Facial tattoos are uncommon among most [[human]]s. However, in [[Rivain]] tattoos are almost as popular as piercings. According to [[Isabela]] in ''[[Dragon Age II]]'' Rivaini sailors often have tattoos. [[Chasind Wilder|Chasind]] use tattoos as well to reflect descent from a prominent tribe.
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Among [[dwarves]], the [[Casteless|casteless]] are "branded" to set them apart from regular dwarven citizens. Other dwarves may have a different pattern of facial tattoos, though this is not common. Grim tattoos are also applied at the "funerals" of the dwarves who join the [[Legion of the Dead]].
[[File:Athras.png|thumb|180px|Vallaslin, or blood writing, on the face of [[Athras]], a Dalish hunter.]]
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{{Main|Vallaslin}}
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{{Main|Blood Writing}}
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{{CodexQuote|Vallaslin: Blood Writing|I asked him about the intricate tattoos on his face; he told me they were called vallaslin--"blood writing." His were symbols of [[Andruil]] the Huntress, one of the most highly revered elven goddesses.}}
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{{CodexQuote|Vallaslin:BloodWriting|Iaskedhimaboutthe intricate tattoos onhisface;hetoldmetheywerecalledvallaslin--"bloodwriting."HisweresymbolsofAndruil the Huntress, oneof the mosthighlyrevered elven goddesses.}}
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When a [[Dalish|Dalish Elf]] comes of age, they are marked with intricate tattoos representing one of the elven gods. The tattooing is preceded by meditation on the gods and the ways of the Dalish, and by purifying the body and the skin. It is not known whether this practice was part of the worship of elven gods in ancient [[Elvhenan]] or is a more recent development. As Ilen says to Hawke, Dalish ink is very valuable to them, Merrill said to Fenris that blood is used to make their tattoos.
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When a [[Dalish|Dalish Elf]] comes of age, they are marked with intricate tattoos representing one of the elven gods. The tattooing is preceded by meditation on the gods and the ways of the Dalish, and by purifying the body and the skin. It is not known whether this practice was part of the worship of elven gods in ancient [[Elvhenan]] or is a more recent development. As Ilen says to Hawke, Dalish ink is very valuable to them, Merrill said to Fenris that blood is used to make their tatoos.
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Tattoos are uncommon among city elves, though the [[Warden]], if a city elf, may choose to wear tattoos of the same designs available to human characters.
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Tattoos are uncommon among [[Alienage|city elves]], though [[the Warden]], if a city elf, may choose to wear tattoos of the same designs available to human characters.
Facialtattoosareuncommon among [[humans]], andusuallyreflectdescent from a prominent tribe among [[Chasind]]s. They are, however,popularin [[Rivain]].
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Athras.png|Vallaslin, or blood writing, on the face of [[Athras]], a Dalish hunter.
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</gallery>
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== Antivan Crows ==
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=== Dwarves ===
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[[File:ZevranBetter.png|thumb|180px|Zevran's facial tattoo, whichmaybesignificantamongst the Crows.]]
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Among [[Dwarf|dwarves]], the [[casteless]] are "branded" to set them apart from regular dwarven citizens. This also applies to [[surface dwarves]] who return to Orzammar in order to conduct business.<ref>As described in conversation with [[Ademaro]].</ref> Other dwarves may have a different pattern of facial tattoos, though this is not common. Grim tattoos are also applied at the "funerals" of the dwarves who join the [[Legion of the Dead]].
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According to [[Zevran]], there are some tattoos sacred to the [[Crows of Antiva]], and Antivans may also have tattoos for aesthetic purposes.<ref>[[Zevran/Dialogue#Zevran and Leliana|Zevran's Dialogue with Leliana]]: it probably should be borne in mind that Zevran has been known to teasingly assert falsehoods.</ref> Zevran claims to have tattoos on his back and other places, as he intimates in banter with [[Leliana]].
According to [[Zevran Arainai]], there are some tattoos sacred to the [[Antivan Crows]], and Antivans may also have tattoos for aesthetic purposes.<ref>Based on [[Zevran Arainai|Zevran]]'s [[Zevran/Dialogue#Zevran and Leliana|dialogue]] with [[Leliana]].</ref> Zevran claims to have tattoos on his back and other places, as he intimates in banter with [[Leliana]], but it is unknown if he really does considering that ''Dragon Age: Origins'' was not developed to allow body tattoos on characters.
Salit1.jpg|Salit and other Tal-Vashoth covered with war paint
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</gallery>
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=== On bestiary ===
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==== Mabari ====
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Mabari handlers, such as [[Ash Warriors]] use a special warpaint named [[kaddis]] on [[mabari]] so that they can distinguish allies from enemies in the thick of battle.
DAO Warpaint of the West Hills - warpaint.jpg|[[Warpaint of the West Hills]]
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DAO Kaddis of the Siege-Breaker - warpaint.jpg|[[Kaddis of the Siege-Breaker]]
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DAO Warpaint of the Vanguard - warpaint.jpg|[[Warpaint of the Vanguard]]
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</gallery>
== Gameplay ==
== Gameplay ==
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=== ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ===
=== ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ===
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The Warden may choose to have facial tattoos, with sliders for color and intensity. The selection is limited by origin story: specifically, the Dalish, Dwarf Commoner, and Dwarf Noble have unique tattoos; the remaining three origins use the regular set. Also note that by default Dalish Elves and Dwarf Commoners will have a tattoo for story reasons (though this can be removed during character creation). Note that even if the Dwarven Commoner removes his or her face brand during character creation, other characters will still make reference to it as if it were still there, and still refer derisively to the Warden as "brand".
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[[The Warden]] may choose to have facial tattoos, with sliders for color and intensity. The selection is limited by origin story: specifically, the [[Dalish Elf Origin|Dalish]], [[Dwarf Commoner Origin|Dwarf Commoner]], and [[Dwarf Noble Origin|Dwarf Noble]] have unique tattoos; the remaining three origins use the regular set. Also note that by default Dalish Elves and Dwarf Commoners will have a tattoo for story reasons (though this can be removed during character creation). Note that even if the Dwarven Commoner removes his or her face brand during character creation, other characters will still make reference to it as if it were still there, and still refer derisively to the Warden as "brand".
=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
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[[Hawke]] has the ability to chose from several tattoos.
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[[Hawke]] has the ability to choose from several facial tattoos, including an iconic red smear across the bridge of the nose.
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=== ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
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[[The Inquisitor]] may or may not have facial tattoos depending on the race chosen. Human and Dwarf Inquisitors have a selection that can vary by color and style using a slider, while Dalish Inquisitors are required to have one. A Qunari Inquisitor is not given the option of having one.
Facial tattoos are uncommon among most humans. However, in Rivain tattoos are almost as popular as piercings. According to Isabela in Dragon Age II Rivaini sailors often have tattoos. Chasind use tattoos as well to reflect descent from a prominent tribe.
I asked him about the intricate tattoos on his face; he told me they were called vallaslin--"blood writing." His were symbols of Andruil the Huntress, one of the most highly revered elven goddesses. —From Codex entry: Vallaslin: Blood Writing
When a Dalish Elf comes of age, they are marked with intricate tattoos representing one of the elven gods. The tattooing is preceded by meditation on the gods and the ways of the Dalish, and by purifying the body and the skin. It is not known whether this practice was part of the worship of elven gods in ancient Elvhenan or is a more recent development. As Ilen says to Hawke, Dalish ink is very valuable to them, Merrill said to Fenris that blood is used to make their tattoos.
Tattoos are uncommon among city elves, though the Warden, if a city elf, may choose to wear tattoos of the same designs available to human characters.
Among dwarves, the casteless are "branded" to set them apart from regular dwarven citizens. This also applies to surface dwarves who return to Orzammar in order to conduct business.[1] Other dwarves may have a different pattern of facial tattoos, though this is not common. Grim tattoos are also applied at the "funerals" of the dwarves who join the Legion of the Dead.
According to Zevran Arainai, there are some tattoos sacred to the Antivan Crows, and Antivans may also have tattoos for aesthetic purposes.[2] Zevran claims to have tattoos on his back and other places, as he intimates in banter with Leliana, but it is unknown if he really does considering that Dragon Age: Origins was not developed to allow body tattoos on characters.
Mabari handlers, such as Ash Warriors use a special warpaint named kaddis on mabari so that they can distinguish allies from enemies in the thick of battle.
The Warden may choose to have facial tattoos, with sliders for color and intensity. The selection is limited by origin story: specifically, the Dalish, Dwarf Commoner, and Dwarf Noble have unique tattoos; the remaining three origins use the regular set. Also note that by default Dalish Elves and Dwarf Commoners will have a tattoo for story reasons (though this can be removed during character creation). Note that even if the Dwarven Commoner removes his or her face brand during character creation, other characters will still make reference to it as if it were still there, and still refer derisively to the Warden as "brand".
The Inquisitor may or may not have facial tattoos depending on the race chosen. Human and Dwarf Inquisitors have a selection that can vary by color and style using a slider, while Dalish Inquisitors are required to have one. A Qunari Inquisitor is not given the option of having one.
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