#it's interesting how kane regards his relationships with clockworks. the elite all do. it's a more humane trait to them

[piecesofchess]

The main role of clockworks had obviously been for them to fight in the wars for Valencia, but their secondary purpose was to entertain Valencians and act as their servants. They were seen as objects and treated as nothing more.

So when Gazpaccio built Kane and regarded him as family, as his own son, it was seen as strange and impractical. He was using Kane to assist him with toy-making and gain vengeance on others - there really was no need to see and treat him as something more, but Gazpaccio still welcomed and cared for him as his own flesh-and-blood regardless.

One of the influences he (unintentionally) left on Kane was this concept of relationships - as Kane viewed his own creations as his family, just like his father did with him.

[piecesofchess]

Queen - My Theories

I haven’t talked about Queen on my blog much, so I’m making a masterpost about my thoughts/headcanons/theories about her, since there isn’t much to work with. Keep in mind these are my own interpretations - and no one is obliged to share or agree with them.

The Moretta / Colombina Mask

The Armada’s masks are based on a real Italian celebration(Venetian Carnival) and history/theater. Regarding Queen, she happens to wear not one, but two masks. The one we most see is what’s often called a Columbine/Colombina mask(also can be referred to as a masquerade mask). It is a mask held on a stick, often decorated with feathers. Regarding the Columbine influence - it’s often a half-face mask that’s popular from one of the Commedia Dell’arte stock characters, Columbine.

--Regarding the Masquerade interpretation, they were often used for balls and social events in Renaissance, Italy(which Pirate101′s Valencia is primarily based on). They were used to assist with anonymity during these parties - sometimes for scandals or debauchery.

Queen’s second mask happens to closely resemble the Moretta mask, which is a black, round mask used to conceal the face, exclusively to women. It’s known as the “mask of seduction” since it was usually worn for the mysterious lure, and the wearer had to hold it between their teeth to wear, therefore keeping them quiet. It was up to the one wearing it whether to remain anonymous, or remove it and answer to others(revealing their face as well).

...I’ve learned that Kingsisle has put time into their research and use the Armada’s masks thoughtfully, regarding their purposes. Taking a look at Queen’s mask combination, I best assume her personality revolves around them. That she contains the outward grace/beauty of the Columbine mask, however contains the mystery and seduction of the Moretta underneath. She may present herself a certain way to other people - but under it all, she is cunning, deceitful, and working towards the Armada’s evil plans.

She leads other people astray, keeping an image of herself at all times (graceful, beautiful, elegant), but deep inside, wears a dark mask that reflects her dark purposes and intentions.

Her Role in the Armada

A somewhat-debated topic in the fandom is Queen’s relationship to Kane. I’ve had a few conversations - but essentially, I see her fulfilling the Queen’s role in chess, and Kane naturally represents the King piece. She is his counterpart and therefore the most powerful piece on the board - which brings an interesting question into play: Just how much power does she hold? Where does she stand in the Armada?

Personally, I’ve been a Kane/Queen shipper at heart and therefore believes she was crafted with a semi-purpose of being Kane’s partner. To share his beliefs and play the game together - as she shares a distaste in Pirates, and views us as an enemy. She supports Kane in the final battle like chess pieces do. In the Puppet show, we see that she has a seat beside Kane. It’s a great hint to her having just as much power - or even more - as Kane does.

Here’s where I mention my headcanons. Personally, as I see her being the misleading type, I like to think she shares an important role with forming a public image of the Armada to Valencia. She’s accompanying Kane in the throne room with King Casimir and Queen Margherita - therefore, I assume she is at Kane’s side when it comes to consulting the royalty. She may be there to keep them misguided just like Kane is doing -- regarding their public relations. She’s likely a figure high in politics(possibly Kane’s second-in-command regarding his Clockwork army? This is debatable, though.) 

-- Circling back to the Chess symbolism...the Queen is the most powerful piece in the game. She has more range and mobility than the other pieces.  This seems to hold true, as she is the only Elite in the final battle to survive against our Pirate, resurrecting herself afterwards. She looks to Kane with her mask lowered, then rises it again and laughs...which brings me to:

..Theories?

 The biggest question Pirate101 players have been left with for years now: How, and why did Queen survive? As of right now, we have no clear or definite answer. It leaves an open end to theories, and I have mine:

An important detail to remember is that Kane built Queen. And interestingly enough, he refers to her as “greatest of his creations”, implying he has high confidence in her and may have purposefully built her...different. It brings the possibility: did Kane build Queen with the intentions of surviving the battle? Did he give her an ‘extra life’, somehow? We know Kane accounted for the Pirate even making it to him -- he takes defeat into consideration, no matter how unlikely. Did he consider his demise in the final battle, and integrated a ‘backup’ plan in Queen? Or was she always intended to continue his plans, if the worst ever comes?

A more minor possibility is if Queen perhaps did it to herself - to survive this battle, if she knew no one else would. We don’t know if she has any expertise in clockwork -- but it’s not impossible, since Kane could’ve taught her what he knew before he perished. So now I will mention the possibilities of:

What Will she Do Now?

The fact of the matter is, El Dorado is *still* out there. Perhaps Queen was built to continue where Kane left off - to resume his plans to find El Dorado, if she happens to have his knowledge of the map(or his pieces, if she doesn’t). What she would do when she gets there is....another question. Perhaps build a Kane of her own? ‘Perfect’ her body, to borrow the mind and/or heart from the Golden Sentinels? Or to simply...find Kane? Wherever his mind is, or happened to land? Re-build him from there? Or perhaps she’s the one who’s after the golden riches after all? It’s open-ended, unfortunately...

Another theory of mine is that Queen simply decides to take over Valencia for herself, and overthrows the King and Queen. She may be successful, she may not(if our Pirate steps in) -- if she is, things can easily tumble from there if she strives for domination like Kane did. Perhaps she’ll continue with his ‘First World’ plan in a different way...or she just wants the power. :) She may also want to rid Phule out of the picture now that Kane’s gone and she can do so. I imagine he’d be on the run from her, if so.

A more hopeful theory(because i LOVE them urghghg), is that Queen was taught how to craft clockworks from Kane, and puts this knowledge to use. She constructs an Elite of her own, maybe even the Queen!Elites leaked from Kingsisle. They can assist her with whatever she strives to do - but they’re made to be replacements of the old Elites, perhaps similar to them, perhaps not...I just REALLY wanna see these designs in use okay???