Mage Marks are the symbols that appear on the body to indicate a person’s elemental affiliations and thus the nature of their magic. How mage marks appear differs across the races, as how they extend over time to represent the growth of one’s magical gift.
Mage marks in humans appear in balanced pairs-- one master mark on the back of the right hand, and one mirror mark on the palm. These pairs are arranged in rows above; Ice and Fire, Chaos and Water, Earth and Wind, Death and Life. While a human mage is capable of magical practice in both elements, they will always be stronger in their master element than their mirror, and it is markings of their master mark that will extend across their body as they practice.
In the case of halflings, a single master mark appears in the middle of their brow at birth, indicating a singular elemental tie to a singular magic and goddess. Their connection to this magic is strong, but without balance they are incapable of summoning rituals.
Finally, elves do not express mage marks, as their connection to magic is to all elements and is not otherwise dictated by birth.
In addition to the eight earthly elements, there are also the symbols of Sun and Shadow-- these symbols do appear on mortals about once a generation, and individuals born under these signs are frequently secured by the temple as fast as possible and trained to be part of or lead the clergy, made part of the religious system so they cannot upset it as an outside agent.
Finally, we have the Eguri, which is the symbols for Sun and Shadow put together. This symbol is used as a way to express the universe itself, the Balance that the temple holds dear, and is also employed as the symbol of the Imperial family in Jiaal.
