#path classes

[wildfaewhump]

I'm thinking about making a Class A Path Oc and have a few questions Are there subdivisions in Class A? Like, even though they could do all three would an Agency have some that specialize in recognitive therarpy for other Paths, or 'helping' the parents deal with grief? Or is it all kind of thrown at them on a day to day basis! Would it be common/likely for a Class A to be used to help influence political policy? When they read thoughts do they see them in first person? Thank you for your time.

Ooh! Subdivisions, strictly speaking, no; a class-A is expected to be able to do whatever is asked of them, and some might regularly do readings that span the full breadth of their usual functions; however, like most people, some are naturally better at one area than another, and those Paths tend to get steered towards more of that work, which in turn makes their skills in that area better, etc etc. Class-As are in high demand, though, and an under-funded agency would be less likely to use a class-A as a specialized tool and more as a hammer for any situation they could.

Technically, using Paths to influence political policy is illegal (in most countries). However, all that really means is that it happens under the radar.

Reading varies a little between classes, of course; Paths will experience a person’s thoughts and/or emotions in real-time, and memories as the person thinks of them OR as the Path searches for them. Paths experience thoughts and emotions as if they were their own, although they are usually able to tell that what they are reading is not actually from them. It’s something like a barrier between themself and the subject they are reading. This barrier is variable between each Path, and can be worn down by exhaustion, overextension, or strong washes of emotion or thought.

Hope that helps!! Feel free to ask anything else!

[wildfaewhump]

what are the different types of paths and what are they used for? ((:

Class-As: can read and alter thoughts, memories, and emotions through skin contact; useful when minds need to be changed. Class-As meet with grieving parents of Path children, and assuage any ire at the agencies into something gentler and manageable. They also participate in giving recognitive therapy to other Paths when necessary, and can be used (discreetly) to influence decisions (such as successions in powerful corporations, decisions on business deals, etc) that need to be steered one way or the other.

Class-Cs: can read and alter emotions through skin contact; useful for manipulating emotions; for instance, to make a suspect being interrogated feel calm and happy so that they are more likely to answer without thought. They are also used to calm rogue or upset Paths, when necessary.

Class-Es: can read but NOT alter thoughts, memories, and emotions through skin contact; primarily used as witnesses by proxy in court cases, to save victims the trauma of confronting their attacker, or to enable violent offenders to be kept safe in jail rather than risking bringing them out into a courtroom. @tendertenebrosity explored some of this in some wonderful drabbles with TJ, their class-E Path!

Class-Gs: can read thoughts, memories, and emotions from people AND objects. Primarily used for reading evidence, such as a bullet casing, an item dropped by a kidnapping victim, etc. Can be used to read people if necessary, but generally aren't unless a class-A or -E is not available. This is Fern!

Class-Js: line-of-sight telekinetics. Rarer than other classes. Primarily used as assassins, in conjunction with a handler. Class-Js are usually paired with one handler for life. Ezra is a class-J, though he was not raised in an agency. @sweetwhumpandhellacomf 's Sully was, however!