During the few times Ethelred catches glimpse of Rask’s tattoos he notices something. Maybe it is this latest set of scrolls from the Colleguim. Maybe something else from the recent adventure.
Red notices that Rask’s tattoos are not specifically Radien focused. There are elements of course. But the designs seem very focused on Aegier itself. As if the lands themselves have power.
“Rask, I have noticed that your tattoos are not what I had expected. It seems they are not as focused on Raiden as I had assumed.”
“I have been studying runes with this most recent batch of scrolls. Has given me a new appreciation for the design, the intent, the effects of such workings.”
“What can you tell me of the designs? The effects? What meaning they have to you?”
Rask smiles welcomingly at Ethelred questions and begins to take off his clothes.
“Vorrad Mage Eye gave them too me. He said it was a powerful sigil of Raiden, he also referred to it as the Raw Power of Aegir. I was supposed to get more work done but when Vorrad and Ursill joined the Northern Rebels…”
Rask pauses for a moment, considering how much has changed since his heroes became his enemies and West Pass Fort fell. Vorrand and Ursill may well be allies if Rask ever meets them again.
“Do you want to look at them more closely?”
Rask stands in front of Ethelred in nothing but a breach cloth, his leggings at his ankles, the cold does not seem to bother him much.
“I am quicker and tougher because of them. In the far Westlands, and in the… past the metal doors, my reaction time was slower, I was less… durable, less hardy. My balance was worse. With them I am more agile, more resilient.”
Rask stands for Ethelred to examine the intricate runes that cover his chest and back, a complex tree-like design that reminds Ethelred of the ironwood trees Gus raised, made up of hundreds of interlinked runes. The branches extend to the edge of Rask’s shoulders and root reach down past his thighs.
“They are a part of who I am, when I can’t feel the power flowing through them, I don’t quite feel like myself. I do feel that they connect to Aegir, and to Raiden.”
Alexis, comes over due to the spectacle, and joins Ethelred in examining the runes. Alexis has clearly studied the tattoos in some depth and helps bring Ethelred up to speed on his own findings, somewhat about the power of the tattoo, and somewhat about tattoo magic more generally.
Red takes in all the is given. He tries to connect what he has recently learned from the Scrolls about runes. Alexis fills in details that make sense.
“Given the right time, and materials, I might be able to continue the work that was started. I can see how these symbols grant power. It would need to study more.
Once I finish this set of scrolls we should consider our options.”
Rask looks at Ethelred with a mixture of gratitude and concern.
“You are welcome to study them more, all you need do is ask,”
Rask hesitates for a moment, something else on his mind, but he switches gears.
“If you are done, I will dress. Let Raiden be praised brothers.”
Red senses that he has over stepped some line. Rask probably doesn’t consider Red the right person, of the right faith, of the right power to do such work as Rask’s tattoos. Which makes some sense. Red’s view of all things as objects, as material and things to be worked and reworked, it not shared by most.
“Thanks you for letting me study you runes. They are made with much care. Impressive.
I am glad they are working for the designed purpose again.”
Rask put his clothes and chain mail shirt back on, and seeks Ethelred out.
“Red, I’m sorry I got a little awkward there. I know you meant well and I am interested in my tattoos being complete. Vorrad was a mage like you, Aegirian, not Sutheroni, and not a priest. I just… like I said they feel like a part of me, and…”
“I know you’re a skilled craftsman… maybe we could start by making my feet to be more quiet or something?”
“oh… uh…
Well the easiest route would be to take off those boots. Hard to be quiet in those.
But… to make you yourself quiet… not that I know how to do that exactly… would mean placing markings on you yourself.
ummm..
I guess a brand could work. Maybe scarring. Since tattoos seem out.”
Rask looks at Ethelred somewhat confused, and smiles.
“Ethelred, I am sorry, I am not good at being indirect and I don’t want to push you away. We have not had many ways to connect but I value your companionship as well as your skill and insight. Know that and let me speak plainly.”
“I am open to more magical tattoos. I want to you practice and know what you’re doing before you do something that will alter the tattoos I already have. I am happy to help you more, unfortunately what I know about the process is limited. It was very painful, even though I was given blackroot to dull the pain, I think Mage-Eye intoned magic as well as made the markings, but I am not certain.”