Stigma

Kevin Graham's stigma as represented by Anima in Trails in the Sky The 3rd.

Stigma (聖痕(スティグマ)) is a supernatural power that raises the physical and magical limits of its host. The Septian Church considers the stigma an engraving upon the soul.

Exhausting the power of one's stigma is potentially life-threatening to the host.

Background

Wazy Hemisphere drawing power from his stigma for his S-Craft Akashic Arm.

Every Dominion, a special rank among the Gralsritter of the Septian Church, experienced the stigmatisation. There have never been more than twelve Dominion at a given time in history, meaning that there have never been more than twelve manifested Stigmata at the same time. Dominions can sense potential stigmatisations, as Ein Selnate displayed with both the stigmatisation of Kevin Graham and Wazy Hemisphere.

As a Dominion becomes more skilled at drawing power from their stigma, their attacks become stronger and they develop new abilities. The hypothesis that Kevin could have developed the ability to read his support Ries Argent's mind is denied by neither. It is also believed that Ein owes her position as first Dominion because she is most skilled at extracting her stigma's power.

Kevin Graham's stigmatisation, S.1198.

Requirements

It appears two conditions have to be met for a stigma to manifest. First, the host needs to be mentally burdened, which usually comes in the form of a trauma. Second, the host needs to be in the vicinity of an artifact.

The stigmatisation of Kevin suggests that stigmata can manifest partially when not in the vicinity of an artifact. In Trails in the Sky The 3rd, Kevin theorised that he survived his depressed mother's attempt to strangle him because of his semi-manifested stigma.

Channelling

Kevin Graham using Merkabah's S Mode to amplify the power of his Stigma Canon - Mechidels.

Dominions are capable of channelling the power of their stigma through their Merkabah aircraft. During the Finale of Ao no Kiseki, Kevin Graham has Squire Marcus activate the "S Mode", in which S stands for stigma. The blast was powerful enough to take out the airspace patrolling Aion Type-β.

Reproduction

Georg Weissmann experimented with reproducing stigma on normal humans to create an army of superhumans (超人(ちょうじん)). Joshua Bright, who was subjected to one of these experiments, explains that in order to be controlled by Weissmann, the stigma was etched into the depths of his consciousness and manifested on his arm.

During the events of Trails in the Sky SC, Kevin Graham removed the stigma from Joshua's consciousness and thereby freeing him from Weissmann's control. In addition, Kevin was ordered by the Church to assassinate Weissmann for experimenting with the reproduction of the stigma.

Gallery

Dominion No. II, Thomas Lysander's.

Dominion No. V, Kevin Graham's.

Dominion No. VIII, Gaius Worzel's (formerly Barkhorn's).

Dominion No. IX, Wazy Hemisphere's.