OSRS vs IRL: Old School RuneScape Unexpected Tattoos

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While some OSRS inspired tattoos are expected because they represent iconic items, skills, or bosses, other OSRS tattoos are unexpected either because they represent deeper aspects of the game, or because of their location or interesting reinterpretation of various aspects of the game.

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OSRS cake tattoo

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This low level food was inspiring enough for a scaper to get it as a tattoo. The delicious treat was created in a realistic style with smooth shadows created in the yellow, red, and white ink fillings.

OSRS Complex Genie tattoo

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This tattoo was posted by the artist themselves together with the text “Just got finished tattooing the genie from OSRS! Had a blast drawing this and an even better time tattooing it!” giving some insight on being a scaper and at the same time a tattoo artist who gets to create amazing OSRS tattoos! The complex medium sized colourful piece represents a fabulous version of the most welcomed special event in the game!

OSRS XP Lamp Genie tattoo

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This scaper got an OSRS genie tattoo. The lamp mysteriously displays the text “CD-3” which another scaper explains stands for “CD3 T cell co-receptor? Helps stimulate T cells in the immune response just like the genie lamp stimulates those xp gains”. Very subtle and smart! The tattoo itself is uses minimal shading, colours and thin lines for an almost exact copy of the in game version of the Genie.

Genie tattoo

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This forearm tattoo features the OSRS Genie. It uses a palette of blue, purple, and orange, executed with bold outlines and solid color fills typical of the new school style, known for its vibrant, cartoon-like aesthetic. Measuring medium in size, it effectively utilizes the forearm’s flat space for a clear display. The execution is crisp and vivid, showcasing the artist’s skill in creating a copy of the in game NPC. I believe it’s one of those tattoos meant to bring happiness, since the genie is one of the few special events RuneScape players enjoy for the free and effortless XP.

Abyssal demon tattoo

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This tattoo is a black ink representation of an abyssal demon. It is located on the upper arm. The design is sizable, occupying a substantial portion of the arm, suggesting boldness and visibility. It employs a blackwork tattoo style, characterized by deep black shading and the absence of color. The monster itself is rendered with sharp, angular lines and elongated limbs. This tattoo focuses on details and shading to bring to life the OSRS slayer monsters. The execution is clean and precise, with smooth gradients in shading that suggest volume and dimension to the aby demon’s body and legs. The tattoo doesn’t fully fit If you’re interested in seeing other slayer tattoos feel free to check these out.

Lesser demon tattoo

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This tattoo blends an OSRS lesser demon with a traditional Japanese Hannya mask, located on the upper arm. The tattoo is realised with bold colours, such as vibrant red for the demon’s face and black used for outlines and shading. Yellow accents the eyes, giving them a piercing look, while white and grey highlights add depth. The tattoo captures the menacing expression and sharp horns typical of a Hannya mask, integrating the OSRS demon’s distinct features. This tattoo is unexpected both through the blending of a Hannya mask with an Old School RuneScape monster, and because most players who chose to tattoo a monster chose a boss not a monster, so you’d naturally expect another boss tattoo.

Penguin tattoo

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This tattoo on the upper leg represents a simple, monochrome depiction of the OSRS penguin you can disguise into during and after the Cold War quest. The design is rendered in a minimalist style, using solid black ink for the body with natural, uninked spaces to highlight the penguin’s white belly and face. The artwork is characterized by clean lines and a lack of intricate details, focusing on the basic shape and posture of the penguin. This choice might reflect a personal affinity for penguins or symbolize traits associated with them, such as resilience or adaptability. The execution is straightforward and effective, making it a subtle yet charming body art piece.

Skill tab tattoo

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This is quite a large unfinished tattoo of the OSRS skill tab from OSRS as well as the minimap. The tattoo represents a loyal copy of the in game visuals and is quite an unexpected choice.

Teleport to house tab tattoo

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This is a teleport to house tablet place on the calf. It has a simple black outline and the inside blue design specific to this overused teleport means. It makes use of negative space but it could be filled later on.

There’s no place like home tattoo

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Many players chose to allude to their player owned house by having the runes used to cast the teleport to house spell inked on their bodies. This scaper took it one tick further and has a finely detailed sketch of the poh loading screen, including the iconic “There’s no place like home” text. The design uses a dotwork and line art style, creating a texture similar to pencil or ink sketches, giving it a hand-drawn, intimate feel. The house is detailed with visible shingles and window panes, surrounded by a light stippling effect that emulates shading. The placement on the forearm ensures the artwork is both personal and visible, while the monochrome black ink highlights the detailed line work and textural depth of the design.

Ancestral frogs tattoo

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An even more unexpected tattoo is this OSRS inspired peace that features both the frogs, the ancestral and a few other runescapy items such as the Twisted Bow. The design includes geometric patterns and bold, thick lines that emphasize the decorative elements, such as a the ancestral hat and weaponry. This style is characterized by its use of black ink and clear, angular lines to create a stark, powerful image. Its placement on the forearm makes it a prominent statement piece, visible and striking.

Penguin ship tattoo

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This calf tattoo showcases two penguins disguised as a sheep which is a very subtle hint about OSRS that only players will recognize. The tattoo is rendered in a whimsical cartoon style and the sheep’s fleece is detailed with swirling blue and orange patterns, giving it a playful and artistic look. The outlines are bold and black, enhancing the bright colors and making the image pop against the skin. Inspired by the two penguins disguised as a sheep in Lumbridge, this colourful tattoo was done to celebrate this scaper’s stream subscribers goal.

Dampe tattoo

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This tattoo on the calf features an intricate depiction of one of Old School RuneScape NPCs, Dampe. You can find him at the entrance of the Shade Catacombs in Morytania and he will upgrade your coffin to hold more shades if you bring him a lock. That peace of content is not loved by many, but it can be a great source of income. This scaper must love it, since they chose to wear this fine line tattoo with Dampe on their calf. The design is executed in a detailed blackwork style, using fine lines and cross-hatching techniques to create texture and depth.

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