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.
Candidates are component parts of the machine as much as representatives, and the relationship between Candidate and Divine is usually exploitative. Candidates are elected young and die young. They are described as "human sacrifices to the gods" by Austin out of character[1] and "symbolic sacrifices" by Maryland September.[2] The position is so physically stressful that most die due their bodies being overloaded rather than by being killed.[3]
Although Candidates are elected,[3][4] the exact process is never shown; on the other hand, Ibex spent years with Kobus on Vox prior to their Candidacy, implying that Kobus was raised to the position.[4] In the first worldbuilding episode it is suggested that within the Diaspora, Candidates are not permitted to vote.[1] Retirement is almost unheard of.
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 (Sokrates) 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.
This section contains spoilers for Twilight Mirage 56: The Vault of Anticipation Pt. 2.
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In the Twilight era, the Divine Anticipation would take ⸢Civet⸣ and Tender as nominal Excerpts, but in fact using them more like Candidates, basically external processors to allow her to run more efficiently.