Candidate is the title given to the pilot of a Divine during the Golden era and earlier; in later eras the person filling this role is referred to as an Excerpt or Elect. Candidates are associated almost exclusively with the Autonomous Diaspora.
Candidates are component parts of a machine as much as they are representatives, and the relationship between Candidate and Divine is usually exploitative. Candidates are elected young and die young, usually due to an overload of stress on their bodies.[1] Maryland September describes them as "symbolic sacrifices"[2] and Austin, out of character, has called them "human sacrifices to the gods".[3]
Although Candidates are elected,[1][4] the exact process by which this happens is never shown. Ibex spent years with Kobus on Vox prior to their Candidacy, implying that Kobus was raised to the position.[4] It is suggested that, in the Diaspora, Candidates are not permitted to vote.[3] Retirement is almost unheard of.
This section contains spoilers for Twilight Mirage 56: The Vault of Anticipation Pt. 2.
Click here to reveal.
In the Twilight Mirage era, the Divine Anticipation would take ⸢Civet⸣ and Tender as nominal Excerpts, but in fact use them more like Candidates, basically external processors to allow her to run more efficiently.
Candidate Names[edit | edit source]
When they are elected to their position, Candidates take a new name from either the colloquial or Latin name for an animal. The fad in the Golden Branch during the Golden era was for names to refer to hoofed animals,[5] although Candidates such as Enhydra and Jerboa bucked the trend. Candidates are generally known by their new name for the rest of their life, and remembered by it after they die.
Notable Candidates[edit | edit source]
- Addax Dawn
- Ibex, Candidate of Righteousness
- Kobus, Candidate of Loyalty
- Vicuna, Candidate of Grace