An archaic but brutally effective control device, thornlace bands are worn around the neck, wrists, and ankles. Originating from early post-Reckoning penal systems before the rise of the Central Directorate, these bands were outlawed in most sectors due to their torturous effects—but black-market institutions like blood brothels still use them to subjugate half-breed feeders and other enslaved peoples.
The thornlace band is crafted with obsidigen wires—a reactive, memory-metal alloy laced with bio-thorns that respond to electrical current by extending sharp, retractable spines inward toward flesh. Unlike COLD chips, Thornlace tech doesn’t need to interface with the central grid. It’s operated via analog controls or a keyed controller device held by guards, brothel masters, or clients.
Depending on the intensity of the pulse sent through the band, the spines may:
- Sting like needles (a warning)
- Burrow slightly beneath the skin (to signal obedience)
- Twist or anchor in place (to punish or incapacitate)
Some brothel owners prefer the visible, constant reminder of these cruel bands over discreet implants, making them both a tool and a symbol of ownership.