Comment by Karen

Wait, so if the turban is based in "We are all equal, we do not single anyone out [by their rune-hair]", why were those Alaquans we saw outside of Dhemin okay with showing their hair to the guard? Wouldn't that sort of single out any other Alaquan coming through who wouldn't show their hair (ie Xira)? Are they just Not Very Devout Alaquans?

Unrelated question: Could an illusionist runewriter just illusion their own appearance to not look like a runewriter, or would the hair magic still supersede the illusion?

Reply by Shazzbaa

Honestly, it's a matter of compromise; Alaqan culture tends not to celebrate or glorify defiance, so making a stand and demanding to be accommodated would feel like a sort of gauche response. I don't think it'd quite be fair to assume someone is Not Truly Devout because they were willing to try to find a compromise that allowed them to keep their hair covered, but still do business in the capital. Many absolutely consider it an unfair demand, but are willing to compromise in order to maintain relations in Varænske.
Also, a religion that's so closely tied to cultural identity isn't always gonna connect so directly. For some Alaqans it would just be a matter of "I cover my hair because I am Alaqan, and we believe it's respectful and right to keep that to yourself."

(For the record, a caravan with a witch among them would doubtless do all they could to quietly protect that member from having to reveal himself, but that's less about the hair covering at that point and more about the obligation to look out for family).

Re: the unrelated question: Yes! Both vision-maker witches and disguise shapechangers would be capable of hiding their hair colour. The runewriter colour isn't an active spell or anything; it's just the visual evidence of the magic flowing through a runewriter.