Marken, Soul Marked, God Marked or God Cursed, is an Alorian-based Affinity that has plagued rare individuals and even some families for centuries. Marken and the God Cursed have for centuries been hunted down and killed due to a lack of understanding about their condition, and fear over the violence and killing that usually goes in their wake. Marken are normally very mundane individuals who suffer a condition that causes them to violently change during certain specific conditions that may vary from person to person into enlarged, more beast-like versions of themselves. The reason why Marken are often also called God Marked or God Cursed is because this Affinity frequently occurs at the hands of a divine entity or some sort of God belonging to a religion. In recent centuries, Marken were victims of the Darkwald, now Lothar Order in the Regalian Empire. Understanding of the Marken has grown in recent times alongside a sense of sympathy, though wariness surrounding them has never diminished; the God Cursed pose a constant, considerable, and incurable risk to society that often incarcerates them for life. After all, when Gods come to punish mortals, they don't just do that for any a reason that is easily dismissed. Sometimes the monster is not in fact the transformation.
Playing a Marken in Regalia
Marken are simply put monsters, and so many characters will react with disgust and potentially violence when seeing them. Though by nature illegal for most of history, a strenuous agreement in the Imperial Court has recently led to Empire-wide Marken legalization. Marken can report to a Knight of any Order for a short series of mental fitness tests, and upon being declared sane, have their name and Marken Form recorded. This legalization is entirely dependent on the Marken keeping a good reputation, to sustain the razor-thin Imperial favor keeping them from being hunted again. Player Marken should take care not to lose control or attack those around them for this reason.
Becoming a Marken
Marken are considered so dangerous, not only because the ones who cannot control themselves murder a lot of people, but also because being attacked by one caused infection to a high degree. The most obvious infection that can occur by a Marken, is to be bitten or scratched by one, and to survive an attack. Another method of being a Marken, is to be born to one, as Marken always pass their curse on to their children. Another method of being a Marken, is to be cursed into being one by a God, which is common for those who defile holy sites and Temples dedicated to specific gods. There are however also more benign infection methods, Marken may infect a willing person by choice, while some Gods may also grant Markenism as a blessing. Finally, Cannibalism always results in a Marken infection. Markenism takes a few days to fully take hold of the Host, after which they are permanently and incurably a Marken. A Character that is Afflicted cannot become a Marken, and Marken also cannot become Afflicted.
Infection Changes
Markenism can cause physical changes in the Host even outside of Transformation. Hosts can become more muscular, broader, larger, hairier (or scales?), more aggressive, their hair color can change, their eye color can change, they might become more sensitive to loud sounds or bright lights, or lack concentration. Markenism also causes further mental changes in the host, depending on how much in control of the curse they are. Each person who is infected with Markenism always starts out completely out of control, they are beset with rage and violence and will attack even loved ones. The longer an Infection exists however (and the more the Host becomes in-tune and accepting of their Curse, perhaps even liking it), they gain control over the Curse, and become able to Transform at will, and retain in control entirely. Markenism in general however always worsens bad personality traits, while suppressing good ones. There is a wide range of ways people deal with Markenism, some embrace it, some are ashamed of it and try to minimize the damage, while others become emotionally crippled at the loss of memories and hurt they cause.
Marken Types
There are six distinct types of Marken, each with their background stories and each with general cultural niches. All the art depicted on this page shows Marken at their default design, but players have more creative freedom to tweak aspect of it is (more further down). Choosing one type of Marken is also not permanent, each Type is strongly attached to a particular personality trait or quality of a person, if their personality shifts greatly, or they experience major events in their life, the Type of Marken may also shift along with it.
Howl Marken
The Howl Marken are the most traditional kind of Werewolf-like Marken, with wolf-like body qualities. The Howl Marken is strongly associated with the Fornoss religion, as well the Blood Covenant, making the Howl Marken a distinctly Ailor cultural aspect. Howl Marken are feared and reviled in Ailor cultures, as dangerous and murderous beasts of the night, but may in some of these religions also be seen as a blessing, and protector of holy sites. Howl Marken represent the personality traits of Pride and Vanity.
Drakken Marken
The Drakken Marken are a very rare sighting, hailing originally from the province of Anglia. Folklore has it that the Drakken Marken Curse was brought about as Ailorkind tried to ascend to become Dragons, driving them mad and into a bloodrage. Some Draconism believers however consider them a kind of berserker warrior, those who fully give themselves to battle for the Dragons and their cause. Drakken Marken are often seen among Archon, who have found ways to master their formidable powers. Drakken Marken represent the personality traits of Dignity and Stoicism.
Strangle Marken
The Strangle Marken are a quintessentially Allorn Curse. A prophecy of doom places on the most deceitful of Princes of the Allorn Empire. It is said that the first Strangle Marken came about when the Estelley Gods cursed some the greediest tomb-robbers, turning them into venomous murderous snake-like beings. Over time however, some Elves have started to see the raw power that the Strangle Marken Curse gives as a blessing, establishing whole cults seeking to master becoming one. Strangle Marken represent the personality traits of Deceitfulness and Dishonesty.
Claw Marken
The Claw Marken are more common among Suvial Estelley worshipers as Werecats and Weretigers, as a curse from the Dragon Armina to punish obsession. Any Suvial will be able to recount the tale of Prince Bhagwaïla who obsessed over wealth and women so much that Avinla cursed him, only for him to turn in the middle of his court, burn his riches, and slaughter his harem. Claw Marken are exceptionally ferocious among the Marken, rarely leaving survivors to their vicious attacks. Claw Marken represent the personality traits of Revenge and Obsession.
Brawl Marken
The Brawl Marken is often found among the Velheim, but also Breizh from Kintyr, cursed by the Unionist Goddess Eirlys for their stubbornness and irreverence of holy sites, to live as Werebears. There exist even rumors of whole Knight orders of Brawl Marken in Kintyr, hiding their affliction until the day that the world can experience the brawn and power they have mastered over the centuries in an ironic defiance by showcasing the same irreverence to gods as they were once cursed for. Brawl Marken represent the personality traits of Disobedience to Gods and Stubbornness.
Scale Marken
The Scale Marken were once thought to be a failed experiment among the Allar, of biology changing alchemy gone horribly wrong, but were later discovered to be a cruel trick from the Dragon Nox on the recently arrived Sendrassians to remind them of the cruelty Dragons were capable of in contrast to the Yellow Water Dragons. Scale Marken are the quintessential Werecrocodile, featuring other fish and mer-like qualities that make them dangerous water predators. Scale Marken represent the personality traits of Hatred and Jealousy.
Marken Designs
As mentioned above, the art provides a "Default" Marken design. By default all Marken have a predominantly black-color scheme, with purple eye colors. However, there is a wide range of customization options:
Eye Colors: Eye Colors can be whatever the player wants them to be, from dark sclera to bright, and from unnatural iris colors to natural ones. These have a great degree of freedom, including but not limited to multi-color eye shades, solid black eyes, or even eyes that look like a starry night sky and glow in the dark. It is recommended not to mimic Afflictions.
Colorings: Fur or Scale Colors do not need to be Black. They can be based on natural hair-color, monochromatic white and black patterns, have stripes and spots and shapes, have inverted patterning, and even have other colors, though the colors should in general be somewhat muted and never become blaringly vibrant, nor can fur be glowing.
Aesthetics: Additional thematic Aesthetics may be added, for example: a Suvial Marken may have crater-like formations that emit lava glows and volcano fumes, a Dragon Worshiping Marken may have electric sparks in their fur, a Velheim Marken can have rune tablet bone plates, there is a great deal of freedom here so long as the animal is recognizable.
Transformations
Marken have a number of Transformations, which may alter the way a Marken Character is played, particularly in Combat Roleplay. During combat, a Marken can never revert once transformed, meaning that a Marken can Transform into Quartermarken, then into Halfmarken, then into Fullmarken, but never "go back" any phase until the combat is concluded. Only one Transformation can be active at any time:
Quartermarken Form: Is when a person who is a Marken only applies some aspects of Markenism, but their head is still very distinctly humanoid and they are still recognizable as their normal self.
Halfmarken Form: is when a person has a Marken head and some qualities like claws and a tail, but still walks in an upright humanoid stance, more akin to an Asha. This is a Disuise, but Marken status cannot be Hidden.
Fullmarken Form: Is when a person fully transforms into a more bestial Marken Form, becoming more monster like and hunched over, and becoming considerably larger. This is a Disguise, but Marken status cannot be hidden.
Fullmarken General Mechanics
Fullmarken Form is the only Transformation that has functionally different mechanics. Quartermarken and Halfmarken Forms can stilll make use of weapons like normal, and so do not function differently.
Beast Body: Fullmarken Forms cannot make use of weapons or armor at all, as their body becomes all they need for combat. They break out of armor and must use unarmed combat, but their hide acts as durable as if they were wearing Armor, and their claws act like steel weapons. They are forced to use the Warrior Combat Style. Additionally, they have any Dexterity or Magic Proficiency converted to Strength capped at 7.
Feral Mind: Fullmarken forms regress into a more instinctive mindset, barring them from more complex abilities and functions. While in Fullmarken Form, they may only use point buy abilities from Melee, Shielding, Tanking, Bruiser, Athletics, Training, or Cutthroat.
Marken Speech: Fullmarken Forms are unable to speak (but they can still understand others). They can produce bestial noise Marken Speech, which any other Marken can understand, even while untransformed.
Fight Anywhere: Fullmarken Forms are not constrained by any environment they have to fight in, whether that be Underwater or in frozen wastelands, they can use Attack Emotes or Abilities like normal always.
Fullmarken Unique Mechanics
Each type of Marken has a number of Unique Mechanics they gain while in Fullmarken form.
Howl Marken
Howl Marken Mechanic 1: While in Fullmarken Form, gain +1 Strength breaking Cap up to 11 when being the first to initiate combat. This does not apply when joining an ongoing combat scene.
Howl Marken Mechanic 2: While in Fullmarken Form, a Howl Marken can stare down another Fullmarken to potentially make them back down. Both players /roll 20, best out of three. The loser is forced to look away, deferring to the winner for that one instance.
Drakken Marken
Drakken Marken Mechanic 1: While in Fullmarken Form, when attacking alongside Archon or Draconism Faithful, gain +1 Constitution breaking Cap up to 11.
Drakken Marken Mechanic 2: While in Fullmarken Form, a Drakken Marken can soothe other Fullmarken. The Drakken Marken may roll a persuasion check to help calm down a rampaging Marken.
Strangle Marken
Strangle Marken Mechanic 1: While in Fullmarken Form, gain +1 Strength breaking Cap up to 11 if joining combat late, or attacking someone from behind.
Strangle Marken Mechanic 2: While in Fullmarken Form, gain a dangerous Venom which can (with OOC Consent), paralyze or cause anyone affected by it to become gravely ill (Discuss effects in DMs).
Claw Marken
Claw Marken Mechanic 1: While in Fullmarken Form, challenge another Marken to a duel. The winner gains +1 Strength while the loser loses -1 until Server Restart. This does not stack, but can break Cap up to 11.
Claw Marken Mechanic 2: While in Fullmarken Form, the Claw Marken can declare a single (non-artifact) item of theirs an Object of Obsession. They can always track it down, wherever it is being held.
Brawl Marken
Brawl Marken Mechanic 1: While in Fullmarken Form, Gain +1 Constitution breaking Cap up to 11 when fighting within emote range of a Temple.
Brawl Marken Mechanic 2: While in Fullmarken Form, a Brawl Marken can perform great feats of strength out of Combat (carry multiple people, throw boulders etc.). They also gain +5 in out of Combat dice roll Strength competitions.
Scale Marken
Scale Marken Mechanic 1: While in Fullmarken Form, when fighting in water gain +1 Strength breaking Cap up to 11.
Scale Marken Mechanic 2: While in Fullmarken Form, Scale Marken tend to be one of the bigger threats in the waters, and can easily scare off most Aquatic creatures in Events (consult with Event DMs).
Trivia
Many people think a Brawl Marken turns a person into an actual bear. Don’t be like that. It’s just a humanoid body with bear-like hands and feet, and a bear-head. It remains Humanoid in every other way.
Arken have in the past also given Arken Pacts, gifts, and curses to people that they called Marken or Marked. These have never been the same as actual Marken or God Cursed, and more often than not was just Arken being uncreative and mimicking pre-existing Afflictions.
Opiates and alcohol work as a depressant to a degree. Because many Marken involuntarily transform due to emotional distress or anger, opiates and alcohol are able to numb those preconditions. As a result, many Marken end up addicted to either substance to try and cope.
One of the most infamous Marken was Narsil, the giant Strangle Marken pet of Regalian Arch ChancellorMorgann Kade. Killed after his master died, Narsil's boody was preserved, and a fang stolen, to create the ArtifactNarselendis.
