So the essence trailer for next week's essence for Tracy's S-costume dropped and when I saw Frederick I couldn't help but be like "Bro, why're you EVERYWHERE???" 😭
Like, it's not a lot really but he truly be collecting B-tiers like Pokemon.
Season 37 Essence 3 (June 12, 2025)
Season 41 Essence 1 (February 5th, 2026)
Like, it's not a lot really but he truly be collecting B-tiers like Pokemon.
Season 42 Essence 2 (May 14th, 2026)
Season 43 Essence 2 (July 23rd, 2026)
(Mind you, this means he has gotten a B-costume THREE seasons in a row. Is...is...this normal? Surely not...another character must be out there like him, no...???)
And now just over a couple months after Edgar's essence, he's been spotted in Tracy's essence trailer. Like Frederick really said you can pay him to be in any place BUT the main story😭. Because mind you, he also received a Christmas B-tier costume back in December and was featured in that storyline as well.
To be fair....to be fair! He did get an A-costume during the Halloween event last year (again, man was really on holiday jumping from spooky season to the holidays like no one's business) and he will be getting another A-costume in the next and last essence of this season featuring "Herztier."
Looking good, Mr. Kreiburg~
But it kinda kills me that he is popping up in the background everywhere...just lurking and watching everyone from the shadows. Funny cause essence stories can be quite lore relevant to the characters present. Not sure how far that extends to B-costumes for characters but food for thought...
if I had a nickel every time there was an Essence where a Frederick, Lily, and Nightmare B-Tier were in an Essence starring an Alice parallel focusing on the consequences of ignoring trauma and negative emotions-
I would have two clues which is not a lot but it's weird it happened twice?
I have too many letters to catch up on to make an analysis of it but it's certainly interesting that the same subject, same parallels, and same B-Tiers are being used.
I'm almost done with the Cryptic Notes analysis that makes me want to kill someone, so I think the best cleanser is discussing a theory that's been bothering me.
The possibility Frederick represents Lucifer in Identity V.
The Process of Elimination
First off, something that's immediately noticeable in Identity V is that Alice and Memory (and sometimes Orpheus) represent the (anti)Christ of Identity V. This can be seen in the harrowing of hell via entering the Underworld, rising from a presumed death, the theme of forgiveness, martyrdom, and in Memory/Alice's case, lamb imagery.
In contrast, the Da Capo Hunters are associated with demon imagery. Fool's Gold Infernal Sin skin is explicitly based off Amon, a demon depicted as a bird-wolf-serpent and is associated with wrath. Queen Bee's fairy design invokes The Lord of the Flies, Beelzebub, with her original (more insectoid) design matching of the demon's designs, her Memory Scar skin a spirit, one likely demonized (literally). Nightmare's Abyss represents a fallen Adam who embraced sin, while his design recalls several demons, most notably Malphas.
By this logic, Frederick's Hunter and, to a lesser degree, is Survivor, must represent a demon in some form. A demon that isn't Amon, Beelzebub, or Malphas. We have a couple options: Phenax, Marchosias, and Focalor. All three bear more inner turmoil about their hellish positions and all there have avian aspects.
A depiction of Marchosias. Note the bird wings, fire breath, serpent's tail, and wolf torso.
But there's some other aspects to keep in mind about Frederick. Phenax, Marchosias, and Focalor are motivated by earnest desire to "redeem" themselves. While it's true that Frederick has obviously felt it at some points (most notably Endless Banquet and Delicate Green), there are also implications Frederick does not care for his redemption anymore. At least, in a way that would fit the previously-mentioned demons. No, instead, Frederick seems to find peace with his rejection, even as he bitterly mourns good food and good clothes (Composer Third Letter). He finds meaning in revolution.
So, with a thousand other demons to choose from, which one is Frederick?
To find out, we need to look at the Kreiburgs that constituted his "fall."
The Kreiburgs
According to Cage of Yesteryear, Umber, and Frederick's Second and Third Letters, Frederick's disownment from the Kreiburg family should not solely be taken by passive abandonment, but active rejection. Though Frederick had already been displaced by the Kreiburgs due to his skin condition, mental illness, and unique composition style (Frederick Deduction Five; Frederick Second Letter), he was still considered a rising star. Due to Umber, it's implied that he was the "winner" of the Kreiburg eugenic game in Cage of Yesteryear, due to the winner being depicted as a wolf, and Umber being a werewolf who left the over wolves out of disgust for their brutal traditionalism.
Rebelling against the desires of family as the "rising star" bears more significance than Frederick solely being a failed experiment. But it was also against Frederick's nature: his more experimentation music, found in his Second and Third Letters, is considered noteworthy, and to embrace the skill he has, he must reject the Kreiburg within him. In the description for his Concerto, it's noted Frederick has a more talented, but crueler person within him. One that, based off his Third Letter, he chose to become.
We also need to discuss Frederick's stillborn twin. Frederick's twin represents everything holy to him denied, his act of Cain from which he bears the marks of hellfire. Frederick looks like this twin but is not him and the Kreiburgs wishes his twin survived instead (Frederick Deduction Six). Frederick shows consistent self-loathing and hatred towards his brith marks and, by extension, himself for not being his twin.
Among the angels, two angels are placed in opposition, with the Angel Michael being shown as the dragonslayer, casting Lucifer out from Heaven. He is the chief of the angels, the warrior, and the one who casts judgement during the Apocalypse. Michael is also the angel depicted on the tarot card Judgement, the same card that is Frederick's card.
I would like to note that Survivor Frederick's debut skin was Dragon Hunter, a self-loathing dragon hybrid who slays the last of his kin, only (implied via concept art and Richard' Essence) to become a dragon himself. It visually bears similarities other than depictions of Michael in artwork.
But if Survivor Frederick represents the Frederick who is still living up to the ghost of his twin, then who is Frederick himself? Who is the Frederick that Orpheus encouraged to unmask?
It seems like Lucifer is the answer.
Oletus
Frederick was encouraged by the "host" (translated as hostess) of his book club to embrace his uniqueness. It is heavily implied via Frederick's Deductions that this host was Orpheus, which explains how he was able to obtain a tuning fork associated with the Mediterranean Deal. Orpheus, therefore, encouraged Frederick to become colder, but also more at peace with himself.
At the same time, there is a significant possibility that Frederick is the "Dotdot" mentioned in Orpheus' Third and Fourth Letters. This is because of Frederick being implied to be an old accomplice in Cage of Yesteryear (Alice finds a tea set in a hidden study, with two old cups and one new. The new cup is implied to be Norton's), has known Orpheus at the earliest around Game 0 (due to knowledge Roy Kafe helped research White Steed but was gone by its publishing), and associations with the occult and the Mediterranean Deal. "Dotdot" appears to have encouraged Orpheus to embrace the supernatural aspects of Delphi, while also selling out Sam Bourbon and potentially Vilhelm Lamb.
If so, this twists Frederick and Orpheus' relationship into something of mutual destruction and temptation. He is transformed from someone exploited to a corrupter himself. One who pushed Orpheus down the slippery slope of vengeance, rather than helplessly watching him embrace the eldritch.
Frederick's reasons for remaining at Oletus remain unclear. He's clearly been around for some time, but while he shows some interest in Blue Hope for an unknown sentimental reason, it doesn't seem to be the sole reason. He didn't steal Blue Hope several times he had the chance, is implied via his background and Endless Banquet to have obtained what he abstractly wanted (appreciation), and, if he's Dotdot, is more interested in experiment with the occult. He is, so far, the only known "victor" of Oletus Manor.
Frederick's association with Orpheus is associated with the goddess Aphrodite in his Eighth Deduction, in contrast to Frederick comparing his relationships with his family to the Euterpe. Aphrodite became syncretized with the Roman goddess Venus and both of whom have connections to the goddess Inanna. All three are associated with the planet Venus, better known as the Morning Star. The planet itself was personified with the name of Lucifer.
As a side note, both Sangria and Antonio are associated with Lucifer. Sangria is associated with the Black Goat (based off the Lovecraft forest god), while Antonio is possessed by a demon.
The Great Red Dragon
Several times now, we can see Frederick has associates with Lucifer, the Devil, and this has implications for his role in the main story.
"But Nightmare is associated with the Devil" and that is true from his tarot cards. However, I would like to propose Nightmare is associated with an older conceptualization of satan (the Accuser) rather than Lucifer Satan. They are both adversaries in the sense that they must be adversaries, rather than it being indicative of their natures.
We can see this in the setup to the Book of Job, where God and the Satan discuss whether Job loves God out of piety or because he has experienced a good life, so God tests Job by making his life miserable. It is a test of The Problem of Evil, how bad things can happen to those who are faithful to God. Satan is a part of the structure of the universe, approved by God, rather than something abnormal that must be corrected for.
Likewise, Nightmare is not inherently malevolent, but his job was to originally suffer the pain for Orpheus (Piety Concept Notes). He is "evil" in the sense that he must experience evil deeds, not because of an evil nature. Fittingly, Nightmare is the Orpheus identity that experiences the most remorse and distress regarding Orpheus' choices. He may be brutal, but he is not evil.
Frederick, in contrast, finds both distress and comfort in the idea of acting as himself, which includes good things (such as rejecting the Kreiburg eugenics), but also includes embracing the colder, crueler, unique sides of himself. Though the Kreiburgs were no heaven, he chose defiance and sacrificed everything to listen to this nature. Now, in the Underworld of Oletus, he finds both loathing and victory.
This Luciferian character of Frederick could hold clues into his Hunter Design. It's possible it could include horns, feathered (or draconic) wings, halos, spade tails, or other features of Lucifer in various depictions.
On a greater note, it makes any choice of his incredibly ambiguous. We have last seen him in the trailer of Cryptic Notes, "saving" Alice from one of the Doom Poppets. However, it is unknown if this was a choice made of altruism or remorse, or another plan we currently lack information on. Note how in the majority of Frederick's Event appearances, he has been an aloof friend at best (Christmas Concerto) to a morally ambiguous ally (Halloween), to a villain mastermind who can only be played into a stalemate (Last Voyage of Oceanus). Considering Alice sees herself as Jesus, Frederick's seeming benevolence should be treated with extreme caution.
Something interesting to note is how Alice's association with the golden-winged nightingale brings to mind The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed In Sun by poet William Blake. It depicts the titular Book of Revelation characters as the Dragon tries to kill the Woman. The Dragon, of course, stands in for Lucifer.
If Alice and Frederick are meant to stand in fro the Woman and the Dagon, then this supports the theory that Frederick will be the adversary Alice faces in the Final Game, due to Orpheus' position as an antagonist being complicated by Alice's motivation to protect him. Alice also considers Norton and Melly to be her "temporary allies." Frederick, therefore, may be delegated the role of the most active antagonist, due to having the coolest relationship between them.
Just like how Norton Campbell's Judas parallel makes him a danger to Orpheus and Alice, Frederick's position as Lucifer marks him as someone dangerous to both of them.
Speaking of, if the theory Frederick is the Red Protagonist/Reichenbach is true, then Frederick may return to the Lucifer role in an attempt to corrupt Detective, by attempting to find a conclusion to the Final Game and his longstanding associate. Detective, taking the role of Jesus from Alice, but also Dionysus from his adoptive father Dennis, would be challenged by resisting the temptation and leaving the Underworld of Oletus, with Frederick being defined by his refusal to move on.
There is also a possibility Frederick's S Skin, particularly if it takes place in the Eden storyline, may be based off Lucifer, with a strong chance it is based off the Red Dragon or the Book of Revelation declaring the Serpent of Eden to be him.
There are many possibilities that remain to be seen.
look, i'm a huge evelyn fan and i think fredrick is neat, and as much as i adore evelyn's newest costume... why do they look like the female/male versions of each other's costume???? me and my friend are going to be twinning in duos with these fits 😭✌️💗💗
Opera Singer will get a costume in the latter half of this year.
The "Flower Gifting" emote will return in August.
Explorer's Autumn B Costume will return in September.
A previous crossover event with Emma and Joseph is possibly returning.
Performance Optimization
Gardener's older A-tier costumes will be getting optimized.
Composer's "Dragon Hunter" S-Costume will be getting optimized.
Battle Updates
Naiad won't be getting her buffs from the test server.
Composer has already received a 2nd adjustment in the test server for the current buffs.
Cowboy has been buffed in the test server.
Gamekeeper's buffs have already been adjusted.
The pre-match Survivor feature letting Survivors chat amongst themselves will not be implemented for now.
Cryptic Notes
A holding hands interaction will be added which will allow stamina recovery increase and consumption decrease.
Custom buttons will be added.
A bug causing unresponsive touch issues in the mobile version of the game has been fixed and other things have been optimized like the UI for various things.
Anomaly numbers will be adjusted to avoid situations when too many gather.
An item lock function is being considered.
Cryptic Notes contributes to Guild Activity.
Teaming up will increase intimacy.
Optimizing counterplay to "Sighs" (the Balloons).
Adding a Duo Queue mode.
Adding a "Are you sure you want to exit" popup to avoid accidentally leaving Cryptic Notes.
Adding a secondary password for the mode for security and safety.
Selling feature will have a one-click sort function added.
Room
Free furniture placement will be added this week.
Mansion layout system will be optimized in August.
Others
Priestess' "Nine-Colored Deer" accessory is an A-tier (was mistakenly shown as an S-tier in the livestream)
Adding timestamps to Guild chat.
The new character tied to the story expansion for the 2nd half of the year will NOT be The Sculptor's survivor counterpart.
The Q&A confirmed an Echo Skin of Frederick is coming. I really hope it’s not a ONCE with once exception: the skin is Frederick’s stillborn twin instead of himself.
Frederick’s a story whose life seemingly cannot be depicted as a single choice leading to the events of arriving at Oletus so, unless they pull a Hangover Joseph, where he’s utterly miserable stuck as the “victor” of his eugenicist family, the only timeline where he doesn’t meet Orpheus (based off his deductions and letters) is one where he remained a part of the Kreiburgs, who decided he was damned at birth and only tentatively accepted him so long as he played their social Darwinist game. His individuality as a composer and acceptance of his mental illness are mutually exclusive with him choosing to remain with the Kreiburgs instead of leaving.
Making a hypothetical ONCE skin his stillborn identical twin who would’ve been accepted could emphasize that, but I really hope it’s not a ONCE skin. That’d be as absurd as giving either DeRoss sibling a ONCE.
