Concealed Tattoos

Tattoos are very common in Arbressian and are made in a large variety of styles and methods. Some are magical, some are not. Concealed tattoos are definitely magical and they are used by the criminal organisation named the Hidden Hands.
The thing that makes these tattoos so special is not that they are concealed on rarely revealed skin - in fact, the tattoos that denote even the lowest ranking members of the organisation are on the back of their hands but they are made with a combination of ink and magic. Only other people tattooed in this manner can see the tattoos, to everyone else all they can see is unmarked skin.
This magic only lasts for as long as the person is alive, however, and when they die the illusion is broken and anyone can see the tattoos. That is the price for having such an extensive net of illusion magic as it would be impossible for the caster to tie them all to their own power so it must use the life force of the bearer instead.
When someone is formally inducted to the Hidden Hands, they receive the tattoos that all members have: small hands inked on the back of their actual hands. Later, if they become higher ranking or achieve something truly impressive, they get embellishments around the base tattoos. Someone in a leadership position sometimes also has face tattoos to mark their importance.
All of the tattoos significant to the organisation are made with the same ink and illusory magic to hide them from the general public, but members are free to get non-magical tattoos anywhere else on their bodies should they so wish.
Sometimes if a member disgraces themselves somehow but not severely enough to be killed, one of their tattoos will be removed in a truly painful process. It does not leave any visible scars but the mages of the Hidden Hands know how to make things as excruciating as possible.

Item type

Art