Indelible Mark

Crime and Punishment

Author Keith Baker

Series Campaign Style

Publisher Atlas Games

Publish date 2003

Transmutation
Level: Cleric 3, Inquistitor 2, Justice 3, Sorceror/Wizard 2
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: Permanent (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

A more powerful variation of Arcane Mark, this ritual allows you to brand a living creature with a message, symbol, or sigil. The process of inscription takes ten minutes, and the target must either be unconscious, restrained, or willing to cooperate with you. If the target is not willing to cooperate, she gets to make a Will save at the end of the process. If she’s successful, the inscription fails and the material components are lost.

An indelible mark can cover a square of skin no larger than 2 inches on a side. When you inscribe the mark, you can designate it as voluntary or involuntary: A voluntary mark is under the control of the owner. She cannot change the appearance of the mark, but she can cause it to appear or disappear at will, as a free action. Secret societies and spy rings will often use voluntary marks as a means of verifying membership.

An involuntary mark cannot be concealed. The target can hide it beneath clothing, or clothing, but she cannot remove it from her skin. If she grows hair over the spot, the hair will be discolored to match the mark. If she uses alter self or Disguise Self, the mark will remain. If the flesh is burned away or cut off, the mark will return when the skin heals. Even if the victim is polymorphed into the form of another creature, her new form will still bear the mark.

There are a few spells that can remove an indelible mark. The mark cannot be dispelled, but it can be removed with break enchantment, limited wish, miracle, remove curse, or wish. If break enchantment or remove curse is used, the caster level must be at least equal to your caster level. In addition, you can always choose to remove a mark that you’ve made.

It should be noted that mark of justice and greater mark of justice both include an indelible mark as part of the spell.

Material Components: 100gp worth of dyes and tattooing equipment.