"Only those branded by the mark of death"

[bearghal]

Did anyone figure out how to get by this bit?

[Demajen]

You need the deathmark atonement from the skill tree, which you get by communing with the entity under the Cradle of Death.

[Boink]

Specifically you need to exchange HP for Atk once to unlock the skill. then spend a Sin Heart on it.

Location: Use the hammer on the > wall under the Cradle of Death Altar, then solve the riddle: the answer is 'Equality', which the NPC at Hearth tells you is the boon to all from Death.