Color band classification

The color band classification system was developed by Vincent Maillardet as a means of categorizing posthuman abilities, and continues to be widely used. The system defines posterpowers as falling into seven categories, which are colloquially referred to as "bands" after the colored silicone wristbands worn by Maillardet's Academy students for easy identification.
The labels are imperfect, as not all abilities fall neatly into one category, and the classification of an individual's powers may be influenced by prejudice, political motivations, the desire to push a posterchild's development in a particular direction, and other biases. Nevertheless, the color band system tends to be comforting for younger posterchildren, as it enables them to give a name to their ability, while the physical bands themselves foster a sense of group belonging.quipquipquip: "Things To Know About Color Band Classification"
==Development==
The color band system was developed by Vincent Maillardet as a means of classifying posthumans' power sets. The seven color-coded categories he devised came to be referred to as "bands", after the colored wristbands worn by Academy students.
Most posters show signs of manifesting abilities early on, if not from birth, which can lead to some traumatic childhood experiences. The classification system, although imperfect, allows posterchildren to put a name to their powers. The Academy students' bands help them to identify each other, as well as fostering a sense group belonging in children who might otherwise struggle with feelings of isolation.
==Color classifications==
===Red (element kinesis)===
The ability to control basic elements available in nature.
Examples: Aerokinesis, cryokinesis, electrokinesis, geokinesis, pyrokinesis, chlorokinesis, hydrokinesis, atmokinesis.
Red-bands: June Hovick, Ofelia D, Bice Cortadino, Kenneth McKay, etc.
===Orange (body control)===
The ability to manipulate aspects of your physicality.
Examples: Animal mimicry, kinetic control, density control, duplication, enhanced senses, invulnerability, enhanced healing, biological manipulation
Orange-bands: Ernest Wright, John Wright, Marshal Underwood, Catherine Newmeyer, etc.
===Gold (transport)===
The ability to move from point A to point B in a fashion that makes baseline humans look like chumps.
Examples: Superspeed, teleportation, flight, summoning, electrical, omnipresence, dimensional, time travel
Gold-bands: Zipporah Chance, Cindy Dunn, Henri Olivier, etc.
===Green (energy control)===
The ability to gather, convert, or generate different forms of energy.
Examples: Bioelectromagnetism, solar sourcing, energy constructs, energy physiology, photo empowerment, cosmic energy control, solar conversion, external sourcing, internal sourcing
Green-bands: Maks Petrov, Ellie Lark, Lan Lau, etc.
===Blue (reality manipulation)===
The ability to break the laws of reality over your knee. Over and over.
Examples: Probability manipulation, shapeshifting, resurrection, gravity control, intangibility, resurrection, light manipulation, sound manipulation, molecular manipulation, magnetism manipulation
Blue-bands: Mal Underwood, Corbin Underwood, Clay Dillinger, Nurse Bliss, etc.
===Purple (psionics)===
The ability to mentally manipulate the world around you.
Examples: Psychometry, mind control, telekinesis, memory alteration, polyglot, telepathy, mediumship, astral projection
Purple-bands: Amira bint Balqis, Jack Willard, Ida Mae Sullivan, Joe Blake, etc.
===Pink (support/passive)===
The ability to affect the powers of others. This classification is largely for powers that are not consciously controlled by the poster. The association with the color pink came from the passive nature of these abilities--- though they are some of the most devastating ones.
Examples: Power sensing, power erasure, power increase, power decrease, pheromone production, power mimicry, power stealing, passive persuasion
Pink-bands: Rosario Galán-Grant, Gloria Wright, etc.
==Classification==
In the US, testing for posthuman genetic markers is mandatory at birth, and again before children are allowed to enter public schools.quipquipquip: "Things To Know About Academy Training Structure" Many abilities are limited by what the poster believes they can do, and for this reason the pre-Academy year of training at Maillardet's is essential to the growth of most posterchildren. During this time, they are given guidance in exploring the extent of their abilities and experimenting with what they might be able to do.quipquipquip: "How often, if ever, would you say a posterchild's power/level gets misidentified?" As a result of this testing, children are sorted into their perceived strength levels and color band classifications.
===A flawed system===
Deliberate misclassification of posthuman powers is rare, but it does happen. Usually, it is a conscious decision on the part of the Maillardet Foundation with the intent on guiding potential "problem posters" in a productive direction. For instance, a power with lethal applications that aren't readily apparent is more likely to be mislabeled as weaker, and the poster taught to use their skills in a nonlethal manner. This is not always ideal, as evidenced by the case of Cindy Dunn, whose documented issues with authority led the Foundation to mislabel her Alpha-level power of oxygen manipulation as a Beta-level power over wind. As a result, Cindy only learned the extent of her powers when she accidentally pulled the oxygen from a man's lungs, almost suffocating him.quipquipquip: "Things To Know About Cindy "Tinker Bell" Dunn"
When it is not clear which band color best fits a posterchild's abilities, a Foundation professional will help them choose a classification most useful for a future career. As all capstone teams are required to have a gold-band member as dedicated transport, any power with transportation-related applications is likely to be classified as gold-band, even where another category might be more technically accurate: "If a power can be classified as a gold-band if you tilt your head and squint, it usually is."
==Identification bands==
Alphas are legally required to wear colored bands identifying them as posthuman. Any kind of band is permitted, as long as the power category is written on it. Officially-produced color bands have the names of the power categories embossed on the outside. The silicone bracelets given to Academy students are also embossed with PROPERTY OF MAILLARDET'S on the inside.quipquipquip: "I was wondering if they were allowed bracelets instead?"
==References==
Category:Posthumans
Category:Posthuman terminology