I don’t know that anyone’s arguing that troll society itself conciously considers those signs special, so I’m not sure why you’re addressing me as such.
But insofar as canon goes, those signs are already explicitly special, by virtue of the fact that their holders are the ones who all of Alternia exists to faciliate, so that they in turn can facilitate the existence of LE. Literally all of Alternian history already revolves around the 24 trolls who play Sburb–the beginning of the race, it’s evolution towards exploitative fascism, it’s eventual apocalypse–ALL of it traces back to the 24 trolls who play Sburb. Trying to tell me the signs associated with those trolls aren’t special is…kind of ridiculous?
Whether or not troll society is aware of that, or treats them with any special distinction, is beside the point. I’d guess they probably don’t! Why treat a Rustblood sign with any particular distinction if they’re all rubbish in the end, in Alternia’s eyes? Etc.
But the only thing Wak seems to be arguing for is an association between the Castes and the True Sign’s ASPECT, not the True Sign itself. And I feel that’s already demonstrably true, to some extent.
All rustbloods have to think about their short lifespans and imminent deaths, and going by Xefros’ example, the sheer amount of time they’re expected to devote to intense service, too. All of that lends itself to a focus on thinking in terms of Time. All goldbloods have to think about the possibility of being conscripted to exploitative, sacrificial service if their psiionics are good enough. That lends itself to a cultural pattern of thinking about Doom. Olivebloods seem to be living in the wild, which would distance them from society and make them more aware of their Selves–and so, Heart.
So on and so forth. That dynamic is what I’m interested in, moreso than anything about the True Signs themselves. I currently regard them as indicators, not much else–the groundwork for this idea is all over troll lore, and that’s why it interests me. It’s possible we’re way off base here, but if so, I expect Act 2 will make that clear. Does that clear up my position for you, anon?





