Marks

## Overview

Marks are a unique technological innovation developed by the Callaxian civilization, typically utilized to enforce political alliances, prevent assassinations, and in rare instances, even acts of devotion or love. Marks are, in essence, brain implants that bind two individuals together through a bond of mutual destruction. The underlying principle is quite simple yet profoundly impactful: if one person dies, the other dies too, instantaneously. The name "mark" is derived from the symbolic tattoos typically placed on the backs of the recipients' hands, serving as visible proof of their interconnected fates.

## Mechanism and Functionality

The working of the marks is deeply rooted in advanced neurobiology and cybernetic technology. Once implanted, the mark establishes a complex neural network connection with the host's brain, becoming an integral part of their neurological system. This connection is then synced with a corresponding mark implanted in another individual, establishing a form of bio-cybernetic link. The marks remain in a state of constant monitoring, and in the event of the death of one host, they trigger an instant shutdown of the other's nervous system, leading to immediate death.

## Historic Usage

Throughout Callaxian history, marks have been employed for a variety of purposes. For rulers and politicians, marks serve as an effective deterrent against potential assassins and political rivals; the risk of mutual death significantly raises the stakes of any plot. They have also been used to enforce political alliances, the shared vulnerability fostering trust and cooperation among parties that might otherwise be at odds. On a more personal level, marks have been used to signify profound devotion and love, their users demonstrating a willingness to share not just their lives, but their deaths as well.

### Kitti Cammol and Ri'pel Doppa

In the year A4440, a landmark case of marks usage occurred between Kitti Cammol, a high-ranking Lansican diplomat, and Ri'pel Doppa, a revered reporter from New Bray'ed. The two women, who belonged to drastically different cultural backgrounds and professions, decided to get marked during a critical negotiation period that was threatening to plunge the region into conflict.

Kitti Cammol was tasked with easing tensions and negotiating peace terms. Ri'pel Doppa, who had extensively reported on the tensions, became a vocal advocate for peace. Both believed that their mutual marking would serve as a tangible symbol of the unity and peace they were advocating. The act was initially met with shock and outrage, but ultimately, it served its purpose. The sight of a Lansican diplomat and a Bray'edan reporter sharing such a profound bond compelled others to seek dialogue over conflict. This event significantly contributed to the de-escalation of the crisis.

### Gam Fepp and Rez Ford

In the year A4322, eleven years after the Varnaran and Qarnite separation, the leaders of the two newly formed countries, Gam Fepp of Qarnath and Rez Ford of Varnara, decided to get marked. This was an unprecedented move, taken amidst a period of socio-political instability following the bloody civil war that resulted in the division of Varqarn.

Fepp and Ford, who had once fought on opposite sides of the battlefield, chose to get marked as a symbolic act of unity and a pledge towards a peaceful future. The act was bold and risky, as it placed the leaders in a state of mutual vulnerability. And ultimately, it proved too tempting for Gam Fepp's enemies. Rez Ford was murdered in a council meeting by his own advisors, effectively putting an end to Fepp's life as well. This incident led to heightened hostilities between the two nations that have now cooled over time as warmer relations are now enjoyed.

## Current Usage: Brek and Dra'rek Calla

In the year A4550, at the outset of the Callaxian Civil War, Brek and Dra'rek Calla chose to get marked. Brek, the heir apparent to the Calla Monarchy, and Dra'rek, the leader of the rebel group known as the Shoehorns, shared a unique bond of siblinghood despite being on opposite sides of the civil war.

Brek and Dra'rek are the first Callaxians to get marked in the last twenty years, their decision stirring a storm of speculation and apprehension. The act reinforces the complexity of the ongoing civil war, binding the two central figures of the opposing factions in a bond of life and death. It's a move that underscores the personal dimension of the conflict, signifying that for Brek and Dra'rek, the war is not merely a battle of ideologies but a struggle deeply rooted in their shared past and intertwined destinies.