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=== Humans ===
 
=== Humans ===
Facial tattoos are uncommon among [[humans]] considered civilized. However in [[Rivain]] tatoos are almost as popular as piercing. [[Chasind]] use tattoos as well which reflects descent from a prominent tribe.
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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.
   
<gallery widths=220px captionalign="center" hideaddbutton=true>
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<gallery widths="220px" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
 
Cahir Closeup.jpg|Cahir, a Chasind bodyguard
 
Cahir Closeup.jpg|Cahir, a Chasind bodyguard
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
 
=== Elves ===
 
=== Elves ===
{{Main|Blood Writing}}
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{{Main|Vallaslin}}
{{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: 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.}}
When a [[Dalish elves|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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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.
   
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.
   
<gallery widths=220px captionalign="center" hideaddbutton=true>
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<gallery widths="220px" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
 
Athras.png|Vallaslin, or blood writing, on the face of [[Athras]], a Dalish hunter.
 
Athras.png|Vallaslin, or blood writing, on the face of [[Athras]], a Dalish hunter.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
 
=== Dwarves ===
 
=== Dwarves ===
Among [[dwarves]], the [[Casteless dwarves|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]].
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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]].
   
<gallery widths=220px captionalign="center" hideaddbutton=true>
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<gallery widths="220px" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
 
Noble male duster female.jpg|A tattooed male [[Noble caste|noble]] dwarf and a branded casteless female dwarf.
 
Noble male duster female.jpg|A tattooed male [[Noble caste|noble]] dwarf and a branded casteless female dwarf.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
 
=== Qunari ===
 
=== Qunari ===
The antaam of the [[Qunari]] people use war paint on their body instead of permanent tattoos.
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The [[antaam]] of the [[Qunari]] people use war paint known as [[Vitaar]] on their body instead of permanent tattoos.
   
<gallery widths=220px captionalign="center" hideaddbutton=true>
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<gallery widths="220px" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
 
QunariSwordMan.jpg|Qunari covered with war paint.
 
QunariSwordMan.jpg|Qunari covered with war paint.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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==== Antivan Crows ====
 
==== Antivan Crows ====
According to [[Zevran Arainai]], 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]]</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.
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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.
   
<gallery widths=220px captionalign="center" hideaddbutton=true>
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<gallery widths="220px" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
 
ZevranBetter.png|Zevran's facial tattoo
 
ZevranBetter.png|Zevran's facial tattoo
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
 
==== Tal-Vashoth ====
 
==== Tal-Vashoth ====
Several [[Tal-Vashoth]] follow the example of the Qunari antaam and use war paint on their bodies as well.
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Several [[Tal-Vashoth]] follow the example of the Qunari [[Antaam]] and use war paint on their bodies as well.
<gallery widths=220px captionalign="center" hideaddbutton=true>
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<gallery widths="220px" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
Salit1.jpg|Salit and other Tal-Vashot covered with war paint
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Salit1.jpg|Salit and other Tal-Vashoth covered with war paint
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
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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.
 
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.
   
<gallery widths=189px captionalign="center" hideaddbutton=true>
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<gallery widths="189px" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
 
DAO Warpaint of the West Hills - warpaint.jpg|[[Warpaint of the West Hills]]
 
DAO Warpaint of the West Hills - warpaint.jpg|[[Warpaint of the West Hills]]
 
DAO Kaddis of the Siege-Breaker - warpaint.jpg|[[Kaddis of the Siege-Breaker]]
 
DAO Kaddis of the Siege-Breaker - warpaint.jpg|[[Kaddis of the Siege-Breaker]]
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=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
 
=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
[[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'' ===
  +
[[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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[[File:HumanTats.jpg|left|thumb|291x291px|Human tattoo designs]]
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[[File:DwarfTats.jpg|centre|thumb|291x291px|Dwarf tattoo designs]]
   
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
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[[Category:Dragon Age: Origins gameplay]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age: Origins gameplay]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age II gameplay]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age II gameplay]]
  +
[[Category:Dragon Age: Inquisition gameplay]]

Revision as of 18:43, 3 May 2018

Facial tattoos serve an important function in several cultures in Thedas.

Lore

Humans

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.

Elves

Main article: Vallaslin

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.

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.

Dwarves

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.

Qunari

The antaam of the Qunari people use war paint known as Vitaar on their body instead of permanent tattoos.

Other groups

Antivan Crows

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.

Tal-Vashoth

Several Tal-Vashoth follow the example of the Qunari Antaam and use war paint on their bodies as well.

On bestiary

Mabari

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.

Gameplay

Dragon Age: Origins

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".

Dragon Age II

Hawke has the ability to choose from several facial tattoos, including an iconic red smear across the bridge of the nose.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

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.

HumanTats

Human tattoo designs

DwarfTats

Dwarf tattoo designs

References

  1. As described in conversation with Ademaro.
  2. Based on Zevran's dialogue with Leliana.