Cradle

Cradles, also known as growth modules are objects in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Kevesi and Agnians are born from them.

Description
Cradles are spherical pods with orange liquid inside. Kevesi and Agnians are born from them in their respective Castle, Keves cradles are located in the Throne room whereas Agnus cradles location are not disclosed in the game. First appear as a fetus, then quickly grew to artificially aged to resemble a child. If a Kevesi or Agnian die by any means other than Homecoming, they are born again in the same cradle they were in as part of the cycle of rebirth. Even though most cradles are located in Keves Castle and Agnus Castle respectively, there are still some cradles stored outside of the castle, such as in the City's Module Warehouse, and the Lost Colony.

However, cradles don't seem to able to release soldiers automatically, there has to be an individual to interact with the cradle in order to release the soldier inside, as how Ethel was accidentally released by Cubibi during a game of hide-and-seek. Cradles are also movable, as the Lost Numbers has stolen many cradles from Keves Castle and cradles were being carried to the Cradle Convoy Shelter at the Great Sword's Base.

In Colony Omega, there is also a special type of cradle that is able to accelerate process of a soldier's growth to its term and looks from its last incarnation.

Story
After the battle at Everblight Plain ended in 's victory, Kevesi soldiers are seen being created in the cradle, while Noah describing how every soldiers are born like this.

The party arrives at Keves Castle and witness the cradle while escaping after destroying the Annihilator, Noah then spotted Ethel's cradle. After their battle with the Queen of Keves and found out the Queen was fake, the Lost Numbers storms into the Castle and looted many cradles, including Ethel's.

explains how the soldiers are bounded by the shackles of Moebius, by being reborn after dying and awaken without memories of their former self. As for the reason of not awaken the soldiers in the cradle, Monica explains that even though the soldiers will be free from the Flame Clock once awakened, she states that soldiers still have short life span and they don't know how long the battle will last, and she also want them the be awaken in a world where they can find their true self.

Trivia

 * Ethel is the only hero to have appeared in the cradle in the game.