Astrocyte

Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that support neurons. In Arborwake they are anchored residents: their processes reach out, but their bodies stay put.

In the brain#

The points below follow the dossier's sources, simplified.

• Astrocytes help keep the space around neurons stable. They take up excess potassium and the signalling molecule glutamate.
• They support neurons' energy supply.
• Their fine endings, called endfeet, touch blood vessels and synapses.
• Their work is real, local and complex. The dossier notes that these studies do not support the game's errands, requests or equipment.

In the game#

• Anchored. Stella at Hearth and Aster at Starwell never travel. Their support covers one area and cannot protect every route.
• Support is not a cure. Astrocyte support buffers a local burden. It does not clear the source or switch off inflammation everywhere.
• Supported ground. In turn rooms, an astrocyte process can rise through a floor opening to support a tile. See Supported ground.
• Calming visit. The Apothecary's calming service shows an astrocyte tendril poking out of the ground with sparkles; no astrocyte body walks to Hearth (user, 1 November).
• Attune. A Warden can learn Attune at a real astrocyte link in scene II2.

Development#

• The side-view astrocyte NPC was approved on 1 November (1.5× the Ranger, no nubs or antenna). Astrocyte tendrils went through several rejected looks before the current rope style.
• Named designs for Stella (B) and Aster (B top, A side) were approved on 2 November but are not installed.
• In the alpha Generic astrocytes appear in the Placeholder alpha overworld and encounters.

Gallery#

See also#

• Stella
• Aster
• An Hour Without a Request

Sources#

1. .GAME_PLAN/ARBORWAKE_COMPANIONS_NARRATIVE_AND_SYSTEMS_DOSSIER_v0.5.md (working copy, not in Git)
2. .GAME_PLAN/ARBORWAKE_THE_LONG_WAKE_COMPLETE_GAME_PLAN_v0.5.md (working copy, not in Git)
3. b89f778c2:src/main-game/overworld/public/assets/cells/astrocyte-side.pngcopy