#gem theory

[thatbennybee]

I Love the way you draw trolls!! But I have to ask, whats up with the gems that you give them in place of their bellybutton? Is it based on canon or sum? I'm not well versed in trolls lore hehe

Prepare for a deep dive... 😅 In short, it's KIND OF canonical? But not really? It's honestly just a long-standing headcanon of mine! A design choice just like tails and paws for me!

Some trolls do have them in canon like DJ Suki (and I think a few background trolls), and they are incorporated into the Netflix show in one of the episodes (Gem Day!) but the shows are not canon.

Though, the Trolls Facebook page also brings them up for their Troll of the Month posts and I personally choose to view these as canonical since they use the movie renders.

They do mention belly gems in Trolls Holiday as well but my incorporation was purely coincidence because I've been giving them belly gems far before any of that was established because of the Trollz TV show I grew up with!

The Trolls in that iteration of the franchise had magical belly gems linked to their magical abilities and bracelets. The main character, Amethyst, had a heart shaped amethyst in her belly.

Amethyst actually has some visual hair similarities to Poppy! Poppy also has a pink heart shaped gem according to DreamWorks!

I kind of just gave Branch and Poppy those gem shapes simply because it just felt right, but DreamWorks seems to agree! 😆 For me, Poppy and Viva both have heart shaped gems. (Viva's is yellow tho) Branch and his brothers all have the same diamond/rhombus shape too :] they usually match the color of their hair.

I give the gems a magical and emotional connection to trolls, as based on the Gem Day episode, their gems are formed by joy throughout the troll's life after planting their first hair. (Branch's gem is cracked due to his greyness but that's a rare instance.)

For me, they're born with one in their belly and then they can grow a separate one in the same way as the Gem Day episode, but the ones in their belly cannot be replaced nor removed. Whatever happens to it is permanent, they must be careful! :]

These gems can be planted together with a partner's or apart (single or ace trolls) in order to wish for/manifest a baby. There's other methods of how eggs can be formed for trolls, but I love the idea of it always being a magical process for them! :] Kind of a nod back to the Good Luck Trolls/Wish Trolls toys where trolls all began! 💖💖💖

Hope my headcanons were interesting to you! I love explaining my gem theories for them :] I've loved trolls long before these movies so my love for trolls runs deep 💖 I was too young (or not born) when the OG trolls were at their peak but I love these little guys!!

[bostrichidae]

so i was thinking about steven universe

which is something i do very, very often. and i thought about gem placements. thinking about if they might impact the gem's personality, blah blah blah, and then i started to think about the asymmetrical gem placements; ruby and sapphire, the topazes, aquamarine, eyeball, all them. and i looked at the fusions with these gems. and i noticed a pattern.

one gem on each hand

one gem on each cheek

one gem on each ear (or just side of the head? not all gems have physical ears, so...)

one gem on each side of her center chest gem (same cut, too. might be the same type of gem?)

these are all fusions whose components have mirrored gem placements. and out of all the gem fusions we see with asymmetrical gem placements, the only fusions that don't follow this trend are the ruby squadrons. the main difference? the rubies fuse for combat, for their job. they don't necessarily get along all that well, but they're soldiers and have to fuse because that's the easiest way to take down opponents.

but all the examples i just mentioned are fusions based in love. whether they be the same type of gem or completely different, the components' gems always mirror each other. and i began thinking that might not be a coincidence.

sure, it may just be because the character designers wanted symmetry in the character designs, but what if there was more to it?

maybe gem placement affects compatibility between gems. maybe, if the gems mirror each other, it means the components' personalities work together well. opposites attract n all that jazz. in garnet's case, it seems to be that the two compliment each other's strengths and seem to almost... complete the other, in a way.

fusions involving gems with these placements don't often stay together well- such as bluebird and the ruby squadrons (and also, a lot of rubies have these sorts of placements! just reinforces the idea that rubies are created to be grouped together) unless there is another component to compliment that gem. so here's what i'm thinking:

gem soulmates. or something along the lines of that.

basically, gems with mirrored placements work really well together. like they were always meant to be together. they reinforce each other's strengths and cover each other's weaknesses, which is why so many long-term fusions have these mirrored placements. they simply work together much better than any other kind of combination.

and speaking of meant to be together...

unsubtly gestures to these two. is this a rarepair. does this exist and if it doesn't can i make it exist

[kizzer55555]

Core Gems

So when a ghost becomes injured, they have a last ditch defense where they retreat into their core. And I mean, injured badly where their body is rip apart to the point they can’t hold a solid form anymore. And they basically go into a hibernation state until they are strong enough to form again.

Ellie, Danny, and Dan are all injured in a final battle against the GIW. The organization was destroyed and the ghosts were safe but the halfas ended up being so injured that they reverted to core form and then went to sleep for a bit. When they woke up, they were still weak but at least recovered enough to gain consciousness. And realize…they are in some kind of auction…in the middle of a heist. It appeared that two furries (one in a bat costume and one in a cat costume) were ducking it out. And they…they were a necklace. All three of them had been turned into a necklace with their cores as gems accompanied by sapphires, pearls, and opals. And frankly gorgeous craftsmanship as the metal was crafted around their cores as if to cradle them and the other gems.

Unfortunately, they were too weak to take a form properly, they could still feel the strain on their bodies. But at least they could still communicate through their auras. Then the cat lady punched a hole in the glass container surrounding them and grabbed their necklace.

However, the bat grabbed the other end and it resulted in a sort of tug-a-war. Meanwhile, Danny, Ellie, and Dan were having a back and form commentary on the situation and what they should do. Completely unheard by the other party.

In the corner of their eye, the three halfas finally noticed a third contender. Some kind of clown who was…hold on…holding a gun?! And it was pointed straight at the two fighting furies who had yet to notice him. The ghosts’ protective instincts went into overdrive and they frantically tried to shout, yell, move. Just do something to warn the two but their cries fell on deaf ears. All they succeeded in doing was faintly glow which immediatly caught the attention of the fighting duo. The two turned to look at the strange necklace but right at that moment, the clown fired and a gunshot rang throughout the auction room. Having no other options, Danny and the others poured every ounce of ectoplasm they had to try and phaseshift, making the two furries intangible as the bullets passed right through them, but in their shock, the two jumped away in opposite directions and accidentally ripped the necklace apart. Gems and pearls went flying and the three cores bounced along the ground.

Luckily, the two finally noticed the clown and went to deal with him and his minions who had appeared. Seemingly putting their fight on hold and forming a temporary truce. The three halfas could only watch as the battle finally wound down, ending with the cops barging into the place and arresting the clown and his grunts, the cat managing to escape with half the scattered gems and pearls from the broken necklace along with a few other jewelry pieces (none of their cores though) and the bat leaving through a skylight.

The auction continued and in the end, despite being broken, their necklace seemed to have caught someone’s interest. A man named Bruce Wayne bought up every piece of the shattered jewelry wear. The auctioneers appeared relived that the item managed to sell in the end and gratefully gave it to him.

Bruce had no idea what happened at the auction, but he could have sworn that some of the gems faintly glowed right before he and Selina were shot. If the necklace was some sort of magical item, then he needed to understand exactly what has been brought to Gotham. It was unfortunate that Selena had taken some parts of the necklace but he utilized his vast wealth to make sure all the other parts ended in his possession. Now he would take them back to the mansion for examination.

[huggywuggysuppy]

love Gem so much. mentioning onstream the past few weeks (hers and other peoples) how there's not a lot of expectation to upload during February... been editing Impossible MC... oh she'll see you all in March...

And posting on the final day of February. absolute power move.

[lesviankisser]

“Caitlyn and Jinx are fascinating character foils in Arcane. They are two shades of blue, two sides of the same coin, unwitting symbols of their respective worlds put at odds. I wanted to pay tribute to both characters and how their journeys mirror and contrast one another.” — The Lazy Cat.

for the arcane fans who have tiktok accounts, i encourage you to go watch the original video and support the creator for this beautiful character analysis of caitlyn and jinx. 💙 all the credits goes to them, each scene was incredibly well put and it just made me love both of them even more. you can find the video here.

[spark-of-teal]

For Gem, of course everything's about honor. She's sparred with Pearl before! She knows that she has the capability to kill her. But when Pearl fights with her, she always cheats, and it hurts.

For Pearl, she's been through hell and back in this series. She knows you do what you can to survive, you do what feels right in the moment. 2v1ing is reasonable and logical.

In a fight, you do what's right, and they both have opposite definitions of that, and it's festering right before our eyes. Get ready for the climax bitches

[thecartoonuniverse]

🚨 It’s official: a brand-new Steven Universe series is in the works! 🚨

"Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars" is coming to Prime Video! 💎✨ Announced during the Annecy Animation Festival, the upcoming show will follow fan-favorite Lars Barriga, now "an eternal teenager and space outlaw", as he and his pirate crew smuggle contraband, evade authorities, and uncover the darkest secrets of the fallen Gem Empire. 👀🌌

The series is executive produced by "Steven Universe" creator Rebecca Sugar and "OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes" creator Ian Jones-Quartey. A dream team for any SU fan! We can’t wait to learn more about the series soon!

[nevermoreraven06]

Something I Noticed About Soul Gems

This is more so my own interpretation rather than an observation, but the way the shell of a Soul Gem is structured reminds me of a bird cage.

Especially with this image from the Magia Record Manga.

Idk, I like the idea, but do you think it has any weight? Thoughts?

[yoiurboi]

JRWI X SU: GEM PLACEMENT GUIDE

Forewarning: my handwriting is kind of ass.

A few (like two) of you have asked about this and I am happy to oblige. Apologies in advance for the shitty doodles, I did this on my laptop as opposed to on my PC like I normally do.

First and foremost, I'm going to explain how Gem Placement Theory works. Obviously, if you've no knowledge of Steven Universe, this will make little sense. But to put it simply, the location of the Rocks on these Gem Aliens can tell us a little bit about their characters!

This one's gonna be a little long, so strap in!

For general gem placements, I use a body map like this:

Different regions of the body hold different meanings. The head: brains, intelligence, mindfulness. The chest: emotions, the heart. The naval region: sentimentality and kindness. A few of these have been confirmed to be SU canon. In an interview once, Rebecca Sugar implied that Roses' gem is on her stomach because she is sentimental, or something like that.

I tend to focus on these meanings and then apply them to my gem OCs and Gem AU characters. Gillion fits into this category. However, sometimes gem meanings can be even more specific.

Two big examples of this from Steven Universe are Aquamarine and Jasper. Aquamarine's gem is placed (and shaped) to resemble a fake tear drop. It's sort of ironic because of how uncaring she seems to be. Also it looks like one of those prison murder tats but I don't think that's on purpose. And Jasper's placement was explained (I think in the SU podcast?) to be a reference to being "hard-nosed". Gem Jay and Chip sort of fit into both this and the last category.

I use both the specific meanings and the body regions when making gem designs. But, I generally gravitate towards the first one. Now onto the actual designs.

Gillion is "The Strong One". At least, that's what he wants you to think. Actually, at one point Jay had more HP then him, but that didn't stop him from tanking hits to keep his friends out of harms way. Paladins are also generally more associated with being physically strong than rogues and artificers. So that's one factor, after all, you puff out your chest to feel stronger. But also! Gillion is PASSIONATE! He loves his friends and has all sorts of big emotions that come from being new to the Oversea! And the chest is where the heart is. Finally, and don't take this too seriously, Gill is a little stupid. They all are, actually. There's a reason the Albatrio aren't know for their brains. That's what Edison Kingdom is for. But out of all of them, I think Gillion is the most "Feelings over Thoughts" kind of guy, mostly because he's the least emotionally reserved.

Now Jay and Chip are a little less about where the gem IS and more about where it ISN'T.

Did you know that the right eye is the Eye of Ra? The Egyptian SUN god? Obviously the, Ferin's have connections with Aster, with Jay's "Hot Sun Dreams" and all that. Whether or not she's some Sun chosen one like Gill is to the Moon, I'm not sure. But regardless, she's got a glaring link to the big, bright, fiery lady in the sky. Jay's got some eye stuff going on in general. As do the other Ferins. Her gem is specifically over the one that DOESN'T turn orange, though. Mostly, so it'd still be visible without affecting her gem. Also, people tend to close one eye when aiming.

Chip. Chip. Chippy Chip Boy. Did you know that the left eye is the Eye of Horus? Did you know this eye can be associated with the moon? Did you know Fish and Chi-

Okay, but seriously. His open eye is the left one, which can be associated with "protection from malevolent forces". He survived the Hole in the Sea, which one might say is a malevolent force, relatively unscathed (well, not emotionally, but at least he's not still stuck in there like Arlin is). And of course, there's the shit with Niklaus. A little ironic, as he is DEFINITELY not safe from that guy. Plus undead are often considered to be evil, and well... you know. More irony.

I also wanted all their gems to be symmetrical for when I draw their fusions (I already have technically, just not in Clip Studio).

Additionally, Jay and Chip are sort of two different kinds of traditional "smarts". With Jay being more tech-y/book smart and Chip being a cunning street smart kind of guy.

BONUS! A bunch of doodles I did for other characters in this AU. I think the Black Rose Pirates (and pirates in general) are like the Crystal Gems, and then the Diamond Authority would be the Navy. So, just know that even though I didn't draw him, Captain Rose will probably be either a Desert Rose or just straight up Rose Quartz.

[zendifu]

I just watched this beautiful Shadowvanilla animation and it really got me thinking

I've never realized how similar Gems and Cookies are, y'know?

Like... cookies dont really invent themselves, they're made to be something--- but the Beasts, they CHOSE to be something they weren't made for and because of that they're seen as bad, evil and malevolent, punished by their creators--- before their corruptions of course, they did do bad things and let's not forget that haha (I forgive them uwu)

But the same thing happened to the Ancients, they just CHOSE to be what they were made for and they're only seen as Heros, even after seeing what could happen.

Beautiful storytelling, in another world, if they were gems-

Would they be just like the crystal gems? It makes me think of the AU I've been planning :3

[a-fanfic-reader]

"So you're saying you're my favourite princess." Oh my God Pearl, you can't do that to us.

[pokemon1oadvanced]

[violentdelightshavevioletends]

Two theories I saw Onyx Storm that have something working in my brain as its own:

“Don’t look for me. It’s yours now.”

What did Xaden leave her? — Perhaps his soul: there is a theory that when he and Violet used the favor from the High Priestess of Dunne, not only did she marry them (even though he was venin), but also bound part of Xaden’s soul to Violet, or the emerald stone in her ring (we know stones can be imbued with magic, it also appears he may have sealed some last piece of his love & Violet in his mind… not to mention the fact that over and over again he says he is hers). So, perhaps as long as she has part of his soul, then he can not turn fully and can be saved (as she first said she would in this book's opening, foreshadowing some of its closing).

“The gem given to you upon graduation from Cliffsbane should always be worn close to the heart, but if you have not mastered your control, it will only amplify your downfall. — Chapter 3, The Canon of the Flier”

What is this quote there for? And what does it mean? It discusses control (the only “treatment” stated for Venin), it amplifies downfall (which fits Xaden’s current vibe), and could have significance to her stone despite the difference between fliers & riders (especially as she & her squad are blurring those lines of division more and more).

*later edit cause I re-read this quote & thought of these theories again*

He steps out of my arms, and it feels frighteningly poignant as he slips away. “This feeling is one I would gladly exchange.”

“Don’t barter it away,” I beg as he stares at the sea, and the words spill out of me faster and faster as his eyes harden and he resurrects the defenses it took me a year to break past. “The pain. The mess. Give it to me. I’ll hold it. I know that sounds ludicrous, but I’ll find a way.” I lace our fingers. “I will hold everything you don’t want to feel because I love every part of you.”

“You already hold my soul and now you want my pain? Getting greedy, Violence.”

[s0ull3ss-p3rs0n]

Someone on Reddit might have accidentally pointed out that the stomping Nokt and Rox do when activating Shatterspin could be some kind of a substitute for ringing the gong and honestly that kinda makes sense???

[huggywuggysuppy]

WATCHER GEM & PEARL LORE??

Saw (this clip) on twitter before watching the vod (yet) and what?? just happened?? Transcript under the cut.

Besides Gem continuing to be the #2 Tumblr lore girlie behind Martyn, and Pearl blindsided but always willing to 200% commit to the bit, their interpretation of HC lore!! Mentioning other Gods on HC I bet Pearl endorses Watcher!Grian propaganda, being from Evo and all. Meanwhile Gem's got her lore solidly in the HC/Empires crossover sphere -- though I would bet money she's invested in Worldhopper stocks considering everything she's up to in Life Series. Pretty funny if HC10 c!Gem was aware only of Pearl's godhood specifically. Also curious to see what hermits ARE Gods / at least which ones Pearl was referencing here.

And well. Gem's God is canonically Pearl. Who didn't deny that Gem's her favorite princess. Do with that what you will.

Gem: See I think the problem here is that: what the fans are speculating is you're actually God. So you can't be the favorite princess.

Pearl: ...So you're saying that you're my favorite princess.

Gem: ...Well yeah you're the only God in this world.

Pearl: Am I? There's a lot of Gods on Hermitcraft -- you know how crazy these people are?

Gem: Yeah. Sausage made it -- made it in Empires -- real.

Pearl: Ohhh he did it canon. True. That's a thing.

Gem: Yeah it's canon! None of the others are canon.

Pearl: Alright. Fair enough. That makes sense. I believe it.

Gem: <sagely, after a pause> It's canon.

And bonus, reply to the tweet clipping this:

Oli was IN empires 2 and COULD be her favorite. Canonically. If he could beat Gem for the title. And Santa Pearla loves a gladiatorial arena fight :)

[unicornpopcorn14]

Wild thought, but I don't think skk's relationship was ever truly substantial until corruption got into the mix.

I don't think they even spent that much time working together prior to the events SB.

Yes, they were still a powerful duo. They still maintained their relationship with bickering and teasing. But it was all a little shallow, never something deeper going on.

Which made way for so much misunderstanding and miscommunication to occur between them. They couldn't read each other well- Dazai didn't always predict Chuuya's wild actions, and Chuuya never saw Dazai past the manipulative demeanor/playful facade, so he never truly trusted his words on things.

That can also be proven by Chuuya's dynamic with the Flags, his doubt and anger and mistrust. While you can chalk his behavior to what happened between him and the sheep, a part of me is confident that his surface-relationship with Dazai played a part in that as well.

Dazai and Mori were Chuuya's first impression of what the mafia world is, so anyone in the mafia should be like them, correct? That is what he was sure it was like: constant demeaning and manipulation, nothing genuine or real. So the flags' actions were always fake in his eyes, till the day they showed him a photo and he realized... Maybe they weren't.

But that deters us from the main point.

Skk's dynamic continued to be that of shallowness, which I imagine made way for many serious arguments between them when they were 15 for how differently they viewed things. They never really sat down, never had a moment of peace to just... talk or dwell or communicate. Never even bothered knowing the other past what they already know. Chuuya was simply Dazai's dumb and loud dog. Dazai was simply a suicidal freak and a bastard to Chuuya.

Until SB's events happened...

Specifically, this scene:

Clearly, this was the first time Dazai has shown that he cares about Chuuya without any filters or connotation. This was the first time Chuuya has seen Dazai being directly genuine with him.

And as mentioned, this was the first time Dazai was ever completely serious with Chuuya.

All because of Corruption.

And it would remain a trend from then on. Dazai's tone would always shift at the mention of using Arahabaki, of Chuuya's free will, of turning to Corruption as a last resort (see: corruption analysis).

These moments were raw. These moments were real.

And Chuuya would witness those moments that disprove his initial thoughts of Dazai simply being a heartless, soulless and twisted person. With confusion the first few times, then comprehension so deep it shifts his worldviews entirely.

Corruption forced soukoku to work along for more missions, forced them to see each other at their worst, lowest instances. Forced Dazai to witness Chuuya's quiet moments, forced Chuuya to experience qualities of care Dazai only reserves for special, special people...

Forced them to intensely understand one another, whether they liked it or not.

And ever so slowly, the trust that was built was something no one can ever shatter, no matter how many years of separation urged them to...

"What's with you, asking something like that?"

It's that moment. The moment sokouku's relationship became something so, so much more...