[Arctic Spires](/wiki/arctic-spires) Cache
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Architect Bases |
| Biome | Arctic Spires |
| Depth | Above sea level |
| Coordinates | -1011, 21, 720 |
Yes, I would not enjoy being crushed while mining ion cube components. ― Al-An, in response to Robin remarking on the dead Architect
The Arctic Spires Cache is an Architect Base found in the Arctic Spires. The cache served as a mining site for the components needed to create Ion Cubes. The site was affected by a cave-in roughly 1000 years ago, and claimed the life of at least one Architect. The partially-buried remains of the Architect can be scanned for the Architect Tissue blueprint necessary for creating Al-An's Vessel.
The cache can only be accessed if the player approaches it with Al-An inside their head. Otherwise, it will be guarded by a force field.
Description
The Arctic Spires Cache is located within a rocky enclosure surrounded by clusters of Large Emeralds. The cache boasts a large platform, with a ramp constructed on the right side. The left of the platform features a microscope, along with three crystals atop a large table. Above the table is a claw mechanism securing a crystal in place. Two specimen cases are located at either side of the platform, each containing a sample of the surrounding crystals. Located towards the back of the platform, a pile of rubble obstructs the player from going any further into the cache. Sticking out from the rubble is the exposed arm of an Architect vessel; scanning it will unlock the Architect Tissues blueprint.
Large Ion Cube Deposit
- Ion Cube
Gallery
The cache's entrance
Inactive excavation equipment
A emerald contained within a specimen case
A table and microscope
Damaged equipment resting beside the platform
A view of the cave-in and the Architect it claimed
A claw-like mechanism securing an emerald in place
Trivia
- At some point in development, the Architect skeleton and Architect tissues swapped places, with the skeleton being moved to the [Deep Lilypads Cave Cache](/wiki/deep-lilypads-cave-cache) and the tissues brought here.
- When the tissues were in the other cache, they were represented by the front torso of an Architect. After being moved, the model was changed to an arm.
- The cache was originally meant to be opened with a Purple Tablet before being changed to be opened with Al-An.
- This eventually led to issues where players could soft-lock the story by using/losing all the Ion Cubes in the world, making crafting a Purple Tablet impossible.