Cassette Beasts - User contributions [en-gb]

The Mer-Line

2026-09-06T11:21:35Z

NocturnalTyph:

{{SpoilerPage}}
''This is an article about The Mer-Line as a character. For a list of the Mer-Line stations, see [[Mer-Line station]].''
{{ArchangelInfobox
| name = The Mer-Line
| title = The One Who Lies Beneath
| image = The Mer-Line.png
| number = 17
| pronouns = They/Them<ref>"I am Magikrab, indentured servant to the infinite Mer-Line: long may Their trains run on time! To dwell amongst Their hallowed halls is a privilege too grand for me to convey. To serve Their passengers is the least I can do." - Magikrab</ref>
}}
The '''Mer-Line''' is an [[Archangel]] that takes the form of a vast underground network of stations and railways sitting below [[New Wirral]]. They are an ancient and powerful entity, rarely deigning to interact with Their inhabitants, instead using Their emissary, [[Magikrab (character)|Magikrab]]. They are not fought against in the game, instead serving as both a way to quickly get around the island and a place that various Archangels lurk.

== Ingame Bio ==
The railway system beneath New Wirral is in fact the Mer-Line, an ancient and unknowable
"Archangel" that takes the form of an infinite labyrinth of tunnels and trains.

The Mer-Line's power to rend space and time led vast amounts of debris to collect on its massive form, eventually forming the island of New Wirral.
Since then, the Mer-Line has been using its power to populate the island with both man and monster.
They seem to believe they have a good reason for doing this.

== Description ==
In addition to being an extremely powerful and ancient Archangel, the Mer-Line serves as both the means of fast travel in the game and as its boss dungeons. Almost every [[Archangel]] resides in a new [[Mer-Line station]] that the player can discover.

After the main story is completed, the player discovers via the [[Here Comes The Sun]] quest that the Mer-Line is also responsible for New Wirral as a whole, bringing together the various creatures and people on the island and doing to them as They wish.

== Dialogue ==
{{Main|The Mer-Line/Dialogue}}

== Trivia ==
=== Name Origin and Design ===
[[File:Mer-line logo.png|thumb|right]]
The Mer-Line's name is like a pun on "Merlin", a mage from Arthurian legend, and the concept of train lines.

The design of Mer-Line's logo is likely a reference to the logo of the [[wikipedia:London Underground|London Underground]].

{{TranslationsTable|id=AA_MERLINE_NAME}}

== References ==
<references></references>

[[Category:Archangels]]

{{Archangels}}

Arrow of Time

2025-04-28T04:15:20Z

NocturnalTyph:

'''Arrow of Time''' is a song featured on the [[Cassette Beasts Original Soundtrack]]. It is the final boss theme for the game. The original version plays during the first phase, while the reprise plays during the second phase.

== Lyrics ==
{{lyrics|
Let’s go (uncertain)

In time the curtains all will be drawn (then we’ll know)

Where we are

In this furnace, burning, toss and turning

Stars (inverted)

Black holes on purpose

Oh how it is

Isn’t how it is meant to be but finally we’ll see

There’s no reason, there’s no time or space

To keep feeling, the world’s lost its faith

We can’t derail the arrow of time

If we prevail, if we make the climb

We won’t notice the entropic change in our bones if

We don’t set our minds

To stalling falling blossoms and bloom

Together at the end of the line

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better

All out, in practice

Get back on axis

Oh a seamless loop of seeds and sand

A timeless tide keeps pulling you under

All else turns to rain

Fall back in and find the exit

There’s no one else to blame

Can you give me all that you’ve got

There’s no reason, there’s no time or space

To keep feeling, the world’s lost its faith

We can’t derail the arrow of time

If we prevail, if we make the climb

We won’t notice the entropic change in our bones if

We don’t set our minds

To stalling falling blossoms and bloom

Together at the end of the line

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better}}

Arrow of Time (Reprise) contains only the chorus ''(There's no reason, there's no time or space... Looks like from here it, it only gets better)''.

== Trivia ==

* The name of the song and some of its lyrics is a reference to the [[wikipedia:Arrow of time|arrow of time]] in physics.
* The main melody of Arrow of Time originated as a track in Lenna's Inception, where it was part of that game's main battle theme, adapted into a full song in Cassette Beasts.
* The melody in Arrow of Time appears in most tracks across the game, serving as the main leitmotif. This motif appears as the main melody of [[Mt. Wirral]] and the title screen music, and appears in the victory theme, both versions of [[Kayleigh's Theme]], [[Jaunty Merchant Tune]], [[New Wirral Outskirts]], [[New Wirral Outskirts - Night]], [[Same Old Story]], both versions of [[Eugene's Theme]], [[Menacing Theme]], [[New Wirral Park]], [[Shot in the Dark]], [[Into the Caves]], both versions of [[Meredith's Theme]], [[The Mournchildren]], [[Autumn Hill]], [[Autumn Hill - Night]], [[Look at the Sun]], [[My House (Meredith's Lost Vinyl)]], all versions of [[Felix's Theme]], [[Cherry Meadow]], both versions of [[Viola's Theme]], [[The Marshes]], both versions of [[Barkley's Theme]], [[The Amber Lodge]], [[Night's Bridge Station]], in the latter half of [[Deus Ex Calibur]], [[Goodbyes]], [[Your Inception]], [[Engine Battle]], [[Magikrab's Theme]], [[Up for the Ride]], and [[Credits]].
* Interestingly, despite [[Mt. Wirral]] having the same melody as Arrow of Time, [[Mt. Wirral - Summit]] has a unique melody with no trace of the Arrow of Time leitmotif.

== Links ==
* [https://joelbaylis.bandcamp.com/album/cassette-beasts-original-soundtrack Cassette Beasts (Original Soundtrack) on Bandcamp]

[[Category:Music]]

Arrow of Time

2025-04-28T04:11:47Z

NocturnalTyph: added Magikrab's Theme and Up for the Ride to the list of tracks with the melody

'''Arrow of Time''' is a song featured on the [[Cassette Beasts Original Soundtrack]]. It is the final boss theme for the game. The original version plays during the first phase, while the reprise plays during the second phase.

== Lyrics ==
{{lyrics|
Let’s go (uncertain)

In time the curtains all will be drawn (then we’ll know)

Where we are

In this furnace, burning, toss and turning

Stars (inverted)

Black holes on purpose

Oh how it is

Isn’t how it is meant to be but finally we’ll see

There’s no reason, there’s no time or space

To keep feeling, the world’s lost its faith

We can’t derail the arrow of time

If we prevail, if we make the climb

We won’t notice the entropic change in our bones if

We don’t set our minds

To stalling falling blossoms and bloom

Together at the end of the line

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better

All out, in practice

Get back on axis

Oh a seamless loop of seeds and sand

A timeless tide keeps pulling you under

All else turns to rain

Fall back in and find the exit

There’s no one else to blame

Can you give me all that you’ve got

There’s no reason, there’s no time or space

To keep feeling, the world’s lost its faith

We can’t derail the arrow of time

If we prevail, if we make the climb

We won’t notice the entropic change in our bones if

We don’t set our minds

To stalling falling blossoms and bloom

Together at the end of the line

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better}}

Arrow of Time (Reprise) contains only the chorus ''(There's no reason, there's no time or space... Looks like from here it, it only gets better)''.

== Trivia ==

* The name of the song and some of its lyrics is a reference to the [[wikipedia:Arrow of time|arrow of time]] in physics.
* The main melody of Arrow of Time originated as a track in Lenna's Inception, where it was part of that game's main battle theme, adapted into a full song in Cassette Beasts.
* The melody in Arrow of Time appears in most tracks across the game, serving as the main leitmotif. This motif appears as the main melody of [[Mt. Wirral]] and the title screen music, and appears in the victory theme, both versions of [[Kayleigh's Theme]], [[Jaunty Merchant Tune]], [[New Wirral Outskirts]], [[New Wirral Outskirts - Night]], [[Same Old Story]], both versions of [[Eugene's Theme]], [[Menacing Theme]], [[New Wirral Park]], [[Shot in the Dark]], [[Into the Caves]], both versions of [[Meredith's Theme]], [[The Mournchildren]], [[Autumn Hill]], [[Autumn Hill - Night]], [[Look at the Sun]], [[My House (Meredith's Lost Vinyl)]], all versions of [[Felix's Theme]], [[Cherry Meadow]], both versions of [[Viola's Theme]], [[The Marshes]], both versions of [[Barkley's Theme]], [[The Amber Lodge]], [[Night's Bridge Station]], in the latter half of [[Deus Ex Calibur]], [[Goodbyes]], [[Your Inception]], [[Engine Battle]], [[Magikrab's Theme]], both versions of [[Up for the Ride]], and [[Credits]].
* Interestingly, despite [[Mt. Wirral]] having the same melody as Arrow of Time, [[Mt. Wirral - Summit]] has a unique melody with no trace of the Arrow of Time leitmotif.

== Links ==
* [https://joelbaylis.bandcamp.com/album/cassette-beasts-original-soundtrack Cassette Beasts (Original Soundtrack) on Bandcamp]

[[Category:Music]]

Arrow of Time

2024-04-15T10:37:28Z

NocturnalTyph:

'''Arrow of Time''' is a song featured on the [[Cassette Beasts Original Soundtrack]]. It is the final boss theme for the game.

== Lyrics ==
{{lyrics|
Let’s go (uncertain)

In time the curtains all will be drawn (then we’ll know)

Where we are

In this furnace, burning, toss and turning

Stars (inverted)

Black holes on purpose

Oh how it is

Isn’t how it is meant to be but finally we’ll see

There’s no reason, there’s no time or space

To keep feeling, the world’s lost its faith

We can’t derail the arrow of time

If we prevail, if we make the climb

We won’t notice the entropic change in our bones if

We don’t set our minds

To stalling falling blossoms and bloom

Together at the end of the line

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better

All out, in practice

Get back on axis

Oh a seamless loop of seeds and sand

A timeless tide keeps pulling you under

All else turns to rain

Fall back in and find the exit

There’s no one else to blame

Can you give me all that you’ve got

There’s no reason, there’s no time or space

To keep feeling, the world’s lost its faith

We can’t derail the arrow of time

If we prevail, if we make the climb

We won’t notice the entropic change in our bones if

We don’t set our minds

To stalling falling blossoms and bloom

Together at the end of the line

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better}}

Arrow of Time (Reprise) contains only the chorus ''(There's no reason, there's no time or space... Looks like from here it, it only gets better)''.

== Trivia ==

* The name of the song and some of its lyrics is a reference to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_of_time arrow of time] in physics.
* The melody in the chorus appears across the game, including as a background melody in the chorus of [[Same Old Story]], the music of [[Mt. Wirral]], and in the title screen music

== Links ==
* [https://joelbaylis.bandcamp.com/album/cassette-beasts-original-soundtrack Cassette Beasts (Original Soundtrack) on Bandcamp]

[[Category:Music]]

Arrow of Time

2024-04-15T05:23:46Z

NocturnalTyph: added a detail connecting this song to another with its motif

'''Arrow of Time''' is a song featured on the [[Cassette Beasts Original Soundtrack]]. It is the final boss theme for the game.

== Lyrics ==
{{lyrics|
Let’s go (uncertain)

In time the curtains all will be drawn (then we’ll know)

Where we are

In this furnace, burning, toss and turning

Stars (inverted)

Black holes on purpose

Oh how it is

Isn’t how it is meant to be but finally we’ll see

There’s no reason, there’s no time or space

To keep feeling, the world’s lost its faith

We can’t derail the arrow of time

If we prevail, if we make the climb

We won’t notice the entropic change in our bones if

We don’t set our minds

To stalling falling blossoms and bloom

Together at the end of the line

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better

All out, in practice

Get back on axis

Oh a seamless loop of seeds and sand

A timeless tide keeps pulling you under

All else turns to rain

Fall back in and find the exit

There’s no one else to blame

Can you give me all that you’ve got

There’s no reason, there’s no time or space

To keep feeling, the world’s lost its faith

We can’t derail the arrow of time

If we prevail, if we make the climb

We won’t notice the entropic change in our bones if

We don’t set our minds

To stalling falling blossoms and bloom

Together at the end of the line

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better

Lonely, how do you feel?

And how high can you go

It’s only me lacking in zeal

But breathe, gather and focus

I can turn this around

‘Cause you can’t unbuild the bonds that we made together

Looks like from here it, it only gets better}}

Arrow of Time (Reprise) contains only the chorus ''(There's no reason, there's no time or space... Looks like from here it, it only gets better)''.

== Trivia ==

* The name of the song and some of its lyrics is a reference to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_of_time arrow of time] in physics.
* The melody in the chorus also appears as a background melody in the chorus of [[Same Old Story]]

== Links ==
* [https://joelbaylis.bandcamp.com/album/cassette-beasts-original-soundtrack Cassette Beasts (Original Soundtrack) on Bandcamp]

[[Category:Music]]