Beast Mark
Tattoos such as this go by a number of names and artistic styles, some mention Tigers or Lions while others are aligned toward Jaguars or Panthers. All these mystical marks have a common theme and powers though, communing with and drawing power from these great hunters of the wilds.
The process by which to produce such a mark is challenging and potentially deadly. One who wishes such a mark must gather the blood of the creature to be emulated. Whether the blood is gathered willingly from the cat is not necessary, but comes into play in the next part of the ritual. The blood is mixed into an ink and a skilled tattoo artist begins the long process of rendering the form of the cat to the skin of those seeking its power. While under the needle those seeking the mark enter a trance-like state drawing into their mind, communing with the hunting cat. The trance from a willing cat will be reflective and the marked will learn from the experience ancient cunning from the cat. Those with forcefully acquired blood must fight again to claim the power from the cat they wounded, some are slain in the trance as they attempt to subdue the cat again. Once the tattoo is complete and the trance ended the mark gains its power.
The exact powers of each mark vary both on society and nature of the blood gathering. Some marks impart only one ability while others exhibit a few different ones. Among known powers are the following. The ability to understand hunting cats, while not a spoken language the marked understands and can be understood by hunting cats through feelings and body language. Heightened senses, in particular sight and sound come to many who bear a mark. Enhanced reflexes, ability to hide, and sudden bursts of speed have also been displayed as talents. The most interesting is related to those with a gift for shape shifting as the mark can allow either partial or full transformations into powerful versions of hunting cats.
These marks are common among peoples who live simply in tune with nature and venerate the hunters of the wild. Strong warriors, hunters, and tribal mystics may have been marked. Groups of nature worshipers in more civilized societies may also have a long established tradition of such marks. Most interesting enough is the practice of some knightly and martial monastics orders to adopt the virtues of hunting cats and take marks themselves.
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