Shard-Bearer

Shard-Bearers are those souls that come to Kenos bearing a Shard. Shard-Bearers are uncommon in Kenos, and how they’re treated depends on which faction they ally themselves with. After all, these are the people who can channel the forces of Meridian or Zenith most effectively, and with that ability, they’re able to undergo the process of Harmonization. However, with Harmonization comes its mirror, Discord, which is more detrimental to the Shard-Bearer.
In short, a Shard-Bearer is a term for a player character, though NPC Shard-Bearers do exist as well.

History

Shard-Bearers have existed as long as Kenos itself according to both factions. Shard-Bearers are unique people who arrival in Kenos with a pre-destined purpose, for they’re the only ones able to participate in the fight over the mysterious Oracles — the things that each faction wishes to claim to see their respective goals realized. As such, Shard-Bearers are categorized by “generations”, which is a term used to designate certain cut-offs that exist relative to the Oracle wars.
A new generation of Shard-Bearers starts when an Oracle war ends. Since up to this point there’s been no definitive victory between the factions, the wars are a repeating cycle. Because of the intensity of these wars, information about previous conflicts tends to be sparse, but the current batch of Shard-Bearers is considered the sixth generation. Similarly, it’s not possible to find Shard-Bearers from previous generations since they’d all perished in the previous wars or passed away of natural causes such as old age. That said, it is possible to find records of them or old memorials dedicated to particularly notable Shard-Bearers. The fifth generation seems to have ended approximately 300 years ago.
Of the current generation, there’s another notable divide. The Oracle wars are heralded by an arrival of a large group of Shard-Bearers at one time (that is, when the game opened), and it’s these Shard-Bearers and those that come after them that tend to have more ability to fight for the Oracles. Before this, Shard-Bearers tended to come by themselves or in very small clusters. These Shard-Bearers are the NPC Shard-Bearers and largely will not directly participate in the conflicts, and instead provide supporting roles to PCs. One example of a sixth generation Shard-Bearer is Manon.

NPC Attitudes

At large, Shard-Bearers are respected by the populace of Kenos (until given reason to do otherwise, naturally). Regardless of their factional alliance, Shard-Bearers are carrying the hopes of their factions as well as being more powerful than an average NPC and functionally immortal thanks to their Shard. They may be granted special privileges and treatment between the two cities, but this does differ slightly between the factions. 
These descriptions also assume that a character's alliance is public enough knowledge for NPCs to know. Their allegiance is absolutely something they can be more quiet about to be treated with a baseline of respect without the advantages and disadvantages that being more public can bring.

Meridian

For Meri, Shard-Bearers are their hope.
If a character is aligned with Meridian, they’re somewhat like folk heroes. Because the Shard-Bearers are fighting for everyone’s chance to see their worlds restored and return home, they’re generally respected and adored. Receiving small gifts or discounts on services isn’t out of the question, and NPCs may be more curious to hear about a Shard-Bearer’s home. It’s considered rude to be pushy with their gratitude, but there’s definitely a general sense that a Meri Shard-Bearer is important to these people.
If a character is aligned with Zenith, they’ll be treated with trepidation if not outright coldness. Cyrus is a personal advocate for the Zenites to be treated well while they’re in Springstar, just as the Meri are when they visit Highstorm, but how much this is followed depends on the person. After all, to the Meri, Zenites are destroying everything they ever knew and loved. The Meri don’t believe that their homes are destroyed beyond repair, so what Zenith wants amounts to doing so.

Zenith

For Zenites, Shard-Bearers are their future.
If a character is aligned with Meridian, they’ll be treated politely, but there’s a common, if subtle, undercurrent of condescension. Zenites are more likely to pity Meri, since in their view, the Meri are clinging to a hope that’s impossible to see fulfilled. They’re not being realistic and are blinded by what they want to be true rather than what’s actually true. This can range from a sympathetic pity to an outright disdain, but it’s uncommon for a devoutly Zenite NPC to want to know anything more about a Meri or try to convince them of their viewpoint.
If a character is aligned with Zenith, they’re considered the enactors of change and the populace deeply respects them, but not with the reverence that can be found in Meridian. They’re more akin to respected members of a community who hold power and influence. As such, rather than outright gifts or tokens, a Zenite is more likely to be granted favors, information, or other tools of soft power from an NPC. After all, whatever comes after Kenos, you’ll all be there together. It’s a common enough sentiment that getting in a Shard-Bearer’s good graces will be personally helpful.

Unharmonized

Finally, Unharmonized Shard-Bearers are treated with a general respect regardless. If a Shard-Bearer tells an NPC they’re not Harmonized, the NPC might try and engage them in a conversation about it, whether out of curiosity or trying to convince them to pick a side. Especially as the conflict between the factions heats up, the NPCs will be more likely to try and be persuasive. 
If someone notably remains Unharmonized for a long period of time, they may start to be treated less kindly. While NPCs are respectful of the choice since it’s a large one to make, those that put off the decision for months would be considered cowardly more than prudent.