Item from When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
Colored beads that declare your elemental affinity to the world — or, if you wear none, declare you worthless.
Elemental beads are the visible caste system of Ayrithia. They tell the world which Creator's song you hear, which element you can command, and therefore how much you matter. Wearing no beads marks you as a null — someone who hears no songs, commands no element, and exists at the bottom of every social hierarchy. Raeve wears no beads despite hearing all four songs. This deception is her most important disguise — more critical than her altered face or false name. In a world that judges worth by elemental power, appearing powerless is the best camouflage. The irony is devastating: the woman with the rarest magical gift in Ayrithia presents herself as the least valuable person in any room.
Small, smooth beads worn as jewelry — necklaces, bracelets, woven into hair or clothing. Colors correspond to elemental affinities: red for fire (Ignos), blue for water (Rayne), clear for air (Clode), brown for ground (Bulder). The beads themselves are simple, but what they represent defines a person's entire social standing.
Also known as: Element Beads, Affinity Beads