Chaosmark

"Chaosmark- a word made up by Sedian politicians to scare the public into endorsing their rediculous control over the magically gifted..."
-Saturnia Rodenelle, advocate and outspoken Professor of High Sorcerery, Astrellos, 13,005 SA

"Chaosmark" is the most common name given to the markings commonly seen on those possessing Chaos Magic.
Chaosmarks are a type of birthmark seen in various people and races across the known world. Though some variations exist, the mark is always a silvery or gold colour with a colour-shifting iridescence. The affected skin is often smoother and more delicate than surrounding skin. Although this colour doesn't magically shift on its own, it can appear to do so and is often described as such by people who don't understand its mechanism.

Placement and common features

Chaosmarks can appear anywhere on the body. Common areas include the forearms, nape of the neck, and lower back. Marks on the face are not uncommon, and when the mark touches an eye, the colouration can also carry onto the iris of the eye and occasionally the sclera. Hairs that grow from skin affected by a choasmark grow white and translucent, and these hairs can be particularly fragile and require extra care. The marks have also been known to occasionally mark the inside of the mouth, leaving blotches of the silvery colour present on the roof of the mouth and tongue.

Occurrence and causes

Choasmarks are caused by the unstable magic present in a developing foetus affected by chaos magic. They are always present at birth, and if a mage affected by chaos magic is born without one, they do not appear later in life. These marks are never present on non-imbued children, but can occur on even the most lightly gifted of chaos mages.
It was once thought that the mark itself was the carrier of the magic, and that if cut or burned off, the person would be relieved of their powers. This is untrue, despite still being a common surviving myth in some small communities and cultures.

Colours and Variants

Chaosmarks come in an immense range of hues. They always appear irridescent or metallic and have some form of colour shift. It a common correlation is that that the colour is often indicative of the type of magic that the mage bearing the mark tends to be gifted in, and at other times the colour seems to be affected by the person's base skin tone. Dragonborn tend to carry very white chaosmarks, as their scales are a form of keratin and this seems to be similar to the delicate white hair that grows over chaosmarks on people with skin. While most chaosmarks tend to be silver in base colour, people of orcish descent often have golden-based marks (see image).

by District Leathers, New York

Chaos Marks can present in a range of hues (above, green/pink/gold shift, common on orcish skintones)

Cultural Significance

Many cultures frown upon chaos sorcerers, and some go as far as to see them as a bad omen or a bringer of bad luck. Sedia has laws that control the use of chaos magic, and a visible chaosmark is enough of a reason for police to detain a person there.

In Donoruhm where very few people practice wizardry-based magic, chaos casters are often some of the only magically-gifted people around. Often deeply respected and cherished in Donoruhm's dwarven cultures, chaos casters are known as Darennar. Translating roughly to "gem-coloured", it is a word also used to describe some dragons. Darennar are often respected healers and often learn additional magic in their path to understanding their gifts, taking up roles usually held by wizards or clerics in other cultures. In Donoruhm, dwarves carrying choasmarks will often adorn them with gemstones and gold-painted filigree, and they are worn as a great mark of pride.
In wood elf cultures where the worship of Liesiel and Ervian is very important, chaos marks are seen as the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon a child. Chaosmarked children are known as Tar'Liesiel, literally "touched by Liesiel". These children are often destined to become teachers of magic, scribes or priests of Liesiel. In the Veridian wood elf town of Ryal, chaos sorcerers bearing chaosmarks are said to be chosen by Liesiel, and are the caretakers of the vast gardens of Ryal and the church of Liesiel.

In Sedia, chaos sorcerers are incredibly common in the wood elf towns of Keseluna and Lea; often it is thought this has to do with the very active rift in the nearby mountains. These two towns are the only safe-havens in the country where chaos sorcerers can be free from Sedian laws, as the land is considered independent wood-elvish land and Sedian police have no legal powers there. They are a lot more welcome in Keseluna, however, as Lea upholds very strict worship of Ervian with values centric to balance.

by spooktacular