#psychube

[sleeplesssmol]

Psychube: As the Bell Tolls

Behold, this worn yet even glow of memory, Plunging with a "plunk" through the crimson clouds. The evening bell summons recollections from the grave, Turning to white doves-weightless now, no longer burning. And I wait, for its tireless, infinite returns.

[sleeplesssmol]

Reverse 1999 Theory: What is "Perception" and how does it work in arcanists?

Vertin canonically has uncanny perception and a deep understanding for arcanum even amongst arcanists, despite her lack of skill. Arcanists are very sensitive, or rather, vulnerable to emotions. There is another arcanist known for her perception we can look at for more clues.

Mesmer Jr. also has a "acute perception", much like Vertin.

In Reverse 1999, Perception functions like a 6th sense in arcanists. But how does it work? I looked up to see if there is a connection between magnetic fields and emotions. Turns out there is A LOT. Specifically the magnetic field radiated by the heart.

Biomagnetic Communication Between People (source).

We have found there is a direct relationship between the heart-rhythm patterns and the spectral information encoded in the frequency spectra of the magnetic field radiated by the heart. Thus, information about a person’s emotional state is encoded in the heart’s magnetic field and is communicated throughout the body and into the external environment.

There is so much cool information in this article I'd love to gush about, but we're here for lore. Remember my psychube post that I never shut up about? It's actually missing very important information that I didn't add at the time because I could not figure out how it worked.

Polarization:

The different frequencies are triggered by different kinds of emotions and we can see the heart being affected by the electromagnetic fields. My theory is that this is the key to arcanist perception. This is how they "sense" emotions. They are picking up on these frequencies. For a real life example from the same article, look at these graphs showing how the influence of emotions:

Most people tend to think of communication solely in terms of overt signals expressed through facial movements, voice qualities, gestures and body movements. However, evidence now supports the perspective that a subtle yet influential electromagnetic or "energetic" communication system operates just below our conscious level of awareness. The following section will discuss data that suggests this energetic system contributes to the "magnetic" attractions or repulsions that occur between individuals.

Arcanists sense these waves and it can cause distress in them. Mesmer Jr. is a prime example of this. Other people's emotions get to her.

Now how does this tie into our beloved Timekeeper?

What if the reason Vertin has to stay "stoic" is because her emotions can influence the others around her and because she is extra susceptible to other people's incoming emotions. She needs to stay calm even in mental distress. Mesmer Jr. is also like this. She may come off as abrasive and snappy at times but she is described as a "an indifferent and refined machine" (Chapter 3: An Opened Sandwich). These two share a lot in common. They are both victims of trauma yet must operate in many emotionally taxing positions.

They even say "engraved in the heart" (although this could simply be word choice it really fits)!

Both Vertin and Mesmer Jr. struggle everyday to keep the their feelings at bay. Neither of them is "used" to this life but they have to keep up the facade for their sake and possibly for those around them.

The main story doesn't give us as much insight into Vertin's head but the traces do. She is always holding back, just like Mesmer.

Side note, do you remember the heartbeat we heard as Schneider was reversed? It raced. Interesting how later Schneider shows up in one of her dreams during Artificial Somnambulism. This could be an example of HF Polarization which generates strong and temporary mental images with very powerful emotions.

This also adds an extra layer to Vertin's interactions with others. She tried to get through to Druvis and Schneider, but as for Forget-me-not and Arcana, she didn't bother. Maybe their feelings of revenge and hatred are so tangible she knew it was lost cause. However, Druvis was laden with grief and loss. She was not a malicious person. Schneider was desperate and motivated by love for her family. Vertin even mentions she knew Madam Z was not part of Constantine's game by the "look in her eyes" and never blamed her for the loss of her friends.

If anything seems wrong or if I missed something, please let me know! I'd be happy if I could refine it further.

[sleeplesssmol]

Psychube Lore

It was right there there whole time.

Vertin reflects until she levels up. That's cool until you realize she repeatedly relives her trauma too. For example...

Fatuous: silly or pointless

This frog is the Hyla Arborea, the foreteller of rain.

[sleeplesssmol]

Psychube: A Tingle of Thought

Zap, crackle. Zap, pop. What comes first, consciousness or the firing of synapses? Both at once! Encased in a flawless, intelligent cranium! The binary crackle of 0s and 1s echo over and over. The dawning of a new age bathed in magnetic current. The toasters too will join our ranks.

[sleeplesssmol]

Psychube: An Epic's End

An Epic's End

Circling, wings spread toward rosy-fingered dawn, Striding, leaping, sailing to the wine-dark sea. Clutch the helm, raise your voice in song, Till sirens climb your blade, Summoning the first dream that stings you.

[sleeplesssmol]

Psychube: Stray Off the Path

You want to find the lost lamb? Search until night falls and the stars surround you, Search until that milky scent lingers, until blood and bones cover the ground. And when the darkness comes to close your eyes, when you hear that awful sound, There'll be no lamb, no trace, and no you left to be found.

[sleeplesssmol]

Reverse 1999: Dissociation Mechanic

What to do when you have too many Psychubes! Also possible Lore implications for our beloved Timekeeper.

Go to the Psychube section in the Warehouse

Click the "Dissociation" Button in the lower right corner.

3. Click on the Psychubes you want to convert. You can also click the "Quick Load" Button if you have a lot like me.

4. Hit Dissociation!

5. Receive Fleeting Memories. It functions similar to Enlightenment, which look like lightbulbs. Fleeting Memories looks more like a broken lightbulb. They can be found in the Psychube section next to Enlightenment.

Descriptions:

According to Web MD, Dissociation is a break in how your mind handles information. You may feel disconnected from your thoughts, feelings, memories, and surroundings. It can affect your sense of identity and your perception of time. This could mean new lore implications!

Does this mean Vertin actively chooses when and what memoires to dissociate from so she can function in the present as Timekeeper?

From the way the UI is set up, Vertin dissociates from Psychubes defined by trauma/emotions (you can only dissociate 4 Star and below), thus letting them go as fleeting memories. However, we also know these memories return because we receive them again every time we do Pnuema Analysis. Even if she dissociates, when she reflects they return and the process repeats itself.

[sleeplesssmol]

Reverse 1999 Theories

These are al theories based on the way game mechanics and features play into the world building of Reverse 1999. They are subject to change as we learn more information.

Psychube Lore

It was right there there whole time. Vertin reflects until she levels up. That's cool until you realize she repeatedly relives her trauma t

Reverse 1999 Theory: What is "Perception" and how does it work in arcanists?

Vertin canonically has uncanny perception and a deep understanding for arcanum even amongst arcanists, despite her lack of skill. Arcanists

Reverse 1999: Dissociation Mechanic

What to do when you have too many Psychubes! Also possible Lore implications for our beloved Timekeeper. Go to the Psychube section in the