Marsh's obsidian axe

Marsh's obsidian axe first appears in The Hero of Ages as an instrument of death wielded by the Steel Inquisitor Marsh, now under Ruin's influence. Throughout the novel, the axe becomes a symbol of Marsh's tragic transformation from a rebel leader into an unwilling servant of destruction, its obsidian blade reflecting both his lost humanity and the metallic arts he once championed. The weapon's presence underscores the series' themes of agency versus control, as Marsh struggles against Ruin's possession while the axe remains a constant reminder of his subjugation.