Tecaxar’s Tattoo Tent

In a much-traveled pueblo in the Merchant’s District, the one-eyed mul tattooist Tecaxar has set up his bright red tent. Outside clay bricks depicting various tattoo motives are lined up for passers-by to see. Inside customers are greeted by the seated aging mul Tecaxar. Tecaxar wears a skin-colored eyepatch with an almost life-like eye motif. His muscular body is scarred and tattooed from top to toe, depicting mighty beasts of the desert and symbols representing opponents overcome in the gladiatorial arena in Tecaxar’s youth. Two wooden chairs are placed next to a pit of red-hot coals. The tattooist’s tools lie on a small clay platter on a stool between the pit and the two chairs. Tecaxar’s services include the branding of foreign slaves and crodlu to identify them as the property of their owners. Most, however, seek out Tecaxar to have him tattoo them. Tattoos in Draj are symbols of strength, and are typically awarded after proving one’s worth in battle – in the arena, on the battlefield, or in the Flowery Wars. Status is ascribed from tattoos, but this ascription only extends to native Draji (strangers may carry meaningless tattoos, not related to warrior prowess). Superstitious Draji believe that the strength of the tattooist is infused in the tattoos he creates. Tecaxar, being a former gladiator until he lost his eye in battle with a braxat, is thus a popular tattooist. His prices range from 3 bits for the branding of an animal or slave, to 15 ceramics for his most elaborate tattoos. For those who truly seek Tecaxar’s strength imbued in their tattoos, he offers a special service – psionic tattoos with motives depicting the Dragon. However, these do not come cheaply.