The Figure in Bismuth is a player character in PARTIZAN and PALISADE. He is the Right Hand of The Witch in Glass. Although he was first introduced during Beam Saber, he was designed as the Armour Astir playbook The Imposter.
Appearance
They are humanoid, and their body is covered in rainbow crystals. Of his head, only his jaw is visible; the rest is a large crystal (reference).[1] The weight of the crystal requires them to do certain physical exercises as self-maintenance. His body is also partially covered in vines, but their extent is not visible as they're covered by his clothes.
In PALISADE, they're further described as imposing but hunched over by the weight of the crystals over their body, and wear a tight flight suit adorned with medals commemorating their skill as a pilot.[2]
This section contains spoilers for PALISADE 15: Upon Our Grace Pt. 2.
Click here to reveal.
In response to being turned into a portal for the Iconoclasts by the Usher of Truth, Figure turns the material their body is made of into concrete.[3]
Personality
Figure is rather soft spoken and mild. They haven't done a lot of political thought and are surprised when called on it. They are "just asking questions"[4] both in the annoying sense (blithely insensitive) and in that they are trying to listen to a different way of thinking and viewing the world.
Figure is a fan of the universe's equivalent of a Ken Burns documentary. He is very excited to watch a documentary about Gig Kephart.[5]
History and Involvement
In his original life, Figure was a politically conservative history teacher.
PARTIZAN
After being injured and near-death due to the battles raging across Partizan, Figure was healed by the Witch in Glass. Because of this, he believes he owes her his loyalty. Within the Reflecting Pool, he serves as a benevolent sort of alderman for the fellow residents, attending to their problems. He is now a supernaturally gifted ace pilot.
Their first appearance involved bringing Sovereign Immunity to speak with the Witch in Glass. Months later, he assists Millennium Break in investigating the Chasmata Quarry. When the Witch in Glass joins the fight during Operation Shackled Sun, he plays a pivotal role there as well, disobeying her orders by destroying the Lattice to keep people from getting killed defending it. Afterward, he is described as spending some time in isolation, hanging out in a cave.
PALISADE
In the years following the events of PARTIZAN Figure remains connected to the Witch in Glass despite being on indefinite loan to Millennium Break as a member of the Blue Channel.
This section contains spoilers for PALISADE 05: I Would Like to Help You Pt. 2.
Click here to reveal.
Figure needs to return to the Witch's palace in the Crown of Glass at regular intervals to refresh the magic that sustains their body. When they're in the Witch's presence, she can monitor the everything that Figure has seen, done, and learned during their time apart, and she uses this information to surveil not only Figure but also the actions of Millennium Break.[Note 1] Figure resents this intrusion.[6]
This section contains spoilers for PALISADE 15: Upon Our Grace Pt. 2.
Click here to reveal.
During a mission in Violet Cove, the Usher of Truth (through Kenneth Marian Colver) opens Figure's flight suit and turns them into a portal for the Iconoclasts. In order to contain this threat, and because the specialized concrete of the Rapid Evening can trap Iconoclasts, Figure turns the material their body is made of into concrete.[3]
Relationships
Bonds (Beam Saber)
- Sovereign Immunity seems quite affable and amenable.
- Phrygian and I might share a bond over our distinct appearances.
- Kalar's heroism is quite striking.
Hooks (Armour Astir)
- No matter how far I run, I am still tethered to the Witch in Glass.[2]
- The only way to escape the Witch is by endangering others, but they seem eager to accept the risk.[5]
- I've lived two lies; I would happily die for the truth.[2]
- If Phrygian were to test my loyalties, I'm not sure which way I would go.[2]
Gravity clocks (Armour Astir)
- Palisade and I were both resurrected against our will by people who won’t fix their own problems.[7]
- Cori also moves like she is just a weapon.[8]
- (Rival clock) I have to return to the Witch to sustain my life force.[6]
- I admire Phrygian's ability to freely question authority.[5]
Mech
In PARTIZAN, the Figure in Bismuth's mech is the Will of the Witch, a gigantic Hallow shaped like a Dark Souls knight made up of blocky PS1 polygons. The Will of the Witch was detonated during PARTIZAN's final episode without ever being piloted onscreen, which was not very wow cool robot.
In PALISADE, his mech is the Devil's Two Front Teeth, a zombie-like Altar with chunks missing from when heat exploded along its faultlines due to the lack of existing heatsinks and vents. It makes a horrible noise like howling wind when activated.
Trivia
- Figure is unable to cry.[9]
Gallery
Figure fanart by Si F Sweetman
Appearances
Foototes
- ↑ In the second episode of Gathering Information, Dre likens this to the intrusive surveillance and criminalization of people who take highly controlled substances (like stimulants or opioids) as medication.
References
- ↑ PARTIZAN 34: Guests, Invited and Otherwise
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 PALISADE 01: Into the World Pt. 1
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 PALISADE 15: Upon Our Grace Pt. 2
- ↑ PARTIZAN 45: Operation Shackled Sun: Act 1: The Fray
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 PALISADE 12: Worth the Trouble Pt. 1
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedPAL05 - ↑ PALISADE 02: Into the World Pt. 2
- ↑ PALISADE 09: The Canvas of Dreams Pt. 4
- ↑ PALISADE 12: Worth the Trouble Pt. 1