Hue distribution of the Hallifaxian lucidian population

A random sample of mid to upper caste adult (age 16 or greater) Hallifaxian lucidians were surveyed regarding their hue. The survey had a 98% response rate, which appears consistent with response rates of previous surveys. The remaining 2% were investigated by the appropriate authorities, and found to have acceptable reasons for declining to participate. The results of the survey may be extrapolated to the Hallifaxian population of the Upper Wards with a 95% confidence level and a 3% margin of error.

The survey requested that participants self-identify their skin, eye and protrusion[1] hue as being that of one of the following seven gemstones: Amethyst, Beryl, Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, and Sapphire. Gemstone samples were provided in a range of hues for each category for the purposes of comparison in order to ensure consistency. In cases where individuals naturally possessed multiple hues, they were requested to record the dominant hue, and then note the secondary hues in the space provided.

The results were interesting, although likely unsurprising for individuals who regularly inhabit the Upper Wards. For skin, the most common hues were those of the Sapphire category, followed by Diamond. The rarest hues appeared to be those of the Amethyst, Beryl, and Onyx  hues, with Emerald and Ruby in between with equal percentages of the population. The full breakdown follows:

Skin:

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| Hue Category    | % of Respondents |

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| Amethyst        |    2        |

| Beryl             |    2

| Diamond        |         32

| Emerald        |         12

| Onyx            |    2

| Ruby            |         12

| Sapphire        |         38

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Eye colour, by contrast, was much more equally spread out, with the exception of Ruby eyes, which it appears is exceedingly rare among the general population.

Eyes:

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| Hue Category    | % of Respondents |

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| Amethyst        |    12        |

| Beryl             |    16

| Diamond        |    12

| Emerald        |    16

| Onyx            |    20

| Ruby            |           0

| Sapphire        |         24

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In the course of this survey, we learned that roughly 12% of the respondents require spectacles.

 Only 12% of respondents noted protrusion colour that was of a distinctly different hue than their dominant hue.

Protrusion:

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| Hue Category    | % of Respondents |

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| Amethyst        |    2        |

| Beryl             |    6

| Diamond        |         34

| Emerald        |           9

| Onyx            |           7

| Ruby            |         11

| Sapphire        |         31

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There is a certain element of difficulty in attempting to use surveys to determine inheritable traits, due to the popularity of adoption of exceptional individuals by higher caste families. However there were a few interesting matters of note: The Adom family is significantly more likely to be of the sapphire category, with eyes of either amethyst or sapphire, than the average population. The zi’Prouep family is statistically more likely than average to have multiple hues in their pigmentation. The Oolin family is statistically more likely to be of sapphire or diamond hue than the average.

 Initial surveys of lucidian populations in other regions of the basin were taken in Talthos, the Mesa Compound and the Arthar’rt Observatory. We are still in the process of reviewing the data, as assuring a suitably randomised sample is more difficult in these locations. However initial analysis does suggest that these populations follow a similar pattern to Hallifax civilians with the majority of the populations being of the diamond or sapphire categories. One of the population centres, however, shows signs of having a statistically higher concentration of lucidians in the emerald category.

 It would be beyond the scope of this study to provide any explanation for the observed patterns of hue, however it is hoped that future studies may be able to explore why the sapphire and diamond hues appear in such greater quantities, or the reason for the apparent absence of ruby eyes. We do not, at this time, know whether hue is related to the biostructure of an individual, or if it relates to diet, sunlight or other environmental factors, or some combination of all of these.

 Future studies might wish to explore such questions of cause and effect with the aide of Lady Nihmriel Shevat's "Mortal Races: Creation, Biostructure and Regeneration" [2]. It would also be valuable to explore in more detail the differences in hue percentages between castes or among other population centres. On the matter of eyes and spectacles, it would be interesting to explore whether the use of spectacles correlates with eye hue, or if it is caused by inclusions, or relates to the shape and facets of the eye. [3] Finally, if anyone chooses to dig through the archives of old census records, it would be a matter of historical interest to track how the diversity of the lucidian population's hues has changed over time, and how Hallifax's population differs now from the time before the temporal anomaly.

[1] Protrusions, for the purposes of this survey, were defined as raised crystalline formations of at least a finger's breadth  that are generally of a distinct colour from the rest of the lucidian's skin. These are most frequently found upon the head in the form of ridges, spikes or crystalline strands, but may appear elsewhere as well. Many associate such protrusions with the hair found upon the heads of other races, however the resemblance is superificial only, at least in lucidians of minimally mixed descent.

 [2] Goldwyne, Nihmriel, "Mortal Races: Creation, Biostructure and Regeneration" Published by the Arboreal Library. Catalogue # 5820 of the Library of Universal Knowledge.

 [3] The author thanks Zyphora Windwhisper for posing intriguing questions regarding the use of spectacles by lucidians.

 

Lucidian Lustre, Diaphaneity and Colour with Age

The following study was conducted to observe changes in lustre, diaphaneity and colour over the lifetime of the average Hallifaxian lucidian. Participants in the study were selected at random from the population of Hallifax as a whole. Participants were offered a permanent age adjustment by the Institute as a reward for their participation, and appropriate steps were taken to guarantee maximum participation from all castes and ages. There was a 93% participation rate, and we have a 95% confidence level in the results with a 4% margin for error.

 Participants agreed to a series of trials over the course of one year. At each meeting Toshan meditative techniques accompanied by soothing aural frequencies were employed to ensure that the individual was at emotional equilibrium. The individual’s precise age was recorded, as well as the lustre and diaphaneity of the area immediately above their right collar bone, along with its hue, tone and saturation.

 These last three measurements were taken according to the standard scale used by gem traders by three Master Jewelers. With this scale, tone is measured from 0 to 10, where 0 is perfectly white, 10 is perfectly black, and 5 is a pure hue with neither white nor black added to it. Saturation is measured from 1 to 6. Lower saturation have more gray (for cool hues) or brown (for warm hues) mixed in.

 [[A series of three figures has been inserted here. The first, labeled "Tone," is composed of eleven finely sliced gemstone squares of identical diaphaneity placed next to each other in a palette that ranges from pure white, at 0 through to pure sapphire at 5, and on to pure onyx at 10. The second, labeled "Saturation" is composed of 6 gemstone slices, with 1 being a dirty sapphire colour, increasing in brilliance through the one labeled 6 being the most brilliant. The third, labeled "Optical Properties" shows a cross section of a colourful gemstone cylinder, where distinct hues form radial spokes, fading from low saturation at the center of the cylinder to high saturation at the circumference, while the tone varies from pure white at the bottom, to pure black at the top, the cut into the cylinder allowing the observer to view a simplified version of the interactions of the three qualities in determining colour]]

 A sample gemstone chip that matched these specifications was selected, and kept with the numerical records.Over the course of the year, participants were aeonically aged and deaged within acceptable safety margins, and at each new age point the lustre, diaphaneity, hue, tone and saturation were noted and a new chip was selected.

 The resulting data confirmed what casual observation suggested. We were unable to find a statistically significant variance over age for lustre, although an individual’s lustre may vary over the years. Diaphaneity may decrease very slightly with age, although it is not clear that the data revealed a statistically significant predictable decrease. There was no statistically significant predictable variance of hue over age, although again individuals’ hue did vary over time. The most marked changes were in tone and saturation. The average lucidian begins to noticeably lose tone and saturation after the age of 50.

This study also sought to explore variations in the expression of emotions with age. At each new age point, participants were shown a brief scene upon a recording device that had been designed to elicit anger, joy, or sorrow. No participant ever viewed the same scene twice. (A previous study had established a canon of scenes that could be expected to evoke similar degrees of emotional responses within an individual). Their reactions were recorded, and then the area above the right collar bone was analysed for hue, tone and saturation. Even with the canon of scenes, there were anomalously severe reactions, but these were found to be infrequent enough that they were easily discounted as outside the standard error when the overall trend over all the individuals of the study was examined.

 The study found that an individual’s hue in response to joy, sorrow or anger did not change in a statistically predictable manner, although it might vary. Under the age of 16, it was difficult to draw any coherent conclusions. However, from about the age of sixteen, the variation in saturation of emotional responses increased steadily, until peaking sometime between age 18 and age 28, with the median being around age 25. The variation in saturation of emotional responses then decreased for the next decade before levelling off, and then again decreasing after the age of 50.  

 Tone was more complex, as higher (or darker) tones appeared to be associated with anger, while joy or sorrow appeared to be marked by a decrease in tone. Nonetheless a decrease in variation in tone of emotional responses was noted that correlated strongly with the decrease in variation of saturation.

 In conclusion, the anecdotally observed pattern of more elderly lucidians becoming paler and their emotions becoming less easily observable was confirmed by the results of this study. The gradual lightening of skin is not related to a distinct shift in hue, but rather to a gradual decrease in both tone and saturation. The cause of this change is beyond the scope of this study. Further analysis of the data will be required to determine if certain hues or levels of diapheneity experience a steeper decline in tone or saturation. It is also an open question whether the decrease in variation of tone and saturation as a result of emotional responses is entirely natural, or a product of increasing mental control over emotions as an individual ages.

 

Differing Conclusions

It is always interesting when different researchers separately perform the similar studies. It is even more fascinating when, as in the case of Portius Nitraedes's “Age Disparity in Lucidian Chromatic Expression”[1] (ADLCE) and my own “Lucidian Lustre, Diaphaneity, and Colour with Age”[2] (LLDCA), seemingly contradictory conclusions are reached. I am grateful for the opportunity to examine how different methodologies may produce different results, in the hopes that the following will aid future scientists in developing their analytical skills.

 Differences in the Pigment Method and the Gemstone Method

The difficulties in using pigment alone to describe lucidian skin has been well known for millenia, and it has been theorised that the art form of mosaic arose from lucidians not only because of their historic familiarity with gemstones, but also because gems were more accurately able to approximate lucidian skin than pigment. From the description of the Pigment method provided[1], it measures what the Gemstone Method[2] calls hue and tone. The Gemstone Method additionally measures saturation (rather than black or white, this involves the influence of grey or brown upon the palette). The Pigment Method, furthermore, does not appear to allow a way to control for diaphaneity. Both methods required expert observers to consistently make rapid judgements.

 Differences in Sampling:

It is worth noting that both studies claim, briefly, to have selected the sample randomly. Neither, unfortunately, goes into particular detail as to why they are confident in the sample’s randomness, likely due to constraints in this format’s length. However it is worth noting that the sample for ADLCE was selected from the servant caste, while the sample for LLDCA was random across all castes. It is worth considering whether the lucidian servant caste is a suitable sample to extrapolate information for all lucidians.

 Particularly, we should consider the possibility that the sample from the servant caste was, on average, younger, than the sample from the whole of the Hallifaxian population. This would allow the increase in variance in saturation and tone in the teens and twenties noted in LLDCA to influence the results of ADLCE. Logic tells us that it is not impossible that the servant caste is proportionally younger, as older members may have reached a higher caste, be in positions where their duties prevented them from being eligible for participation in the requisition, or have been eliminated due to a reduced life span.

 Differences in Methodology:

ADLCE measured reactions to the emotions of fear, sorrow and joy. LLDCA measured reactions to the emotions of anger, sorrow and joy. The difference between reactions of fear or anger may not be insignificant, and could be a useful future study.

 The period of sensory deprivation in ADLCE was doubtless highly beneficial for creating a baseline of measurement. Such methods would not have been practical, or appropriate, for LLDCA, as it would be entirely unthinkable to require a member of the Highest Castes to experience an hour-long period of sensory deprivation. However, I am confident that the meditative techniques LLDCA were successful in achieving a similar consistency. Either technique might reasonably be questioned as to having an undue influence on the emotions inspired by the holographic recordings.

 ADLCE compared individuals with each other, while LLDCA compared individuals with both younger and older versions of themselves, automatically controlling for strong individual variance. It might be posited that Aeonic ageing would not age one in the same way as more “natural” methods, although this would appear to contradict previous experiments and experience.

 This is hardly an exhaustive analysis of the various differences between the two studies that might have resulted in the difference in results. Most likely, it was a combination of several of them. Which study to find most persuasive is left to the discretion of the reader. It is to be hoped that future studies will be able to continue the work begun by ADLCE and LLDCA in exploring variances in emotional responses with age to determine the many biostructural and psychological causes of such variances.

[1] Nitraedes, Portius. "Age Disparity in Lucidian Chromatic Expression"  

[2] Pavok, Aithera “Lucidian Lustre, Diaphaneity, and Colour with Age”