rpg tatoos?

[Ruined]

I couldn't remember where to get the faction pics like Shade Murphy did, but I have the Planescape symbol for the Believers of the Source (the godsmen) on my right shoulder. My favorite tattoo so far, although I'm considering a piece of Tony DiTerrlizzi's artwork rendered on my back.

 

[HellHound]

The branding was pretty hardcore. But a rush and a half. Denise (my lovely wife) on the other hand, didn't flinch or even BLINK when she got her matching brands!

Teflon Billy: I am REALLY jealous of that tattoo. That is EXACTLY the scene from that book that I wanted inked also. I was thinking of doing it as two pieces, a stained glass window on each upper arm, one of the devil w/ sub-gun and the other the angel, but with a gun too.

 

[ladyofdragons]

I don't have one yet, but as soon as I get the extra cash I'm off to get one. Not specifically RPG related, but semi-related. I'm getting a beautiful tat of the one-ring script done in a circle (in the ring script font, its absolutely gorgeous. takes my breath away).

I'm undecided about where it's going as of yet, either between my shoulders or on the small of my back. Took me the longest time to find a design that I know I'll be able to live with for the rest of my life, which is the only way I would get one.

 

[alsih2o]

I was never a big tattoo guy. Mostly because, it seems, everybody and their little sister has a tattoo.
Here's to daily attention to diet, exercise, and weight lifting.

--HT

i have heard the "everyone does it" thing as a reason not to a lot, and it bothers me.

i mean, everyone goes to the grocery rather than growing food, everyone gets a haircut...everyone wears shoes...everyone goes to the movies...

not to mention, everyone seems to be doing the diet, exercise and weightlifting thing.

i see doing it or not, i just can't relate to not doing it because "everyone" is doing it, tattoos are still on a vast minority of people, just as piercings, even if you count ears...

i don't mean this to sound nasty to heap tham(great name btw!) understand this is all said with a tone of misunderstanding and humor

 

[Zhure]

 

[Katerek]

Tattoos are a close and personal thing.

I for one have seven.

Each one is very near and dear to my heart, and for anyone contemplating getting one, follow the advice posted earlier.

Several of my tats *could* be fantasy related, although they are not, well, except one.

On my right calf I have a highly stylized tribal Cthullu. I drew it while I was on a conference call one day and my personal body art consultant (my nick name for my friend that tattoos) turned it into one hell of a piece.

On my left inside fore arm I have a tribal black phoenix. Above that, framing the elbow I have a violet/burgundy tribal scorpion that looks crafted from flame. Above that on my right bicep and shoulder I have a tribal snow tiger.

On my right inside forearm I have a black and grey lion guarding my father's grave, framed by rose vines. On the right bicept I have a stylized scales of justice with two snakes entertwined beneath it (very detailed piece) and on my right shoulder I have a celtic cross framed by a crown of thorns.

I am 28 and it has taken my ten years to get this many. I plan on more, but I am in no hurry. Each piece has to feel 'right' and for me, it has to mean something.

I have covered many topics in my tatoos, I have yet to get one that represents my gaming life, I do plan on it though.

 

[mmadsen]

i have heard the "everyone does it" thing as a reason not to a lot, and it bothers me. i mean, everyone goes to the grocery rather than growing food, everyone gets a haircut...everyone wears shoes...everyone goes to the movies...

But the point of a tattoo has always been to label yourself as outside of normal society (and inside another group: sailors, soldiers, bikers, etc.). It's no longer as rebellious as it used to be, so simply getting a tattoo doesn't mean as much as it used to.

Of course, what you get tattooed still means a lot, and where you get it tattooed can still push some boundries. By and large though, it's a bit "played out", like men's earrings.

not to mention, everyone seems to be doing the diet, exercise and weightlifting thing.

Now that's laughably wrong! Next time you're at an amusement park or getting your driver's license, look around. You'll conclude that nobody is doing the diet-and-exercise thing!

 

[Darraketh]

I have very mixed feelings about tattooing. I've never considered getting one myself but I still find them interesting, particularly if it happens to be apart of someones culture and heritage as opposed to just flash.

It's strange but I find tattoos on women a major turnoff. Say, if I was interested in a woman romantically and I saw she had a tattoo I'd get the same feeling I would if I saw someone had drawn a moustache on the Mona Lisa or spray painted graffitti on the Venus de Milo. IMO you just can't improve on a masterpiece, all your efforts will only serve to deface it.

 

[Quickbeam]

EternalNewbie:
I'll echo much of the advice Clay threw at you and add a bit of my own commentary, FWIW .

1) Make more than one visit to the parlor you intend to have ink you, and watch several of the artists who work there. Most of them have portfolios displaying their work, and that may help you determine which artist will do the best job on the type of tattoo you select.
2) Definitely reproduce the image you intend to ink, and plaster it everywhere. For my part, I photocopied the Sorcere's Apprentice in about six or seven different sizes, and spent an hour taping it to my arms in different locations before I'd settled on a final decision.
3) Go one small increment in size larger than you feel comfortable with. My artist and the parlor owner both told me this, and I regret ignoring their advice. I wish my tattoo were about 10-15% larger than it is, but I have no intention of trying to alter what's existing just to make it a bit bigger now.
4) How clean and sterile is the facility and their equipment? We chose a parlor that is almost pristine, and I wouldn't have considered a joint that looked shabby, dirty, or run-down!!
5) Don't worry about how much working out or gaining/losing weight will affect the tattoo's appearance. Unless you are making MASSIVE body type changes, the tattoo will be fine. My weight has fluctuated by as much as 40 pounds, and my muscle tone has been altered several times in the past four years, and Mickey looks just fine .
6) Take care of the tattoo religiously in the two weeks after it's inked onto your body. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, will make a more pronounced difference in how good your tattoo looks than your care for the wound early on. I kept mine vaselined, out of the water, and covered in gauze for about 15 days, and it looked fantastic and vibrant for quite awhile. To that end, put sunscreen on your ink even if you don't normally use such products otherwise. The sun can rapidly age and fade tattoos.
7) I've had mine re-inked once already, and will probably do so again just to keep it looking fresh. This does cause the skin to toughen and swell a bit (permanently) almost like a brand.
8) Finally, know that tattooing is addictive before you decide to get one. People will tell you this, and it's foolish to dismiss their wisdom. I've had to fight off the urge to get more tattoos on several occasions...I'm truly happy with just the one, but some primal instinct kicks in every so often and it's hard to keep it in check.

Edit -- One last thing. Tattooing doesn't hurt too much (IMO) unless you choose an especially sensitive area. If that's the case, then prepare for the pain and accept it as part of your decision .

 

[Desdichado]

Alright, time for the clueless to chime in. What's so clever about the user-name?