Magical Tattoos
Blending magic and artistry with ink and needles, magic tattoos imbue their bearers with wondrous effects and abilities. Magic tattoos are initially bound to magic needles, which transfer their magic to a creature. The designs of magic tattoos vary greatly in appearance depending on who created it, but they share general characteristics that hint at the effect of the tattoo.
Once inscribed on a creature's skin, damage or injury doesn't impair the tattoo's function, even if the tattoo is defaced.
The rarer a magic tattoo is, the more space it occupies on a creature's skin. The Magic Tattoo Coverage table offers guidelines for how large a given tattoo is.
These items needn't be limited to just tattoos. They can instead be presented as other body modifications such as brands, scarification or any other cosmetic skin adornment or alteration.
The known magic tattoos are presented in alphabetical order. They follow the rules for magic items, as presented in the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Absorbing Tattoo Barrier Tattoo Blood Fury Tattoo Coiling Grasp Tattoo Eldritch Claw Tattoo Ghost Step Tattoo Illuminator's Tattoo Lifewell Tattoo Masquerade Tattoo Shadowfell Brand Tattoo Spellwrought Tattoo
Spellwrought Tattoos do not disappear after being used, but fade temporarily instead, replenishing itself in the days equal to the level of spell (a 3rd level spell infused into a tattoo can only be used once every 3 days). 30% of a character's hit points can be sacrificed to reduce the cooldown of a Spellwrought Tattoo by one day. Each character can only have a maximum of one such tattoo.
There is one other type of magical tattoo, the Gemdust tattoo. These tattoos alter a person's physical capabilities, either increasing an ability score, or granting resistance to a damage type, depending on the gemstone used. A creature can only have one such tattoo, these do not require attunement and are not considered magical items.
The gem dusts in the amounts listed below are the ones currently known to give the following effects when used:
Ruby dust: +1 Strength (2200 gold) Emerald dust: +1 Dexterity (2200 gold) Diamond dust: +1 Constitution (2500 gold) Jade dust: +1 Wisdom (2200 gold) Sapphire dust: +1 Intelligence (2200 gold) Aquamarine dust: +1 Charisma (2200 gold) Fire Opal dust: Fire resistance (5000 gold) Black Sapphire dust: Cold resistance (5000 gold)
All tattoos require an enchanter, bard or artificer with the relevant proficiencies. There is a possibility of the tattoo being drawn incorrectly which may result in unexpected permanent effects or failure.
Once inscribed on a creature's skin, damage or injury doesn't impair the tattoo's function, even if the tattoo is defaced.
The rarer a magic tattoo is, the more space it occupies on a creature's skin. The Magic Tattoo Coverage table offers guidelines for how large a given tattoo is.
These items needn't be limited to just tattoos. They can instead be presented as other body modifications such as brands, scarification or any other cosmetic skin adornment or alteration.
The known magic tattoos are presented in alphabetical order. They follow the rules for magic items, as presented in the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Absorbing Tattoo Barrier Tattoo Blood Fury Tattoo Coiling Grasp Tattoo Eldritch Claw Tattoo Ghost Step Tattoo Illuminator's Tattoo Lifewell Tattoo Masquerade Tattoo Shadowfell Brand Tattoo Spellwrought Tattoo
Spellwrought Tattoos do not disappear after being used, but fade temporarily instead, replenishing itself in the days equal to the level of spell (a 3rd level spell infused into a tattoo can only be used once every 3 days). 30% of a character's hit points can be sacrificed to reduce the cooldown of a Spellwrought Tattoo by one day. Each character can only have a maximum of one such tattoo.
There is one other type of magical tattoo, the Gemdust tattoo. These tattoos alter a person's physical capabilities, either increasing an ability score, or granting resistance to a damage type, depending on the gemstone used. A creature can only have one such tattoo, these do not require attunement and are not considered magical items.
The gem dusts in the amounts listed below are the ones currently known to give the following effects when used:
Ruby dust: +1 Strength (2200 gold) Emerald dust: +1 Dexterity (2200 gold) Diamond dust: +1 Constitution (2500 gold) Jade dust: +1 Wisdom (2200 gold) Sapphire dust: +1 Intelligence (2200 gold) Aquamarine dust: +1 Charisma (2200 gold) Fire Opal dust: Fire resistance (5000 gold) Black Sapphire dust: Cold resistance (5000 gold)
All tattoos require an enchanter, bard or artificer with the relevant proficiencies. There is a possibility of the tattoo being drawn incorrectly which may result in unexpected permanent effects or failure.
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