The Insane Lore of Rivals of Aether (2024)

[@sennahoj9332]

Kragg lore: Fix the wall, get interrupted, fight the one that interrupted, repeat

[@sweetac3217]

One must assume kragg is happy

[@kujimelon7771]

Orcane's new Rivals 2 trailer seems to confirm his connection to deities lol

[@acemcwolf5445]

Connection? It confirms he's a goddamn *Demi-god!* Can't say I saw THAT coming.

[@Couch_Banana]

@@acemcwolf5445 I think he's more of a minor god. Demi-Gods are the offsprings of mortals and gods, but Orcane's mother conceived him all on her own.

[@47northm]

true

[@RileyRiolu]

Hello, I'm the server owner of the Lorekeeper server. I am glad to see this video be a thing. I hope this video can get people interested in this niche. Thank you, Bowler!

[@carrillmunnings525]

As the creator of Pomme, I've always had a lot imagined for her but we just haven't seen any of it happen yet. Her vague description on the official website makes it seem like they're keeping their options very open for her.

[@BowlerSSF2]

I think she has a ton of potential and I'm really excited to see what they do with her! But like you mentioned, she definitely has one of the least detailed bio's on the website.

[@Trashley652]

I think a rivalry between Pomme and Mollo would make a lot of sense, Mollo being the incredibly cool anarchist hero trying to tear down the establishment, vs Pomme who seems to have quite a lot of stake in the status quo of the future being maintained

[@Trashley652]

Ok I thought Mollo was based but after actually watching that part of the video, his alignment seems... unclear. Is Mollo good? Does anyone know? Doesn't matter. I support trans rights _and_ trans wrongs.

[@Maxi-Gonz.]

I'm thinking Pomme works with or for Loxodont to keep Neo Julesvale and Neo Fire Capital people "entertained" and not question his ruling based off her stage background where Lox appears and even his name is spelled. Pomme sells people a *_SMOKE_* curtain and Lox keeps her famous and relevant.

[@bruhudumb]

You did a great job making pomme

[@IntoTheFrayy]

THE RETURN OF THE GOAT

[@sakarain]

Sorry to rivals 1 but you can feel how well the story is planned out in dungeons of aether in comparison. Although it did surprise me how interesting the story was over all. Hoping Rivals 2 is fully realized and can expand upon it.

[@RushWheeler]

Seeing what's been shown of the story mode so far, we're probably getting something of Subspace Emissary levels

[@itsrottweiler9545]

My appreciation for this video knows no bounds

[@Heavy_Orbital]

Same, not a video I expected ever.

[@NorwayEnjoyer]

as a player that has never really cared much about the lore and only the competitive aspect, this is a lovely video, summarizes everything up super nicely, newfound appreciation for the lore, wondering how they'll expand it in the future title.

[@dall7020]

Where has this video been all my life, as someone who isn't too into fighting games but is really into rivals of aether, I liked this whole rundown of the lore.

[@TheCayDawg]

wait.....why is Rivals of Aether lore so awesome?!?

[@know_the_nme788]

It’s so refreshing to have a coherent resource that puts everything into one place. Here’s to Rivals 2!!! (Also ty for letting me preview & discuss the lore. I care WAY too much about the lore lmao)

[@brawlmasterjoelstudios]

What does Frame Data mean?

[@know_the_nme788]

How fast an attack starts/ends while also being how active the attack is

[@brawlmasterjoelstudios]

@@know_the_nme788 I know lol

[@ein-moriaston2427]

@@brawlmasterjoelstudios?

[@ethanpritt542]

I like how Wrasor doesn't ask orcane questions just immediately gets to ass whooping. Pure instinct. Man I love Wrastor!

[@gregvs.theworld451]

It does seem like the air armada are pretty militaristic. We saw how they treated Elliana, I'm not surprised they'd immediately resort to smack downs if they see something that doesn't fly on their airships. I'm curious to see if Swiftwing gets some character development. Atm he doesn't seem as bad as Loxodont, but he also doesn't seem that much better either. He gives me prideful leader vibes being prejudiced towards flying creatures when he could have had an incredibly intelligent, creative, and dedicated soldier in Elliana among his ranks.

[@Jacobro02]

I’m sure you have seen it but really cool that Orcane was confirmed to be Joy in the most recent trailer

[@MarkiplierMeatMuncher8]

I wanted someone to make a video like this ever since I played the story mode of ROA! I'm glad it's you who did it!

[@SoftwareNeos]

Yeah.... This is Peak

[@endoskel9262]

Seriously, at first I was just drawn in by all the spectacular mods for rivals of aether but now I find myself actually invested in the lore

[@gregvs.theworld451]

@@endoskel9262 As of yesterday I'm an all in fan of this series now invested in its' lore and characters.

[@FerretyZebra]

Really glad I found this video, lol. The main reason I was even interested in the aether-verse was the lore... So thanks a lot!

[@rept7]

I'm now pretty convinced that the plan is for Clairen to have to somehow get involved in saving the champions from the abyss. Which just sounds pretty rad, but will need properly explained in Rivals 2. Personally, I think it'd be pretty cool for her to gather the heroes not in the abyss (Absa for example) and team up with them to get the other champions out, all while the other half of the story is the champions surviving and uncovering more about the abyss.

[@superdot9513]

after playing her for 5 years, i now know who tf clairen is. thanks bowler

[@HoshiNoKaabii]

Holy shit! An hour long video about Rivals of Aether's lore! That's crazy how much effort and time you put into this!

[@Car5yn]

Good movie. I was really waiting for someone to make a video like this. Editing was really well done and it helped me understand this wacky, furry world a lot more.

[@viivoid]

we *JUST* got into Rivals of Aether and then found this video ty sm I'm a HUGE fan now!!! AAAAAH it's like ATLA + DBZ/Sonic + FMA + TOH so flipping cool my god I hope there is more of a good story focus in Rivals 2!!

[@illford]

It's not really like Sonic

[@thatpikminguy5885]

Great video! I didn’t realize that the characters actually got trapped in the abyss after the first game. Should make rivals 2 story interesting!

[@TwinbeeMint]

He's back.....🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

[@mrlampy]

And then it was confirmed that orcane is the year of joy

[@bendyplays115]

No way the chosen had all these cool names and then their was just Randal

[@vicmothgod]

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS!!!! I've been in love with the world of Aether before I even reached my teens, it makes me so happy to see someone finally compress it all into a video, with some additional details even I didn't know about.

[@patroka]

Ooh, thanks for the recap! I haven’t looked into Dungeons of Aether at all because it’s not really my kind of game, but I’m glad I learned what happens in it! There are some really good character designs in there. They’ve came a long way since the original Rivals story mode lol

[@calebrobinson6406]

Getting me hyped even more for Rivals 2. Thank you sir!

[@SaturnStikGaming]

words cannot describe how much this video was needed

[@HelpfulArtifact]

Super happy to see this video exist!! Rivals has the mechanics and gameplay down but it has the ability to really establish itself as its own IP with its characters and world! Most other platform fighters cheat their way into endearing you to their cast by being crossover games. I’d love to see the team work on really fleshing out the world and more to draw more than just the hyper technical competitive crowd. I’m only half way through the video at this point, but I recall Rivals 2’s story mode director comparing it to subspace with a particular focus in detailing the dynamics, strengths, and weakness of the individual rivals. That and collectibles which likely have even more lore attached. Extremely interested to see how Aether Studio chooses to move forward with it!

[@AranOcean]

I've recently been getting back into Rivals of Aether lore after playing the Rivals 2 betas and Dungeons of Aether, and this is EXACTLY the video I needed! Thank you 😭

[@Froggykin]

I knew nothing of roa lore before this and now im really into it because of this video. Watchedi the whole thing this is great work man.

[@Spiitz]

GOAT

[@Taktaagic]

RIVALS VIDEO LETS GOOOOOOOOOO

[@punkypony5165]

Awesome video thanks for making this

[@Averagebasementman]

45:25 yup orcane is the tear of joy from Slade’s island. How he ended up in aether is unclear but yeah Etalus isn’t the only foreigner in the roster.

[@_Gemkas_]

Thank youuuuuu for this video I've been SEARCHING for something like this 🔥🔥🔥‼️

[@cothrone3651]

Im REALLY hoping Mollo reunites with Claren. He has so much plot potential, being against Loxodont while also having a possible connection to Clarens mother’s death.

[@ethanpritt542]

Great video, the editing is amazing!

[@elemangell2981]

Yoooo someone finally made a Rivals lore video! Didn't expect it to be you though haha. Well definitely have this on hand as a lore nerd for any friends interested on the topic!

[@Inari_YT]

YOU DID NOT...

[@tomasiarity]

I never played Rivals of Aether but backed Rivals 2 and I have been greatly enjoying the betas. This video was exactly what I needed to understand the lore and see what kind of characters could come later to Rivals 2 (I imagine all the Champions are a foot in so Forsburn reveal is imminent, and I hope we can get the rest of the Dungeons cast join later).

[@ramirogallo6484]

Amazing! thanks a lot for doing this!

[@Xorro-0]

Took 10 months for a guaranteed good video that is 1 hour long. Worth it.

[@bigkebizino8970]

Wooo baby bowler be cooking! Nice job brother!

[@dorijandodig5189]

Finnaly a new video

[@olivertakesover]

Truly amazing, thank you.

[@Toma_]

NEW BOWLER VIDEO SPOTTED

[@librastellium185]

[COMMENTING FOR THE ALGORITHM]

[@sundraUnmatched]

The statue of Orcane in Merchant Port is just a product of creative liberties from the artist that designed the stage for Rivals 2, and Dan really liked it

[@gregvs.theworld451]

Wow, Rivals has much deeper lore than I gave it credit for. I think I kind of love this series now, and it's exactly the kind of lore building I think most fighting games* (recognizing of course that the Aether series goes beyond just platform fighters now) neglect. I'm excited to how these plots develop in the next game and beyond, and I love how many side characters have perfect set ups to be playable in Rivals 2. Seriously while I'm sure they will make some more completely original newcomers, I think there's enough side characters to pull from to become playable in the mainline Rivals platformer fighter series that they straight up wouldn't have to make new characters if they didn't want to. I'm hoping some of these guys join fleet in becoming officially playable in Rivals some day. I know it would probably be non-canon, but Randall's necromancer design slaps so hard and I kind of want to see him throw hands with Loxodont in Rivals 2. I feel like Ayala has high potential as a technology based engineer fighter too.

[@frifripsychic5890]

Great video!!! The editing was great and your able to lay out the confusing stories in a nice comprehensive way. I have one dumb nitpick tho, it’s about the aetherian forest fire. The world of aether was always a massive forest, but because of the fire nations battling for power (as stated in the LOA test 😭) they started an immense forest fire that enraged Sylvanos. Sylvanos was also enraged by the merchants cutting down the trees BEFORE the war happened. So once Sylvanos awoken the fire nation and the earth… people started fighting. The war continued but eventually the Earth People realized that Sylvanos was too powerful and greedy, and decided to end the war by making a pact with the wall runners. Also I think Kragg is the only character who has control of the earth, Im pretty sure but I can’t remember why I know that. Also your right about Ranno going to the Hodojo, they talk about that in one of their stage showcases when the kickstarter was happening. Either way, great video and Im glad someone finally made a lore video

[@Nparalelo]

Kudos for making the story of the first game sound less dumb. Heck, might I say you made it sound epic.

[@pkchiptune]

really glad someone made this! i'm trying to get into rivals & the lore seems pretty interesting 👍

[@hirux0164]

Yeah, now the orcane stuff has been confirmed in his reveal trailer for rivals 2

[@xeviousbread1280]

Kragg be rocking and stoning fr fr what a goat

[@sakarain]

Not a video I expected from you but clearly a lot of effort went into this. Enjoying it so far good work

[@Yeliad]

I havent watched this yet in full, but fantastic work and effort was put into this video and I appreciate it wholeheartedly ❤

[@FatherFox]

actually insane, nice vid o.o

[@powwu]

SO GOOD

[@randyryry6656]

Great video! Never knew rivals lore could be so interesting. Could u do a video with updates from rivals2?

[@Thinepickles]

5:49 DID I HEAR A ROCK AND STONE!?

[@Averagebasementman]

If it were me all of the playable cast in rivals would be at the battle. Even Slyvanos, angry at the abyss he tracks it down. Give Maypul and Kragg more incentive to hustle and get Slyvanos under control before he deals serious damage to aether.

[@frankunodostres473]

as someone who only played rivals 1, I am amazed by the magnitude of this story! a few things I found interesting: - sylvanos is the only playable "god", with orcane possibly being one too. does this mean we could get more >.> - fleet and olimpia seem a bit OP in the story, with them engaging in 3 fights in a row - the stories of eliana and zetterburn/forsburn and clairen are so good, they deserve their own movie - if fleet is in rivals 2, could this mean we get slade and the other 3 "thieves" too? that's be cool. also I hope etalus and eliana make it to the sequel and get a bit more to story relevance - mollo and pomme are from the future. I hope they find a way to rivals 2 somehow. maybe they followed clairen... somehow? lol

[@gregvs.theworld451]

I wonder if Clairen will run into Forsburn and if that will cause some tension since she knows she's his ancestor but might want to keep that a secret less she risks altering time. I definitely love the three "thieves" and would be down to see them be playable. I'm hoping we se Eliana's development too, her plight is completely understandable and I'm hoping she gets a happy ending. I wonder if the prejudice against non flying creatures is something the entire air armada holds, or if Swiftwing is just a prejudiced leader. If someone more open minded took his place or perhaps he opened his mind a bit he could see how Eliana would be a powerful ally for the Armada to have if she still wanted to join them, or maybe Wrastor could see her potential and they could be allies, even if she is officially over the Armada because of how they treated her.

[@jonathantavares4316]

As a fan of rivals for years this video has been absolutely peak!! Thank you for making it

[@garretttordo1380]

Thank you so much for pronouncing Aether correctly

[@ShinyRowletGuy]

I didn't know that Mollo, Hodan,Pome, and Olympia were cannon I was under the interpretation that they were workshop fan characters that got added to the base game for fun

[@BowlerSSF2]

Yep! They were originally designed by workshop creators but Aether Studios purchased the rights to the characters and has started to incorporate them fully into the lore.

[@ShinyRowletGuy]

@@BowlerSSF2 that's really cool actually

[@KrispyKorpse]

Abyss goes kinda hard. Runes on, hold forward

[@EyeZee]

Orcane got his city burnt down, but it came from a misunderstanding, so he cool wit it. I’d be throwing hands, personally 😤

[@-Commit-arson-]

I like to think the fire imperium operates by skies of Arcadia bad guy rules Basically they’ll only attack an outpost once and if they happen to survive and rebuild the outpost Egg on their face I guess

[@SpeedStar1642]

The Great Clement screaming in the distance.

[@lilCork100]

[@f1shn0td3d]

59:19 I was literally playing rivals as Clairen against Mollo wtf what kinda luck is this 💀

[@Heavy_Orbital]

God, i love this series.

[@tronsonic812]

It's so awesome that some of the workshop characters became part of the Aether canon. It really shows that Rivals is a game franchise that values its community.

[@gettinmomotion]

FORSBURN IS THE GOAT

[@royaloreo1275]

26:15 or so, could it be that Kragg has pebbles for brains and simply mistook north and south?

[@RiahGreen]

Great vid. Now i want to read tales of aether

[@ruzma3927]

As a fellow Æther loremaster, I must salute all the work and research that went into making this video, it was awesome! 👌 If I could add some bits, it'd be, and correct me if I'm wrong: wasn't it stated that Ranno cleans the waters of pollution coming down from Merchant Port? And aren't Zetter and Fors half-brothers (The latter being illegitimate, if not unloved)? Also, shoutouts to the irony of Neo Julesvale being nicknamed the City of Greed, considering the 'message™' of Dungeons 😛 There are also misc. facts, like Mollo being apparently pronounced [MO-YO] and that he's canonically trans, but that's really the gist of it (:3) Once again, awesome bloody good work mates! Here's to Rivals 2 retconning and adding to what's been established~

[@Intellectbtw]

Awesome I've learned something new

[@daviarcenio4901]

With the new rivals 2 trailer we now know that orcane is the god of joy, so no need for speculation.

[@_Gemkas_]

Man this video deserves so many more views 🔥🔥🔥

[@davidsonsimeus3298]

Thank you for the lore dump since MatPat can no longer do Game Theory.

[@Beastmd]

Thanks for this video. Wasn’t the biggest fan of some of the slightly mocking tone to some of the more cliche/“uninspired” aspects of the lore but I’m sure it was out of love ❤️

[@sansmorty9136]

This could so easily be turned into a hoi4 mod

[@Josuh]

Holy shit lore

[@memeboi69-k3v]

You forgot to mention the Shovel Knight lore (joke)

[@solve0418]

dawg you’re so goatee

[@De_an]

Take a shot every time he says "element."

[@ericmurotake5180]

I've always looked at the Watertown/Merchant Port split as different names for the same town, with "Watertown" being kinda the somewhat diminutive name

[@Kevinblue035]

fighting games always have the most peaktacular lore, and im glad rivals is no different

[@hesho24]

28:20 jumped into the WHAT??

[@rynnyryn93]

damn i need this to blowed up!! very cool vid

[@theshovel379]

New video ❤❤❤❤❤

[@Wolfie15]

Hey guys bowler here

[@thomas1pharma]

fyi the standard galactic alphabet at 27:02 roughly translates to "the rot maypul this shit is evil. probably. Ima leave the forest and i will look for"

[@Hailix4240]

Really sad that it seems Mollo (the goat) might not canonically appear in rivals 2

[@LeggoSF]

I had no idea the Workshop characters were canon

[@dtjtbglw]

she rival on my of till i aether

[@cyberjeeb]

When did the lore get this deep 😭