Quantum Fish

Lore & Background

In a universe where planets shift and moons change, these fish remain constant yet elusive. They embody the principle that reality is not fixed until witnessed by an observer. While the Nomai understood these mechanics deeply enough to build time machines around them, they treated the fish as natural phenomena rather than tools for their experiments. The creatures offer players their first tangible lesson in how this world functions before encountering larger quantum anomalies like the Moon or Satellite. They are a gentle introduction to the concept that looking at something changes its state.

In Their Own Story

The barkeep hums a tune while polishing glasses behind the counter. You lean over the tank, watching the colorful shapes dart through the water. Reaching in, you scoop one out. It slips from your fingers, not splashing down but vanishing entirely. Suddenly, it is on the floor. Then on the ceiling. Then outside the window. You blink, and only one remains, staring back at you with unblinking eyes.

Reader's Guide

To interact with a Quantum Fish, players must first locate the Saloon on Brigid's Orbit. Inside, a large aquarium sits behind the bar containing several of these creatures. Using your hands to remove one from the water triggers their quantum state. Once out of the tank, the fish will exist in multiple locations simultaneously across the immediate area. Looking at any single instance causes all other instances to vanish, collapsing the wave function into a single reality. This mechanic mirrors larger puzzles elsewhere in the game but on a smaller scale. Handling them is safe and non-combat related. They are often used by players to test their understanding of observation before attempting more complex quantum challenges.

Did You Know?

• The Quantum Fish are unique aquatic creatures native to Brigid's Orbit, specifically residing within the Saloon on its surface.
• When removed from their water, they cease to exist in a single location, instead manifesting across multiple points simultaneously until an observer focuses on one specific instance.
• They serve as a living demonstration of superposition and observation for any traveler who investigates their tank closely.
• The creatures offer players their first tangible lesson in how this world functions before encountering larger quantum anomalies like the Moon or Satellite.