Dragonmarked houses and the law [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dragonmarked houses and the law [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
allenchan
05-17-06, 06:35 PM More specificly, if say, a dragonmarked member of a house was tossed into dreadhold, do you think the House would be more likely to vie for his release/pardon or disassociate themselves from the law-breaking PC? Would you say it depended on the size of his dragonmark and current standing in the house?

ps: this is in regards to a half-orc of Tharashk
Kid SixXx
05-17-06, 10:58 PM Times like these I wish that the Dragonmarked book was out already.

Anywho, I think that it depends on the politics in the house and with the families that make up the house.

Dragonmarked houses should realize that they are subject to the sovereignty of the nation where the faction resides. If the imprisoned member is favored, then the house may try to call in favors with the government in order to seek release.

Then again, the house may let the scion stew in prison so that the host nation doesn't come to the conclusion that the house doesn't respect the laws of the crown. Just like any other business, I'm sure that the houses realize that scandals and loose cannons on deck can be bad for business.

Ultimately, I suppose it depends on the nature of the offense and the circumstances behind the offense, as well as the judicial system in question. One might be able to plead their case better in Breland or Aundair then in, say, Karnnath or Thrane.
yossarius
05-17-06, 11:54 PM As DM, I can think of a couple different ways you could go with this issue.

Choice #1: Bail him out. Being well-liked is not a good reason for being bailed out. If the PC can't do it himself, that means he has no political power. If he needs someone from House Tharashk with more clout to intercede, what will that person want it return? ("You've been released into my custody. Go get me trinket X from the Demon Wastes, or I'll tell the magistate you jumped bail.") On the other hand, maybe the more powerful scion interceding has nothing to do with the actual character; it would be well within the pulp noir aspect of Eberron for the character's freedom to be used as some kind of political machination. Perhaps the more convoluted the motivation, the better for your game.

Choice #2: Let him rot. it seems likely that this would be the default choice here. Unless the PC is particularly important to House business or politics, why would anyone bother? At most, they might want to arrange regular conjugal visits between the PC and carefully-chosen women, to make sure the PC does his part to perpetuate the bloodline. Then again, if by accident or design the PC has been a thorn in the side of someone powerful within the house, they might go so far as to ensure the PCs sentence is increased, or even purchase a guilty plea. What kind of interesting plon lines could come out of that possibility?

Ultimately, make your choice based on your storytelling needs. Which situation best suits the plot you're curently running?
Sieylianna
05-18-06, 07:33 AM More specificly, if say, a dragonmarked member of a house was tossed into dreadhold, do you think the House would be more likely to vie for his release/pardon or disassociate themselves from the law-breaking PC? Would you say it depended on the size of his dragonmark and current standing in the house?

ps: this is in regards to a half-orc of Tharashk

I think the house would put its efforts into keeping the member out of dreadhold, if it were concerned. It's much easier to bribe judges and witnesses prior to sentencing. Anyone really important to the house would never make it to dreadhold.

Ed
Psionycx
05-19-06, 12:33 PM It may vary substantially. During the days of Galifar there is little question that the House's would respect the law of the land, although they might lobby aggressively for the release of particularly valued House members.

Since the end of the Last War though some of the Houses are beginning wonder why they should be so subservient to smaller national governments that may in fact be less powerful than them. So it is not unreasonable to assume that the Houses might decide to spring valued members from inprisonment.

This is probably not automatic however. The Houses probably won't exert themselves for minor members or employees. Feats like Favored in House and such come into play here. In addition, a House might not want someone with a powerful dragonmark (greater or Siberys) cut off from the family. Remember that the Houses arrange marriages to perpetuate the marks and losing individuals with powerful marks is detrimental to that.

It should also be noted that the Houses are very powerful and are also very likely to pay a lot of bribes to various local authorities. In many cases a law enforcement group may hand off a troublemaker to their Hosue rather than arrest them. The House will then probably take action to discipline the offender. Only the most grievous crimes are likely to cause the Hosue to support external punishment, and even then they may prefer to take private action to head off any government action.
Nived
05-19-06, 01:04 PM Really depends on how valuable the character is low level... probably stays in jail, high level favored in house?

Well watch the ending of Lord of War.
allenchan
05-19-06, 04:58 PM He only has a lesser mark, but is a 9th level mystic theurge atm.

I really like the idea of letting him stew there for awhile, but having to conjugal visits. Makes sense to me. :)
DarkWarriorKarg
05-20-06, 10:09 AM Is that Wiz 3/ Cl 3/ MT 3 (9 chracter levels) or Wiz 3/ Cl 3/ MT 9 (9th level MT?)? Because then I'd wonder how they got him to stick around to be captured in the first place.

I'd doubt Thrashk would let a CL 12 character stew for very long... he can do magic very few can. CL 6? Make a new character. This one ain't comin' out.
allenchan
05-20-06, 12:15 PM Is that Wiz 3/ Cl 3/ MT 3 (9 chracter levels) or Wiz 3/ Cl 3/ MT 9 (9th level MT?)? Because then I'd wonder how they got him to stick around to be captured in the first place.

I'd doubt Thrashk would let a CL 12 character stew for very long... he can do magic very few can. CL 6? Make a new character. This one ain't comin' out.

ECL 9, my apologies. So neither CL 12 or CL 6 ;) I think I've got it figured out, we have our weekly game later today, so I'll see how it goes.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
allenchan 05-17-06, 06:35 PM	More specificly, if say, a dragonmarked member of a house was tossed into dreadhold, do you think the House would be more likely to vie for his release/pardon or disassociate themselves from the law-breaking PC? Would you say it depended on the size of his dragonmark and current standing in the house? ps: this is in regards to a half-orc of Tharashk
Kid SixXx 05-17-06, 10:58 PM	Times like these I wish that the Dragonmarked book was out already. Anywho, I think that it depends on the politics in the house and with the families that make up the house. Dragonmarked houses should realize that they are subject to the sovereignty of the nation where the faction resides. If the imprisoned member is favored, then the house may try to call in favors with the government in order to seek release. Then again, the house may let the scion stew in prison so that the host nation doesn't come to the conclusion that the house doesn't respect the laws of the crown. Just like any other business, I'm sure that the houses realize that scandals and loose cannons on deck can be bad for business. Ultimately, I suppose it depends on the nature of the offense and the circumstances behind the offense, as well as the judicial system in question. One might be able to plead their case better in Breland or Aundair then in, say, Karnnath or Thrane.
yossarius 05-17-06, 11:54 PM	As DM, I can think of a couple different ways you could go with this issue. Choice #1: Bail him out. Being well-liked is not a good reason for being bailed out. If the PC can't do it himself, that means he has no political power. If he needs someone from House Tharashk with more clout to intercede, what will that person want it return? ("You've been released into my custody. Go get me trinket X from the Demon Wastes, or I'll tell the magistate you jumped bail.") On the other hand, maybe the more powerful scion interceding has nothing to do with the actual character; it would be well within the pulp noir aspect of Eberron for the character's freedom to be used as some kind of political machination. Perhaps the more convoluted the motivation, the better for your game. Choice #2: Let him rot. it seems likely that this would be the default choice here. Unless the PC is particularly important to House business or politics, why would anyone bother? At most, they might want to arrange regular conjugal visits between the PC and carefully-chosen women, to make sure the PC does his part to perpetuate the bloodline. Then again, if by accident or design the PC has been a thorn in the side of someone powerful within the house, they might go so far as to ensure the PCs sentence is increased, or even purchase a guilty plea. What kind of interesting plon lines could come out of that possibility? Ultimately, make your choice based on your storytelling needs. Which situation best suits the plot you're curently running?
Sieylianna 05-18-06, 07:33 AM	More specificly, if say, a dragonmarked member of a house was tossed into dreadhold, do you think the House would be more likely to vie for his release/pardon or disassociate themselves from the law-breaking PC? Would you say it depended on the size of his dragonmark and current standing in the house? ps: this is in regards to a half-orc of Tharashk I think the house would put its efforts into keeping the member out of dreadhold, if it were concerned. It's much easier to bribe judges and witnesses prior to sentencing. Anyone really important to the house would never make it to dreadhold. Ed
Psionycx 05-19-06, 12:33 PM	It may vary substantially. During the days of Galifar there is little question that the House's would respect the law of the land, although they might lobby aggressively for the release of particularly valued House members. Since the end of the Last War though some of the Houses are beginning wonder why they should be so subservient to smaller national governments that may in fact be less powerful than them. So it is not unreasonable to assume that the Houses might decide to spring valued members from inprisonment. This is probably not automatic however. The Houses probably won't exert themselves for minor members or employees. Feats like Favored in House and such come into play here. In addition, a House might not want someone with a powerful dragonmark (greater or Siberys) cut off from the family. Remember that the Houses arrange marriages to perpetuate the marks and losing individuals with powerful marks is detrimental to that. It should also be noted that the Houses are very powerful and are also very likely to pay a lot of bribes to various local authorities. In many cases a law enforcement group may hand off a troublemaker to their Hosue rather than arrest them. The House will then probably take action to discipline the offender. Only the most grievous crimes are likely to cause the Hosue to support external punishment, and even then they may prefer to take private action to head off any government action.
Nived 05-19-06, 01:04 PM	Really depends on how valuable the character is low level... probably stays in jail, high level favored in house? Well watch the ending of Lord of War.
allenchan 05-19-06, 04:58 PM	He only has a lesser mark, but is a 9th level mystic theurge atm. I really like the idea of letting him stew there for awhile, but having to conjugal visits. Makes sense to me. :)
DarkWarriorKarg 05-20-06, 10:09 AM	Is that Wiz 3/ Cl 3/ MT 3 (9 chracter levels) or Wiz 3/ Cl 3/ MT 9 (9th level MT?)? Because then I'd wonder how they got him to stick around to be captured in the first place. I'd doubt Thrashk would let a CL 12 character stew for very long... he can do magic very few can. CL 6? Make a new character. This one ain't comin' out.
allenchan 05-20-06, 12:15 PM	Is that Wiz 3/ Cl 3/ MT 3 (9 chracter levels) or Wiz 3/ Cl 3/ MT 9 (9th level MT?)? Because then I'd wonder how they got him to stick around to be captured in the first place. I'd doubt Thrashk would let a CL 12 character stew for very long... he can do magic very few can. CL 6? Make a new character. This one ain't comin' out. ECL 9, my apologies. So neither CL 12 or CL 6 ;) I think I've got it figured out, we have our weekly game later today, so I'll see how it goes.