Although a rare occurrence, a barbarian can become marked by otherworldly powers, ancient spirits, or deities to fulfill great deeds in the world. This destiny requires not only physical strength, but also mental strength, in order to live up to the expectation of their burden. 

When a barbarian becomes marked, that mark carries power with it. Some are able to focus this power with their inner strength and learn to use it in remarkable ways. They can become fierce warriors, powerful leaders, or stalwart protectors.

 

 

Bearer of the Mark

Starting at 3rd level, the Bearer of the Mark is granted the power of a greater being. This usually manifests as some form of impressive tattoo or scar. It can take any form the player or the game master wishes, and is likely to change over time, as the barbarian gains more levels. This can be in the form of increasing in size, complexity, magical aura, or other similar effect as the player and/or game master wishes.

The source of the Mark gifts the Bearer many abilities as they grow in strength, this first manifests as knowledge they did not previously possess. Once becoming a Bearer of the Mark the barbarian gains proficiency in any one language as well as any one tool or skill.

Marked Rage

At 3rd level, the Bearer of the Mark gains the Marked Rage ability, allowing the barbarian to channel the raw power of the mark into their rage. Three times during each use of Rage the barbarian can add their barbarian rage damage bonus to any attack roll, ability check, or saving throw.

Marked Focus

Upon reaching 6th level, the Bearer of the Mark decides how their mark helps them on their path in the world. The decision comes from choosing their focus: Ferocity, Leadership, or Aegis. Each choice offers different benefits for the barbarian going forward.

Mark of Aegis

The dedication to focus upon the protection of others can take different forms. Those with the Mark of Aegis use their rage to protect their allies with sheer strength of will. This grants them the ability, while raging, to use their reaction to add 1d6 to one saving throw or death saving throw rolled by one of their allies that they can see.

In addition, whenever an ally of the barbarian that he can see suffers a critical hit against them or is reduced to 0 hit points they increase the focus of their rage by refreshing a spent use of their Marked Rage ability.

Mark of Ferocity

The Marked Barbarian that focuses on Ferocity dedicates themselves to being the fiercest warrior on the battlefield. They relish in taking down their foes with brutal efficiency as the power of their mark increases the potency of their weapons. While raging, they may add 1d6 force damage to a successful weapon attack once each round.

In addition, whenever they score a critical hit or reduce a foe to 0 hit points the ferocity of their rage becomes stronger. This manifests by refreshing a spent use of their Marked Rage ability after scoring a critical hit or reducing a foe to 0 hit points.

Mark of Leadership

A Mark of Leadership grants the bearer a presence and strength of will that bolster his allies. This allows the Bearer of the Mark to channel the power of his mark to increase the effectiveness of his allies attacks and abilities. Once per turn, while raging, the barbarian can use his reaction add 1d6 to any attack roll or ability check an ally that he can see performs.

In addition, whenever an ally of the barbarian that he can see scores a critical hit or reduces a foe to 0 hit points they increase the focus of their rage by refreshing a spent use of their Marked Rage ability.

Marked Power

Upon reaching 10th level, the Bearer of the Mark gains more knowledge and power from the entity that marked them. This manifests in gaining Expertise in the skill or tool that was chosen when first gaining their Mark.

In addition, the strength of their Marked Focus improves as follows:

A bearer of the Mark of Aegis grants temporary hit points equal to half of their barbarian level to any target that they use their mark on to improve a saving throw (note: this does not benefit an ally rolling a death saving throw). These temporary hit points do not stack with existing temporary hit points and have no effect if their existing temporary hit points is a higher value than what this ability would grant.

A bearer of the Mark of Ferocity bolsters their own health with their attacks. Any attacks that deal the bonus force damage from their mark also heal them the same amount as the additional damage from the mark.

A bearer of the Mark of Leadership becomes empowered by their allies. Whenever they use their mark to improve an attack roll or ability check of one of their allies they then get to add 1d6 to their own attack roll or ability check they next roll.

Marked Manifestation

Beginning at 14th level, the Bearer of the Mark is so attuned to their mark that they may cause a manifestation of the power of the entity that gave them the mark to appear. This manifestation takes the form of a magical aura around the barbarian. The physicality of the form is up to the player and/or game master, but it can also be formless and simply appear as a magical presence all around.

While the barbarian is manifesting their mark any creature within 15 feet of them has their movement magically slowed by half and moving out of the 15 feet radius they continue to be slowed until the end of their turn. In addition, any creature that chooses to move within 15 feet of the barbarian for the first time or begins their turn within 15 feet of the barbarian must make a Charisma saving throw, DC 10 + Proficiency Bonus + Charisma Modifier, a failed save will deal a number of d8 damage dice equal to the barbarians rage damage modifier. On a successful save the target takes half damage. This damage counts as force damage.

Manifesting their mark requires an action and can be called upon once per day, recharging after a long rest, and lasts for 10 rounds if the barbarian is not raging or as long as the barbarian rages if they rage in the same turn that they manifest their mark.