The Dresden Files > DF Books

Magical Tattoos

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Dknowles323:
I apologize if this has already been asked, but I wonder about the usage of tattoos for magical (wizarding foci) purposes in the Dresden-Verse.

Evidence that this may in fact be possible.

1. Magical Theory within the Dresden Files leads to that in a pinch, a heavy duty spell that normally requires expensive jewels, could be done by a practiced wizard with a few rocks and a circle.

2. It is based on confidence, so that if you believe your Tattoo can hold spellwork, it has a chance to work.

3. Signs and sigils can be made on just about anything or everything but often focus are made on things like Blasting Rods and Staffs, and other enchanted items.

4. We have seen tattoos used in the Brotherhood with Susan to control her half vampire nature.


So, with this established, would it be theoretically possible for someone skilled enough with magic, instead of carrying a blasting rod, or staff, instead have intricate tattoos up and down their body to act as magical foci to the same effect? And if so, why haven't we possibly seen it yet?

Griffyn612:
Welcome to the boards!

As this is the Books section and not the Spoliers section, I'll refrain from mentioning details, but there's one character in one of the most recent books that had magical tattoos.

We've speculated on it plenty.  I'm not if there's a consensus on the usefulness, but I believe most agree it's possible.

Dknowles323:
I wasn't sure if it would qualify as needing to be in the spoilers section, as so far I'm only poking at Magical Theory as a whole with what has been introduced. Though I've read all the books and I don't recall someone besides The Brotherhood using it to restrain them. However if I need to move it to Spoilers for a more in depth discussion, I would be happy to do so.

Griffyn612:

--- Quote from: Dknowles323 on March 17, 2018, 05:01:10 PM ---I wasn't sure if it would qualify as needing to be in the spoilers section, as so far I'm only poking at Magical Theory as a whole with what has been introduced. Though I've read all the books and I don't recall someone besides The Brotherhood using it to restrain them. However if I need to move it to Spoilers for a more in depth discussion, I would be happy to do so.

--- End quote ---
I think the rule is no spoilers from the most recent book in the Books section.  I tend to be a little more careful because I figure folks new the series but not fully caught up might stumble in.

Still, I don't think there's anything necessarily spoilerish about the subject or concepts, so it's probably fine here.

jonas:
Heck griff, i'm all caught up and I feel like I missed something cause I don't remember any magical tattoo bearers?(I mean, Susan did that thing with those things..... but that's not new enough to possibly be a spoiler)

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