Pandora Hearts - Terminology

Terminology

Chains (チェイン, Chein?)

Beings from the Abyss that were at one point human, transformed by the Will of the Abyss. They must sign a contract with a human contractor in order to leave the Abyss. Chains involved in illegal contracts must repeatedly consume humans in order to gain power. Some chains, such as Humpty Dumpty, can have multiple contracts. When they do, for each contract it makes, the revolution on an illegal contractor seal will slow down even more.

Contract (契約, Keiyaku?)

An agreement between a chain and a contractor. The chain is bound within the contractor and can be called out at will. In return, the contractor provides passage for the chain out of the Abyss. Legal contracts, that were made possible by Pandora, granted the ability never to age the Contractor. In illegal contracts, a clock-like seal appears somewhere on the Contractor's body, over their heart. Each time the chain's powers are drawn, the hand in the seal moves like on a clock. If a contract between the chain and contractor becomes void it will kill the contractor. Once the hand makes one full rotation, both the contractor and the chain are dragged into the deepest level of the Abyss.

Contractor (契約者, Keiyakusha?)

A human who makes a contract with a chain. There are certain procedures to making a contract, but imprompt contracts can also be made, although they are illegal.

Abyss (アヴィス, Avisu?)

The world that chains come from. It exists in a different dimension as the world, and as thus, time doesn't truly exist in the Abyss. A person can find themselves in any random time period upon exiting the Abyss, though usually the person is transported forward in time. According to Break, the Abyss can appear as a prison or a broken toy box, depending on the person.

Intention of the Abyss (アヴィスの意志, Avisu no Ishi?)

The existence that governs the Abyss. Usually appears in the form of a bloodied rabbit doll with big round eyes. The real form of the Will of the Abyss is similar to Alice but with white hair and wears white or light colored dresses whereas Alice wears dark colored ones. Apparently the Intention of the Abyss wants Oz to go back in the Abyss, and is revealed to be Alice's twin. The Intention of Abyss and Alice were both conceived in the human world and born in the Abyss by Lacie. The Intention of the Abyss hates Alice and wishes to destroy her. It is revealed her real name is Alice as well and that the name Intention of the Abyss was only a title given to her by Revis as his experiment. She is Lacie's daughter who remained in the Abyss and became the human vessel for the Core of the Abyss.

The Four Great Dukedoms (四大公爵家, Yondai Koushaku Ke?)

It currently consists of the Vessalius, Rainsworth, Nightray and Barma family. These four Dukedoms have been in existence before the Tragedy of Sabrie. They founded the Pandora and each hold chains and a door to the Abyss. Of these four houses, the Vessalius and Nightray houses are thought of as exact opposites, like light and dark: the Vessalius house works publicly, while the Nightray house is responsible for doing the behind-the-scenes work.

Before the Tragedy of Sabrie occurred, the Vessalius family was a third class noble family, and thus, not part of the Four Dukedoms. Instead, the fourth Dukedom was the Baskerville house - with Glen as the head. When Jack killed Glen for starting the Tragedy of Sabrie, the Vessalius family was seen as heroes. And thus, the Vessalius substitutes the Baskervilles as the fourth Dukedom. Therefore, the Baskervilles holds the fifth Door to the Abyss.

Pandora (パンドラ, Pandora?)

An organization founded by the Four Dukedoms. It specializes in research regarding the Abyss.

Tragedy of Sablier (サブリエの悲劇, Saburie no Higeki?)

The city of Sablier was once the capital city of the world. However, 100 years ago, for unknown reasons, someone used a ritual to send the entire city, with its citizens, into the Abyss.

Children of Misfortune (禍罪の子, Maga Tsumi no Ko?)

The Children of Misfortune is a myth which has been ongoing for hundreds of years. The myth is telling that children born with red eyes will bring terrible misfortune, such as death and destruction, which in this case actually happens. Known Children of Misfortune in the series are: Lacie Baskerville (killed trafficmen and danced in their blood), Vincent Nightray (killed the whole royal family to save his brother) and Xerxes Break (his entire Master's family was slaughtered except for the daughter and to save them he killed over 116 people and offered them to his Chain, Albus, hoping that the Intention of the Abyss might be thankful and change the past).

Doors

Doors are gates to the Abyss that the Four Dukedoms control. Each Dukedom has control over one, with Baskerville holding the last, fifth Door. It is revealed in Chapter 41 that all along, the door of the Baskerville's was hidden in Sablier, which is under Pandora's control. Yet, Pandora has never thought to look within to find it.

Blood sealing mirrors

An item used to make a legal contract. Instead of the contractor drinking the blood of the chain, the blood gets absorbed into the mirror where a seal is formed, keeping the seal off of the person. If the mirror is broken, you can lose the contract to the chain. It also has a limit on the power you can use.