Mark of the Luster

The Mark of the Luster is a branding of shame, made to identify an individual to be shunned. The mark consists of three vertical lines, tapering downwards, with a single horizontal line cutting through them all. The three lines are meant to symbolize the many chances and opportunities an individual is given by the Empire, while the horizontal line symbolizes the individual's squandering of those opportunities and chances. Citizens are arrested and given the brand if they are a repeated offender of unsanctioned sexual acts. Offenders are branded on the side of their necks so the mark is visible but not prominent.   Bearers of the mark, both men and women, are supposed to be shunned by their comrades. Some conservative Grenagans, more loyal to the empire, take this very seriously and refuse to speak to branded individuals. Other, more liberal Grenagans care less about the mark. The government does little to enforce the shunning of branded individuals.   Branded citizens receive less pay from their employment, and are also at a lower priority for other social services such as the issuing of a Replacement after a severe injury. In addition to this, female bearers of the mark are not allowed to hold office or high positions in the Grenagan Ministries. In this way, bearers of the Mark of the Luster are discriminated against by the government, and this is enough of a deterrent to keep the majority of citizens in check. Though the mark is identifying and permanent, the Ministry of Jurisprudence keeps a record of all individuals who are branded.