A mark noted with an asterisk shows that the tattoo is required by law in Einborg. There are punishments for owners who willfully lapse marking their slaves if requirements for these marks are met. These marks must kept up to date regularly to avoid fines or imprisonment.
Freedom Band *
A prominent, thick line that crosses from the right temple across the cheekbones and nose. It ends near the sex mark but with a clear separation so as not to muddle such an important indicator. Any other marks around eyes or nose are disregarded and marked over with this symbol.
The Freedom Band can only be given by a select few markers in Einborg, all of whom are city officials, and is given as the last step in the process of legally granting a Marked their freedom. This final mark is made of a unique ink with a highly secret recipe to prevent forgery. This ink gives the mark a unique pearlescent sheen that falsified inks fail to attain, and the recipe or stock of this pigment are violently prevented from finding their way onto the black market.
Informative Marks
"Keen Streak"
Symmetrical, parallel lines starting above the eyes at the forehead and sweeping back over the scalp show the Marked has demonstrated higher-than-normal intelligence. This may or may not be considered a favorable trait.
"Mind Stripe" & "Mind Crown"
A stripe across the forehead notes that the Marked has displayed some mental or behavioral infirmities, but none that inhibit their capacities for regular life.
A mind stripe that circles the entire head is called a "mind crown" and denotes serious mental or behavioral afflictions that prevent the Marked from functioning normally in everyday tasks.
A stripe or crown can have several marks stemming from it which explain certain simple conditions at a glance, but many more conditions (usually, those not cleanly defined or fully understood) are not shown and need to be referenced by reading the Marked's ownership documentation for details. Some noted marks on the mind stripe include:
a central triangle pointing down toward the nose, which indicates muteness (can be attached to a stripe or crown)
Two curved ticks coming up from the line above the temples, but outside the keen streak, indicate deafness. A single deaf mark can be made to indicate the appropriate ear. (can be attached to a stripe or crown)
Two symmetrical triangles pointing down toward the eyes (or a single, when applicable) indicate complete blindness. A single blind mark can be attached to a stripe, but complete blindness is a cause for a crown
Sexual Integrity Mark*
Every Marked has a "sex mark" on their left temple.
A clean ring shows that the Marked is sexually intact and capable of reproducing. This is the assumed state (inherent biological ability isn't factored in) of every Marked unless they've been subjected to a sterilization procedure.
A few stylistic variations of this mark exist, including a solid circle instead of ring or a swoop that looks like a cursive "o", but are purely aesthetic in difference.A straight line through the sex mark shows that the Marked has been surgically sterilized or proven to be naturally infertile through extensive breeding attempts. Most Marked aren't sterilized unless they're intended for long-term sex work or as a consequence of siring/bearing unwanted/illegitimate children with free people.Marked who have borne children, legitimate or not, have their number of completed births counted as dots within the circle (except for solid styles of sex mark) or just outside it.
Possession History, or "Timeline" *
The line down neck and collarbone represents the spectrum of time in the person's life, or "hourglass". A tick mark ("tick" or "hash") across the hourglass represents different age milestones, with the earliest being on the collarbone or shoulder and moving up the neck with age. These milestones are standardized in their representation between trading companies and apply to all races regardless of racial life expectancy. Ticks for infancy, childhood, and adolescence are typically closer together than those of other milestones since very few Mark-worthy events usually take place in these age ranges. Milestones are broken down below, with colloquial names in parentheses.
- Infancy ("baby years")
- Childhood "(learning age")
- Adolescence ("brathood")
- Young Adulthood ("breeding age")
- Adulthood ("nanny, surrogate or labor years")
- Middle Age ("knowing age")
- Late adulthood ("stewards' age")
- Elderly ("family years")
A tick is converted into a T to represent the milestone age/stage of life in which the Marked was taken into slavery and sold by a trading company. Some hourglass lines have one or more inverted T marks, which are placed between milestone ticks and represent ownership returning to a trading company for general market sale. These marks are uncommon and usually occur when a Marked's master dies and nobody claims the Marked within the estate, so the ownership title is returned to the trading company who most recently owned it. This inverted mark also implies that the next transfer of ownership was through licensed auction, as that's how trading companies do most of their sales.
A dot along the hourglass represents a change of ownership in a private sale. These "sale marks" are legally required to appear above the ticks representing the stage of life in which the sale(s) took place. Sale marks can be placed below the same tick if the dots become crowded.
Placing a flat line above a tick instead of a sale mark represents a legal transfer of ownership between private parties where no money was exchanged. Typically this means the ownership title was inherited from dead family member's estate or inter-family transfer as a gift.
Loops or irregular shapes on the hourglass line between ticks are a form of aesthetic distinguishment to encourage "brand recognition" of the major trading companies. They otherwise hold no official significance for displaying useful information along the timeline.
Trade Marks *
Various symbols along the hands and forearms indicate any trades or specialized skills in which the Marked is proficient beyond a common capacity. Few of these are given to newly enslaved people, but are updated over time given their experience and work under various owners. There are far too many symbols to list here, but general areas include:
- Professional trades or skills such as crafting, resource gathering or refinement, agriculture, or commodity production.
- Recreational trades or skills such as music (a symbol branch all its own), stagecraft, painting, or calligraphy.
- Distinguished knowledge specialties with little or no concrete skill or byproduct, such as arcane theory, history, economics, or social conduct. Generally found on Marked research assistants, librarians, nannies, and trusted household stewards.
Mage Mark *
A mark on the right temple showing that the Marked has the ability to cast or create magical spells and effects.
- A tear drop (rather, a drop of blood) indicates a person with sorcerey. These are considered both useful and dangerous, as their source of magic comes from within and their knowledge of spells is completely inherent.
- A solid square indicates a wizard, generally considered the easiest mage to control. This mark also counts as a mark of literacy, since wizards are educated and consult written instructions in order to cast spells. Preventing a wizard from accessing any spell books or scrolls severely limits their ability to use magic and is common practice among owners who do not encourage arcane skills in their Marked.
- An inverted U mark identifies an arcane bard (as opposed to mundane musician as noted with trade marks), someone who uses music or other forms of performance to cast their spells. Keeping musical instruments away from a Marked bard is common practice but doesn't actually help much, given that singing is just as effective for using magic.
- A circle surrounded by ticks, or "sun mark", outs a Marked as a druid. Druids fuel their magic with the energies of nature, so they are very hard to contain or control. Their ability to shapeshift into animals covers the presence of their marks, enabling fairly simple escape means. Marked druids are very rare and generally only owned by people who possess artifacts which can create arcane "dead zones".
- Clerics, paladins, and warlocks are illegal to make into slaves given the fact that their arcane power comes from direct connection to actual deities or other entities of similar power. Enslaving people whose magic is imbued by divine power results in a lot of holy repercussions, so these people are the only demographic not accepted into the slave trade.
Nape Mark *
A symbol placed upon the back of the neck to identify a Marked from behind. The symbol used for the nape mark identifies the Marked's species, since their nature is not apparent while facing away from someone.
Problem Marks *
Problem marks are all featured prominently on the face, generally around the eyes or cheekbones so that this important information is immediately visible to prevent dishonest sale.
Snoop Mark
This line on one side of the nose running down to the cheekbone shows that the Marked has been caught attempting to access information against their owner's authority or sticking their nose where it doesn't belong. Offenses range from reading private letters, getting caught in areas where the Marked has no permission to be, or eavesdropping on conversations.
- If the snoop brand is connected to the eye, it means the Marked was caught reading restricted information and is therefore proven to be literate.
- The snoop brand is uncommon but by no means rare. A marked who happened to be wandering by a hushed conversation may well be accused of snooping and given this mark, so the presence of other Problem Marks is often used gauge whether this represents an actual problem or simply an overreactive owner.
Escape Mark
A straight line on the right side from jaw to cheekbone shows the slave has attempted to escape or flee their bondage. If the line is extended above the cheekbone to "cross through" the eye, it means they have made multiple attempts. An extension through the eye can be broken if it needs to pass through a snoop brand so as not to be confused as indicating literacy.
Liar's Mark
A short tick from the top of the eyeball up through the eyebrow. Often earned by concealing literacy or arcane ability (check the Marked's documentation for details), but can be applied in pretty much any instance the Marked has withheld skills or knowledge.
Violence Mark
The "vi mark" is a solid diagonal line prominently made across the cheek, just below the cheekbone and shows that a Marked has physically attacked another person. The individual marks around the vi mark go into further details. The term "vi mark" usually refers to this entire arrangement of symbols, not just the base line.
- A straight tick perpendicular to the vi mark is made for every instance the Marked has attacked their owner or a member of the owning household. It is implied that no fatalities occurred, as a Marked murdering a free person is grounds for immediate death from whoever is nearby.
- A ring placed above or below the vi mark is made for every instance the Marked has attacked a free person outside their owner's household. A "vi dot" is generally viewed as being slightly more forgivable than a tick as it implies a measure of loyalty, or at least conformity, to the authority of the owner.
- A small triangle is placed perpendicularly above or below the vi mark for every instance in which the Marked attacked another Marked without instructions to do so. This is the least concerning of violence marks in most owners' eyes.
Thief's Brand
Ticks connected to the bottom lip indicate counts where a Marked has been caught stealing. This mark is given multiple times to show how often this has been an issue. If a Marked runs out of space to receive a new Thief's Brand they are usually considered too problematic and are removed of their hands, sold to fight in the Bloodsands, or simply killed on the spot for their offenses.
Uncom Blaze
A stripe from tip of the nose running up between the eyes indicates a Marked's propensity for being generally disobedient or uncooperative, but not to a criminal extent. Being lazy or not completing tasks to standard can earn this mark.
Siren Star
A star on the side of the cheek, showing that a Marked has actively pursued forbidden romances with free people. In most cases, this mark implies that the forbidden relationship resulted in an unwanted child.
Accolades
A rare group of markings for several reasons. Accolades are not required by law, which makes applying one to a Marked an unnecessary expense of time and money. A Marked who distinguishes themselves in a manner deserving of an accolade are usually prized servants not intended to be sold, so giving an accolade to make them sell for a higher price is usually a moot point. Accolades are more likely to draw far more impromptu inspections and sale offers by interested parties regardless of if the owner wishes to deal with them. So applying an accolade mark as an owner means more than "they've done something good"; it conveys deep respect from the owner to the Marked to the extent that the owner is willing to deal with avoidable inconvenience and expense in order to recognize the accomplishments of their servant. Many deserving Marked never receive an accolade simply because they do not have an owner willing to display so much respect for a slave.
Accolades are marked on the right side of the neck and down to the collarbone in a mirror of the timeline. Accolade marks include but are not limited to:
- The "elephant mark", a small but elaborate knotwork pattern representing an elephant head. Unofficially the highest-regarded accolade mark attainable. This mark is reserved to show that a master has had virtually no issue with the Marked and has been completely satisfied by service which has gone above and beyond what was asked at every opportunity; consistent and exemplary service to the extent that the Marked is regarded as an essential part of the owner's family or business. The design is inspired by Einborn culture, where native elephant herds are used as a symbol for loyalty and dedication to family. The humanoid Loxodons are a parallel association, being renowned for their seemingly inherent selflessness and dedication to their family or clan. Can be applied by multiple owners but is rarely done more than once as these are incredibly prized Marked to possess and rarely see changes of ownership. Elephant Marked are among the most valuable slaves in the markets, during the rare occasion where one is found to be up for public auction.
- The "fortress mark", a square ring with a dot in the middle. The design is inspired by the history of Einborg, where walls were the only thing that kept the major cities from being razed by the Sandsage Nomads. This mark compares the Marked to the walls protecting a city in the eyes of the Marked's owner, and is bestowed upon a Marked who selflessly put themselves in great peril without being told in order to save the life of their owner or someone dear to their owner. It is widely regarded as a mark of ultimate loyalty, and Fortress Marked see their ownership change the least of any Marked in Einborg. Even if they incur great injuries or traumas which render them unable to serve in any meaningful capacity, owners of Fortress Marked nearly always elect to care for these servants out of obligation and thanks regardless of expense or inconvenience for the sacrifice that was made.
- The "service bar" is a rectangular frame that contains five dots inside it. This is the most common accolade and represents general good service, cooperation, and loyalty without telling a greater story or delving into specific details. Commonly bestowed upon marked with tumultuous histories and Problem Marks to show that they have turned a new leaf and consistently demonstrated improved behavior.
- The "olive mark" is a stylized wreath of olive branches used to show that a Marked has consistently shown a calm and controlled demeanor and never been accused of violence. This streak of non-violence can be attested to by prolonged ownership or by a lack of violent incidents recorded in their ownership title. The olive mark can be given to someone with a vi mark after an extremely long time as a show of redemption and generally calms people made uneasy by a mark of violence, but very few violent Marked dedicate themselves to peaceful ways thoroughly enough to warrant this accolade.
- The "Champion's Mark" is a ring with straight concentrical lines which create evenly sized wedges with it, like a wheel with no hub. This symbol represents the Rise, the immense arena in which the Bloodsands gladiator games take place twice a year in Dolorn. An individual who wins one of the various tournaments during the Bloodsands, or distinguishes themselves as deserving of victory while surviving defeat is given the champion's mark in recognition of their valor, martial skill, and honor.
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