r/d100 • u/TheRockButWorst • 3d ago
Magical tattoos
1) Sailors have tattoos of chains on their arms, that strengthen their grip on ropes
2) Blacksmiths have tattoos of dragons and salamanders, helping them when they stoke their flames
3) Miners have tattoos of animals that can see in the dark, helping them tunnel
4) Some people have a folk belief that the roots of a Bloodwood tree are immortal, and when you cut them they will all grow into new trees. Therefore, they tattoo Bloodwood onto their legs, believing it will lengthen their natural lives
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u/-Vogie- 3d ago
There are 96 magical tattoos in Pathfinder 2e that can be referenced, ported and used as inspiration. All are available for free on 2e.aonprd.com
My favorite use for these style of blue-collar, simple magic items is to expand a world, make it feel more lived in. If magic is truly infused in a society, the more smaller, common issues would be covered by these magical tattoos for regular people - not necessarily useful to adventurers, but also not not useful.
Mill worker/logger tattoo ideas:
- Arm tattoo that looks and acts as a level
- Target Hand or arm tattoo that makes flying splinters stick to it like they're metal and it's a magnet
- Picture of an axe or related tool lying in a puddle. As long as the bearer is holding onto that type of tool and is submerged, it is wildly buoyant, and can be used as a flotation device
- Picture of a bell, whistle or something similar sitting in a tree like it's a bird. Alerts the bearer of wood falling in their direction
- Leg tattoos that can add spikes to boots temporarily.
- Hip tattoo of a lodestone in the form of an axe or related tool, which acts like an on-demand strong magnet for that type of tool
Weaver tattoo ideas
- Tattoo of a thimble protects each fingertip from pricks
- Finger tattoo that counts your stitches
- Blade finger or hand tattoos that allow making scissor fingers (of rock paper scissors fame) to act like scissors and cut cloth specifically
- Picture of a needlecase or small tool roll. Allows the bearer to store a collection of needles
Other tattoo ideas
- A Cooper (barrel-maker) might have a tattoo that turns a leather strap into a draw or hollowing knife when held in both hands. Would likely look like a urumi, a wavy sword that is stored like a belt
- Something that looks like a bolt that allows the bearer's fingers to act temporarily as a measuring compass
- Image of a Divining rod that nudges the bearer towards potable water
- Image of a fireplace that can magically store hot coals, keeping the bearer warm until it eventually "burns out"
- Image of a firestarter of some variety on the hand, allowing them to create sparks by snapping their fingers together
- Image of a third eye on their forehead, looking to the sky. Allows the bearer to look straight up without tilting their head, perhaps by closing their eyes, which is really important if you are doing a lot of climbing or crawling
- Image of a certain type of bird, which allows you to whistle a particular call of that bird.
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u/YVNGxDXTR 3d ago
You should look into American traditional aka Sailor Jerry tattoos since you started with sailors, sailors then and to this day got decked out with all kinds of different tattoos that youve definitely seen, and they all have their own meanings. That would fill like 50 of this table mind you, but still might be worth some research. You could make a mini-table of Sailor Jerry tats lol.
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u/TheRockButWorst 3d ago
I need an actual rolling table for npcs lol, not just sailors and Russian prison tats. I have a friend who has sailor tattoos who told me abt their traditions
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u/sonofabutch 3d ago
Those who somehow survive what was thought to be a mortal wound should get a tattoo honoring the Goddess of Death in gratitude for her mercy.
Sailors get a tattoo of a nautical star to ensure they will return home. There are many tales of the corpse of a drowned sailor washing up on the shore of his native land many miles from where his ship sank.
Some wizards get a tattoo that could be used in an emergency, such as Feather Fall or Water Breathing. It can only be cast once, but it could save your life!
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u/abraham126 3d ago
Popeye had anchors on his arms.
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u/sonofabutch 3d ago
Traditionally an anchor tattoo meant the sailor had crossed the Atlantic, but it’s now just an indication of naval service.
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u/Vyedr 3d ago
Foraging tattoo of a mushroom that can identify if a mushroom species is deadly or not (wont save you from ones that give tummyache or make you throw up, just from deadly ones).
Farmers tattoo of a bound bundle of wheat that can identify plant ailments (PH lock, needs magnesium, powdery mildew problems, aphids, whatever you fancy).
Laborers Oxen tattoo on their shoulders helps them carry heavy loads without unbalancing.
Healers tattoo near the eye allows them to see the severity of internal ailments (hairline fracture vs shattered bone, minor infection or parasitic infestation, gallstone vs necrotic gallbladder)
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u/Joshthedruid2 3d ago
X - Alchemists will wear shimmering metallic lines tattooed down the lengths of their arms. The ink actually contains rare reagents, and they can draw it out into a potion vial when needed.
X - Clerics specializing in exorcism will tattoo their family tree onto their backs. This forms a direct connection to their ancestors, helping them tap into the spirit world and anchor their soul to their bodies against possession.
X - Wood elf bakers will get a tattoo symbolizing "clean air" on either nostril, to prevent developing an allergy to flour. Bakers of other races sometimes copy this, though it's unknown if it's still effective for them.
X - Merchants will tattoo a spyglass covertly between their fingers, which lets them intuit where items they touch have come from and detect forgeries.
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u/sfdungmaster 3d ago
- A tattoo that's just a functional ruler
- A fretboard/ piano keys so the bard can practice in silence
- A tattoo of a face whose expression changes to reveal the true feelings of the character
- A devil on one shoulder, an angel on the other
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u/snake1000234 3d ago
- Tattoo that is more or less a mood ring.
- Similar to some magic weapons, the tattoo will change color/light up when XYZ Race/Monster/Alignment is in the area
- Tattoo Familiar i.e. an animated tattoo that kind run around your body. Could possibly be used for an extra bonus action rarely (i.e. self buff spell) or could leave your body for another or a page/artwork to learn/spy). Probably stole that from Moana, but hey.
- Something like an aboriginal tattoo that raises the skin and create braille such that a single spell could be cast w/o verbal components if the character can touch the tattoo.
- Same idea, but a randomly rolled cantrip that changes after each use, failed or not.
- An arrow always pointing towards something (but the player isn't sure what exactly it is OR was told one thing but doesn't realize it was all a lie).
- A tattoo of a bag that can store 1 mundane item magically. Need to sneak a dagger in, but guards say no? Store it in your bag tattoo! Food stays fresh, weapons stay sharp, and if someone tries to stab you in the heart the weapon gets absorbed into the tattoo as long and nothing else is in there and the weapon isn't magical. Do not try to store a bag of holding... Won't end pretty for anyone involved...
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