Universal Magic • Legacy Rune Spell
Arcane Mark
Arcane Mark creates a personal magical rune that can be visible or hidden. Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e retain the spell directly; fifth-edition rules do not use a spell named Arcane Mark.
Arcane Mark at a Glance
| 5.5e / 2024 | No spell named Arcane Mark in the SRD spell list |
|---|---|
| 5e / 2014 | No spell named Arcane Mark in the core spell list |
| Pathfinder 1e | 0-level Sorcerer/Wizard spell |
| D&D 3.5e | 0-level Sorcerer/Wizard spell |
| Witch archive | 0-level legacy Witch spell |
Spell Rules by Edition
Arcane Mark — 5.5e / 2024
Status: Arcane Mark is not a named spell in SRD 5.2.1. Do not import the permanent 3.x rune mechanics into 5.5e automatically.
For a temporary harmless mark, symbol or cosmetic magical sign, use an edition-appropriate spell or feature approved by the Games Master.
Arcane Mark — 5e / 2014
Status: Arcane Mark is not a named core 2014 spell. The permanent-rune rules below belong to earlier editions.
Arcane Mark — Pathfinder 1e
| School | Universal |
|---|---|
| Level | Sorcerer/Wizard 0 |
| Components | V, S |
| Casting Time | 1 standard action |
| Range | 0 ft. |
| Effect | One personal rune or mark fitting within 1 square foot |
| Duration | Permanent |
| Saving Throw | None |
| Spell Resistance | No |
You inscribe a personal rune of no more than six characters. It may be visible or invisible and can be placed on a substance without damaging it. An invisible mark becomes visible under magic that reveals invisible or magical writing.
The mark cannot normally be dispelled; the caster can remove it, and Erase can remove it. A mark placed on a living creature fades through normal wear in about a month.
Arcane Mark — D&D 3.5e
| School | Universal |
|---|---|
| Level | Sorcerer/Wizard 0 |
| Components | V, S |
| Casting Time | 1 standard action |
| Range | 0 ft. |
| Effect | One personal rune or mark fitting within 1 square foot |
| Duration | Permanent |
| Saving Throw | None |
| Spell Resistance | No |
The caster inscribes a personal rune of up to six characters, visible or invisible. Detect Magic causes an invisible mark to glow and become visible, while Read Magic can reveal any writing incorporated into it.
The mark can be removed by its caster or by Erase. On a living creature, ordinary wear causes it to fade in about one month. Arcane Mark is also a prerequisite for using Instant Summons on the marked object.
What Changed?
- 5.5e / 2024 and 5e / 2014: no standalone Arcane Mark spell.
- Pathfinder 1e and 3.5e: the spell remains a permanent personal rune with no saving throw or spell resistance.
- Witch use: the spell remains in the preserved legacy Witch archive only; modern Witch rules use their own edition spell lists.
Using Arcane Mark in Play
The spell is useful for signatures, property marks, coded warnings, coven symbols and identifying objects intended for later retrieval. An invisible mark is especially useful when the caster wants proof of ownership or identity that is not obvious to ordinary inspection.
Counterplay and Related Magic
Arcane Mark is permanent in the legacy rules but can be removed by its caster or Erase. Because the mark itself is not an ongoing fifth-edition effect, do not assume modern Counterspell or Dispel Magic interactions. Compare Detect Magic and Read Magic for finding or interpreting magical writing.
Rules Sources and Licensing
Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e mechanics are preserved as edition-specific legacy rules. The fifth-edition panels are status notes rather than conversions.
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