Ink Fighting

A Pandemonian Ink Fighter

**Ink Fighting** is a form of karmastry. It is most practiced in Pandemonium.

## **Overview**

Ink Fighting is a popular martial art practiced throughout the *Flux Destiny* universe that employs karma-infused tattoos called “sigils” to grant the fighter extraordinary abilities in combat.

These tattoos range from simple designs like knives or shields to intricate illustrations of fantasy creatures such as dragons or phoenixes. Sigils come to life when activated and are controllable or wieldable by the Ink Fighter, providing them with an edge in battle that is both impressive and awe-inspiring.

Ink Fighting is a popular option for those who want to use basic one-form karmastry, without having to understand the science itself.

The complexity, size, and color of the sigil determine its strength and capabilities in combat. For example, a simple sword tattoo can come to life and be wielded by the Ink Fighter, providing an extra weapon in hand-to-hand combat. Meanwhile, more complex tattoos, like a dragon, can come to life and breathe fire or physically protect its Ink Fighter from incoming attacks. The size, colors, and complexity of the tattoo all play a role in determining its strength and capabilities in combat.

Ink Fighters can even combine different types of sigils to create a more versatile and effective fighting style, such as switching between offense and defense or unleashing a devastating combination of fire and brute force.

Sigils are limited to the forms they take and the abilities they possess. For example, a water tattoo might generate a stream of water that can be used for attack or defense, or a fire tattoo might create flames that can burn enemies. But Ink Fighters cannot manipulate water, fire, or any other elements in the environment around them. Furthermore, Sigils are not permanent. As a sigil is used in combat, it fades and must be recharged with more karma.

## **How Sigil Tattoos Are Made**

Sigils are created using a delicate and dangerous process that requires the expertise of Ink Artists. These professionals use karmastry to create special karma-infused ink that can come to life and be controlled by an Ink Fighter.

The process of creating a sigil tattoo is an art form in and of itself, requiring precision, knowledge of karmastry, and a deep understanding of the Ink Fighter's desires, needs, and abilities. Ink Artists take on the risks and challenges of creating these powerful sigils, in order to provide Ink Fighters with the unique tools they need to succeed in battle.

Ink Artists are not able to escape the effects of payback like Escape Artists, as they must remain in a fixed position during the creation of sigils. As a result, they take on the full brunt of the associated payback, which can include severe injuries such as scarring or even broken fingers or limbs.

To mitigate this risk, experienced Ink Artists take their time when creating sigils, spreading out the payback over multiple sessions. This process also helps to instill patience in younger and less experienced Ink Artists, who often endure gruesome injuries in their first years of learning the Ink Arts. Over time, however, as Ink Artists mature and become more skilled, they can reduce the effects of payback to nothing more than minor discomfort.

The unique creativity of the Ink Artist and the risks associated with their work combine to make Ink Fighting a relatively expensive form of martial arts, and why it requires the expertise of Ink Artists who have trained for years to master their craft. Inexperienced fighters who try to cut corners by hiring untrained Ink Artists to create their tattoos on the cheap risk serious injury or even death if the sigil backfires, malfunctions, or triggers payback.

The ink used in sigils is specially formulated to bind with karma in a way that makes it difficult for the ink and its karma to be siphoned away by anyone other than the Ink Fighter who controls it. The ink acts as a barrier that prevents the karma from being drawn out of the tattoo and into an Escape Artist's torus, making it impossible for even skilled Escape Artists to siphon away an Ink Fighter's tattoo karma.

Creating a sigil begins with the design process, where the Ink Artist works with the Ink Fighter to determine the desired form and function of the tattoo. Once the design is chosen, the Ink Artist gathers the raw materials needed to make the special ink, including rare minerals, exotic plants, and other mystical substances. The ink is then carefully mixed and infused with a small amount of karma extracted from the Ink Fighter.

With the special ink now ready, the Ink Artist then applies it to the Ink Fighter's skin using special tools and techniques to create intricate designs that will come to life in battle. The process of applying the ink requires precision and expertise to ensure the tattoo is effective in combat.

It's important to note that a sigil is not permanent and must be periodically recharged with more karma, which can only be extracted by the Ink Artist from the Ink Fighter. This can be a painful and draining process that must be done in a controlled environment like a sigil parlor.

## **Ink Fighters vs. Escape Artists**

While Ink Fighters have the advantage of using sigils to control powerful karmic entities on command, it's important to note that objectively, Escape Artists are more powerful due to their mastery of karmastry. However, Ink Fighters have learned to be scrappy, quick-thinking, and strategic to even the playing field against Escape Artists. Through years of training and experience, Ink Fighters have developed their own unique set of skills and techniques that allow them to compete against more powerful opponents.

Another difference between Ink Fighters and Escape Artists is that Ink Fighters aren't subject to payback like Escape Artists because the Ink Artist who made the tattoo has already taken on the consequences of their work. This means that Ink Fighters can use their powers without fear of the Great Machine's wrath, unlike Escape Artists, who always run the risk of triggering payback.

However, Ink Fighters cannot recharge their own tattoos and must rely on Ink Artists to do so. Additionally, the limited supply of karma contained within a sigil means that Ink Fighters must be strategic in their use of their tattoos and cannot rely on them indefinitely. If an Ink Fighter burns out their sigil in a confrontation with an Escape Artist, they are done for.

Escape Artists often view Ink Fighters as inferior, seeing the use of sigils as cheating. However, Ink Fighters value the tattoos as a powerful tool in combat, and Ink Artists take great pride in their ability to create them.

## **Ink Fighting as a Popular Sport**

Ink Fighting has become a popular sport that draws large crowds of fans and supporters. Ink Fighters battle for glory and fame in large-scale tournaments and competitions. The events are marketed with flashy advertisements, merchandise, and pay-per-view broadcasts for fans to watch from around the world.

While the commercialization of Ink Fighting has brought perks like other mainstream sports, it has also led to controversy. Some critics worry that the sport has lost its ancient spiritual significance and is now solely focused on entertainment and profit. However, supporters of Ink Fighting argue that the commercialization of the sport has allowed it to reach a wider audience and gain more recognition, ultimately benefiting the Ink Fighting community as a whole.

Illicit ink fights take place in shady venues or back alleys and are often fueled by gambling. These fights are illegal and dangerous, but still attract a loyal following. Some Ink Fighters are willing to risk their lives for the chance at fame and fortune. On rare occasions, these underground tournaments include Escape Artists who are much more powerful than Ink Fighters. As a result, an Ink Fighter taking down an Escape Artist is a significant accomplishment and such victories are celebrated for their strategic and scrappy nature.

Escape Artists who participate in ink fights are often down on their luck, as the culture of Escape Artists looks down on Ink Fighting as an inferior art. Despite the controversy, Ink Fighting continues to thrive as a sport and a martial art. Its unique blend of physical and magical combat draws in new fans every year. Although the sport has evolved significantly from its ancient roots, its core principles remain the same—the pursuit of mastery, the reverence for karma, and the drive to be the best Ink Fighter one can be.

## **Ink Fighting in the Military**

Ink Fighting has even found its way into the military ranks of several countries throughout the world, where specialized battalions of Ink Fighters have been trained to use their tattoos in combat. While Escape Artists are still highly valued in military operations, Ink Fighters provide a unique and powerful alternative that can surprise and overwhelm the enemy with their unpredictable tactics. Ink Fighters are also quicker to train compared to Escape Artists, as the latter requires years of intense study and practice to master the complexities of karmastry.

These specialized battalions of Ink Fighters are trained to use their sigils strategically, coordinating their moves to form intricate battle formations and unleash devastating attacks. Militaries of several nations—Fortuna in particular—has recognized the potential of sigils to provide an edge in battle, and has invested resources in training and equipping these Ink Fighters to be a valuable asset on the battlefield.

Ink Fighters in the military undergo rigorous training to hone their combat skills, with an emphasis on teamwork, discipline, and adaptability. They also receive specialized training in creating and maintaining their sigils, ensuring that they are always battle-ready. In some cases, military Ink Fighters have access to more powerful sigils that are not available to the general public, providing them with even greater strength and versatility in combat.

While Ink Fighting is not the sole focus of military operations, the unique abilities and strengths that Ink Fighters bring to the table have made them an integral part of many military operations. Their tattoos allow them to quickly and effectively respond to a variety of combat scenarios, from hand-to-hand combat to strategic attacks. The presence of Ink Fighters on the battlefield has changed the way military operations are carried out, and has made them a formidable force to be reckoned with.