#reverse1999 lore

[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]

Crystal/Clear Drop Lore

Sounds like Crystal Drops are "rain drops" that didn't make it to the "Storm" and they fall back down for arcanists to pick up. Also, there's that word again. Mother. This time they compared the Storm itself to a mother while every other time in the main story it's a taboo (Foundation) or a divine retribution (Manus Vindictae). It's rare to see the Storm described in such a gentle manner.

I'm going to assume the the Clear Drop's twin is the Crystal Drop. The Crystal Drop is described like a desperate child trying to get back to its mother and failing. On the contrary, the Clear Drop is described as reliable, virtuous, and always helping those in need. Unlike its twin, it will be the last one to rise and the first one to return. Notice how it doesn't say they failed? They returned. It's a tiny difference, but it sticks out to me. As previously stated, Crystal is a kid trying to return to their mother's embrace. They belong to the Storm. It is their origin. And yet, Clear seems more attached to the earth instead of the Storm that calls them upward into the skies. They're the last to rise and the first to return home.

Irl the Crystal Drops are a paid currency which is why they are rare. Lore wise you could say that the Crystal Drops are the ones that wanted to return to the Storm so they don't stick around long enough to be collected. It's the Clear Drops who are reluctant to go. They linger, making them easier to gather.

[sleeplesssmol]

Picrasma Candy is bitter and boozy with a bit of cane sugar.

This is Picrasma Quassioides, the source of Picrasma Candy.

Source.

It's a real life tree with connections to herbal medicines and insecticide.

It doesn't sound very tasty tbh but you have to keep your Cellular Activity up somehow. Start planting Picrasma trees in the Wilderness! Maybe if we're a supplier, we can get a discount on candies. 😏

[sleeplesssmol]

Cellular Activity Lore and Theories

"Signal transduction is the transmission of molecular signals from a cell's exterior to its interior. Signals received by cells must be transmitted effectively into the cell to ensure an appropriate response." (source)

This could explain why Vertin's skills take more Moxie every time you use her skills like Grand Orchestra or First Melody. The capacity for signal transduction decreases, meaning it takes longer for the cells to respond and react to the message. In her case, she must need to recharge often since she canonically sucks at arcanum. Timekeeper's running on Picrasma candy and the power of friendship.

It also explains Round Limits from a lore perspective. The more you use arcanum, the less control you have over it and you'll need to recharge. Long battles are not ideal and you want to end them quickly.

Another thing of note, there are biological reactions happening within arcanists when they use arcanum skills. This is important because it makes the widens the divide between humans and arcanists. It also explains why mixed blood arcanists are weaker than pure bloods. Pure-bloods are literally built different.

However, arcane skills can be mimicked with technology making them accessible to humans. The Floppy Disks that contain rituals are an example of this.

Humans like Schneider that can use arcane skills are still a mystery since there is definitely a biological element to arcane skills. In fact, there is a sign in that confirms arcane skills are hereditary (It's the sign in that mentions with mentions DNA).

[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.

[sleeplesssmol]

hi there, i enjoy reading your posts esp as a vertin appreciator. im kinda curious abt regulus being vertin's experimental case. before chapter 4, i got the impression that regulus was the first arcanist vertin successfully saved from the storm. but i remember in ch4, i think constantine or madam z mentioned it (forgor) that vertin has saved around 63 arcanists, which confused me bc then what was regulus' sifnigicance? since vertin had some trial and error in trying to save ppl from the storm (hence 'experiment') i wondered where the many other arcanists she saved before the chicago incident are. well it could be just that the . just food for thought bc im invested in vertin's efforts.

Yes pls feed me questions. I thrive!

Regulus was the first arcanist to survive the storm in Vertin's in the Suitcase specifically. Up until now, you had to be an arcanist within a Foundation building or serving under Manus Vindictae to survive the Storm.

Vertin “saved” many arcanists (I think it was 63 like you said) as in recruiting them to the Foundation, but the Foundation failed to provide them with quality of life. Vertin admits this to Arcana in chapter 2.

Many of the arcanists she rescued went insane, deserted, or took their own lives. The others are treated poorly because those who know the severity of the Storm only have 2 options of survival: Manus Vindictae or the Foundation. Those who are alive under the Foundation are kept on a short leash and live in misery.

This is why Vertin decided to secretly do these experiments to see if she could provide sanctuary to others. Regulus is the first one to make it while retaining her independence from Manus Vindictae and the Foundation. This is Relevant because we see that Vertin wants to keep her rescued arcanists in her care because they don’t assimilate well into the Foundation. In chapter 4, Vertin brings this up herself with Madam Z in the beginning before she is taken to Mesmer Jr. and placed in a coma. Rescued arcanists are harder to indoctrinate and we see how the Foundation treats those who disobey.

This is also why Vertin wants to find the truth. Even if she "rescues" people under the Foundation or heck, Manus Vindictae, the Storm leaves deep emotional scars on people. Mesmer Jr. has a stigma against arcanaists from outside the Foundation because she deals with those who lost their minds. She is the one who provides them treatment to them.

Hope this cleared some things up! Happy other people are as lore hungry as I am, especially as a "Vertin Appreciator" 🥹

[sleeplesssmol]

Since we're on the topic of Vertin being an adorable damage sponge, here is Sonetto also being a beautiful freak of nature. (Spoiler for Green Lake in second picture but nothing plot changing.)

Everyone, grab your character sheets:

Vertin: resilience, agility, stealth

Sonetto: strength, speed, firepower (arcanum skill)

[sleeplesssmol]

Vertin going to a snack bar at 2am is like going to 7-Eleven for Doritos at 2am because nothing else is open but you have cravings. A vibe, a mood, a way of life. Relatable.

On the other hand, Vertin met a single mother at 2am in a snackbar, befriended her, heard her life story, and watched her accomplish her dream while in that era. Insane.

Then there's Julie:

Before anyone gets their head in the gutter, this could be from Vertin's younger days. It's normal to have posters and invite friends over as kids. Vertin's lost a lot of friends from all ages and backgrounds, but the fact she can befriend them in the first place is impressive.