Tattooing allows a character to store spells on themself as tattoos instead of using a spellbook. Each purchase of this skill generates one Tag, which may then be spent on tattoos. An Apprentice spell costs one tag, Journeyman two, and Masters require three tags each. Once chosen, the tattoo is permanent and cannot be changed or removed. This also permanently consumes the tags spent on creation - unlike other production based skills Tattooing tags do not reset at debriefing.

As with adding a spell to a spellbook, the creation of a tattoo requires the appropriate spell scroll (which is consumed on creation). The skill Word of Arcane may be used to remove a tattoo on a conscious, willing target. If the tattoo is removed by any means, the character regains the tags spent in its creation and may use them to create a new tattoo.

Tattoos allow a character to cast the spell without a spellbook, and always count as "memorized", allowing the caster to cast the spells without having their spellbook present (or have one at all, if the character has all the spells they want tattooed on them).

This skill also allows the character to remove the verbal "I concentrate" from their spell incants. Spells cast in this manner require only the damage call in order to use. In order to activate this ability, the character must spend double the regular tags to create the tattoo. "Upgrading" an existing tattoo to this abililty is allowed without using an additional spell scroll, providing that the appropriate amount of extra tags are spent and the size of the tattoo is increased appropriately.

Tattoos must be at least 1 square inch per tag spent on their creation. Additionally, they must follow the design guidelines listed below.

All "Elemental" tattoos must be primarily in the color of their element (according to the chart below). "Universal" spells, such as "Break", may either be primarily black or the caster's primary element. Additional colors may be added, as long as the primary color of the tattoo is obvious.

Apprentice tattoos must be at least one square inch in size, and only require one color (the element color - black may be substituted for "general" spells). Journeyman tattoos must be at least two square inches in size, and must contain at least two colors (but the primary color must be apparent to anyone who looks at it). Master tattoos must be at least three square inches and contain three colors (again, the primary color must stand out). The specific shade used does not matter, as long as the color choice is clear to anyone who looks at it. Twice as many colors must be used if the tattoo allows the bearer to remove the "I concentrate" verbal. Additionally, tattoos on characters with the same color as a makeup requirement (such as dark elves casting ice magic) must be a distinct enough shade to still be noticable. Colors are listed in the chart below.

In addition to color, each spell requires specific design elements. Samples are listed below, but are not hard-and-fast requirements for the exact design as long as all the required elements are present. Extra elements may be present if desired.

Apprentice Spells

Break: Tattoo must show a weapon broken in half.

Disarm: Tattoo must show a weapon with three downward motion lines.

Magic Glue: Tattoo must show a square attached to a solid line.

Physical Shield: Tattoo must show a curved line stopping a weapon.

Query: Tattoo must show a question mark.

Snare: Tattoo must show a triangle with two lines splitting it up and another line bisecting it.

Stun: Tattoo must show a circle with a broken oval above it.

{Element} Blade: Tattoo must show a Sword with a single solid line for a blade.

{Element} Blast: Tattoo must show three arrows connected at their origin.

{Element} Spike: Tattoo must show an arrow with a single slash through it.

Spray of {Element}: Tattoo must show an arrow with a single slash through it, with two smaller arrows running parallel.

Journeyman Spells

Butterfingers: Tattoo must show at least three lines joined at one end with a disarm symbol coming off the end of each.

Magic Invulnerability: Tattoo must show a curved line stopping an arrow.

Magic Reflection: Tattoo must show a curved line with an arrow rebounding off of it.

Release: Tattoo must show a line connecting two circles, each with a section "opening".

Web: Tattoo must show a triangle with two lines splitting it up and two others bisecting them.

Weight Distortion: Tattoo must show a square with an up arrow and a down arrow inside.

{Element} Bolt: Tattoo must show an arrow with two slashes through it.

{Element} Rifle: Tattoo must show an arrow with two slashes through it, with two smaller arrows running parallel.

Focus of {Element}: Tattoo must show a weapon made of broken lines in between two weapons made of solid lines.

Guidance of {Element}: Tattoo must show a weapon with jagged lines around the striking surface.

Improved {Element} Blade: Tattoo must show a sword with a blade made of two lines.

Swarm of {Element}: Tattoo must show three arrows connected at their origin with two curved lines connecting the arrows.

Master Spells

Banish: Tattoo must show a half of a person inside it and an arrow pointing towards the circle.

Channeled Force: Tattoo must show an arrow pointing towards a person holding a weapon with an arrow coming off the weapon.

Crippling Force: Tattoo must show a person missing a limb.

Drain: Tattoo must show a person dropping a weapon.

Mass Webbing: Tattoo must show three triangles connected at their apexes, each with a dividing line down the center and three parallel lines perpendicular to the divider.

Stop Army: Tattoo must show a triangle with two lines dividing it, and three lines bisecting those lines.

Ward: Tattoo must show building with an "aura" line running around it.

{Element} Aura: Tattoo must show a person with an "aura" line running around it.

{Element} Explosion: Tattoo must show an arrow with three slashes through it.

{Element} Tempest: Tattoo must show an arrow with three slashes through it with two more arrows running parallel to it.

Barrier of {Deity}: Tattoo must show a doorway with wavy lines around it.

Hyperaccelerated {Element}: Tattoo must show an arrow with three slashes through it leaving a bow.

Superior {Element} Blade: Tattoo must show a sword with a blade made of three lines.