The Hoagie Theory, and how it ties all of Arcane Odyssey together.
We know that the lore-accurate player character (referred to as player hereafter) is a lightning savant named Silas, per vetex. But their culture/heritage is left unknown at this time. However, some existing details in the game can lead us to a more specific culture.
And that lies within the hoagie. A cookable recipe in Arcane Odyssey, made by putting together one wheat and a fruit, a fish, and a mushroom.
The hoagie, perhaps more widely known as a submarine sandwich, is a sandwich made from a long roll and filled with the likes of cheese, meats, vegetables, mushrooms, seasonings, and condiments. Dialectically, the hoagie has origins in Philadelphia and is known throughout the state of Pennsylvania.
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The player is given a lesson on how to cook–but not how to specifically create a hoagie. Yet, they create a hoagie and name the sandwich creation a hoagie. In a similar fashion, they are told they can use magic, but aren’t specifically told how to create or what to name certain spells.
In a world of magic, the player creates their own spells. In a world of cooking, the player creates the hoagie. This is why I personally don’t think they were taught how to make a hoagie. In the way they “just know” magic, they “just know” how to make a hoagie.
The Hoagie Theory hypothesizes that the player is of Pennsylvanian origin, or at least assimilated to Pennsylvanian culture.
Pennsylvania
The Hoagie Theory can further explain the origins of other characters. The player’s friend and ally has the name Morden, which is ironically the German word for “murder.” The player’s deceased friend Tucker has a name that also has Germanic origins.
What does all this German stuff have to do with the Italian hoagie? The Pennsylvania Dutch is a large ethnic group originating from German that has existed in the state for a very long time. Being in Pennsylvania inherently links the Pennsylvanian Dutch to the Italian hoagie.
But back to the player–their name is Silas. That’s not a German name–but it is, however, Romantic (of Roman origin). The hoagie is an Italian dish–Italian descends from Roman. Their given name alone links back to the hoagie.
It’s a bit of a mystery as to why the player/Silas, Morden and Tucker were captured. It’s known that the trio has something special about each of them, but not what.
But, we do know they have something in common with one another: Pennsylvania, for the reasons explained above.
The Hoagie Theory hypothesizes that the Order of Aesir targets individuals throughout the War Seas for a possible/alleged connection to Pennsylvania.
Going back to the point of the player “just knowing” how to create a hoagie. Perhaps Morden knows how to create a hoagie as well, but he didn’t tell the player as a means to protect them. It’s understood that Morden wants the player to just be happy in a new chapter of their life, until they meet again later on in the story.
Perhaps Morden’s power to create a hoagie is now suppressed due to his possession of the Death Curse. But not the player’s. If it’s discovered publicly that the player can create a hoagie, then it puts them in danger. A high-profile, easily identifiable target for the Order. Follow the hoagie trail. As an extension, perhaps Tucker knew the power of a hoagie as well. But Tucker doesn’t have to worry about being in danger anymore because he is dead.
The Hoagie Theory hypothesizes that the Order of Aesir is furthering the use of magic through any means necessary – through the hoagie. The hoagie is a valuable, highly sought dish in the War Seas. The recipe flows through the blood–the hoagie flows in the blood of Silas, Morden, Tucker, and more that we don’t know.
The hoagie is the Arcane, the hoagie is the Odyssey.
tl;dr i like hoagie
