by Stormbringer on Thu Mar 25, 2010 1:19 pm
OK, I'll try to deal with these questions:
- The proposal meets the requirements of the alternative collar guidelines already, so it does not imply any changes to the restrictions laid down on marks elsewhere on a slave as collar alternatives. Being on the face it will naturally be visible at all times and will contain the owner's initials. Not being actual jewelry it is not limited to wrists and ankles.
- Unlike a full collar tattoo, it would not completely go round the head, it would go round approximately half of the head, across the forehead in fact. I would imagine the BA would reflect the reduced work in the cost but the price of the tattoo is not part of the slave registration process, it is a private transaction between slave owner and BA. So the BA should decide their price for the work based on the complexity of the design.
It doesn't have to be a mithril circlet tattoo, that was just an example. It could equally appear to be a tattoo of a leather band, or a silver chain with a drop-pendant, or anything else providing it holds the correct space for the mark to be placed in the center of the forehead. The ISA is only concerned with that central 'lozenge' area. The rest of it is a private commission.
- Other facial tattoos are not part of this proposal and the existing guidelines continue to apply. This is a plan for a specific 'collar alternative' which can be added to the web site to give inspiration to those who need ideas, not any change in existing systems.
- The placing of the wizards mark would have to be done at the ISA because it is not strictly a wizards mark at all, that was just a shortcut to achieve the objective. An NPC mage of indeterminate power who can create a suitable marking for a slave on demand cannot be forged or overridden by any PC mage who claims to be able to alter or remove that mark of ownership. If it helps game mechanics then we won't call it a wizards mark at all, we can give it another name.
- Tattoos have always been capable of being enchanted after the event by having a slight change or addition made with the enchanted ink at a later date. The usual method is outlining the existing tattoo. Since the circlet tattoo is a completely standard BA tattoo, there is no reason why the same procedure cannot be used. It is only the blank lozenge carrying the slave owner's mark that cannot later be changed in any way.
- Tattooed collars already exist as has been stated elsewhere. This one, being on the face, would probably be more prominently displayed than a traditional collar as a sign of ownership. It may not have the same implications as a collar around the neck in its psychological effect, I would agree with that. But really this is just a proposal to make something that can already be achieved under the existing rules become more flexible by adding the ability for the ISA to easily remove the name of one slave owner from a tattooed area and replace it with the name of a new slave owner, in the same way as a physical collar can be removed and replaced.
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Charm’d magic casements, opening on the foam
Of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn(John Keats)
Check your baggage at the door and bring some magic through your
window onto the world of Belariath