Emblem Readers - Spiritual or Philosophical Profession
Emblem reading is a role important to many in Terminus. Due to the nature of Emblems and how they're linked to the character of the marked there is a variety of study around their meanings.
Emblem Readers dedicate themselves to learning about, and spreading information on, Emblems. They, as a profession, developed Colour theory - Emblems and other means of classifying Emblems.
While this is an area generally ignored by scientists, due to the "wishy washy" nature of it, it has long been used to interpret Emblems and their users. As such even skeptics admit there is credibility to a readers interpretations (though this tends to be accompanied by scoffs of how the profession would be far more useful if they'd share their methods).
Identifying Features
Emblem Readers can be identified through their owning of a "Stellar Teller" a device they carry to aid their reading. These are all custom made by each Reader, so they're typically custom to them. However they all share a similar basis, having the same base shape and functioning similarly. These are added to over time, so often more experienced readers have much larger, or multiple linking, Stellar Tellers. Otherwise it can be difficult to identify an Emblem Reader visually on the street. However their businesses often have grandiose signs, and when working Reader's often don grand cloaks. They're particularly fond of using mist as as atmospheric tool, with permanent businesses often having built in steamers to allow mist creation. To say being dramatic is part of the job would be an understatement.Career
Qualifications
Emblem readers are usually mentored by a senior who has more practical experience in the field. Typically this involves a six year study period of assisting a mentor. During this time, a trainee will be instructed to find and identify a minimum of six Emblems that aren't in their mentors Stellar Teller. Doing so sets the student up to be fully recognised as a practitioner.
Career Progression
Upon completion of their training, and promotion to a full Emblem Reader, trainees have multiple options available.
1. Inheritance: Some inherit their mentor's business, though this is most common with elderly mentors who intend to retire and is most commonly taken by senior apprentices who are settling down but not yet found their own place in the world.
2. Further study: Many Emblem Readers aim to expand their study. Usually, this involves travel to find more Emblems to read, and meet other Emblem Readers to share information. This aims to reach the ultimate goal of Emblem Readers, to fully decipher Emblems and the secrets they hold. Many who take this route pass through Terminus High University - The Tower of Progress to visit their own archives on the topic.
2.5. Emblem Archivist: A position at Terminus High University on the team that studies Emblem Reading. This team of six is made up of Emblem Readers who work with the University (as opposed to for them). As such, they have access to resources in exchange for teaching about Emblems, however do not take on mentees.
3. Seekers: Young Emblem Readers often spend time as Seekers, or allying with Seeker Teams. This provides them access to Var Nexa. This is appealing to Emblem Readers as it is known that Emblems have connections to Var Nexa, and their ultimate goal is to find the origin of Emblems.
Other Benefits
Emblem Readers are well regarded by their communities, often filling the roles of educators in communities that lack other education, and are often knowledgable about many other areas due to their travels.
Famous Emblem Readers can become household names, earn high ranking titles, and the most prominent of rich often feature in high society events. Though reaching such a high status is uncommon, even becoming a relatively well known Emblem Reader would gain entry to most social events, reservations made after you turn up, and good will where ever you travel.
Perception
Purpose
Emblem Readers are odd in their purpose. Their role is to interpret and understand Emblems, in particular looking at their meaning. As such they are only directly relevant to people who possess Emblems.
Emblem Readers developed an "Emblem Index" (a name ascribed by non-Emblem Readers, they don't have their own name for it and simply call it fact), a system of determining how an Emblem links to their user, and by extension reading the persons "spirit" based on this. As part of this they developed the "Colour theory" and "type readings" of Emblems. This made Emblem Readers more relevant to the common person. Colour Theory , the study of and idea of ascribing meaning to colours based on how they relate to Emblems, is popular to the point of societal norms. The idea is Colours have meaning based on the Emblem types they relate to. For example, Blue is the colour of Production type Emblems, so are associated with life, beginnings and origins. It is linked with water, rain and the day time sky. It symbolises growth and development. As such, people often associate with colours based on Colour Theory, such as wearing the colour they most associate with, want to achieve, or how they percieve themselves. Often people will visit Emblem Readers to find out what their Emblem colour may be. Through acts such as developing this theory, Emblem Readers are researchers. However they do not follow the rigorous note making and methodology of usual scientists, instead focusing on base observation and discussion. In this way the profession is more of a philosophical role. Due to this, Emblem Readers often fill a range of professions, taking on secondary specialities. For example, the most common job of Emblem Readers is as teachers. Typically they spread knowledge of Emblems, informing users of what Emblems mean and how to better understand their own, with the idea this better helps them understand themselves. However they're also regularly hired to host talks, presentations and other interactive events to explain and discuss their philosophy, and the study of it. In particular Terminus High University - The Tower of Progress have Emblem Readers who work for them, and regularly feature external guest speakers. That being said Emblem Readers commonly help small communities. Taking sessions at local schools, or doing open lessons for towns people is a common occurrence. These aren't necessarily Emblem of Philosophy focused, as many Emblem Readers will teach other topics (most commonly about experiences you can only get from travelling as they do).
Emblem Readers developed an "Emblem Index" (a name ascribed by non-Emblem Readers, they don't have their own name for it and simply call it fact), a system of determining how an Emblem links to their user, and by extension reading the persons "spirit" based on this. As part of this they developed the "Colour theory" and "type readings" of Emblems. This made Emblem Readers more relevant to the common person. Colour Theory , the study of and idea of ascribing meaning to colours based on how they relate to Emblems, is popular to the point of societal norms. The idea is Colours have meaning based on the Emblem types they relate to. For example, Blue is the colour of Production type Emblems, so are associated with life, beginnings and origins. It is linked with water, rain and the day time sky. It symbolises growth and development. As such, people often associate with colours based on Colour Theory, such as wearing the colour they most associate with, want to achieve, or how they percieve themselves. Often people will visit Emblem Readers to find out what their Emblem colour may be. Through acts such as developing this theory, Emblem Readers are researchers. However they do not follow the rigorous note making and methodology of usual scientists, instead focusing on base observation and discussion. In this way the profession is more of a philosophical role. Due to this, Emblem Readers often fill a range of professions, taking on secondary specialities. For example, the most common job of Emblem Readers is as teachers. Typically they spread knowledge of Emblems, informing users of what Emblems mean and how to better understand their own, with the idea this better helps them understand themselves. However they're also regularly hired to host talks, presentations and other interactive events to explain and discuss their philosophy, and the study of it. In particular Terminus High University - The Tower of Progress have Emblem Readers who work for them, and regularly feature external guest speakers. That being said Emblem Readers commonly help small communities. Taking sessions at local schools, or doing open lessons for towns people is a common occurrence. These aren't necessarily Emblem of Philosophy focused, as many Emblem Readers will teach other topics (most commonly about experiences you can only get from travelling as they do).
Social Status
Emblem Readers are generally well respected by the public. They have a positive reputation, and are known for their helpfulness and providing small services alongside their main profession.
In comparison, Scientists are generally less favourable of Emblem Readers. The role they play and work they've done is generally respected, however the methods Readers employ - typically lackadaisical and lacking rigour - often irritate scientists, especially those who have to decipher what notes they do get, which are often described as "taking longer to work out than if I'd just done this myself."
Some dislike Emblem Reading, seeing it as pretentious and/or an invasion of privacy. Others see it as a scam, saying its akin to cold reading a person and telling them what they want to hear as a way to manipulate them.
Others fully believe Emblem Reading, seeing it as a way to gain perspective on life and form a deeper understanding of themselves. Some simply see it as light entertainment, not taking the concept seriously.
History
Emblem Reading is an ancient profession, according to practitioners, however the term itself is relatively recent, only being used in the last few centuries.
Prior to this, it is believed that the profession that proceeded, and originated, Emblem Reading was the one to develop written language. This was done through analysis of Emblems, and developing written word based on the symbols and patterns that derived from them. Indeed the languages name - Emblaetir - reflects this.
Prior to this, it is believed that the profession that proceeded, and originated, Emblem Reading was the one to develop written language. This was done through analysis of Emblems, and developing written word based on the symbols and patterns that derived from them. Indeed the languages name - Emblaetir - reflects this.
Operations
Tools
Picture Book: Used to record Emblems that the Reader has seen, particularly new ones. While all Emblem Readers have these, it isn't uncommon for their use to be forgotten.
Stellar Teller: A device made of folded card, or sturdy paper. Designed to be held in one hand, they are folded to create a pattern of flaps and diamonds. These are them split into stages related to the characteristics of an Emblem. The outer most has colours, linked to the key Emblem ones - Blue (Production), Red (Influence), Green (Absorption), Purple (Domain) - Black/White (Placement) are not included due to their unique properties. Under is the number of lines, beneath that shapes, and so on untill all Emblem Characteristics are covered. The Reader works down from the top layer, going through each section, to identify the Emblems.
Alternative Names
Spirit Tellers
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