Witchmark Designs

[Ross Watson]

Had a conversation with my colleagues tonight about Witchmarks.

Here's what we're thinking:

All Accursed have a Witchmark.

All Witchmarks share certain characteristics – and the witchmarks of each type of Accursed are similar to each other, so all Vargr Witchmarks are similar to each other, but look different from Mummy Witchmarks, etc.

A Witchmark embodies the character’s curse – so it displays the type of Accursed he is and something unique about himself as well. There is a piece of the witchmark that is different for every Accursed, a bit of personal heraldry if you will.

If you were to cut the witchmark off of an accursed’s body, it would show up again somewhere else on his flesh.

As an Accursed becomes more in tune with his curse – having either embraced it or fought against it – it grows more elaborate, step by step. This is our “leveling up” mechanic. In Savage Worlds, there are certain levels (Novice, Veteran, etc.) and a Veteran’s Witchmark is more elaborate than a Novice’s.

If an Accursed is able to rid himself of his curse, he is free of the witchmark. This is an exceptionally rare occurrence (akin to attaining Sainthood during your lifetime).

The Witchmark has other qualities – some Accursed can sense others of their kind, or even communicate with them through the witchmark. Sometimes, Accursed find themselves drawn towards people in need by their witchmark, their need for redemption so strong that it physically pulls them towards opportunities to protect the helpless.

Appearance/Nature of a Witchmark:

We're not going to make a hard, set in stone rule about how a Witchmark is represented on an Accursed, but we will give some "most often" examples.

So, "Most often" :

Mummies: The witchmark is embossed on a brass plate that is bonded to the Mummy's body.
Vargr: The witchmark takes the form of a birthmark-like stain/woad on the Vargr's skin -- fur does not grow over the witchmark.
Dhampir: The witchmark is a tattoo upon their flesh.
Golems: The witchmark is carven into their flesh/substance.
Mongrels: The witchmark is /sewn/ into their flesh.
Revenants: The witchmark forms as scar tissue on their flesh.

Thoughts and feedback are welcome!

[MATTHEW STEEN]

Not much to say on this one. It's qualities make sense. Representation is open, conceptually. And the examples are pretty solid. Good job! 

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From: Ross Watson <spy...@clansmith.org>
To: accursed-wo...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 12:27 AM
Subject: Witchmark Designs

[Scott Johnson]

Ross I like this idea very much. It reminds me of the Dragon-Mark of Ebberon (I was also a fan). Lots of room for customization and character flavor. One suggestion. Maybe think cartouche for Mummy? Later SJ --- On Tue, 6/11/13, Ross Watson <spy...@clansmith.org> wrote:

[Robert Morris]

Reminds me a bit of the Berserker series from japan, the main character embodied a mark upon his neck, others of his crew (dead) also had marks.

Difference here is that his mark would bleed depending on how close dangers came to him.

In this case, it is neat to have the mark their, especially if dealing with hunters. Hiding those marks become rather important.

Wonder how someone would deal with having a mark emblazoned upon their face.

[Texashex]

Seems cool. Might be neat if the mummy mark was made out of gold but if you steal it from a dead mummy you become one.

Sent from my iPhone

[John Dunn]

I really dig that idea, and I think it might be a great way to perpetuate that line of Accursed, since the Djinn is believed dead. Other mummies might even force the witchmarks lost by their fallen comrades upon prey, as a means of keeping their kind in existence.

-John

[Ross Watson]

Common Witchmark Origins per witchbreed:

Mummies: The witchmark is embossed on a gold plate (a cartouche) that is bonded to the mummy's body (it is removable when the mummy is dead). Taking the plate from a mummy transfers its curse onto the theif.

Vargr: The witchmark takes the form of a birthmark-like stain/woad on the Vargr's skin -- fur does not grow over the witchmark.
Dhampir: The witchmark is a tattoo upon their flesh.
Golems: The witchmark is carven into their flesh/substance.
Mongrels: The witchmark is /sewn/ into their flesh.
Revenants: The witchmark forms as scar tissue on their flesh.

All witchmarks can display stigmata under certain circumstances -- glowing, bleeding, warm to the touch.

[Patrick Dennis]

That sounds pretty awesome. I really like the display effect.

---

From: Ross Watson <spy...@clansmith.org>
To: accursed-wo...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 6:55 PM
Subject: Re: Witchmark Designs