Fire Investigator/Lore

Overview

Lore

Cosmetics

Gallery

Warning! This page contains content that may be triggering.

Content warning(s) for this page: Arson and Pyromania. If you are sensitive to these topic(s), please take caution while reading.

Florian was hailed as a miracle for surviving a fire that razed his childhood home, but the truth was obscured by the flames. His life has become entwined with the tragedy, and now, obsessed with the flames, will he find himself in the fire? —Anniversary Tales Collection Booklet

Florian Brand
Name	Florian Brand
Gender	Male
Nationality	British 🇬🇧
Career	Fire Investigator
Character Details
Date of Birth	May 2nd
Age	25
Traits	Friendly and compassionate, fascinated by flames, selective fanaticism, self-restraint
Talents	Combustion science, fire scene investigation and rescue
Interests	Chemistry experiments, social activities, reading
Likes	Family, Steadfast Emotions, Flames, Sunbathing
Dislikes	Useless Socializing, Hypocritical Lies
Story Details
Connected Characters	Minor: Florian's Father Anita Brand
Connected Locations	White Sand Street Orphanage

Florian Brand, also known as the Fire Investigator, is one of the 50 playable Survivors added to Identity V.

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

Backstory

Character Introduction

While growing up, Florian had heard the lamentations from the people around him for many times, regarding the accidental fire, his parents who were willing to protect him from the fire, and himself who had lost his parents and had to stray into the orphanage. When the Director told these stories to the donors over and over again, they all sighed in a unanimous voice as a way of sighing in appreciation of this selfless love and the miracle of life.
It might be a miracle of love. In countless recurring dreams at night, Florian experienced the scenes of that day repeated over and over again. The flames engulfing his parents who remained in the house...... He finally chose to believe in the words of the grown-ups: the love of his parents is still with him, it simply melted into the flames. Only in that way, those pains about separation and death can be eased, and those dreams will no longer be torture, but a kind of companionship, guidance, and enlightenment.
Florian, having learned to play along with the show, got more sympathy and donations. His proactive attitude and seemingly conscientious nature led to him being chosen by the administrators to be the manager of the children. This life continued until a new fire swept through the orphanage, and Florian did his best to save many of the children and administrators from the fire.
Florian was featured heavily in the news for his fearless act. He took this opportunity to leave the orphanage and got hired by the fire insurance company. Apart from the regular issuing of reports on the cause of fires, Florian will help with the most dangerous of rescues as long as he can get to the fire in time. The courage and determination he showed in the face of fire, as well as his extensive experience in preventing fires, made the rescue success rate in the neighborhood he covered one of the highest, with very few casualties. Even though the incidence of fires in this neighborhood was very impressive.

Chinese Character Introduction

As he grew up, Florian heard the sympathetic remarks of those around him many times—for the fire accident; for his parents who risked their lives to protect him from the sea of flames; for himself, who lost his parents and was sent to an orphanage. When the Director told these stories to the donors again and again, they would sigh in unison, lamenting the tales of selfless love and praising the miracle of life.

Perhaps it truly was a miracle from the love passed on to him. During his countless reoccurring dreams late at night, Florian would watch that day replay over and over again—the flames devouring his parents who had stayed behind.... Eventually, he chose to believe what the adults around him had said: his parents' love is still with him, it had just been absorbed into the flames. Only after he came to this realization was his pain from not being able to see his parents and grief from their loss alleviated. No longer were the lingering dreams torture, but rather something that accompanied, guided, and inspired him.

Florian, who learned to play along with the stories, received more sympathy, and donations followed. His proactive nature and serious and responsible character made the Director appoint him as a manager among the children. This life continued until a new fire broke out, and the flames swept through the entire orphanage, unable to be quelled. Florian ran back and forth and rescued many of the children as well as the director.

Florian, now nearly an adult, was widely reported in the news for his fearless actions. He left the orphanage and was hired by a fire department. He issued routine fire cause reports and participated in the most dangerous rescues as long as he arrived to a fire on time. The courage and determination he showed in the face of the flames, as well as his multitude of experience in fire prevention made the rescue success rate of the neighborhood he was responsible for one of the best, with very few casualties...

Even the number of fires in his neighborhood was impressive.

Character Trailer

Identity V｜Fire Investigator background story

Fire Investigator Background Story

Trailer Transcript

Do I ever feel afraid? No.

All of this is merely a trial of flames.

Just like it was back then

when my parents did all they could to save me.

"It's a miracle!" "A miracle!"

A miracle? Yes,

their temperature lies in those seemingly cruel flames.

That's precisely what it is.

A miracle!

Extinguish

And reignite!

It's a weapon,

one reduces all dirty secrets to ashes.

It's a test,

an impartial trial that tempers the will.

It's the tender embrace that binds us to the past.

In this scorching heat

Miracles are what I shall seek

Forevermore

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.

Press "Collapse" to hide the deduction path.

Deduction Quests Conclusion 1. Flammable: How does a material catch fire? We must explore the root cause. Basic Objective: Encounter 1 teammate Advanced Objective 1: Encounter 2 teammate Advanced Objective 2: Encounter 3 teammate A photograph with scorched edges: At the lab bench, a man demonstrates to an inquisitive little boy how a tiny flame dances within the container he holds, while a woman, clutching some files, watches the scene with a smile. 2. Flash Point: An unfortunate accident gave birth to an endless nightmare. Basic Objective: Successfully heal 1 teammate Advanced Objective 1: Successfully heal 1 teammate Advanced Objective 2: Successfully heal 2 teammate A yellowed old newspaper: The fire is said to have started around ten at night. The fire broke out at the Brand family residence but did not spread far. Most residents were awakened by the sudden bright flames and thick smoke, yet they were helpless against the rapidly spreading flames. 3. "Miracle": The adults say he should be grateful. Basic Objective: Use Inflatable Airbag 1 time(s) Advanced Objective 1: Use Inflatable Airbag 2 time(s) Advanced Objective 2: Use Inflatable Airbag 3 time(s) A flyer for a charity event: In the photograph, a youth with facial burns stands indifferently among adults in suits. The text below describes in detail and praises the care that the community has shown the youth, and their generous donations to White Sand Street Orphanage. 4. Pyrolysis: Changes continue even after it starts burning. Basic Objective: Propel yourself with Inflatable Airbag 1 time(s) Advanced Objective 1: Propel yourself with Inflatable Airbag 2 time(s) Advanced Objective 2: Propel yourself with Inflatable Airbag 3 time(s) An almost completely burned file: Florian is perfect for entertaining the big shots who want to show their love. He always stays friendly and humble to donors and the children who require treatment. This level of upbringing and the scar on his face are the only remnants of the past that remain with him. 5. Combustible Materials: The flames that continued to burn in his dream appeared by his side in a new form. Basic Objective: Propel a teammate with Inflatable Airbag 1 time(s) Advanced Objective 1: Propel a teammate with Inflatable Airbag 1 time(s) Advanced Objective 2: Propel a teammate with Inflatable Airbag 2 time(s) A curled-up draft: A rough-textured paper recording the observation results of flame temperature and combustion rate. Although the theoretical portion is relatively simple, it comes with rather detailed results to support its conclusions. 6. Preheat: These drugs cannot treat anyone, but they can help me in another way. Basic Objective: Retrieve 1 Airbags(s) Advanced Objective 1: Retrieve 2 Airbags(s) Advanced Objective 2: Retrieve 3 Airbags(s) A crumpled note: I'm sorry, Sister. I broke two vials by accident. Can I borrow your keys to get more from the storeroom? 7. Backdraft: A crisis can also be an opportunity. Basic Objective: Push away the Hunter with Inflatable Airbag 1 time(s) Advanced Objective 1: Push away the Hunter with Inflatable Airbag 1 time(s) Advanced Objective 2: Push away the Hunter with Inflatable Airbag 2 time(s) A newspaper clipping: A report on a fire at an orphanage. A former fire survivor, Florian Brand, showed extraordinary bravery during the incident. Not only did he notice the fire in time, but he managed to rescue numerous supervisors and children. Date: September 13. 8. Volatile: In any case, he needs the attention. Basic Objective: The Hunter destroys 1 Inflatable Airbag(s) Advanced Objective 1: The Hunter destroys 1 Inflatable Airbag(s) Advanced Objective 2: The Hunter destroys 2 Inflatable Airbag(s) Employment notice: A fire insurance company offered Florian Brand a position where he would be in charge of the valuation of losses and cause analysis after a fire. 9. Thermal Equilibrium: "Mr. Brand is the friendliest person to ever exist!" Basic Objective: Obtain 5 stack(s) of Temporary Threshold Shift Advanced Objective 1: Obtain 10 stack(s) of Temporary Threshold Shift Advanced Objective 2: Obtain 15 stack(s) of Temporary Threshold Shift An award: Mr. Florian Brand has gone above and beyond the line of duty by using his excellent skills to guarantee the safety of the neighborhood he serves, and his overwhelming bravery and passion have won the respect and love of the local residents. 10. Ember: Approach with caution. Do not touch. Basic Objective: Escape and achieve a draw or victory Advanced Objective 1: Escape and achieve a draw or victory Advanced Objective 2: Escape and achieve a draw or victory Some gossip: No one knows what Mr. Brand does outside of work. He rejects all questions and all who approach him with a smile, a smile that only briefly vanishes in certain situations. Rumor Florian views the fire from which he emerged as the sole survivor as a "miracle." Now, he strives to create miracles in each new fire.

Letters

This section contains the letters the player receives after completing Florian's Birthday Event on May 2nd each year. After the event they can be accessed in the file section of the character's Notebook page.

• 2025

Fire Investigator Letters
Lore Connections
Mentioned NPC's	Bernd Florian's Father Anita Brand

A Charred Letter (2025)

Dear Bernd,
As per our arrangement, I have copied this month's experimental data onto a separate sheet and enclosed it with this letter. I can only hope that these perplexing results, which continue to confound me, might offer you some insight.
The move has not had much impact on our work. Conducting experiments here in England is no different from our time in Berlin or Jena. It is day after day of heating, combustion, and reaction tests, leaving only inscrutable figures in the lab notebook by evening. At times, as I watch the flame flicker in the glassware, I feel like a fool lost in a maze, left to pray, futilely, that the heavens might take pity on the time I've sacrificed. But we both know. Truth offers no compromise, and certainly no mercy.
Since that winter night in Berlin, I've come to terms with my own ordinariness. Research has become the work by which I earn my living. There are other things in life far more worthy of cherishing. Indulge me, then, as I share a few stories from outside the laboratory. They are far more delightful than any dataset. I recall you grumbled in your last letter about how much space I devoted to writing about my wife. This time, I shall dedicate the remainder to my son.
Florian is a remarkably perceptive child, full of the bright curiosity that only the very young possess. He will crouch quietly before a garden bed for hours, simply to watch a sunflower bloom and slowly turn its face toward the sun. When Anita asked him if he'd like to pick one as a keepsake, he leaned in gently, inhaled its scent, and said, "This way, it will always be with me—in my breath and my memory."
I was struck speechless by the child's wisdom. That night, after Florian had fallen asleep, Anita and I sat by candlelight, deep in reflection. As first-time parents, we often wonder if we are guiding him rightly. Already, in so many ways, he is revealing a temperament all his own. He is open-hearted and eager, never shy to express himself. His trust and attachment are clearly shown, and we are constantly reminded of how our words and actions shape his thoughts and behavior.
It is somewhat embarrassing to admit. When Florian looked at me with those bright, unguarded eyes and asked what I was studying, I found myself reluctant to confess how mundane my work truly is. There are no grand discoveries to boast of, and many of the theories I once championed have since been discarded by new findings. Perhaps it is vanity, but I still wish to appear capable in my child's eyes. So instead of explaining the equations, I showed him a few simple combustion demonstrations. Bright, hot, unpredictable things. I hoped the flame might speak for me where words could not.
Florian was fascinated by it. I made it clear to him and to myself that Anita and I do not expect him to follow in our footsteps. We have had our share of struggles in this field. Still, I promised him that I would replace his bedtime fairy tales with stories about fire. How it shaped civilization, bringing both enlightenment and destruction. Unlike hurricanes, floods, or lightning, fire depends on combustible to exist. Its burning is an act of taking. This gift we received was always a dangerous one.
At times, Florian is almost too perceptive. Even when we try to hide our frustration after a failed experiment, he senses it and tries so earnestly to comfort us in his own way. It's rare, isn't it? This kind of emotional awareness. It reminds me of children raised in environments where performance is rewarded but emotional needs are neglected. They learn to become the version of themselves that is easiest to accept, seeking value and security in recognition and usefulness.
Anita and I have done our best to provide for him. It's perhaps a little dull, but it's stable, calm, and free of judgment. It's the kind of support we promised each other we would offer our child, long before he was born. For now, at least, he does not lose himself in the expectations of others. In fact, he is quite willful and decisive. We have chosen to treat it as an innate trait for the time being, something to be nurtured as long as it does him no harm.
Watching a child grow is far more thrilling than any dataset. Where will he direct his energy, his passion? And even if he turns to theology, why not? Yes, Bernd, don't frown. I've spoken to him about it. You must admit, in moments of helplessness, placing one's hope in something greater can offer a kind of peace. Anita and I want to instill this value in our son: The rose does not bloom for fame, and we do not live for immortality. We wish only to live free, without the pursuit of grandeur, and to always carry a smile.
......
But to return to the matter at hand, my friend, I know our work must continue. Next month, I plan to meet with scholars in this region. Geography does indeed hinder the flow of culture and science. I still recall the experiment disrupted by the Far Eastern tundra. With any luck, my colleagues here may offer new...

(The remaining pages are scorched, the writing charred and difficult to decipher.)

Letter Summaries

These summaries are found in the Character Relations menu after the letter has been received.

A Charred Letter In the letter, Florian's father tells a friend about his son's fascination with fire and his unique sensitivity.

Rewards

How many years the player has participated and completed the Birthday Event determines 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 for the character and the 2025 letter.

2025 Portrait

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. The Fire Investigator's Character Relations web has not yet been released.

Quotations

• Qixi Festival 2024 Wishing Star quote:
  • "The bright yet warmthless stars evoke memories of childhood Christmases."
• Autumn Harvest Tavern Guestbook quote:
  • "The baked hash browns still bear a smile... Maybe I need to rescue them from the flames a bit earlier next time."
• 7th Anniversary Congratulatory Video quote:
  • "Hello everyone, my clothes are as you can see—yes, this is my profession.
    On the way here, I saw someone prepared a lot of fireworks for this anniversary party. (heh)
    With me here, you can rest assured."
• Deduction Star 2025 quotes:
  • "Fire doesn't just light up the dark—it reveals who's holding the torches."
  • "Is this my medal for bravery? I'll cherish it... and keep it far from any flames."
  • "What's the one thing fire can't burn? Your memories."
• New Year's 2026 quote:
  • "May fireworks so brilliant leave behind more than ash so I can feel my family's warmth again in their scorching glow."

Event Appearances
Icon	Event	Role
	Autumn Harvest (September - October 2024)	Puffed Goods Merchant ("Puffing")
	Ode to the Eternal Night (October - November 2025)	Lumina

Fire Investigator has been mentioned in the following documents for other characters:

Letters

None

Deductions

None

Backstories

None

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. However, there is currently not enough information to determine which Manor Game the Fire Investigator participated in.

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.

Backstory

At a young age, Florian Brand became an orphan after a fire broke out in his house at night. His parents sacrificed their lives to save him from the fire. Florian did not escape unscathed, loosing an eye from the facial burns. Florian was sent to the White Sand Street Orphanage where he became a popular child among both adults and children alike. The orphanage staff often had shown him off at charity events, talking about the "miracle" of his survival from the fire. Florian learned to play into his story at these events, gathering more sympathy and donations from the adults there. Florian also began to internalize the so-called "miracle", creating a desire to experience it again. Florian began to research fire, taking observation notes about temperature and combustion rate. During this time, he was able to borrow the storeroom keys from one of the sisters working at the orphanage.

On September 13th, a fire broke out at the orphanage. The news reported how Florian was brave and saved numerous people, both supervisors and children. This event would lead to a fire insurance company to hire him to investigate fire losses and causes. Florian excelled at his job, receiving an award from his duty as well as the love and respect of his neighborhood. However, no one knows what Florian did outside of work, Florian keeping to himself but always wearing a smile.

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.

• Florian is implied to be behind several fires mentioned in his backstory.
  • It is likely possible that Florian may have Hero Syndrome, as he mistakenly dropped a matchstick beneath the floorboards in his backstory trailer after trying to set the orphanage's kitchen on fire and saved everyone in that place.
    • Hero Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon which causes a person to seek recognition for heroism. The term is used to describe individuals who constantly seek praise for valiant or philanthropic acts, especially by creating a harmful situation which they then can resolve. This can include unlawful acts such as arson. The term has been used to describe the behavior of public servants such as firefighters, nurses, police officers, security guards and politicians. Firefighter arson is also a common example of Hero Syndrome among firefighters, where firefighters intentionally start fires to either be seen as heroes for putting it out or to feel the rush of excitement that putting out a fire gives them.
  • Florian might have accidentally started the fire in his home that killed his parents. In his first deduction, his father is showing a curious Florian a fire he created. It has been theorized that Florian, after seeing this, tried to recreate the fire out of curiosity, but it got out of control leading to the incident.
  • For the orphanage fire, it is implied Florian used the storeroom key to gain access to the drugs within, and used them to start a fire.
  • During his job as a fire investigator, it is noted that the number of fires in his neighborhood were "impressive".
• It is theorized the fire Florian started at the orphanage on September 13th might have something to do with the "Little Girl", "Memory".
  • "Memory's" birthday is notably on September 13th which is different than that of her Identity Switch Journalist, whose birthday is on May 5th.
  • Given that "Memory" is a hallucination or memory, it is possible that this hallucination was born as a result of the fire somehow.
  • "Memory" herself has a lot of association with fire, with her Memory Fragments resembling burned pages that create a fire effect when placed.

Navigation

Character Navigation
THE SURVIVORS
DEFAULT
	Lucky Guy (Season 0)	Doctor (Season 0)	Lawyer (Season 0)	Thief (Season 0)	Gardener (Season 0)
SEASON 1
	Magician (Season 1)	Explorer (Season 1)	Mercenary (Season 1)	Coordinator (Season 1)	Mechanic (Season 1)
					-
	Forward (Season 1)	The Mind's Eye (Season 1)	Priestess (Season 1)	Perfumer (Season 1)
SEASON 2-3					-
	Cowboy (Season 2)	Female Dancer (Season 2)	Seer (Season 3)	Embalmer (Season 3)
SEASON 5-7
	Prospector (Season 5)	Enchantress (Season 5)	Wildling (Season 6)	Acrobat (Season 6)	First Officer (Season 7)
SEASON 8-11
	Barmaid (Season 8)	Postman (Season 9)	Grave Keeper (Season 10)	"Prisoner" (Season 10)	Entomologist (Season 11)
SEASON 13-17
	Painter (Season 13)	Batter (Season 14)	Toy Merchant (Season 16)	"Psychologist" (Season 17)	Patient (Season 17)
SEASON 18-22
	Novelist (Season 18)	"Little Girl" (Season 18)	Weeping Clown (Season 19)	Professor (Season 21)	Antiquarian (Season 22)
SEASON 24-30
	Composer (Season 24)	Journalist (Season 26)	Aeroplanist (Season 27)	Cheerleader (Season 28)	Puppeteer (Season 30)
SEASON 31-36
	Fire Investigator (Season 31)	"Faro Lady" (Season 32)	"Knight" (Season 34)	Meteorologist (Season 35)	Archer (Season 36)
SEASON 37-41				-
	"Escapologist" (Season 37)	Lanternist (Season 39)	Matador (Season 41)
THE HUNTERS
DEFAULT		-
	Hell Ember (Season 0)
SEASON 1-4
	Smiley Face (Season 1)	Gamekeeper (Season 1)	The Ripper (Season 1)	Soul Weaver (Season 1)	Geisha (Season 1)
	The Feaster (Season 1)	Wu Chang (Season 2)	Photographer (Season 2)	Mad Eyes (Season 3)	Dream Witch (Season 4)
SEASON 5-9
	Axe Boy (Season 5)	Evil Reptilian (Season 6)	Bloody Queen (Season 7)	Guard 26 (Season 8)	"Disciple" (Season 9)
SEASON 11-16
	Violinist (Season 11)	Sculptor (Season 12)	"Undead" (Season 13)	Breaking Wheel (Season 15)	Naiad (Season 16)
SEASON 18-25
	Wax Artist (Season 18)	"Nightmare" (Season 18)	Clerk (Season 20)	Hermit (Season 22)	Night Watch (Season 25)
SEASON 27-34
	Opera Singer (Season 27)	"Fool's Gold" (Season 29)	The Shadow (Season 31)	"Goatman" (Season 33)	"Hullabaloo" (Season 34)
SEASON 36-40				-
	Peddler (Season 36)	"Cueist" (Season 38)	"Queen Bee" (Season 40)
IDENTITY SWITCH CHARACTERS
Novelist ⇌ "Nightmare"		Smiley Face ⇌ Weeping Clown		Evil Reptilian ⇌ Professor
"Little Girl" ⇌ Journalist		Prospector ⇌ "Fool's Gold"		Acrobat ⇌ "Hullabaloo"
Entomologist ⇌ "Queen Bee"		-
STORY RELATED CHARACTERS
Reporter		Detective		and many others...
CUT CHARACTERS
CUT SURVIVORS					-
	Female Driver	Graveyard Girl	Paparazzi	Slacker
CUT HUNTERS				-
	Ascetic Monk	Moon Face	Puppet

Fire Investigator Navigation
Fire Investigator	Fire Investigator/Lore	Fire Investigator/Cosmetics	Fire Investigator/Gallery
Tool	External Traits
Inflatable Airbag	Inflatable Airbag • Temporary Threshold Shift • Firefighting Training
Costumes
S-Tier (Gold)	Spirit Fox
A-Tier (Purple)	Caged Fire • LEONARD • "Puffing"
B-Tier (Blue)	Drunken Knight • Lumina • Proposal • Unlit Manuscript
C-Tier (Green)	Original • Worn Clothes • Duty Green • Flaming Orange • Umbral Purple
Accessories
S-Tier (Gold)	None
A-Tier (Purple)	"Well-done"
B-Tier (Blue)	Lifeline
Other Customizations
Graffiti • Emotes • Standby Motions