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The lost skill

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
lemmose
Mar 30, 2004 5:22:10 I'm creating a world, early bronze age, with scarce magical items (if any). Since I want to help bridge this gap for the players, I've been trying to remember what things I've read that could help. I've found all of them but one. An article in Dragon for AD&D, dealing with more primitive characters. I never took much notice of the article, but I do recall one proficiency in it, which is what I need to find. This skill allows a wizard to create magical inks to tattoo one's body that would invoke an enchantment that would last around a year. All I ask is that if you recall the issue and/or name of the article, I would much appreciate it if you would pass it on. Thanks!

Lemmose
#2
zombiegleemax
Mar 31, 2004 11:47:05 There's a 4th level wizard spell, "create enchanted tattoo". It's in the wiz spell compendium... I don't know if that's what you're looking for or if it was in a Dragon article, though.
#3
lemmose
Mar 31, 2004 12:52:28 Well, that spell will help, but its not what I was looking for. I've dug out my Dragon Archive (1st 250 issues on several CDs) and its not in there. Being as Dragon seems to have switched over to 3e around issue 300, there's only 50 issues that it could be in, but the skill wasn't the focus of the article, only a part of it. That's the problem.
#4
Shadowfax7
Apr 02, 2004 14:42:42 I got the hard copies of Dragon issues #70 to present and will look through #251 to 299 this weekend.

Can you give me a little more info on the article to make my search easier ??

Too bad it wasn't in the Dragon Archive, that is where I would of looked first. :D
#5
lemmose
Apr 03, 2004 10:40:58 Unfortunitely, I don't recall to much about the arcticle. It was likely providing information on races or classes or the like, but I'm just not sure (although I have the feeling it was a wizard-like class or kit). It was also 2nd ed, and I'm not to sure when they switched over to 3e, or if they had info on both. I've poured over my issues too, which are as follows: 1-250 (archive), 251-4, 256, 258-70, and 273.

That leaves 255, 257, 271, 272, and anything 274 and after that's 2nd ed.

I hope that helps the search,
lemmose
#6
lemmose
Apr 03, 2004 10:50:17 Unfortunitely, I don't recall to much about the arcticle. It was likely providing information on races or classes or the like, but I'm just not sure (although I have the feeling it was a wizard-like class or kit). It was also 2nd ed, and I'm not to sure when they switched over to 3e, or if they had info on both. I've poured over my issues too, which are as follows: 1-250 (archive), 251-4, 256, 258-70, and 273.

That leaves 255, 257, 271, 272, and anything 274 and after that's 2nd ed.

I hope that helps the search,
lemmose
#7
tantalus911
Apr 03, 2004 20:22:14 Hey don't know if its much help but there is something like this in 3E, in the forgotten realms campaign setting, the Runecaster I beleive, or the scribe rune feat, you could convert it back to whatever your using
#8
Shadowfax7
Apr 03, 2004 22:44:46 I searched the Dragon issues and specifically the ones you stated you didn't have and no luck.

Issue #274 is the 1st 3rd ed. issue.

No articles on primitive cultures or any magical "tatoo" ink.
#9
algolei_dup
Apr 04, 2004 7:36:01 Are you sure it was Dragon and not one of the other gaming magazines?

If it was Dragon, I'd suggest checking (off the top of my head) issues #189, #210, or #265. Each had something to do with savage or primitive spellcasters, IIRC. Also, #147 had something to do with alternate spell components, and something about spell writing. #163 had an article on hedge wizards, dunno if it would be in there.

Hey, Lemmose, have you seen this: http://www.mit.edu/people/tarvizo/dnd_inkist.html
An Optional Wizard Specialization for AD&D 2nd Edition
by Tresi Arvizo

The Inkist / Tattoo Mage

Description
The Inkist is a wizard that, through the use of a complex runic language and knowledge of tattooing, can use his skin as a spellbook of sorts. The Inkist can memorize spells simply by touching his tattoos while studying, instead of having to read from a spellbook. In a dire situation, an Inkist can also attempt to use his skin as a scroll, but not without consequences.

Just thought you might find it interesting reading.

There's also this: http://www.geocities.com/jemidex/magitem.html
Tattoo Inks of Estarre
Classes Allowed: Any
These tattoo inks are highly magical in nature. They come in small chests - the chest has a picture or symbol on the lid. The symbol will vary depending on the inks within the chest. The inks are designed to do the following things, depending on the ink set:
Grant a spell once per day - The recipient of the tattoo is granted a spell that can be activated as an act of will; no initiative modifier.
Item Token - A tattoo of an item is placed on the recipient. Most commonly this item is a weapon, though sometimes it may be something else, like a set of lockpicks. The item is called forth by an act of will, at which point the tattoo disappears, and the item appears in hand. The tattoo has to be the size of the item.
Armor - Depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo, there is a base AC granted to the wearer.
The inks are enough in quantity and color to complete a tattoo of the symbol on the lid. There are many types of tattoos that are created through these inks - each set is created with a specific purpose in mind. To determine what kind of ink set is found, roll on the following table:

It, um, seems to end there, however. :whatsthis
#10
Zyphus
Apr 06, 2004 0:58:10 Haven't found it (only have hardcopies) but it should be before 250 if you mean the one about Ice Age advernturing. It mentioned Ice Gnomes and converting other races, as well as using ice, bone, and stone weaponry. Like all the old theme issues it had some fur-clad fighter type in the arctic fighting some big white thing on the cover.

Or you could easily be thinking of an altogether different one.
#11
lemmose
Apr 06, 2004 12:46:15 Well, thanks for your help. I think I goofed and got a few things crossed. I found two tatoo skills in my issues of Dragon, one that does nothing, and another for machine mages that allow them to hold extra spells. What I remembered was a effect much like the spell in the Wizard's Spell Com I. I was likely looking at them both at the same time and got a few things muddled. For what I need I'll just rework the spell and make it an expensive process with an effect that lasts for a year or something. Thanks for your help, and thanks for pointing out the Rune power, I may be able to use that too.

Lemmose

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lemmose Mar 30, 2004 5:22:10	I'm creating a world, early bronze age, with scarce magical items (if any). Since I want to help bridge this gap for the players, I've been trying to remember what things I've read that could help. I've found all of them but one. An article in Dragon for AD&D, dealing with more primitive characters. I never took much notice of the article, but I do recall one proficiency in it, which is what I need to find. This skill allows a wizard to create magical inks to tattoo one's body that would invoke an enchantment that would last around a year. All I ask is that if you recall the issue and/or name of the article, I would much appreciate it if you would pass it on. Thanks! Lemmose
#2 zombiegleemax Mar 31, 2004 11:47:05	There's a 4th level wizard spell, "create enchanted tattoo". It's in the wiz spell compendium... I don't know if that's what you're looking for or if it was in a Dragon article, though.
#3 lemmose Mar 31, 2004 12:52:28	Well, that spell will help, but its not what I was looking for. I've dug out my Dragon Archive (1st 250 issues on several CDs) and its not in there. Being as Dragon seems to have switched over to 3e around issue 300, there's only 50 issues that it could be in, but the skill wasn't the focus of the article, only a part of it. That's the problem.
#4 Shadowfax7 Apr 02, 2004 14:42:42	I got the hard copies of Dragon issues #70 to present and will look through #251 to 299 this weekend. Can you give me a little more info on the article to make my search easier ?? Too bad it wasn't in the Dragon Archive, that is where I would of looked first. :D
#5 lemmose Apr 03, 2004 10:40:58	Unfortunitely, I don't recall to much about the arcticle. It was likely providing information on races or classes or the like, but I'm just not sure (although I have the feeling it was a wizard-like class or kit). It was also 2nd ed, and I'm not to sure when they switched over to 3e, or if they had info on both. I've poured over my issues too, which are as follows: 1-250 (archive), 251-4, 256, 258-70, and 273. That leaves 255, 257, 271, 272, and anything 274 and after that's 2nd ed. I hope that helps the search, lemmose
#6 lemmose Apr 03, 2004 10:50:17	Unfortunitely, I don't recall to much about the arcticle. It was likely providing information on races or classes or the like, but I'm just not sure (although I have the feeling it was a wizard-like class or kit). It was also 2nd ed, and I'm not to sure when they switched over to 3e, or if they had info on both. I've poured over my issues too, which are as follows: 1-250 (archive), 251-4, 256, 258-70, and 273. That leaves 255, 257, 271, 272, and anything 274 and after that's 2nd ed. I hope that helps the search, lemmose
#7 tantalus911 Apr 03, 2004 20:22:14	Hey don't know if its much help but there is something like this in 3E, in the forgotten realms campaign setting, the Runecaster I beleive, or the scribe rune feat, you could convert it back to whatever your using
#8 Shadowfax7 Apr 03, 2004 22:44:46	I searched the Dragon issues and specifically the ones you stated you didn't have and no luck. Issue #274 is the 1st 3rd ed. issue. No articles on primitive cultures or any magical "tatoo" ink.
#9 algolei_dup Apr 04, 2004 7:36:01	Are you sure it was Dragon and not one of the other gaming magazines? If it was Dragon, I'd suggest checking (off the top of my head) issues #189, #210, or #265. Each had something to do with savage or primitive spellcasters, IIRC. Also, #147 had something to do with alternate spell components, and something about spell writing. #163 had an article on hedge wizards, dunno if it would be in there. Hey, Lemmose, have you seen this: http://www.mit.edu/people/tarvizo/dnd_inkist.html An Optional Wizard Specialization for AD&D 2nd Edition by Tresi Arvizo The Inkist / Tattoo Mage Description The Inkist is a wizard that, through the use of a complex runic language and knowledge of tattooing, can use his skin as a spellbook of sorts. The Inkist can memorize spells simply by touching his tattoos while studying, instead of having to read from a spellbook. In a dire situation, an Inkist can also attempt to use his skin as a scroll, but not without consequences. Just thought you might find it interesting reading. There's also this: http://www.geocities.com/jemidex/magitem.html Tattoo Inks of Estarre Classes Allowed: Any These tattoo inks are highly magical in nature. They come in small chests - the chest has a picture or symbol on the lid. The symbol will vary depending on the inks within the chest. The inks are designed to do the following things, depending on the ink set: Grant a spell once per day - The recipient of the tattoo is granted a spell that can be activated as an act of will; no initiative modifier. Item Token - A tattoo of an item is placed on the recipient. Most commonly this item is a weapon, though sometimes it may be something else, like a set of lockpicks. The item is called forth by an act of will, at which point the tattoo disappears, and the item appears in hand. The tattoo has to be the size of the item. Armor - Depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo, there is a base AC granted to the wearer. The inks are enough in quantity and color to complete a tattoo of the symbol on the lid. There are many types of tattoos that are created through these inks - each set is created with a specific purpose in mind. To determine what kind of ink set is found, roll on the following table: It, um, seems to end there, however. :whatsthis
#10 Zyphus Apr 06, 2004 0:58:10	Haven't found it (only have hardcopies) but it should be before 250 if you mean the one about Ice Age advernturing. It mentioned Ice Gnomes and converting other races, as well as using ice, bone, and stone weaponry. Like all the old theme issues it had some fur-clad fighter type in the arctic fighting some big white thing on the cover. Or you could easily be thinking of an altogether different one.
#11 lemmose Apr 06, 2004 12:46:15	Well, thanks for your help. I think I goofed and got a few things crossed. I found two tatoo skills in my issues of Dragon, one that does nothing, and another for machine mages that allow them to hold extra spells. What I remembered was a effect much like the spell in the Wizard's Spell Com I. I was likely looking at them both at the same time and got a few things muddled. For what I need I'll just rework the spell and make it an expensive process with an effect that lasts for a year or something. Thanks for your help, and thanks for pointing out the Rune power, I may be able to use that too. Lemmose