Hey guys, a not so new to the community but I've been dying to ask a question, after lurking for so long.

Basically I've reached that point of "maturity" where I've been considering getting a tattoo. I'd want said tattoo to be of my favorite game ever, Baldur's Gate.
You may also wish to try to convince me out of a tattoo which is also welcome, if so, contribute as much as you please, I'm here to listen and learn.

I've been considering the "Symbol of Bhaal" since not only it is a reference to the game I much adore but also rather badarse by itself.

The problem I hit is rather that I'm confused in which "symbol" would "transfer" best to a tattoo.
Examples: (from Google images)
[url=http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQngLilEpQoCCXSHMDauKt4NPQ-DnnATUFwYX_mEyvI0lo_d9smjbmrvjR8sg]http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQngLilEpQoCCXSHMDauKt4NPQ-DnnATUFwYX_mEyvI0lo_d9smjbmrvjR8sg[/url]
http://th07.deviantart.net/fs70/150/i/2011/346/1/8/throne_of_bhaal_by_karakaya87-d4ixypv.png
http://i25.tinypic.com/34xqaes.jpg
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060927202139/forgottenrealms/images/4/44/Bhaal-symbol.jpg

Personally I'm leaning towards the last one due to simplicity and decent looks. I, however, am inexperienced in this field and required guidance.

I apologise if this is posted in the wrong forum, if so please state which forum and I will attempt to solve with all due speed.

I'm curious as to why you'd want or need the symbol of the Lord of Murder indelibly attached to your body. Are you planning on killing a lot of people? Or does Baldur's Gate mean something special to you, and why? If you want to make sure you don't regret your tattoos, you need to make sure you're completely comfortable with what they really MEAN, rather than just the appearance. I personally think that particular design is kind of tacky, and doesn't necessarily mean anything (to me) that you'd probably want tattooed on you.

So, what does Baldur's Gate mean to you? That might help with finding a tattoo that will have real value to you.

Just know that in 30 or 40 years your tattoo, regardless of what you choose, will look like a raisin.

And if you're dead set on getting it, I find that the simple tattoos generally look better on skin. One or two colors and clean lines.

I read something about this one time. A persons son wanted to get a tattoo and asked if he could. He basically said to find 4 ppl over the age of 40 with tattoos and ask their opinions first. Seemed like good advice.
Might want to take the time to do that before you put something permanent on your body.
Four ppl in real life, not online.

People are always talking about faded tattoos, but when you're 65+ your entire body will be looking shit, so who cares about a few faded tattoos. Additionally, while meaning is important in a tattoo, so is how the thing looks. Ideally it'd look nice and mean something, but I'd take a beautiful tattoo that means nothing over a meaningful tattoo that looks like crap.

As for the images you've posted, I like most of them, except the first. One thing that occurred about the last piece is that the tears seem somewhat lopsided. They are more even in the 3rd image, with a single row at top and bottom and two to the sides where the skull is more narrow. You may want to take both images to the artist and talk it out with them. A professional can give you input on detail, size, coloring and placement that you wouldn't know yourself.

Exactly.
I knew what i wanted, I knew why i wanted it and i knew that it won't look like that forever, but If you don't get one on your forehead it shouldn't matter when you reach old age.
Just make sure to be aware of what job career you are planning, cause a lot of jobs will become impossible if you have it visible. I got mine on the upper arm, so when i'm wearing shirts it's still hidden.

Regarding which one: That is a decision for yourself. You can get opinions, but they don't matter. It's your body, your money and your life which you have to live with your decision.

Hopefully everyone hasn't seen this already: http://www.funny-city.com/cartoons/tattoo-map.jpg

In 1999-2001 I was also considering getting a tattoo of my beloved game.

I ended up getting a custom-made t-shirt with a large logo.

Now (10 years later) I am glad that I made this decision back then..