Eberron Elf? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Eberron Elf? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Checkmate-X
01-12-08, 11:44 AM Hey everyone. This is my first post on these boards! :)

My Dungeon Master is going to be making a campaign in Eberron soon and I don't know much about it. I've only ever played two other games and both of them were with an elf character. My first was in a generic game where I played an elven ranger and the second was in the Forgotten Realms where I played a Drow Priestess. I'd consider myself a fairly good roleplayer, but I'm also fairly new to Dungeons & Dragons.

As for the character, I've looked at the Eberron Campaign Setting and there seems to be many viable elf options.
Mark of Shadow: I find the dragonmark concept confusing and am looking more into this idea. If I can find out more about them and the houses I may play this. If I go down this path I'd want to play Shadowdancer.
Valenar: It seems that the image of the elves have changed quite a bit. I like the idea of a horseback double-scimitar wielding ranger though.
Aerenal: They creep me out, I don't think I'd want to play an Aereni.

Does anyone have any experience with the Valenar or the Mark of Shadow? Any cool things I'm missing? They're both so different yet so cool.
Once I've made my decision I'll work on a backstory and post it. Thanks for the help beforehand!

p.s. Are there any good Prestige Classes for either of these options? My Dungeon Master has quite a lot of books and I may be able to lend one if I find something cool.

-X
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
01-12-08, 06:03 PM I just want to put this out there: have you considered playing anything other than an elf? You don't want your fellow players to start thinking you have an obsession . . . Heck, you don't even want them to tire of you always doing the same thing. That said, neat idea for a shadowdancer. I can't believe I've never thought of that route. If you go Mark of Shadow, remember there's three options: (1) Phiarlan, (2) Thurrani, (3) foundling. Hopefully I have the house names right. Point is, the Dragonmarked House of the Mark of Shadow split into two separate houses for unknown reasons. They both pass themselves off as entertainment guilds (one being a bit creepier and "modern art"), and they both secretly do espionage and assassinations. So you need to decide what role you play in the house. Do you accept their darker business practices? Are you a part of them yourself? Or are you one of the performers/artists? How do you earn your keep? If you're a foundling, is it due to a long-lost relative in the house, or did you spontaneously manifest a mark? Have they yet found you and tried to recruit you? How did that go? Personally, I like the idea of being a foundling with the Mark of Shadow, just because you have two Houses competing to enlist you. I've heard Dragonmarked (the book) has a Mark of Shadow PrC, but it's not particularly good.

But personally, though, I'd recommend a Lyrandar half-elf, if you want to try something new. First off, Lyrandar just plain rocks, and it offers the best options for playing a half-elf without taking a "sub par" race. They have a handful of awesome PrCs. The windwright captain and storm sentry are both available through WotC excerpts.

Of course, you've also got the option of bearing an aberrant dragonmark - they've got quite the negative stigma. I've been personally toying with the idea of a Lyrandar half-elf with an aberrant dragonmark. It takes a little rules bending, but I'd basically take heir of Syberis and replace the Storm of Vengeance power with the Storm of Elemental Fury power. Essentially, it's more like a new version of the same Lyrandar power than a truly aberrant mark. It's sparked a lot of debate about whether the mark is evolving, or if the house might be splitting into two aspects as heralded by new mark powers, or what.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
01-12-08, 11:00 PM First, welcome to the boards. Try not to be scared away before we can drag down into our dark world of escapism and giant talking rabbits. No... wait... that was Alice in Wonderland. Oh well.

Next up Everything you every needed to know about Ebberon. (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=918287)

Lastly lets actually get to helping you.

Truth be told I don't think you have to worry about wearing the elf thin if you're moving to Ebberon. Quite simply put Eberronian elves aren't the same thing as the elves of other worlds. For that matter no race is the same in Ebberon as in other worlds. If you wanted to wear the elf thin in Ebberon you'd have to play a half-orc druid.

I personally love the dragonmark houses and would suggest you grab a copy of the Dragonmarked supplement if you want to play one. Lots of feats you can use (by the way Omni there are greater abberant feats in there too.)

The best elves in Ebberon, in my never-humble oppinion, are Valenar though. So lets give you're character a twist that'll cause a major upset in both Valenar and the drangonmarked houses. Play an Heir of Syberis who was born outside either of the houses who bear the mark of shadow. You are a war-child resulting from a trist between a minor house agent and a ranked officer in one of the many Valenar mercenary corps.

You probably took up you're mantle as a rogue trying to hide from the families (who desperately are trying to recruit, kidnap, and/or kill you). You learn to master both your mark and the shadows in your constant attempts to esccape the shackles of "noble" families you were never born into and care nothing for.
Dakr
01-13-08, 10:13 AM I think Valenar Elves are the coolest race concept ever created. I haven't had the opportunity to play one yet, though :(
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
01-13-08, 11:57 AM Well, everything you need to know about Eberron except its correct spelling. I used to do that all the time myself. (And wouldn't it be embarrassing if I were the one who were wrong?)

And yeah, Terjon, I'm aware of the greater aberrant mark feats in Dragonmarked. I just doubt a greater aberrant dragonmark should be replicating an 8th level spell. /threadjack.

Now for something actually on topic. I've heard it joked that the Valenar elves are the "rampaging orc hordes" of Eberron. Again, it just captures how no race is the same. One big question then, if you're a roguish sort. I presume you are, since you're a shadowdancer. And the Mark of Shadow just enhances that. How do you fit into the Valenar military tradition? Are you a forward scout and ambusher? Or are you a "coward?" You've been raised among the Valenar, and now Phiarlan and Thurrani want you. Presumably you don't want that. But did you ever feel you belong among the Valenar?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Checkmate-X 01-12-08, 11:44 AM	Hey everyone. This is my first post on these boards! :) My Dungeon Master is going to be making a campaign in Eberron soon and I don't know much about it. I've only ever played two other games and both of them were with an elf character. My first was in a generic game where I played an elven ranger and the second was in the Forgotten Realms where I played a Drow Priestess. I'd consider myself a fairly good roleplayer, but I'm also fairly new to Dungeons & Dragons. As for the character, I've looked at the Eberron Campaign Setting and there seems to be many viable elf options. Mark of Shadow: I find the dragonmark concept confusing and am looking more into this idea. If I can find out more about them and the houses I may play this. If I go down this path I'd want to play Shadowdancer. Valenar: It seems that the image of the elves have changed quite a bit. I like the idea of a horseback double-scimitar wielding ranger though. Aerenal: They creep me out, I don't think I'd want to play an Aereni. Does anyone have any experience with the Valenar or the Mark of Shadow? Any cool things I'm missing? They're both so different yet so cool. Once I've made my decision I'll work on a backstory and post it. Thanks for the help beforehand! p.s. Are there any good Prestige Classes for either of these options? My Dungeon Master has quite a lot of books and I may be able to lend one if I find something cool. -X
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 01-12-08, 06:03 PM	I just want to put this out there: have you considered playing anything other than an elf? You don't want your fellow players to start thinking you have an obsession . . . Heck, you don't even want them to tire of you always doing the same thing. That said, neat idea for a shadowdancer. I can't believe I've never thought of that route. If you go Mark of Shadow, remember there's three options: (1) Phiarlan, (2) Thurrani, (3) foundling. Hopefully I have the house names right. Point is, the Dragonmarked House of the Mark of Shadow split into two separate houses for unknown reasons. They both pass themselves off as entertainment guilds (one being a bit creepier and "modern art"), and they both secretly do espionage and assassinations. So you need to decide what role you play in the house. Do you accept their darker business practices? Are you a part of them yourself? Or are you one of the performers/artists? How do you earn your keep? If you're a foundling, is it due to a long-lost relative in the house, or did you spontaneously manifest a mark? Have they yet found you and tried to recruit you? How did that go? Personally, I like the idea of being a foundling with the Mark of Shadow, just because you have two Houses competing to enlist you. I've heard Dragonmarked (the book) has a Mark of Shadow PrC, but it's not particularly good. But personally, though, I'd recommend a Lyrandar half-elf, if you want to try something new. First off, Lyrandar just plain rocks, and it offers the best options for playing a half-elf without taking a "sub par" race. They have a handful of awesome PrCs. The windwright captain and storm sentry are both available through WotC excerpts. Of course, you've also got the option of bearing an aberrant dragonmark - they've got quite the negative stigma. I've been personally toying with the idea of a Lyrandar half-elf with an aberrant dragonmark. It takes a little rules bending, but I'd basically take heir of Syberis and replace the Storm of Vengeance power with the Storm of Elemental Fury power. Essentially, it's more like a new version of the same Lyrandar power than a truly aberrant mark. It's sparked a lot of debate about whether the mark is evolving, or if the house might be splitting into two aspects as heralded by new mark powers, or what.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 01-12-08, 11:00 PM	First, welcome to the boards. Try not to be scared away before we can drag down into our dark world of escapism and giant talking rabbits. No... wait... that was Alice in Wonderland. Oh well. Next up Everything you every needed to know about Ebberon. (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=918287) Lastly lets actually get to helping you. Truth be told I don't think you have to worry about wearing the elf thin if you're moving to Ebberon. Quite simply put Eberronian elves aren't the same thing as the elves of other worlds. For that matter no race is the same in Ebberon as in other worlds. If you wanted to wear the elf thin in Ebberon you'd have to play a half-orc druid. I personally love the dragonmark houses and would suggest you grab a copy of the Dragonmarked supplement if you want to play one. Lots of feats you can use (by the way Omni there are greater abberant feats in there too.) The best elves in Ebberon, in my never-humble oppinion, are Valenar though. So lets give you're character a twist that'll cause a major upset in both Valenar and the drangonmarked houses. Play an Heir of Syberis who was born outside either of the houses who bear the mark of shadow. You are a war-child resulting from a trist between a minor house agent and a ranked officer in one of the many Valenar mercenary corps. You probably took up you're mantle as a rogue trying to hide from the families (who desperately are trying to recruit, kidnap, and/or kill you). You learn to master both your mark and the shadows in your constant attempts to esccape the shackles of "noble" families you were never born into and care nothing for.
Dakr 01-13-08, 10:13 AM	I think Valenar Elves are the coolest race concept ever created. I haven't had the opportunity to play one yet, though :(
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 01-13-08, 11:57 AM	Well, everything you need to know about Eberron except its correct spelling. I used to do that all the time myself. (And wouldn't it be embarrassing if I were the one who were wrong?) And yeah, Terjon, I'm aware of the greater aberrant mark feats in Dragonmarked. I just doubt a greater aberrant dragonmark should be replicating an 8th level spell. /threadjack. Now for something actually on topic. I've heard it joked that the Valenar elves are the "rampaging orc hordes" of Eberron. Again, it just captures how no race is the same. One big question then, if you're a roguish sort. I presume you are, since you're a shadowdancer. And the Mark of Shadow just enhances that. How do you fit into the Valenar military tradition? Are you a forward scout and ambusher? Or are you a "coward?" You've been raised among the Valenar, and now Phiarlan and Thurrani want you. Presumably you don't want that. But did you ever feel you belong among the Valenar?