Mark of Brotherhood

Available to all dwarven priests, this spell places a magical glyph on each of the recipient's hands. The symbol varies according to the priest's religion and clan, marking one of the recipient's hands with the priest's clan insignia and the other hand with the symbol of the priest's deity. Once in place, the mark of brotherhood becomes invisible. Thereafter, only those who possess an identical mark of brotherhood are able to see it, magical detection notwithstanding.

A mark of brotherhood is a permanent fixture unless the recipient commits some offense against the clan or religion associated with the spell, be it physical harm, political sabotage, or the like. If such an act is committed, the mark of brotherhood flares with the light of molten steel, searing the recipient's hands for 2 points of damage per level of the casting priest (at the time the spell was cast) and leaving behind visible scars from the ordeal. This damage is derived from pure divine energy; immunity to fire or heat provides no protection. Furthermore, while the inflicted damage can be healed, the scars are permanent, resisting spells like heal, regeneration, even a wish, and penetrating magical disguises including shapeshifting powers and illusions. Only after the subject has made amends for the offense (usually involving a quest on behalf of the offended party) can the scars be removed. In any case, the mark of brotherhood is negated if so triggered.

The purpose of this spell is to allow recipients to recognize one another and know who their friends are. It also serves to vindicate recipients who are falsely accused of some transgression against the clan or religion. If the charges are accurate, the defendant bears the scars as proof.

The material component is a special steel coin bearing the priest's clan insignia on one side and the symbol of the deity on the other. Still hot from the forge, this symbol is clasped between the palms of the recipient (inflicting 1d4 points of damage) as the spell is cast. While the coin appears to be absorbed into the recipient's flesh, it is actually consumed when the priest touches the subject.

While this spell is typically reserved for dwarves, there is precedent for its bestowal upon other races who have performed some great service on behalf of the dwarves.