"Prisoner"/Lore

—Anniversary Tales Collection Booklet

Minor:

* Herman Balsa

**Luca Balsa**, also known as the **"Prisoner"**, is one of the **43** playable Survivors added to Identity V.

This page is a compilation of story content and Lore for this character.

## Backstory

### Character Introduction

Luca Balsa used to be considered friendly and too trusting by most people. No one knows where he came from or has seen his family, but clearly, he's well educated. He has a tremendous sense of pride and he is curious about all sorts of scientific inventions.
And so it's no surprise that he became the assistant of the most famous inventor in town.
The great inventor thinks highly of Luca and a lot of people thought he would be the inventor's successor. Yet everything came to a halt because of an academic dispute. The great inventor claimed that Luca sold his research to a competitor behind his back, that Luca is an ungrateful traitor. Yet Luca said the great inventor is a thief who has run out of ideas.
No one knows what actually happened as the great inventor died in an accident in the laboratory, while Luca suffered irreversible brain damage and was accused of murder. Luca was sentenced to hang, but he was somehow pardoned at the last minute.
Yet there is no turning back for Luca. His memory becomes poor and he can't concentrate on his work. He can no longer conduct scientific researches and all of his savings went to the immense compensation for the inventor's wife.
Nevertheless, Luca is still determined to complete his initial invention, but this requires a lot of money. And so he decides to take a gamble on the invitation which promised him an enormous reward.

### Chinese Character Introduction

Former inventive genius Luca Balsa returns with his damaged brain.
Those past events that shone with the light of wisdom were left in his mind with only the afterimages of memories that gave him a splitting headache. What prison life gave him was a huge amount of debt and the slander of "Thief! Traitor! Murderer!" This kind of dishonorable life was unimaginable in his first twenty years of life. He thought about ending it all. But every time he saw the faint flash of blue lightning around him, he felt that as long as he could complete that great invention, all the sacrifices would be worth it.
Even if there is only one in 10,000 chance.

### Original Chinese Character Introduction

In the past, Luca Balsa was friendly and approachable in the eyes of most people, and he was not wary of others. No one knew where he came from, and no one had ever met his family, but it was obvious that he was very well educated, had a high self-esteem, and was full of curiosity about various scientific inventions.
So of course, he joined the most famous inventor in the city and became an invention assistant.
Luca was highly regarded by the great inventor, and many people expected him to inherit the mantle of the great inventor. However, everything came to an abrupt end after an academic dispute.
The great inventor claimed that Luca had privately sold his research results to competitors and called him an ungrateful traitor, but Luca said that the great invention was a thief who had exhausted his talents.
The truth is unknown. A laboratory electrical accident killed the great inventor. Luca also suffered irreversible brain damage and was accused of murder.
Luca was sentenced to hang, but was somehow pardoned at the last moment.
But nothing can go back to the past. His memory has deteriorated and his concentration has become worse than before. He can no longer engage in scientific research, and his family property has been used to pay huge compensation to the widow of the great inventor.
However, Luca did not give up his determination to implement his original invention, but it required a lot of money, so after he received the invitation letter with huge reward conditions, he decided to take the risk.

### Character Trailer

Identity V - Survivor - Prisoner - Background StoryPrisoner story trailer
#### Trailer Transcript

*I don't even remember how long I've been working this humble job.*

*I don't seem to remember anything*

*except for my vauge memories of that invention.*

*I knew if since I first saw it*

*that I'd never fall in love with anything else.*

*You know, it feels so good to have one's invention.*

*But why did he always think that I got it wrong*

*I never found the answer, not even when the electric current struck his brain.*

*He's dead*

*but there's no way to know whether I'd be spared*

*In the end, someone helped me get acquitted*

*But then getting away with it might have been worse*

*as the great invention wouldn't be completed still.*

*Until that letter came.*

*I just know it would restore everything.*

## Deduction Quests

*All completed Objectives reward the player with +335 Logic points for the Logic Path. After the character's deductions are completed, their Worn Clothes will be available.*

## Letters

This section contains the letters the player receives after completing Luca's Birthday Event on July 10th each year. Each is removed from the player's mailbox in a week, but can still be accessed from the deduction quest menu.

* 2021
* 2022
* 2023

## Lore Connections

### An Old Cover Letter (2021)

Dear Professor Lorenz,

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Luca Balsa, and I am the student you spoke with at the Laiden Art and Industry Exhibit the other day. I could hardly restrain my excitement and admiration after meeting you, and so I decided to write you a letter. Please forgive me if my doing so offends you in any way.

Long before the exhibition, I had the good fortune of coming across your publications, and I became extremely interested in your research concerning electromagnetism and your conjecture on the theory of electrons. In addition, our chance encounter at the exhibition and the simple yet precious exchange we shared only strengthened my determination to join you in you laboratory someday. To speak candidly, the moment I laid eyes on your masterpiece at the exhibition, I knew that it would become my lifelong work! Although it is only a concept model at present, I truly believe that, with your tutelage and experimentation, the idea of an "eternally perfect machine" will become a reality.

Also, no doubt you have heard by now, but the National Academy of Sciences has passed a resolution that more or less discourages the research of any machine that demonstrates perpetual motion. While this may very well double our research expenditures in the future, I refuse to give up; after all, my family and I know full well the price of dedicating ourselves to science.

What I mean to say is that I do not believe this line of research to be a waste of tools, time, or talent—how could it be? Though I hesitate to bring him up, my father himself ruined our family financially in pursuit of this research, yet only produced a handful of rudimentary hypotheses for his troubles... As far as the manuscripts of his experimental records and theoretical conjectures, I have attached them to this letter. You will also find my own thesis on energy and using magnetism to change and control its direction attached below. I only hop that you will have a chance to look over my research and possibly offer your invaluable guidance.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read my letter. I pray that you will allow me the distinct privilege of becoming one of your students.

Sincerely yours,

Luca Balsa

## Lore Connections

### A Page from a Diary Written in Messy Handwriting (2022)

The truth is hidden in those complicated calculations. It's Herman Balsa's writing. I'm sure of it.

Now I understand why Lorenz was willing to part with so much during the auction and why that man's manuscripts were locked away—it's because they contain the proof of his betrayal!

I may not care about the truth of that man's death, but Alva Lorenz, the renowned inventor, the first person to push for the "perfect machine," and also my teacher, is actually a downright hypocrite! To think he stole the work of his collaborator to make a name for himself!

The person he stole from just happens to be... It's disgusting.

Based on the timeline, perhaps he had rotten long before that man did.

I should never have forgotten... Rats live in groups, and only hyenas seek out collaborators. Alva Lorenz worked with that scum who abandoned his family for years, so how could he be any better?

I used to take pride in being called "Lorenz Jr." What a fool I am! I don't want to and never will be him! Those who are not capable of thinking are no more than animals... No, they're worse than insects. That Tridactylidae! Schistocerca! Geometridae! Katydid!

## Lore Connections

### Mentioned Playable Characters

* Tracy Reznik
* Charles Holt

### A Page from Luca Balsa's Experiment File (2023)

Serial No: 10-0-2

Name: Luca Balsa

[Test Indicators]

1. High Intelligence

2. Conceited

3. Stubborn

[Inclination]

A stubborn "idealist"

[Test Results]

1. Over all Evaluation:

Frequent electrical stimulation caused permanent brain damage to Subject 10-0-2. From the observation results available, there were irreversible deficits in Subject 10-0-2's memory, cognitive and psychological functioning, together with what he went through, contributed to Subject 10-0-2's performance and position at the beginning of the experiment, such as extreme disgust with acts of betrayal. Surprisingly, the changes brought about by such damage didn't put Subject 10-0-2's awareness of the experiment itself and his stubborn personality, as well as his precise assessment of and countermeasures for potential crises, allowing him to gain the initiative under extremely unfavorable conditions, much beyond our expectations. In particular, Subject 10-0-2's intention to modify the key facilities of the experiment is a point of caution.

2. Methodology:

At the beginning of the experiment, the exchange of information between Subject 10-0-2 and Subject 10-0-1 was only superficial, which allowed them to establish a mutually beneficial and efficient understanding of both. Since Subject 10-0-1 and Subject 10-0-2 had different substantive expectations of their own ideal - both of them had this realization within a very short period of time. The extremely high level of self-esteem caused Subject 10-0-2 to appear cynical, which became one of the driving forces behind the eventual end of their collaboration between Subject 10-0-1 and Subject 10-0-2. The subjects in this group were all, to varying degrees, outward manifestations of reverence for instrumental rationally, but at the same time, their rare talent created an intense internal contradiction that led to the opposite of secular utility. At the end of the experiment, this tension tore through almost all appearances of equanimity.

Initially, the collaboration between Subject 10-0-2 and Subject 10-0-1 yielded promising results. As opposed to other experimental groups' focus on details and progress, neither of them fell into this thinking trap, but instead gained effective insight into the experiment itself based on the limited experimental space - such exhaustive review even somewhat brilliantly bypassed the presence of the executioner and allowed the two collaborators to obtain the key for solving the critical puzzle. After careful evaluation, the risks posed by the unprecedented development may provide useful supporting material.

Subject 10-0-2 showed higher than primitive levels of compliance and altruism in their collaboration, and this temporary appearance caused some adverse interference with the executioner's judgement. Subject 10-0-2's partnership with Subject 10-0-1 ultimately proved difficult to maintain. The superficial collaboration couldn't reconcile the stakes with each other, let alone solve the problem of the two insist doing things their own way. At the same time, due to Subject 10-0-1's strong confidence in controlling the situation and Subject 10-0-2's lack of experience, the subtle traps laid by Subject 10-0-1 instead became the ambush that led to his own failure.

As the experiment made initial progress, as a second batch of subjects was put into a new round of observation to act as an influential factor that matched the experimental characteristics of the group. Subject 10-0-2's attitude toward Subject 10-1-3 showed great contrasts in succession: at first, a rare empathy stemming from a similar experience, which then turned into a subtly hidden murderous intent. This change in attitude - combined with Subject 10-0-2's certain attachment to the past - was clearly traceable. After abandoning an otherwise prudent yet roundabout plan, Subject 10-0-2, based on the information and materials available to him under limited conditions, and catalyzed by the combined actions of Subject 10-0-1 and Subject 10-1-3, ultimate brought this experiment to a brutal yet brilliant conclusion.

3. Experiment Summary:

The "highly intelligent" as represented by Subject 10-0-2 appeared to be relatively gentle and cooperative in the early stages of the experiment.

Their "Collaboration" was more like the efficient workings of the bearings and hears of a large machine based entirely on judgement in the professional field - and flawless logic. Yet this was, in fact, a hint of the collapse of such superficial collaboration in a competitive environment filled with conflicts of interest and suspicion. The subjects, represented by Subject 10-0-2, showed cruelty and recklessness akin to that of an uneducated child when self-interest was at stake. The shell of rationality was like an intricate but fragile house of card that would quickly collapse once it was exposed to external forces.

### Rewards

Every letter comes with 30 Fragments, and depending on how many years the player has participated and completed the Birthday Event would determine which letter they receive and the extra reward.

* If this is the first time the player has completed the event, they would get a portrait and the 2021 letter.
* If this is the second time the player has completed the event, they would get a portrait frame and the 2022 letter.
* If this is the third time the player has completed the event, they would get a dynamic graffiti and the 2023 letter.

2021 Portrait2022 Portrait Frame2023 Dynamic Graffiti
## Character Resources

The additional in-game and external documents for this character include:

* Character Relations
* Quotes & Media
* Event Appearances
* Mentions

The Character Relations menu shows how certain characters are connected and how they feel about each other. It also contains other personal information on characters that cannot be found anywhere else. It can be found in the Notebook, under the "Clues" tab. Although the web of relations for "Prisoner" have not been released, we know a few of the characters that would be on it, which have been included below.

### Birthday Questions

*Only the questions and answers relating to his backstory were included here. The other questions not listed relate to gameplay.*

* 2022 Birthday questions:
	+ Question 4: *"Who made a huge bid to win the manuscript of Luca's father during the auction?"* Answer: *"Alva Lorenz"*
	+ Question 5: *"What was attached to the cover letter that Luca gave Lorenz?"* Answer: *"His father's manuscript"*
* 2023 Birthday questions:
	+ Question 4: *"What was the reason why Luca Balsa went to prison?"* Answer: *"Suspected of murder"*
	+ Question 5: *"Why did Luca Balsa change his attitude toward Lorenz?"* Answer: *"Lorenz plagiarized his research findings"*

### Quotations

* Deduction Star 2020 quotes:
	+ *"I may be in a prison uniform, but I'm not imprisoned."*
	+ *"It's no easy task connecting the circuits, but it's what I do best!"*
	+ *"When will I create my great invention?"*
* Deduction Star 2021 quotes:
	+ *"It's ironic. I should thank my teacher for instilling me with these principles."*
	+ *"There's no fairness in this world, only wins and losses."*
	+ *"Life is too short and regrets are more terrifying than failures. That's why I'd rather give it a try."*
* Deduction Star 2022 Best Performance quotes:
	+ *"Thank you, but all I want is for my invention to be acknowledged."*
	+ *"Courage isn't the only thing you need to go against the tide."*
* Valentine's Day 2023 Cards quotes:
	+ *"My experience tells me that emotion is less trustworthy than science. But if it's you, I still hope to get to know you and spend more days of happiness with you."*
	+ *"Even ice-cold gear can be made into flowers that symbolize beauty. Yes, I firmly believe that science is an indispensable part of making a good life for myself, and I can't do it without your understanding and companionship. Happy Valentine's Day!"*
* 5th Anniversary Congratulatory Video quote:
	+ *"The 5th birthday of Oletus. My sincere blessings to every Detective and our guests. I hope that all of you will have a good time at this wonderful party."*

### Japanese Twitter Replies

Please press "Expand" to see in-character replies from the official Japanese Twitter.

**"Prisoner"** has been mentioned in the following documents for other characters:

### Letters

* Guard 26's Letter (2022)
* Mad Eyes' Letter (2021)
* Mechanic's Letters (2021, 2022 & 2023)

### Backstories

* Hermit's Backstory (Character Introduction, Weibo Post & Character Trailer)

## Canon Manor Game

We can gather who was in a canon Manor Game together by information in Letters and Diaries, and very occasionally from character quotes during events.

Edits to this table can be made here.

## Compiled Overview

The following section contains an overview based on canon information.Please note that some information may be missing as it may not have been provided from official sources. See the given references for further information.
### Background

Luca was initially a nobleman until his father spent his and his wife's entire fortune on failed investments. This caused Luca's mother to "die of anger" while Luca couldn't forgive his father (for using up all their money on failed investments and possibly for causing his mother's death) and ran away from home. He eventually encountered Alva Lorenz at an expo and, in exchange for giving Alva one of his family's manuscripts, became his student. Luca became focused on a certain invention while he was with Alva.

After many failed experiments in his laboratory, Alva claimed some of his manuscripts had gone missing, and he reported it as a theft to the police. It was believed that the stolen manuscripts ended up in a competitor's hands, and Alva blamed Luca as a traitor who had sold them, while Luca called Alva a thief who stole ideas from others as he had run out of his own. Soon after, Luca continued his own experiments. During one of Luca's experiments, a situation broke out between Alva and Luca and an accident occurs, killing Alva and leaving Luca with amnesia. Luca was blamed for the accident and sent to prison.

Left in prison with only an obsession to finish his greatest invention that he hardly remembered, he was acquitted from execution under mysterious circumstances. Additionally, he was released from prison by an unknown benefactor, and was sent an invitation letter to Oletus Manor, which he gladly accepted.

### Events at the Manor

Not much is known beside the fact that he participated in Group 10's Manor Game, including Mechanic, Aeroplanist, an unknown participant and Guard 26 as an executioner.

### Alternate Theories and Conclusions

The below article or section(s) contains speculation, analysis, or theories which may include unconfirmed information.When adding content, use references to link or explain **legitimate/official** supportive evidence for specific theories, otherwise it may be removed.
* It is commonly thought that the man in the Mechanic's 2021 Letter who is described as "naive" and who is chasing after the "notion of perpetual motion" is referring to Luca Balsa.
* Some theorists think that Luca's mentor stole his inventions and passed them off as his own, while others think that Luca did steal some of his mentor's work in order to further his own invention for perpetual motion. Either way, a fight ensued, Luca ended up with the blame, and he was thrown in jail.
* While his nationality is unconfirmed by the devs, there are theories of what his nationality may be.
	+ He is theorized to be of Serbian descent, due to Nikola Tesla being of Serbian-American Descent and judging by him consuming the Ajvar.
	+ Alternatively he is commonly to be theorized as Italian descent due to his name being of Italian origin. But his surname is also of Spanish and Portuguese origin or very common to most romance language words, This hints he is an Italian of Spanish or Portuguese descent. If mixed with the first theory, he could be of Italian-Serbian descent.
	+ Also, his surname may come from the Serbian name Balša.

## References

1. ↑ Backstory from official website - https://idv.163.com/character/index.html
2. ↑ Backstory from the official Chinese website - https://id5.163.com/nrzx/role.html
3. ↑ At some point, his Character Introduction on the Identity V Official Chinese Website was reworded.
4. ↑ Translation by @IdentityV\_\_Sub.
5. ↑ Translations by @fc\_idv.
6. ↑ In Luca's trailer, Alva looks like he was attacking Luca however in Alva's trailer, the opposite seems to be true.
7. ↑ The majority of the Mechanic's 2021 letter describes an unnamed man who she describes as "well-educated, but his attire was enough to tell me he was anything but a good person." The two hold a conversation about clocks, batteries, inventions, and unending energy caused by perpetual motion, most of which are things Luca has an interest in.

### Translation Notes

1. ↑ Several other languages' versions of the letter have his name printed here as Lucas Balsac. No indication is given as to why he changed it, but it was clearly between the time of this letter and when he was sent to prison. At least one language has his name spelled that way in the university acceptance letter included in his deductions. - (Source)

### Manor Game Table References

1. ↑ See Guard 26's 2023 Letter
2. ↑ See "Prisoner"'s 2023 Letter
3. ↑ Based on the information given by Mechanic's 2023 Letter, it is likely that he was the third person to arrive at the Manor.
4. ↑ See Mechanic's 2023 Letter
5. ↑ Mechanic's 2023 Letter confirms Group 10 has four participants. Even though we have yet to receive his actual serial number, he likely arrived at the Manor the latest in Group 10.
6. ↑ The mentioned participant who cleaned up the "scene" could refer to Grave Keeper. However, this is not confirmed.