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Bront's Forums > Hobbies > The Dragon Isles (Moderator: Rakor) > Tatoos and Secret Societies ... and not so Secret Societies
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Author Topic: Tatoos and Secret Societies ... and not so Secret Societies  (Read 946 times)
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wmullen
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« on: May 04, 2009, 05:05:08 PM »
I've bee rereading the Schools, Guilds, etc. The one thing that struck me as odd is how Tatoos are used as a means of ID. While the tatoo has permanace about it, that permanace can be a handicap. what if a person is ejected from an order, that person still has the tatoo designating him as a member. Furthermore, in the case of a secret society, merely striping and examining a prisoner can reveal that person's affiliation.

And in the case of the Oder of the Obsidian Blade, it makes it a tad difficult for the Dragon King to travel incognito if his companions are sporting a cresent moon tatoo on their foreheads. What do they do, pull a Spock and wear a stocking cap pulled down low? a better place for such a tatoo might be on the palm of the right hand. Picture a member of the Obsidian Blade performing a salut thus:
punch his own chest with a closed fist then raising his hand in an "indian How" position with his palm open and facing forward, thus exposing the tatoo. When off duty or traveling incognito, wearing gloves can hide the tatoo. When gloves are not called for, a person wishing to hide his palm can do so easily in various ways, holding a cup of wine, for example or by hooking his thumbs in his belt.

By the way . how are the tatoos of the Order of the Obsidian Blade oriented on the forehead? dhey form a smiley face Smiley or a frowny face Sad centered on the nose ;-)
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Rakor
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« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2009, 05:43:29 PM »
Not all organizations use Tattoos, and without re-reading the only ones that come to mind are the Brotherhood and the OOB. I will check into the OOB and let you know.
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-Scott

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raistlin
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« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2009, 02:25:42 AM »
That caught me a little off guard, let me think about this before I respond.
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Crispen Fry
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« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2009, 07:06:23 AM »
IMO the oob wouldn't do incognito.  Cover the tatto?  So what, how many people carry obsidian Katanas around? 
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Rakor
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« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2009, 04:36:50 PM »
Members of Schools/Academies, Guilds and Orders do not hide their affiliation while members of Secret Societies probably do keep their membership secret from most of the populace. And I have to agree with Crispen, with the OOB (Order of the Obsidian Blade) being an Order they do not worry or care to hide their tattoo or their identity.
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-Scott

Dragon Isle character - Master Maeric, Celestial Mage (Shadow-Weaver)
'Never disturb a sleeping Vorlon.'
'Kosh Lives!!!'
'Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.'
'I don't create all these problems, I just find them.'
'Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.'
'It doesn't matter how you get there if you don't know where you're goin.'
'Master of the Obvious, nothing gets past me. For example, right now you are reading this signature.'
wmullen
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« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2009, 06:53:55 PM »
I agreethat membership in the OOB is something of which a person can be very proud and want to show off. My point is, however, by being tatooed in such a prominent place those members are forever barred from any clandestine missions. The Dragon King would have to choose less obvious people to do such. Furthermore, the OOB would, also, be barred from accompanying/guarding the Dragon King should he wish to travel amounst his subject incognito.

FYI:
besides the OOB, the Guild of the Wandering Wheel and the Brotherhood of the Silent Step use a tattoo to identify its members. The BSS seems like it may operate outside the law on occasion and having a tattoo, even if it is hidden, could be liability when such a memnber is capture on suspicion of something.
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« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2009, 09:01:04 PM »
I thought I updated that, but apparently not. The Guild of the Wandering Wheel was absorbed in to the Privateers Guild a year and a half ago so it no longer exists as an independent entity.

And, yes the tattoo of the Brotherhood could be a liability, never the less it is a requirement of membership.
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-Scott

Dragon Isle character - Master Maeric, Celestial Mage (Shadow-Weaver)
'Never disturb a sleeping Vorlon.'
'Kosh Lives!!!'
'Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.'
'I don't create all these problems, I just find them.'
'Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.'
'It doesn't matter how you get there if you don't know where you're goin.'
'Master of the Obvious, nothing gets past me. For example, right now you are reading this signature.'
Crispen Fry
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« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2009, 07:06:57 AM »
Quote from: wmullen on May 05, 2009, 06:53:55 PM
I agreethat membership in the OOB is something of which a person can be very proud and want to show off. My point is, however, by being tatooed in such a prominent place those members are forever barred from any clandestine missions. The Dragon King would have to choose less obvious people to do such. Furthermore, the OOB would, also, be barred from accompanying/guarding the Dragon King should he wish to travel amounst his subject incognito.
So the King, if he is inclined to go incognito, would have people for that.  Those type of people would be useful on many other tasks as well.  The OOB would make a great distraction while the King was incognito with his mystery guard. 

I don't think there is any reason to believe the current King is so clandestine, but if he is his people are very good...


Quote from: wmullen on May 05, 2009, 06:53:55 PM
FYI:
besides the OOB, the Guild of the Wandering Wheel and the Brotherhood of the Silent Step use a tattoo to identify its members. The BSS seems like it may operate outside the law on occasion and having a tattoo, even if it is hidden, could be liability when such a memnber is capture on suspicion of something.
Right thats a liability, but the benefit out wieghs the liability.  As Rakor states that is a requirement.  The reason it's a requirement is that it brands the members so they have a risk and motive to make sure the group is strong; strong enough to counter most of the liability you state.   It's also about control, one can't simply switch sides.  There is a sense of espirit de corps amoung those with the mark.  There are many factors which a leader might choose to employ a tatoo on his people.
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