November in Achaea

9.26 TATTOOS

(See also: HELP TATTOO BODY PARTS and HELP PERMANENT TATTOOS)


Table of Contents
-----------------
    I. Inking a Tattoo
   II. Removing a Tattoo
  III. Activating or Using a Tattoo
   IV. How Long Do Tattoos Last?
    V. How Do You See What Tattoos You Have Currently?
   VI. Getting Tattoos from Vinci
  VII. Artefact (or Permanent) Tattoos


Introduction
------------
The skill of Tattoos is an ancient one, having been discovered and perfected by
the earliest Tsol'aa. Using special dry-powder inks made from berries and
roots, the tattoo artist magically inscribes, without a needle, various types
of symbols onto a body (his own, or another's).

Tattoos are not permanent. You may purchase permanence for existing tattoos as
an artefact option. See HELP PERMANENT TATTOOS.

Each type of tattoo requires a different combination of inks (see HELP INKS).


I. Inking a Tattoo
----------------------
In order to ink a tattoo, use the following command, with options as follows:

   INK <tattooname> ON <body part> OF <adventurer|ME>.

Body parts are: head, torso, right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg.
For example: INK BUTTERFLY ON RIGHT ARM OF ME.

Inking a tattoo requires that you have the proper inks in your inventory. It
will take about half a minute, during which neither the inker nor the inkee may
do anything. Ink is for sale at various markets in the land.

You may have only one tattoo on each body part, until you have risen to the
rank of skilled in tattoos at which point you will be able to ink a second
tattoo on your torso. At the rank of expert you will be able to ink a second
tattoo on your head, a second on your left leg at fabled, and a second on your
right leg at mythical. Once you receive the ability of Superscribing at
transcendent, you will be allowed to have two tattoos on each body part.


II. Removing a Tattoo
---------------------
A tattoo may be wiped off your body by:

   WIPE OFF <tattoo>.


III. Activating or Using a Tattoo
---------------------------------
For most tattoos, TOUCH in order to use or activate. Some are continuous in
effect after activated, such as moon or boar. Some, such as shield or web,
perform a single function when TOUCHed. TOUCH again when you wish to use again.


IV. How Long Do Tattoos Last?
-----------------------------
Continuous effect tattoos, such as moon or boar, may wear off at any time. 
The average duration is several Achaean days of active, continuous use.

Instantaneous, single function tattoos, such as shield or web, have a
limited number of uses. When those are gone, the tattoo fades.


V. How Do You See What Tattoos You Have Currently?
--------------------------------------------------
To see what tattoos you currently bear:

   TATTOOS


VI. Getting Tattoos from Vinci
------------------------------
The leading tattooist in the realms is Vinci. His parlour is in Delos. It can
be reached from the Delosian bridge by going northeast, northeast, east, east,
and north. It can also be reached by newbies by using PORTALS, then moving
WEST and NORTHWEST.


VII. Artefact (or Permanent) Tattoos
------------------------------------
For the truly discriminating taste we also offer the ultimate in tattoos:
artefact tattoos, also known as permanent tattoos. See HELP ARTEFACT TATTOOS
for more info.


(See also: HELP TATTOO BODY PARTS and HELP PERMANENT TATTOOS)