Re: Guild Tattoos: a means of identification, in a shadowy profession

:)

> Nice idea, but a few minor problems.  The spell is high level, and thieves
> would have to contract out to get them cast.  This makes the mages who
cast
> them big targets.

Exactly, thats's part of my reasoning - in that I didn't want it to be
easily fabricated, thus making it an incredible shock when I make a
fabricated one in my game a major plot point....

> Also, what if someone besides the Guild master needs to check up on
someone,
> say a spy reporting in.  I don't think the Guild Master wants to get to
> close to that operation, a nd the field agent would want to know he's got
> the right spy.

Well, I may yet change it to be the Guild Master, and another, like the
Guild mage himself, or perhaps the master's right hand thief.  This would
also mean changing the material comonent of the marker spell, but that's
fair enough :)  I more so added that particular component for role-playing.

> I would replace the spell with magical ink, perhaps something like what
> you'd use to inscribe spell books.  The add to the tattoo the power of the
> Rogue to make it appear.  That way they can show, or be shown.
>
> I've been toying with the idea of guild tattoos similar to this, only I
was
> thinking that the complexity and color of the marking would reveal the
> owner.  A minor thief might have the guild raven on his forearm in red,
but
> the guild master would have the red raven, surrounded by golden chains,
with
> whirls of blue curling up the arm, and green tentacles banding.  A red
sword
> caught in between the tentacles and the whirls.  Every image being a major
> even, every color being a different meaning.

Well, I may make it a standard procedure that members may upgrade their
tattoo's, upon certain conditions - ie, with a low level (and thus probably
cast within the guild) spell, or minor magical item, they can add markings
etc to the invisible tatto, like rank, crimes, triumphs, etc.

> Also, perhaps some discussion on why thieves must thief.  I've always
> thought of this a more of a catch all class for people who didn't kill for
a
> living.  Any thoughts on that group?

I do this aswell, ususally using the "commoner" class from the dragonlance
book for people not wanting to play anything specific, but some thieves are
the good ol, lock pickin, light footed, greasy palmed, bearded chin, pick a
pocket or two, rogues ;)

> Dark Lord B0unty

Tilaurin
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