Crests

As one might expect, learning a spell is a long and drawn out process. Creating a spell is even more so. What a mage can do is create a magic crest over their lifetime. The crest is a part of the tattoo separate from the rest, and actively glows when in use. Inside of a crest can be stored the means to use a spell, as well as any magical knowledge for enchanting or warding, which can be used to perfectly recreate specific spells and effects. This crest will disappear if one becomes a wight, consumed by the tattoo.

A magic crest can be passed down to other mages, though a failed transplant is both dangerous and liable to destroy the crest altogether. To help guarantee passing of a crest, it must be done in stages over a period of a few weeks. A strong emotional connection between the crest holder and crest receiver also greatly improves the chances of transplanting the crest. A crest can be transferred to an object for storage, but it must have an emotional connection to the original user. Copies or duplicates of a crest are impossible, so a magic user must be careful when choosing who will inherit their legacy.