Emblem
An emblem is a type of curse magic that is used to mark and identify people in different ways. People being able to cast emblems are called Emblematists. Emblems are a type of curse that links an identifying symbol (the emblem) to a person's Will. The emblem thus becomes an extension of the person itself.
Emblems can be shown voluntary or be detected, depending on the type of emblem. An emblem cannot be transferred to another person. Removal of an emblem is possible and its difficulty depends on the level of the initial emblem. The higher the level of the emblem is, the more complex it is to cast, but also to remove.
While emblems are used by many different groups and organisations, they can generally be categorised according to their main uses, their duration and their level of casting difficulty.
Types of Emblems
Identifying emblems
Identifying emblems are emblems which contain certain personal information of their owner. Many countries in the world use this type of emblem to identify their nationals, their age and eventual nobility or level of citizenship. Indentifying emblems are often accompanies with minimal illusion magic, to give them a visible character and in order for them be shown voluntarily. Additionally, they can be detected by emblematists, cursereaders and certain specialists like medics.Authenticating emblems
Authenticating emblems are emblems which can be used to grant automatic permission for their bearers to enter certain areas or use certain objects. Authenticating emblems are usually not accompanied with illusion magic and thus invisible to the eye. They can, however, be detected by specialised cursereaders and emblematists. Many artifacts and defensive shields are associated with a curse, allowing only bearers of a specific authenticating emblem to use an artifact or enter the shield, similar to only certain keys are able to open certain locks.Level of an emblem
The level of an emblem depends on their intended complexity, duration and included abilities.- Complexity refers to the difficulty of casting and removing emblems. Many important emblems, like those that refer to a person's nobility, are of a very high complexity to make sure they are not falsely copied. Casting complex emblems is an art and needs long studies and training. Many schools for emblematists keep their high-level casting techniques secret in order to avoid unauthorized people to cast them. Due to their exclusive nature, authenticating emblems usually have a high complexity.
- Duration of an emblem refers to the time for which the emblem is cast. Just like with any curse, an emblem can be permanent or temporary. Permanent and long-term emblems are more difficult to cast than short-term emblems. Due to their different uses, indentifying emblems are usually long-term or permanent emblems, while authenticating are often of shorter-duration.
- Contents of an emblem refer to the types of information that is included in them and the things they can authenticate. The more information an emblem contains, the more difficult it is to cast.
Examples of emblems
Loria
Lorian emblems: Emblems used by the Lorian Realm to indetify their civilians. They are usually granted at a person's coming of age. They contain a person's definite name, their date of birth and their potentian high nobility (commoner or high noble). They are of a usually high complexity to avoid falsification. Removing a Lorian Emblem is punishable by death.- Complexity: High (commoners) and Highest (nobility and high nobility)
- Duration: Permanent
- Contents: Name, Age and potential high nobility.
- Complexity: High (until general), Very High (until commanders) and Highest (all ranks above Commander)
- Duration: for five intial years and then renewed each cycle for as long as the person is in the military and whenever the person changes their rank.
- Contents: function, rank and year of enrolement.
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