I often wonder what it was like for the Architects in these zen gardens. Being sick and having to process the fact that a cure was not developed in time.
This specific Architect component: what was their assignment? What tasks they were preforming on 4546B before the quarantine was instated. Before they situated in the garden and most likely succumbed to Kharaa. AL-AN mentions that Architects don’t see endings as the same way humans do, so even though this mind is gone, their data and experiences are in the network. I wonder if their remaining goals were carried out by the collective, or if there was simply no time to do so given the 143 billion other Architect casualties.
At the very least every time I go to the deep lilypad caves cache in game I take a minute to think about things as I listen to the dialogue between Robin and AL-AN. I suppose even after a millennium abandoned the garden is still fulfilling its purpose as a place to reflect.
A conversation between AL-AN and Robin in the old story about sensory perception
i know he probably doesn't need it but it would be cute:
AL-AN big stretch
Streeeetches!
A collection of AL-AN screenshots from the phasegate cutscene that I like
Unused aside dialogue between AL-AN and Robin about quartz.
Transcript under the cut
AL-AN: Once in my travels I came across a planet that had trees with leaves of quartz.
Robin: Sounds beautiful!
A: It was refractive.
R: You have the soul of a poet.
Orang…
All your photo dumps and gifs of AL-AN has helped me so much gathering references to draw a character inspired by him, thank you for your service 🙏
I love to post AL-AN’s animations and such so I’m glad it’s appreciated. I started my blog because I got frustrated of AL-AN clips either being in low quality or having the HUD on, so I went in game and recorded a bunch myself!
References you say…
A bunch more under the cut. For all of your possible reference needs.
Various angles
Various colors
Walking animation
If you have anything specific things about AL-AN such as animations, lore, databank entires, or voice lines you want me to post, just ask. I’m pretty much always willing to do requests. As long as they pertain to AL-AN or Architects.
Love his little head movements
I bet it felt really nice to stretch after not having a body for 1000 years
The swirly pattern on the back of AL-AN’s horns is under appreciated