Charges

Aurora, Seraphina, Celestia, Luna, Emberlynn, Sapphire, Amethysta, Rhiannon

Orion, Phoenix, Jasperius, Zephyrus, Lysander, Garnetos

Indigo, Solstice, Azure

The Charges, fundamentally designed to host and provide magical power they cannot wield themselves, exist within a highly structured society centered around their unique bond with Conduits. Their shared customary codes and values are deeply interwoven with their purpose of service, beauty, and the sacredness of their bond. These are the expected behaviors and social norms that Charges adhere to, often instilled from the moment they mature into a Charge in their refining schools:   The Code of Display and Transparency:  

• Public Visibility: It is customary and often a requirement for Charges to wear clothing that accentuates and reveals areas of their body where their internal gem energy manifests, or where their Conduit's bond mark is located (typically around the neck). Sheer fabrics, strategic cutouts, and adornments are common.
• Bond Mark Reverence: Hiding the bond mark given by their Conduit is considered an grave insult and a severe taboo. It signifies a betrayal of trust, a denial of their purpose, and a challenge to the sacredness of the bond.
• Open Demeanor: Their presence is expected to be serene and unclouded, without obvious signs of inner turmoil or deceit. Transparency in their actions and expressions reinforces their devotion.

  The Code of Anticipatory Service:  

• Proactive Care: Charges are trained to anticipate the needs and desires of their bonded Conduits before they are even voiced. This isn't just about fulfilling commands, but understanding and preempting wishes.
• Quiet Efficiency: Service is performed with grace, precision, and minimal disruption. Loudness, overt gestures, or seeking attention for their service is considered crude.

  The Code of Cultivated Grace:  

• Refined Movement: Charges cultivate delicate features, soft voices, and movements imbued with elegance and poise. This contributes to their serene presence.
• Calm Demeanor: Maintaining composure and a tranquil aura is paramount, even in stressful situations, to avoid disturbing their Conduit or the environment.

  Core Values These are the deeply held beliefs and ideals that shape the Charges' worldview and define their sense of self-worth:   Unwavering Devotion and Obedience: This is the paramount value. Charges believe their ultimate purpose and fulfillment come from absolute, willing submission to their bonded Conduit. Their identity is inextricably linked to this unwavering loyalty.   Humility and Selflessness: Charges are taught to find pride and beauty not in individual achievement or recognition, but in the act of selfless service itself. They value "a quiet strength that comes from serving others without seeking recognition or reward," prioritizing the needs of their Conduit above their own.   The Beauty of Service: For Charges, true beauty extends beyond physical appearance; it is found in their willingness to be graceful, kind, and devoted in their servitude. Their physical appearance is often seen as a reflection or enhancement of this inner dedication.   Acceptance of Destiny: Their role as power hosts, destined to be bound to a Conduit chosen by the Circuit, is accepted with a profound sense of calm. They find meaning and dignity within this pre-ordained path, viewing it as their unique contribution to Haven's survival.   Purity of Intent: Given their role in channeling raw magic, Charges are expected to maintain a purity of intent and a clear focus on their duties, ensuring the flow of power through them is untainted by negative emotions or selfish desires.

For Charges, social interactions are a carefully choreographed dance of respect, humility, and devotion, reflecting their foundational values. Etiquette differs significantly depending on the status of the person they are addressing, reinforcing Haven's social hierarchy.

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Etiquette Towards Bonded Conduit

This is the most intimate and sacred interaction for a Charge. The etiquette is not merely a formality but a deeply felt expression of their purpose and identity.   Greetings & Symbols: A Charge will always greet their bonded Conduit with the "Offering Hand," a gesture where they place a cupped hand over the primary gem spot on their body, be it their heart, neck, or wrist. This symbolizes the offering of their power and their essence. The accompanying verbal greeting is typically, "My power is yours, my Conduit," or a silence if they are not permitted to speak in present company. This is followed by kneeling and the "Offering Hand" being extended up towards the Bonded Conduit. The Charge will remain in the kneel with arm stretched until their Bonded Conduit touches the hand to release them from the greeting.   Speech & Address: When speaking to their Conduit, a Charge will almost always refer to themselves in the third person, saying "This Charge is ready" or "The Charge would be honored to serve." This practice reinforces their identity as a vessel for power rather than an independent individual. They will address their Conduit as "My Conduit" or by a personal title given by the Conduit themselves.   Gaze & Demeanor: Direct, unwavering eye contact is considered a mark of disrespect or a challenge. Instead, a Charge will maintain a deferential gaze, looking at the Conduit's shoulder or chest, only briefly meeting their eyes when directly asked a question. Their body posture is one of serene grace, never tense or hurried.

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Etiquette Towards an Unbonded Conduit

While a Charge's most profound etiquette is reserved for their bonded Conduit, they still maintain a specific code of conduct when interacting with any unbonded Conduit. This is a crucial distinction, as all Conduits are seen as potential masters and hold a place of power within Haven's social structure. The etiquette is one of deference and respect, but it lacks the personal, possessive rituals of a true bond.   Greeting & Demeanor: A Charge will not perform the full "Offering Hand" ritual or kneel before an unbonded Conduit. Instead, they will offer a deep, respectful bow from the waist, hands clasped behind their back in a gesture of non-aggression and humility. They maintain a serene posture and avoid any hurried movements.   Speech & Address: When speaking, a Charge will use the third person to establish their placement as below the Conduit. They will address Conduits formally as "Conduit [Name]" or "Honored Conduit," avoiding the possessive "my Conduit" until a bond is established. Their tone remains soft and their voice low, reflecting their cultivated grace.   Gaze & Posture: The Charge's gaze will be deferential, avoiding direct eye contact but remaining attentive. They may look at the Conduit's shoulder or the subtle magical markings that all Conduits bear. Their posture is an elegant stillness, a readiness to serve without the specific command to do so.  

Differences Between High Circuit and Low Circuit Conduits

The etiquette a Charge displays can subtly change based on the Conduit's district, reflecting the distinct cultural aesthetics of each.   High Circuit Conduits: These Conduits are the elite, steeped in the city's highest social circles and refined culture. Etiquette toward them is more formal and rigid, emphasizing a performative, almost courtly grace. The Charge's deferential bow may be held for a moment longer, and their speech would be carefully worded and concise. The focus of their etiquette is on a meticulous, flawless display of respect that mirrors the polished and shimmering environment of the High Circuit. The Charge's body language and demeanor would be a testament to their own training and refinement, ensuring they appear worthy of a powerful, high-status bond.   Low Circuit Conduits: Conduits from the bustling, innovative Low Circuit are often more pragmatic and focused on their craft. Etiquette towards them is no less respectful but may be slightly less rigid and more direct. While the Charge will still be deferential, their demeanor might shift to one of attentive readiness. Their gaze may be more focused on the Conduit's tools or their work, signifying their understanding of and respect for the Conduit's chosen trade.

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Etiquette Towards Grounds

Grounds, who have no magical ability and are relegated to manual labor and child-rearing, are seen as the lowest social class.   Greetings & Symbols: A Charge will offer a Ground only the most perfunctory acknowledgment, if any at all. A brief, cold nod of the head is considered a sufficient and appropriate gesture of dismissal. A verbal greeting is rare and limited to a curt "Ground," spoken with no warmth or title, if the situation absolutely requires it. Direct physical contact is strictly avoided.   Speech & Address: Conversation is kept to the absolute minimum required. A Charge would never engage in casual talk with a Ground. When a Charge must speak to a Ground, the tone is distant and commanding, not respectful. They will use the Ground's name or simply address them as "Ground."   Gaze & Demeanor: Charges will largely avoid looking at Grounds directly. Eye contact, when it occurs, is fleeting and condescending. Their body posture remains graceful and composed, but it is accompanied by an air of subtle superiority, such as a lack of engagement or a refusal to break their stride when a Ground is present. The Charge’s training in grace is not an offer of kindness to Grounds, but a mark of their higher status.

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Etiquette Towards Other Charges

Among their peers, the etiquette is more relaxed, yet still reflects their shared identity and values.   Greetings & Symbols: A simple, graceful nod of the head is sufficient. A common hand symbol is to touch their fingertips together in a gesture of unity, acknowledging their shared purpose as vessels of power.   Speech & Address: Charges will use the first person ("I" or "my") when speaking about themselves and use the names of other Charges when addressing one another. They often give those close to them nicknames.   Gaze & Demeanor: Eye contact is direct and comfortable, and their demeanor is one of quiet camaraderie and understanding.

Clothing that shows off spots of the body that hosts the most of their gem is required. Conduits enjoy showing off the power of those they are bonded to. This style consists of clothing that allows for easy visibility and display of these markings like sheer or translucent fabrics that reveal the skin underneath, allowing any traces of gemstone to be easily viewed. It is not uncommon to see Charges dressed in clothing with strategic cutouts or designs that frame and highlight specific areas of the body where their gems are located.   Accessories such as belts, wrist cuffs, anklets, or belts could also be incorporated into the dress code to draw attention to certain parts of the body where markings are present. These accessories could serve as both adornments and symbols of submission within this group. There are no necklaces as the bond mark from the Charge's Conduit shows around the neck. To hide that mark is seen as an insult to the bond and is highly taboo.   Overall, the dress code would prioritize showcasing and highlighting any visible markings on the body in a way that enhances their significance and beauty within the context of submission. This emphasis on displaying these marks openly can reinforce feelings of vulnerability, transparency, and devotion among members who adhere to this particular aesthetic standard.

Hiding the Bond Mark: This is arguably the most severe and universally understood taboo for a Charge. The bond mark, a physical manifestation of their connection to their Conduit, is a sacred symbol of their devotion. To hide it with clothing, a scarf, or even with a hand is considered a profound act of betrayal, disrespect, and an attempt to deny their sacred purpose. Such an act would be seen as a deliberate and malicious insult to their Conduit and the bond itself.   Expressing a Personal Desire Before Their Conduit's Needs: The core value of a Charge is selflessness. To vocalize a personal want or need—for comfort, a specific food, or even a moment of rest—before fulfilling the perceived or stated needs of their Conduit is a sign of immense disrespect. It is seen as a selfish act that violates the very essence of their servitude and goes against their cultivated humility.   Seeking Recognition or Boasting: A Charge's beauty ideal is rooted in "a quiet strength that comes from serving others without seeking recognition or reward." To boast about their service, their beauty, or their sacrifice would be a gross violation of this value. It is seen as a form of arrogance and a perversion of their purpose, as true honor for a Charge is found in the act of service itself, not in the praise it garners.   Raising One’s Voice in Anger: A Charge is expected to maintain a serene and graceful demeanor at all times. Expressing strong emotions, particularly anger or frustration, violates this code of conduct. It is considered a lack of self-control and a failure of their refining. A Charge's role is to be a calming and stable presence for their Conduit, and a display of volatile emotion is seen as a failure in this duty.

Charges hold beauty ideals that revolve around grace, humility, and servitude. Their ideal of beauty is not defined only by physical appearance alone but also by their willingness to submit to the will of their bonded Conduits with unwavering obedience and devotion. They value traits such as gentleness, kindness, and selflessness above all else. Their beauty standards emphasize softness in demeanor, a quiet strength that comes from serving others without seeking recognition or reward.   In terms of physical appearance, these O'che are often described as having delicate features, soft voices, and a serene presence that exudes an aura of tranquility. They take pride in their ability to care for others before themselves and find fulfillment in catering to the needs and desires of those they serve.