Magic Rune Tattoos

Eddie T · 08-02-2017, 06:18 PM

I have a player who wants a character modeled after the show Shadowhunters.

As far as I can tell, it's just runes tattooed on their bodies. In GURPS that would just be symbol magic in tattoo form, correct? Or am I missing something?

Mark Skarr · 08-02-2017, 06:30 PM

Could you elaborate more on what they want to actually do with it? Some of us don't watch the show so have no frame of reference for what you're asking.

Refplace · 08-02-2017, 06:31 PM

As usual more than one way to do it.
Tattoo magic actually had published rules, Thaumatology or maybe Banestorm for the octopus folk?
But any system could be adapted.
Powers they could be accessibility limitations.
RPM replace Thaumatology with Symbol Drawing and a few other changes, I would probably go with Incantation Magic actually.

whswhs · 08-02-2017, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie T

I have a player who wants a character modeled after the show Shadowhunters.

As far as I can tell, it's just runes tattooed on their bodies. In GURPS that would just be symbol magic in tattoo form, correct? Or am I missing something?

Do you have a copy of GURPS Fantasy (the version I wrote maybe a year after 4/e first came out)? It has rules for tattoos as enchantment; p. 25 has a brief discussion, and pp. 166-167 have detailed rules, including the effects of where the tattoos are placed on the body, how large they are, and whether they're actual tattoos or painted on temporarily. I think they would cover what your player is asking, though I don't know the show and can't be sure.

Eddie T · 08-02-2017, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Skarr

Could you elaborate more on what they want to actually do with it? Some of us don't watch the show so have no frame of reference for what you're asking.

I don't watch the show either (my daughter says I'm too old to watch it and I trust her judgment) but she explained that they have runes tattooed/burned on and activate it with some kind wand that acts like an on switch.

Eddie T · 08-02-2017, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whswhs

Do you have a copy of GURPS Fantasy (the version I wrote maybe a year after 4/e first came out)? It has rules for tattoos as enchantment; p. 25 has a brief discussion, and pp. 166-167 have detailed rules, including the effects of where the tattoos are placed on the body, how large they are, and whether they're actual tattoos or painted on temporarily. I think they would cover what your player is asking, though I don't know the show and can't be sure.

Yup, I have a PDF of it. I'll check it out. Thanks!

The Colonel · 08-04-2017, 03:45 AM

Or ... standard GURPS response ... just use "it's magic tattoos" as the fluff for any ability the GM permits... especially at character creation.

Praxian · 05-05-2019, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie T

I have a player who wants a character modeled after the show Shadowhunters.

As far as I can tell, it's just runes tattooed on their bodies. In GURPS that would just be symbol magic in tattoo form, correct? Or am I missing something?

Out of curiosity, what did you end up doing for the Shadowhunters stuff?

08-02-2017, 06:18 PM	#1
Eddie T Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Houston, TX	Magic Rune Tattoos I have a player who wants a character modeled after the show Shadowhunters. As far as I can tell, it's just runes tattooed on their bodies. In GURPS that would just be symbol magic in tattoo form, correct? Or am I missing something?

08-02-2017, 06:30 PM	#2
Mark Skarr Forum Pervert (If you have to ask . . .) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere high up.	Re: Magic Rune Tattoos Could you elaborate more on what they want to actually do with it? Some of us don't watch the show so have no frame of reference for what you're asking.

08-02-2017, 06:31 PM	#3
Refplace Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Yukon, OK	Re: Magic Rune Tattoos As usual more than one way to do it. Tattoo magic actually had published rules, Thaumatology or maybe Banestorm for the octopus folk? But any system could be adapted. Powers they could be accessibility limitations. RPM replace Thaumatology with Symbol Drawing and a few other changes, I would probably go with Incantation Magic actually. __________________ My GURPS publications GURPS Powers: Totem and Nature Spirits; GURPS Template Toolkit 4: Spirits; Pyramid articles. Buying them lets us know you want more! My GURPS fan contribution and blog: REFPLace GURPS Landing Page My List of GURPS You Tube videos (plus a few other useful items) My GURPS Wiki entries

08-04-2017, 03:45 AM	#7
The Colonel Join Date: Jul 2006	Re: Magic Rune Tattoos Or ... standard GURPS response ... just use "it's magic tattoos" as the fluff for any ability the GM permits... especially at character creation.