I like the tatooes ideas. I would like to disagree with a few points however.
Peter Metcalfe suggested that tattooing was too unsubtle for the Kraloreans, I
think on the contrary the combinations of creation, pain and the connections
with initiations perfectly deep and meaningful, especially if you use invisible
ink!
I didn't like the idea that trolls had lead to the human adoption of
scarification, I am a strong beleiver that such rituals can be evolved (or
bestowed) in two or more places at the same time. The Pamaltelans that have used
scarification are unlikely to have adopted this from Moorgarki the cold enemy.
I have used some other types of body mutilation in my campaigns:
- -Amongst the Morokanth they proudly bear the deep bite scars of their ritual
combats, prevented from healing correctly by applying special balms.
- - Mostali use a bar-code sytem, which is scarified(engraved) onto the fore arm,
this is used as a rapid means of identifiaction an can be read by touching the
arm or through the use of specially trained Nilmergs.
- -Praxian use a wide variety of mutilations and markings, to themselves and their
animals. The faces of animals and women are tattoed and scarred to mark their
connections to each other through Eiritha. Faces are painted for war, with
blood, ochre and chalk mixed into pastes with saliva or urine (milk and water
are never used except in holy rituals). The fingers and toes are often mutilated
accidentally, however some groups practice amputation as acts of bravery. Bodies
are often pierced, especially the chest and upper arm, this again is typically
done during religious ceremonies (such as the dreaded Sun Hawk dance). Ostrich
nomads use the quills of thei mounts to pierce all manner of locations.
- -I think that the Agimori of Pithdaros may well use tatooes, for example prayers
or sections of scripture over the heart, forehead and on the forearms. I don't
think this use is looked on very favourably, but who is going to tell a seven
foot knight to stop doing it.
- -Baboons break the tails of outcasts and criminals (so men are advised not to
break baboon law).
SIMON BRAY.