Welcome back everyone! What are you interested in seeing me do next?' Also, join the Discord: discord.gg/3xbkSmFbYy

"Huge wool animal statues, such as a duck" Sir, that is a chicken.

*Illagers and Traders show their hands* Villagers: S L U T S

Remember that in 1.17 we almost got Iceologer that would have expanded the lore, but youtubers said that squid reskin was better.

The idea that the Illagers succesfully do a summoning experiment everytime a Steve spawns in a new world is pretty sick

I think they kill a village when it gets too advanced. This also explains why the illagers only attack villages with the player, because those villages are likely to be more advanced under the player's influence. This would make it so the illagers could secretly trade and get XP, and so the villagers don't get advanced enough to overthrow them.

It's also quite interesting that wandering traders often use invisibilty potions. This could the reason that they are able to travel to around the world without being killed by the Illagers.

Honestly, my (probably far fetched) theory about the Illagers is that they're *literally* ill. They're diseased. That's why they've got the grey skin. Between the totems and the ability of evokers to summon what look like spirits, as well as a number of the rooms scattered throughout the mansions, it feels like, to me, they're desperately searching for a cure to this disease they've been infected with. There's also the supporting idea that the illagers were driven out of their villages when they got sick, which is why they harbor such a hate for the villagers. Tie that into this idea of a farm you've got going on, and the idea of experimentation with life and death- as well as the presence of the ravager, whose head looks uncannily like an Illager- And what might've started out as hate and a desire for revenge could now be nothing more than a desire to find this cure at all costs. Even to the point of kidnapping or killing to harvest experience. To the point of working out some of the fundamentals of death, and learning skills and creating things (like the totems) to try and circumvent it. And now for another probably large leap- what if the Illagers are sick with the same disease that might've caused the extinction of the Builder race? What if this disease never died down, but instead laid dormant until being unearthed and infecting the populace again? We know that the undead disease is something that can infect both the Builders *and* villagers, given both types of zombie, so what if this is another form of that same apocalyptic disease? Or it could be another sickness that's going down the same course as the one that killed the Builders, except this time its victims are far less advanced.

15:22 Have you ever stopped to notice that the illagers built an imitation beacon (inside this lava there is a beautiful blue diamond block)? this means that in addition to being interested in the end they are also interested in nether's star and beacon.

The fact that illagers only raid villages that the player enters after killing a captain implies that they're targeting villages that they think are strong enough to stand up to them. Squashing the possible rebellion in the process.

"villagers to illagers are nothing more than farms" Hello welcome to episode 15 today we're making a villager farm

As of 1.18, I believe the "Villagers are Pillager XP Farms" theory is even more likely, since Pillagers were updated to not attack baby villagers in 1.18.

Honestly, the Illagers have such neat culture and personality, despite being violent and raiding innocent villages. A group with advanced technology, vast and detailed mansions, and a deep connection to magic. They must be more than just violence. They are definitely intriguing.

This is super terrifying, honestly imagine stumbling upon a woodland mansion in real life and slowly discovering the truth

I always thought the Illagers were just some sort of mafia

I always thought the illager name was meant to be an ill villager, like a sick villager. Which was why they were gray

"The totem of undying is a philosopher's stone" was not what i expected to learn today but here we are

I’m glad that people are finally paying attention to the Illagers! They’re extremely interesting lore wise, and some of the most unique mobs in the base game.

Imagine Illagers being able to summon Herobrine in the future

The Illagers were trying to summon Herobrine, but instead summoned a Builder from the time before the plague, making Steve the last of his kind. A later second attempt could be what summoned Alex to the future as well. Or maybe, instead of from the past, they're from whatever home dimension the Builder's are from, and them being new to the Overworld explains why their crafting books are empty; they've yet to discover what can be done with this dimension's materials. Given the physiological differences between Steve and the villagers/illagers, it's possible they aren't the same species, and that Builders aren't native to the Overworld, but another world entirely, and found their way to the Overworld. Maybe the plague that wiped them out was so bad that they cut off access to their homeworld to protect it, leading to Steve and Alex needing to be summoned in order to appear.

Idea: the lapis in their head must be a sign with enchanting. Maybe they have something to do with enchanting. Maybe they written the language. It's just an idea. But think about it.

yo if he makes this a series, like legit (idk how to explain the excitement)

I never knew something so simple was so complex

The wandering traders are the few villagers that travel between villages consistently

Sounds like tempting reasons to use a mapping tool to locate illager mansions, gear up and bring some friends, and give the illagers a taste of their own medicine by raiding them.

I like to imagine that Ravagers are a type of failed Illager experiment. Their minds have been melted due to overexposure of magic, turning them into submissive war beasts.

If Steve is made by the illagers, we're the frankenstein's monster of looters, That's kinda cool

At 11:29, there is a brief text screen that pops up, and for those of you who didn’t catch it, here is what it reads: It’s worth pointing out that perhaps a more fundamental source of magic is destruction - killing, mining, smelting and harvesting could all be interpreted as destructive actions. For the purposes of this video, focusing the the magical power of death is enough for us. However, I would like to do another video explaining this idea more fully, if you are interested (I am) Sorry for doing another one of these single frame texts (yeah, thanks a lot) Also sub plz :D

I personally suspect that it's called the "Totem of Undying" because using it the way the Illagers use it turns you undead, like a proper undead Lich, as opposed to the zombies and skeletons that are more like... embodiments of evil that spontaneously form in the dark and take the form of things that frighten you. It would at least explain the Illager's complexions and the total disregard for Villagers' lives...

This is something you watch at 3 am

Illagers: we built this mansion for years now Steve: hahaha flint and steel go brrrr Illagers: :(

I know I’m late to the party but here’s a small theory. Remember when you were talking about how the illagers were trying to figure out how different dimension to work and open portals, how they want to kill villagers to gain xp, and the light and dark blue wool that is supposed to represent Steve? Well here’s my take on it, what if the moment a new player spawns into a world, they had spawned from a dimensions that the illagers had just opened. And as the player goes around killing mods, mining, and trading with villagers, the illagers are tracking down the player’s move in finding their location. So then when a player meets up with some wandering illagers and kills the leader and get the bad omen effect, the effects automatically gives the illagers enough time to find the player as they go into a village in a surprise rage. There the illagers kill the villagers for the xp, but they also get a change to kill the player. As the player as been around for so long, they would obviously had gain so much xp that could be very useful to the illagers and their totems. They even have one on stand by so when the player dies, the totem of undying can be used right there to collect the player’s xp and become even more powerful. Long story short, villagers are just a sit up to bring the player in and the wools is to represent Steve’s normal colors as an reminder to the illagers that Steve is the most powerful being in the Minecraft world and his xp is so valuable. But that’s just me.

11:29: It's worth pointing out thatperhaps a more fundemental source of magic is destruction - killing, mining, smelting and harvesting could all be interpreted as destructive actions. For the purposes of this video, focusing the magical power of death is enough for us. However, I would like to do another video explaining this idea more fully, if you're interested. Sorry for doing another one of these single-frame texts:it's a little bit harder to get ever since I transitioned to 60fps... Also sub pls :D

this is a lot darker than i thought it would be, and as someone who doesn't play a lot of minecraft and has never really explored the mansions, all the hidden rooms feel really ominous

Illagers: “I fear no villager, but that thing...” *flint and steel.* “It scares me.”

my heart goes out to that one villager who lives alone with their "village" which is one house and one group of crops. they seem to be in very world. I'm praying for them bro they will never live in a raid, plus they rarely have a golem. rip my guy.

One weird thing is that illagers in general are, compared to villagers, also ignored by undead mobs.

Honestly, what we already know about Illagers is pretty horrifying. You'll notice they don't raid or steal from the villages they attack, their priority lies solely with performing genocide on every single one.

"Why risk death just to go on vacation?" Remember that this year, people.

Now the timeline were the Illagers created the player and it was so perfect, that the player was sentient and turned out to be the thing the villagers nedded to save themself from the Illager

The totem of undying looks like a villagers with wings, possibly a villager angel. Since the totem gives you another life after a deadly blow and since it looks like a angel mabye theres a reason why it looks like that.. also they seem to be made of gold and emerald eyes. Since it uses magic to keep you alive after dying.. mabye since the evocer uses magic as well mabye they make it, because since when they die they drop the totem.. but if the totem is made of gold, emerald and XP. Then why cant the player make it? Also love the vids! Its so fun and interesting to watch your deep dive into my favourite game mystery also if the villagers and the illagers built the villages and the mansion, then why dont they build blocks? Like more farms, houses e.c.t New video idea!

Went in expecting some tinfoil hat conspiracy, came out a changed man.

Everyone gangsta till he say, “What if the player is the result of the illagers successful experiment?”

This could be why vindicators do so much damage they use a strength potion

Wow such a thought provoking video! If the illagers made Steve, it would be so full circle for him to be their own destruction. I hope more secret rooms or illager related content comes out soon

The villagers are like the people from the Viking age British isles. Their development was stunted by pillaging invaders

Imagine playing in peaceful mode, and making the woodland your “starter base”, after lighting it up!🤣

Do you think it's possible that the Totem of Undying is a totem used by the Illigers to ensure Steve never truly dies when killed, so they can endlessly farm him for experience? Zombies would be early trials that were unsuccessful.

On the other hand, if you clear out all the Illagers and light the place up, those mansions are fantastic bases for you. You can start repurposing the rooms with farms and make a completely self-sustaining base for you and all your friends.

"villages don't communicate, trade, or leave their cities" >Wandering Trader

Imagine the illagers knew about the ancient extinct civilazation or even lived alongside them and after they got extinct the evocers tried to recreate them, this is how the player entered the world. So Steve is from the same species as the ancient civilization but was recreated after the extinction of them

This theory might also have to to with emeralds as the eyes of the totem have the same colour and maybe villagers are the only mob who knows how to get emeralds as they are extremely rare. Im thinking of that cuz evokers which are spellcasters carry emeralds and they might be using that as a material for their magic. This is just a though. Enjoyed the video keep up the good work!

The illagers trying to summon Steve is something I’ve never thought of

"Why do they construct statues of their heads and animals?" Humans: Busts and statues of animals in almost every culture

Heres a weird fact, Villagers have armor and weapons, but they just dont use it no matter what happens

Illagers always reminded me of Orcs. I think they operate independantly but will come together to raid a village

I bet Notch is just watching this shit like: “Damn Bro…” He straight up didn’t even make an origin story for the mobs and we’re all just like “screw it” *Clicks Video* 😂

"have you ever wondered why we don't see villagers travelling?" Wandering traders: am I a joke to you?

The time when he used the sound wololo is taken from a game Age Of Empires in which priests say it when converting other units

I have an opposing theory on why villages are so small: mojang doesnt want to improve villager pathfinding. Adding cities/nations ran by villagers without improving their pathfinding would mean more villagers walking around corners at night and more green robed villagers roaming all over the place because they cant properly locate their work stations

17:26 so nobody’s gonna mention the baby that fell in the gorge

Illagers: were the strongest ever now, we have a totem which means we have a second life! Steve after dying for the 638th time: hahaha respawn go brrrr

3:57 the abyss that villagers build their communities around results in close calls, they are in serious need of some city planning lol.

If the player was the experiment it must be a failed one as the illagers clearly don't hesitate to eliminate the player on site however they don't actively hunt the player perhaps they identify the player as a threat but not a major one and perhaps they are more focused on something far more powerful or a project far more beneficial when conserving their efforts to attempt to complete it, this project may be interdimensional travel and the player was meant to unlock the key to this travel however they doubted his efficiency or he/she was failed in some way so the player was abandoned although it's more likely the player was not the grand experiment the illagers completed.

There is so much mystery linked to evoker..... That guy might be the mastermind of all the sinister activities....

13:02 RetroGamingNow: But the totem of undying has a much brighter tone, it's a similar color to something we talked about a few minutes ago... me: emeralds RetroGamingNow: experience. me: ah

Love your camera and background music. These make your videos more of a documentary than a simple youtube video. Subscribed!

What's more interesting is the _names_ of the Illagers. The definitions of Vindicator are "a person who clears someone of blame or suspicion" and "a person who shows or proves something to be right, reasonable, or justified." Which implies that they're not just evil, but rather they feel they are in the right and justified in their opposition. The name Evoker comes from the word evoke, meaning "bring or recall to the conscious mind" and "invoke (a spirit or deity)." Of course named this because they summon (or invoke) vexes and evoker fangs to attack. What's really odd though is that even though they drop Totems of Undying, they don't actually use them... even though they can (like all mobs) use them if you use commands to put one in their mainhand or offhand. Another interesting thing, is that in Minecraft Legends (although its still unsure if anything in the game is canon or not) Villagers and Illagers are considered one and the same. They live together and act the same, and the Illagers are just Villagers with gray colored skin. But later on in the story the Illagers get curious about the war going on with the Piglins and want to help fight after finding one of the piglin mace weapons... Knowledge, Foresight, and Action are very reluctant, but decide to grant their wish and give them iron axes, transforming them into Vindicators. They actually help you as one of the troops you can use in battle, but in the final cutscene of the game it implies that they're grumpier and begin to be less friendly with the Villagers. If Legends is a myth/story told by the Villagers based on an exaggerated true event, then perhaps this is part of their canon origin somehow (but again... we don't know if its canon yet).

For those wondering, the single frame text at 11:29 says: It's worth pointing out that perhaps a more fundamental source of magic is destruction- killing, mining, smelting, and harvesting could all be interpreted as destructive actions. For the purposes of this video, focusing the magical power of death is enough for us. However, I would like to do another video explaining this idea more fully if you're interested.

Illagers: *Mysterious, raids villages, hiding in the woods, deadly* Redstone Engineers seeing their outpost and Mansion: It's time for TNT Cannon!

what a video man! this is what I call quality content, I'm gonna binge watch all his deep dive videos now.

I have to say that I love your compositions for this videos. You have an interesting style, and it's rare to meet such a person, who composes in a classical styles and applies them to these essays. This whole video is a fantastic job.

i just thought of something you missed in the video. I've noticed that whenever you go to kill a wander traders, they sometimes throw an invisibility potion. Maybe this relates to them "camouflaging" from pillager outposts when they pass by them, therefore allowing them to travel between places unharmed? All in all really detailed video and i enjoyed it.

This makes so much sense. I think you're on to something here.

I'd never thought of smelting as destructive, but you are absolutely right. I'm watching this a year after you made it and I'm glad I found it. Great video! Subscribed.

These deep dive videos really change how I see the game while playing it

"illagers and villagers both have green eys" *sad vindicator noises*

I think it's important to note that the player's ability to attract EXP, along with their seemingly unlimited capacity to store it, are HUGE anomalies. If the player is the result of the illagers' efforts, it'd make sense they'd only managed to make the one, as it'd either be some huge drain on their resources or take some exotic material. The player is an EXP magnet unlike anything else in Minecraft, the stuff being drawn to them even from long distances, and even being able to pull EXP out of villagers while they're alive. This would also suggest that villagers normally have much weaker EXP attraction and/or storage than even other mobs. Perhaps the illagers' grey skin is the result of them increasing their own capacity for EXP? I'd also like to posit that the Totem of Undying's use as a death defiance may actually be entirely unique to the player, and could be caused by their wildly high EXP stores overloading and destroying the Totem as it releases one last spell imbuing life into the nearest entity, i.e. the player.

I think the Illagers are just a complex society that sees themselves at higher level then us or villagers, and believes they can raid villagers with ease and no punishment.

"To them, villages are nothing more than farms" Players with iron farms and trading halls: *laughs maniacally*

I thought the green in Totems was emeralds... It looks exactly the same

meanwhile in the mojang offices we're being laughed at for taking a cool update too far

I realize that this video is almost a year old, but I’d rather think that the eyes of the totem of undying are emeralds, powered by experience. The hull and the chassis is made out of gold, which has a special attraction to this magic and rather the experience is combiners with that gold and rare ore as the eyes. That’s my take on the totem of undying

I never thought I’d be creeped out by virtual Lego but here we are, good video and footage!

“There’s a 1/50 chance of seeing a dead village. Me who always find them: wow, never knew. YES GUYS, I FINALLY FOUND ONE AN ALIVE VILLAGE IN SURVIVAL. 😭

"so what do you do for a living" *"i use towns as farms and make cursed totems that stops the inevitable"*

I LOVE the idea that the player is the result of Illager experiments. Explains so much with so little! Of course theres many other theories out there, bit that is one of my favorites

i enjoy listening to these deep dives, ur theory's are actually interesting, nice thinking :3

RetroGamingNow:: "they're the only mobs that are known to actively summon entities for help" *Sad bedrock edition wither noises*

"To the illagers, villagers are nothing more than farms" This is like the promised neverland

This documentary style stuff is awesome to put on in the background while doing math :) thank you for them Retro

10:48 "They're the only mobs known to actively summon other entities for help" Zombies: Am I a joke to you?

RetroGamingNow: **Makes whole theory on how the illagers are advanced** Mojang: **wasn’t thinking of a lore when making them**

This mans every time he decides to make a video: “It’s big brain time.”

I am truly amazed by your theories as I also imagined some things like that .

How did I not notice until now, the Totem of Undying is the shape of a villager with wings

This is why I like Minecraft. So much mystery

An interesting thing to note is that cartographers sell maps leading to woodland mansions. This can easily show how, if not powerful, intimidating the illagers are. If the villagers were braver, or if the illagers were weaker, then the villages would immediately send iron golems to invade the woodland mansions.

I really like what you brought up with the XP and the Totems of Undying. I never realized how they were trying to build some End portal with wool. Makes me wonder.

I really like the theory that the illagers managed to resurrect an ancient builder (Steve) but he somehow escaped them.