Pigmented elves

I never though skin could be such a great canvas.

— human admiring the tattoo they've received

It is easy to spot pigmented elves based on the often stunning tattoos that they bear.

Culture

Common Dress code

Since pigmented elves take so much pride in their ability to make tattoos they also value showing their own ones off. Because of this their clothing is usually more revealing than traditional elven clothing, particularly their arms and legs.

Children usually wear dresses or tunics until they start tattooing themselves.

Art & Architecture

The pigmented elves are well known for, and got their name from, their ability to create increadibly intricate and colourful tattoos. Some of these tattoos are also infused with magic, giving the wearer magical powers.

They make them using an invention called skin quill, which allows for inks to stay permanently. Furthermore, pigmented elves are the only ones who know how to make ink that doesn't fade over time. How they make it is a well kept secret.

Outsiders are able to get tattoos made, but the price is rather steep. Sometimes the elves accept other things of value, such as books, pieces of a language or dialect, or artworks.

Those who help the pigmented elves in a significant way are often offered to a tattoo to show their appreciation, often infused with a slight bit of magic to help the wearer out.

Coming of Age Rites

Those who wish to proove themselves capable to go out into the world have to take part in the trial of three arts, where children proove that they are able to create a piece of art, usually a mastercrafted tatoo, but other artforms are also accepted, that they can make a star map and can navigate using it, and finally that they can communicate in at least three languages.

Common Taboos

The creation of ink for use in skin quills is not to be spoken with open doors.

Related Items

• Skin quill