Crest

A Crest is a rare but naturally occurring emblem that manifests itself as a physical representation of a Tzurendi's power. While dozens of different Crest types are known to exist, the most commonly seen Crests are those of the Kavasazi, the Lakamaté, and the Žkha, and are manifested as physical representations on their right hand. Crestology and Crestologists are the names given to the study of and scholars of these mysterious entities, and while many different advancements have been made over the Ages, the exact nature of what constitutes a Crest remains unclear.

## Types of Crests

Crests come in three major varieties, with minor or other varieties manifesting much less frequently. Zaderei have slightly higher odds of bearing Crests than normal individuals, although their population is still also very small, and the reason for this increase in Crest frequency is still unknown.

### Aspect Crests

Aspect Crests are the crests belonging to Kavasazi, with the primary aspects being Summer, Winter, Autumn, Spring, Morning, and Evening. Incidentally, these aspects also have associations with the Mencuan Elements, with the six Aspects correlating with Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Light, & Darkness, respectively. Due to the primary bearers of these crest being Renkida, Dorenzu, and Zukuren, these Crests are primarily associated with the Kasil Races. Unlike Essence Crests, the different types of Aspect Crests do not seem to favour particular races, and so the frequency of these Crests is roughly equal amongst the Renkida, Dorenzu, and Zukuren, in proportion to their respective populations.

### Essence Crests

Essence Crests belong to the Lakamaté, with the primary essences being Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Light, and Darkness. These aspects correlate with the four seasons and the two main times of day, respectively, although they focus more prominently on the elements they represent. Unlike Aspect Crests, Essence Crests are much more commonly "assigned" to an individual race, with the six Crest types being distributed among the six different Vartiz Races. Crests of Fire are primarily found among Shinzoka; Crests of Water are most often manifested by the Madizi; Crests of Air are borne mainly by Kuthawa; Crests of Earth are primarily held by the Komera, Crests of Light are seen most frequently among the Mizulen, and Crests of Darkness are primarily distributed among Todawa.

### Primal Crests

Primal Crests are much rarer than their Aspect or Essence counterparts, although are often seen as an "Anima Crest" due to the nature of the Žkha who bear them. While there are six different types of Aspect and Essence Crests, there are only two types of Primal Crests: Mzeski and Szenka. Mzeski Crests are borne by male Žkha, and Szenka Crests are borne by female Žkha, although functionally both Crest types appear to be the same, with no discernible differences having been discovered by Crestologists over the millennia. Since these Crests are bound to the Žkha, all Primal Crest-bearers are Serenghe.

### The Crest of Zabutur

While named after Zabutur the Titan, it is unclear of the Titan himself actually bears the crest with his name, or if it is a myth fabricated by something or someone else. The existence of this Crest may be little more than a Jalengan myth, although the fact that this legend has survived countless millennia hints that such a Crest may actually exist. "*The Crest of Zabutur*" is also the title of the series as a whole.

### Grey Crests

Grey Crests are a controversial category of Crests borne exclusively by the Kumenza, and named due to the natural grey skin colour of the race. When a Kumenza is created from the essence of a living person, most physical traits apart from colour are carried over, including physical shapes, features, scars, and manifestations. As such, this includes Crests, which is the reason there is a prominent dispute among Menucan society about the legitimacy and ethics behind these Crests' very existence. Some of their controversy spawns from the same taboo that surrounds Artificial Kumenza, but it is also a hot-button subject due to the social stigmas that surround Crests. As such, the notion of artificially producing "copies" of Crest-bearers into the world is unsurprisingly controversial.

### Other Crests

While the proper name is Keiza, the marking on a Zaderei's face is sometimes called a Zaderic Crest due to it being seen as a symbol and a manifestation of Zaderism. However, while the Keiza does possess qualities thought to be magical, it does not enhance any of the individual's existing powers the way actual Crests do. Its unique ability to sense (when touched) the intent and emotions of the individual touching the marking, are actually related to a modification of the actual nervous system rather than some type of magic, for unlike crests, a Zaderei whose magic, shapeshifting, or elementalism have been suppressed, will still be able to detect a relationship status of anyone who touches the marking. This, coupled with the fact that Zaderei can be Crest-bearers (even more often than unaffected Serenza) are all reasons why a Keiza is not considered a real crest.

Many individuals have attempted to recreate or construct their own Crests over the millennia. It is rumoured that a woman named Zulera actually succeeded, but if she did, she remains silent about it, and there is no information on what sort of power this artificial Crest might have.

## Crests in Society

Despite the power they offer their bearers and the way they are often heavily coveted by the rest of society, very few actual Crest-bearers are ever thrilled about their abilities. Tzurendi in general tend to become political targets,