Page 38 - Eberron -Rising from the Last War_Neat

D R AGO N M A R K S Names and Ranks. Any heir f the house who develops
o
a dragonmark is allowed to add the d' prefix to the
A halfiing healer touches a dying man; the mark on her house name: for example, Merrix d'Cannith. Despite
forehead blazes with blue fire as his wounds close and the Korth Edicts' proscription against house mem­
vanish. A half-ore bounty hunter reaches out with the bers holding noble titles, regional leaders within
power of his mark to find his prey. A human artificer the houses are called barons. Most houses are led
touches a creation forge, and the symbol on her hand by a matriarch or patriarch, though some are led by
b
flares as the eldritch machine rum les to life. Each of a council.
these people possesses a dragonmark, a symbol etched Emblems. Each dragonmarked house has an emblem,
on the skin in colors more vivid than any tattoo, magical a distinctive symbol that features on their heraldry, of­
power made flesh. ficial seals, crafted goods, and anything else that war­
A dragonmark enhances the user's ability to perform rants the house's stamp of authenticity. Each house's
certain tasks. For example, the Mark of Making guides emblem appears along with the related dragonmark
the hands of the smith, while the Mark of Shadows on the following pages.
helps its bearer avoid enemies. The power of a dragon­ The T w elve. The Twelve is an organization that facili­
mark can also manifest in more dramatic ways. The tates cooperation among the dragonmarked houses.
Mark of Storms can scatter enemies with a blast of Excoriates. Excoriates are dragonmarked heirs who
wind, while the Mark of Shadows can weave illusions. have been cut off from their houses.
You can't buy or choose to develop a dragonmark; Foundlings. Foundlings are people who have a dragon­
each mark is tied to bloodlines within specific species, mark yet have no tie to a dragonmarked house.
as sµmmarized in the Dragonmarks and Their Houses Test ofSiberys. Dragonmarks manifest around adoles­
table. A dragonmark appears on a person around ado­ cence. Each house puts its heirs through a trial called
lescence, though not every heir manifests the mark. the Test of Siberys. The specific trials vary by house,
Long ago, the families that carry the marks joined but they place the heir in circumstances where they
together to form the dragonmarked h�:mses. Over the are likely to manifest the mark, if they have it. About
course of centuries, these houses have used their gifts half of the members of a bloodline manifest the mark.
to establish powerful monopolies. For example, only Korth Edicts. The Korth Edicts prevent the houses
House Lyrandar heirs with the Mark of Storms can from owning land, holding noble titles, or maintaining
pilot airships. This control over vital services gives the military forces (with an exception for Deneith). The
houses tremendous power. edicts were established when the Five Nations were
In the past, the dragonmarked houses were held united. Today, many in the houses feel the edicts have
in check by the united kingdom of Galifar. But in the become obsolete in the wake of the Last War.
wake of the Last War, people wonder if ?ny nation has
the power to enforce its wishes on the houses. C R EATING A
D R AGONMARKED C H ARACTER
ALL B OUT H E HOUSES
A
T
Dragonmarks manifest on certain members of a few
Every dragonmarked house has traditions and secrets. species, represented in the rules by variant race options:
Here's a few facts that apply to most of the houses:
• For humans and half-ores, a dragonmark is a variant
Enclaves. Most dragonmarked houses maintain en­ race that replaces traits associated with those races.
claves in major cities. These serve as strongholds and • For half-elves, a dragonmark is a variant race that lets
hubs for house businesses. A city may also have any you keep some half-elf traits and replace others with
number of businesses tied to the house, but these are the traits associated with your mark.
simply providing services and don't have any direct • For dwarves, elves, gnomes, and halftings, the
connection to house leadership. dragonmark replaces your subrace.
D R A G O N M A R K S A N D TH E I R H O U S E S
Dragon mark House Race Guild Specialties
Detection Medani Half-elf Bodyguards, investigation, risk management
Finding Tharashk H u man, half-ore Bounty u n ting, i n vestigation, prospecting
h
Handling Vada I is Human Animal training and breeding
Healing jorasco Halfling Healing
Hospitality Ghallan9a Halfling Food, lodging, urban information
Making Cannith Human Manufacturing
Passage Ori en Human Land transportation
Scribing Sivis G n ome Co m m unication, translation, verification
Sentinel Deneith H u man Bodyguards, mercenaries
i
Shadow Phiarlan Elf Enterta n ment, espionage
Thuranni Elf Entertainment, assassination
Storm Lyrandar Half-elf Air and sea transportation
p
Warding Kundarak Dwarf Banking, storage, r isons
CHAPTER 1 I CHARACTER CREATION
37