When Tuluki's get their ink.

[musashi]

I was wondering when Tuluki citizens get their caste tattoos ... just thinking that it probably would not be from childhood, as the skin would stretch so much during growth that they'd just mangle and mishape the thing by the time they made it to adult hood so it would likely be in the teenage years somewhere but; is there definiate word on when? And any ceramony that mighyt acompany it?

[NoteworthyFellow]

I've often wondered this myself, actually.  Is it a rite of passage?  The beginning of adolescence, maybe, or just before?

[Ourla]

Tulukis are marked shortly after birth, within their first five or six years, if not sooner.  IRL, I've seen people with tattoos they've had since they were that age and yes, they did look horrific, but playability > realism.

[spicemustflow]

IRL, I've seen people with tattoos they've had since they were that age

Were they from a family of Hell's Angels or something? What kind of tattoos would a 6 yo have?

[Ourla]

I don't know if this guy's story could be believed, but he claimed his dad tattooed this fugly mandala on his chest when he fed him shrooms at the age of six in a native ceremony of some sort.  Sounds pretty Zalanthan though, eh?

[musashi]

Hmm, are you sure Ourla? It might be cool to have something submitted in the docs about it under the Tuluki caste tattoo section (or is it there and I missed it?)

I agree that often times playability > realism but, to be honest I can't see how assuming that a PC got their tattoos at in late adolesence is going to negatively affect playability any more or less than saying they got them at childhood. For all intents and purposes, that seems like 6 one way, half a dozen the other to me.

If there isn't anything in the docs for it yet, maybe staff wouldn't be adverse to me writing up a submission. 

[Synthesis]

Having your children tattooed at a young age would be a very easy way to eliminate the possibility of outsiders simply inking themselves up to try and fit in.  Seems like it would be difficult to fake that kind of time-worn, stretched out, faded tattoo.

[Ourla]

Yeah, what Synthesis said.

I'm not positive, but I've definitely run into circumstances IG in which very young children were presented for tattoos in Tuluk to claim their birthright as Tuluki citizens.  It makes sense to me that a patriotic northerner would want to mark their kids ASAP.  The youngest we can play PCs is ... what?... 13?  14?  They would have been marked before then, at the very least.  Knowing Zalanthas and how fast children grow up, it's possible they could have experienced situations in which they would have needed to prove their citizenship... seven-year-old pickpockets trying to put food on their family's table getting caught by the templarate?  Oh, yeah. 

[musashi]

While I admit it strikes a small realism string with me that the tattoos aren't described as being worn with time, but rather in elaborate detail, I can swallow it I suppose.

So the second part of my OP, is there a kind of IG ceramony or event that goes with it?

[Ourla]

There's nothing in the docs that suggest any sort of formal ceremony.  It's likely left up to the parents.

[Good Gortok]

Would it be possible to gradually alter the tattoos as the person grows? A friend of mine had the stroke of genius to tattoo the initials of a short-term girlfriend on his arm, and when he discovered that she was cheating on him a couple of months later, they broke up and he felt like an idiot for having had that ink done. He ended up getting a tattooist to mesh it into a new tattoo. Maybe the Tuluki caste tattoos can be done that way?

[Ourla]

I don't see why the Tuluki caste tattoos would be altered.  Refreshed or re-inked, maybe, but with the original design.

[Synthesis]

I don't see why the Tuluki caste tattoos would be altered.  Refreshed or re-inked, maybe, but with the original design.

Tuluki Hybrid Reality TV Series:  "Pimp My Caste Tattoo"

[musashi]

I don't see why the Tuluki caste tattoos would be altered.  Refreshed or re-inked, maybe, but with the original design.

A grey hunt winner probably gets one altered ... but aside from that ... 

[Ourla]

Yeah, well, those lucky bastards are the exception to every rule.

[Nyr]

I don't see why the Tuluki caste tattoos would be altered.  Refreshed or re-inked, maybe, but with the original design.

I think it's reasonable that they'd be refreshed or re-inked over time.  After all, you don't want anyone thinking you're a dirty southerner or non-citizen of Tuluk!

[brytta.leofa]

I've wondered for a while how Tuluki PCs get their tattoos.  Write 'em into the mdesc?  Some extra Hall o' Kings step?

[Ourla]

It's an extra Hall of Kings step, yeah.

Edited to add:  I'm pretty sure PC templars are able to add them later on under certain cirumstances.

[Nyr]

I've wondered for a while how Tuluki PCs get their tattoos.  Write 'em into the mdesc?  Some extra Hall o' Kings step?

Extra hall of kings step.
If you point to Tuluk you get that option, and the "pointing" is also what determines your accent.

[Ghost]

dont be punk get your tattooe

[Bebop]

I envision it as mom's getting their babie's ears pierced.  Do it when they're young, can't fight back and won't remember the pain.  Or whenever you can afford to get it done.  It might even be celebrated with a little party if one could be afforded, and it would definitely be something all self respecting Tuluki parents would have done.

[Shiroi Tsuki]

I'm going to agree with the idea of the younger, the better, in this instance.  I imagine they get the ink touched up from time to time, to keep the tattoos looking fresh. 

[Rahnevyn]

... you mean they aren't just born that way?

[Voular]

ICKY ICKY TULUKIS! 

[Reiloth]

... you mean they aren't just born that way?

The Muk stork arrives from above.

[Tlaloc]

I always imagined that Tuluki citizens, being a part of a very ritualistic culture steeped with lots of ancient tribal roots, probably would have some sort of ceremony of some kind when they recieve their tattoos (or rather, give them to their children). I kind of thought of it sort of like a coming-of-age ceremony type thing - kind of like a first communion, or a bar mitzva.

It being Zalanthas, however, I imagine it has nothing to do with the character's age, but more about a characters ability to contribute to Tuluki society (and probably more importantly: become a useful tool for the family to survive). If the character is old enough / aware enough to understand Tuluki laws, and can bring in some coin by sewing tregil-hide tennis shoes in the Kadian sweat shops, then they can be viewed as full Tuluki citizens and can be given their tattoos. Something very similar to the Age of Reason in the Catholic church.

Unlike the catholic church, children (and the mentaly disabled) without tattoos aren't considered "innocent" but rather "non-citizens", which is basically the opposite. Life is probably rough for non-tattooed children who are unescorted or caught breaking the law, and I always imagined child maiming-and-mortality rates to be pretty high.

While the details of a ceremony may vary, I always imagined that a Templar (likely a Lirathan, though in recent times perhaps a Templar who is aligned with the Striasiri or Qynar the character's family is associated with) would be approached with gifts, etc., and the child is presented in some fashion, and the tattoos administered. I also always imagined that if a family is traditionally loyal to a House, then representatives of that House might be present as well (and also be given gifts). Tattoos associated with that House may be given at that time - though for playability reasons, it's probably better if PCs try and get those through in-game play.

Something like that, anyway. That was how I always pictured it in my head. Others might have different opinions.

[Ourla]

So badass.  I move that the above be entered into the docs on Tuluki caste tattoos.

[FantasyWriter]

So badass.  I move that the above be entered into the docs on Tuluki caste tattoos.

I second the motion.

[musashi]

So badass.  I move that the above be entered into the docs on Tuluki caste tattoos.

I second the motion.

Third!

[Is Friday]

At least Tlaloc didn't compare Tuluk to a society in Firefly.

[Tlaloc]

At least Tlaloc didn't compare Tuluk to a society in Firefly.

If the mudders are together on a thing, there's too many of us to put down. So in the end, he just called it a bonus.

[Shiroi Tsuki]

Cunning.

[musashi]

Thaloc? Did you submit your blurb on the Tuluki ink thing to the website to be added? If not, I'm gonna ...

[Tlaloc]

No, I sure didn't. You can feel free to, though.

[musashi]

Done!

[Zira]

Edited to add:  I'm pretty sure PC templars are able to add them later on under certain cirumstances.

They are. I've been involved in such. As for the knowledge of it, how else would the children get them?

[Ourla]

Edited to add:  I'm pretty sure PC templars are able to add them later on under certain cirumstances.

They are. I've been involved in such. As for the knowledge of it, how else would the children get them?

I meant that adults who didn't have caste markings could have them added later in their lives.  You don't have to be a child to get a Tuluki citizenship tattoo.

[Zira]

Edited to shut myself up.