Subtypes

Also known as harbingers, ambassadors, emissaries, envoys, and a myriad of other such terms, Heralds are the result of a rare occurrence in which a Legendary Pokemon splits it soul in two, entrusting one half to a host (often without their knowledge) for cultivation and eventual rebirth. The host Pokemon serves as merely a vessel in order to sustain and foster the soul until the point at which it can be reborn into the world as an individual - entirely distinct in appearance, personality, and interests from it’s Legendary progenitor. Usually, this process is immediate, with the soul being reborn in the form of the initial host’s offspring. Other times, however, the soul can hibernate within bloodlines throughout dozens - sometimes hundreds - of generations. The amount of time and generations involved typically boils down to the reason the Legendary Pokemon split its soul to begin with, for the longer the process, the more power the resulting individual will possess.

One of the most important things to know about heralds is that [with only three known exceptions] they are made, not born. If at some point during the cultivation process, the soul is reborn into the world and the legendary in question decides that it is not fully satisfied with the resulting individual, the would-be herald's powers will simply never awaken and the cycle continues until a suitable candidate is born. Typically, before a legendary will choose to grant a potential herald its power, said potential herald must earn the legendary's favor. Historically, this has been done by overcoming the specific legendary in physical combat. There have been many occasions, however, where a legendary has deemed a potential herald worthy for simply performing a favorable action such as saving the life of a friend or acting in accordance with the legendary's values.

In most cases, it takes several years for a legendary to determine whether or not to bestow their power upon a potential herald. This is why child heralds especially are incredibly rare. That said, there are always exceptions to every rule. Sometimes, legendaries feel such a profound connection to a specific individual that they will grant the power at their earliest opportunity. Other times, if a legendary feels that their potential herald has potential but is otherwise not quite hitting the mark, they may be compelled to grant their power in a situation of life or death where the potential herald might otherwise be severely wounded or even killed [if doing so would save their life].

• Heralds can be identified by an unusual gem-like growth present somewhere on the body - typically just over the sternum, but the exact placement can vary from one individual to another. This gem serves as the vessel for the Herald’s power and likewise maintains the connection to their Legendary counterpart. Aside from this unusual feature, Heralds are typically ordinary Pokemon (appearance wise) in every way.
  • The size, shape, and placement of the gem can vary between individuals, but should be no larger than the palm of the character's hand, nor more complex than a star.
  • Typically, Heralds present with only a single large gem somewhere on the body. In cases of more powerful legendaries, the gem can present in clusters of up to three.
    • When the gem presents as a cluster rather than a single, all pieces of the cluster must remain in close proximity. Even though clustered soul gems give the appearance of a herald presenting with multiple gems, they are still a single, unified gem merged somewhere beneath the surface of the Herald's skin.
• Although quite literally a physical extension of the Legendary from which they are created, heralds are individuals. As such, they are not bound by the personalities, traits, and interests of their legendary counterparts [although similarities are not unheard of].
• Heralds possess an innate telepathic connection with their Legendary counterparts. They can speak, see, hear, and feel collectively through this connection - anything a specific Legendary experiences, their herald likewise experiences through this connection [and vice versa]. They are capable of blocking each other out [the Legendary itself more so than the Herald], but only to a certain degree.
  • Because most Legendaries in GC are currently in a state of hibernation, heralds are not always immediately aware of this connection. They may get strange, inexplicable feelings from time to time, but the connection does not become fully active until a herald’s respective Legendary has been awoken from their dormant state.
• When a herald dies, their soul is rejoined with that of the Legendary who split their soul to create the herald in the first place. They do not join the afterlife. Instead, they live on in perpetuity, a part of the soul of the Legendary who created them.
  • Legendaries will typically avoid splitting their soul into a being they know cannot die or be killed in some form. There has only ever been one recorded instance of a Legendary splitting its soul into another truly immortal being - and it cost them dearly.
• More than one herald cannot be created from a single Legendary. Similarly, once a herald has been created, even if that Herald dies, the same Legendary can never again create another, separate Herald. In rare instances, however, they may release the portion of their soul dedicated to their Herald back into the universe so that they may be reborn once again. When this occurs, the Herald does not retain their former appearance or their memories, but similar personality traits do often present themselves.
• The gems present on the bodies of Heralds hold incredible power and are extremely valuable on the black market. They can be used to augment and power an array of devices - not to mention Pokemon, as well.
• Removing the gem from a Herald’s body will kill the Herald. While the Herald’s soul will live on, safe inside the gem itself and can eventually be reunited with its corresponding legendary, if the gem is ever destroyed, the legendary will effectively lose a part of itself forever. The process of creating a Herald creates an issue of vulnerability and is an extremely risky thing for a Legendary to do. That said, they typically will not create Heralds unless a situation arises where, for one reason or another, they feel it has become necessary.