What is a Cluster Gem? Unraveling the Mysteries
A Cluster Gem is a forced fusion of numerous shattered Gem fragments, often referred to as Gem Mutants or Artificial Fusions. These amalgamations are not natural formations but rather the result of experiments, typically done with the intention of creating powerful weapons or as a means of disposal of damaged Gem remains. Cluster Gems are unstable, often possessing a monstrous appearance, and are generally considered a tragic consequence of Gem society’s disregard for individual life and emotional well-being. In the context of the show Steven Universe, the most prominent example is The Cluster, a massive forced fusion buried deep within Earth’s mantle.
The Horrors of Forced Fusion
Unlike harmonious fusions between consenting Gems, Cluster Gems are a chaotic combination of shattered shards. These fragments, once belonging to individual Gems, are forced together without any semblance of care or consideration for their original identities. This results in monstrous, unstable beings driven by an agonizing mix of residual thoughts and desires. The internal conflict within a Cluster Gem is immense, causing it to constantly struggle and attempt to form a cohesive entity which is an impossibility given the nature of forced fusion.
The Cluster in Steven Universe
The Earth-Threatening Giant
The Cluster featured in Steven Universe is an enormous example of this phenomenon. It was an attempt by Homeworld to create a weapon capable of destroying planets. Instead of forming a useful weapon, it became a dormant, gigantic entity growing deep inside the Earth. This forced fusion is described as being potentially larger than Earth itself and, once fully formed, would tear the planet apart. The Crystal Gems, including Steven, worked tirelessly to stop this from happening.
Yellow Diamond’s Involvement
Yellow Diamond was heavily involved in the creation of the Earth Cluster. Her motivation wasn’t simply to create a superweapon. It was heavily implied that she wanted to erase the Earth from Homeworld’s history to eliminate the memory of a failed colony and, more profoundly, to bury the pain associated with the loss of Pink Diamond. The Cluster served as a method of obliteration.
Steven’s Solution: Bubbling the Cluster
Steven ultimately found a way to calm and stabilize the Cluster. By using his ability to create bubbles, he began encasing individual shards. This allowed them to communicate and reconcile. By merging the individual bubbles into a single larger one, Steven effectively contained and neutralized The Cluster, preventing it from ever reaching its destructive final form. This act was a testament to his compassionate approach compared to the destructive methodology of Homeworld.
Cluster Gems Beyond the Show: Cluster Jewels in Gaming
The concept of Cluster Gems is also explored in gaming, specifically within the Path of Exile universe. However, they are fundamentally different from the monstrosities seen in Steven Universe and function as a mechanic to expand the character skill tree.
Path of Exile Cluster Jewels
In Path of Exile, Cluster Jewels are items that grant additional passive skills on the passive skill tree, allowing for a highly customizable character build. These jewels come in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. They are designed to be placed in specific jewel sockets on the passive skill tree and are not related to Gem fusion or physical creatures.
Jewel Variants and Sockets
- Small Cluster Jewels provide a small addition of passive skills.
- Medium Cluster Jewels offer a broader set of passive skills and come with additional sockets to accommodate other jewels.
- Large Cluster Jewels provide the most significant number of passive skills and have the highest number of additional sockets.
Notables and Stacking
A crucial element of Path of Exile’s Cluster Jewels is that they can have notable passive skills, often including prefixes with powerful effects. Notably, these passive skills can stack, unlike regular passives on the skill tree. Furthermore, they can only have a single notable passive skill which limits the combinations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Cluster a Crystal Gem?
No, The Cluster is not a Crystal Gem. It is a forced fusion of shattered Gem shards, an unstable being that is trying to form a cohesive entity. The Crystal Gems opposed its existence because it posed a massive threat to Earth.
2. What was the motivation behind the Cluster project in Steven Universe?
The Cluster project was initiated by Yellow Diamond to erase the Earth from Homeworld’s history, removing the embarrassment of a failed colony and suppressing the grief caused by Pink Diamond’s alleged death.
3. How did Steven stop The Cluster from destroying the Earth?
Steven used his ability to create bubbles to encase individual Cluster shards, allowing them to communicate and reach a state of peace. Then merged these individual bubbles to create one large bubble, safely containing and stabilizing The Cluster.
4. Why did Rose Quartz have to give up her physical form for Steven to be born?
As a Gem, Rose Quartz could not conceive in a traditional sense with a human. To create Steven, she had to relinquish her physical form, essentially becoming a part of him through her gem.
5. Why can’t Steven live without his gem?
Steven is a unique hybrid, half-human and half-Gem. His gem is an essential part of his life force, and its removal would be fatal.
6. Can Cluster Jewel notables stack in Path of Exile?
Yes, Cluster Jewel notables can stack. They are the only type of notables that can stack, meaning allocating the same notable multiple times through Cluster Jewels will multiply its effect.
7. How many notable passive skills can a Cluster Jewel have in Path of Exile?
A Cluster Jewel can only have a single notable passive skill; and must be a prefix
8. What are the different types of clustering in a computer science context?
There are two main types of clustering in computer science: hierarchical and non-hierarchical. K-means is a widely used non-hierarchical method in business intelligence.
9. Why did White Diamond take Pink Diamond’s Pearl?
The reason for Pink Pearl being taken by White Diamond is ambiguous, but possibilities include as a punishment to Pink or possibly after Pink damaged her during a tantrum.
10. What are the known heights of various gems in Steven Universe?
Here are the heights for reference: Rose Quartz (8’0″-8’2″), Garnet (7’8″-7’9″), Pearl (6’4″), Lapis (5’10”-6’0″), Amethyst (4’7″-4’9″), Peridot (4’4″-4’5″), Steven (4’2″).
11. Why did Pink Diamond hide Bismuth?
Pink Diamond hid Bismuth after they had a conflict of interests during the rebellion, leading to Bismuth being bubbled and hidden away.
12. What are some examples of gems that are not crystalline?
Some gems that are not crystalline include glass, amber, and opal. These are amorphous materials that can have organic or inorganic origins.
13. What is a Citrine Cluster?
A Citrine Cluster refers to citrine crystals that are found clustered together. Citrine is an orange variety of quartz, known as the “Merchants Stone”.
14. Where can Cluster Jewels drop in Path of Exile?
Large Cluster Jewels drop from Delirium encounters and have a chance to appear in Delirium chests inside Heists.
15. Can a Medium Cluster Jewel fit in a Large Jewel Socket in Path of Exile?
Yes, a Medium Cluster Jewel can be placed in a Large Jewel Socket. Small jewels can fit into medium or large sockets, whereas large jewels are only suitable for large sockets.
This detailed exploration of Cluster Gems should provide a clear understanding of their dual nature – the tragic forced fusions in Steven Universe and the useful, build-altering items in Path of Exile. These contrasting interpretations highlight the wide variety of ways the concept of a “cluster” can be utilized in storytelling and gaming.