The Ten Stonehearts, officially known as Non-Performing Asset Liquidation Specialists, are a group of high-ranking Interastral Peace Corporation executives within the Strategic Investment Department, operating under the leadership of Diamond.
Description[]
"Mortal flesh is fragile, yet my heart is unyielding like the monolith. For without this resolve, the Way of Preservation would fade into oblivion."
Among the myriad IPC departments, the Strategic Investment Department is responsible for being visionaries. Their investments are never obsessed with short-term returns — They often operate investment rounds stretching across dozens or even hundreds of Amber Eras per round, and their goal is nothing less than total control of an entire star system. Though many investments made by the department were turned into bad debts due to the continuous setbacks caused by Nanook and Stellarons, the Strategic Investment Department have attained multiple stunning achievements ever since the current director "Diamond" took over —
Eradicating the Swarm infestation in the Gallante sector and completing the commercialization of the new ecosphere.
Conducting capital injection to the Golcondar Mining World Consortium following the Stellaron incident, securing fresh sources of minerals for IPC's construction materials logistics trade.
Reclaiming the lost world Jarilo-VI and investing in its revitalization project.
Cooperating with the Garden of Recollection to salvage the memoria in deadworlds.
...
Behind all these events, the team named "The Ten Stonehearts" played a prominent role. Officially known as Non-Performing Asset Liquidation Specialists in the IPC, they are an elite team under Diamond's direct management. Its ever-changing list of members comes from a diverse range of backgrounds and holds a wide variety of responsibilities. The only thing they have in common is how they were all personally promoted to the role by Diamond and were granted a credential of their identity, known as the Cornerstone.
Some credible sources suggest that the Ten Stonehearts have demonstrated unbelievable might be related to Preservation on certain occasions. Whether this power originates from the members themselves or the Cornerstones they possess remains uncertain. However, since Diamond is one of the few confirmed Emanators of Preservation within the IPC, this power is likely related to that fact.
The troubled past between the Strategic Investment Department and the Marketing Development Department has long ceased to be a secret within the IPC. Some claim that the Ten Stonehearts are actually Diamond's private soldiers, while others believe they are purely followers of Preservation, even going so far as to say "they have carved out their own hearts and replaced it with Qlipoth's stone." The true allegiance of the Ten Stonehearts remains a mystery for now.
Overview[]
Officially known as the Non-Performing Asset Liquidation Specialists, the Ten Stonehearts are led by the Emanator of Preservation, Diamond. Its members' origins are varied, and their responsibilities and personalities differ. While they could be seen similarly to the Astral Express or Stellaron Hunters, both Jade and Opal have stated that the group is only united by a need to obtain what they want, with a void that desires to be filled by said need. Diamond picked each member to join him on their journey and made a promise to share his power equally to them, which would help satisfy some of their needs and ultimately help Qlipoth when the war among the Aeons inevitably arrives.[1] The group has a somewhat notorious reputation among the corporation, though many agree that Topaz is considered the least controversial of them[2][3], likely due to her disdain of business etiquette and a genuine desire to help others.[4][5]
While under Diamond's leadership, he allows the Ten Stonehearts to be independent on matters of the team's survival.[6]
Cornerstones[]
Each member is given a name corresponding to their Cornerstone,[Note 1] and they are generally called by this name rather than their actual name.[7] The Cornerstones are sacred stones that seal the authority of a Emanator of Preservation within them. The Ten Stonehearts can use their stone to obtain this share of authority and be granted great power.[8] It is said that the Ten Stonehearts must cut their Cornerstone with their own will in order to allow its brilliance to radiate. Even a shattered Cornerstone can still confer a great amount of power.[9]
The Ten Stonehearts generally value their Cornerstones more than their own lives and each Cornerstone gives different abilities to each Stoneheart, such as the ability to read minds. The Aventurine Stone transforms Aventurine, allows him to levitate, and summons giant poker chips from the sky.[10] The Jade Stone allowed Jade to see all desires that flowed through dreams when it was sent into Penacony.[11] Compared to Aventurine, the Topaz Stone's ability is not as "visual"[12], though Topaz tells the Trailblazer she would have used her Cornerstone in Belobog had Bronya not come in time.[13]
History[]
Jarilo-VI[]
After the IPC discovers that a civilization still existed on Jarilo-VI following the sealing of its Stellaron, Topaz was sent to collect the debt The Architects had loaned from them 700 years ago.[14] It is said that the debt was extremely high to the point that Bronya herself didn't know how to read it.[15] Bronya was given two choices by Topaz: To pay the debt in full, or to sign the civilians of Belobog to the IPC's workforce, which will null the debt and also help rebuild the planet's ecosystem.[5] Bronya was initially unsure of what to do, but after learning from Himeko that the IPC's planet restoration projects were not always successful, she eventually chose to reject the offer. This resulted in a brief skirmish with Topaz's subordinates, but Bronya reveals the Engine of Creation to her, revealing that the people of Jarilo-VI wanted to restore their planet with their own hands. She convinced Topaz to help waiver the acquisition of the planet while promising to repay the debts over time.[5]
Topaz was convinced and managed to cancel the acquisition of Jarilo-VI, resulting in the mission being a failure; as punishment, several of her bonuses were revoked and she was dropped from P45 to P44. During this time, Diamond managed to secure the support of Taravan Keane, the head of the Building Material Logistics Department and an Emanator of Preservation.[5]
Penacony[]
In an attempt to win over more support from the IPC's board, Diamond assigned Opal to use the Charmony Festival as a way to win back Penacony. Seeing Opal's tactics were too extreme, he instead elected Aventurine to lead the project.[16] Aventurine in turn enlisted the help of Jade and Topaz, and took each of their Cornerstones to use as a diversion to sneak his shattered Cornerstone onto Penacony.[17] During the Charmony Festival, Aventurine forced a fight with the Astral Express Crew and Acheron, an Emanator of Nihility; the latter struck him through the Order's protection on Penacony,[18] sending him to the primordial dreamscape. While in the primordial dreamscape, his Cornerstone would be damaged further and he had to be saved by Argenti, a Knight of Beauty.[19] Using the leverage gained by Aventurine's "death" and the Order's plot, Jade and Topaz would push negotiations with The Family.[11]
After the Order's plot was foiled, Jade and Topaz met with Oti Alfalfa, who was now the figurehead of the family following Sunday's arrest for his role in the plot. Oti reveals his plan to keep the IPC from acquiring Penacony, but Jade informs him that the IPC could crush his plan in an instant now that "death" was a reality in the Dreamscape. Jade gave him a counteroffer in that the IPC would not interfere with the Family's interests in return for some shares to rebuild the planet. Oti ultimately agreed to her offer, and Jade gave some of the shares to the Astral Express for their role in stopping the plot.[20]
While the acquisition of Penacony was successful and swayed the vote of another board member, Aventurine was held punishable for the destruction of his Cornerstone. Diamond called the Ten Stonehearts to vote on Aventurine's fate, and Pearl was assigned chair of the meeting. In the end, Sugilite, Obsidian, Agate (represented by Obsidian) and Sapphire (represented by Pearl) voted to punish Aventurine while Topaz, Jade, Pearl, Amber (also represented by Pearl) and Opal chose to restore his position. With the majority of votes in favor, Aventurine's position was restored and his Cornerstone repaired.[6]
Known Members[]
| Icon | Name | Real Name | Rank | Cornerstone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Diamond | Unknown | P47 | Unknown |
| Icon | Name | Real Name | Rank | Cornerstone |
|
Jade | Unknown[Note 2] | P46[21] |  Jade of Credit
|
|
Obsidian | Unknown | P46[21] |  Obsidian of Unknown
|
|
Opal | Unknown | P46[21] |  Opal of Unknown
|
|
Aventurine | Kakavasha | P45 |  Aventurine of Stratagems
|
|
Pearl | Unknown | P45[22] |  Pearl of Unknown
|
|
Topaz | Jelena | P44 (formerly P45)[5] |  Topaz of Debt Retrieval
|
|
|
Agate | Unknown | Unknown |  Agate of Unknown
|
|
Amber | Unknown | Unknown |  Amber of Unknown
|
|
Sapphire | Unknown | Unknown |  Sapphire of Unknown
|
|
Sugilite | Unknown | Unknown |  Sugilite of Unknown
|
Trivia[]
- So far, two of the Ten Stonehearts have recited a unique proclamation when activating their respective cornerstone, ending with the line "All for the Amber Lord." It is currently unknown if this is a requirement, however.
- Aventurine: "I'm putting down the bet. I'm taking the gamble. I'm claiming the win. I'll let fate spin the wheel, a daring gamble. Walking the brink of death... for rebirth. All for the Amber Lord!"[10]
- Jade: "I come for an audience, I come to fill wine, and I come to claim. I bestow poison in the guise of sweet dew. Come the toil of spring and yield of fall, I patiently wait for the branches to be heavy with withered fruits. All for the ...Amber Lord."[10]
- This phrase is also seen at the end of Myriad Celestia Trailer — "Interastral Peace Tour: Selection, Planning, and Opportunity" and Myriad Celestia Trailer — Stoneheart's Oath Ring — Both Ends of the Scale.
- Pearl and Amber are the only organic gemstones among the gemstones of the Ten Stonehearts.
- Pearl’s gemstone is ironic, as she is an Intellitron.
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Topaz and Numby's character introduction in the English localization refers to this as a "core stone," despite later texts referencing similar objects as "Cornerstones." The original Chinese text more consistently refers to these objects as "基石" (Cornerstones) in Topaz and Numby's character introduction, as well as later media.
- ↑ It's possible Jade's true name is Eve, as this appears to be her signature during her idle and skill animations. This, however, can be seen as subject to opinion, and isn't concrete enough to draw a definitive answer.
Other Languages[]
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | Ten Stonehearts |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 石心十人 |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 石心十人 |
| Japanese | 十の石心 |
| Korean | 10인의 스톤하트 |
| Spanish | Diez Corazones de Piedra |
| French | Dix cœurs de pierre |
| Russian | Десять каменных сердец |
| Thai | สิบคนหัวใจหิน |
| Vietnamese | 10 Người Có Trái Tim Đá |
| German | Zehn Steinherzen |
| Indonesian | Sepuluh Orang Berhati Batu |
| Portuguese | Dez Corações de Pedra |
Change History[]
References[]
- ↑ Trailblaze Mission, Farewell, Penacony: Soldier's Pay
- ↑ Boothill's Voice-Over: About Topaz
- ↑ Pillars of Creation, NPC: Thea
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Topaz and Numby: Character Story: Part I
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Trailblaze Continuance, Jolted Awake From a Winter Dream: Future Market (II)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Honkai: Star Rail (July 14, 2024). Myriad Celestia Trailer — Stoneheart's Oath Ring: Both Ends of the Scale. YouTube. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Topaz and Numby: Character Story: Part IV
- ↑ Loading Screen: Cornerstone
- ↑ Trailblaze Mission, Cat Among Pigeons: All the Sad Tales
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Trailblaze Mission, Cat Among Pigeons: A Walk Among the Tombstones
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Trailblaze Mission, Farewell, Penacony: Life is But a Drifting Dream
- ↑ Trailblaze Mission, Cat Among Pigeons: Double Indemnity
- ↑ Trailblaze Mission, Farewell, Penacony: A Thousand Bells at Dawn
- ↑ Trailblaze Continuance, Jolted Awake From a Winter Dream: Future Market (Prologue)
- ↑ Trailblaze Continuance, Jolted Awake From a Winter Dream: Future Market (I)
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Aventurine: Character Story: Part IV
- ↑ Data Bank, Characters, Jade: Character Story: Part IV
- ↑ Trailblaze Mission, Cat Among Pigeons: A Walk Among the Tombstones
- ↑ Messages: Aventurine
- ↑ Trailblaze Mission, Farewell, Penacony: Life is But a Drifting Dream
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Data Bank, Characters, Jade: Character Story: Part II
- ↑ Event Simulated Universe: Gold and Gears Adventure Mission: Gold and Gears: Experimental Teaching
Little Robot: Hi, (Trailblazer). I was appointed by Miss Pearl, P-45 to discuss our cooperation with Madam Herta on behalf of the Strategic Investment Department.