The mangi stones function as a motif embodying the concept of control, both in systemic oppression and in necessary self-sacrifice. In King Edmond’s Kenta, these speckled stones, typically fashioned into collars, are the primary tools of authoritarianism. Forcing Heirs to wear them is a physical manifestation of The Exploitative Foundations of Tyranny, as the stones suppress their innate magical abilities and enforce compliance, reducing them to a state of powerlessness. Wells expresses the burdens of this system when he worries that his future child will one day be forced to wear the collar.

Conversely, for Jovie and Acker, the stones become a tool of self-preservation and responsible governance. To lead their people and protect their minds from the Bond’s overwhelming influence, they must willingly wear the stones. Jovie’s complex gyve is a constant reminder of connection to Acker that becomes a burden in its own right. She acknowledges this paradox, noting, “The shame over wearing it never abates, knowing my people view such collars as a symbol of repression” (25). This willing adoption of an oppressive symbol to make herself a better ruler demonstrates The Personal Sacrifices Demanded by Leadership, forcing rulers to endure personal hardship for the greater good. The stones thus exist in a state of tension in the novel, symbolizing both the chains of tyranny and the necessary restraints of leadership.

Hearthstone weapons are a recurring symbol of violation, representing a form of tyranny that seeks to annihilate an individual’s essential self. In a world where magic is an intrinsic part of an Heir’s identity, the ability to heal is fundamental to their nature. Hearthstone weapons are uniquely terrifying because they sever this connection, “killing someone’s magic, making it impossible for them to heal” (14). This function elevates them beyond mere tools of war to instruments of existential erasure. When Jovie witnesses a young soldier die from a hearthstone ax, his inability to heal emphasizes the weapon’s finality and cruelty.

King Edmond’s secret efforts to mine and stockpile hearthstone reveal the true depth of his villainy; his goal isn’t merely control, which can be achieved with mangi stones, but the permanent eradication of those he deems a threat. The proliferation of these weapons signifies an escalation of the conflict, directly illustrating the exploitative foundations of tyranny by showing the tyrant’s willingness to destroy the very essence of the people he exploits. The use of hearthstone is seen as a crime against nature, and its presence on the battlefield marks the point where the war for freedom becomes a struggle against total obliteration.