Straight answers about the project, outside the story.
What is The Traveler's Archive: Terra Edition?
The Traveler's Archive: Terra Edition is a science-fiction world-building project by R.P. Lawrence. It presents the fictional Auryn Galaxy as a recovered archive: public records, classified dossiers, short stories, essays on how the world was built and an interactive star chart.
Is the archive real?
No. The Traveler's Archive is fiction. The site is written from inside the story, as if the archive had really reached Earth, and that framing is part of the experience.
Is it a story or a reference work?
Both. The Public Records and the Dossiers are lore entries about the galaxy's history, politics, places and people. The Collected Stories of Auryn are fiction set in the same galaxy. The essays in Behind the Lore explain how the world was made. Entries link to each other by name, so you can read in order or follow whatever catches your interest.
Who is the Traveler?
The Traveler is the main voice of the archive: the first entry and all the fundamental entries are credited to them, although the archive also credits hundreds of other contributors. Who the Traveler was is part of the mystery the archive slowly reveals. The Preface is the place to start.
Who writes it?
R.P. Lawrence is the author of The Traveler's Archive and writes every entry, story and essay. Inside the story, Lawrence appears as the archive's editor; see On the Editor.
Where should I start reading?
Start with the Provenance, which explains where the archive comes from, then continue with the Public Records. The first entry is Welcome to the Archive.
Is it free to read?
Most of it is. The Public Records, the essays in Behind the Lore and most of the Collected Stories are free to read. The Classified Records, the Dossiers and some stories need a clearance.
What is a clearance?
A clearance is the access level of your subscription. Public Access is free and sends every public entry to your inbox. Paid clearances unlock more of the archive: Classified Clearance opens the Classified Records, the Dossiers and every story with an access code, and higher levels add early manuscripts, side stories and alternate points of view. The Subscriptions page lists every level and its current price.
How do I get notified about new entries?
Subscribe to the free Public Access with the Request Clearance button in the footer of any page. Every new public entry then arrives in your inbox, and you can manage or cancel the subscription from the same footer.
Is there a community?
Yes. Every reader can join the community channels on Discord: the invite comes with the welcome email when you subscribe, free included. Paid clearances open further channels; see the Subscriptions page.
Are there books or other releases?
Works already released outside the archive, such as novels, stories, films and audio, are listed on the Releases page. Planned projects are listed on the Project Status page.
Is the project finished?
No. The archive keeps growing. The Project Status page shows the work now underway and how far the edition has come, and the Patch Notes list every update.
How do I contact you?
Write to contact@thetravelersarchive.earth for general questions, press@thetravelersarchive.earth for press and media, and support@thetravelersarchive.earth for help with your subscription or access.