It is said that Aspect Auras are the souls of dragon gods hence "Aspect" as a representation of that soul in the flesh. Ultimately, Aspects are considered "warlords" for normal day-to-day purposes. Human vessels will receive the feelings and memories of former vessels, and are often influenced and advised by these former Aspects. They also receive Vassal Traits permanently due to a small amount of Aura always leaking from their bodies as well as a greatly extended lifespan (~500 years). When infused completely by the Aspect Aura, the human vessel transforms into Dragon godkin. The dragon godkin form drains an Aspect aura quickly as an aura, while regenerative, is a finite resource. Typically only seen in battle against another Aspect or, in some cases, an Aspect's vassals. Recovery time is required afterward as they can be nearly, if not completely, incapacitated by the transformation. They are also not invincible as vassals working in concert have been able to severely damage and even kill an Aspected vessel, depending on how much aura they are imbued with and battle scenarios. This is still an extremely difficult task, however, with the outcome favoring the Aspect usually. Most regular humans under the warlords consider them to be gods when the dragon appears - such is the difference in strength between the two ends of the spectrum.

Vassals receive a small portion of an Aspect's aura and thus can take on "aspect flairs", such as deadly dragon-esque claws. They also receive extended lifespans (~500 years). These flairs only take shape when channeling the Aura, and Vassals are otherwise human. Vassals essentially function as generals for the Aspect. They may also pick up another gift or two depending on the amount of aura they are imbued with. What they gain exactly is dependent on the Aspect they've been "blessed" by and the vassal himself/herself. The one thing that is common among them is their abilities to manipulate their Aspect Lord's element. The strength of a vassal's aura usage is dependent upon how much aura an Aspect imbues them with. An Aspect tends not to do more than they feel necessary as it drains from their aura usage as well - like from a glass of water being poured into small glasses. Choosing a vassal is considered a major undertaking for an Aspect because of this and the more 'familial' like tie that forms. More aura tends to be a gift to the vassal for loyalty. Only one blessing can be received at a time.

Formerly a vassal of Numeri, the Aspect of Ice, Kierian led one of his master’s battalions into Calderi and ended up slaying the Aspect of Fire after a long and exhausting battle. At that time, the Aspect of Fire was known as an honorable woman and loved by her dominion because of it. When her aura was drained following the end of her dragon godkin cycle, she was left nearly incapacitated and slowly dying. In preparation to extract her aura for Numeri, Kierian lifted her nearly incapacitated body in preparation to offer her last rites. She was touched by the kindness of her enemy's vassal and ended up asking for mercy for her people. When Kierian agreed, she reached her hand up to his face, forming a mental link between the two and willingly - and somewhat forcefully - transferred her aura to Kierian directly, along with all the memories and emotions of the previous Aspects of Fire. It was her way of making sure he kept his promise, but also knowing that her country needed a strong Aspect with a capacity for mercy if Calderi were to unite the warring dominions, which was not at the hands of Numeri. At the same time, she greatly weakened Numeri by removing one of his strongest vassals from the board as the process unhinged his mind for a while and was the only thing strong enough to destroy the Ice Aspect aura housed in Kierian's body.

It would take three years in a self-imposed exile following his desertion from Numeri’s army for him to come to terms with his conflicting emotions and memories from the former Aspects, whose lives and personalities were his constant companions. During this process, the former vassal of his enemy would become his friend and mentor and – once he came to terms with everything – his first vassal. Being the equivalent of a decade older than him (~50 years in their lifespan), his feelings for Mei were never spoken out loud except in quick glances and light touches, and to this day he still has no concrete idea just which way her feelings went in regard to him.

When he never returned from the battle, Numeri searched for his vassal and ultimately found out what happened and was furious – furious but still willing to try and bring Kierian back to obtain the aura. But by then Kierian’s fidelity to Numeri had eroded from the constant onslaught of the former Aspects and Mei’s company. When he did finally come to terms with it, he made good on his promise and took on the mantle of the Aspect of Fire against his former master.

Kierian was in a stalemate with Numeri after going back and forth for over a century. An opportunity came up to sink the Ice army in a pass in their territory. His ally, the Aspect of Air, tipped him off but ultimately betrayed him to Numeri. In the pass, Numeri was waiting and stole his aura – and thus his “Aspecthood” – and left him broken. His life was saved at the cost of Mei’s life.

Because of his encounter with Numeri in the pass, the former Fire Aspects were ripped out of his mind, leaving a faint echo like an itch he can’t quite scratch. Due to being a former Aspect, he retained the qualities of a vassal, but for the first time in a century, he was alone and vulnerable.

Calderi is currently in disarray with the fall of their Aspect, the army destroyed. Having had three vassals, Kierian's two living vassals continue a slowly losing guerrilla warfare battle within Calderi while Kierian remains exiled after barely escaping Numeri. The fire to protect the dominion still burns bright despite the absence of the aura, and ultimately, he hopes to re-secure his aura and destroy his former Master.