Pascal

Lore & Background

Over the years, Pascal has become synonymous with the joy of diving. In New Horizons, his role was expanded slightly as players could choose between keeping their pearl or trading it for a specific item, though he often surprises them with random rewards regardless. He is frequently contrasted with Cephalopod, another octopus character who runs a shop and has a more flamboyant personality. Pascal represents the quiet magic of the ocean, rewarding patience and exploration without demanding much in return other than a friendly chat.

In Their Own Story

The morning sun filtered through the turquoise waves as you adjusted your snorkel, taking a deep breath before plunging into the cool embrace of the sea. A school of colorful fish darted away from your fins, but your eyes were fixed on the shimmering white object floating near a coral reef. You swam closer, securing the pearl in your hands just as a soft voice echoed through the water. Pascal bobbed up beside you, his eight tentacles waving gently in the current. 'Oh my!' he chirped, his large eyes wide with delight. 'Would you care to trade that lovely pearl for something special? Perhaps a new recipe or a treasure from the deep?'

Reader's Guide

Pascal is a unique NPC who functions as a mobile merchant found only underwater during diving activities. Unlike standard shopkeepers, he does not have a fixed location on the island; instead, players must dive into the ocean and catch sea creatures to trigger his appearance.

His primary skill involves the 'Pearl Exchange.' When a player finds a pearl, Pascal will appear and offer to trade it for various rewards. These items can include DIY recipes for furniture, crafting materials like gold nuggets or star fragments, and even exclusive furniture pieces that cannot be bought elsewhere. Players have the option to decline his offer in some game iterations, keeping the pearl for their own use.

Pascal's defining moment is his contrast with other octopus characters; he represents a calm, magical interaction rather than a transactional one. He appears randomly, adding an element of surprise and excitement to every diving session. While he does not have a traditional character arc involving personal growth or conflict, his role as the guardian of ocean treasures makes him essential for players seeking rare items and completing their museum collections.

Did You Know?

• Pascal is the SI unit of pressure.
• Pascal is a programming language developed by Niklaus Wirth.
• PASCAL is a bibliographic database maintained by the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information.
• Pascal is a codename for a microarchitecture developed by Nvidia.
• Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher, writer and theologian.