Sidebar #36 – Fun with Arcane Mark! by Kiel Howell is a role playing game supplement published by Fat Goblin Games for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result.
The supplement is available from DriveThruRPG as a 4-page PDF for $1 though was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the front cover, one the Open Game License.
The opening paragraphs explain that the supplement is intended to have unusual uses for this minor magic spell.
What is It? explains that arcane mark is essentially a magical tattoo for objects, then the spell, a level 0 spell, is given. Enhanced arcane mark is a new feat for arcane mark. Taking the feat for the first time means that arcane marks can be of any length, not the normal six characters maximum. Taking it a second time means that arcane marks will never fade from an intelligent being, unless the caster dismisses, erases or dispels it, though a being or object gets a save every day to remove it. A third time imbues the arcane mark with some of the caster’s power, meaning a spell can be written down up to 1/2 the caster’s maximum spell level. Spells written this way can be read by any creature, who then becomes a target, and count against daily spell limits for the caster until activated.
Use and Abuse has some suggested uses for arcane mark, the normal one, when the feat is taken and when the feat is taken for the third time.
Sidebar #36 – Fun with Arcane Mark! in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and, at this length, doesn’t need them. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column colour format and appeared to be free of error. There is a single colour illustration on the front cover. Presentation is okay.
The concept behind this supplement – making 0-level spells more varied with feats – is interesting, but the execution is not. The content is, to a large degree, just a single feat. The entry for arcane mark is duplicated from the Core Rulebook, which seems a bit unnecessary. Most of the remaining content is suggestions on how to use the spell. The overall feel is that this is padding. Now, if the supplement had included half a dozen or more feats for 0-level spells, even if it was more expensive it would have felt like a better deal. Even if again some of the content had been padded out with suggestions. As it is, this feels like a single feat that has been expanded into an, admittedly small, supplement. Sidebar #36 – Fun with Arcane Mark! can be found by clicking here.
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