Nightly musings and daily rambles about IDV especially on Alice and Norton and Florian. I write a lil bit of everything from analysis to fanfiction. Just be prepare for a lot of yapping. [pfp by ImNotOKei on Vgen]
So...I made my own IDV News Website + Happy 1 Year Anniversary to Me~
"...almost every IDV character has passed the threshold of Oletus manor to participate in a deadly game of desire. Most never leave. Yet, their stories and the little traces of memories they left behind remain to be found, like ghosts hiding in the shadows."
I decided to try my hand at creating a website for IDV news similar to an actual gaming news site (which the Western media has failed us on when it comes to IDV specifically). And that is why the site was born. I know there are IDV news accounts on Tumblr and Twitter, but I haven't seen an actual site outside the wiki. Also helps me learn/practice journalism as well, so there's that.
It's very baby right now though. I only have a handful of articles up and I'm still learning as I go. While I've ran blogs before, that was more of a casual hobby. This is slightly bigger. Feels even more bigger when I'm launching this site on the same day I started playing IDV exactly a year ago. Huzzah~ Yippie~ If only we were AI-free! (Sad times we live in...)
Anyways, for more information on the site and a lil about me, I do have an About page already set up.
I plan to try my best to keep up with what's happening with IDV but I'm running the site on my own so while you should expect regular updates, I may miss something.
And lastly, despite it being a news site, I will still post about the lore and include perhaps some of my analysis posts that did well here and import it over to the website.
Still trying to get a footing on this site, so please be patient and understanding. I definitely have to open a tip/contact form for news help, too...I swear...
Tentative yet hopeful I can do something with this honestly...
Emil's two forms as a Hunter. Credit: Official IDV Rednote.
They drop these in Chinese like days before we get them in English but since I'm impatient, I used the good ole Google Translate to see what it says and here is a summary/thoughts of what it says:
Character Design:
Character design process for "Herztier."
"The plot of this character design takes place when Ada enters the manor and first comes into contact with the 'Delphi' extract."
Ada seen administering the dosage to Emil who already at this point is one step closer to becoming "Hertztier."
This negates an earlier theory stating that "Herztier" is Emil pre-Ada. We saw this in his character trailer where it's clear Ada is administering the Delphi medicine to Emil which she and the research team at the manor believed was a "miracle drug" that could heal psychological trauma.
This is, I think, the first time the Delphi plant has been mentioned recently in connection to main story lore. Anyways, the only one who didn't believe in Delphi like that was Sam Bourbon btw and he stood to be correct.
"Ada hoped to use it to completely save Emil from his past pain, but the experiment gradually spiraled out of control - when fear and pain were forcibly erased, a huge mental void followed."
And unfortunately, what filled that void was a darkness in the form of a being driven on pure instinct rather than the fear that used to consume him.
Also, going a bit on a tangent here but I've already seen on Twitter people complaining about people blaming Ada for Emil's downfall into becoming "Hertztier" as if she willingly wanted to see Emil become what he does.
I have more faith in the Tumblr crowd having more common sense than that especially if you're read my analysis on Adamil a couple months ago but of course, Ada is NOT at fault here.
The design notes make that clear and even though it's not available in English yet, the trailer alone makes Ada sound genuinely hopeful, if not a little deluded, in the medicine actually working to cure Emil.
First of all, Ada was extremely reluctant initially in bringing Emil to Oletus and indeed, she held out for 3 years before Emil's condition deteriorated so much so that at her wit's end, she brought him to the manor.
From Ada's 2022 birthday letter.
From Emil's 2023 birthday letter.
You must realize, this was a sign of defeat for her which she didn't want to accept since Ada had been so adamant about her hypnotherapy working even at the cost of being seen as a laughingstock by her fellow doctors and being more or less seen as an illegitimate psychologist (hence why I believe her title is in quotes despite the fact she is indeed a licensed psychologist).
Ada wanted to be the one to cure Emil, but you know what? She swallowed her pride because she loved Emil enough to push aside her ego in order to take what she and Emil believed was his last hope in a better future for the two of them.
She even knew that bringing the patient list from White Sand to the manor to deliver it to this acquaintance of hers was wrong ("I wish there were a fire to burn it all away—burn away every way out and every crime I might commit…" -Ada on giving away the list from the same letter of Emil's above)
Because for Emil, she'd do anything. And yes, part of it is self-redemption on her part so yes, it can be read as selfish but can someone not be in love and hold true and honest intentions towards their beloved AND remain a somewhat selfish in the process?
I assure you if Emil's condition had remained stable, those two would have stayed cooped up in their little cottage in that small town and spent the rest of their days in their own little love bubble alone and together.
A little Valentine's Day comic of the couple's domestic life when things were nice and stable. It is apparently by maple_usk though the original tweet as since been deleted.
The last words spoken in his trailer and its by Ada. Lilies, the flowers Ada gives Emil, are evidentially symbolic of hope and rebirth.
But they couldn't, unfortunately, and it led to the demise of both of them.
Appearance:
So when it comes to Emil's hunter form, the team wanted to convey the feeling of "a beast ready to break free of its shackles" which feels about right (see above). He is supposed to appear more ruthless and assertive, with a more vigilant stance in order to pounce at the slightest indication at any and every perceived threat.
What is very important to many Adamil fans was the concept of Emil's ring being missing as a Hunter since many fretted about it when "Hertztier" was first announced.
Well fret no longer, it turns out the ring was staring at us right in the face this whole time~!
This is regular Emil but his appearance is already reminiscent of "Hertztier." You can see under his chin the restraint on his neck holds the ring.
Even in both forms of "Hertztier's," you can still see the ring is attached to the restraint around his neck.
The ring is apparently still symbolic in meaning, though slightly different from the original intention of it being a symbol of Ada and Emil's vow to each other:
"The 'ring' that previously served as a bond between the characters has been stripped of its past sentimental connotations of 'fingertip contact'...and now serves more as Emil's only human coordinate and 'mental anchor' on the verge of rampage."
The translation feels a little scuffed here but I THINK it's more or less stating the ring is more like the last vestiges of his humanity, a remainder that the "beast" before you still has the last shreds of his humanity and the emotions that came with it encased in that simple ring but it can all come crumbling down in an instant because unfortunately, at this stage Emil is too ready to "plunge into the abyss of losing his humanity."
Skill Design
This section once again just reiterates what we learned from the June livestream.
"Herztier" will be a pursuit-based Hunter with two forms: human and beast. In his human form, he will be able to perceive the survivors' locations through "Sensory Overload." As a beast, that is when the pursuit begins and he can use a range of attacks even combos depending on the situation.
In his beast mode, he has a pounce attack that can be used twice consecutively for "zigzag movement." One trait "Tracking Mark," allows him to deal more damage after consecutive hits with basic attacks and skills. His tier 1 will further enhance his rapid movement and swift attack capabilities.
So this will become a reality for all of us in a matter of a couple or so weeks. Jesus Christ...
Honestly, he sounds like a complete terror lol. But we'll see how he plays out when test servers come along which should be real soon.
But that is more or less it. I always say to wait for the official English translation to get the full picture of these things but surprisingly the auto-translate is actually been pretty accurate most of the time.
And remember, "Herztier's" Concept Design is the first step in learning more about him and his role in the story as every Identity Switch character since Luchino has gotten a whole video explaining more in-depth from the concept designers and devs themselves on the process behind the character (except Joker and "Orpheus.")
For instance, Melly's dropped a little over a week after she dropped in game which means, if it's the same for Emil, his video should drop mid-late August (unless they withhold it for Divergence's release).
I really look forward to that, not just because of more lore on Emil and those connected to him like Ada but in these videos they usually tells us what to expect next in terms of side stories and perhaps this time the main story (remember, Roy Kafe and his connection to CoY? Perhaps there's also more to be discovered as well).
Latest QnA confirmed that Galatea does have an Identity Switch BUT it won't be with Game 0 which is a given since Emil is filling that role and they confirmed last QnA that she won't be the "new character" coming with the release of Divergence.
This basically confirmed my suspicions that she will receive it further down the line in a different game as we know she survives Game 0 and is probably the only one to do so as we know Emil is confirmed to have been killed. Ada and Helena are more vague but doubtful Ada would live long after Emil's death and Galatea had her sights on Helena so...
Anyways, really really REALLY looking forward to Divergence and having my heart crushed to dust cause if I'm already feeling things after watching Emil's new character trailer...can't imagine what I'll feel playing Divergence...
Congrats on Florian's first High-Tier Ranked Accessory!
Thank you! I look forward to seeing what it looks like! This also means I have to grind rank though after 3 seasons of not doing it (crying) but for my boy, I'll do my best to endure anything.
Pausing on this frame and telling me that's Emil is making my brain cells tear each other apart...
So yeah, just a quick ramble of a post about "Herztier's" trailer dropping and Christ... (spoilers for his trailer of course to proceed with caution!)
I still heavily say poor Emil. Ada and him really tried but they were doomed as soon as they entered the manor which is where they are in the trailer as Ada administers the (manor staffed manipulated) medicine to Emil unbeknownst it is hurting him then doing him any good.
And then it escalates to show us Emil chasing after the girls, Ada, Helena, and Galatea, within the Darkwoods. And Christ, he moves fast...I'd actually also be terrified.
Also, yes, if there's any doubt left (for some reason) on Galatea's condition, we can confirm here that she can walk run just fine on her two legs. Actually, if you watch the trailer, BOTH Galatea and Helena appear to overtake Ada who starts to lag behind. Let that sink in.
Speaking of Ada, I do wonder how Emil sees her in this moment because I mentioned before in my character analysis post of Adamil that his attacks can cause him to not recognize his surroundings or the people around him, including her.
Well, I suppose it doesn't matter in the end because at the climatic moment:
Looks as if he's about to devour his girlfriend here...how this love story turned supernatural...isn't unbelievable honestly...I mean, being in the creepy odd Darkwoods is one thing...
The screen goes dark and in the next moment, we see this:
Someone who we know is either "Orpheus" himself or this Roy Kafe, cocks their gun and aims it at Emil with Ada yelling out her beloved's name in alarm.
Naturally, we know what happens but it's a little dizzying seeing it actually happen before our eyes (even partially). Can't imagine what long-time Adamil fans feel about all this.
But in contrast to the mixture of horror and terror felt in the first part of the trailer, it ends peacefully...
"It's going to be okay. We'll have a complete and stable future." - Ada to Emil. Presumably this is said at White Sand Street as you can see it in the background but I would also imagine it was something Ada says to Emil at some point in their 3 years together.
In a field of white lilies, their hope for rebirth and a new lease of life is crushed by the reality that will face them at Oletus Manor. That's honestly quite heartbreaking.
Emil, after Ada's last words, appears to fade to dust signifying the end to an unfortunate soul in a unfortunate life he had little control over to the very end.
...I really hate it here.
(Note: I didn't talk about it but more of Emil's backstory is shown in the beginning of the video. Go watch for yourself how this poor man came to the conclusion that he is who we now know him as, "Hertztier.")
A little remainder that with the end of the month coming, the next essence of the season featuring "Hertztier" will be dropping 2 weeks from this Wednesday.
Usually when it comes to essence trailers, the IDV Team tends to drop them a little over a week before the essence which means the trailer could come as soon as the end of this week or early next week.
However, since this essence is introducing "Hertztier," Emil's Hunter identity, but still a "new" character, we should be receiving his character trailer before the essence trailer similar to "Queen Bee" back in November.
Personally, looking forward to it with great anticipation!
Idle Thoughts on Evelyn and her Role as a Guide to Freedom
Blame Evelyn and Joseph for being too intriguing in this year's anniversary story for this post.
So I finally finished the Global Anniversary story. I know I'm terribly behind and I plan to write up a post on the event along with the summer event (again SO SO SO behind), but while I was reading this event, I couldn't help but think of Evelyn's role in it and how it compared to recent roles she's had.
Now, I don't talk about Evelyn at all outside of my COA IX posts so bear with me since I'm no expert but as usual, I just wanted to get this off my mind.
(@quoththeowl31 apologies if the tag bothers you but thought you'd be interested in this post as someone who knows more about Evelyn and could add a thing or two)
Stillewald's Banquet: A Summary
Promotional art of the Global 8th anniversary event featuring Photographer, Gardener, "Faro Lady," and "Disciple." Art Credit: CHA_CUBE.
So a quick rundown for those that haven't done the anniversary story, but it follows Lady Truth to the town of Stillewald known for being THE place to hold your wedding. The town is run by our Madam Mayor, Dance With the Wind aka Evelyn.
And she is certainly...something. Calm, poised, and with a slyness that is both graceful and intriguing, Evelyn is the unfortunate aunt of a niece who was supposed to be wed, but has now gone missing with her husband (who she was married to all but an hour or so) found dead and beheaded.
I love her, but her little hand over mouth giggle reads deviousness here lol. So suspicious! Looks a little bad out of context, but she is basically saying the groom's family can't claim the body is him without a head...still kinda messed up though, girl.
Yet, Evelyn remains calm throughout the whole investigation and while she expresses concern for her niece's disappearance, it feels practiced and rehearsed. Clearly, she knows more than what she lets on. This is made all the more clear when D.M. (Joseph) shows up and basically ends up forcing Evelyn's hand in revealing the truth (at least as she tells it):
Joseph and Evelyn discuss the case before them after new evidence emerges that implicates Evelyn's family in the death and disappearance of the couple. (Apologies for quality, Tumblr hates handmade GIFS)
The bride had run away into the forest and had hidden in a cave where Melly, a florist who works for Evelyn's family, would bring her provisions. See, the bride, Greta, as told by Evelyn had always longed for freedom from their oppressive family who always watched over her. The wedding was that of convenience and opportunity as Greta is said to have killed her husband, Bernal, and abscond to the woods.
And yet, even though this story came from Evelyn as if she had nothing to do with it, Lady Truth saw through her and pointed out that Evelyn, who ruled over the family and the town carefully and observantly would never be ignorant to Greta's plans to escape. No, Evelyn may not have killed the ill-fated husband, but she did help Greta's plans of her great escape.
Now, after finishing the event story, I could help but think how it was similar to Edgar's essence that just passed.
Season 42 Essence 2: The Eulogy for the Living
Korean subs, but it's dubbed in English!
See, if you missed the story of that one, I'll relate it to you in summary:
The essence follows the funeral of a young prince who died prematurely. His eulogy is read out by Evelyn, who is the voice you hear in his essence trailer. As she reads the eulogy, the band plays on led by a conductor with suspicious behavior.
It turns out the conductor is the "dead" prince himself who is weaving in top-secret information into the score. One of the ones who discerned his identity first was Peddler who wanted to seize power out of this new development and yet, as the design notes say, "Sadly, she failed to realize that the true 'conductor' at the funeral was the voice hidden behind the gentle eulogy......"
So very interesting stuff because it implies here that Evelyn (despite being only getting a B-tier in this essence) is the true mastermind behind the events playing out in the funeral. With the simple description: "To our beloved little prince, your royal life will be remembered, always" and the fact that she is the one narrating the essence trailer, it's seems evident that she is aware of the prince still being alive and possibly even helped him fake his death. Her also providing the eulogy could also be her doing her best to manipulate the truth and feign ignorance.
From this shot, we see Evelyn in the back as the men prepare to open the tomb containing a very much alive Edgar.
This is about one for one what Evelyn does in the anniversary story. It seems she steps in to help those seeking some form of freedom, those who wish to break the shackles that bind them from truly pursuing their true self and ideals.
This is interesting when taken in account the canon story where she is juxtaposed by Martha who took matters into her own hands and did break free from Vilhelm Lamb's legion of faro ladies before trying her best to pursue what she truly wanted (even if it did end poorly).
Evelyn saw this as a betrayal but I do believe that while she was and possibly still is upset with Martha leaving, Evelyn understood why she did it. She is too astute and was too close to Martha to be that ignorant.
Evelyn's New Years Firework's order and her Wishing Star both refer to Martha. Neither quote holds any sort of resentment or even sense of betrayal, just one who wonders rather wistfully to know of Martha's fate and destination.
Plus, Evelyn herself was trapped in a contract for a near decade before she was able to finally be free. Technically, she still is as her last task was to find Martha, her protege/successor, if I remember correctly. She knows what it's like to feel helplessly trapped in a situation you didn't ask for.
However, while she dutifully fulfilled her role, I suppose seeing someone like Martha just leave probably shook her to her core. Not just the sense of betrayal but I suppose there may have been an inkling in her heart that wish she could've done the same and wondered what would be different if she had.
COA IX Evelyn and Her Role in the Holy City
Evelyn and Martha as they appear in COA IX's story.
But speaking of those two, I could drag COA IX back into this, too. The Holy City itself served to be a cult-like town overseen by the Deity, Joseph. Evelyn herself was a devoted follower until she saw what was happening to her friends and colleagues, including Martha, and realized that the "miracles" were lies and the "holiness and redemption" promised by a full transformation is not what she believed.
Edgar discussing the "miracles" that occurred one year involving Evelyn's friends and students, including Martha. Side note: Noticing how Edgar and Evelyn share a bond in COA IX similar to his recent essence.
Interestingly, Edgar also says this and it's quite accurate. It seems Evelyn really can only act as a guide towards rebellious freedom for others while she remains shackled, bound to duty and obligation.
The "shackled sinner" in question being Richard who is shown being freed by Evelyn. It's thanks to her that someone like Richard can roam freely as the majority of sinners like him end up far worse.
This was truly a restriction of freedom as they faced a force they could barely comprehend fully, and yet, the COA IX survivors still teamed up to try anyway. Similar to how she worked as the mastermind behind infiltrating and escaping in the anniversary story and Edgar's recent essence, Evelyn also helped Alice gain passage into the Holy City and provided a safe haven for her as they planned out their actions towards the Deity.
I still slightly squirm at those tentacles. Remainder: Florian put that over his "eye"...that freak (ok, tbf his didn't work so maybe no tentacles but still...)
Side note: Speaking of the Deity or Joseph, I find it interesting that Evelyn and Joseph once again appear side by side with each other in this year's anniversary event. They are once again on opposing sides as I neglected to mention in my anniversary summary above that Evelyn is in charge of the Vignot family (Greta's family) while the husband, Bernal, belonged to the Castor family who are retainers of Joseph's family (basically underlings if you will).
Joseph offering a proposal here to Evelyn after Lady Truth's questioning of our dear Madam Mayor was hitting a dead end. Evelyn would respond with the fact she was considering it and would later lead them to Greta's hiding place herself.
It is Joseph who successfully lends Lady Truth a hand in pressuring Evelyn to reveal the truth despite how perfectly composed and calculated she stayed the whole time. While the two didn't really feel like enemies, they certainly didn't feel like allies either as the two carefully sized the other up and acted according to their own personal goals.
Anyways, it was just interesting seeing them again in a vastly different context, yet still on opposing sides in a way. Yet, both remaining similar to the point that both their connection in COA IX and the 8th anniversary story feel clear and engagingly interesting.
Evelyn will always be out here partially getting in Joseph's way, always~
Season 39 Essence 1: A Guide to Freedom From the Shadows of Memory
Promotional art for the essence. By CHA-CUBE.
But yes, going back to analyzing Evelyn's role in recent storylines, I wanted to throw one more out there: Luca's essence from last year. Again, a quick rundown:
Luca is a traveler who lost his way in the wilderness and ends up stumbling upon a most glorious manor. Here, the manor owner welcomes him generously and he is bewitched by the feast presented to him until he loses all will and reason.
His body begins to waste away and he falls into a deep sleep, only to be awakened by Evelyn who appears to be the only one still awake. She is apparently a figure born from the remnants of his consciousness and under her guidance, he is able to finally fully awaken to make his way out of that accursed manor.
From the trailer of the essence we see Evelyn guide Luca out. Not shown in the GIF is that she successfully leads both of them out of the manor and into the surrounding woods. Note that Luca is confirmed to be the sole survivor of Game 10 and alive as far as we know.
So Evelyn once again being a figure guiding someone to a freedom they needed. The pattern is there but what it all means in the grand scheme of things is anyone's guess right now.
Season 32 Essence 2: An Inescapable Hotel of Nightmare and Bindings
Evelyn's own essence when she debuted is the exact opposite from the relieving freedom the others are granted through her guidance. This is because there is no one there to help her.
Quite reflective of her own canonical story really where since day one she had to learn to survive in a world of her own. She does get adopted but her adoptive mother still taught her the skills needed to be independent for her survival.
For those that don't know this essence's story, once again, here is a quick rundown:
Evelyn is a young woman who finds herself trapped in a small town by heavy rain. Here she meets a kind man named "Naga" (Weepy) who introduces her to an ancient hotel ran by "Death's Head Hawkmoth" (Naiad). While her stay at the hotel is pleasant (and rather indulgent I must say), she realizes soon enough that she can't leave.
No matter where she goes, she feels as if she's being watched. After she suffers from food poisoning, her health begins to deteriorate. She writes to friends for help but they don't come.
Realizing she may have fallen into a trap, she does her best to investigate the hotel and finds by accident a hidden compartment by the head of her bed. In it, she finds a book on a fairy tale written by a Tanya Ash and after reading it, she realizes her situation is far worse than she feared.
Evelyn in one of the last shots from her trailer. A very creepy ending showing that she couldn't escape and was sacrificed.
Interestingly, both Edgar and Joseph appear in her essence as well as B-tiers of animals, a toad and wolf respectively, not to be trusted. I forgot to mention that each character is represented by an animal in this essence.
Regardless, Evelyn could not escape her own fate it seems in her own essence. Yet, in turn, she is able to help others escape what feels like the inescapable. Looking at it like that makes Evelyn a rather bittersweet figure, no?
It's the Little Things about IDV Lore
The press animation for Alice's COA IX fit features Evelyn's care for Alice and some nice fighting from the ladies.
The stories presented in essences, events, and surprisingly sometimes even crossovers hold keys that unlock more aspects of a character and sometimes their role in the canonical story than we realize and give credit to.
Evelyn's lore is still really small. Only two letters to go on and some deduction notes if we only count canonical lore. Thankfully, unlike say Matthias and Florian, her survivor mates who released the same year as her, Evelyn is already shown to be tied to Martha (duh) and Alice where their relationship is still marked with a "?" though Alice possibly mentions her in Cage of Yesteryear.
"Make people misjudge what they're willing to sacrifice" sounds like something Evelyn would say. Though, for some reason I remember thinking she was referring to Villhelm Lamb for some reason...
There are theories that abound that suggest Evelyn helped Alice into Oletus (although we see another former faro lady give Alice the information in her character trailer and Ashes of Memory). Still, Evelyn could've passed on the info. It is also theorized that Evelyn could've helped Alice escape at the end of the "final" manor game. Plausible if this theme of helping those escape towards freedom is anything to go by.
Last still from Luca's essence. The manor resembles Oletus, but it's really the gates to me that look really similar.
The last theory is, of course, assuming Evelyn somehow survives her own manor game whatever/whenever it is.
But still plausible if I want to drag COA IX into this again. Namely because I've mentioned before how COA groups tend to have connections with each other (ex: Murro brothers in COA IV, Annie and Ganji in COA VI, etc.).
And with the last few COA stories bearing parallels to the main story, especially COA IX with it's blatant slap to the face of parallels, I gotta say...I wouldn't be surprised if Evelyn has some role in the "final" manor game outside a mention from Alice.
Exhibit A of being slapped in the face with parallels.
Considering Florian is in COA IX alongside the ladies, Florian who I believe has some sort of ties to the "final" manor game as well thanks to his latest letter, I can dream a little on what could've happened in the canonical story line.
The only ones that are a little up in the air where I'm shrugging my shoulders is Richard, Edgar, and Joseph with our dear painter already being tied to his own manor game and is presumably dead due to it. I say presumably because I can't lie, his recent essence made me wonder...
Then again, it is only an essence and I'm unsure what the purpose of keeping Edgar alive would achieve though despite how "old" all the characters are in his game with all that stacked lore between them, surprisingly it's a bit hard to really get a full picture of what exactly happened in that game.
His game being one of the ones featured here in Cage of Yesteryear holds the promise it may come sooner rather than later.
In addition, Richard still has no concrete lore outside his essence (he STILL doesn't have an essence A-tier btw weirdly enough) and deductions along with the basic backstory.
Florian is in Richard's essence as a B-tier though. Richard...perhaps the one person who appears to be able to piss Florian off. That...that's truly a feat. Yet, they work so well together in COA IX lol.
On the other hand, Joseph seems like he may be tied to whatever manor game Antiquarian is in.
12-1-1-C has been speculated by others to stand for Joseph's camera (hence the "C") as we normally don't see letters being used in a character's serial number unless it stands for the character's tool being used. The only other example I can think of is Wu Chang whose serial number is 5-0-3-U, "U" standing for their umbrella, of course. Their umbrella is said to influence Jose in Game 5.
Joseph's camera is seen at the end of his character trailer in what appears to be the secret cellar/basement area of Oletus Manor. At the very end of the trailer, a hand that is thought to be "Orpheus'" rests upon it. Basically indicating that yes, Joseph's camera, at least, is in the hands of the manor.
These two having some sorta hand in the "final" manor game both tickles me and worries me.
So yeah, the only ones I'm certain over is Evelyn and Florian having POSSIBLE ties to the "final" manor game only due to their connection to Alice (well, Florian is a little bit more, but I will end up going on a tangent).
This image from the concept video for Ashes of Memory shows 9 people around Oletus Manor. It's this image that is the reason many believe there are more individuals involved in the main story than we initially see even into Cage of Yesteryear.
From my own guesses:
Frederick (you can see the individual walk with a cane)
"Orpheus" (pure guess after crossing out the others)
Melly (Closest to the greenhouse and I see a skirt)
Norton (the one out there in the woods/away from the others)
Alice (GOLD = Protagonist Energy)
???
???
???
???
That leaves 4 people unaccounted for. Who the other 4 are is anyone's guess at the moment. We just have to wait for more lore to drop.
Looking at the image further, I noticed how 6 is right behind Alice which could indicate that they followed her to the manor. This is plausible as we know from Alice's deductions that a group had been hired to tail her. Someone could still very well be keeping tabs on her but who?
7 and 8 appear close to each other meaning they could be together. They are the closest ones to each other by far compared to the others.
9 is intriguing cause bro is out there all by his lonesome and not even looking towards the manor.
Are any of these unknowns Evelyn and/or Florian if we believe they're nearby? If you'd like to think that than sure! If not, then sure! We're just speculating for the love of the game and theorizing on what could be. This is also my first time having a proper look at this image as I've always sort of skimmed it before.
However, regardless of all the theories out there, I look forward to seeing what else they'll drop on us when it comes to, well, not just Evelyn but everyone I mentioned here since I clearly can't get passed COA IX's story and crew. But as I already wrote before, there's a reason all of them were in a COA story together, a COA story that is perhaps the biggest offender in main story parallels.
I'm very interested in doing more lore theorizing from here on out with these characters through the lore drops provided to us by events, side stories, and even crossovers.
Evelyn is out here having to put up with Florian's whimsical self again after looking after him and the others in COA IX. Poor woman, but he's trying his best. Wild if this is a sign they're in cahoots together or something lol (I joke...unless...)
Can't believe I never noticed that Vgen had commissions for not just art but writing too...I thought it was JUST for art.
Ngl I've been wondering about trying my hand at this since while I do love writing for the love of the game, it would also be nice to earn some extra money on the side (especially since I'm sorta in a bind rn).
But I feel weird about it. Despite fanart/art in general being normal to commission...I don't hear much of anything about people commissioning writing. But if it's on Vgen I suppose there is a subset of people out there willing to commission writing.
Not sure if I even have the skill for it, but I have to be honest, it would really be nice to be compensated for my writing in a way. Issue is, if I'd even pull people in with my portfolio of IDV fanfics LOL (I can write other things too but I don't have much else rn...at least that's recent).
Potential Beanie's Daily Crossover Part 2 Speculations
Since Night Watch and "Faro Lady" both appeared in the recent Beanie's Daily gameplay video with Fire Investigator, many IDV players speculate that there is a potential 2nd part to the crossover coming in the future featuring these two.
Some have even pinpointed which characters would fit the two:
A taro named Yuan and an aloe vera named Anthony according to idvlogic on Twitter.
A nicely done speculation thread explaining the show and other characters can be read here.
So I was right last night to speculate that there may be a part 2 to the crossover. I do wonder why they didn't just release at the same time as Florian's if there are really plans for a part 2 but that's fine.
If they drop, I look forward to seeing what a part 2 to this crossover will look like with the two above since Florian's fit is really good.
I’m scared, guys. So I’ve been recently started posting somewhat regularly on TikTok but I don’t get a lot of attention.
But for some reason the middle video above of Florian’s upcoming Beanie fit got over 20k likes and a bunch of comments 😭 a lot are praising it (rightly so) but others are talking about skin prices and bringing HSR (??) into this.
The scary beauty of TikTok… (also follow me if you have it. Trying to post lore vids/general IDV gameplay vids for the “funnies”…I’m not funny tho…)
This game is so unserious at times because I was expecting Florian's airbag in his new fit to be a big ball of boba or something but instead it's even better being Beanie themself.
Also, I can't help but note that they picked Ithaqua and Evelyn to be in this too...why? Who knows but if Beanie's Daily gets another part maybbbe they may get something? Since there are more characters in Beanie's Daily as far as I know and since this is a Chinese IP, it's probable it'll come back...if sells are good, I guess...
Actually I was and still am shocked that this crossover ONLY has Florian. Like, I love him (I main him since the near beginning) but of all characters to feature in a crossover all alone...why him??? Again, love him but he is certainly NOT that popular especially in NA/EU (maybe in China/Asia server).
Like look at the MALTESE crossover which had Mr. Norton "I AM GREED INCARNATE" Campbell and Ms. Lily "So cute and uwu" Barriere (love them both btw but also fax). And even then, still a duo crossover (though either especially Norton would've been fine alone and still gotten them revenue).
So yeah, while I adore the fit, just confused though I've had the theory that someone on the IDV Team loves Florian so I'll just ride with that for now...also he does fit Beanie well out of all the characters in the game I think.
-Rant Over-
Anyways, what really killed me is this:
They actually replaced his airbag gun/nozzle with a nice cup of bubble tea...
Sums up my general feelings towards that and this crossover lol (jokes aside, I do quite like his look in-game with the crossover and look forward to seeing it personally in game myself).
Guys, I have a belated confession to make but I feel compelled to make this post cause I wanna get it off my chest but...I don't like SRE.NORTON.
(Me: being dramatic for no reason lol)
But for real though, who is that? From the start, I felt like I didn't quite like it as much as the others but I thought, well, it'll probably grow on me but after some time I realized the thing I dislike the most is his face.
Like...it's hard to explain but...it's Norton...but not Norton, y'know? Something is just off.
Tbf while I do like Richard and Patricia's fits for this team, I feel like Team.SRE isn't my cup of tea in comparison to OPH and BLK, both teams have styles I like (I even have Lily's fit! First cosmetic I bought actually).
Also, based on the 2nd form/Silhouette for Martha's Esports skin, I don't think I'll quite like their Silhouette versions either. BUT! We will see. Credit: IDV Fandom Wiki.
But who knows? Maybe when Norton's fit lands in-game, it'll look better with his 3D model so I shouldn't judge just yet. But regardless, he has better fits anyway.
Still...his accessory will probably be better anyway.
Ngl the plot surrounding the upcoming Beanie's Daily crossover centering on a red bean that just wants to be eaten but can't no matter what it does, kills me. But watching Florian nearly succeed also kills me.
Anyways, it's a very cute PV. Naturally, I'm biased as I still really adore Florian's fit.
The PV also showed us his full fit so I guess I can go back and redraw parts of it in Tomodachi Life if I really wanted to.
I really want to see his gameplay trailer since I want to see how it looks in-game. It'll most likely drop soon though.
Seeing "Human Zoo" on this map worries me, however...
Haven't really written any fanfic for like two months now since I've been busy with life and keeping up with the IDV website so glad I finally managed to write SOMETHING.
Though "A Balkan Winter" (now on AO3!) turned out differently than I wanted since I originally wanted to do it with "Fool's Gold" instead of normal ole Norton but eh, I guess you could imagine Norton that way too if you wanna.
Actually, when I envisioned his red scarf, I was thinking of this birthday art from this year by 一只兔猫球o_o though of course, the scarf is more of a winter one.
Anyways, hopefully I can drop more fanfics in the near future (just probably not all is gonna be posted on here since I know not everyone is interested. Just check out my AO3 here and there to stay updated.
(Though ngl was thinking of making a separate Tumblr for posting just fanfic but idk if I have it in me to make a THIRD account and upkeep it but I'll see...)
A Balkan Winter - A Rushed Nortalice Fanfic Written at 2 A.M.
(Note: Been a while since I've done this. Tbh it's been too quiet on the creative/light-hearted front on my feed so contributing a little with this fanfic I wrote in one sitting so don't expect much. Plus, I believe I saw someone on my feed talking about how there's no new nortalice stuff lately, so hopefully they see this...)
This will be on AO3 later. Check out my profile here (I'd do it as I post this but I NEED to sleep!)
The gently falling snow encased the world in a pale silence, only disturbed by slight shivers from the wind. It would kick up powdered drifts of snow which would plant itself like kisses on the face of one sour and irritated miner.
The snow kisses stung and he hated it. He hated winter in general. And yet, here he was, in the dead of winter where he was stuck in the Balkans forcing himself to search for what he desired most—an elusive but valuable gem rumored to sparkle like the stars in space but carried with it the brilliance of the sun.
However, it was taking too long, so long that he had to wonder if the information he had once deemed "reliable" was actually false.
"Benny was right. Maybe I have been a little foolish," the man muttered to himself as he huddled within his winter coat, pulling the hood tighter around himself.
But he paused when trying to adjust his scarf, it was red which clashed with his usual green paletted miner's uniform he wore. While he didn't quite like the bright color, he couldn't throw it away. Not just because it worked well enough in this harsh winter while working in the mines, but because this scarf was the last remnant of a person who no longer was with him and had been the only one who had understood and cared for him. Genuinely cared for him.
But he had learned that far too late and karma was biting back hard.
Take for example the recent job he had just accepted. After toiling away for months chasing after pipe dream, this miner had been growing fed up with having time slip away with his hopes and thanks to a recommendation had been given a letter outling a most dangerous and abhorrent job:
Dear Mr. Campbell,
We have heard only the best when it comes to your work ethic and loyalty to the ones who have employed you. A trusted partner of ours has recommended you for a job that serves to be unsavory to those of a certain moral standing, however, we have been told that as long as the price is right, morals are irrelevant.
Please do understand we are in need of your services in the disposal of a most inconvenient source of pain for our organization. The individual whose photo is attached to this letter is of someone we have deemed to dangerous to be allowed a further lease of life and must be gotten rid of as soon as possible.
While this is outside of your usual job scope, our trusted partner reassures us that you can deliver. We have also encased an incentive that may interest you. Do not worry. It is only a small fraction of what you will earn for the completion of this most arduous work.
Kind regards,
You Know Who
Any normal person would've balked at such a diabolical proposal, Norton Campbell was different. Not only did the contents of the letter dredged up memories from his bloody past he'd rather forget, but the incentive included was by far the best thing that had ever happened to him. It was a cursed double-edged sword.
But while his eyes feasted on the incentive, which naturally was cash, pure solid physical cash, it was the photo that truly grabbed his attention.
It was a simple photo of what looked to be a rather simple woman who was purposefully walking towards what looked to be a post office. It was clear that shot of this unsuspecting woman was candid but Norton could see enough of her to make her identifiable if he bumped into her on the street.
Blonde hair tied up with a blue ribbon in a ponytail and a face that was gentle but marked with the weight of a stressful life. That last detail wasn't all together evident, but as someone who had come from the poorest of the poor and still struggled to scrape by, Norton could easily discern that from a glance at the woman.
Yet, the way she dressed made it clear to him that she was probably some rich woman or something and clearly would no little of the near sub-human life he had experienced thus far.
She looked rather unremarkable and Norton had to wonder why in the world anyone would want to put out a hit on this woman, but better not to question it too much. He was just the hired hand after all and the less he pondered on it, the better his mental would be.
Plus, he had heard rich folks were always at each others throats, especially those old money families who looked down upon the nouveau riche. Maybe she was a "new money" gal who had crossed the wrong family or perhaps she had made the mistake of angering the wrong person who held power to call for her demise?
Norton shook his head sharply. No, he couldn't dwell on it. In order to distract himself, he turned over the photo absent-mindedly and realized with a bit of a start that there was more information written for him.
"913 Balkanska Ct, Gold Rush City. Very observant, proceed with caution. Current Occupation: Journalist (possibly undercover, be wary). Frequents local cafe almost daily. Adores its truffle cake."
The last detail was a bit silly to Norton, but who knows? Perhaps he'd be able to use that to his advantage?
Tightening up his scarf and taking a deep breath which he let out in the form of a wispy stream of air, the miner mentally prepared himself to do some reconnaissance.
Finding her was actually pretty easy. The truffle cake cafe was tucked in a cozy corner of a side street by the main square of the city. Norton found it easily, as he only had to follow the sweet sugary breeze of the harsh winter still tickling his face (irritatingly so).
He had went early in the morning and while he had begrudgingly parted with a couple coins for some tea (so not to look too suspicious), it had been worth it. The target of his mission had come in about an hour after he arrived wearing a uniform that indicated she worked there.
Interesting development. A journalist turned barista? If the information he received was accurate, then what the hell was a journalist doing working undercover in a cafe in some small Balkan country?
She didn't even appear Slavic herself and as soon as he heard her speak while taking orders, Norton placed her as probably English like him because while she was able to speak the local language well enough to do her job, her foreign accent still cracked here and there.
He finally decided to test her out himself. Despite just having a cup of tea, Norton felt the urge to prod her himself after observing long enough.
He went up to the counter, convincing himself he could part with a little more money, and when it was his turn, found himself clearing his throat.
Why did he feel nervous all a sudden? Norton chastised himself innerwardly, but outwardly he looked neutral which was a bit unfortunate as he had what would be called over a century later, a "resting bitch face."
Still, the woman behind the counter gave him a polite smile and asked what he would like to order in the local language.
"You don't have to do that," Norton replied bluntly without thinking. "You're from England, too, right?"
The barista looked surprised but quickly gathered herself and asked, "I see, then if you don't mind I will switch to English. May I take your order, dear costumer?"
For some reason, the term of endearment, "dear," caught him off guard. It must have shown on his face because the woman felt compelled to explain, "The owner of the cafe loves to treat everyone rather…intimately? And considers each costumer as a friend, so he asks us to address each costumer as such. It's certainly a bit of a shock for us from England, but here, it's not too bizarre."
"Right…well, I wanted a snack to go with my tea. You got any suggestions?" Norton asked, looking at the prepared baked goods on display in front of him.
"A favorite of many costumers is this little tart right here, but if you wanted something less sweet we have some bread fresh out of the oven as well."
Norton's stomach rumbled at the thought of fresh bread, but he held back in order to point to a chocolate-looking cake and inquired, "This looks pretty good, too."
"Ah, that's our signature truffle cake. I highly recommend it myself, but I must admit, I am quite biased as it is my favourite treat in the cafe."
Norton paused, thinking. If he had any doubt over who he was talking to it had flown out the window. It was her—his murder target. The one who would soon meet her end at his hands.
While Norton ended up not getting a truffle cake that day (he indeed went with the fresh bread), he would become a regular at the cafe. Over the course of the next few weeks, he would gain the trust and companionship with Celia, the barista who hailed from England.
Perhaps it was due to the fact that he was the only Englishman that came around the cafe. Or maybe it was that one day they had shared a rather lengthy conversation over a truffle cake—yes, that happened thanks to the owner:
"Is this the man who comes every day to see you, little Celia?" the voice of the cafe owner rung in the barista's ears.
She sharply turned around to find herself face to face with her boss and before she could even say anything, he continued, "Take a break! Take a break! It's a slow hour anyway, so I can take over."
And just like that, Norton and Celia found themselves sitting across from each other in the quiet cafe. They warmed themselves with hot drinks—Norton tea spiced with chai and Celia some white coffee. They both had a piece of truffle cake in front of them.
While both were quiet at first, the conversation soon started up with Celia inquiring about Norton's business in the Balkans. Seeing no reason to completely lie, he answered that he was out here as a simple prospector for the mines. On the other hand, Celia was here as a foreign exchange student studying abroad in an area that interested her as an international relations major.
"This is an area rich with history and culture which drew me to come here. It was also admittedly cheaper to study here than other choices, but as you can see, I still needed a part-time job to get by," Celia explained before taking a gentle sip of her coffee. "But I do truly hope you find what you're looking for, Mr. Campbell."
For some reason, the sincerity that seemed to be in her voice slightly triggered him. He wasn't used to being treated so nicely by strangers and only a couple of people closer to him have bothered to care for him outside his use as a tool for their greedy endeavors.
This thought made him absent-mindedly reach for his scarf, potentially seeking a warmth he could no longer hold onto. Seeing this, Celia couldn't help but say, "I have been meaning to say that is quite a lovely scarf. It looks handmade and brilliantly well made."
"Thanks," Norton grunted, not sure how to feel as indescribable emotions rose up within him.
"Whoever made such a scarf must care for you very much."
Norton picked up his cup of tea with a sharp, almost shy nod as he averted his eyes to stare at the truffle cake. The warmth from the scarf felt almost blazing now and it was then Norton thought to himself that he had only felt just a small taste of the hellish fires he knew would consume him after he added another body to his count.
On the evening of an important holiday, where even the snow had paused to allow some celebration, Norton found himself once again at that cafe. It was about to close early, but there were no costumers to shoo out as every able-bodied person was out there partying in the square.
But not Norton and not Celia either as the barista who was in the process of closing the blinds turned at the jingle of the cafe's door.
"Mr. Campbell! My apologies but the cafe is closing now," a pause as she took him in. "You look a little unwell. Are the festivities a little taxing for you?"
"Something like that," Norton grumbled into his scarf. It was true though. Norton wasn't known to frequent large gatherings nor did he like being particularly social when too many people were around that annoyed him.
But tonight, absconding from participating in the festivities was just an excuse for what he had to do.
Quietly approaching Celia, Norton looked passed her and out a window that had yet to be hidden by its blinds. "What about you? Not lonely in here with everyone out there celebrating?"
Celia's smile, was as usual, soft but a bit tight as she followed his gaze. "I don't mind attending a social gathering here and there, but tonight I'm a little pressed for time."
"Your studies taking a bit of a toll on you?" Norton guessed sounding a little amused as he imagined her hunched over a desk for hours on end trying to cram a final or something.
He hated the fact that his first thought in response to that image was wishing he could serve her some coffee made by his hands, just like how she did for him with his tea time and time again.
Celia's eyes went back to Norton. "Not that. What is shortening my time isn't studies, but you, Mr. Campbell."
There was a pause. A silent dark pause that was only interrupted by the soft thumps of a sudden downpour of…snow. It was as if the clouds in the sky had also been holding its breath knowing full well that time had come.
Norton didn't even look surprised but his heart lurched at her gaze, calm and steady.
"How long have you known," he asked, his voice came out a little hoarse but he blamed the cold for that. It was as if the cafe was suddenly 50 degrees colder.
"Long enough," was her simple answer.
Celia looked neither displeased nor scared, but her tone betrayed a certain tiredness that only Norton would be able to detect from their time together.
"I can only hazard a guess at what you were offered, but please do know this…I will not easily accept my own demise, I'm afraid," Celia told him before taking a bold step towards him. It looked as if she was already reaching for a weapon she had long concealed away for this very moment.
For some reason, as she took one step after the other to approach him, Norton did nothing but stood still and watch her.
Until they were face to face, with a knife pointed at him aligning with his heart. And yet, Norton remained still.
"You don't look like the murdering type, miss," Norton said calmly, eyeing the knife like it was a child's play thing.
"I regret to inform you that I am well acquainted with death," Celia responded. "It follows me like a spector. I believe you must be also familiar with him?"
Norton knew exactly what she was insinuating and despite knowing from day one how careless he was in given her his actual name, he had thought nothing of it until now. And for some reason, despite the dangers of her knowing his past, he oddly felt relieved.
Why? Because even knowing how dangerous of an individual he was, she still had greeted him with a warm smile and pleasant conversation each time he came in through the door. Yes, it was probably all an act, but to Norton, in that moment, he realized he didn't want that "act" to end.
Without warning, he attacked her by shoving her towards the ground. Unfortunately for him, despite her smaller figure compared to him, Celia was more adept at self-defense than one would think.
Amidst the far away cheers and laughter of those enjoying the holiday, Celia and Norton struggled with each other for dear life with the snow being their only witness.
But the winner of it all turned out to be Norton who had wrestled the knife from Celia and was on top of her on the ground, knife at the ready. Celia just stared fiercely up at him, her hair had come undone and tangled with bruises on her face. He felt guilty about that but GOD had she been a fighter.
Norton wasn't unscathed either as he was pretty battered up from her defensive attacks with his own hair looking wild and his eyes looking darker than normal as he met her stare.
The knife descended far to slowly for either of their liking. The quiet corner cafe that brought to life the sugary dreams of those who frequent it would soon be flowing with the blood of the innocent.
And yet, this expected outcome was not to be. That knife remained paused as something other than blood flowed that night. But rather, a river of convoluted emotions would betray themselves to a rather shocked recipient who had been prepared to face her death.
It was clear that after that night, Norton had found a warmth that had wormed its way into his unwilling heart and had blossomed into a brightness that rivaled the dream of those riches he thought was only a delusion of his hopeful mind.
And for Celia, perhaps this second chance at life would prove to be a fitting new beginning she had wondered about all this time. No more hiding behind different masks of identity either.
Despite the knife gently poking her chest now, they both knew it would go no further.
(Note: Obvious inspirations for this piece is "The Gold Rush" (1925) by Charlie Chaplain which is the movie that inspired "Fool's Gold's Deduction fit, the theory that Alice is the one who Norton is supposed to kill her during the "final" manor game, and Norton's 2026 birthday letter confirming him being in the Balkans.
The name Celia, by the way, is an anagram of Alice. It's also the name of her Conan Doyle Estate crossover costume "Miss Celia Watson." I liked Celia here rather than Eurydice as I felt that name was also getting overused as an alias now.
Kinda a messy ending but can I use the excuse of me working on 2 hours of sleep as a legitimate pass for my subpar writing?)
Small thing but I like how they show Melly taking great care of "Memory" here and there. It's only been like a couple times right off the top of my head but when I saw Melly's new Panda Series costume showcase above, I couldn't help but think of the Autumn Harvest event from a couple years ago where she acts as a guardian to "Memory" who comes up to Melly's town during fall break for a school project.
I just like this dynamic in the context of the main story, too. Melly is truly the only one who sincerely looks after Alice and cares for her well-being in that accursed manor.
From Melly's 2022 Birthday Letter in which she warns Alice to basically tread carefully and focus on their respective goals in coming to the manor. Interesting how she also address Alice by her real name as well and not her pseudonym which is telling.
Also, back in Orfeo's Game, she asks Orfeo ("Orpheus") on how he'd protect a moth from a flame with the story making it rather obvious the moth = Alice (her 2022 birthday letter also heavily implies this as she lists out different insects that are supposed to represent the others in the "final" manor game).
Kinda funny she straight up says she'd extinguish the flames or cover them depending on Orfeo's answer. If you didn't know, some speculate the flames in this instance are supposed to represent "Orpheus" meaning Melly is basically threatening to extinguish "Orpheus" if he becomes a threat towards Alice's life.
But yeah, just a little ramble on the sisterhood of the ladies in the "final" manor game. Looking forward to seeing how things progress in the next story installment of the main story.
Small shoutout to this scene as well from Cage of Yesteryear. This scene overall was nice to see from all 3 perspectives but Melly was especially was cute and you could tell she genuinely cared (not seeing Norton or "Orpheus" didn't but those men are so hard to read at times).
Welcome back to my Identity V character study/analysis series where I aim to explore each character in the game. I started this series to no
I finally managed to write up Violetta's character study on my website. As per usual, I'll also just copy and paste it here if for some reason you want to endure reading it through Tumblr's formatting. But you can also click the post above to be taken to the website.
Anyways, the full article is below.
Welcome back to my Identity V character study/analysis series where I aim to explore each character in the game. I started this series to not only better my understanding of each character, but to highlight the talented writing team IDV has because I really do believe their character creation process from backstory to design has a lot of thought and care put into it.
I hope to bring to light that while learning a lot about these characters while refining my own writing and analysis skills. Thus, I also want to preface this article by saying that I am no expert on these characters. This is my own interpretation and you’re free to disagree with me.
With the usual introduction out of the way, I want to get right into my study on Miss Violetta. However, in case you missed it, I have done studies of every other "Hullabaloo" character except for Murro who will be next up! If interested, you can read them by clicking on the character's name: Joker, Mike, and Margaretha.
Backstory: The Endless Embrace of the Cold
Credit: Violetta's Final Performance.
Violetta's sad story starts with her being found underneath one of the many seats of Max's Amazing Cabin, a traveling circus troupe which she would find herself growing up in. Max, the ringleader, instantly recognized the potential to make money off of Violetta because she was perfect for his freak show.
See, Violetta was either born without limbs or had a disability affecting them, but regardless, the lack of limbs made her the ideal candidate for Max's show.
At first, Max would just use Violetta to lure audiences in to watch his show by placing her on top of a wine barrel, forcing her to roll about to keep her balance. As former circus actor at Mike's Amazing Cabin, Pip, puts it, Violetta "…looked like a rolling meatball" (Violetta's 2025 Birthday Letter).
Later, when Violetta was older, she was allowed to have her own performance by Max who made her stand, tumble, and crawl according to his whims. The audiences took sadistic pleasure in watching Violetta struggle to gain her bearings because they merely viewed her as an object whose only worth was to entertain them. Yet, it soon wasn't enough.
Despite the other performers becoming jealous over Violetta's simple but surprisingly popular circus act, they needn't have worried for too long. As Violetta grew older and remained stagnant in her performance, audiences quickly grew bored of the same old act.
Naturally, any good performer understands when they should liven up their act which Violetta tried to do, but unfortunately, the time of disabled performers being exploited in front of the masses became no more.
After the Will Brothers rolled into the city and started performing their act for the people. While it did become popular, so popular that Max wanted to do a similar act with Violetta, the city started to boycott any comical acts by any disabled performer so he abandoned the idea.
This didn't sit well with Violetta who tried to refine her act and do her best to impress not just the audiences, but Max who she regarded as a father. Yet, nothing worked. Not even going to a famed mechanic, Tracy Reznik, who fitted Violetta with prostheses.
Eventually, Max had had enough of Violetta and sold her to the Hullabaloo Circus where she became the charge of Bernard and met his other performers such as Mike, Natalie, Sergi, Joker, and Murro.
Unfortunately, even at Hullabaloo, Violetta lagged behind the others. For a time, her act was enough, but by then, burlesque performances such as hers were no longer palatable by most people and acts like Natalie and Sergi's were all the rage.
Jealous and desperate to reclaim her lost glory after realizing she had no place left to go after being kicked out by Bernard to "calm down for a few days," Violetta receives a letter that invites her to Oletus Manor where she'd surely be able to start a new life and reclaim her lost stage.
A Look Back on The Closing Night
Violetta in The Closing Night practicing the script found on the playbill given to them by the manor staff. It would also be this same playbill that would set in motion the unfortunate events for the Hullabaloo members.
Ironically, despite her unfortunate fate after arriving at Oletus Manor, I do believe Violetta truly stole the show more than anyone in The Closing Night story if the reactions of the general IDV community are anything to go by.
I remember those wishing to know who Violetta's VA is because of her wonderful performance (and truly, if by some miracle the VA is reading this, hats off to you). Her character was immensely sympathetic and despite her shortcomings, they were largely overlooked by those who quickly became fans of the little spider who couldn't.
And yes, I do say shortcomings because if you read my post on Mike Morton, you will understand that due to Violetta's character, adored and sympathized by many, there are those who overlook just how flawed of a character she was in the context of not just The Closing Night but also in her general lore.
In addition, any character who dared to act mean or terrible towards Violetta ended up being thrown under the bus and dragged to pieces. While I understand the feelings of vitriol towards Joker, I feel towards Mike is a little harsh. Actually, I will just copy and paste what I said about her in Mike's character study as there is another important section that I want to add here, too:
All in all, he didn’t do much to exactly move me in the same way Violetta did. For someone who seemed hellbent on making out Margaretha as unpleasant and terrible, Mike acted quite the same, if not worse.
Yet, this is where I was wrong. When I went back to replay the story back a few months after I first played it, I had a better understanding of the Hullabaloo characters and their backstory. I ended up replaying the story on stream which was a little fortuitous because when it got to the scene of Mike yelling at Violetta, one of my regular chatters who loves her a lot, instantly declared they hated Mike over Joker.
Now, that caught my attention. Despite knowing full well that Joker would lead Violetta to her death, this chatter still expressed immense distaste towards Mike over Joker for that one scene. I was more curious, if not a little sad for Mike because I now saw what some others like past me and this chatter didn’t see.
I understand why a lot may have misgivings towards Mike in this scene after seeing Violetta’s reaction. But while it is difficult to be hard on such a character, we can’t allow ourselves to be so susceptible to her charms to overlook Mike’s own feelings and perspective.
Let’s take a look at the dialogue of the scene:
Look, I can understand just exactly why Mike lost brownie points with a lot of people in this scene. Yet, you have to see it from his perspective to understand that he actually may have been perfectly justified in reacting the way he did.
First of all, Violetta comes bursting into the room in character as she recites her line from the playbill given to them by the manor owner. She is clearly into the performance which is all well and good if it wasn’t reality to Mike.
That massacre that she is so eagerly acting out was the whole reason Mike was at the manor in the first place. The day of the incident was the day Mike himself died. His family, his home as he knew it was gone completely and utterly stolen and destroyed by a murderer who he strongly suspected was amongst the ones gathered at the manor.
I mentioned then that Violetta being the newest member of the Hullabaloo Circus would not have been as attached to the place or it people by the time she left it.
Granted, I don't believe she even stayed that long there as we already now acts like hers were already growing out of fashion and there wasn't much of a place for someone like Violetta really anywhere at this point unless she freshened up her act which she tried to no avail.
And going back to the Closing Night, despite the hope she carried to being anew again and stand on the stage she felt she deserved, we have to be real with ourselves, it was pretty obvious Violetta was not making it out of that manor alive.
The last one passed out while they were making a row.
That must be the cursed sun, taking a heavy toll.
-The Cursed Sun (EP of The Closing Night)
Amidst these quarrels, the last one fell on the ground.
That must be the cursed sun casting doubts around.
-King's Feast (EP of The Closing Night)
Obviously when looking at both Room Music EPs for the story, Violetta as the last child is shown to have met her fate due to "the cursed sun" which is terribly ironic or perhaps purposeful as one of her dislikes is the sun.
In previous character studies of the Hullabaloo characters, I said that the sun is possibly Joker considering his role in the story along with the A-costume he received in the essence during that time being called, "Extinguished Sun."
Anyways, that point is not important at the moment. What really matters is looking at how Violetta a bit more deeply, beyond the almost infantile image some have of her since I'm sure a lot of people wanted to (and still do want to) embrace and protect her from the miserable nature of her upbringing and her sad fate at the manor.
That isn't to say that you shouldn't sympathize with her and feel the urge to be protective of her, that's fine. Yet, remember, she is still a grown woman and I find her similar to Emil in a way that once you actually take the time to listen to the words of these characters who are usually perceived as having little agency or thinking beyond the one dimensional, they're actually more complex than you'd think.
Interlude: The Closing Night Identity Switch Debate: Mike or Violetta?
Credit: 2025 Birthday Art for “Hullabaloo” and Soul Weaver.
But before I move on to the next section to talk a little bit more about Violetta in her own words, I want to address another section I wrote up in Mike's article about the debate on whether she should have been the one to get the Identity Switch and not Mike.
Short answer: No.
Long answer (from which I copied from Mike's article): While an identity switch is given to characters for various personal reasons, the common theme is: change/transformation/revival.
By the way, have you ever heard of the concept of a dynamic character vs. a static character?
To put it simply, a dynamic character changes throughout their story. They go through arcs that causes them to grow as a person and while they don’t necessarily become a completely different person at the end of the story, the changes they go through are palpable to an outsider like you and me. On the other hand, static characters don’t change at all. They stay more or less the same throughout the story.
That’s the deal with Mike and Violetta. Even up to the moment of her death, Violetta remains the same. Why then would they have her become a survivor? There is not much more to explore with her character that wasn’t already accomplished through The Closing Night story.
And after reading more of her lore, it just solidified my previous opinion on why they didn't bother making a survivor identity for her as so many wanted. Some believe the developers too lazy to create a different model to make her work in game as surely she couldn't look all spider-like as a survivor.
But I'm now sure more than ever that laziness is not a factor. Consider Galatea who we now know looks very "survivor-like" in Divergence's teaser we got back in May. While I know Galatea as a Hunter looks more human than Violetta, we already have seen what a more human-like Violetta would look like through The Closing Night.
Galatea, who is usually wheelchair-bound, as seen in Divergence's Trailer.
Simply put, Violetta doesn't need another identity because she is fine as is and there's not much else to explore beyond the identity she is given. As for why she was made a Hunter in the first place, back in my article on Mike, I was unsure why they made her that way in the first place.
Now, after reading her lore and analyzing it more, it makes more sense considering how even the sweetest minds can be twisted from awful circumstances and the people around them. I do think of the likes of Grace and Michiko when I say this as well.
But time to move on as this section is getting a bit too long.
Christmas Nocturne (2020)
Promotional artwork for Christmas Nocturne (2020).
I actually was not familiar with this Christmas event until I was digging through Violetta's backstory and stumbled across it. It appears to be an event where you could befriend multiple IDV characters during the good ole holiday season. I'd recommend it if your favorite/s are among the ones featured here.
For Violetta, it's real interesting seeing her in this story. Not only does she conduct herself confidently but she is filled with a better sense of self than we see in The Closing Night since she is a very low self-esteem and easily a pushover due to her terrible treatment at Max's "circus." Whether it's bravado or genuine confidence, it is up to you to decide but what struck me was listening to what Violetta truly wanted in life from her own words:
I believe the top Violetta is referring to is the "guernsey top" she receives from Max as a New Year's present (despite the fact she connects it to Christmas here):
'Happy New Year!'"' he threw a dark grey guernsey shirt at me. Clara was mad. She thought Max was inconsiderate and took me for granted. She would never understand what I really needed. I'll never forget this day, no matter what. Not for this '"'present'"', not for Max.
It's for me, finally knowing what I needed.
-From Violetta's 2020 Birthday Letter.
For those that didn't know, the date of her birthday is explained in this letter as January 2nd is the day she realized what she needed most, "warmth."
But what is "warmth" to Violetta?
As she mentioned before, it's not the warm embrace of the sun or the fiery touch of fire (both of which are listed as her dislikes), but perhaps it was truly the love, care, and attention from others. And not just that, but with with an impartial touch that looked passed the her physical disability and saw her for who she was: Violetta, a star born for an everlasting stage of her own.
While it may at first seem Violetta saw Max not only as her beloved ringleader, but as a father figure who she'd follow without question, that was not necessarily the case. Nor was she blindsided to how awful he was as a human being.
From Violetta's 2020 Birthday Letter.
Indeed, as long as Violetta got what she wanted then she could endure just about anything. And that's what her core problem is. Just as a former Hullabaloo Circus stage assistant, Elena Ruiz, told Alice in Violetta's 2026 birthday letter, Violetta "longed too much to be seen."
Violetta's pursuit in finding glory and warmth on stage from, funnily enough, the cold masses of those who no longer cared for such burlesque acts such as hers led to her downfall. She couldn't quite move on from the past of her glory days and remained delusionally hopeful that she'd be able to reclaim that.
From Violetta's 2025 Birthday Letter.
Please note that if you read Violetta's 2026 birthday letter on the IDV Fandom Wiki, the written entry you see here shows Bernard's name.
However if you read the attached image of the letter on the site, it'll have Max's name instead. The former is correct, having been changed from the original letter, a letter that remains a point of contention with some Violetta fans.
Not sure why the IDV Wiki editors haven't changed it, unless they wanted to keep proof of the original letter having Max instead of Bernard, but I just wanted to warn you all beforehand.
However, it's honestly interesting how other circus performers and assistants perceived Violetta as unhinged and jealous despite the fact we don't see such behavior from her in The Closing Night.
I haven't brought up that Violetta was the jealous type. This aspect of her is also mentioned in her 2026 letter, but can you really blame her after what she's been through? While she also tried her absolute best to achieve her dreams of the stage.
At this point of time when she meets the others at Oletus, Violetta was desperate to remain appeasing and kowtow to the others because the manor was the "end all, be all" of reaching that stage she so yearned for and she needed the others to go along with the performance requested of them by the manor owner.
Now, this next point may sound a bit controversial, but I do believe despite Violetta herself being called a "tool" in her experimental file, she herself saw the others as tools to achieving her dreams.
For instance, in her 2023 birthday letter, she says this:
"Sometime later, I read the report on the fire, and it filled me with terror — If everyone in Hullabaloo is dead, then who is left to prove that I was once a performer?"
And that stuck with me because her first thought wasn't one that mourned their deaths or expressed concern for the lost Hullabaloo Circus, it was her terrified that no one would remember she was once a wonderful performer. Even reading the letter again, paying attention to her language and her usage of "I this and I that" makes me think that she's quite selfish actually.
Mind you, similar to what I said in Margaretha's piece, I'm not trying to use the term "selfish" in a negative light though I know its connotations. I am simply observing that Violetta is putting herself first and is more concerned for her own survival and memory (of being remembered as a performer to others). There's nothing wrong with being somewhat selfish especially given her background.
Violetta here actually reminds me of Margaretha who more people view as insipidly selfish due to her more obviously going for worldly desires.
Yet, both woman would go through great lengths to achieve their deepest wish and if that means using people in order to get that then so be it. Though both ladies had little choice in the matter as both are rather helpless and had to rely on others to try and achieve their dreams.
However, Violetta never really did become as independent as Margaretha with even the way they died as the latter chose to go out the way she did while Violetta had zero choice.
Mind you, Violetta truly is, at her heart, a kinder and more naive soul than Margaretha but I think due to how she is presented in The Closing Night, what I say may come across as blasphemy to those who believe Violetta is too pure and sweet-hearted to do or even think such things.
Yet, you have to remember that by the time Violetta reaches the manor, she's at the end of her rope. She had tried to claim her rightful stage with Max, she had tried with Bernard, she had tried and tried again and nothing worked.
No one cared for her and truly, they never did. Violetta was, from the very beginning when she was found under that seat at Max's Amazing Cabin, a tool of the audience's pleasure.
Deep down, Violetta knew she was no better than an object to be laughed and gawked at with none seeing the person she was behind all that pageantry.
That warmth she longed for was something she would never be able to receive in reality and thus, the way her mind coped was to tuck itself inside a grand delusion unbreakable by even the harshest cold truth--in her world she was a lingering phantom who could reach out for that stage as much as she could, but it no longer wanted her as it was indifferent to her from the very beginning.
Conclusion: The Illusory Stage
Violetta in The Closing Night as she fantasizes her dream performance just before she succumbs to the cold.
Well, the last section was a rather gloomy way to end things so in this conclusion I'll do my best to be more cheerful.
Still, analyzing Violetta was awfully hard and as you can see it took me some time to really wrap my head around things to truly sit down and write up this piece on her. Granted, as with anything IDV lore-related, this character study is a far cry from being an extensive dive into Violetta who surely has more details and characteristics to talk about that I missed.
Like I've said before, I'm no expert and these studies are more for me to learn more about the character while also making my own suppositions. In other words, just consider this an entry-level summary into a character's lore.
As for Violetta, in the end, I'm happy to have discovered a more complete side to her then what we saw in The Closing Night story because while she is quite endearing in it, I wanted to know about how she came to be that way and why. Yet, I also understand why they wanted to focus on a specific aspect of her since these side stories serve to show us more facets to a character than we can receive through letters alone.
Admittedly, I did not mention in detail Max's awful behavior towards her either. I will highlight the facts that he not only purposefully starved her for her act to make her lighter to balance herself for her ball act (which didn't work, of course), but he took advantage of her naivety before selling her off like some expired product to Bernard who didn't treat her any better. His circus, or really freakshow, was just a front for his human trafficking of mentally and physically disabled people like Violetta who suffered immensely for it.
From Violetta's Deductions.
Violetta reminds me of Mike's vision of Bernard. Despite both ringleaders being awful human beings, their adoptive "fathers" still shone brightly in their eyes even through the abusive relationship. Grooming isn't a term that is above what they were doing with the children. (Important note: Not all grooming is of the sexual kind which is not what I'm talking about here.)
Anyone would have the mental, if not physical scars that would never leave them from experiencing such a thing and whether she was fully aware of it, Violetta was no different. Her outbursts and "unhinged" nature were honestly desperate cries for help from a soul that just wanted to be seen. There is nothing wrong with wanting someone, anyone, to turn their eyes to you with a warmth that would make the sun jealous.
Violetta sought that from others until the day she died but sadly, there was no one who really was able to grant her that wish. More than the stage, that "warmth" was truly the key to her happiness. While her fate is a sad one, at least she was able to reach that stage and bask in the warm gazes and applause from the audience in the end, even if it was just in her dreams.
And that would have to be enough for our dear Violetta.
Violetta's Final Performance in The Closing Night.
