Soot

**Soot** (すす, *Susu*?) is a substance created by Shadows when they feel negative emotions or use their soot power. It can have many properties.

## Scorches

*Main Article: Scorch*
When left alone for too long (roughly 2 days), soot will eventually clump together and form into **Scorches** (こびりつき, *Kobiritsuki*?), malicious living soot, who will seek out and attack Dolls, leading to soot sickness.

### Phantoms

**Phantoms** (亡 (ぼう) 霊 (れい) , *Bōrei*?) are powerful scorches that can be considered a big threat due to their size and durability. They happen when a large amount of Scorches fuse together.

## Soot Power

*Main Article: Soot Power*
Shadows are capable of awakening a **Soot Power** (すす能 (のう) 力 (りょく) , *Susu Nōryoku*?) where they gain the ability to control their soot. There are two types explained by Susanna: Mental and physical types.

## Soot Coal

In order to prevent Scorches from forming, soot can be treated with heat, hardening it. This creates the Manor's key product, the **Soot Coal** (すす炭 (たん) , *Susu Tan*?). It is very light, noted by a immigrant when he lifted a whole bucket full of it. It works similarily to normal charcoal where it is burnt for fuel to cook or work with, releasing soot into the air. It is clean enough for people to regularly inhale day to day with no ill effects but will slowly dull the minds of them, making them docile and easy to manipulate.

## Soot Train

Since the Shadows House lies atop a mountain, the **Soot Train** (すす列 (れっ) 車 (しゃ) , *Susu Ressha*?) was modeled as a mountain railway allowing it to climb steep slopes. The train can move both forwards and backwards. The Shadows family uses this train to visit the villages to carry out "Selections" as well as deliver several carts of soot coal, which it of course also runs on.

## Special Coffee

**Special Coffee** (特 (とく) 別 (べつ) な珈琲 (コーヒー) , *Tokubetsu na kōhī*?) is brewed inside the "*Coffee Room*" which is located in the Star Bearers' Residential Tower. When consumed by the Living Dolls, their loyalty to the Lord Grandfather and the Shadow Family is strengthened. Their irises are clouded black when the "coffee"'s influence is strong, but it fades over time. Shadows are not affected by the "special coffee".

The "special coffee" is offered to the Living Dolls after they have passed their Debut. It is also offered once a week at every "Rejoicing Party". For Faceless Dolls, they are to drink the "coffee" for 30 days to reset their memory. In the Selection, children will be given the "special coffee" as a sign of being selected to work at the mansion.

## Trivia

* Prior to the official English localization of the manga and the English subtitles of the anime adaptation, several soot-related objects were often referred to by other names in fan translations:
	+ Scorches were Clingers
	+ Phantoms were Ghosts
	+ Soot Coal was Soot Charcoal
	+ Rejoicing Party was Party of Delight
	+ Soot Stalactites was Soot Icicles
* The official English localization differs between Funimation's anime and Yen Press' manga in some terms as well:
	+ Scorches are called Coagles
	+ Soot Coal is called Sootcoal
	+ Soot Powers are called Soot Talents
	+ Rejoicing Party are called Hour of Rejoicing
	+ Soot Stalactites are called Sooticles

## References

1. ↑ *Shadows House* chapter: Chapter 50.5