Arcane Tattoos

Throughout the world are those who have found certain techniques to unlock magical potential in one's very body. By inlaying precious dust throughout the skin in particular runes and patterns, this magic can be accessed.

Tattoo Kits and Training

Tattoo kits are a type of artisan's tools. They include basic inks, needles, and supplies to sterilize the application site. Tattoo kits cost 25 gp.

Nonmagical, cosmetic tattoos are easy enough to make by anyone with some experience and dextrous hands. However, the application of arcane tattoos usually require years of experience and knowledge. Very few people have pursued this niche training, and those that have know they can charge a great deal for this type of tattoo application.

Specialized Items for Tattoos

Each magical tattoo requires very particular supplies to gain the benefit of the tattoo. Often this amounts to a stencil that acts as a blueprint, and a type of valuable dust to conduct the flow of magic.

Tattoo artists with the skill to apply these types of tattoos usually know at least a few basic designs by heart. Others may keep stencils of their own for more complex tattoos.

There are a few rumors of even more powerful tattoos whose designs have been lost to the ages. A few groups have devoted their lives to finding these stencils, although there seems to be little success so far.

Receiving Tattoos

There are three general categories of tattoos: minor, medium, and major tattoos. Each person has up to four tattoo slots available to them before the magical energy flowing through their skin threatens to rip apart their very being.

Minor tattoos take up one tattoo slot each, whereas medium tattoos take up two and major tattoos use all four slots.

A player character may attempt to apply a magical tattoo themselves if they have the appropriate stencil and access to a tattoo kit. A seperate check must be made for each day of work. Failure to properly apply a tattoo uses up the material cost but does not grant the benefits of the enchantment. Failing a tattoo check by more than 5 scars the person, using up a tattoo slot in the process. Properly trained tattoo artists that have been hired will not fail a tattoo kit check.

Minor Tattoos

These tattoos generally encompass ability score increases. Each tattoo raises the chosen ability score and limit by 1, but a person does not gain the benefit from more than 2 of the same type of tattoo. (I.E., three tattoos with garnet dust will only increase your strength by 2.)

These tattoos take 2d4x10 hours to complete. In addition to the required materials, tattoo artists charge 1000 gp for the service. A player character who wishes to apply a tattoo themselves must succeed on a DC 18 dexterity (tattoo kit) check to apply the tattoo properly.

Tattoo Costs and Effects Stencils for these tattoos are single-use and generally cost 250 gp. The material requirements are as follows: 3000 gp garnet dust for +1 strength

3000 gp emerald dust for +1 dexterity

4000 gp diamond dust for +1 constitution

3000 gp sapphire dust for +1 intelligence

3000 gp pearl dust for +1 wisdom

3000 gp aquamarine dust for +1 charisma

Medium Tattoos

These tattoos generally encompass damage resistances. Two of the same type of tattoo grants immunity to that type of damage.

These tattoos take 4d4x10 hours to complete. In addition to the required materials, tattoo artists charge 2000 gp for the service. A player character who wishes to apply a tattoo themselves must succeed on a DC 22 dexterity (tattoo kit) check to apply the tattoo properly.

Tattoo Costs and Effects Stencils for these tattoos are single-use and generally cost 500 gp. The material requirements are as follows: 5000 gp amber dust for acid resistance

resistance 5000 gp black sapphire dust for cold resistance

resistance 5000 gp fire opal dust for fire resistance

resistance 5000 gp topaz dust for lightning resistance

resistance 7000 gp onyx dust for necrotic resistance

resistance 5000 gp jade dust for poison resistance

resistance 7000 gp zircon dust for psychic resistance

resistance 7000 gp gold dust for radiant resistance

resistance 5000 gp citrine dust for thunder resistance

Major Tattoos

These tattoos encompass major boons. Their material requirements and stencils are generally unavailable to the general public, but can be found throughout the world if the right leads are followed.

These tattoos take 10d4x10 hours to complete, assuming 8 hour work days. In addition to the required materials and stencil, tattoo artists capable of applying these tattoos charge 7500 gp for the service. A player character who wishes to apply a tattoo themselves must succeed on a DC 25 dexterity (tattoo kit) check to apply the tattoo properly.