RP Idea: Is this too crazy? Feedback wanted!

[LadyRochester]

(I apologize in advance for my horrible, horrible phrasing. I'm in the middle of class and can't really flesh out my post without having the teacher glare at me.)

 

I was doing the Alchemy class quests and the fact that Arcanum/Arcamina uses ink as a conductor for aether made something snap in my mind.

 

See, theoretically, if you use high quality ink (a high conductor) and are able to accurately depict the symbols of the Arcanists to cast magic with books and scrolls.... What could possibly stop a person from trying the same thing on people? As in, in theory, shouldn't someone be able to use these symbols on their skin to cast magic as well? Since it's in the skin, what if you make it permanent or semi-permanent? Would this enhance a person's aetherial ability or harm it? Would they get aether-sickness? Would this be, perhaps, a more stable form of sorcery?

 

I am considering making an RP where she takes wiling participants to see if this theory would work, obviously, I need to flesh it out a bit more (Considering that "I phraez gud"), but what do you guys think? Would you want to participate in this RP? Needless to say, it will likely be extended and not a "one-time" thing.

 

Disclaimer: This RP is not an excuse to make your character OP, regardless of the results. I'm a bit reluctant to bring it into the forums for this exact reason, I don't want demi-gods pouring out of Sasha's experiments. Due to her aetherial sensitivity, she will probably not perform the experiment on herself. 

My biggest concern is people taking advantage of this RP to make their characters overpowered, and I also don't want to turn perfectly good characters into Mary-sues, but I'm guessing that's up to the other role-player, not myself. I may post a thread in the "Making Connections" sub-forums depending on the reception of this idea.

 

Thank you for your feedback.

[Gegenji]

Theoretically, unless they're going for arcane tattoos or something, I am unsure how well using the body as a physical medium for arcanima formulae would work. And, if you do tattoo them on, would the materials that are used for the best dyes... safe to have in your body?

 

And even after all that, you are using the aetherical formulae as a focus to cast your spells. Having them tattooed on you wouldn't suddenly give you the ability to cast magic, I would think. Or even help or hinder your natural aetheric ability. You'd just have a potentially stylish alternative to having a codex on hand - if you think having equation ink is rad.

 

Which, I suppose, could be handy. Since you could technically never be disarmed - you have your spells with you at all times. Which might be handy.

[Magellan]

My only thought would be, if these tattoos are supposed to be visible, you're likely going to have to explain them (and their use) ICly to everyone you meet. Which honestly, sounds like too much work to me

[Raelas]

I've seen this exact concept used quite often over the few years of ARR. Hell, one of my characters has a very primitive version of it that uses a stored pool of aether to fire off a single aetherical blast as a last resort. Its a once a week deal and leaves them pretty much out of commission afterwards.

 

Its possible in theory and as there isn't really any lore to support the effects of doing so... just balance it however you see fit.

 

[Edit] - I also see no reason why the tattoo's couldn't be non-visible until they're actually used to channel aether along them (Which is how my chars tattoo's work).

[LadyRochester]

Theoretically, unless they're going for arcane tattoos or something, I am unsure how well using the body as a physical medium for arcanima formulae would work. And, if you do tattoo them on, would the materials that are used for the best dyes... safe to have in your body?

 

And even after all that, you are using the aetherical formulae as a focus to cast your spells. Having them tattooed on you wouldn't suddenly give you the ability to cast magic, I would think. Or even help or hinder your natural aetheric ability. You'd just have a potentially stylish alternative to having a codex on hand - if you think having equation ink is rad.

 

Which, I suppose, could be handy. Since you could technically never be disarmed - you have your spells with you at all times. Which might be handy.

 

Well, I'm sure there is a work-around regarding the toxicity of inks to make them compatible with a person's body. Technically, in Eorzea, it is possible to cast magic without a medium (I refer to this as plain "sorcery") So aether directly goes between the caster and the environment without a filter, this is obviously not the most stable form of magic (or the safest), but it's certainly used. People have to be open to the possibility of their characters suffering secondary effects (or even loss) regarding their magical powers.

 

The effects are up to the roleplayer, of course, but I'd prefer if we could discuss it beforehand to not have major disparities between results if multiple people are interested.

[LadyRochester]

My only thought would be, if these tattoos are supposed to be visible, you're likely going to have to explain them (and their use) ICly to everyone you meet. Which honestly, sounds like too much work to me

 

I've seen this exact concept used quite often over the few years of ARR. Hell, one of my characters has a very primitive version of it that uses a stored pool of aether to fire off a single aetherical blast as a last resort. Its a once a week deal and leaves them pretty much out of commission afterwards.

 

Its possible in theory and as there isn't really any lore to support the effects of doing so... just balance it however you see fit.

 

[Edit] - I also see no reason why the tattoo's couldn't be non-visible until they're actually used to channel aether along them (Which is how my chars tattoo's work).

 

As Yangh said, the tattooos could be invisible until the character uses them. I have yet to flesh out the idea, and as mentioned before, it's completely up to the other roleplayer.

[LadyRochester]

My only thought would be, if these tattoos are supposed to be visible, you're likely going to have to explain them (and their use) ICly to everyone you meet. Which honestly, sounds like too much work to me

 

I've seen this exact concept used quite often over the few years of ARR. Hell, one of my characters has a very primitive version of it that uses a stored pool of aether to fire off a single aetherical blast as a last resort. Its a once a week deal and leaves them pretty much out of commission afterwards.

 

Its possible in theory and as there isn't really any lore to support the effects of doing so... just balance it however you see fit.

 

[Edit] - I also see no reason why the tattoo's couldn't be non-visible until they're actually used to channel aether along them (Which is how my chars tattoo's work).

 

As Yangh said, the tattooos could be invisible until the character uses them. I have yet to flesh out the idea, and as mentioned before, it's completely up to the other roleplayer...

 

Though I would understand, explaining them when using magic can be a bit tiring, or you can simply have our character not talk about it much, it's up to what kind of character takes the role, really.

[Gegenji]

Why would the ink be invisible, though? I could see them flaring up for effect when you use them, which would be neat... but unless the ink itself is clear or flesh-colored (which would still stand out if you got tanned or something)... why wouldn't it be visible?

 

Obviously it'd be difficult to show in game on model - but you could just as easily just tell people that your character is covered in strange, mathematical tattoos... or have them underneath clothing. No particular reason to also have them invisible.

[LadyRochester]

Why would the ink be invisible, though? I could see them flaring up for effect when you use them, which would be neat... but unless the ink itself is clear or flesh-colored (which would still stand out if you got tanned or something)... why wouldn't it be visible?

 

Obviously it'd be difficult to show in game on model - but you could just as easily just tell people that your character is covered in strange, mathematical tattoos... or have them underneath clothing. No particular reason to also have them invisible.

 

You have a point, unless the ink is VERY meticulously applied in the colour of the subject's skin, then making it invisible would be... Nearly impossible (Even then, the procedure must be VERY time consuming and expensive). Or, actually, maybe it would be possible to conceal them with glamour magic, but even then it's a bit of a stretch.

[Raelas]

Why would the ink be invisible, though? I could see them flaring up for effect when you use them, which would be neat... but unless the ink itself is clear or flesh-colored (which would still stand out if you got tanned or something)... why wouldn't it be visible?

 

Obviously it'd be difficult to show in game on model - but you could just as easily just tell people that your character is covered in strange, mathematical tattoos... or have them underneath clothing. No particular reason to also have them invisible.

 

Its just an artistic direction really. You could go with invisible ink, flesh coloured or simply just say that it is the way it is because reasons. Not to mention its something you can't visually show without emoting that its there, so there's that.

 

Then again, a macro could fix that for you. Saves you typing it out over and over.

 

The lore of the visibility ink, I feel, is probably the least important thing about using ink on the body to channel Arcanima.

[FreelanceWizard]

We have a couple of characters in Mysterium that use their arcanima expertise to draw (or scarify) geometries on people for particular purposes. Rather than being an always present, triggered spell, though, they use them as wards and permanent enhancements/modifications. It's something of a form of enchantment in their RP. In most cases, the "seals" are at chakra points and thus hidden under clothing, but they are quite obvious when visible.

 

So, I say go with it, personally.

[Tierney Weaver]

It  isn't  crazy,  almost everything works in  ARR  as long as  you can sell it to  other  people.   You could  tattoo  it  on a  private  part  of  your  body,  like  your   hips,  your spine,   your  wrist,   your  neck(if you're willing to  cover  it  with a scarf)  etc.   

 

although,  it'll most  likely  cause  a certain level  of pain/  burning sensation,  since the  aether  is transformed  without  any filter

[LadyRochester]

We have a couple of characters in Mysterium that use their arcanima expertise to draw (or scarify) geometries on people for particular purposes. Rather than being an always present, triggered spell, though, they use them as wards and permanent enhancements/modifications. It's something of a form of enchantment in their RP. In most cases, the "seals" are at chakra points and thus hidden under clothing, but they are quite obvious when visible.

 

So, I say go with it, personally.

 

I was actually thinking the same thing. Using the scriptures as enhancements or wards, but I assume that using it to be able to summon, say, a carbuncle without a grimoire would be something some people would want as well. 

 

However, due to the space limitations a body has, I'd say the amount of Arcanist spells one can use without another medium is limited, so it would make more sense to have specific tattoos for specific functions.

[LadyRochester]

It  isn't  crazy,  almost everything works in  ARR  as long as  you can sell it to  other  people.   You could  tattoo  it  on a  private  part  of  your  body,  like  your   hips,  your spine,   your  wrist,   your  neck(if you're willing to  cover  it  with a scarf)  etc.   

 

although,  it'll most  likely  cause  a certain level  of pain/  burning sensation,  since the  aether  is transformed  without  any filter

 

Yes, I'd imagine pain will play quite a big part in the experiments, unless alchemy is used to numb it, but I'd imagine she'll be reluctant to use it, as it might affect the procedure to have any "extras" in the body at the time.

[Gegenji]

That would be fair. After all, we don't know how many pages of formulae are needed for each spell. I know in DnD, the higher level the spell, the more pages it took to scribe in one's spellbook. Which would make sense - channeling more aether for a larger or more powerful effect would likely require additional computation and calculation.

 

So that could be a balancing factor. One could tattoo the effects of a small spell without taking up too much surface area, but something like a perpetual Stoneskin or Protect field would require quite a bit more. I would figure making something perpetual instead of cast and done would require additional calculations as well to make it self-sustaining anyway, would would add to the length of the formula (and thus, the size of the tattoo).

[MrPoopyButtHole]

If you do decide to go through with this I know a certain crazy cat that would let his 'Blooker' do anything to him. Poor Naoh'a...RIP.

[RiniKett]

Personally, the idea sounds pretty neat. It would have obsticls to go around, but it makes a nice origin story. They might even grow to hate you ICly. Oh I love stories and drama.

 

I might have an alt interested in giving it a go.

[LadyRochester]

If you do decide to go through with this I know a certain crazy cat that would let his 'Blooker' do anything to him. Poor Naoh'a...RIP.

 

LMAO, she would feel terrible. Naoh'a is like that little child she wants to take care of, but... If he shows interest, she might comply. Might. To something tiny. She wouldn't take big risks with the crazy cat.

 

Personally, the idea sounds pretty neat. It would have obsticls to go around, but it makes a nice origin story. They might even grow to hate you ICly. Oh I love stories and drama.

 

I might have an alt interested in giving it a go.

 

Plenty of people hate Rochester already, a couple more won't hurt!

[LadyRochester]

That would be fair. After all, we don't know how many pages of formulae are needed for each spell. I know in DnD, the higher level the spell, the more pages it took to scribe in one's spellbook. Which would make sense - channeling more aether for a larger or more powerful effect would likely require additional computation and calculation.

 

So that could be a balancing factor. One could tattoo the effects of a small spell without taking up too much surface area, but something like a perpetual Stoneskin or Protect field would require quite a bit more. I would figure making something perpetual instead of cast and done would require additional calculations as well to make it self-sustaining anyway, would would add to the length of the formula (and thus, the size of the tattoo).

 

Exactly my thought. I'd think the more complex the bigger and more intricate the design gets, though this unfortunately means more potential pain for the subject. Oh well! It would be their choice to be a willing subject, so whining about pain too much will be met with a massive eye roll, unless she has a tiny bit of affection for the character.

 

Yes, she's kind of a bitch.

[Gegenji]

Actually, if you want to pull reference from it, there's actually even a Craft Magic Tattoo feat in DnD. It covers usage, power of the spell inscribed, price, and brings up another potential matter - multiple aetheric tattoos.

 

Size and complexity of the tattoo aside, would using one's own body as a medium cause issue if you have more than one? Also, what if the person has a natural aetheric ability - such as the ability to sense aether... or the Echo? Would these tattoos need to be modified to account for that?

[Winters Knight]

So we're going Warded Man, ARR-style? I approve.

 

I think the one thing that I would have to argue for utilizing the Arcanima styled magick would be that the body is not flat. Technically any design drawn on the skin is rounded, as well as slightly obscured by the veins, muscle, fat, etc. even if one were to find an imaginary flat part on their body. When coupled against the precision with which one can be assured is necessary to enact these spells (Wet book = Ruined book), I just don't believe it would be theoretically possible to pull it off.

 

Perhaps you can get a weaker effect than that of a precise algorithm, or a chance for it to fail? I also don't think you could put it on many places of the body as well, we don't have too surfaces that can even remotely be considered flat. Of course, you could always just put the "REASONS" stamp on it, sport a full sleeve of tattoos, and I'll see myself out for over-analyzing the idea.

[Lilia Lia]

I love the flavour of the idea.  It reminds me of how heraldic wizards in Star Ocean had symbols tattooed on their body for power.  

 

I wonder if you could find a way of using /random to determine the outcome of specific instances or something.  Some people would gain powers, some people would gain injuries, rolling a 001 means permanent loss of limb.  I'm probably being silly.

 

Actually the best way to go about this would be to have a bit of back-and-forth shared creativity between you and the person receiving the tattoo.  You would determine how you intend the experiment to work out, and perhaps the other roleplayer would decide how their body actually reacted to it.  Since you have the freedom to be choosy about whom you experiment on, you should be able to do some basic quality control to get around the worry that you'll simply be giving people "Mary Sue implants."  It would be neat if you afforded your subjects the RP freedom to throw you some curve balls that you would then have to incorporate into your data.

 

The risk of course is that you are going to be drawing conclusions entirely from fan-made lore, so again, I'd be careful about choosing participants to make sure they are not going to be completely unreasonable or lore-breaking.

[Caspar]

I think it might work, as long as a caster is able to maintain it. If you mean giving a person without magic skill the ability to cast spells, I would imagine their own potential for aether manipulation would limit this, or even make it potentially dangerous. This seems like artificially "grafting" your casting ability onto a body that isn't used to it, so side effects should be expected.

[shotgunbadger]

For my own view I think this is more than possible but 1) the tats would probably be visible, I can't imagine anything in the alchemist made ink makes it go stealth mode when you put it on skin, and 2) I'd personally limit it pretty heavy because you're basically putting the magic version of a highly experimental weapon on your body. I can't really imagine that's safe, even if you're not constantly drawing from your own aether whenever you use it, you're still conducting powerful forces directly through your body. I'd personally go that route for maybe one or two 'signature spells' that the character would basically want to have constant access to in case of emergency or something.

[Raelas]

For my own view I think this is more than possible but 1) the tats would probably be visible, I can't imagine anything in the alchemist made ink makes it go stealth mode when you put it on skin, and 2) I'd personally limit it pretty heavy because you're basically putting the magic version of a highly experimental weapon on your body. I can't really imagine that's safe, even if you're not constantly drawing from your own aether whenever you use it, you're still conducting powerful forces directly through your body. I'd personally go that route for maybe one or two 'signature spells' that the character would basically want to have constant access to in case of emergency or something.

 

Out of everything we've seen in Eorzea you draw the line at not being able to make invisible, aether conducting ink?

 

Given what we know about Conjury and Thaumaturgy, their job counter parts, Monks and Summoning, using the body to conduct aether is infact safe if done correctly.

 

As we know, drawing from your own aether heavily is extremely dangerous. The only job that really goes against that is the Monk but the Monks use Chakras, which I believe is something different and aside from Aether... but I'm not sure? I should ask Sounsyy or someone about that.

 

I see where you're coming from but lore within the game world heavily disagrees with you. I do agree it should have some sort of payment to its use though, be it fatigue or whatever.

 

[Edited because I fail at reading today!]