Chaosmark
"Chaosmark- a word made up by Sedian politicians to scare the public into endorsing their rediculous control over the magically gifted..."
"Chaosmark" is the most common name given to the markings commonly seen on those possessing Chaos Magic.
Chaosmarks are a type of birthmark that always coincides with chaos magic. 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 discolouration can carry onto the iris of the eye, and occasionally the sclera. Hairs that grow from skin affected by a choasmark are white and translucent, and these hairs can be particularly fragile, requiring. The marks have also been known to occasionally discolour the inside of the mouth, leaving patches on the roof of the mouth, gums and tongue.
Occurrence and causes
Choasmarks are caused by the unstable magic present in a developing foetus. 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. To summarise: not all chaos mages bear chaosmarks, but every individual bearing a chaosmark has the potential for chaos magic.
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 iridescent or metallic, and have some form of colour shift. It a common correlation is that that the colour can be indicative of the type of magic that the mage tends to be gifted in. Other times, the colour seems to be affected by the person's base skin tone. While most chaosmarks tend to be silver in base colour, people of orcish descent often have golden-based marks (see image).
Chaos Marks can present in a range of hues (above, green/pink/gold shift, common on orcish skin tones)
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. In Sedia, a visible chaosmark is enough of a reason for police to detain a person.
In Donoruhm, where very few people practice wizardry-based magic, chaos mages are some of the only magically-gifted people in a given community. 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, taking up roles usually held by wizards or clerics in other cultures. In Donoruhm, dwarves carrying choasmarks will often have clothes custom-tailored to display them. They 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.
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