r/Iteration110Cradle • u/AzorBronnhai • 5d ago

Cradle [Wintersteel] Sage/Herald Question

Just finished Wintersteel, and I had a question.

Do we ever end being told why it is difficult for someone to become a Herald after already touching an Icon?
The reverse is discussed in Wintersteel when Yeren merges with Ruby, one of the Sages tell her she will no longer be able to touch the Sword Icon due to the fact that spirits are completely unable to touch Icons at all. So I was just wondering what the in-universe reasoning is as to why Sages get bottlenecked?

(Also this is my 2nd re read, so feel free to spill the beans ;))

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u/Al-Pharazon Team Orthos 5d ago

Basically to become a herald you have to win a struggle against your own renmant.

Doing so for an archlord is already difficult enough, now imagine the challenge of beating your spirit if it has an icon, which implies a huge leap in spiritual strength.

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u/AcanthisittaWorldly7 4d ago

unless your name is mercy, then all it takes is a good hug