Tattoos in Tri-Kazel

[JohnK]

Hullo, folks,

Another question for everyone...

One of the things I've noticed in a lot of the illustrations in Shadows of Esteren, both the French and English products and illustrations that I've seen, is that lots of characters and NPCs have tattoos.

First of all, who creates and makes these tattoos? Second, how common are tattoos in Tri-Kazel?

[Schattenquelle]

The Esteren team wrote that they were inspired by the movie "Braveheart". Regarding the tattoos - yes that´s true

[Clovis]

You can find the start of an answer to your question on p.108 of Book 1, in the "Leatherworking" section: tattoos are most often related to war and to martial prowess, and are therefore more likely to be sported by warriors and the like (mercenaries, bodyguards, and even thugs and bandits).

As for who makes them, I suppose that leatherworkers are the ones a Tri-Kazelian would require the services of for such a work of art. It seems to me that very few artisans are truly specialized in war paints or tattoos, and that only the best of them can make a living out of such an activity, probably by being attached to a prominent Ansailéir or to the head of an important organization.

[JohnK]

Hullo, Heiko,

The Esteren team wrote that they were inspired by the movie "Braveheart". Regarding the tattoos - yes that´s true

Hmm, good point. There were a lot of tattoos in that movie. And that inspiration may be partially what they're all about.

[JohnK]

Hullo, Clovis,

You can find the start of an answer to your question on p.108 of Book 1, in the "Leatherworking" section: tattoos are most often related to war and to martial prowess, and are therefore more likely to be sported by warriors and the like (mercenaries, bodyguards, and even thugs and bandits).

You're right... I had forgotten about that material, simply because there's sooo much material to process in Book 1. That raises the question of how common are tattoos in Tri-Kazel, not just among the warriors and others with martial prowess?

As for who makes them, I suppose that leatherworkers are the ones a Tri-Kazelian would require the services of for such a work of art. It seems to me that very few artisans are truly specialized in war paints or tattoos, and that only the best of them can make a living out of such an activity, probably by being attached to a prominent Ansailéir or to the head of an important organization.

You're right about who makes them, as I just went back over that section of material in Book 1 - Universe last night. This makes me wonder about the commonness of tattoos among Tri-Kazelians, given the leatherworkers are the makers, but as you say, they have to be somewhat specialised and would be true artisans of the Craft (Tattoo) Discipline. I honestly can't see any person who works with tattoos making a living at it, since it would seem to have a somewhat limited market in this regard. But it does raise some interesting possibilities...

[Clovis]

Regarding how common they are, it all depends on the personal taste and decisions of the GL. However, if you want a more "official" answer, I'd say fairly common: although I think it remains mainly favored by warriors, I think even Demorthèn, craftsmen, Varigals, or knights would be inclined to bear one or several, as a distinctive mark showing excellence or devotion in one's domain.

[JohnK]

Hullo, Clovis,

Regarding how common they are, it all depends on the personal taste and decisions of the GL. However, if you want a more "official" answer, I'd say fairly common: although I think it remains mainly favored by warriors, I think even Demorthèn, craftsmen, Varigals, or knights would be inclined to bear one or several, as a distinctive mark showing excellence or devotion in one's domain.

Having re-read that part of the book as I mentioned, I think you're right about how common tattoos are. I like the idea of the distinctive mark for excellence or devotion that you bring up, since unlike in our own real world, tattoos in Tri-Kazel are more specialised, rarer (per se, from the sense of those who are capable of inking the skin), and less about "art" and more about "purpose". Not the way that tattoos are perceived these days in the real world, for sure.

[Tosheros]

Having re-read that part of the book as I mentioned, I think you're right about how common tattoos are. I like the idea of the distinctive mark for excellence or devotion that you bring up, since unlike in our own real world, tattoos in Tri-Kazel are more specialised, rarer (per se, from the sense of those who are capable of inking the skin), and less about "art" and more about "purpose". Not the way that tattoos are perceived these days in the real world, for sure.

I would think that tatoos are also important as a sign of membership, especially from occult organisations

[kjetilkverndokken]

But maybe it really is not tattoos, but Woad paint and similar (henna) - they are not permanent, but sticks quite good to the skin.

Tattoos in the old days, was an art that took quite a long time to do - so it would have had to be done by a very select few.

[Clovis]

It's a possibility! Such non-lasting methods can be used for war paintings or ceremonies, for example, while tattoos proper are for life-long commitments, such as becoming part of a family / order / etc.