob]

absolutely legendary

[@TruthIsLove.]

Bro, thank you. I know you might take this the wrong way but I honestly feel like I'm listening to a documentary that I would find on a TV channel that are paid professionals. It's better because you're not getting paid for this, so I know you're genuinely interested in the story yourself so thanks for taking the effort/time to present this

[@veruc3175]

WHEN I TELL YOU I JUMPED SEEING THE VIDEO ON MY FEED 👑welcome back king

[@joebamabiden1325]

HES BACK

[@jefferyissiacson4186]

The fabled return!

[@vulpeszerda39]

we’re so back

[@cristianobonomo1274]

Okay now this is epic.

[@DrStryde]

YES YES YES HE BACK

[@SK-ww7ud]

Bit late to the party here, but this is my take on the void cells: They're described as being "for everything", and from the way they're talked about in certain lore entries we can assume the reaver's goal is to put everything in them. Since the cells which contain acrid share a name with the location names, my guess is that the void cells can probably compress spaces/bend space to fit entire locations inside them. If the void is the end of time, then the universe gets distilled into a sort of Russian nesting doll of void cells.

[@thatoneguyduck8049]

Let’s go he’s back

[@DarlexGardenWarden]

HE'S BACK LET'S GO

[@TNO_TDN]

Babe wake up, The Grovetender uploaded another lore video

[@DawnofHope]

HE'S BACK! Thank you Grovetender, I've been showing one of my friends who's new to RoR2 your videos because I love the lore but I also love having a life outside of it. 😅

[@St1nk3yFing3r]

Praise lord algorithm. May he lead many others to this Kiwi legend's content

[@romysjostrand4751]

When I saw it was a Grovtender video my jaw dropped

[@DelRubikeo]

It would be fun a future video showcasing, non essential lore that enriches the world!

[@stgi2963]

Dark, darker, yet darker