Ahtlan Ink Master

The Ahtlan Ink Masters take centuries to master their artistry. Every line and dot applied to an Ahtlan's body must be perfect for the powers imbued in the ink to take effect. Ink Masters train for their position after reaching the highest rank amongst the soldiers of Ahtla Entece, hand selected by Entece itself.
The ink used in the tattoos varies, as do the tools of application. Ink Masters must train and perfect the use of each and every aspect of their craft, from how to extract the dye, mix the inks, which fluids will be safe for which Ahtlans and how to draw each of the symbols with every tool.
Once an Ink Master has been deemed proficient enough to begin their craft on living beings they are given only the simplest tattoos to begin with. With a decade of perfect tattooing as proof of their skill, only then will they be allowed to apply the more intermediate tattoos. Only those who have proven to avoid any errors for more than a century will be given permission to work on the most complex pieces.
Every tattoo holds a unique power and while all Ahtlans have the chained heart the tattoos gained beyond that are varied to their job and purpose. Even if an Ink Master is specially gifted with one variety of tattoos over others it will have no bearing on the tattoos they are assigned to create. The art made is based upon availability and need.
If all other Ink Masters are busy and a foot soldier needs a shield then the available Ink Master will be assigned to apply the shield, even if defensive tattoos are their weakest area. This tradition of need over talent is seen through the Ahtlan society. While talent may gain an Ahtlan a specific role or task it will never keep them from being assigned if necessity dictates otherwise.

The oldest Ink Master, and perhaps the most talented, was a wizened old man whose body marked him as once being a humanoid. He had lived as an Ahtlan Ink Master for so long he had forgotten his name, and it was he who applied the chained heart to the one Ahtlan known to carry only one tattoo for his entire duration in his service to Entice.