Tiphereth
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For information on Tiphereth in Lobotomy Corporation, see Tiphereth on the Lobotomy Corporation Wiki.
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| “ | The same book can show different things each time you read it. Understanding a book completely is a repetitive process, you know? ...and I don't want to stay ignorant forever. That's annoying. | ” |
–Tiphereth | ||
Tiphereth (티페리트, Tipeliteu) is the Patron Librarian of the 
Floor of Natural Sciences in the Library, and former Sephirah of the Central Command Team in Lobotomy Corporation. She is met after unlocking her Floor, after leveling up all lower floors to Level 4.
Appearance
Tiphereth has bright blonde hair, half arranged into a crown braid and half flowing down and adorned with a bow on the side, similar to her hairstyle in Lobotomy Corporation, though it's cut to shoulder length this time. She wears the patron librarian outfit: a yellow overcoat extending below her knees, with a white blouse and an orange bow tie with a glossy golden brooch, along with an orange shirtdress fastened with two belts with a pouch attached, black leggings and high rise dress shoes.
Personality
Tiphereth is a diligent, serious, although somewhat prideful person. Wishing to honor Tiphereth B's memory, she acts in a mature and optimistic way, to the point where she tends to play the role of conciliator between Gebura's hot temper and Chesed's easygoing teasing. Nonetheless, if her maturity is questioned, either because of her appearance or her mannerisms, she reacts in a quick tempered way, such as punching Roland when he mocked her for her height and childish way of speaking.
She also seems to be a curious person, seeking to understand the contents of the books she receives, no matter how complex they look, going as far as asking the other Patron Librarians for books on their subjects for help.[1] She's also kept her disdain of the lower patron Librarians, calling them "idiots" and particularly disliking Netzach for encouraging other Librarians to slack off, to the point where she had to personally go to his floor to get Gebura back to work.[2] In spite of that, she still makes an effort to understand them, having to cooperate with them to sort her bookshelves and eventually apologizing to them for her low opinion of them. She also seems to have accepted the death of Tiphereth B, formerly Enoch, during the events of Lobotomy Corporation, and wishes to support Angela in order to fully "grow" the Seed of Light, so as to ensure that Enoch's death had a meaning to it.
Story
Before the Library
Before Lobotomy Corporation, Tiphereth was an orphan from the Outskirts named Lisa, having been taken in by Carmen and Kali into the Seed of Light project's facility along with another orphan close to her, named Enoch. Though he volunteered to help on the project, Lisa was frightened and distrustful of the project and Carmen by extension, seeing Enoch participate in mysterious experiments, with him justifying it at his life's purpose, seeing how other children in the Outskirts died everyday, how they were lucky to even live another day and wanted to "live in a happy world next time". Those experiments eventually lead to Enoch's death, which struck Lisa with a deep grief, blaming Carmen and claiming she should've been the one to die, though she also blamed herself for not being mature enough.
Though it's unknown how Lisa died, her remains and Enoch's were used for the construction of the Sephirah Tiphereth, the suffixes A and B given to Lisa and Enoch respectively, and given the role of heads of the Central Command Team. In this life, Tiphereth A was blunt and harsh, along with adopting a pessimistic outlook, while Tiphereth B remained soft-spoken and optimistic. However, Tiphereth B's construction was faulty, which made him question his own existence and needed to be replace, losing his memories with every new Tiphereth B. Seeing him as a shell of a former being filled Tiphereth A with sadness, which was eventually resolved as she faced the memories of her past life along with the cause of her pessimistic view.
Cutscene 1 (Floor Unlocked)
Roland enters Floor of Natural Sciences, looking for the Patron Librarian Tiphereth while noting to himself that "they all have weird names". Seeing nobody around, Roland calls out Tiphereth's name, who punches him in response, irritated and taking it as an insult, seeing as how he was right in front of him. Flinching from the hit, Roland is surprised from her appearance, calling Tiphereth a kid. She objects that she's taller than she used to be in her first life, and is also surprised to see herself in an older body this time, wondering if it's the Library's influence or something Angela decided, but doesn't mind it, claiming it's better fitted for librarian work before adding she'd have to look older to match her actual age. Roland sarcastically asks if she didn't know that punching people on the face when meeting them is rude, with her equally responding that she punched him for being "a clumsy dork".
When Tiphereth asks for his name, Roland presents himself as a former bottom-of-the-barrel Fixer that's now trapped helping Angela. She asks if he's already met the upper layer, before correcting herself saying they're the lower floors this time around seeing Roland confused at what she said, but still blames him saying "he knew what she meant", much to his annoyance. Tiphereth then presents herself as the Patron Librarian of Natural Sciences, with Roland poking fun at her, once again sarcastically commenting he thought science needs thinking. Tiphereth throws another punch, but Roland dodges this time, adding that she's quick, but not as quick as somebody he knew.
Angered, Tiphereth reminds Roland that she used to know about science in her past life, and probably is older than Roland, but he keeps taunting her by saying it doesn't show in either her action or her words at all. Giving up at trying to hit him, Tiphereth moves on to ask what has Angela been up to, to which he responds that she's "curious as always", to a nearly childlike degree. Tiphereth nods, seeing that's probably a result of her life trapped in L Corp's facility, which surprises Roland, considering that she doesn't hold much of a grudge compared to the lower floor librarians. She explain that although at first she thought Angela took the Light for herself out of spite, she could see part of her past while she was asleep, having some sympathy for her and noting the other dormant librarians are probably in the same state, along with reasoning that as why the "idiots in the lower floors" are still confused about her motives. Roland wonders if she agrees with Angela's decision, to which Tiphereth responds that it'll depend on her final choice, and the most they can do for now is keep filling the Library's shelves, knowing the Light is only meaningful if it shines for seven days straight. Relieved to meet someone more amicable, Roland teases her one last time, saying he'll bring Tiphereth books with pictures next time, much to her annoyance.
Cutscene 2 (Suppression of The Queen of Hatred)
Tiphereth is sorting the books on her floor as Roland walks in. She looks visibly dazed as she had to read all the books on her floor. Roland notes that the books on her floor (Quantum Physics, Cell Biology) have "difficult-looking" labels. Tiphereth explains that it's hard to sort out the books on her floor by their titles, and it's even harder to find books that are readable. Roland recounts that some books he read had incomplete sentences, and Tiphereth explains that the completeness of a book depends on the reader's understanding or on the stability of the book itself. When Roland asks if this completeness is linked to how books disappear after reading, Tiphereth theorizes that the books disappear when they have been fully read and understood as, at that point, the book has served its purpose. Roland tries to compare this property of the book with the properties of light: depending on how it's observed, light can either be a wave or a particle. However, Tiphereth tells Roland to stop making complex comparisons and claims she just accepts that some things work without knowing how they work (like Singularities). Surprised, he notes how proud Tiphereth is of her ignorance. While Tiphereth is aware of her ignorance, she still reads every book that Roland sends. Additionally, she explains how understanding a book is entirely repetitive, as different readings can reveal new information, and she does this so that she won't be ignorant forever. Roland realizes that they need multiple copies of books in order to read them many times and gain more information. Tiphereth supports Roland's comparison with light, calling it "Romantic" that something can change based on the observer.
She then wonders if she gave meaning to Enoch's life by staying with him. Confused, Roland asks who Enoch is, and she explains that Enoch was the other Tiphereth who she worked with during her second life in Lobotomy Corporation and who she stayed together with in her first life. Roland teases her, asking if he was her boyfriend. Pausing at Roland's sarcasm, she explains that he left her in both of her lives. Roland believes Enoch broke up with her and consoles her for this before she tells him Enoch died and that he can't simply be described as a boyfriend. Realizing his mistake, Roland apologizes. Tiphereth forgives him and goes on to talk about how, despite the fact that she and Enoch lived in a world with meaningless deaths and violence, she believes that he found meaning in their lives after his second and final death. Still confused, Roland asks if she found meaning, of which she is unsure, but believes that her purpose is to complete the light.
Roland asks her to explain what the light is, and she explains that it comes from Lobotomy Corp's Singularity which "physically manifests" the mind and turns it into an "indefinite form" of the light that can seep into people's minds. She further explains that the light was meant to cure the disease of the mind while Lobotomy Corporation acted as an energy company. Roland sarcastically asks if they pulled the energy needed to run the company out of people. Tiphereth answers that it's from Abnormalities, a side effect of their Singularity, from which they extracted Enkephalin. Shocked, Roland realizes that the Enkephalin batteries and lighters all came from monsters, but Tiphereth corrects him as the Abnormalities came from people. After his shock, he asks if lots of people died to create the energy, which Tiphereth confirms. Disappointed, he rambles about how cliche all the Wings are: they claim they want to save humanity while killing others for their benefit. Tiphereth claims she and the other librarians wanted to break that cycle of violence with the light, but Roland calls it "brainwashing." Tiphereth denies his perspective, yet admits that she doesn't know the exact plan and claims she wants to know more about the City just like Angela. Roland assures her that he'll bring more books for her to learn.
Cutscene 3 (Suppression of The Knight of Despair)
Tiphereth yells at Roland to hurry up delivering the books to her. Even though Roland calmly asks her to stop, she curses at him for being slower than a snail. After Roland finishes his work and expresses his discontent, she explains that she wants to get her work done quickly. Roland asks what she learned about the natural sciences of the City, but Tiphereth responds that it’s pointless to learn about science because singularities defy the laws of physics and because librarians aren’t living beings. Roland agrees with her point about the singularities, but asks her to clarify about the librarians. She asks what he thinks librarians are, and he responds that librarians are “kinda like humans.” Tiphereth further explains that librarians are the Sephirot and former employees of Lobotomy Corporation who were given a new body that can only exist within the Library. However, she also notes that the Abnormalities were also brought back, albeit weaker with a lack of physical form because the Light and combat they suffered drained them of energy. Conversely, the librarians had their physical form restored but are psychologically unstable, so, during combat, the librarians use Abnormalities as a mental boost.
Roland understands her explanation and adds that sometimes he felt like he was almost consumed by the Abnormalities. Tiphereth explains that, if one were to be consumed, they would become distorted, but Angela ensures that that won’t happen. The conditions of the Library make Roland feel that he’s on a stage, which Tiphereth agrees with, and which Roland believes is Angela’s revenge for her time at Lobotomy Corporation. He also asks to be left alone, to no avail. Tiphereth ignores his question and adds that while all the librarians will become reconstructed after they die, they still feel afraid of death, and she asks Roland if he knows why. He answers that the librarians forget that they will be revived. Tiphereth confirms that the librarians have to feel the agony and fear of death just like the guests they receive, then she asks Roland if he still believes the invitation is dirty. Even though they are revived, Roland still believes the invitation is a little dirty because the feeling of fear doesn’t go away.
After giving his thoughts, he asks Tiphereth why she isn’t mad at Angela for toying with the Sephirah. She believes that Angela actually cares about them by doing everything possible to lessen their pain as none of the librarians can truly die. Roland admires her positivity, and she proudly exclaims that her wisdom came with age. Then, Roland confides with Tiphereth about his wish to fall asleep and never wake up again. While he feels this at the library, he admits that he’s always felt this way. When Tiphereth asks why he doesn’t want to wake up, he explains that he has “nothing to look forward to.” He then proudly exclaims that he threw all expectations down the drain because they’re going to be broken anyway and also jokes that he might be suffering from the “disease of the mind.” Concerned, Tiphereth tells him that she believes they can become better, but Roland doesn’t listen and leaves to prepare for another fight.
Keter Cutscene 2 (Suppression of Pinocchio)
Cutscene 4 (Suppression of The King of Greed)
Roland happily delivers books to Tiphereth as she explains the Distortion phenomenon: the transformation or power gain caused by the amplification of the mind. She compares this to the way Abnormalities were created, but also notes that they are not the same as Abnormalities which were drawn from a person’s mind while Distortions are created by a person’s will. Hearing this, Roland notes that, if everyone became a Distortion, the world would fall into chaos. However, Tiphereth refutes this idea because a strong motivation is required for distortions. She uses Philip as an example, as his heightened emotions were what caused him to turn into the Crying Children, and she adds that they (the librarians) were responsible for the greatest variable that causes Distortions.
Roland is confused, so she clarifies that the Light, which Angela stole, was the variable. If the Light had shown for the entire seven days, there would be no side effects, but things have gotten worse because Angela stopped the Light from shining. Roland asks if it’s possible to reverse everything, and Tiphereth explains that they need to reclaim the Light and shine it for the whole seven days. Roland doesn’t believe Angela would let this happen, though Tiphereth tells him that she asked the librarians to wait because she needs the Light for her own plans.
Then, Roland remembers that Tiphereth agreed with Angela’s plan and asks Tiphereth why she is still amicable to Angela even though she sabotaged their original plan. She admits that she was angry, yet still believes they should give Angela a chance because she believes Enoch would have trusted Angela. Roland remarks how patient Tiphereth is. Then, he admits that he wouldn’t have forgiven Angela if he was in the same situation because of his short-sighted thinking. Tiphereth isn’t mad and assures him that he will improve once he meets someone who is important to him. Roland ponders on what she said, and thanks her, still calling her a kid, which angers her.
Cutscene 5 (Floor Realization Prologue)
Roland walks in on Tiphereth contemplating the value of her life. She confesses that she didn’t believe her life had meaning; she only lived because she felt obligated to do so. Unlike her, Enoch always seemed to see some kind of light that she couldn’t see. However, now she understands how Enoch could still hold expectations; expectations are what give people the strength to overcome challenges in their life, expectations like trusting that things will get better, and the belief that one’s life is valuable in changing the world. Hearing this, Roland calls her too optimistic. Unfazed, she continues to explain the cause of natural science, that being the curiosity to learn about how the world works. She believes that people in the past tried to build knowledge of the world around them, but admits that many retreated into the “shadow-filled cave” and simply stayed in the darkness, unaware of the laws of nature and simply benefiting from the works of others without knowing how they work. Roland agrees with her last point, believing that it’s difficult to understand everything and that it’s easier to “close their eyes.” However, Tiphereth rejects his argument, claiming that humans must walk toward the light and try to understand their world. Roland continues to reject this idea and tells Tiphereth to keep her generalizations away from him as he never saw any light or hope for his life. However, Tiphereth stands her ground, asserting that, no matter how dark one’s life is, there is always light, and that Roland must make the effort to approach it. Roland claims he’s too tired to do so, and that he was never able to see the light his entire life. Additionally, he states that he has nothing left nor does he have any desires or expectations left in the city, but Tiphereth calls him out for refusing to admit that he has expectations.
A flashback occurs, with Roland lying down on the couch, covered in blood, in a musty, gray room. The room, he notes, is a bit large for one person. He’s alone, staring at the ceiling in the dark room, with beer cans on the floor, cigarette ash in the air, and the sink dripping water. A window shines light on him, and from the other room, he hears laughter. Listening to the other room, he notes how he lost his opportunity to be with the people outside. He describes himself as a black lump, who is stuck in a room with no improvement nor any hope. Someone knocks on his door, calling for the kid with a pitch-black heart. She guesses that he is lying down after lashing out his anger. Then, she offers a deal which she knows he can’t refuse.
The library shakes as Roland asks how Tiphereth can spout so much knowledge about people without being a real human. She claims she’s experienced struggles before, but Roland claims humans aren’t strong and calls everyone a lump. Finally, he calls Tiphereth a fake copy of a human and repeats that life doesn’t have any meaning and that holding hope and expectations are futile. Once Roland wears the Queen of Hatred’s ego, Angela walks in and asks what happened. Tiphereth explains that Roland is resonating with the library and theorizes that his conversations with the lower librarians caused him to slowly get stressed until he finally snapped. Angela compares his situation with how she acted before, then orders Tiphereth to handle Roland. Seeing her smile, Tiphereth asks if Angela thinks the scene is fun, and she explains that she’s glad she’s not the only one who has caused a scene.
Cutscene 6 (Floor Realization Epilogue)
After completing the realization, Roland recites the following poem:
I have nothing but my sorrow –
And I want nothing more.
It has been, it still is, faithful to me.
Back to his old self, Roland admits how badly he screwed up. Tiphereth asks if he’s okay, and he says he feels a bit relieved, but also feels like he was different. However, she isn’t mad and is glad he vented his feelings. Then, Roland apologizes for calling Tiphereth fake and for lashing out, and she assures him that she’s fine, and that he’s sort of correct as she was technically a copy of Lisa and that now she feels like a different person. Roland asks if she’s okay with losing her original self, but Tiphereth tells him she doesn’t care about being a copy or being stuck in the library because she has the opportunity to live her life. Then, she reasserts that everyone’s life is valuable, even Roland’s. Even though she speaks with insight, she admits that she’s not confident, but still holds faith as she has the right to believe what she wants. Roland agrees with this.
Combat Info
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Combat Entrance
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Trivia
- Tiphereth dislikes macchiato for its strong caramel flavor, and prefers Viennese coffee over it.[3]
- She also seems to have some knowledge of coffee brewing, offering Chesed to be his "café buddy".
- In spite of her hot-headed demeanor, Gebura trusts Tiphereth as a responsible person, to the point where she'd ignore other people's advice until Tiphereth says it herself.[2]
- The blue gem embedded on the window's filigree in her cutscenes' background is colored after Enoch's eyes. According to the art book, Tiphereth tends to get lost in thought while gazing at it.[4]
- On the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, Tiphereth (meaning "beauty") is the sixth Sephirah. It represents the ideal balance between Chesed (Mercy) and Gebura (Justice). It is also said to unite the upper nine Sephirot.
Gallery
Dialogue Background
Other
The background used in Tiphereth's cutscenes.
Unused Illustration
Unused Illustration
E.G.O. Card Art
Combat Sprites
The full sprite sheet below comes from the Library Of Ruina Art Book. It is included here to act as an official reference, as all the individual sprites are reassembled from the game's assets and may have slight differences from in-game.
Artbook sprites
Idle
Moving
Slash
Pierce
Blunt
Block
Evade
Damaged
