Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - General About Character Creation Tattoos and the Forgotten Realm's Religions

I apologize if I'm already bringing up a topic that's been discussed in advance, but as someone who has always played D&D with religious characters, I can't help but find that some of the tattoo options in the character creation of BG3 can be used to better express your character's Forgotten Realms religion! I signed up for this forum because I wanted to make this thread so bad and discuss the tattoos >.<


1. To start this off, I wanna state that I am aware that not all tattoos HAVE to represent a God or Goddess of the Forgotten Realms. They probably don't, but it's fun to point out which could, for RP's sake.

2. Tattoo 7, for example, seems like it could be a representation of Selûne's symbol "Pair of eyes surrounded by seven stars", although the four-pointed star in the center of the forehead could also be stretched to pass for Corellon Larethian's symbol (I'd love to have one of those present since I love Corellon) or maybe stretched further to even Lolth (point 3).

3. Tattoos 11 and 13 have very spider-related designs so those are for Lolth and evil-aligned drow.

4. Tattoo 5 I thought for sure had some Leira, Goddess of Illusion symbolism because of the "Swirl of mist" but upon checking the cleric deity options I found her to not be present. It could be a tribal tattoo or a stretch for Mystra? Or maybe a stretch for Ilmater because of the string-like design.

6. Tattoo 6 could probably pass for Bane or Bhaal worshippers. It's extremely war-like and kind of scary in a "don't approach me or I'll kill you" way.

7. Tattoos 2 and 9 are very evil-looking. Very Illithid. Very abomination from the void. Very Pact of the Great Old One warlock. If there is a god here I'm forgetting it?

8. Tattoo 10 is a shattered blade. You could probably stretch it to Ilmater cause "Alleviating suffering" and protecting the "Oppressed and persecuted." Sword-breaker, savior, protector, could also be stretched to Helm and Tyr, I believe. If you're playing a rogue, your starting gear actually covers the broken part of the blade so it seems like a dagger, which looks cool.

9. Tattoo 1, 12, and 14 could be stretched to Sylvanus? Maybe 14 could be stretched to Yondalla (I'm reaching here.)

10. Tattoos 3 and 15 have me stumped. They're great writing, I just wish I could read what they say so I knew how to use them. It's super cool though.

11. When I laid eyes upon tattoo 16 I thought, "Ah yes, the Tiamat and Bahamut tattoo" and then realized those Gods aren't in the game as cleric deity options so I guess it's just a cool dragon tattoo?

12. Tattoos 4 and 8 are also very war-like, but not as scary as tattoo 6. I think 4 could maybe be stretched to Tempus and Tyr? Tattoo 6 has "Orc-clan tribal" vibes.


If there is a canon to these, again, I wasn't aware when I made this list. As a lover of the Forgotten Realm's religions, I'd love to see more tattoos representing the Deities present in the game.

I'd love to know what other players think and have a discussion on this! Have a lovely day!

Interesting analysis and suggestion!

I wouldn't say no to more tattoos overall, and I'd especially like to see some more options regarding body tats.

When looking at the tattoos I felt like many of them felt way too "modern" to seem appropriate for FR - but then again, it is a fantasy world so whatever DM (Larian) says is a go. :]

...

Regarding tattoos in general, if we're gonna be a little more abstract and flexible, I'd love to see some more style options. Like tattoos similar to the amazing design of the dalish - or body paint (... tattoos?) similar to the Slayer dwarves of Warhammer.

As for tattoos representing deities, I think sticking to themes would be easier than going individual gods (like a tree / flower / flourish pattern / growth tattoo for deities like Chauntea and Silvanus) ... Although many major (popular*) deities could have more "obvious" markings, maybe even including their own symbol. Like Selunê, Shar or Mystra.

I don't like any of the current tattoo designs in the game, but this at least helps rationalise some of them, as I wasn't aware they could be symbols for DnD gods and lore.
I also feel they look too modern.

i agree with OP. Religion and deities should be more strongly shown. In addition it should be impossible to be a Cleric or Paladin without a deity, No freaking ateism in this game thanks. Now the plot with the new religion... Warning BIG SPOILER do not click and read Click for Goblins unless you have played Early Access a lot:

I never thought to connect gods and tattoos. Making it more clear or adding more explicitly religious options could be interesting for character creation.

Ironically, that's what elven tatoos represent in the Dragon Age setting if I am not mistaken. There's actually a plot twist about them so I won't go too much into it but each design represents a different elven god.

In general, I agree with the sentiment that the ones in BG3 look indeed too modern, especially the big tribal one and the one with the lettering.
I'd like to see more stylized/warpaint style tattos and even more representing animals. One of the few I like is the one with the birds because it makes me think it could totally be the brand of a guild of thieves, spies or bards.

Only for Dalish elf ...
And honestly im not even sure if every tatoo represent some god, i believe i have readed somewhere that there are also clan markings, social status, and simmilar stuff ...

Basicaly they use their own faces like ID.

They do, it's part of the 'spoiler' part I don't want to talk about the specifics are revealed in Inquisition.

Well, that is why we have theese beatifull spoiler tags:

I would definitely like to see more tattoos representing more D&D concepts, not just religious themes (although those are cool, too, of course).

Oh yes, THAT scene. I'm still getting over THAT scene.

AAAAANYWAY back to BG3 - yes I would very much like to see more animal-inspired designs, or trees, or war-paint, or just.. something that's more medieval-inspired or fantasy-inspired, rather than the modern-looking ones we currently have. Body tattoos would be nice to see as well, not only the face.

Modernity is not really my problem with the current selection of tattoos. I don't like them for several reasons, but above all because on a personal level I don't like symmetric designs in tattoos. Especially facial ones. And that's like 95% of the currently available ones.

Also, that mixture of striking outfits, garish colors, overabundant face painting... How can I put it? Let's say I'm bit tired to see any custom character in every screenshot or Youtube video looking like a fucking clown ready for the daily circus parade.

Logically, selection of certain gods, backgrounds, or such could "unlock" special tattoos keyed to that selection - and could even require the tattoos be placed in a "concealed" part of the body under certain circumstances - and revealing the tattoo as part of a conversation could even be added in for flavor. Some tattoo's, such as those for a specific thieves guild or organization such as the Harpers could even be obtained during the course of the game, assuming a character could join one. These specialized tattoo's would often not be worn openly - the only time you would see them is when shown to someone as identification (or during "private" liaisons).

Again, fun RP ideas to my way of thinking , but while I enjoy these types of RP flavoring enhancements, not everyone finds them to their taste. And of course, would Larian find it to be a worthwhile use of developmental resources.

I dont like this idea ...
Bcs then you would need to add option to choose deity to anyone, even if that would have zero impact on gameplay ...

It seems easier to simply allow anyone to pick any tatoo, of wich some would be tied to deities ... that way you will get the same, wich almost none extra effort.

I suspect Loth would be rather miffed if a cleric of Lathander was wearing a Lothian tattoo - of course, if Larian then added Loth sending an ass-ton of assassins after such a person, it would be okay.

If you want to tie certain tattoo's to specific gods or organizations, you need to accept that there will be consequences.