The way Aventurine always uses his left hand when he recites Gaiathra Triclops' blessing...we see him use his left hand with his sister as a child
And then we see his adult self and child self both using their left hands in Nihility
There isn't anything that says you have to use your left hand, you just have to put your palms together. But Aventurine has always used his left hand; fitting for a child blessed by Gaiathra who is depicted as a left palm. And it's this same hand that he keeps unadorned with jewelry (not counting the bracelet bc it's on his wrist).
It's this same hand that we see him conceal behind his back when he's doing his coin idle animation to impress (distract?) the audience
When he's gambling
And it's his left hand that we see holding his sister's hand in his 4-star LC
His right hand, however, is adorned with distracting jewelry. It's the one he shows people. It's the one he uses to make deals and place his bets.
But his left hand? His left hand hides behind his back (perhaps a silent prayer to Gaiathra to keep his schemes concealed). It performs Gaiathra Triclops' blessing. It once held his sister's hand.
His left hand is perhaps the remaining part of himself that he tries to keep as Kakavasha, and he doesn't want to sully it any more than he already has.
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.
✨ 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 :)
Hello pookies let’s talk about Aventurine and Topaz
Penacony spoilers+Analysis ahead
Let’s start off the bat, I personally like Aventurine more than Topaz and the main reason is because Topaz willingly works for the IPC while Aventurine doesn’t. Some people have pointed out in other posts of mine that Topaz didn’t voluntarily join the IPC. Her planet was dying and the IPC bought it, she joined because it was required of her, but here’s the difference. She chooses to stay.
She emphasizes in her talking with Bronya and the Trailblazer than she doesn’t stay with the IPC just because she has to or because she needs a paycheck. She stays because she likes working for them.
Also, she sees what was done to her planet as a good thing. In her eyes, the IPC saved her planet, in her eyes it isn’t exploitation. She tries to force the same thing on Jarilo-VI to the point she attacks the Astral Express for trying to stop her after Bronya declined the contract. She felt entitled to Jarilo-VI and when she was told no she ignored it. To her, the IPC are the best. It’s no wonder either, as far as we know she hasn’t seen the truly ugly side of the IPC yet because the IPC need her. In her character stories other IPC constantly hype her up, she’s a prodigy, she makes the IPC more efficient. She raises the success rate from 63% to above 80%. Even in her early days we see her breaking rules and getting away with it because the IPC value her too much to lose her.
They don't even question her calculations. Adding to this, when Aventurine is first introduced, it's after she's punished for her actions on Jarilo-VI.
He gives a lot of context about Topaz's power in the IPC. She "dodged a bullet there", implying she theoretically should've got a stronger punishment than being demoted a rank and losing some bonuses she's mentioned she doesn't care about. He even mentions that somebody is "looking out for her". Topaz has backing. He also mentions Jarilo-VI was a high-risk low-reward situation and that her "kind heart" was a liability. Topaz has the room to take on such cases and exercise her "kind heart" because she isn't at risk of losing everything if she screws up. There's little consequences to her actions, there's powerful people protecting her, and the IPC need her. Topaz can leave at any time, she choses not to because she likes the IPC. You see this power dynamic in her character trailer.
A throne is strong imagery and she's surrounded by money, the real representation of power in the IPC.
So let's talk about Aventurine and why I think he's interesting and why I like him more than Topaz.
Let's start with his power dyanmic within the IPC, or more so, his lack of one.
Aventurine has a serial number on his neck and Dr Ratio specifically calls him a "thrall". The term thrall in this context seems to imply he's a captive of some sort of the IPC*, to them he's a product. We can feel his lack of power in the way people talk to him.
Sparkle speaks to him in a super derogratory way and belittles him by implying he had to humiliate himself to influence Sunday. Meanwhile Dr Ratio writes him off as ruining everything before he gets to really do anything.
He gets power by gambling for it. Power is fleeting and he can lose it easier than most.
At one point he talks about how much money he loses wasting ten minutes. Ten minutes is nothing for Topaz but to Aventurine it's lost money and if he's not making the IPC money he's useless and viable to be cast aside. He can't afford it because he has no power. Compared to Topaz, he can't leave. He has less room for screw ups.
Onto friendship.
When friendship comes up, he keeps the idea at a distance. He asks how friends benefit him. Sparkle says he treats friends like bargaining chips and when he's talking with Dr Ratio he says that "Friends are weapons of Avgins". To him, friends are used for or against you.
He doesn't have any real friends, he's always on his own. He has no backing. He can't trust anybody because he's in such a vulnerable state and everyone around him looks down on him because of his heritage. Dr Ratio even tells him he causes too much trouble to have freinds, likening him to a peacock with a jarring call.**
Finally I want to analyze this conversation between him and Topaz. When asking for her help, he calls her old friend, implying he's planning to use her. The thing about Aventurine is that compared to Topaz, he's more ruthless because he has to be, he doesn't have the wiggle room she does, even Black Swan notes this saying he'll go to extreme lengths to maintain an advantage. Right now, that's what he's doing because he's being thrown to Penacony as a sacrifice. For the reasons above he seems to be the most expendable Stoneheart. He notes Penacony is a lost cause and Topaz is shocked that the mission isn't given to a higher ranking Stoneheart. He eggs Topaz into being his project manager with the idea she'll recover what she lost on Jarilo-VI. What he's really doing is using her to shield himself. With her involvement the IPC will be less likely to cut their loses with him, because they need Topaz and if he puts his eggs in her basket to care for they're less likely to be left to break by the IPC. If things go wrong he takes the blame… unless he has Topaz to sofen the blow. He's gambling on her power in their dynamic.
*My personal theory as of 2.0 is that the Sigonians and Avgins had a war and the IPC backed the Avgins for a benefit of their victory, assuring it. Aventurine was a captive or some sort of "war prize" hence the serial number and Dr Ratio calling him a thrall. It also explains the negative view of Sigonians and the very favorable view of Avgins among other lore we've gotten about it. I may do a seperate post of this theory.
**Sparkle and Dr Ratio liken Aventurine to a peacock frequently. Male peacocks use their feathers to attract the attention of female peacocks. This matches Aventurine's very flamboyant and charismatic character and his place in the story.
Feel free to add discussion, have a great day, mwah!
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.
i like seeing soft content of aventurine that explores his vulnerable side, yk?
sometimes it feels like he can be perceived as just this intimidating, cunning, cold and calculated man who never loses when in reality he's very gentle and sometimes timid, even. his whole life he has been dehumanized: at first because of enslavement, later and now because of the way people view him through his seemingly invincible mask. it reminds me of, like... dazai from bsd, for example? since that man also was dehumanized for being extraordinarily skilled and hyper-intelligent
but man . . . aventurine, kakavasha is so human to me. every time i remember what he went through in penacony, how desperate and scared young vasha was, how his hand shakes behind his back and clutches onto chips like his life depends on it, how gentle and caring he was with his child self, how he stood up to his future self and firmly said that he "never changed", how much he truly hates himself, when he asked "why can't i be happy too? why cant i feel that free?", it proves to me that so many things about him are so ... vulnerable and non-invincible and that he intentionally uses his "mask" as a tool to make people be put off by him, the same mask that emulates the men in his life that have caused him harm in some way
obviously, kakavasha is extremely resilient and capable to go through what he went through. however, he is still not untouchable, like a cold glacier would be. he feels emotions, he gets hurt and struggles, he receives hope and he keeps going, dropping the facade and opening his heart to other people and makes new genuine friendships. this makes him very ,,, approachable and comforting in a way too
this is a random rant cuz i see a lot of like . cool scary or manipulative aventurine in the fandom but not enough gentle and caring kakavasha🥲
I still remember seeing this light cone when the game came out and being like "who are these two???" and "why does the guy in the back look so devious?"
Anyways, I do think the cone has some vague things to be analyzed connecting to Aventurine, but only some since the main focus is clearly Topaz.
"A New Round of Shuffling" is the name of the ability the light cone provides, and I think it's clearly connected to Aventurine given he's known for being a gambler and is shown with cards in a lot of his other media appearances.
I also think the description is pretty neat too, giving us a pretty good summary of some of what the IPC does. I personally think it aligns a lot of what we saw during the Trailblaze Continuance on Jarilo-VI (where Topaz was introduced and we heard Aventurine's voice for the first time) and shows us more of the IPC's values overall. For being named the Interastral Peace Corporation they definitely are less interested in peace and more interested in profit.
It's a conversation which I like to think is between Topaz and Aventurine, mostly because the other guy is just a random IPC goon and probably isn't talking to Topaz, especially since the dialogue seems to be between people of equal level, just from the vibes it gives.
I'm hoping next update we get some more Aventurine stuff for me to analyze because after I finish the Eidolons I don't want to run out of things too fast!
