This spell allows the caster to put a personal rune of up to six characters on any object they touch. The symbols must fit within 1 foot square. The writing can be visible or invisible, and will glow if discerned through detect magic. The mark will not physically alter or damage the object in any way, even though it seems to be etched into the surface. The object is permanently marked until the caster dispels their own mark, or it is removed through more powerful magic. If the mark is placed on a living creature, it normally fades in about a month.
This spell requires a verbal utterance and the somatic gestures of drawing the sigil. The caster uses a finger to inscribe the rune, though a stylus or wand may be substituted.
Arcane Mark is a cantrip used to create what is known as a mage sigil, signature rune, personal rune, mage-runes, mages' sigil, or wizard mark. These are sigils designed by wizards to mark their possessions, sign their names on messages, or otherwise associate something with themselves. They are often - though not always - triggers for magical spells. Over time, common folk would come to recognize the symbol of the most famous mages.
A wizard's rune plays a role in the casting of many magical spells, and in many spells requiring a writing component. Once created wizards are not to alter their personal rune, though some long-living mages might go through several. No two mage sigils were identical, and using another mage's sigil was frowned upon and likely to result in punishment from a more powerful wizard. Superstition exists that Mystra herself would set a curse upon anyone intentionally misusing a wizard's sigil for personal gain.
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