Veins and Status

Premier Esprit has no shortage of ways to classify a person. Wealth, location, bloodline, rank. All these play a role in what most citizens consider the crux of life: status. Sometimes the color of one's veins determines more than their lot in life.

Résonateur

Veins of White

Few individuals are as revered and feared as the emotion-wielding Résonateurs. Trained from the age of thirteen, these individuals have the ability to manipulate their émanation, the aura of emotions around a person. All people possess émanations, but only Résonateurs can sense and use them as an extension of their heart. Résonateurs can influence emotions in others but cannot directly manipulate them. They have white veins extending from a vein ring over the heart, which become more vivid in color and branch down limbs as Résonateur abilities become more powerful.

Dampened

Veins of Gray

Persecuted, shunned, dreaded. Dampened are the gray-veined souls who have felt a Phase's heartless touch and lived to feel their emotions dull until only apathy remains. Without emotional stimulation or distraction, dampened are highly aware of physical sensations and have extremely keen memory and reasoning. They live beyond the barriers, knowing that if they are discovered they'll be executed, because most people falsely believe that dampening can spread from dampened. Dampened are not inherently murderous but will kill if they think their survival is at risk.

Phase

Veins of Black

The beings that keep villagers awake at night, forever huddled in their barriers as resources dwindle. Never seeing trees, cities, or the sea. This is life. No. Survival. Phases are heartless beings incapable of rational thought. They are drawn to strong displays of emotion, seemingly driven to fill their emptiness with the hearts of others. Most people are brutally torn apart, but survivors of a Phase's touch are left dampened. Phases have black veins and bone-white flesh on their heads and limbs. Their bodies are shimmering black mists that can morph into different shapes.

Sommet

Establishers of Law

The Sommet is Premier Esprit's governing council. Councilmen are appointed by the chancelier and their duty is lifelong provided the chancelier doesn't have a change of heart. The Sommet is responsible for establishing laws, maintaining policies, approving distribution of scientific advancements and resources, evaluating Solenoid expansion or the establishment of new towns, and reviewing reports from all Paramount personnel, particularly Résonateurs.

Fluctuateur

Veins of Amber

Résonateurs who have lost control of their emotions. Fluctuateurs are considered highly dangerous and are pursued without question due to their ability to drain emotions from others, absorbing them into themselves. They have amber veins and their émanations can become extremely volatile when they are emotionally overstimulated.

Suzerain

Veins of Gold

Precious golden blood inherited from Eidolon, the first Suzerain. Eidolon's golden veins filled people with awe—a man with the sun in his blood. His descendants carry the golden blood, though the inheritance isn't guaranteed. Having children with a Résonateur partner tends to increase the odds of passing on the golden blood, and at times, more desperate measures have been taken. Only a descendant with golden veins may rule as Suzerain. The Suzerain has the ability to drain or give emotions . . . even unwillingly.

Seigneur

Lords of Towns

Seigneurs are lords who have been appointed by either the Suzerain or the Sommet to govern over towns as an extension of the Suzerain's authority. The seigneur title is passed down through lineage, and in the event of no heir, the Sommet will appoint a successor. Seigneurs are typically ordinary people, however, many claim to have Résonateur blood, and Résonateurs from seigneur lines can inherit the title and duties.

Mayor

Keepers of Villages

Mayors are not appointed by the Sommet but rather selected by their fellow villagers to lead in villages that are either too small or too poor to have a seigneur. They typically do not pass the role down through family, though it is acceptable to do so if the village agrees. Most mayors will instead take an apprentice to pass on their knowledge.

The Paramount

The Heart of the World

Although it is used as Éthéré Coeur's nickname by the general population because of its great importance, the Paramount actually refers to the governing body under the Suzerain, which includes the Sommet and the three branches of power in the towers around the Suzerain's palace. The Paramount is the single greatest political center in the world and the home of the only Résonateur academy, L’Académie de Manipulation Émotionnelle des Résonateurs. The Paramount has branches in the capital cities of all countries under its rule, which are responsible maintaining the Suzerain's sovereign law and sending young people with Résonateur potential to the academy.