The cloaked figures are a mysterious group that appear throughout the Vale, and they have a complex relationship with Scaevus and Migi. These figures are often described as silent watchers or guardians, and they seem to be connected to the system that governs the Vale.

General Characteristics of the Cloaked Figures

• Appearance: The cloaked figures are consistently described as wearing dark, flowing cloaks that blend seamlessly into shadows. This attire makes them difficult to detect, and they often appear as if they are part of the environment itself. Their faces are typically hidden by their hoods, adding to their enigmatic nature.
• Mannerisms: They are characterized by their calm, deliberate movements and their unnatural patience. They often tilt their heads as if listening or sensing something beyond the ordinary. The figures are silent, rarely speaking or making any sound. When they do communicate, it is often through a low, resonant voice that seems to echo in the minds of those who can perceive them.
• Connection to the System: The cloaked figures are closely tied to the system that governs the Vale. They seem to be observers and guardians, possibly even fragments of the system itself. Their presence often signals areas of significance, such as monoliths or other artifacts of the system. They appear to be aware of the cycles of the world and the destinies of the people with glowing hands. They seem to be interacting with the system to guide or give hints of what needs to be done.
• Observational Role: The cloaked figures are often seen watching and following characters, but they rarely interfere directly. They appear to be assessing and observing, rather than actively participating in events. This observational role suggests that they may have a specific purpose or agenda related to the system. They seem to be able to move through the "threads" of the system.

Scaevus's Relationship with the Cloaked Figures

• Rogue Status: Scaevus is portrayed as a rogue among the cloaked figures, having broken away from the group. This is a significant aspect of his character, making him an individual with a deeper understanding of the Vale and its energy, but also a mystery to unravel.
• Past Conflict: There is a flashback scene in which Scaevus is being forcibly taken by cloaked figures before Saltare intervenes. This encounter suggests that Scaevus was once a part of the group or had a strong connection to them, but now opposes their objectives. He seems to have knowledge about the cracks in the system that the cloaked figures are trying to maintain.
• Knowledge and Separation: Scaevus's deeper knowledge of the Vale could stem from his connection to the cloaked figures, as well as his separation from them. His past experiences may have given him insights that the other cloaked figures lack, which might be the reason for his departure. Scaevus’s actions and choices could hint at a conflict between free will and the system’s constraints, mirroring some of the group’s struggles.
• Possible Test: Saltare speculates that the cloaked figure he encounters could be a test from Scaevus, which implies Scaevus might know more about their agenda than he lets on, or is aware that Saltare may encounter them. This idea suggests that Scaevus is still somewhat connected to their influence or is trying to use it for his own ends, possibly to protect Saltare or to see if he is capable of understanding the system.

Migi's Relationship with the Cloaked Figures

• Unique Among the Cloaked: Migi is a cloaked figure, but he is different from the others in that he has a multicolored glowing hand, which is considered unique among the cloaked figures. This glowing hand marks him as an anomaly, perhaps chosen for a specific purpose.
• Awareness: Migi is acutely aware of the cloaked figures, suggesting that he is still connected to them in some way. However, he doesn't reveal this information to the group, keeping his knowledge to himself and maintaining a cryptic persona. He feels the presence of the cloaked figures, but he doesn't let on to the group that he does.
• Part of and Apart: Migi is described as being "part of them and apart from them". This suggests he is both connected to the cloaked figures and somehow separate from them. His unique glow and cryptic awareness could indicate that he is attuned to the system's instability, making him a bridge between the system and the group.
• Possible Connection to Sora: Migi's multicolored glow is sensed by a mystic who claims to hear whispers of a being named Sora. This connection suggests that Migi's unique glow and status among the cloaked figures could be tied to a larger entity or force.
• Cryptic Nature: Migi, much like the other cloaked figures, is cryptic and often speaks in riddles. This makes it hard to understand his true intentions, but it is suggested that he is not just playing around. His cryptic responses and his knowledge of the system open more questions and link the cloaked figures to a deeper mystery.
• Observer Role: Like the others, Migi also seems to be observing the group and the world, but he also is participating with the group. He is fascinated with Saltare's willingness to run headlong into the unknown, but he also warns the group about the dangers they are facing.

Possible Origins and Purposes of the Cloaked Figures

• Guardians or Watchers: The cloaked figures might be silent guardians or watchers of the Vale, its monoliths, and other significant areas. They may be protecting the balance of the system, ensuring that things proceed as they should.
• Echoes of the System's Creators: They could be constructs or fragments of the system itself, created by an ancient force to maintain or guide the world. This could explain their appearances, disappearances, and their connection to the system.
• Aware of Cycles: They appear to be aware of the history of the world, its cycles of destruction and rebirth, and the role of those with glowing hands. This knowledge makes them significant to the unfolding narrative. They seem to be observing the world, possibly trying to steer its direction.
• Connection to Monoliths: There is evidence that the monoliths are more tied to the cloaked figures than to anything else. This would explain why Migi had such an intense reaction when he touched one of them.
• Invisible to Most: They seem to be visible only to those with the glow, or at least to those whom the system deems important.

Contrasting Scaevus and Migi with the Other Cloaked Figures

• Scaevus as a Rogue: Scaevus's separation from the cloaked figures and his more direct, though cryptic, interactions with Saltare and the group set him apart. Unlike the other cloaked figures who mostly observe, Scaevus actively influences events, albeit in a mysterious way.
• Migi as an Anomaly: Migi, while still cloaked and enigmatic, is an anomaly with his unique glowing hand and his integration into the group. His participation within the group makes him different from the other cloaked observers, and his unique glow may tie him to larger forces, such as Sora.

In summary, the cloaked figures are a complex and mysterious group that are integral to the world's system and the story's narrative. Scaevus, a rogue among them, and Migi, a unique anomaly with a glowing hand, add further depth to the mystery surrounding the cloaked figures and their connection to the system of the Vale. Their roles as observers, guardians, and possible manipulators of fate add tension and complexity to the storyline and make their interactions and motivations important to the overall narrative. The cloaked figures' motivations and their goals are still unclear, but it is apparent that they are integral to the system of the world and have strong connections to both Scaevus and Migi.