Tattoos as foci? Options

[Ghost_in_the_Sys...]

Just what it says on the tin. Is it possible to create a foci in the form of a tattoo? I'd imagine this wouldn't be a very popular choice as you couldn't ever sell it off or anything, but given all the mysticism surrounding tattoos (and the fact that you can't drop or misplace them) it might fit some characters very well.

I tried looking for anything about it in the books and couldn't really find anything specific (No surprises, it is kind of left field). The closest I could come up with as an argument against it is that the book mentions creating an object/item as part of the process, which a tattoo may not technically be (though I suppose the ink could be what carries the enchantment). There is however mention of it being able to take any form based on tradition.

Anyone else have any thoughts about the RAW or opinions about if it would be too strong or anything? I figure that 99% of the time dropping a focus doesn't come up anyway and in that light the inability to lose it is more than made up for by the inability to trade it up.

[Halflife]

Not sure about foci but they could certainly be used as a fetish for certain mages.

[HunterHerne]

Actually, there is a mention in Vice about Yakuza Tattoo artists being mages who weave a spell into tattoos they place on the Yak members. Not sure exactly how it works, or if it's something like an Anchored spell intended to go off when the tattoo reciever needs it or what, but it is certainly possible.

I think there was a sidebar about making cyberware into foci, or fetishes, as well. But the process needs to be done before the ware is installed.

[Makki]

where are the SR3 cracks? I remember reading tattoo magic in these days

[TheOOB]

Not sure about foci but they could certainly be used as a fetish for certain mages.

Doesn't that entirely ruin the point of a fetish? If you can't loose it, whats the disadvantage.

In any case, I would treat tattoos as unique magic items, they may have various magical effects, but a foci is by it's nature it's own object with it's own astral form.

[Stahlseele]

where are the SR3 cracks? I remember reading tattoo magic in these days

Sure, that just needed quickening and then you needed to learn it as a meta magic.
Tattoo-Focus is completely canon and doable.
And versatile too. Because who says you can't make it a tattoo on your fists for weapon focus?

Also: IT IS FOCUS DAMN IT!
THE SINGULAR OF FOCI IS FOCUS!

[HunterHerne]

Well, it would have it's own astral form, it would just be located on your astral form at all times (unless that part of your body was generously removed for you)

[Raiki]

Now this is complete house rule territory, but I would personally rule it thus:

Yes a tattoo, assuming it is tradition appropriate, could be used as a focus. In addition to the other rules regarding focus creation, at least one person involved in creating the tattoo must have rating 3 or above in an appropriate skill. This additional requirement adds 5-10% to the total focus cost (depending on focus type). Also, while the focus may be activated and deactivated as normal, it always qualifies as active for the purposes of passing through wards. I see this as a fair trade-off for the complete inability of that focus to be stolen/lost for any reason.


Thoughts?


~R~

[Stahlseele]

Also, remember about foci getting destroyed if their physical form was changed?
Scars tend to mess up tattoos. As do cuts. And bullet holes.

[Raiki]

Also, remember about foci getting destroyed if their physical form was changed?
Scars tend to mess up tattoos. As do cuts. And bullet holes.

That would be a really jerk move on the part of the GM.


I like it.


~R~

[Stahlseele]

http://ancientfiles.dumpshock.com/Meta.htm#2

Tattoo Magic

First addressed in the Underworld Sourcebook as a variant Quickening technique, Tattoo Magic was first given its own entry as a discrete technique in Magic in the Shadows. Tattoo Magic allows the initiate to quicken a spell to a tattoo or ritual scar, making it more difficult to dispel. In Fourth Edition, Tattoo Magic is effectively addressed as using Quickening materials to Quicken a spell, rather than as a seperate techniuqe.

And uncle Drake is still the best source!

And now we come to the REALLY difficult part:
DOES IT WORK WITH NANO-TATS TOO?

[HunterHerne]

Good to know.

[Ghost_in_the_Sys...]

Shame, I was thinking that it might be very appropriate for a particular character of mine.

[Stahlseele]

Now you know.

[HunterHerne]

Now you know.

And knowing is half the battle.

[Stahlseele]

The other half being glorious carnage in all it's incarnation.

[HunterHerne]

The other half being glorious carnage in all it's incarnation.

So... if I ever GM for you, you want the carnage spirits?

[Stahlseele]

No, i want to play carnage incarnate

[Dez384]

There is no reason why a tattoo can't be a foci. The telesma is acquired before the enchanting starts. The only problem is getting the character to endure days worth of enchanting.

[LurkerOutThere]

Except for tricksy game balance and mechanics question.

[Tyro]

There is no reason why a tattoo can't be a foci. The telesma is acquired before the enchanting starts. The only problem is getting the character to endure days worth of enchanting.

FOCUS! You're making me twitch inside. It's bad enough that sometimes people in my group refer to a single "dice" *shudder*

[Yerameyahu]

Tattoos as Quickened Spells is totally different from tattoos as *foci*. I wouldn't allow it, I think. It makes perfect sense as Quickening: permanent and pre-set. A focus, on the other hand… and what kind of foci? Weapon? Power? Sustaining?

You'd also have to allow the tattoo to be targeted separately, and all of that. Unless, of course, it's a special (new) kind of focus, specifically intended to avoid certain weaknesses like that. In that case, we're making up more rules, so it's 'be careful'. Require a specific metamagic, possibly a special karma cost?

[kzt]

There are certain obvious drawbacks. Like you get captured and the belt sander appears. "Now this might be bit painful. ..."

[Yerameyahu]

Heh. And advantages. As long as it's balanced.

Hmm. I did forget that you can implant foci these days, so that's roughly the same.

[Stahlseele]

you always could implant foci.
what does it matter wether or not you wear the focus ring on your finger or under the skin of your arm?
hell, you can even have cyber ware act as your focus, but this is a bit more tricky than the other kind.
And oh hey, skin-pocket/marsupial pouch!
Best of both worlds! hard to see/lose, but able to replace/change the focus at moments notice . .