#psychubes

[arcanistsanctum]

Mental Cage ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Complicated, endless, bewildering. Reality, memory, illusion. The existence of nonexistence. Aleph. Merlin, the Idealist. Zahir, Paracelsus. In the cell, in the mirror, in the chambers of the mind.

[sleeplesssmol]

Theory: Psychubes are Vertin's creations.

I originally posted this idea to Reddit but I figured making a proper post here would be good for future reference since I use Tumblr more often. I've also expanded on it a wee bit.

Psychubes function as “weapons” in game and provide buffs, support, stat boosts, etc. to the crew member equipped with them. To get Psychubes, Vertin needs to complete Pneuma Analysis. The literal translation of pneuma is ‘that which is breathed or blown’ but in philosophical terms it refers to “the vital spirit, soul, or creative force of a person.” (Disclaimer: this is a very simple definition of a complex topic.) She receives two types of currency through Pneuma Analysis: Thought Elements and Thoughts in Entirety.

Thought Elements: an element of an arcanist’s thoughts. There are so many ways to organize the mess: the furnace that burns and the blade that cuts…but I wish to keep it the way it is.

Thoughts in Entirety: an arcanist’s complete thoughts. As the disorganized has been organized, the darkened vision lightens, ideas are finally taking shape in my mind.

Lower level Psychubes have less defined strokes and tend to be faceless. They can be purchased with Thought Elements, which are fragments of a complete thought.

However, the higher leveled Psychubes must be purchased with Thoughts in Entirety. These Psychubes have clear, defined faces and lines. They are not as abstract as the lower leveled ones and cost.

From a lore perspective, this high price could be the result of the time and introspection needed to complete the work. The lesser ideas are also the foundation of strong ones. In the game this is represented by engraving a Psychube to make it stronger.

But why do the strong Psychubes depict her friends? I read a theory somewhere that Resonance and Insight represents Vertin influencing her allies and expanding their minds. What if Psychubes are similar, but they work the other way around? Psychubes are the result of Vertin’s allies influencing her thus showing up in her art.

For example, the Loss Psychube is an orange. It grants no special effects and is used as material to build up other ideas. Is it a stretch to think this might be a reflection of Vertin’s mindset? You’re not meant to level up the Loss Psychube, instead you use it to empower the other works. To me this reads as moving forward while using that pain as fuel to make something greater. I'm not fond of the “art is pain” trope, but in this instance we see Vertin using art to cope and overcome hurt rather than fixate and obsess over it.

A lot of the lower level Psychubes are single words like Numb, Slighted, and Fatuous. The Psychubes' impressions are pretty interesting to read, especially if you consider Vertin being the artist who made them. You can read them here.

If Druvis can make wands/guns and the Foundation can mass produce Floppy Disks that teleport people, perhaps Vertin has a similar ability. If we think about Vertin in battle, she's not only the conductor for her allies, but also a buff/support. We can see this in her skills like First Melody and Grand Orchestra. Psychubes could be an extension of her arcanum and is another way she supports her team instead of just leading them.

I wish we could see what a Psychube actually looks like. Are they like stamps or stickers you can mix and match? A literal painted cube as in Psy-cube? I need to know if Vertin is handing out art pieces to her crew like “I made this for you” the same way she gave Sonetto frogs and stuff as a kid.

[arcanistsanctum]

Tiny Wish ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

A leaf falls from a branch. Flee, flee further still, says the wind, Otherwise, you'll turn to sludge. I wish to fly toward the rapids, I wish to fly toward the gorge, The leaf replies, See, over there, even the ants are still fighting.

[arcanistsanctum]

Aurora After Winter ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Inhale, take a step forward—preserve those old memories in your shell, Jump, twirl—catch the last glimmers of starlight before the vanish. Infinite paths lie ahead, but only you, my little lilac, Amidst the swaying of rings, I imagine the whisper of spring's approach. And after the snow, what face will spring wear?

[arcanistsanctum]

The Final Roll ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

One last spin is all that remains, the ending of the story you long for, the ending that belongs to you, to the ghost, to everyone. Roll the die one last time! No longer heavy, no longer absurd- Look, it gleams in the dunes of night.

[arcanistsanctum]

Ready on Call ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

A black plastic shell, smooth like temple bricks. Ten digits stand in line, fingertips leap into tiny squares. The child who once played hopscotch has grown up, now steps on the keypad. Beep-boop, beep-boop - the heartbeat and the signal chime together. Please pick up, old friend, new friend. I will tell you of this spring, as it was when we were ten years old.

[arcanistsanctum]

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.

[arcanistsanctum]

Off the Scene ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Makeup removed, costume shed, the camera left behind. The setting sun quietly mocks the endless rewrites in the margins. How is one meant to act out the rest of their life? A monologue, laced with irony.