Vena Cava

Pronounced Vee-nuh Cave-uh || Any pronouns || Is a maybe a bit obsessed with Aventurine

[inferior-venacava]

Is it just me or is The Herta very Homura coded (from Madoka Magica)? I swear there's parallels...

Maybe I'll remember to revisit this with some evidence, but I think Herta becoming the "head" for Irontomb parallels how Homura would have become a witch without Madoka.

Also one of her trailers or smth had Herta sitting at a table, outside, under a large umbrella, drinking a drink of some sort. Homura does this at the end of Rebellion (the third Madoka Magica movie).

[rewriterory]

Terrible no good very bad night. You know what that means *grabs aventurine as he squeaks like a dog toy*

[inferior-venacava]

Aventurine is always the answer.

I don't need to process my trauma, I have (insert traumatized fictional character here)!

[homunculus-argument]

How to write the most amazing unique and original story ever:

Pick a random setting that you think would be fun and cool to write about. Either something you already know a lot about, or something you know you're going to have fun researching.

Choose your favourite Shakespeare play. If you don't know any of them, just pick one at random, but try not to go with Romeo and Juliet, that's been done way too much.

Start figuring out how you'd adapt the play into the setting you chose. What would the characters in this world have instead of a king? What would they take as seriously as Shakespeare's world took religion and god? What kind of lifelong "will only end in one party's death" contracts and agreements would they have that they would regard the same way as Shakespeare's plays regard marriage?

Every time some element or detail of the play is incompatible with the setting you chose, always alter the plot to match the setting, not the other way around.

Eventually you'll have altered so many of the original story's elements that the end result is practically unrecognisable and has next to no resemblance to the original play. This is now your original story. You asked "what if I could make a llama work as a horse?" and reverse engineered the camel.

[inferior-venacava]

Macbeth in the Honkai: Star Rail universe

I'll elaborate on this later (hopefully).

Ideas appreciated

[rubywolf0201]

Some appearances of the beloved characters we have known back in 2.x making their return

Aventurine!

Firefly!

Silver Wolf!

Sparkle!

Robin!

Jade!

And Acheron!

[inferior-venacava]

Guys, I need to see them again...

[avenchu]

do not disturb his slumber

[inferior-venacava]

WHERE DID YOU GET ALL THESE THINGS??

I know where to get the Nendoll but EVERYTHING ELSE???

[inferior-venacava]

Aventurine blackout drunk with who knows what else in his system, head down on a roulette table at some casino at 7 in the morning.

You find his hat on some random slot machine and recognize his coat from across the room.

You help him up and manage to drag him over to his apartment. Usually you just sort out his stuff, give him a glass of water, prepare him some meds, and get him into bed, but this time he doesn't let go of your wrist once he's in bed. He doesn't whine or complain or even look at you, but he doesn't let go of you either.

After a solid 30 minutes you give in and lay down next to him, still giving him space, but letting him hold onto your wrist.

Eventually you both fall asleep like this.

[habibisagi]

loving a character so much will unlock such vulnerable and cringe parts of you that you try to suppress so bad but you can't like it's so humbling

[rewriterory]

i think it's so unbelievably funny that aventurine is based so heavily around peacocks bc he IS a fucking peacock, i went down a hole tonight reading about them and some of the peacock facts i learned are too funny / cool so i must share

when a guy woos a girl, he'll kinda dance around and show himself off and make this little squeaky mating call, which will sometimes attract other girls bc they just can't resist his game i guess, but did yall know that if a peacock cant impress a girl by being showy / impressive enough, he'll sometimes make a false mating call just to draw the girls over and they'll fall for his dirty tricks LMAO they deadass just fake it and then act coy when the girls come

and its so funny when they open their feathers bc ive watched so many videos on youtube and EVERY time, the peacock literally will do multiple laps around the area and turn around several times like he makes sure EEVVERRYONNEE is seeing him and its so funny. they know they're beautiful (which they seriously are even the backs of them are beautiful)

peacocks are also some of the loudest damn birds on earth which is funny bc i feel like people don't think of them when they think noisy birds but god DAMN they be yelling, which makes me think of ratio grilling aventurine for being loud and annoying <3

in hinduism, they believe the eyes on the feathers are the 'eyes of the gods' which is really interesting, especially when we look at the ties between aven and giathra + his eyes. also, aven is clearly based around romani culture, which if im not mistaken im pretty sure romani people originated in india ?? and the peacock is the national bird of inida (: which its just kinda fun how all those things link together dont you think

i learned peacocks used to be food for the wealthy, in medieval times, exotic animals appeared on the tables of the wealthy as a sign of riches and there's recipes from that time about how to prepare peacocks for a feast. skin was removed with feathers intact so the peacock could be cooked and flavored, and then the skin would be reattached for a striking visual display prior to eating. which not to kill the vibe but....REAALLLYYYY funny when we look at aventurine's character, considering he was basically a prize for the rich when he was enslaved (and lowkey we could say he is still one now in the IPC) theres a lot of metaphors in there for skinning him to 'flavor him up' and then putting the beautiful showy feathers back on to keep him striking

they also take yeeaarrrsss to develop their colorful feathers, just like aventurine took a very long time to...you know, become aventurine

and peacocks are beautiful but they're also DAMN tough, they literally eat poisonous snakes ?? did you know that ?? bc i didnt !! people keep them as pets bc they will fucking yoink snakes like its nothing and gobble them idiots up

you know im fucking crazy when im watching peacock fact videos at 3 am bc im like "hmmm i like aventurine so much hehe (: "

[inferior-venacava]

Fun fact: Peacocks can fly for about half a minute. They do so to escape when they're in direct danger, but for the most part they don't fly.

Relevant? Maybe not, but I wanted to share it regardless

[roxirinart]

✨ Aventurine Analysis: Which Came First - the Stone or the Stoneheart? ✨

Do you guys ever think about how aventurine (AKA Goldstone) is a man-made semi-precious stone created by a reduction of copper ions added to molten glass and sealed in a hypoxic (no oxygen) environment that gives it a glittery effect known as aventurescence?

And do you ever think about how the word 'aventurine' itself (to quote Wikipedia) "derives from the Italian "a ventura" meaning "by chance". This is an allusion to the lucky discovery of aventurine glass or 'goldstone' at some point in the 18th century."

And do you ever think about how Aventurine (the natural gemstone) was named after the glass instead of the other way round, because it has a similarly glittery quality?

Because I do!

And then I think about how Aventurine (the character) was originally bought/sold for copper(!) coins, and came from a desert planet (glass is made from sand), and how it's actually pretty plausible that Aventurine's Cornerstone - based on the natural stone and not the man-made stone as far as I can tell - was actually named after him and not the other way round.

Analysis/explanation below! :)

Theory: what if the Cornerstones aren't a set of predetermined stones that get passed down, but rather a new Stoneheart gets their own stone that's unique to them upon induction?

For example, take Obsidian: she expresses an enjoyment of bloodshed, has a line where she says that it's 'no fun for prey to die a natural death', and has vampiric design motifs, which can be thematically-aligned with real obsidian. Historically, it's been used to craft weaponry sharper than steel out of volcanic glass, therefore associating it with bloodshed and destruction, plus the word 'obsidian' means 'of darkness' - suitably vampiric!

I personally think it's more likely that she was Like That before receiving her Cornerstone and that it was created to fit her, as opposed to the other way round (although I recognize it's not completely implausible for Diamond to have had the Obsidian stone conveniently vacant at time of hiring, or even actively searched for employees who fit the stone's 'aura', maybe).

Kakavasha's trial was called the 'Egyhazo Aventurine Case', which would - unless it's A) lore oversight on Hoyo's part, or B) just a wild coincidence - support the idea of him being called Aventurine before receiving his Cornerstone, especially since he would have needed a name other than his birth name to go by in-between being hired by the IPC and becoming a Stoneheart (based on conjecture and educated guessing). Jade told him the following at the end of his trial:

"Kakavasha... A good name, but unfortunately destined to be buried in the dirt. You though, you deserve to live, to create even more wealth for us. Go, pick the clothes you like, then choose your desired identity... and then use them well, child."

Naming himself after the court case that became his job interview is as good a pick as any, especially on short notice since he probably didn't have a lot of time to mull it over.

*deep breath*

So: Aventurine, forged in a suffocating environment from copper pieces and desert glass (and displaying the potentially lucrative 'glitter' of schemes and stratagems long before assuming his current role) being the inspiration for the similarly-glittering Cornerstone, the Aventurine of Stratagems, doesn't seem too far-fetched to me!

Plus it also clears up the vague irritation I always felt at his pre-employment (let alone pre-Stoneheart) court case being called that lmao

Thank you for reading! I wrote this instead of working on a project I was supposed to be working on ✌️😌

Bonus content for getting to the end of the post: some nice pictures of Goldstone vs natural aventurine :)

[saturnbeknownst]

an aventurine analysis—(most of) the references in his character.

i thought i'd compile this information on here in case someone else might be interested in this!! enjoy!! if i missed anything, do let me know in the comments. ⁠♡♡

aventurine's light cone is called "inherently unjust destiny". an "inherently unjust destiny" refers to a situation or outcome that is fundamentally unfair or biased from the start. it implies that the factors determining one's fate are intrinsically unequal, leading to inevitable injustice. this phrase is often used in discussions about societal structures, where certain groups might face systemic disadvantages that predetermine their outcomes, regardless of their actions or efforts.

the name kakavasha means the cry of a young crow in sanskrit.

kakavasha was born on the kakava festival, held by romani people on may 5-6.

the name aventurine is based off the aventurine stone, which represents opportunity and luck.

aventurine's banner is called gilded imprisonment, which refers to a situation where an individual is trapped in a seemingly comfortable or privileged environment, but in reality, their freedom and autonomy are restricted. this term is often used to describe scenarios where the outward appearance of luxury or advantage masks the underlying lack of true liberty or choice. the concept can be applied to various contexts, such as relationships, employment, or societal roles, where the benefits or status conferred upon an individual come at the cost of their freedom or well-being.

aventurine's quest is called “all the sad tales,” which could refer to “All the sad Young Men” by F. Scott Fitzgerald—a collection of short stories. i've summarized all of them below:

The Rich Boy an upper-class man, Anson Hunter, is emotionally distant and incapable of deep love. despite several relationships, including a significant one with Paula Legendre, his arrogance and fear of commitment leave him alone and regretful. Winter Dreams Dexter Green, a working-class young man, falls for the beautiful but fickle Judy Jones. he builds a successful life in pursuit of her, only to realize later that she has married and lost her charm. the story reflects themes of unattainable dreams and disillusionment. The Baby Party John and Edith Andros take their daughter to a children’s party, where a minor conflict between kids escalates into a physical fight between their fathers. the story highlights adult immaturity and the fragility of pride. Absolution a young boy named Rudolph Miller struggles with guilt and strict religious expectations. after confessing a minor sin, he receives harsh punishment from his father, leading him to question morality. the story serves as a thematic prelude to The Great Gatsby. Rags Martin-Jones and the Prince of Wales a wealthy woman, Rags, is pursued by a mysterious and seemingly noble man, who turns out to be an imposter. the story critiques social pretensions and the illusions of high society.

The Adjuster a woman named Luella, who believes she deserves happiness without effort, is advised by a psychiatrist to embrace life’s hardships. the story explores self-delusion and personal growth. Hot and Cold Blood two men reflect on a failed business venture and how their differing personalities—one cold and calculating, the other passionate—led to their downfall. the story examines human nature and success.

The Sensible Thing George O’Kelly, an ambitious but struggling man, is rejected by his love, Jonquil, due to financial instability. after achieving success, he returns to her, only to find their love has faded. the story mirrors themes of lost innocence and changing emotions.

Gretchen’s Forty Winks a husband, Roger Halsey, feels neglected when his wife, Gretchen, prioritizes her beauty sleep. His jealousy and insecurity lead to comedic misunderstandings, revealing the absurdity of marital tensions.

in the cn dub, aventurine's quest is titled “dance in the slaughterhouse,” which refers to “Dance in the Slaughterhouse,” a novel by Ed McBain. [spoilers ahead] in this novel, detectives from the 87th Precinct investigate a snuff film, uncovering a dark network of violence and sexual exploitation. as they track the killers, they face corruption and danger, leading to a tense and gritty conclusion.

when we switch to aventurine's pov in the penacony quest, it's is called danse macabre. the "danse macabre," also known as the "dance of death," is an artistic and literary motif that emerged in the late Middle Ages. it depicts the universality of death, illustrating the idea that death comes for everyone, regardless of their social status or position in life. the motif typically features skeletons or personifications of death leading people from all walks of life—such as kings, popes, peasants, and children—in a dance toward their graves. the danse macabre serves as a reminder of the inevitability of death and the transient nature of earthly life. it was often portrayed in murals, prints, literature, and music. one of the most famous representations is the fresco in the Cemetery of the Holy Innocents in Paris, created around the early 15th century. this theme became particularly popular in times of plague and social upheaval, reflecting the widespread presence of death and the shared human experience of mortality.

— on a similar note, when we switch to aventurine's pov, we see a question right under danse macabre. the translation is “Quo Fata Ferunt?” which literally means, “Whither the Fates Carry (Us)?” the motto appears on Gibraltar’s coat of arms, granted by Spain’s Catholic Monarchs in 1502, before the British took control of the territory in 1704.

eidolons:

eidolon one; prisoner's dilemma: it is a game that demonstrates why two people might not cooperate, even if it's in their best interest. in the game, two players are arrested and interrogated separately. each has two choices: to cooperate with their partner by staying silent or to betray their partner by confessing. the outcomes are:

if both stay silent, they get a light sentence.

if one betrays and the other stays silent, the betrayer goes free and the silent one gets a heavy sentence.

if both betray, they both get moderate sentences.

the dilemma arises because while mutual cooperation yields a better overall outcome, individual incentives lead both to betray, resulting in a worse outcome for both.

eidolon two; bounded rationality: it is a card game that simulates the decision-making process under constraints. in this game, players must make choices based on limited information, time, and cognitive resources. the aim is to replicate real-world scenarios where individuals cannot consider all possible options or outcomes. the game involves making trade-offs and prioritizing certain actions, reflecting the concept that people use "bounded" rationality rather than perfect rationality when making decisions.

eidolon three; droprate maxing: droprate maxing is a strategy used in games, particularly in those involving loot or collectible items, where players aim to maximize their chances of obtaining rare items. this involves optimizing various factors that affect drop rates, such as choosing the best locations to farm, using specific equipment or bonuses that increase drop chances, and repeating actions that yield the best rewards. the goal is to make the most efficient use of time and resources to get the desired items as quickly as possible.

eidolon four; unexpected hanging paradox: it is a logic puzzle involving a surprise event. for example:

a judge tells a condemned prisoner that they will be hanged at noon on one weekday (monday to friday), but the hanging will be a surprise. the prisoner won't know the day until the morning of the hanging. the prisoner reasons:

- if the hanging is on friday, they would know by thursday night, so it can't be friday.

- if it's thursday, they would know by wednesday night, since friday is ruled out, so it can't be thursday.

- by this logic, they rule out each day, concluding the hanging can't happen at all.

despite this reasoning, the prisoner is hanged on a day they don't expect, making the hanging both surprising and logical.

the paradox arises because the prisoner's logical deduction leads to a conclusion that contradicts the judge's initial statement.

eidolon five; ambiguity aversion: it is when people prefer known risks over unknown risks. in simple terms, if given a choice between a bet where they know the exact odds of winning and a bet where the odds are unclear, most people choose the one with known odds, even if both bets might have the same potential payoff. this happens because people feel more comfortable and secure when they know what to expect.

eidolon six; the stag hunt game: it is a game that illustrates a situation where cooperation and trust between individuals lead to better outcomes, but there's a risk involved. for example:

two hunters can either hunt a stag (deer) together or hunt rabbits alone.

hunting a stag requires both hunters to cooperate; if they succeed, they both get a large reward.

hunting rabbits can be done alone, and each hunter gets a smaller, but guaranteed reward.

if one hunter goes for the stag and the other hunts rabbits, the stag hunter gets nothing, while the rabbit hunter gets a small reward.

the game shows the dilemma between choosing a safe, smaller reward (hunting rabbits) or risking cooperation for a larger reward (hunting a stag). it highlights the importance of trust and cooperation in achieving the best outcomes.

achievements related to aventurine:

when we witness kakavasha's story, we get the achievement "Sibyl, what do you want?" the phrase "Sibyl, what do you want?" originates from T.S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land," specifically in the epigraph at the beginning. the full epigraph, translated from Latin, is:

"For I myself saw with my own eyes the Sibyl at Cumae hanging in a jar, and when the boys said to her, 'Sibyl, what do you want?' she replied, 'I want to die.'"

this passage references the Sibyl of Cumae, a prophetic figure in Roman mythology who was granted immortality by the god Apollo but not eternal youth. as a result, she grew older and more withered over time, longing for death as a release from her endless, decrepit existence.

the epigraph serves to set the tone for "The Waste Land," a poem that explores themes of decay, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a fragmented, modern world. the Sibyl's desire for death reflects a sense of despair and futility, which resonates with the broader themes of the poem.

how is this related to aventurine? well, for one, kakavasha's life revolves around death. it would surprise nobody if all he knew at this point would be death. he has been granted a life that could be described as a 'dream' by many, but for him, quite like the Sibyl of Cumae, it could only be a curse. his loss of innocence is also expressed in this line.

upon defeating aventurine's boss, we get the achievement "she replied, ‘i want to die,’" which is a continuation of the previous achievement ("sibyl, what do you want?"), and the sibyl's response, and in this case, also aventurine's.

combat abilities/traces:

(technique) the red and the black: “The Red and The Black” is a novel by Stendhal. [the paragraph summarizes the red and the black, so spoiler warning.] it follows Julien Sorel, a poor but ambitious young man in 19th-century France. he becomes a tutor and has an affair with Madame de Rênal, which forces him to flee to a seminary. later, he gains favor with the aristocratic Marquis de la Mole and begins a passionate affair with the marquis’s daughter, Mathilde. when his past is exposed, he attempts to kill Madame de Rênal, is arrested, and sentenced to death. in prison, he rejects his past ambitions and accepts his fate. Mathilde mourns him, while Madame de Rênal dies of grief.

— peaceful calm: refers to a state of deep tranquility and serenity, where there is an absence of stress, agitation, or disturbance. It's a feeling of inner stillness and relaxation, where both the mind and body are at ease. In this state, one may feel grounded, clear-headed, and free from worry or tension.

— still water runs deep: the latin "still waters run deep" is a proverb with latin origins that suggests that a calm and placid exterior often conceals deep thoughts, emotions, or complexities beneath the surface. it implies that individuals who appear quiet or reserved may possess significant depth, wisdom, or intensity that is not immediately apparent.

— pouring rain: i am still a bit confused about this, but there are two possibilities. it could refer to “In Red Earth and Pouring Rain” by Vikram Chandra, a wounded monkey avoids death by telling an epic tale. His story follows Sanjay, a poet in colonial India, as he navigates love, war, and rebellion. Meanwhile, modern-day characters in California explore identity and belonging.

the other possibility is that it refers to the rain that fell on Sigonia-IV on aventurine's birthday.

(thank you @roxirinart for pointing out this possibility!!) for the 'pouring rain' reference, if it's not referring to anything deeper, it could refer to the act of 'making it rain'—a phrase that means throwing out cash in the air, usually at strip clubs, but it's sort of a slang nowadays for indulgently spending large amounts of money in a lavish or extravagant way, which fits the way his skill is a slot machine hitting the jackpot and how he 'makes it rain' in his ult as well. the pouring part could simply be to emphasize how much money it is (instead of 'drizzling' rain it's 'pouring' rain, which just means it is constantly raining, so a lot of money), or could be a reference to 'when it rains, it pours'—when one bad thing happens, other bad things tend to follow/come with it—which certainly fits how aventurine went through a massacre (in the rain) and proceeded to live a whole life of horrifying 'misfortunes' afterwards.

(shield) fortified wager: a "fortified wager" generally refers to a bet or gamble that has been strengthened or supported in some way. the term isn't widely used, but in this context, 'fortified' suggests that the wager has been enhanced or protected—perhaps through additional safeguards, resources, or strategies. for instance, in gambling or sports betting, a "fortified wager" could mean a bet that has been bolstered by better odds, insider knowledge, or some form of assurance, making it a stronger or less risky bet than it would have been otherwise. it might also involve combining bets or using betting strategies that minimize risk.

blind bet: it refers to a forced bet in poker (and some other card games) that players must place before they see their cards. it’s typically used to ensure there’s money in the pot right from the start of a hand. there are usually two types of blinds in poker:

small blind: a smaller bet placed by the player to the immediate left of the dealer.

big blind: a larger bet placed by the player two seats to the left of the dealer.

these blinds rotate around the table, ensuring everyone contributes over time. the players who place the blind bets are at a slight disadvantage since they must bet without seeing their cards first, thus the term 'blind.'

leverage: it is the ability to influence situations or people so that you can control what happens.

hot hand: it is a phenomenon, previously considered a cognitive social bias, that a person who experiences a successful outcome has a greater chance of success in further attempts.

bingo: it is a game of chance using cards on which there is a grid of numbers, a row of which constitute a win when they have been chosen at random. bingo is one of the most popular forms of low-priced gambling in the world.

[starcurtain]

Fact Checking Some Myths About Aventurine and the IPC

Especially in light of Jade's new myriad celestia trailer and the reveal of the other Stonehearts, I've seen a ton of wild claims about Aventurine--particularly how he's an unwilling member of the Stonehearts and needs to be saved from the IPC--that just aren't sitting right with me because they're based significantly more on the fanon take that Aventurine is an "innocent victim" than any actual evidence displayed in the game. So I wanted to take the time to collect some in-game evidence to see if we can sort out what Aventurine's actual relationship to the IPC is. Time to do some fact checking--this is a long one, buckle up!

Claim #1: Aventurine was sentenced to die by the IPC.

Verdict: There's no actual evidence that Aventurine was ever sentenced to anything.

This entire idea that Aventurine was actually successfully sentenced to die by the IPC comes from two pieces of "evidence" in the game. First, the scene with Dr. Ratio where those words are stated:

Leaving aside whether the IPC legally has the right to sentence anyone to anything by themselves (they're a corporation, not an actual governing body), this is the exact line that Dr. Ratio fans have been bending over backward to prove is "just an act" and that Ratio would never actually mean this (because if he actually meant this, it would make him pretty racist). So if we've already busted our asses to prove this line isn't true and was just Ratio and Aventurine acting... why would we be using this line as evidence that Aventurine was actually sentenced to anything?

We can't say "This entire scene was an act because Sunday/the Family was listening in!" and then go "Okay, but this one part is definitely true (despite there not being any other evidence in game to corroborate the statement)." Either this scene is acting, and this line isn't true--or the line is true, and Ratio's kind of a racist. Make up your minds, people. 😂

Actually, I can help make up your mind. We can prove that this line is likely a strong part of Aventurine and Ratio's deliberate act because Ratio's comment (which took place in 2.0) doesn't actually make any sense once Aventurine's story is fully revealed (in 2.1).

Ratio relates Aventurine's slave brand to the IPC, suggesting that the brand is proof that Aventurine is "doomed" and "sentenced to die by the IPC." Ratio even goes so far to say "Or was it from the Amber Lord himself?"

But from 2.1, we know that Aventurine's brand had nothing to do with the IPC, and his former slave owner was definitely not an IPC employee (as he refers to the IPC the same as Aventurine's sister did, "the guys in black").

Aventurine's brand came from being owned by a non-IPC-affiliated slaver--it had nothing to do with the Stonehearts or even Oswaldo Schneider.

So Ratio's entire comment linking the brand to the IPC makes no sense, and therefore his statement that the brand marks Aventurine as a "doomed Sigonian thrall sentenced to die by the IPC" also makes no sense.

Instead, I would argue that this line is a perfect example of the kind of exaggerated acting that Ratio and Aventurine were doing specifically to make the eavesdropping Family see Aventurine as an easy target. With this line, Ratio is emphasizing that Aventurine is a sitting duck without his Cornerstone, that he'll be weak and helpless--and that no one in the IPC will come help him, because they've already sentenced him to die. This is Ratio deliberately baiting Sunday into thinking that Aventurine will be easy, isolated prey without his Cornerstone--which is exactly what Aventurine wanted Sunday to think.

This line, which comes from a scene that we've already established is a deliberate act to mislead someone, cannot be used as evidence of Aventurine's real situation within the IPC.

"But then what about the trial scene with Jade?!" I already hear people saying. "Aventurine was definitely going to be sentenced to death!"

I'm not arguing that death wasn't a possible option for Kakavasha initially; it's clear that committing severe enough crimes can earn you the death penalty in Star Rail's universe. But I think we need to take another good look at this scene and see what really happened here.

First, we need to clarify that this scene with Jade was not an actual trial. The scene begins with a broadcast which clarifies that the suspect in the "Egyhazo-Aventurine Fraud Case" was just caught, and the IPC are conducting investigations into the "motive of the suspect."

So Jade's scene with Aventurine is not an actual trial (I mean... Jade's not even legally a judge!); it's an investigation with the goal of determining why Kakavasha would have tried to scam the Intelligentsia Guild and IPC at Egyhazo.

We can confirm that this scene with Jade is not an actual trial because she is even says "We haven't been able to find you any defense [lawyer], so you perhaps will have to defend yourself."

To which Aventurine responds that he easily could defend himself from the charges--but that it's pointless to do so. Why? Because he never intends to get to a trial in the first place.

He's there to gamble with Diamond (who he asks to see right on the spot, indicating that he's done his research in advance and knows who the head honcho he needs to talk to is). Instead, Jade says that he'll have to gamble with her, to which he agrees, and lays down his terms.

(He even says "I bet you won't send me to the gallows." We know that Kakavasha always wins his bets--he bet she won't send him off to a trial to be executed, and he once again won his bet!)

Jade, known for picking out "unpolished stones with great potential" and promoting them into positions of power to extract their value, agrees immediately, and literally tells Kakavasha to go change his clothes right then and there. She really said "I like your confidence; you're hired on the spot."

So... This was not a trial, Kakavasha never went on trial, and because he never went on trial, we have zero evidence in-game that he was ever sentenced to anything.

The IPC doesn't give a shit about the murder of some no-name slaver (I mean come on, think of how many other murders they've covered up at this point--do you really think they're holding one past murder of a no-name NPC over Aventurine's head years later?).

They might give a shit about the money they lost on Kakavasha's schemes, but Jade's entire schtick is one of equivalence--having Kakavasha join the IPC as a Stoneheart means he will ultimately generate infinitely more wealth for them than his schemes ever cost them in the first place, and that's the central piece of Jade's statement in this scene:

Is Aventurine's whole role in the Stonehearts exploitative, focused on his endless ability to win bets and generate profit? YUP. But that's ALL the Stonehearts' goal at this point--he's not unique in being "exploited" for his value. One look at Topaz confirms that.

So, ultimately, we have no evidence that Kakavasha was ever sentenced for his crimes, let alone that he was sentenced to die specifically by the IPC.

Claim #2: The Stonehearts will execute Aventurine if he tries to leave or fails his mission(s).

Verdict: There's no actual evidence for this either, beyond the obvious that most people in a powerful enough position in an evil corporation probably can't just up and quit their jobs without consequences.

I've seen this idea that the Stonehearts are planning to execute Aventurine--either for his past crimes, for failing a mission, or for trying to leave the IPC--many, many places, and unfortunately, I really think people are reaching this conclusion strictly on "The IPC is evil" vibes alone.

The IPC is evil; they coerce nice people like Topaz to buying into lifelong contracts; they're colonizers and exploitative capitalists, so of course they would threaten to execute poor innocent Aventurine!

Look, I won't defend the IPC. They are evil. But post hoc, ergo proctor hoc--just because one thing is true, doesn't mean the other statement naturally follows.

Just because the IPC is evil and exploitative (and probably does kill people to shut them up) does not automatically mean they're out to execute Aventurine for the slightest mishap.

I've seen many people say "He was going to be executed for his past crimes, so what do you think will happen if he tries to leave the Stonehearts?" But A) We just established he never went to trial for those past crimes in the first place, so we have no idea if he would have actually been sentenced to death anyway, and B) We have no evidence in-game that any of Kakavasha's past crimes would be back on the table if he were to try to quit the IPC. This is literally just fanon, based on the vibes of the IPC being evil alone. Probably informed by Topaz's "lifelong contract" situation giving people the impression that everyone who works for the IPC has to have a lifelong contract.

What evidence do we have that Aventurine is not at-risk of being executed for screwing up a mission? I mean, Aventurine himself says it. When Jade first states that Aventurine might be punished for destroying a Cornerstone, the only two possible punishments he states are:

If execution was on the table, wouldn't that have been the first punishment Aventurine listed?

And Jade's myriad celestia trailer also states that the only punishment on the table is whether Aventurine will be expelled from the Stonehearts:

And the biggest proof that execution isn't on the table?

The fact that Diamond himself agrees that Aventurine should not be punished even for the serious act of willingly breaking a Cornerstone. If Aventurine can do something as serious as breaking part of Qlipoth's will and body, something he was told to treasure more than his own life, and still get away with it... You can bet the IPC really does not give a shit about his old schemes anymore. Aventurine is way too valuable alive for them to be constantly threatening to kill him.

(But then what about Obsidian's statement that she wants a "bloodbath"? Surely that's evidence that he would have died if they voted against him?

First of all, "bloodbath" is a pretty common metaphorical term. I don't know about you, but any time people get into big drama at my work, this term comes up ["They were all talking shit; it was a total bloodbath"]. "Bloodbath" can mean any intense struggle; it's often not literal death.

However, I'm inclined in this case to say that the real reason Hoyo threw in this "bloodbath" line was just to double down on Obsidian's obvious vampire aesthetic. She's a "vampire." Duh, of course she needs to say something about blood. I think this line speaks more to establishing Obsidian's character as a violent, self-centered person than anything to do with Aventurine's actual situation.)

So, there is no actual evidence in the game that Aventurine is still being held accountable for his past crimes, or that the IPC is planning to execute him for messing up on a mission.

In fact, there are several pieces of evidence in the story suggesting the opposite, that multiple people, including the other Stonehearts, think he's kind of crazy for trying to get himself killed every mission he goes on.

When Aventurine was affected by the Harmony's power, the "future" Aventurine asks him this directly.

"Why does every one of your schemes put your own life at risk?" And players are told the answer to that isn't because of the IPC--it's not because the Stonehearts are out here forcing Aventurine to gamble with his life. When the "Future" Aventurine suggests Aventurine might be taking these risks because of the IPC, real Aventurine flat out says "You don't know me at all." He's not taking the risks for the IPC--he's taking them for himself.

Later, "Future" Aventurine even says that if Aventurine just used tactics like Opal's--which he claims Aventurine could easily do--then he would have been able to claim Penacony for the IPC without putting himself at risk at all. But Aventurine chose not to do that; he chose "death."

Because Aventurine is actually, at least slightly, suicidal. I don't personally think Aventurine would ever have turned a fully-loaded gun on himself and pulled the trigger, but he was actively seeking opportunities to die. Before Penacony ended, he was deliberately putting himself into situations where his life was at risk, taking unnecessary gambles with his life on the line--because then he would win either way. If he won the gamble, he would get whatever prize was promised, and if he lost the gamble, then he would have the "freedom" of death, to be reunited with his family. (It's important to note that the only time the word "freedom" is used in Aventurine's story through 2.1 is in direct reference to death--it is never used in reference to getting "free" from the IPC.)

Aventurine's plans were not self-destructive because of the IPC. They were self-destructive because he was self-destructive. And, in fact, multiple other members of the Stonehearts call out this behavior as a bad thing.

Jade describes Aventurine's ploy in Penacony as "overplaying his hand."

Topaz describes Aventurine's work habits as:

Then there's even Sugilite, who clocks Aventurine's suicidal tendency directly by stating that Aventurine's "death" scheme in Penacony wasn't for the IPC at all--it was entirely for himself.

If the Stonehearts were holding execution over Aventurine's head at all times, why would death be an "unnecessary [personal] extravagance"?

The takeaway from all the other Stonehearts' dialogue about Aventurine is that they actually think he goes too far and that his methods are more risky with his own life than they need to be.

Does that sound like a group of people who are planning to kill him on the drop of the hat?

Okay, okay, I can hear you saying "But that still doesn't mean he can leave the Stonehearts without consequences. They would kill him if he tried to leave."

To that I say: A) There's no actual in-game evidence for that statement; it's literally just "IPC is evil so they definitely would do this" vibes, but B) Is that statement really unique to Aventurine? Do you think Topaz could leave the Stonehearts without consequences? Do you think Jade could just fuck off and leave the IPC if she got the desire to?

It's pretty typical, I would think, that anyone who achieves a high-ranking in a stereotypical "evil capitalist mega-corporation" is not free to just abandon their high up position without consequences. The phrase "You know too much" comes to mind.

I'd argue that people are probably right--Aventurine probably could not leave the Stonehearts without something severe happening, at the very least a memory wipe--but that this is probably true of all the Stonehearts. They're too far up the chain. They know too much about the inner-workings of the literal planet-destroying world-domination company. They've had too much access to insider info to easily leave their positions.

Not being able to easily leave the position has nothing to do with Aventurine personally or his past crimes. It's just (at least likely) a basic fact of being too high up in the morally-grey-at-best super organization. (Well, then again, apparently no one even knows if Agate is dead or not, so maybe they actually don't even care lol.)

Claim #3: Aventurine didn't want to join the IPC; he's working with the IPC only because he's forced to.

Verdict: The game suggests in several places that Aventurine joined the IPC of his own free will. Whether he's still loyal to them is not 100% clear.

I think this is the biggest question mark I'm left with when reading other people's posts about Aventurine--this enduring idea that Aventurine never wanted to join the IPC and was only forced to do so because he was captured and death was his only other option.

But that is literally not what the game is telling us at all. The game tells us--in multiple places--that Aventurine orchestrated his own circumstances so that he could gain an audience with Diamond and win a position within the Stonehearts by his own gambles.

First, let's re-examine that scene with Jade. One of the first things Jade says is "What kind of person would come up with a scheme [the Egyhazo fraud] that doesn't benefit them in any way?"

The takeaway from this is that Kakavasha did not actually stand to gain anything from scamming the Intelligentsia Guild into digging for Tayzzyronth's remains in the desert at Egyhazo. All he achieved with this fraud was putting himself at risk of being caught by the IPC.

Does that sound like Aventurine to you? The guy whose mantra is literally:

So obviously, Aventurine stood to gain something from scamming the IPC at Egyhazo. What could he possibly have wanted to achieve by creating a scheme that seemingly didn't directly benefit him? Well, he says it himself:

Aventurine wanted to be brought before the IPC. He got caught on purpose. He once again gambled with his own life, betting that, instead of being put on trial for all his past crimes, he could convince Diamond (though it ended up being Jade) to invest in him. The game literally tells you, in multiple places, that Aventurine was taking another one of his stereotypically crazy, potentially self-destructive gambles to try to achieve something:

Aventurine wanted the IPC to invest in him. He wanted in on their power and wealth. No one in the IPC forced him to target their organization not once but twice with his "desert-digging schemes" when it is clear that Aventurine could easily make money elsewhere. No one forced him to suggest this gamble with Jade to convince the IPC to invest in him. No one forced him to, in the words of the game itself, "seek a Cornerstone."

Aventurine's character stories are the only indications we have (for now) about what his motivations for joining the IPC might have been:

They suggest he joined with the intention of gaining wealth and power to help his people and others who aided him in the past--only to find out that that was no longer possible, invalidating his original reason for joining and likely leaving him without motivation or will to really even stay in the powerful position he had worked to get into. Part of his suicidality is likely linked to this--that he set himself a massive, unbelievable goal in an attempt to gain power and wealth to finally help his people--only to be entirely too late. But in any case, these character stories make it clear that he did personally seek to join the IPC of his own free will.

(And I mean, hello? The whole point of Jade as a character is being the one who sees people's desires and then grants them--ergo, Aventurine's desire was, in fact, to join the IPC himself.)

If we needed any more corroborating evidence for this, just consider everything post-Penacony, when Aventurine has decided that he does actually value his life now and wants to live. Aventurine would have had so many chances to "escape" the IPC if he so chose. First, he could easily have pretended to actually die within the Nihility. He could have entirely fucked off with Argenti's help, created a new identity, and made himself a pile of independent wealth from gambles, all without the IPC ever knowing where he went. But he didn't.

Then, he had a second chance to betray the IPC and fuck off again with Boothill's help. Boothill had already knocked out Aventurine's bodyguards at the door--there was literally no one else around. A little blood on the floor and no one would have doubted that the IPC-hating, wanted vigilante Boothill had done away with Aventurine.

Hell, Aventurine knows the Trailblazer. One word to the Trailblazer, and Aventurine could board the Astral Express and be whisked off to the other side of the universe.

But none of those things happened. Aventurine made no effort to remove himself from the IPC--even though he knew he had broken a Cornerstone and would be facing possible punishment. He didn't even make a single mention of trying to "escape" the IPC at all.

Because he isn't trying to.

(And edit, an addendum, because I kept seeing this on Twitter too: A bunch of people were claiming that because Aventurine wasn't smiling when he got his Cornerstone back, that was evidence that he hates the IPC and doesn't want to be there:

Like... did they forget that every single time Aventurine makes his major gambles, he has such anxiety that he can never convince himself to believe he'll actually win, to the point that the "Future" Aventurine accuses him of clenching his trembling hand beneath the table? Is it really that surprising that someone who never actually believes he's going to win would have a shocked face when he does win here, especially after witnessing the literal power of an aeon restore something he thought was broken forever? Come on now...)

Would the guy who always wins his gambles bet that he would get a promotion if he absolutely didn't want his job?

People really, really seem to struggle with this aspect of Aventurine's character, going out of their way to ignore the game's text and suggest that he definitely absolutely would never, ever have joined the IPC of his own free will. People really hate the idea that Aventurine is a morally-grey character who makes choices that are actively harmful to himself, like willingly joining an organization that is exploiting him.

Knowing that the IPC played a part in the Avgin extinction, people literally cannot fathom that Aventurine would willingly join them.

But I think that denying this part of Aventurine's character is bad. There's no need to reduce Aventurine to an innocent, helpless victim who is being exploited against his will and who would never do a single evil thing himself. That's not who the game is telling us he is.

The game tells us, repeatedly, that Aventurine is a survivor who will do whatever it takes to succeed at whatever he sets his mind to--even up to murdering innocent people to survive himself. Up to willingly joining the IPC to seek wealth and power. He's not a 100% good person who is still being forced through an existence he has no control over.

He's a self-destructive gambler who makes terrible choices with his own life, and willingly joining the IPC to let the Stonehearts exploit his abilities is one of the most obvious indications of that in the game.

Please stop denying Aventurine his complex, three-dimensional character writing to make him your pure, innocent trauma woobie. I'm begging people.

Claim #4: Aventurine wants revenge on Oswaldo Schneider.

Verdict: There's no evidence in the game (yet) that Aventurine is even aware of Oswaldo Schneider's role in the Avgin extinction, let alone actively trying to seek revenge for it.

Personally, this one hurts me the most, because this is where I'd like to see the story going. I want it to be that Aventurine was partially motivated to join the IPC specifically to orchestrate an inside job and get the Avgins' revenge on Oswaldo Schneider.

But even I have to admit that there's currently no evidence for this at all in the story.

For one, we have no confirmation in-game that Aventurine actually knows Schneider's direct role in the Avgin extinction. Aventurine clearly knows that the IPC could have intervened (he was there; he saw they didn't do anything), but we have no actual confirmation in the game's text that Aventurine knows Schneider told his people not to get involved, leading to the massacre. The only reason we players know of this is relic text, which isn't available canonically to characters in the game.

It is very likely that Aventurine is smart enough to figure this out or do the research to learn it, but as of right now, we don't have that confirmation in game.

Similarly, we players are given no access to Aventurine's actual conversations with Boothill. We have no idea what they talked about other than this one statement:

It seems likely, based on this, that Aventurine did say something to Boothill about being willing to go after Oswaldo Schneider, but we won't know for sure until the game reveals more.

What we do know is that even if Aventurine does give Boothill information on Oswaldo, it might not really be because Aventurine wants personal revenge.

Oswaldo's Marketing Development Department is basically the sworn enemy of the Stonehearts' Strategic Investment Department. The two groups are in an internal cold war, vying for "votes" from the seven board members who are actually leading the IPC.

So even if we see Aventurine taking actions against Oswaldo, it might not be because of a personal grudge, but because literally Aventurine's entire department hates Oswaldo Schneider's guts on principle in the first place.

So it's very difficult to say what is going on with Aventurine and Oswaldo Schneider at this point, and in the end, we just need to wait for more information.

Phew, all right! That was definitely long enough. I've gotten it all off my chest. I hope I've managed to give people some more canon material to chew on for another look at Aventurine's character, which is rich and complex and definitely cannot be reduced to simply "pure innocent victim babygirl."

Maybe now I'll be a little less salty when I see misinformation spreading like a wildfire again on Twitter.

Maybe.

Ha ha, who am I kidding.

[ironunderstands]

This is overall really well written and thank you for pointing out that Aventurine clearly wants something from the IPC, that he was not going to get executed there, and that he was never going to get executed in the future. (One little nitpick though, what Ratio said there could have been true AND he wouldn’t be racist if but considering the context yeah he’s probably not sentenced to death).

However I’ve seen some people point it out in the comments but I think it’s pretty heavily implied that the IPC were the ones to capture and enslave him originally. Knowing Boothill’s lore, how we have seen lower ranked IPC members behave (Aurum alley) and the fact that Aventurine’s first enslaver seemingly got him from or at the very least went to lower ranked IPC members to ask about his condition/origins, which a) why would they know specifically unless they had custody of him and b) this implies that those employees would know (or could at least guess) that Aventurine was a slave and they were like “yup that tracks”

Either way we don’t know for certain WHO enslaved Aventurine originally, but considering that the Kataca and the remaining Avgin were either dead or “missing” it’s not insane to assume that the only remaining faction in the area- the IPC, is responsible for this, especially considering that it’s not above them in the slightest. Hell, one of Topaz’s lines in the Belabog quest makes it seem like this is kind of normal for them if it’s clear the other party can’t offer anything

The IPC will do whatever profits them, so enslaving and then selling the survivors on Sigonia because they have nothing left to offer would make perfect sense.

Now whether this is something Oswaldo ordered or something his subordinates decided to do on their own is another thing entirely, but I think it’s unreasonable to suggest that Aventurine knows nothing about him, let alone that he’s unaware that he’s behind the situation on Sigonia

A) Considering the first thing he asks Jade upon becoming a Stoneheart is about the fate of the Avgin, there’s no way in hell Aventurine didn’t use the IPC’s resources and his own position to scour the universe for any and all information about the Avgin

B) As you said, the Strategic Investment Department and the Marketing Department are enemies, so he’d probably learn information about Oswaldo anyways

C) Aventurine might have even learned of it on Sigonia, considering the Avgin did make a deal, although he probably didn’t know what it meant back then, as he referred to the IPC as “the men in black”

D) This kinda seems like it’s Oswaldo’s thing, and what happened on Boothill’s and Aventurine’s planets is incredibly unremarkable to him, so I doubt that in universe it would be an insane assumption to make.

Aventurine’s relationship to the IPC is complicated. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that he doesn’t like being in the Stonehearts or the IPC, considering how self destructive he is, or the very reasonable ways in which he would hate them. However, I do think he deliberately tried to join them, although the reasons behind it are unknown, being a Stoneheart grants him money, power, and the one thing he truly needed- autonomy.

It’s clear he’s planning SOMETHING with these assets that has nothing to do with the IPC, “may your schemes be ever concealed,” and all, plus him putting the suicidal facade back on for Jade when he know he’s had a change of heart and doesn’t want to meaninglessly risk his life anymore, meaning he’s keeping up the act so she- and by extension the IPC- won’t know about it.

Personally, I have two theories as for why he’s still with them, as it’s clearly not love of the Preservation, or the material things they can offer him (as he has them but it doesn’t satisfy him)

Revenge

This one is almost self explanatory, both because the IPC has wronged him and his people (to what degree you may decide) and because Aventurine was thrust into the role of the savior of the Avgin, and since he failed to save them, he might as well do away with the people who failed them too.

Moreover, he probably also does not desire to see other people fall into his situation, as despite everything, Aventurine is extremely empathetic. The first thing he asks when getting his Cornerstone is if there are any other survivors of the Avgin, and if he can pay the people who helped him on a random unknown planet back. He absolutely has enough motivation to want to tear open the IPC from the inside.

2. The Order

It’s speculated a lot that Ena is Gaithra Tryclops + the one who gifted Aventurine his luck, and this is a theory I personally believe.

However, I also learned that they would destroy civilizations that got too powerful to maintain Order, and that they came into conflict with the Voracity who was well, voracious, consuming and taking literally everything.

Sound familiar?

Whether he’s aware of it or not, Aventurine taking down the IPC would be much like Ena taking down the Voracity (who mirrors the IPC a lot, both in methods and with individuals like Jade, who are indicative of them with her snake motifs), so if he can’t save his people, he’d be fulfilling what his mother goddess would have wanted by destroying entities that got too powerful, such as the IPC. We honestly don’t know a lot about Gaithra Tryclops, but considering her believers also seemed to consist purely of a small clan (and not a massive civilization), I think it’s fun to speculate that small, tight knit communities were part of the Avgin’s beliefs/culture, and that they perhaps didn’t favor the opposite of that.

That’s just speculation though, although personally I want both 1 and 2 to be true because that would be sick as fuck and because if I hear Aventurine get called “an Emanator of the Order” I will actually explode with joy.

I think the reason this dissonance exists is because Aventurine creates it himself. Unlike Topaz who seems happy to be there, or Jade who’s fine with what they do, at best he’s like “this is part of the job” and at worst he’s making plans that could get himself killed (and are pointed out to be unnecessarily be that way by other Stonehearts) because it’s clear that nothing the IPC provides him is satisfying or gives him purpose. Prior to talking to Acheron, he literally doesn’t believe his life is worth living, and she believes his existence under the facade that is “Aventurine” is quite fragile.

It’s clear that behind in the IPC isn’t good for him, and that he’s not enjoying it, but this can coexist with him choosing to stay, as what you want to do and what you need to do are two separate things.

As for Aventurine… well, not OUR Aventurine, but the title in general…

You mentioned the Aventurine-Egyhazo case, one which is suspiciously named that considering Kakavasha was not Aventurine at that time, and would not have become him by the time it was granted a name.

What, or rather Who, was this “Aventurine” and could he be the reason why leaving the IPC would be hard for our Aventurine?

After all, I doubt Diamond would randomly make him a new cornerstone out of nowhere considering that we have seen the resources they take to make in the recent Myriad Celestia, no matter how valuable Jade believes he is. Moreover, the IPC included the rest of Aventurine’s background in their broadcast about him, save for him being a slave and him killing his master, which are suspicious things to cover up if they had nothing to do with the case at hand, or at the very least the IPC’s reputation.

I’ve had a theory for a while now that the master he killed (not the first one, perhaps he was passed between people as that wouldn’t be unprecedented in slave trades) was the previous Aventurine, and the biggest part of Aventurine’s gamble with Jade was that she would be aware that losing a Stoneheart to a random person would cause a big stir within the galaxy, so replacing him with the previous one, and writing it off as “just a scam case” could ensure his survival. Moreover, considering that it seems like Aventurine’s watch was taken from his previous enslaver, who’s to say he didn’t take anything else from him? Like earning his cornerstone? The man also held a glass of wine in the one shot we got of him, and that kind of visual motif is present throughout the Stonehearts (Topaz offers us one in her demo, Jade and Aventurine both have it in their animated shorts).

That’s just my little crack theory that I’m praying comes true though. Overall, thank you for making this post, as what pisses me off the most is when people act like Aventurine is helpless, when he’s anything BUT that.

[inferior-venacava]

Kind of off topic, but really curious how Edo Star Aventurine will parallel with the real Aventurine, or if they'll actually have the real Aventurine instead of the cartoon parallel.

Also the idea that Aventurine is like The Order themselves and taking down a corporation that got way too strong might be one of the coolest comparisons/theories I've ever heard.

And I also agree that people love to cradle Aventurine and pretend he's a super good character, when actually he's the most three-dimensional character I've ever seen in any piece of media ever. He's so incredibly complex and his motives are really hard to understand, and I absolutely adore that, because that happens with real people too.

I need more Aventurine content so I can pick his brain apart. Please Hoyoverse (⁠人⁠ '•ᴗ•`)

[kirabasai]

resisting the urge to make a post abt how aventurine would actually hate bottoming/subbing whenever i see ppl depict him as a bottom because ik i'm supposed to respect other ppl's hcs but oh my god one of these days the voice inside will win and istg it will be a wholeass mini paper on the psychology of kakavasha aventurine

[inferior-venacava]

Do it

Post it

*pokes you with a stick*

[inferior-venacava]

Aventurine coming home drunk, smelling like alcohol and cigarettes at two in the morning after gambling all night, and he collapses on the couch, completely exhausted.

Instead of lecturing him or complaining you just... help him out. You insist that he drink a cup of water, you put his keys and other stuff from his pockets where they're usually stored, and you leave some pills and more water on his bedside table for his hangover in the morning.

Aventurine never mentions it or says anything about it, and if you ask him about it he'll tell you to stop worrying and that he's "fine on his own," but he does appreciate the gesture (not that he would ever admit that).

[theblogvvhereithappens]

Ohhh Dr Ratio mention in 3.7 you are so dear to me

[inferior-venacava]

Yesss, I remember this!

[sunderwight]

Aventurine conducts himself like an isekai protagonist who knows that there's a hard line in the universe preventing him from dying. Not from suffering or losing, but strictly from dying. So if he gambles his life on something in such a way that the only two outcomes are he dies or he wins, then until this universal law changes, he will always win.

Fascinating concept for a side character.

[inferior-venacava]

I need a lore analysis on the parallels between Aventurine (from HSR) and Katniss (from the Hunger Games) and what that might mean for Aventurine's future.

[walpurg]

Not really an analysis but:

Both are parts of an ethnic group inspired by Romani people. Aven is considered to be the last living Avgin, Katniss is one of the few remaining Covey.

Both have their character arcs and identities tightly connected to their families. Katniss wants to protect her family and it drives her story, Aventurine misses his family and it drives his story.

Both have special bonds with their deceased sisters. Katniss raised Prim, Aven was raised by his sister.

Both have ptsd and survivor guilt. Katniss constantly reminds herself about everyone who died "because of her", it's literally one of her repeating nightmares. Aventurine thinks his luck takes away from people he loves. Also both seem to remember everyone who ever helped them, feeling indebted. Katniss is self explanatory and in Aventurine's character story it's mentioned when he got his cornerstone he wanted to help people who helped him.

Both were forced to participate in a battle royale, both won.

Both have a lot of "golden cage" symbolism. Aven is a part of the IPC, rich, successful, etc. But he can't exactly leave them and he's obviously unhappy there. Katniss is a victor, with all the "benefits" that it brings, but her every step is watched and she's uses as a propaganda tool.

Both are forced to wear a certain mask. Aventurine is far more successful but yeah.

Both are suicidal :)

Both are considered to be the "chosen ones" in one way or another. Katniss' story is a deconstruction of the trope, her being painted as the one and only Mockingjay, a symbol of the rebellion, is propaganda. Kakavasha is considered a blessed child for real. Both struggle with their "titles" and responsibility those titles bring.

Both undervalue themselves.

[inferior-venacava]

It's been like 500 years but I keep coming back to this cuz it's still so interesting to me!

HUGE thank you to walpurg for making this!!!

[malaroane]

sucks so bad when a character you love is heavily infantilized. that is a grown man he knows what a cigarette is. intimately