A Compendium of Magical Tattoos v1.0 by Star#6630 (2024)

Magical tattoos are a rare and specialform of controlling the weave. It bindsthe folding of the Weave's energies intothe skin of the tattooed for a limitedtime. The power and rarity of the magicand the will of the recipient willdetermine how much of the Weave canbe bound to flesh.

Magical Tattoos are a temporary connection to the Weavefor any person who can with stand the binding, and noteveryone can. There are those who seek out the power ofthese tattoos, undergo the process, and whether it’s frompoor materials, rushed work or an unskilled artist the tattoo process fails catastrophically and what was meant toenhance will harm or even curse depending on the powerthat was sought after.If the tattoo is inked by a master artist using an ink crafted from the finest possible ingredients, the binding to the Weave can be more powerful than anticipated.In the end, each tattoo is different depending on a variety of factors: the size of the tattoo, the rarity of ingredients for theink, level of the spell or effect attempting to be bound, and the will of the recipient. And, no matter what the tattoo, it will doubtless grant a great advantage to the bearer.

Magical Tattoo Limits

Tattooing Process

The requirements for each tattoo are different, but thegeneral rule is that larger and more intricate tattoos require more time and ink to apply. Magical tattoos also require spell slots appropriate to the abilities accorded by the tattoo.

Applying Magical Tattoos

Crafting Success = 1d20 + proficiency with tattooist's tools + spellcasting ability modifier

In order to apply a tattoo, the artist must succeed on checks with tattooist's tools. The secondary skill used is the artist’s spellcasting ability, as magical tattoos must be imbued with spell slots. If the crafting extends over several sessions, a separate roll must be made each time and a new spell slot imbued into the tattoo.

The artist’s spellcasting ability can be any one of Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma, using their knowledge, divine guidance, or sheer force of will to guide the application of the magic to the tattoo, but this must align with the artist’s spellcasting class. For example, a particularly dashing rogue may not apply their Charisma modifier to this check.

The size and intricacy of the tattoo dictates the time taken for application as well as the level of spell slot needed to imbue into the tattoo. For every session of the crafting process, a spell slot of the appropriate level must be imbued into the tattoo. Spell slots need not necessarily come from the artist themselves, but may be contributed by an assistant or even the wearer.The source of the spell slots must be present forthe entire duration of the application process.

If the artist fails this rool and the tattoo was intended to be magical, the tattoo holds no magical properties but still takes up space on the creature's body. Based on how severly the artist fails, the tattoo can be anything from minorly flawed (1-3 points under target) to a horrible mess (10-20 points under target or a natural 1). Rolling a 20 always results in a success, with the tattoo being a perfect and awe-inspiring display of artistic skill.

If the artist fails to successfully apply the tattoo, the tattoo holds no magical properties but still takes up space. It must be removed if another tattoo is to be applied in that location. The time taken to remove the tattoo is equal to the time taken to apply the tattoo. The cost of failure is dependent on how much progress has been made.

Failure cost = Production cost × [completed hours/ required hours]

Crafting activities may be pursued for eight hours a day. The artist is required to make an exhaustion save for everysubsequent hour after this.

Exhaustion Save DC = 10 + [1 for every subsequent hour after 8 hours]

Tattoo Application

Tattoos take time to apply based on their size and intricacy. A large but simple take the same amount of time to ink as it would to create a small but detailed one. Sessions may be broken into chunks over the course of several days, however if the tattoo is not finished within 30 days the magics within the tattoo disappate and must be started again from the beginning. Some tattoo mages will demand full payment upfront, while others will charge a part of the price across each individual session. After the tattoo is finished, you gain the effects of it after a long rest. Use the following table to determine how long the procedure will take.

Size (intricacy)	Time
Small (simple)	2d4 hours
Small (average), Medium (simple)	4d4 hours
Small (ornate), Medium (average), Large (simple)	8d4 hours
Medium (ornate), Large (average)	16d4 hours
Large (ornate)	32d4 hours

Application | Magical Tattoos

The Risk of Disease

Even with sterile tools, there is still a slight chance ofpicking up a disease from being tattooed. The creaturereceiving a tattoo must make a Constitution save, the DC ofwhich depends on how sanitary the procedure was.

Permanence

The properties of magical tattoos permeate deep within the muscles and sinew of the body, and are in most sense permanent. Very few have ever been reported as having lost their magical properties, even if the tattoo is no longer visible on the skin. Incredibly deep burns or loss of limb remove the magically enchanted parts, removing the tattoos effects, and possibly allowing for another tattoo to be acquired.

Limbs regrown with regenerate do not grow back their tattoos. Spells such as Raise Dead generally keep tattoos intact, given that the limb is still present. Reincarnation will not bring back the subjects with their tattoos intact. Clones made with the clone spell do not have tattoos. Simulacrum, however can copy the properties of the originals tattoos, as long as the required ingredients for the tattoos are placed near each tattooed area.

The use of Shifting Ink

The time taken to prepare the area with shifting ink is equal to that of the larger tattoo, but there is no associated DC. The tattoos must be applied within three days of the application of the shifting ink, before it loses its potency and binds with only the first tattoo. Artists sometimes risk exhausting themselves trying to complete their work before the shifting ink sets.

Additonal Information.

Magical tattoos as well as non-magical tattoos should be recorded for future reference in order to quickly check whether a character has room for a new tattoo.

Unless specifically noted under the tattoo's description, a given tattoo can only be taken once. Any additonal applications of the same tattoo will not apply any magical effects.

Magical tattoos radiate magic dimly under a detect magic spell. A successful DC 20 Arcana check may be made in order to discern the nature of a magical tattoo. If the person trying to identify the tattoo is proficient with Tattooist's Tools, they gain a +2 bonus to identification.Dispel Magic will render magical tattoos useless for 1d4 rounds.

Tattoo bonuses of the same kind do not stack. Tattoos thatgrant a +1 bonus to Wisdom and +2 bonus to Wisdom willonly grant a +2 bonus to Wisdom.

Introduction | Magical Tattoos

It takes a considerable amount of skill and intellect to bind the Weave into flesh. Of the few that start that path of magical understanding, very few ever make it past the ability to understand how to bind higher level magic to flesh, and of those even fewer still reach the mastery of the skill to attempt the highest levels of magical binding. The skill and research involved in the art leaves very little time for adventuring. They prefer to solicit adventures to procure the rare and hard to obtain resources than venture out themselves.

As such, these tattoo shops make a great source of incomefor the daring adventurer who has been fortunate enough tofind one. Magical Tattoo shops are not uncommon at thelower levels of magic, often being found in large cities where magic is abundant and the norm. The magical districts of Districts and areas of arcane studies are a safe place to start one’s search. Though these tattoo shops rarely have an artist capable of binding more than rare magic.

The shop of a master tattooing wizard on the other hand, isso rare and hard to find, it is a quest in-and-of-itself to locate one. These rare masters tend to only work with very rare magics, constantly seeking to push their understanding further. They will send out their apprentices to located the strongest adventurers, and offer their services in the hope to learn how to bind legendary levels of magics to flesh.

The tattoo artist makes is tattooing DC check based on herlevel of mastery. Below is the recommended shop and artistskill level and its scarcity. A master has a bonus total of 12, making lower level tattoo spells mundane and boring forthem to work. They hungrily seek out the challenged thatcomes with legendary magic, but disdain the annoyance ofdealing with less powerful adventurers asking for simplethings.

Optional Rule of Infection

Not every tattoo artist is equal, and the practices of a younger Novice compared to those of an extraordinary Master are as vastly different as a celestial is to a Devil.

From how the ink is prepared to the cleanliness of the shopyou find them in.

Some ink recipes will require you to work with infectiousand diseased materials that if not prepared correctly, canleave you with more than just magic coursing through anadventures blood. And with the magical nature of theingredients, a quick trip to the local cleric might not fix them up as fast.

Chance of infection

Skill level	% chance of infection
Novice	20
Skilled	15
Advanced	10
Expert	5
Master	0

If an infection occurs, the recipient receives 1d6 levels ofexhaustion minus the proficiency bonus of the tattoo artist.

The Tattoo Artist | Magical Tattoos

The Artist's Sketchbook

When an artist first gains proficiency with tattooist’s tools, their teacher gives them a sketchbook containing designs for a number of Simple or Average tattoos equal to 5 + their Intelligence modifier.The sketchbook is a unique compilation of designs, with itsown decorative flourishes and margin notes. It might be aplain, functional leather volume that they received as a gift from their teacher, a finely bound gilt-edged tome they found in an ancient library, or even a loose collection of notes scrounged together after they lost their previous sketchbook in a mishap.

Available Materials

Description

Bestial ink: This ink serves as an addition to tattoos containing animals, as a small illusory spell contained within allows for the affected areas in the tattoo to feel like fur, feathers, scales, etc.

Detection ink: This Ink is specially mixed and imbued with the ability to detect the presence of certain creatures. The ink may come in a variety of colors, and begins to faintly glow when within 100 feet of the creature in question. For example, an ink may be mixed in order to detect members of the goblinoid family, in which case it would be referred as ink of goblinkind detection.

Elemental ink: This ink is purely cosmetic in most circ*mstances, coming in a variety of elemental styles. Some may make the lines of a tattoo appear to burn like molten lava, while others may cause it to appear as if they were filled with glimmering gemstones. While this is normally cosmetic, if the appropriate elemental ink is aligned with a specific tattoo, it may amplify the effects of such a tattoo. For example, a Fist of the elements would become stronger if drawn using elemental aligned ink.

Full ink set: Two 1 oz bottles of the following colours - purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, black, and white.

Glamour ink: This ink causes lines drawn with it to glitter like a thousand stars. These inks come in a variety of colours.

Glow ink: Tattoos inked with this concoction are paleversions of their colours while in the light, but in dim or dark conditions glow vibrantly with their appropriatecolour.

Medical supplies: A kit for cleaning tattooist’s tools. Each kit can sterilise tattooist’s tools 10 times.

Metallic ink: Tattoos made with this ink make it appear as though the subject has organically-flexible metal inlaysembedded in their skin. These inks come in a variety ofcolours, from gold and silver to rusty iron.

Mood ink: Appears as plain grey ink, but once applied this ink changes colour depending on the wearer’s feelings.

Prismatic ink: Appearing to be a swirling mass of rainbow colours while in a bottle, this ink causes lines tattooed with it to become beautiful and iridescent in appearance.

Sketchbook: A book containing sketches of all the artist’s known tattoo designs. Has 50 blank pages.

Shifting ink: One of the rarest and most prized inksamong artists, shifting ink allows the subject possessing the tattoo to switch between two different tattoos. Artists will often take this ink whenever they can find it, regardless of whatever colour they happen to find it in.

In order for this ink to display its true power, they must first have one tattoo made with shifting ink. Then, they must use the ink's power to shift the ink through the their skin, leaving the spot bare once more. A second tattoo is then made in the same spot and of the same size. Once this is done the subject has the ability to switch between two different tattoos every short rest and therefore change their given magical effects. The tattoos created from shifting ink are counted as one tattoo, and only one magical tattoo limit check is needed.

Tattooist’s tools: This kit comes in a sturdy leather case and contains needles and sketchbook of known tattoos. The needles are imbued with Ethereal magic that allows them to penetrate any and all types of skin, scales, fur, feathers, shells, and carapaces.

Temporary ink: This ink appears as normal black ink, only it is applied on top of the skin with a thin brush. Tattoos made with this ink last up to one week or until they are washed away with water.

Three dimensional ink: This ink comes in the smamestandard variety of colors as normal ink. When applied to a subject the ink appears normal. However, the one who wears a tattoo made with this ink may take one *bonus action in order to create a stunning cosmetic effect in which the design of the tattoo appears to float off of their skin and hover above it. While this effect is active the tattoo may also animate slightly, spinning or curling around the body part on which it is printed.

Ink Production

Inks are typically made by mixing natural dyes or pigments from plants or insects together with a base made of hide glue or gum arabic. The ingredients used are easily found in nature, and artists will often take note of locations of berry bushes or a colony of prismatic beetles, where they may find their next source of colour.

Specialty inks may also carry unique properties, reacting to the presence of certain creatures or imbuing the inks with the force of the elements. Given the special nature of the materials, these inks usually take longer to make, and their ingredients are moredifficult to find.

The table details some common ink ingredients, and may vary according to your DM’s world.

Ink making process

The production of ink takes two hours per 1 oz bottle,including preparing the raw materials, extracting thepigment, and combining it with the base. An artist may make 30 gp worth of inks a day. This method of production has no associated costs other than time and the requiredcomponents.

Rushing the production of ink requires a little more skill. The costs of production are half the market price of the ink and half an hour per 1 oz bottle.

The only exceptional ink is shifting ink. A wish may imbuean unlimited number of 1 oz jars with the shifting ability, and no other cost is required.

Magical Tattoo Catalogue | Magical Tattoos

Magical Tattoo Descriptions

Mark of the Dryad

Creepers and vines swathe your arm, grasping and strangling anything and everything that draws too close.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Frequency: Once per long rest

This tattoo looks like some form of plant life (roses, ivy, etc.) and spirals all the way along its wearer's arm. As an action, the wearer of this tattoo may activate its effects. Upon activation the plant life comes to life on the wearer's arm, coiling around it and responding to the wearer's mental commands.The plant life growing from the wearer count as a weapon with a 15 foot reach, which does 3d6 bludgeoning damage. As a bonus action, the wearer may choose to entangle the target in their plants.The target makes a Dexterity saving throw against the user's Constitution bonus + proficiency bonus + 8. On a failure, the target is grappled by the plant matter. They may make an Acrobatics or Athletics skill in an attempt to break free.

This tattoo must be drawn with either plant-aligned elemental ink or three-dimensional ink.

Spirit of the Eagle

You feel blessed with the splendour of an eagle.

The wearer’s Charisma score increases by +1. This tattoo will not raise the wearer’s Charisma score above 20.

Fist of the Elements

Your fist is wreathed in pure natural energy, channeling the power of the Elemental Planes. Lightning ripples through your arm as it barrels towards your opponents with the force of a tsunami.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: 1 minute

Frequency: Special (# of times equal to Con Mod.)

The wearer’s unarmed strikes are considered magical, havea +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls, and deal an extra 1d6 of damage corresponding to the ink used.

If the Fist deals fire damage and targets a flammable object that is not being worn or carried, the target catches fire. Plant-based creatures take an additional +2 damage from your fiery attacks.

If the Fist deals lightning damage and targets a creature wearing metal armour, the wearer makes the attack roll with advantage. This also applies against targets made completely out of metal (e.g. metal golem).

If the Fist deals ice damage, any attacks made with the Fist against fire-based creatures, do +2 damage.

You may choose from fire-aligned ink, ice-aligned ink, metal-aligned ink (bludgeoning damage), air-aligned ink (lightning damage), earth-aligned ink (piercing damage), or acid-aligned ink.

Mark of Elvenkind

Sylvan magic runs through your veins, granting you the most common blessing of the Feywild.

The wearer gains immunity to magical sleep, and hasadvantage on saving throws against being charmed.

Mark of the Flock

An unkindness of ravens take flight from your tattoo, the inky designs now taking sinister material form. The cawing birds circle around you, awaiting your commands.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer may summon 1d10 ink ravens, which disappearwhen they drop to 0 HP or when they are more than 150 ft.away. The ravens are friendly to you and your companions.Roll initiative for the ravens as a group, which have their own turns. They obey any verbal commands that you issue to them (no action required). If no commands are issued, they defend themselves from hostile creatures, but otherwise take no actions.

Any article of clothing which covers the tattoo upon activation is destroyed in the process as the ravens fly through the cloth. If the tattoo is covered by armor, the tattoo will not activate.

At least three jars of three dimensional ink must be used to grant this tattoo’s effects.

Shield of the Fire Guardian

A wave of smouldering flames cloak your body, protecting you from the cold.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: 10 minutes, or until dismissed

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer’s body is wreathed in thin and wispy flamesthat grant resistance to cold damage, and shed bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet.

In addition, whenever a creature within 5 feet of you hitsyou with a melee attack, the flames erupt in a scalding heat, dealing 2d8 fire damage to the attacker.

Fortress Tattoo

You are able to steel yourself against stronger blows, dodge faster out of the way of danger, and guard your mind against the invasion of enemy spells. Focussing a little more, you feel your blood grow hot as your constitution is bolstered by the powers of nature.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Special

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer may use an action to activate the tattoo'sprimary effect. The wearer gains a +1 bonus to AC and allsaving throws. The tattoo’s effects last for ten minutes.

The wearer may use an additional action to activate thetattoo’s secondary effect. The wearer gains resistance todamage corresponding to the ink with which it was applied.The additional effects are concentration and last for oneminute.Once this effect is used, it cannot be used again for another seven days.

At least two jars of metallic ink or earth-alignedelemental ink must be used to grant the tattoo’s primaryeffect. Bestial or elemental ink must be used to grant thetattoo’s secondary effect.

Spirit of the Fox

You feel blessed with the cunning of a fox.

The wearer’s Intelligence score increases by +1. This tattoo will not raise the wearer’s Intelligence score above 20.

Mark of the Frog

Your legs become coiled springs, waiting to unleash thejumping prowess of the frog.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: 1 minute

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer’s jump distance is tripled.

Mark of the Healer

Healing energy radiates from you in a soft golden glow.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Frequency: Once per long rest

Each creature (including enemies) within a 30 ft radiusregains the maximum number of hit points possible from anyhealing.

Shield of the Ice Guardian

A shell of chilling frost cloaks your body, protecting you from flames.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: 10 minutes, or until dismissed

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer’s body is wreathed in glistening snowy tendrilsthat grant resistance to fire damage, and shed bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet.

In addition, whenever a creature within 5 feet of you hitsyou with a melee attack, the tendrils erupt in a biting frost, dealing 2d8 cold damage to the attacker.

Wings of Ink

Inky, rippling wings spring from your back, granting theelusive, and most coveted ability of all – flight.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

*Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer gains a flying speed of 60 ft. for the duration. When the spell ends, the target falls if it is still aloft, unless it can stop the fall.

Armour that is not specifically designed to accommodatewings will not allow you to manifest them, and clothing that is not specifically designed to accommodate wings will be ruined.

At least two jars of three dimensional ink must be used to grant this tattoo’s effects.

Mark of the Kraken

Like the Kraken, you are able to shroud your surroundings in darkness, making your strikes all the more unpredictable.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

Magical darkness fills a 15 ft. radius sphere centred on the tattoo and it moves with them. Creatures with darkvision cannot see through this darkness, and non magical light cannot illuminate it. Completely covering the source of the darkness with an opaque object, such as a bowl or a helm, blocks the darkness.

If any of this effect’s area overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell that created the light is dispelled.

Spirit of the Owl

You feel blessed with the wisdom of an owl.

The wearer’s Wisdom score increases by +1. This tattoo will not raise the wearer’s Wisdom score above 20.

Mark of the Pacifist

You exude calmness and serenity, discouraging even the most bloodthirsty foes from attacking you.

Activation Time: 1 bonus action

Duration: 1 minute

Frequency: Once per long rest

Any creature who targets the wearer with an attack or aharmful spell must first make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw.On a failed save, the creature must choose a new target orlose the attack or spell. This tattoo doesn't protect the wearer from area effects, such as the explosion of a fireball.

The tattoo's effects end early if the wearer makes an attack or casts a spell that affects an enemy creature.

Mark of the Packmaster

A pack of wolves leap from your tattoo, the inky designs now taking sinister material form. They shake their heads and howl to the sky, awaiting your commands.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer may summon 1d4 ink wolves (same color as depicted in the tattoo), which disappear when they drop to 0 HP or when they are more than 150 ft. away. The wolves are friendly to you and your companions. Roll initiative for the wolves as a group, which have their own turns. They obey any verbal commands that you issue to them (no action required). If no commands are issued, they defend themselves from hostile creatures, but otherwise take no actions.

Any article of clothing which covers the tattoo upon activation is destroyed in the process as the wolves leap through the cloth. If the tattoo is covered by armor, the tattoo will not activate.

At least three jars of three dimensional ink must beused to grant this tattoo’s effects.

Mark of the Pufferfish

Venomous spines protrude from your skin, seeking flesh tocorrode and infect with the pufferfish’s natural defense.

Activation Time: 1 reaction

Duration: Instantaneous

Frequency: Whenever wearer is part of a grapple

When the wearer enters a grapple with another creature,the wearer may extend sharp poisonous spines from thetattooed area. If the other creature is still in physical contact with the wearer (i.e. part of the grapple) at the end of its turn, the spines deal 1d4 poison damage.

Eye of the Seer

Your eyes feel keener, seeing your surroundings in higherdefinition.

The wearer gains advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks.

Mark of the Shadow

A veil of shadows and silence radiates from you, masking you from detection.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer gains a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) andcannot be tracked except by magical means. The wearerleaves behind no tracks or other traces of its passage.

Mark of the Snake Charmer

A knot of snakes erupts hissing from your tattoo, the inky designs taking sinister material form. Forked tongues taste the air as they flare their hoods, awaiting your commands.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer may summon 1d6 ink viper (same color as depicted in the tattoo) into being which curl around the wearer's arm. These vipers follow the mental commands of the wearer and last until killed. Once all ink vipers are killed, the tattooed snakes reappears on the wearer's arm.

At least three jars of three dimensional ink must be used to grant this tattoo’s effects.

Mark of the Soulmates

As the lives of two overly-attached people intertwine, you learn how to draw on each other’s strengths and shoulder their burdens.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer gains a +2 bonus to AC and saving throwswhile they are within 30 feet of each other. Also, each time the wearer takes damage, their partner takes the sameamount of damage, and vice versa.

The tattoo is only effective when both wearers activatetheir marks.

This tattoo must be applied with metallic ink.

Mark of the Spider

Your feet feel firmly planted on every surface they touch, allowing you to even run up vertical walls.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer gains the ability to move up, down, and acrossvertical surfaces and upside down along ceilings, whileleaving its hands free. The wearer also gains a climbingspeed equal to its walking speed.

Mark of the Spiritmaster

A necromantic energy ripples through your mark, extendinglong smoky tendrils towards the undead. The tendrilsconstrict the spirit, overriding their will with yours.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

Choose one incorporeal undead entity within 60 feet. Thetarget must succeed on a Charisma saving throw or becomecharmed by the wearer. The saving throw DC is equal to 8 +wearer’s proficiency bonus + wearer’s Charisma modifier.

If the target has an Intelligence of 8 or higher, it has advantage on the saving throw.

Possession of the undead is a rare and powerful abilitythat few artists have learned to harness in their art. Theartist must successfully make a DC 30 check to apply thetattoo. If undead-aligned detection ink is used, the artist must successfully make a DC 25 check instead. Please note crafting rolls must be made for each session.

Spirit of the Stag

You feel blessed with the vigilance of a stag.

The wearer gains a +1 bonus to initiative.

Mark of the Tarrasque

A warmth washes over you as the fortitude of the legendary tarrasque fills your veins.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer gains 5 temporary hit points every round for anhour (these do not stack). When the tattoo’s effects end, the wearer loses any remaining temporary hit points.

Mark of Telepathy

You can extend your consciousness to meet other minds,forming a mental channel. Thoughts, emotions, and imagesflood over the connection as your minds meld, overwhelmingyour senses for a few seconds.

You may send the message cantrip at will without having touse any components.

Eye of Truesight

A third eye stares unblinkingly out from your forehead, seeing through illusions and observing other Planes of existence.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

The wearer gains the ability to see things as they actually are. For the duration, the creature has truesight, notices secret doors hidden by magic, and can see into the Ethereal Plane, all out to a range of 120 feet.

*Truesight is a rare and powerful ability that few artists have learned to harness in their art. The artist must successfully make a DC 25 check to apply the tattoo.Please note crafting rolls must be made for each session.

Mark of the Viper

Your body becomes stronger, resisting poisonous effects as if you’d become the viper.

The wearer gains advantage on Constitution saving throwsmade against poison, and gain poison resistance.

Mark of the Weaponmaster

Your weapon feels like an extension of your body, lighter, sharper, deadlier. You will strike down any who dare challenge the weaponmaster.

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Frequency: Once per long rest

Any weapon held by the wearer becomes a magic weaponwith a +1 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls.

Tattoo of Sacrifice

You embrace death, so others may live or perhaps its the other way around

Activation Time: 1 action

When this tattoo is enscribed you can choose either one of these forms:

• As an action, you may sacrifice half of your current hit points to grant half that total to one creature that you can touch.

• As an action, a willing creature can touch this tattoo and sacrifice half of their current hit points to grant you half of that total.

Maw of the Dragon

Energy fills your lungs, as the power of dragons, empowers the very air your breathe

Activation Time: 1 action

Duration: Instantaneous

Frequency: Special

When this tattoo is first inscribed, select any one of theelements described below which affect the damage type andshape of this weapon.

As an action you may activate this tattoo to unleash a burst of elemental energy from your mouth, allowing them to make this attack a number of times per long rest equal to their Constitution modifier. The base damage of this weapon is equal to 3d6, but the wielder may spend hit dice to increase the damage, adding 1d6 per hit dice spent. Affected creatures may make a saving throw to take half damage, with the DC equal to 8 + the bearer'sConstitution modifier + their proficiency bonus.

Tattoo of Censorship

You've decided that the swear jar needs to stop being filled.

This tattoo passively monitors the vocal cords of the person who wears it. When the tattoo is first inscribed, choose any number of key words. If the subject attempts to speak any of these words, the tattoo will flare up, dealing 1d4 fire damage to the subject and magically preventing them from speaking the chosen word.

Tattoo of Insurance

You've decide to take out an insurance policy, here's hoping you never need to use it.

Frequency: Once per long rest

When this tattoo is first inscribed, select any number ofcriteria that can be as complicated or simple as necessary. If the criteria are met at any point, this tattoo will flare up, casting a localised Fireball spell on the subject. The subject suffers the maximum damage of the Fireball and everyone within range must save against the spell. The DC of the spell is the same as the spellcasting DC of the person who inscribed the tattoo.

Tattoo of Invisibility

If your eyes could perceive the imagery contained within this tattoo, you would have to stop yourself from blushing

Activation time: 1 Action

Duration: Special

By using an action, the subject may use this tattoo to turn invisible, along with any items they are holding or wearing. At the start of each round that the subject is invisible, and whenever they attack or cast a spell while invisible, they lose one hit die. If they have no hit dice left to lose, then they take 1d6 necrotic damage instead. The invisibility can be ended freely at any point on the subject's turn, and ends automatically if the user drops to 0 hit points.

Tattoo of Blinking

This tattoo randomly disappears from your skin only to find itself in the ethereal plane for a few seconds, when it returns it seems to have move an inch from where it use to be

Activation Time: 1 Action

Duration: Instantaneous

Frequency: Once per long rest

By using an action, the subject may use this tattoo to teleport themselves to a location as per the Dimension Door spell. For every 25 ft that the subject teleports, they must spend one hit die or, if they have no hit dice left, suffer 1d6 necrotic damage.

A second creature may be teleported as well, if the subject is holding them, but the subject must expend hit dice every 15 ft instead. After using this tattoo the subject must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become incapacitated for 1d4 rounds.

Tattoo of the Familiar

Perhaps. this tattoo resembles a pet you always wanted or did have in your childhood. Either way you have it now.

Activation Time: 1 Action

Duration: Special

When this tattoo is first inscribed, select any of the common animal forms from the Find Familiar spell description. The tattoo resembles this creature. As an action the subject may activate this tattoo to cause the animal to leap from the ink, to an open space within 5 ft. The familiar can only exist for a short amount of time, which the subject decides upon when activating the tattoo. The subject must spend one hit die per minute they wish the familiar to exist or, if no hit dice are left, suffer 1d6 necrotic damage per round. This cost is consumed immediately when the tattoo is activated.

The familiar exists for the bartered duration, or until it is slain. It behaves in the same manner as familiars summoned by the Find Familiar spell, treating the bearer of the tattoo as its summoner.

Tattoo of the Beast

You admire the strength of this creature, you've decide to add its strength to your own.

Activation Time: 1 Action

Duration: 1 minute

When this tattoo is first inscribed, select any beast, which this tattoo must resemble. As an action the subject may activate this tattoo to cause the animal to leap from the ink, to an open space within 5 ft. Upon summoning the creature, the user must immediately expend a number of hit dice equal to five times the creature's challenge rating (rounded up). If the user doesn't have enough hit dice they instead suffer 1d6 necrotic damage for each hit dice they don't have. If this reduces the tattoo bearer to zero hit points, then the summoned creature suffers the overflow damage.

The creature is friendly to the tattoo-bearer and acts on its own initiative, following the commands of its summoner to the best of its abilities. This creature disappears after 1 minute, or when it is slain.

Tattoo of Resilience

Activation Time: 1 Bonus Action

Duration: Special

Frequency: Once per short or long rest

As a bonus action, the wearer can activate this tattoo totemporarily gain resistance to one damage type of theirchoice. At the start of each of the wearer's turns, while this effect is active, they must make a Constitution saving throw. On a success the effect continues, or they may choose to end the effect for free, losing the resistance.

On a failure the effect immediately ends, and the subject gains vulnerability to the original damage type for 1d4 rounds. The DC of the saving throw starts at 5, and increases by 5 after each successful save.

Mark of the Archer

This tattoo gives the wearer +1 on attack rolls with any bow or crossbow, they are proficient in.

Mark of the Bladesman (Maceman, Knifeman, etc.)

This tattoo gives the wearer +1 to damage with any specific melee weapon they are proficient in and that is wielded in the tattooed arm. The weapon in question is pictured somewhere in the art of the tattoo.

Mark of the Ironheart

This tattoo gives the wearer 5 additonal hit points.

Mark of the Ghast

Activation Time: 1 Bonus Action

This tattoo resembles swirling mist which wraps around the arm of the wearer. the wearer may activate this tattoo as a bonus action, causing the lines of the tattoo to glow slightly and their arm to change shape. The wearer's arm pales in color and grows into that of a ghoul, fingers sharpening and elongating into a terrible clawed hand.

Any article of clothing not meant to accomidate the change in limb size is destroyed in the process. If the arm is covered in armor not meant to accommodate the change in limb size, the limb grows anyways and begins to crush the wearer's arm for 1d6 bludgeoning damage per round.

A melee attack with this arm does 2d6+3 slashing damage. If the target is a creature other than an undead, it must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Mark of the Pit Fiend

Activation Time: 1 Bonus Action

This tattoo resembles hellish imagery mixed with infernal runes which covers an entire arm. the wearer may activate this tattoo as a bonus action, causing the runes of the tattoo to glow and their arm to change shape. The wearer's arm grows disproportionately larger and becomes scaley and red, their hand tipped with razor sharp, black claws.

Slave's\Owner's Mark

This tattoo is meant to be applied to a prisoner or slave in order to prevent them from escaping. the small tattoo is a sort of brand. when the bearer moves move then 150 feet away from a wearer of the Owner's mark, the mark begins to glow like a burning coal and begins to inflict 1d4 fire damage per round onto its bearer.

If drawn in fire-aligned elemental ink, the mark instead inflicts 1d6 fire damage per round.

The Owner's mark is simply a different version of the Slave's mark, acting only as a source of reference for it.

Tattoo of Major Protection

This tattoo gives the wearer +2 to Armor Class and all Saving Throws.

Tattoo of Protection

This tattoo gives the wearer +1 to Armor Class and all Saving Throws.

Tattoo of Shielding

Placed anywhere on your body, this tattoo of a shield canparry minor blows. When you are hit with an attack, you canuse your reaction to add +2 to your AC. You can decide to usethis after you know the roll, but before you know if the attackhits or not. You can use this a number of times equal to yourIntelligence modifier per short rest.

Tattoo of Glowlight Candle

This tattoo of a candle can be placed anywhere on you body.As a bonus action, you can cause your body to emit dim lightin a 30 foot radius.

Tattoo of the Leveling Blow

Frequency: Special (# of times equal to Con Mod.)

This tattoo appears on the knuckles of your dominant hand.When you hit with any weapon attack, the target mustsucceed on a Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC (8 + Intelligence modifier + Proficiency bonus) or be knocked prone.

Mark of the Saint

Activation Time: 1 bonus action

you may expend any number of hit dies on a creature you can touch. They gain a number of hit points equal to 1d4 per hit die + your Intelligence modifier.

Tattoo of the Stunning Blow

Frequency: Once per short or long rest.

This tattoo appears as a fist on the back of your hand. When you hit an enemy with an unarmed attack you can use this to force them to make a Constitution saving throwagainst your spell save DC. On a failure, they are stunneduntil the end of their next turn.

Mark of the Charging Blow

Activation Time: 1 Bonus Action

Frequency: Once per short or long rest

This tattoo of a bull appears on your arm. As a Bonusaction, you can use this take a Dash action.If you move at least 20 feet using this ability and then hit with an unarmed attack, the hit does maximum damage and pushes the target backwards a number of feet equal to 5 x your Strength modifier.

Mark of the Ground Slam

Activation Time: 1 Action

Frequency: Once per short or long rest

This tattoo of a crater appears on both wrists. As an action slam your fists into the ground. All creatures within a 15 foot radius must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failure they take 35 (10d6) and are thrown a number of feet into the air equal to 10 x your Strength modifier (perhaps taking appropriate fall damage).On a success they take half damage and are not knocked into the air.

Mark of Spell Binding

Activation Time: 1 reaction

Frequency: Once per long rest

This tattoo of spiral appears across both of your forearms. When a spell is cast you can use a reaction to you raise your forearms and place them in such a way that connects the two halves of the spiral, this action causes the spiral to spin, drawing in the magic that triggered it, preventing its effects. As an action on turn after this has occurred you can release this magic, using the statistics of the original caster.

Magical Tattoo Descriptions | Magical Tattoos

Ink Viper

Tiny beast, unaligned

• Armor Class 13
• Hit Points 9 (1d4+5)
• Speed 30 ft., swim speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
2 (-4)	16 (+)	11 (+0)	1 (-5)	10 (+0)	3 (-4)

• Condition Immunities None
• Senses blindsight 10 ft., passive perception 10
• Languages none
• Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)

Actions

Bite Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, Reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, or be poisoned by the toxic ink which constitutes their venom, taking 12 (4d4) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

Ink Wolf

Medium beast, unaligned

• Armor Class 14
• Hit Points 15 (3d8+2)
• Speed 40 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
12 (+1)	15 (+2)	12 (+1)	3 (-4)	12 (+1)	6 (-2)

• Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4
• Condition Immunities None
• Senses passive Perception 13
• Languages None
• Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Keen Hearing and Smell. The wolf has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.Pack Tactics. The wolf has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the wolf's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, Reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4+2) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution or be poisoned by the toxic ink which constitutes their fangs, taking 9 (3d4) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

Flock (unkindness) of Ink Ravens

Large swarm of Tiny beasts, unaligned

• Armor Class 14
• Hit Points 36 (8d8)
• Speed 10 ft., fly 50 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
6 (-2)	14 (+2)	8 (-1)	3 (-4)	12 (+1)	6 (-2)

• Skills Perception +5
• Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
• Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned
• Senses passive Perception 15
• Languages None
• Challenge 1/2 (100 xp)

Swarm The swarm can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny Ink raven. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Actions

Beaks. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, Reach 5 ft., one target in the swarm's space. Hit: 9 (2d6+2) damage. If the target is a creature, tiny inkspots of the ravens' color embedded in their skin and must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution or be poisoned by the toxic ink which constitutes their beaks, taking 5 (2d4) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

Mastering the geometry of arcane diagrams is essential to studying any school of wizardry, for it is in this manner that spellbooks are written. However, few have undertaken the exceptionally specialized study that strives to achieve the complete perfection over these diagrams, and to transcend spellbooks entirely. Arcane Sigilist are their own canvases for arcane diagrams, turning their bodies into a beautiful, yet functional, murals of arcane spells.

Arcane Sigilists are often referred to as tattooed mystics and are renowned for both the artistry with which they adorn their bodies and the powerful magic they summon from these markings. Many learn the ways of tattooing from their forebears, the craft having been passed down through generations of wanderers and fortune-tellers.

Class Features

As a Sigilist, you gain the following class features

Hit Points

• Hit Dice: 1d8 per Sigilist level
• Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 4) + your Constitution modifier per channeler level after the first.

Proficiencies

• Armor: Light armor and Shields
• Weapons: Simple
• Tools: Tattooist kit

• Saving Throws: Constitution,
• Skills: Choose two from Arcana, Athletics, Deception,History, Intimidation, Investigation, and Nature

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) leather armor or (b) a shield and commoner's clothes
• (a) a quarterstaff or (b) any simple weapon
• (a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) two daggers
• (a) a book of lore or (b) a spellbook
• (a) a scholar’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
• Tattooist kit

Arcane Sigilist | Magical Tattoos

Sigil Source

When you start a 1st level, you must decide the origin of your sigils, some Sigilists have learned how to seal magical energy inside themselves; others have had it sealed within them by an outside source. Choose a Sigil Source from either Learned or Vessel. This determines your Spellcasting Ability and grants you additional features now, and again at level 6, 10, and 14.

No matter the choice, you can accept sigils into your flesh, ignoring the limit for magical tattoo and their associated Con save. The only limiting factor for your tattoos are space, time, and gold; for the purposes of this homebrew wards, sigils, tattoos, and symbols are synonymous.

Cantrips

At 1st level, The magic sealed within you has begun to manifest itself. You know two cantrips from the Wizard spell list and can cast them at will. You learn more as you gain levels in this class, as shown in the Cantrips Known column of the Sigilist table.

Sigil Empowerment

At 2nd level, you have learned how to push yourself and yourmagic beyond their normal capacity. You learn one SpellEmpowerment now, and you learn more as you gain levels inthis class, as shown in the Empowerments Known column ofthe Sigilist table.Whenever you gain a level in this class, you can replace a Spell Empowerment that you know withanother that you meet the prerequisites for.

You can only use one Empowerment on a single spell. Once you haveEmpowered two spells, you must finish a short or long restbefore you can do so again.

Empowerments

Listed below are the different ways you can learn to empower your sigils with the power sealed within you.

Full Force

Prerequisites: level 7 Arcanist

You can use this technique on any leveled spell you castwithout spending a spell slot (not cantrips). If the spell would be at its lowest level, it is instead cast at the same level as the highest level spell you can cast without spending a spell slot.

Versatile Spell

When you empower a spell with this technique, you alter thematerial created by the spell, causing the damage type (ortypes) to change to another of your choice.

Health Channeling

When you empower a spell with this technique, you can spend hit dice to raise the save DC or gain a bonus to the attack modifier for this spell. Each hit die you spend raises the DC or spell attack modifier by 1. You cannot spend more hit dice on this Empowerment than one-third your Sigilist level, rounded up.

Distant Spell

When you empower a spell with this technique, the spell’srange doubles. You cannot empower melee spells with thistechnique.

Subtle Spell

When you empower a spell with this technique, you cast itwithout using verbal or somatic components.

Driven Spell

If you have already used your bonus action to cast a spell, you can cast a 1st level spell or higher with this technique to cast it without restriction.

Artistic Aura

At 3rd level, you have learned how to channel the presence of your sigils into to your presence. During a short or long rest, you can spend one hour empowering your sigils, causing them to release a strong aura. When you make a charisma-based skill check, you can expend a portion of the aura to add your spellcasting modifier (intelligence or charisma) to the charisma-based skill check. You can release the aura, a number of times equal to your spellcasting modifier (intelligence or charisma).

Warded Sigils

At 3rd level, your arcane tattoos grant you some protection from harm. When you are not wearing armor, your armor classbecomes 10 + Dexterity Modifier + Spellcasting . Youcan use a shield and still gain this benefit.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach 4th level, and again at the 8th, 12th, 16th,and 19th, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.Alternatively, your DM may allow you to take a feat instead of the Ability Score Increase.

Sigilistic Renewal

Starting at 5th, you have learned to replace some of your sigils. Assuming you work 8 hours a day, you may spend 7 days removing and replacing a sigil with a new one, provided you meet all the requirements of the new sigil.

Sigil Glyph

By 7th level, you have learned how to inscribe temporary sigils onto yourself which fade when expended. You can now inscribe the spell glyph of warding upon your body and are immune to its effects. You can have 1 such glyph of warding active at a time. Additionally, the glyph does not break if you move 10 feet from where you cast it.

Sigil Transference

Starting at 9th level, you can temporarily grant a benefit from one of your sigils to another creature. As a bonus action, you can touch a creature and a copy of the tattoo appears on them. They gain the benefits of the ward for 1 hour, at which point the sigil fades from their skin.

You can use this ability a number of times per long restequal to your Intelligence Modifier. A creature cannot havemore than one ward at a time, and casting it again on thesame creature replaces the old ward with the new one.

Sigil Shroud

Starting at 11th level, you have learned how to manipulate the aura of your sigils in such a way that they begin to produce illusions. These illusions are effectively a warping of your appearance, allowing your to change your appearance to outside observers. Once per short or long rest, you may cast the disguise self spell innately.

Sigil Reserves

At 13th level, your sigils have become so suffused in magic, that it has built up a considerable reserve within you, if at anytime you use a sigil that has a frequency property, you can choose to ignore it. Once you have ignored a frequency, you must finish a short or long rest before you can do so again.

Sigil Resistance

Beginning at 15th level, the magic within you has reached such a level that it begins to protect you from harm. Whenever you fail a saving throw against amagical effect, you can choose to reroll it, taking the new roll.When you do, you cannot do so again until you finish a longrest. Beginning at 16th level, you can do it twice between long rests, and beginning at 17th level, you can do it 3 times between long rests.

Sigilistic Regeneration

By 20th level, the magic from your sigils has suffuse so intensely through your flesh that it gives you superiora regeneration ability. If you lose a limb, it regenerates in 1d6+1 days, along with any tattoos that were on it. While you are not incapacitated or unconscious, you regain 10 hit points at the start of each of your turns.

Sigil Origin

When you gain your first level in this class, you choose amethod by which the magic is sealed in your body, eitherLearned or Vessel.

Ritual Prodigy

Beginning at level 10, the amount of time and gold it takes to copy a ritual into your spellbook is halved.Additionally, you have advantage on any Intelligence(arcana) checks made to decipher or recognize a ritual beingperformed.

Efficient Sealing

When you reach level 14, you have learned how to stretch your ink, from now on your ritual of sealing can becompleted with tattoo ink worth 1 gp per level of the spell instead of 5.

Vessel

Vessel Sigilist have had their magical energy sealed within them by an outside source. More often than not, this ritual is much more invasive than that of the Learned Sigilists, and more often than not, Vessel Sigilists didn’t ask for their powers. Whether it be because of a Warlock Pact gone wrong or an extraplanar being overstepping their boundaries with sentient life, these Sigilists have their powers regardless, and the raging storm of magic within them threatens to change their very being.

Additional Saving Throw

Your force of will has been enhanced by the magical forceswithin you, granting you proficiency in Charisma savingthrows. You do not gain this feature if you are multiclassing into this class from another.

Form of the Weave

When you are in combat, the magic within you calls for release, for motion. You can let it fill you as a bonus action, granting you the following benefits for 1 minute:

• It awakens you. You ignore any and all effects fromexhaustion that you have accumulated, and you cannot beput to sleep or knocked unconscious without beingreduced to 0 hit points.
• Light comes off your body in smoke-like tendrils. You emitbright light out to a radius of 10 feet, and dim light for an additional 30 feet.
• Your body moves exactly according to your intentions,bolstering your movements. You gain a bonus to yourStrength (athletics) and Dexterity (Acrobatics) checksequal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1), and yougain a bonus to Strength and Dexterity attack rolls equal toyour Charisma modifier (minimum of 1).
• You can activate this ability even while unconscious,provided you have at least 1 hit point. After this form ends, you gain 1 level of exhaustion.

Expanded Spell List

At level 6, the magics within you have changed you and yourpotential abilities considerably. You add the following spells toyour Sigilist spell list:

Eyes of the Weave

Also at 6th level, whenever you go into your Form of theWeave, you gain the following additional benefits:

• You gain the effects of the detect magic spell.
• You gain the sense: Truesight
• You gain a bonus to your Wisdom (perception) checksequal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1).

Motion of the Weave

At 10th level, going into your Form of the Weave grants you a +10 foot bonus to your walking speed, and you becomeunaffected by magical difficult terrain.

Will of the Weave

When you reach level 14, the force of your spells are bolstered when you allow the Weave to flow through you. While you are in your Form of the Weave, you add your proficiency bonus to any spellcasting ability checks you make as a part of a spell that you cast.

Basic Advice for DM's

Here are some basic rules for Tattoos that should help keep balance the game:

For creating tattoos that allow players to summon something, the maximum CR for the creature should be 1/4, and should only be able to be activated once per long rest.

When creating tattoos that replicate the effects of spells, the size and intricacy of the tattoo should try to match the spell's level. If a tattoos effect cannot be found in a spell, try your best to estimate. This is because the magic is "held" in the runic design of the tattoo. Where there is a mismatch, the DC should increase by 5 for every level the spell is above the tattoo.

Tattoos that grant an ability score increase areautomatically Large Ornate tattoos. Their use in the gamecan be controlled by two factors: price, and the fact that only Expert artists are skilled enough to apply them. Tattoos should generally activate on an action, and may be used once per long rest.

When determining the cost of tattoos, remember to balancefor the fact that they do not need to be attuned. Tattoos that replicate spell effects generally cost 1,000 gp per spell level, adjusted for popularity and duration. Tattoos that grant a damage or condition resistance, or boost skills generally cost 3,000gp. Tattoos that summon creatures generally cost 7,000 to 8,000 gp. Tattoos that grant an ability score increase cost 10,000 gp per point increase.