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A Candidate is the pilot of a Divine during the Golden era and earlier, a position known in later times as an Excerpt or Elect. They are associated almost exclusively with the Autonomous Diaspora. The relationship between Candidate and Divine is usually exploitative: Candidates are elected young and die young. They are component parts of the machine as much as representatives.
Although Candidates are elected,[1][2] the exact process is never shown; we do know that Ibex spent years with Kobus on Vox prior to their Candidacy, implying that Kobus was raised to the position.[2] In the first worldbuilding episode it is suggested that within the Diaspora, Candidates are not permitted to vote.[1] They are described as "human sacrifices to the gods" by Austin out of character[3] and "symbolic sacrifices" by Maryland September.[4] Candidacy is so physically stressful that most die due their bodies being overloaded rather than by being killed.[3] Retirement is almost unheard of, although both Addax and Kobus did so.
Candidates take a new name along with their position, from either the colloquial or Latin name for an animal. The fad in the Golden Branch during the Golden era was for 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.