Long ago, the Orchestrators marked populations on the planet with their influence. They granted them tremendous power to make them better tools, and this "gift" has continued to surface in a small percentage of present-day individuals, despite the long absence of their once masters.
Marks are symbols that appear on the skin of an individual when they use the power associated with their mark. This sign glows powerfully, and it lingers for a period determined by the extent of the power's use. The color also depends on the Mark in question.
The power granted by a Mark is similar to both instinctive and conscious magic. Only the Marked are capable of anything like it. Their physiology accommodates paying a different kind of price to call about this power, though it is not entirely understood. Many are forced into this state when they feel like their life is at risk.
Withdrawal:
There are withdrawal symptoms, specific to the Mark variant in question, and they remain for a period of time, the length of which dependant on the power's use.
There are no proven treatments for The Mark, save for death.
The Shrouded Theocracy engages in extreme, long-term indoctrination practices to discourage the use of the powers. Supplemental classical conditioning regimes administer pain to young subjects whenever the power is used, only intensifying if the Mark is activated. It is not a perfect "solution", but Shroud uses it when it wants to make soldiers out of Marked individuals, using the tremendous power in war or research.
Research:
Scientists trace the origin of a Mark back to biology but are split between two major competing explanations for the phenomena. Some believe it is a variant of innate magical ability that developed from a mutation. It was selected for in early civilizations. Others believe that the Marked were not produced by mutation, but by an outside force. Evidence hasn't pointed to any specific force or source, and this makes such hypotheses highly controversial. Critics of this theoretical framework love to point out the reliance on faith. Supporters do not believe they need to know what the missing catalyst is to see that the genetics of not one but many species have been influenced in a way all too similar to be a coincidence.
Prejudice:
Marked individuals are often treated with scorn because their powers are viewed as disgusting or dangerous. There is a real reason for fearing Marked, each Mark wields dangerous powers, but it is often an exaggerated fear that surfaces.
Shrouded Theocracy:
The Shrouded Theocracy even goes so far as to label the Marked as agents of evil. The Theocracy uses the Marked as scapegoats for various problems caused by complex forces that the authorities can’t control, even if they tried. A large portion of the ignorant populace has much faith in the all-powerful government. The government has the responsibility of meeting these expectations, and they pre-empt discontent by redirecting it at an already demonized minority. In this way, The Theocracy maintains its hold over the people.
Imprinted Reverant:
The Imprinted Reverent was a civilization that existed in the past on a different continent. Marked were believed to be touched by divinity, though not the wicked Strangers mentioned in Shaden scripture. Some traditions from this time have persevered, though they are generally seen as bizarre once analyzed. Even historians rarely make the connection between the 'Imprinted' and the Marked of the present day. The stance of the Shrouded Theocracy was that these were primitive fools of the past, heathens and sinners long since killed by their ignorance and their vices.
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