Dragonmark Heir of Jorasco [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dragonmark Heir of Jorasco [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
tubaman527
04-30-07, 11:27 AM I'm just looking for a few development ideas for a charater i'm creating.

The character is a Halfling bard 4/Dragonmark Heir 1 of House Jorasco.
He's filling the healer slot for the party, as well as acting the face.

Combat ability is not a serious issue, but depending on party makeup i can juggle some stats to make him somewhat effective.

He currently has the Least Dragonmark, Favored in house, and (due to my DM allowing me to use the Strongheart halfling race, from Forgotten Realms to help flesh out the character with an extra feat) the Dragonmark Prodigy feat. Mechanically, he's an effective filler for both the healer and face slot.

So, what i'm asking is this: If this was a character you were creating, what background ideas would you use for him (keeping in mind that he is, and wishes to remain, in good standing with the house) and what personality quirks would you use. I'm just looking for some quick ideas to use/borrow/steal for the character.

I figure that, even though this is character development, people that regularly visit the Eberron Boards would have a better grasp on Dragonmarked houses histories/traditions/tendencies.
Arz
04-30-07, 12:22 PM Best advice I can give is match up your dm ability with a profession in the service industry. Just stay away from anything that is pure entertainment. Since entertainment is Phiarlan's speciality. This could range from crupier to chef, and barman to property manager. Pick on those former RL co-workers of yours.
Hideous Phidias
04-30-07, 01:40 PM I would look at the prestige class Nosomatic Chirurgeon out od Dragonmarked It may seem evil but you don't have to be. It will give you some more combat and roleplaying options then Dragonmarked heir.

I think Arz is confussed about the halfling houses. He seems to be taliking about roleplaying a Ghallanda not a Jorasco. I would take the role of Epic writer, be the party cronicler. A simple back story is that the party need a healer and who better then house Jorasco, so they heard you. As time pass you may be friend them or not your chose but being with them give yuo the opertionity to do what you truely love write and travel. Bea halflinglooking for great stories. They love them.

There are only a few things to remember about roleplaying halflings in Eberron. First Halflings have a thing called the golden lie. This is a lie that everyone knows is a lie but no one sayes anything becauuse it servce a perpess. Second halfling love the Plains, everything about them even if they are not there. They are free itself. Third House Jorasco is abusiness, and that means you need to make money by heal people. No money no healing is what is the house is about. As for a profession if you are Jorasco then be a healer, take skill ranks in heal and repair warforged if you have one in the party because you are also a arcane magic user too.
tubaman527
04-30-07, 01:59 PM i want to be careful about traveling with the party simply because i'm a healer and they needed one....if i do that, why aren't i charging them for healing (something that would have detrimental effects on the game). I'm committed to Dragonmark Heir. Initially, my first idea is that i'm like the 7th-8th son of a house patriarch. More important than an agent, and not really a scion, since i'm kinda spreading word of the house and advertising, etc.

Lastly, a plains character is hard to fit into something as theoretically cultured as a bard, and again, Ghallanda is the house with Plains ties, Jorasco pretty much lost theirs (from the Dragonmark Supplement, section on House Jorasco)

I do appreciate the ideas though, i like the chronicler idea and might adapt my character toward that somewhat.
Hideous Phidias
04-30-07, 02:19 PM I would at least look through the Dragonmarked book for the information on the Jorasco house culture and the dragonmarked feats. There is a nice one that gives you DR/magic if you have a least dragonmark. It may come in handy if you find yourself in combat trying to get to people to heal them. Drawing fire I mean. I would think about combat casting for the same reason.
tubaman527
04-30-07, 03:53 PM i like that feat, a lot. Unfortunately, i'm already using up more feat slots than i have (the diff. halfling race getting no save bonus but a bonus feat, like human). There are a TON of great feats, but i simply don't have room for any more. I'm using the ones i have to make up for the lack of spellcasting from a bard (small allotment of spells per day) and the loss of progression from the prestige class. Some of those feats are nice though.
Nived
04-30-07, 04:03 PM You can still be hired as a party healer.

Just have a standing contract that you get an 'equal share' of the adventuring profit.

I take it that you'll be splitting loot fairly anyway, just having it contractualized for your character changes noting other than RP motivations.
Hideous Phidias
05-01-07, 12:06 AM i like that feat, a lot. Unfortunately, i'm already using up more feat slots than i have (the diff. halfling race getting no save bonus but a bonus feat, like human). There are a TON of great feats, but i simply don't have room for any more. I'm using the ones i have to make up for the lack of spellcasting from a bard (small allotment of spells per day) and the loss of progression from the prestige class. Some of those feats are nice though.

Have you looked at the dragonmarked sorcerer out of dragon magazine? There is a thread about it, I think on the Eberron general board. They don't get dragonmarks but they add their house spells to their sorcerer's spells known list for free. Add a herritage feat and have a sorcerer almost worth playing. I would add the stalwart sorcerer out of complete mage too. Better hit points and weapon focus. I don't know why dragonmarked heir does not get spell levels or something. It seems to need it, to much for so little power. Why waste five levels to get six spell like abilities? I would also look at Save vs DM website he has some good classes and feats for Eberron.
Creature_Mastermind
05-01-07, 09:34 AM i like that feat, a lot. Unfortunately, i'm already using up more feat slots than i have (the diff. halfling race getting no save bonus but a bonus feat, like human). There are a TON of great feats, but i simply don't have room for any more. I'm using the ones i have to make up for the lack of spellcasting from a bard (small allotment of spells per day) and the loss of progression from the prestige class. Some of those feats are nice though.

For more feats you could take flaws.Just an idea to help.
gaerfindel
05-01-07, 09:58 AM i want to be careful about traveling with the party simply because i'm a healer and they needed one....if i do that, why aren't i charging them for healing (something that would have detrimental effects on the game).

As Nived meantioned, there's a ready-made explanation. The PCs need a healer, and have contracted with House Jorasco to hire one on retainer. Compensation is an equal share of any profits made plus Right of Fisrt Refusal on any healing-related items or relics found. Additionally, the PCs' names may be used in future promotions in the Korrenbeg Chronical. (Are *you* gonna sue a Dragonmarked House for false avertising?)

Lastly, a plains character is hard to fit into something as theoretically cultured as a bard, and again, Ghallanda is the house with Plains ties, Jorasco pretty much lost theirs (from the Dragonmark Supplement, section on House Jorasco)

Which is not to say that *your* character may not have a personal tie to the Talenta. YMMV.
Splendide
05-01-07, 10:11 AM You never really wanted to be a healer, and just when you thought you were out...they pulled you back in.

Your branch of the family has been let down by a family leader who racked up huge debts after feeding his gambling addiction and losing, and someone needs to earn big money as fast as you can. That someone is you.

While Jorasco could theoretically cover your family's debts, news of this embarrassment has so far been kept within the family, and it would be a massive loss of status for all of your nearest relatives if the truth got out.

You can't possibly make enough money to cover the debt repayments by performing regular Jorasco services, or by performing the strange dirge-like concept music that you are so sure will be really popular soon, so have fallen in with a party of mercenary reprobates who are willing to pay what would seem to be far too much for a healer.

Its high-risk, and you'd rather not be there, but the family is at stake! The last thing you want is one of those pesky Kundarak dwarfs spilling the shameful secret!
tubaman527
05-01-07, 01:14 PM ok, i need to slightly change the focus of this thread (GREAT ideas by the way, i like a lot of them!). I just learned that the party will consist of a Dragonpact sorcerer who likes adventuring (human, eccentric, but not too big of an issue), a fighter slot, probably human, armored type, etc (standard fare fighter) and...

...a Kobold Rogue....

How in the HECK can i work my character in this?!? Considering Kobolds are generally viewed (most likely) the same as Orcs and Goblins in Eberron...they're accepted, but really get treated like second class citizens: "Oh, you're with HIM??"

Anything where my character is somewhat hobnobby or both Mr. healer AND the party are on good terms with the house seems to be thrown right out the door. If possible, help me with a few ideas! (don't bother with telling me to get the other guys to change his character concept...thats my first option, but is unlikely to work)

I like the character concept, i'm willing to bend my story slightly to work it in, and i want the party to ALL be on good terms with each other, not simply working together out of necessity....because those parties often stop working together at the first opportunity.
Hideous Phidias
05-01-07, 01:59 PM Kobold rogue, you say, the horror. You know they are like roaches you have one soon you will have hundreds.

Well I he roleplays his characrter as a smart kobold who in public appears to be the party servent, then I see no problem. It is fashionable to have a monsteress man servent.

But if he goes mad kobold rogue running a muck then well then he may have to dye. I am joking. Just do your own thing and nevermind him. He is your adventuring partner not your prom date. You don't have bring him home to meet the family and besides your a dragonmarked and they deal with anyone with the cash. You are also halfling, you people love everyone.
Hideous Phidias
05-01-07, 02:32 PM some quick questions. First of all, my feats are tied up with favored in house and the dragonmark prodigy/adept/etc. feats. Coincidentally, this, along with Dragonmark Heir, gets around the loss of healing from taking restoration because i get a ton of extra dragonmark powers and uses of the dragonmarks from those feats and such.

Why are you taking so many dragonmarked feat and the Dragonmarked Heir. The class gives you the same powers as the feats. I would think after least dragonmark and favored in house you may want to work on other parts of your character. Maybe a same feats that help you work the bardic music or the spell casting.
tubaman527
05-01-07, 04:38 PM The feats as it stands now are:

1: Least Dragonmark: Lesser Restoration
1B (from strongheart halfling mentioned earlier): Favored in House
3: Dragonmark Prodigy: Lesser Vigor and extra use of Lesser Restoration

and that's all the feats a 5th level halfling has...

i get Lesser dragonmark as a bonus feat at fifth and at 6th i plan on Dragonmark adept for Close wounds 2/day and another Cure Serious

The first reason i'm going heavily into the dragonmarks is because, as a bard going into this prestige class, i give up 5 levels of spellcasting in a class already not known for it's spellcasting might. I'm playing the healer "slot" in a 4 person party (these guys are known for pushing resources to their limit, and our DM is known for nighttime encounters, so the extra healing resources are a must). My main thing was that i didn't wanna play "just another cleric" (sorry to all you cleric fans out there) and this character seemed to be potentially really fun to play, while filling a healer role as well or better than a cleric. The second reason i'm going into Dragonmarks so heavily is because, with the lack of spellcasting progression, i get to use Dragonmark Heir to make up for it....at 5th level, i can cast Cure serious wounds at caster level 8th.

I've the curse of having a great roleplaying character in a probably action based campaign....and i need to make him fit.
timothyx
05-01-07, 08:48 PM I'd say talk to your Dm about taking the Dragonmarked Sorcerer feat from Dragonmag 351, since you're playing a bard anyways, which is a spontaneous caster, ask if you can rework it.. then you'd get all the spells from dragonmarks without having to blow the extra 2 feats or losing your spellcasting levels...
Hideous Phidias
05-02-07, 02:03 PM Ihave been thinking about your problems with a a party that is more action and less roleplay, not having enough feats slots open and the loss of your spell levels to Dragonmarked Heir.

I think maybe you would have better luck with the Heir of Siberys prestige class. Still get the roleplay of being from a dragonmarked house but get to devlop other aspect of your character. The thing is you seem to be taking all the dragonmarked feats to get spell-like abilies to a good healer but doing so you loose five levels of spells.
tubaman527
05-02-07, 07:26 PM would love to...only problem? lvl 5 campaign, they need me to be a healer before 14th level
FreAkOuTRG
05-05-07, 03:01 PM would love to...only problem? lvl 5 campaign, they need me to be a healer before 14th level

Uh, how about a cleric?
WolfHati
05-05-07, 08:37 PM There's no reason you can't be a dragonmark heir and choose to adventure. Maybe you're just an extremely talented prodigy from a branch of the family with a lot of capital, political and otherwise, so your behavior is tolerated, though not looked highly upon. The elders in the family keep bothering you about assuming your duties, but don't press too hard, figuring you'll tire of adventuring soon enough. Being extremely gifted simply makes people give you a lot more leeway.

Also the quicken or empower spell like ability feats might be good to look at for your level 9 feat slot.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
tubaman527 04-30-07, 11:27 AM	I'm just looking for a few development ideas for a charater i'm creating. The character is a Halfling bard 4/Dragonmark Heir 1 of House Jorasco. He's filling the healer slot for the party, as well as acting the face. Combat ability is not a serious issue, but depending on party makeup i can juggle some stats to make him somewhat effective. He currently has the Least Dragonmark, Favored in house, and (due to my DM allowing me to use the Strongheart halfling race, from Forgotten Realms to help flesh out the character with an extra feat) the Dragonmark Prodigy feat. Mechanically, he's an effective filler for both the healer and face slot. So, what i'm asking is this: If this was a character you were creating, what background ideas would you use for him (keeping in mind that he is, and wishes to remain, in good standing with the house) and what personality quirks would you use. I'm just looking for some quick ideas to use/borrow/steal for the character. I figure that, even though this is character development, people that regularly visit the Eberron Boards would have a better grasp on Dragonmarked houses histories/traditions/tendencies.
Arz 04-30-07, 12:22 PM	Best advice I can give is match up your dm ability with a profession in the service industry. Just stay away from anything that is pure entertainment. Since entertainment is Phiarlan's speciality. This could range from crupier to chef, and barman to property manager. Pick on those former RL co-workers of yours.
Hideous Phidias 04-30-07, 01:40 PM	I would look at the prestige class Nosomatic Chirurgeon out od Dragonmarked It may seem evil but you don't have to be. It will give you some more combat and roleplaying options then Dragonmarked heir. I think Arz is confussed about the halfling houses. He seems to be taliking about roleplaying a Ghallanda not a Jorasco. I would take the role of Epic writer, be the party cronicler. A simple back story is that the party need a healer and who better then house Jorasco, so they heard you. As time pass you may be friend them or not your chose but being with them give yuo the opertionity to do what you truely love write and travel. Bea halflinglooking for great stories. They love them. There are only a few things to remember about roleplaying halflings in Eberron. First Halflings have a thing called the golden lie. This is a lie that everyone knows is a lie but no one sayes anything becauuse it servce a perpess. Second halfling love the Plains, everything about them even if they are not there. They are free itself. Third House Jorasco is abusiness, and that means you need to make money by heal people. No money no healing is what is the house is about. As for a profession if you are Jorasco then be a healer, take skill ranks in heal and repair warforged if you have one in the party because you are also a arcane magic user too.
tubaman527 04-30-07, 01:59 PM	i want to be careful about traveling with the party simply because i'm a healer and they needed one....if i do that, why aren't i charging them for healing (something that would have detrimental effects on the game). I'm committed to Dragonmark Heir. Initially, my first idea is that i'm like the 7th-8th son of a house patriarch. More important than an agent, and not really a scion, since i'm kinda spreading word of the house and advertising, etc. Lastly, a plains character is hard to fit into something as theoretically cultured as a bard, and again, Ghallanda is the house with Plains ties, Jorasco pretty much lost theirs (from the Dragonmark Supplement, section on House Jorasco) I do appreciate the ideas though, i like the chronicler idea and might adapt my character toward that somewhat.
Hideous Phidias 04-30-07, 02:19 PM	I would at least look through the Dragonmarked book for the information on the Jorasco house culture and the dragonmarked feats. There is a nice one that gives you DR/magic if you have a least dragonmark. It may come in handy if you find yourself in combat trying to get to people to heal them. Drawing fire I mean. I would think about combat casting for the same reason.
tubaman527 04-30-07, 03:53 PM	i like that feat, a lot. Unfortunately, i'm already using up more feat slots than i have (the diff. halfling race getting no save bonus but a bonus feat, like human). There are a TON of great feats, but i simply don't have room for any more. I'm using the ones i have to make up for the lack of spellcasting from a bard (small allotment of spells per day) and the loss of progression from the prestige class. Some of those feats are nice though.
Nived 04-30-07, 04:03 PM	You can still be hired as a party healer. Just have a standing contract that you get an 'equal share' of the adventuring profit. I take it that you'll be splitting loot fairly anyway, just having it contractualized for your character changes noting other than RP motivations.
Hideous Phidias 05-01-07, 12:06 AM	i like that feat, a lot. Unfortunately, i'm already using up more feat slots than i have (the diff. halfling race getting no save bonus but a bonus feat, like human). There are a TON of great feats, but i simply don't have room for any more. I'm using the ones i have to make up for the lack of spellcasting from a bard (small allotment of spells per day) and the loss of progression from the prestige class. Some of those feats are nice though. Have you looked at the dragonmarked sorcerer out of dragon magazine? There is a thread about it, I think on the Eberron general board. They don't get dragonmarks but they add their house spells to their sorcerer's spells known list for free. Add a herritage feat and have a sorcerer almost worth playing. I would add the stalwart sorcerer out of complete mage too. Better hit points and weapon focus. I don't know why dragonmarked heir does not get spell levels or something. It seems to need it, to much for so little power. Why waste five levels to get six spell like abilities? I would also look at Save vs DM website he has some good classes and feats for Eberron.
Creature_Mastermind 05-01-07, 09:34 AM	i like that feat, a lot. Unfortunately, i'm already using up more feat slots than i have (the diff. halfling race getting no save bonus but a bonus feat, like human). There are a TON of great feats, but i simply don't have room for any more. I'm using the ones i have to make up for the lack of spellcasting from a bard (small allotment of spells per day) and the loss of progression from the prestige class. Some of those feats are nice though. For more feats you could take flaws.Just an idea to help.
gaerfindel 05-01-07, 09:58 AM	i want to be careful about traveling with the party simply because i'm a healer and they needed one....if i do that, why aren't i charging them for healing (something that would have detrimental effects on the game). As Nived meantioned, there's a ready-made explanation. The PCs need a healer, and have contracted with House Jorasco to hire one on retainer. Compensation is an equal share of any profits made plus Right of Fisrt Refusal on any healing-related items or relics found. Additionally, the PCs' names may be used in future promotions in the Korrenbeg Chronical. (Are you gonna sue a Dragonmarked House for false avertising?) Lastly, a plains character is hard to fit into something as theoretically cultured as a bard, and again, Ghallanda is the house with Plains ties, Jorasco pretty much lost theirs (from the Dragonmark Supplement, section on House Jorasco) Which is not to say that your character may not have a personal tie to the Talenta. YMMV.
Splendide 05-01-07, 10:11 AM	You never really wanted to be a healer, and just when you thought you were out...they pulled you back in. Your branch of the family has been let down by a family leader who racked up huge debts after feeding his gambling addiction and losing, and someone needs to earn big money as fast as you can. That someone is you. While Jorasco could theoretically cover your family's debts, news of this embarrassment has so far been kept within the family, and it would be a massive loss of status for all of your nearest relatives if the truth got out. You can't possibly make enough money to cover the debt repayments by performing regular Jorasco services, or by performing the strange dirge-like concept music that you are so sure will be really popular soon, so have fallen in with a party of mercenary reprobates who are willing to pay what would seem to be far too much for a healer. Its high-risk, and you'd rather not be there, but the family is at stake! The last thing you want is one of those pesky Kundarak dwarfs spilling the shameful secret!
tubaman527 05-01-07, 01:14 PM	ok, i need to slightly change the focus of this thread (GREAT ideas by the way, i like a lot of them!). I just learned that the party will consist of a Dragonpact sorcerer who likes adventuring (human, eccentric, but not too big of an issue), a fighter slot, probably human, armored type, etc (standard fare fighter) and... ...a Kobold Rogue.... How in the HECK can i work my character in this?!? Considering Kobolds are generally viewed (most likely) the same as Orcs and Goblins in Eberron...they're accepted, but really get treated like second class citizens: "Oh, you're with HIM??" Anything where my character is somewhat hobnobby or both Mr. healer AND the party are on good terms with the house seems to be thrown right out the door. If possible, help me with a few ideas! (don't bother with telling me to get the other guys to change his character concept...thats my first option, but is unlikely to work) I like the character concept, i'm willing to bend my story slightly to work it in, and i want the party to ALL be on good terms with each other, not simply working together out of necessity....because those parties often stop working together at the first opportunity.
Hideous Phidias 05-01-07, 01:59 PM	Kobold rogue, you say, the horror. You know they are like roaches you have one soon you will have hundreds. Well I he roleplays his characrter as a smart kobold who in public appears to be the party servent, then I see no problem. It is fashionable to have a monsteress man servent. But if he goes mad kobold rogue running a muck then well then he may have to dye. I am joking. Just do your own thing and nevermind him. He is your adventuring partner not your prom date. You don't have bring him home to meet the family and besides your a dragonmarked and they deal with anyone with the cash. You are also halfling, you people love everyone.
Hideous Phidias 05-01-07, 02:32 PM	some quick questions. First of all, my feats are tied up with favored in house and the dragonmark prodigy/adept/etc. feats. Coincidentally, this, along with Dragonmark Heir, gets around the loss of healing from taking restoration because i get a ton of extra dragonmark powers and uses of the dragonmarks from those feats and such. Why are you taking so many dragonmarked feat and the Dragonmarked Heir. The class gives you the same powers as the feats. I would think after least dragonmark and favored in house you may want to work on other parts of your character. Maybe a same feats that help you work the bardic music or the spell casting.
tubaman527 05-01-07, 04:38 PM	The feats as it stands now are: 1: Least Dragonmark: Lesser Restoration 1B (from strongheart halfling mentioned earlier): Favored in House 3: Dragonmark Prodigy: Lesser Vigor and extra use of Lesser Restoration and that's all the feats a 5th level halfling has... i get Lesser dragonmark as a bonus feat at fifth and at 6th i plan on Dragonmark adept for Close wounds 2/day and another Cure Serious The first reason i'm going heavily into the dragonmarks is because, as a bard going into this prestige class, i give up 5 levels of spellcasting in a class already not known for it's spellcasting might. I'm playing the healer "slot" in a 4 person party (these guys are known for pushing resources to their limit, and our DM is known for nighttime encounters, so the extra healing resources are a must). My main thing was that i didn't wanna play "just another cleric" (sorry to all you cleric fans out there) and this character seemed to be potentially really fun to play, while filling a healer role as well or better than a cleric. The second reason i'm going into Dragonmarks so heavily is because, with the lack of spellcasting progression, i get to use Dragonmark Heir to make up for it....at 5th level, i can cast Cure serious wounds at caster level 8th. I've the curse of having a great roleplaying character in a probably action based campaign....and i need to make him fit.
timothyx 05-01-07, 08:48 PM	I'd say talk to your Dm about taking the Dragonmarked Sorcerer feat from Dragonmag 351, since you're playing a bard anyways, which is a spontaneous caster, ask if you can rework it.. then you'd get all the spells from dragonmarks without having to blow the extra 2 feats or losing your spellcasting levels...
Hideous Phidias 05-02-07, 02:03 PM	Ihave been thinking about your problems with a a party that is more action and less roleplay, not having enough feats slots open and the loss of your spell levels to Dragonmarked Heir. I think maybe you would have better luck with the Heir of Siberys prestige class. Still get the roleplay of being from a dragonmarked house but get to devlop other aspect of your character. The thing is you seem to be taking all the dragonmarked feats to get spell-like abilies to a good healer but doing so you loose five levels of spells.
tubaman527 05-02-07, 07:26 PM	would love to...only problem? lvl 5 campaign, they need me to be a healer before 14th level
FreAkOuTRG 05-05-07, 03:01 PM	would love to...only problem? lvl 5 campaign, they need me to be a healer before 14th level Uh, how about a cleric?
WolfHati 05-05-07, 08:37 PM	There's no reason you can't be a dragonmark heir and choose to adventure. Maybe you're just an extremely talented prodigy from a branch of the family with a lot of capital, political and otherwise, so your behavior is tolerated, though not looked highly upon. The elders in the family keep bothering you about assuming your duties, but don't press too hard, figuring you'll tire of adventuring soon enough. Being extremely gifted simply makes people give you a lot more leeway. Also the quicken or empower spell like ability feats might be good to look at for your level 9 feat slot.