Header Image: Birthday art of Norton. Fool’s Gold’s artwork was created by CharActerBunny.
(This post was originally uploaded to my Tumblr on September 1st, 2025. This post is minimally edited. There are some changes for clarity.)
Finally starting with my identity switch series and of course, I’m starting with Norton. For those unaware, I already wrote a post on what are identity switches and why they happen to certain characters in IDV. This post is centered on Mr. Campbell and provides a more in-depth analysis of why he has an identity switch and the character behind it.
I got interested in writing about Norton first because of a comment from one person on a Discord server I frequently attend:
“I see FG as a physical representation of Norton’s anger and malice…the dude’s just really fucking violent /aff”
I thought that was a very interesting perspective of “Fool’s Gold” because it’s not wrong, but of course, I have more to say on the matter. For this next section, I will more or less copy and pasted what I wrote in my lesson on identity switches post.
A Battle of Id vs. Ego (“Fool’s Gold” vs. Prospector)
In the below design concept video for “Fool’s Gold,” Sev, a character designer who worked on the designs for the likes of “Fool’s Gold” and Journalist, explains the identity switch system through the lens of designing Norton’s hunter persona through the concept of the Id and the Ego.
Now, gear up for a brief psychology lesson:
Id: The instinct-driven, “I want this now,” instant gratification part of ourselves that is motivated by primal instincts. “The id is the impulsive (and unconscious) part of our psyche that responds directly and immediately to basic urges, needs, and desires…the id lacks any sense of right or wrong…concerned only with fulfilling instinctive needs.” Think of it like the little devil on your shoulder at worst. (SimplyPsychology)
Ego: “…the rational part of the psyche that mediates between the instinctual desires of the id and the moral constraints of the superego, operating primarily at the conscious level.” The ego is shaped by from societal norms, rules and etiquette. How should we behave in society? How should we act in front of other people? Interestingly, despite having a moral compass unlike the id, the ego doesn’t necessarily have a concept of right or wrong either. Something is good if it doesn’t cause harm to itself or the id. The ego also tends to be weaker than the id, who the ego tries its best to point in the right direction. “If the ego fails to use the reality principle (finding realistic ways to satisfy the id in a way that follows societal standards) and anxiety is experienced, unconscious defense mechanisms are employed.” (SimplyPsychology)
IDV Example:
Fool’s Gold (Id): I need to break out of this wretched fate and find this treasure even at the cost of the lives and blood of others (plus it sounds fun~). Time for an explosion–boom~! (Plus, that sounds fun, too)
Prospector (ego): I shouldn’t blow up the mine because killing is against the law, it won’t do me any good (no need for all that attention too) but I’m so close…
So, that just means “Fool’s Gold” is just an angry violent rock monster, right?
Well, let’s look at how “Fool’s Gold” came to be. Norton’s personality in his lore has been said to constantly switch back and forth after the Golden Cave incident where he caused the deaths of 13 miners.
“Eventually he gave up manual labor, and became a prospector. But his personality became all the more extreme, at times gloomy and depressed, while at times explosively hot tempered and avaricious.”
-From the Famitsu article (can be found on IDV wiki)
More than likely, this has to do with the fact that now two sides of Norton are now present with “Fool’s Gold” taking more of a back seat until something once again pushes Norton to the edge. Except now Norton’s suppressed personality is free, it’s harder to contain it like before hence why others noticed a personality change in him.
We clearly see at the end of Norton’s character trailer that “Fool’s Gold” is “born” and created from the ashes, debris, and rocks from the explosion he set off in the Golden Cave.
As stated from the concept video, the petrification of “Fool’s Gold” not only aligns with his job as a miner but it also emphasizes the dehumanization of himself as a virtuous person who had built this shell that once stood on morality and societal norms which completely shattered once he lit that spark.
With all that said, is “Fool’s Gold” just Norton’s repressed anger and malice? Irrepressibly violent and a force of destruction? No. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he is but there’s more to him than that. But first, let’s explore the darker side of “Fool’s Gold” (ironic to say considering some believe “Fool’s Gold is JUST Norton’s dark side and Prospector is the light).
Let’s take a look at “Fool’s Gold”’s Infernal Sin cosmetic vs. Prospector’s Orphan of Goetia cosmetic and what the design notes say for the essence story we got with these cosmetics:
Note: Prospector – “Silent and repressed persona” vs. “Fool’s Gold” – “The complete eruption of hatred, desire, and malice”
The latter’s characteristics is emphasized by the fact they basically made him into a lava demon who awakened once Prospector approached him. It is said in the continuation of the Essence story that “Fool’s Gold” consumes Prospector. Rather unfortunately, it ends with this remainder of Norton’s reality:
“The layers of exploited wages couldn’t cure the past, the physical trauma, and the fear of the claustrophobic place. The molten lava of anger beneath the calm shell finally poured out, and it all ended as he was headed.”
Official Design Notes for Infernal Sin
This actually reminds me of Norton’s Nymph Character Song. For those unfamiliar, I translated the Japanese version of the song on my Tumblr blog though I’m not the greatest at Japanese yet. On the other hand, it was pointed out to me that the English version has slightly different lyrics so I either translated poorly or the English team translated differently to let the song flow better in that language maybe.
Regardless, this is what I thought about the song:
After reading some of the comments under the YT video and re-reading the lyrics, it feels as if Norton fully acknowledges his crime and carries not only the guilt from it, but the trauma knowing full well he’ll eventually have to pay for what he’s done. However, his desperation to crawl and tear his way out of his unfortunate and miserable life is stronger than the weight of the sins he has committed. The symbolism of the die in this song also alludes to the fact that he is aware that his actions and the consequences of said actions are a gamble towards a better life, and only time will tell what the outcome is.
Norton himself seems to have partially accepted the darkness in him, but does it mean he is completely consumed by anger and malice shown through “Fool’s Gold”?
Well, as I said before, “Fool’s Gold” is more than him being the physical manifestation of Norton’s anger, vengeance and violent side, I’d say he’s every emotion and feeling under the sun that’s been suppressed by Norton for years. You must remember that Norton has been working in the mines since he was a child. This man has never had a day where he could really be himself and do what he wanted from a tender age.
Considering the recent return of Ivory Tower and since this is the first time yours truly is experiencing it, I totally believe this cause Norton is a VERY different person in that AU.
Dare I say, “Fool’s Gold” also serves to show us how childish and silly Norton can be. I mean, I feel like he expresses is inner child in some ways that we don’t really give him credit for.
Also, why was my dude in the official art for Children’s Day this year? I guess even IDV is saying he is one of the kids. It kills me that he is the only hunter here too lol
I just can’t see “Fool’s Gold” as completely violent and angry all the time. Sure, he is the manifestation of all of those negative feelings that bogged down Prospector who did his best to show a quiet diligent image of a man who does his work to the fullest while not drawing attention to himself, BUT “Fool’s Gold” is more than just that.
Case in point, when Norton is able to be freed from the mines and/or the cruel clutches of poverty, he is a rather bright and friendly individual. We saw this in the summer event recently and now the recent return of the Ivory Tower storyline.
Consider also his Ronald of Nice persona. Ronald actually is part of the Truth and Inference Universe and thus has his own lore. It actually lists his likes as: Discovering others’ secrets, harmless mischief. How charming. It’s important to note that Norton’s A-tier skin, Dazzling Lone Wolf is just Ronald who has come into the inheritance of a large sum of money. And, oh boy, it shows…
Artwork by the same artist mentioned above, CharActerBunny
My point is, when Norton can actually feel like a person and not just a tool for someone else’s labor or just a cog in the mining industry that’s easily replaced (especially considering how EASY it was to lose one’s life in the mines) or worry about how poor he is, this man can actually feel like he can live.
Inherently, he isn’t really a bad person and considering he is shown in a mental struggle against himself before lighting up the Golden Cave and before succumbing to Infernal Sin in the Essence trailer, I’d say it’s a small miracle this man didn’t implode sooner. “Fool’s Gold” in a way is also a coping mechanism because who else does he have but himself to rely on? The world brought him nothing but pain, misery, and loss, so it’s about time to lash back at it, no? No matter the cost, as the ends justify the means.
Okay, so in conclusion, Norton is just…super complicated to write about. Despite how stupidly long this post is, I feel as if I could go on and on but I’m going to leave it at that.
Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more posts like this.
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