I think only if it has to do with ancient magic yeah.

in the race portraits some of the elves have tattoos but none of them have cut ears

EvenFleki's tattoos for example probably don't have anything to do with ancient magic, her crime wasn't using it just selling ancient magic artifacts, her profile says she has no interested in it like the others.

A magic item for use in Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition tabletop role-playing game. This is a homebrew magic item created by Cloaks and Capes.

It was created as a thank you to ErinMyLaundry for being our first guest on the series premiere episode of the Cloaks & Capes D&D Podcast!

Tattoo of the Sea Beyond Sight

Blessing, permanent boon, rare

“This boon is placed upon a mortal soul once every 100 years and can be recognized by the tangle of intricate tattoos that flow like a river and slither across their skin. The markings can change color, sometimes at random and sometimes as controlled by the one bearing them.”

Siren’s Grace. You can use a Bonus Action to phase yourself into the Ethereal Plane until the start of your next turn. When you reappear from the Ethereal Plane, choose two creatures within 10 feet of you to gain Temporary Hit Points. The amount of Temporary Hit Points gained is a number of d6’s equal to your Proficiency Bonus. Once you use this property you cannot use it again until you finish a Long Rest.

Witch’s Duality. When you take Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning or Thunder damage, you can use a Reaction to phase into the Ethereal Plane, and cause one of the following effects: 

Resilience. You and up to two creatures within 10 feet of you gain Resistance to the triggering damage for 1 minute. You reappear in a space of your choosing within 10 feet at the start of your next turn.

Wrath. When you phase it causes a 10-foot Radius burst of energy that deals 2d10 damage based on the triggering damage  type. You can move up to half your Speed after the phase. At the start of your next turn you reappear, causing a second 10-foot Radius burst of energy dealing 1d10 damage of the same type.

Once you use either of these two properties you cannot use them again until you finish a Long Rest.

Smaugust .23 - Tattoo