Gaining a Mark of Siberys a bit earlier [Archive] - Wizards Community

Gaining a Mark of Siberys a bit earlier [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mr. VanderMeer
11-13-06, 04:39 AM A Mark of Siberys usually gives a very powerful and special ability. However, when you can finally get one (minimum level 12) you already have a very powerful character. Then the ability is nice, but not that special anymore.
I would like characters to be able to get a Mark of Siberys sooner.
Als because I am planning a campaign around the Dreaming Dark and a special PC that is on their hitlist. A first level character on their hitlist is normally toast. However this character has gone into hiding and must manage to keep eluding his enemies. He is a low ranking member of house Deneith. Giving him a Siberys Mark would give him the Mind Blank ability. One use lasts 24 hours, so he would be protected all the time. This ability would make it more believable that he can actually elude the Dreaming Dark.

So I am thinking of allowing him to start with the Mark of Siberys, or having him gain it at first level, when he is possessed. It could be a dramatic event (bending the rules a little) he could eject the invading quori from his mind when this ability kicks in. And then he has to flee.

I figured I would give the character an LA 1 as cost for this powerful ability. So he gets it earlier but the cost is quite high. Does this seem reasonable?
Proteus414
11-13-06, 07:16 AM My group talked this about a year ago when a human rogue had gained what he wanted as that class and wanted to switch. In the player's original concept he was part of a House (I cannot recall which), which only made the next step feasible.

He took the Favored in House feat to make the campaign a little more "real" and then wanted to take the Siberys PrC.

The DM of that particular game didn't allow it for fear it was too powerful.

We all thought he should be allowed based solely on the fact that the DM was controlling the treasure. Our basis was that all of the fighters, at a mere 7th through 9th level were using rather potent blades with decent armor and the casters (both divine and arcane) were granted metamagic rods in a particularly good fight with the quori. In the end, at that point, he was the only dragonmarked character in the party. So why not?

Personally, I think the need for such a high level to gain the mark is a little tight, if only because as you stated the powers aren't as special.

In the end, the DM controls the game. Perhaps throwing foes that can suppress the powers of the mark, or putting in a group that wants to expunge all Siberys marks, or some such, would make it allowable and feed the story line.

Go for it!
ChaoticGood
11-13-06, 10:54 AM Earlier is one thing, but from 1st level? That does seem a bit potent. We're talking about 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-level spell-equivalents here. Granted, it's no wish... How about knocking the skill requirements down to 8 ranks, allowing him to enter the PrC at the "normal" level for a prestige class?
aelryinth
11-13-06, 12:06 PM Have the ability scale by level.

Take a look at first making it non-detection, then slowly ramping the protection factor up as he levels (don't give the immunity to mental attacks until it fully manifests). Have him burn the required feats early, and have his Siberys Mark manifest as being 'hollow'...the full color isn't there, it's just faded, and it fills in as he levels, until it blossoms into full power when he takes the Siberys PrC.

That gives him two things...one, everyone knows he's destined to have a Siberys Mark, and thus great expectations of his rise to power, and it provides a unique twist on 'growing' a mark. Imagine the envy of the other Marked members of the house as his Mark grows, grows, grows...

To really push the point home you could have him able to use the powers of the lower Marks if he takes the appropriate steps/classes. That way his character becomes a 'Master of the Mark' as his overriding character focus. Taking a bunch of Dragonmark feats would only drive it home. He'd probably turn his House upside down with what his Mark is doing for/to him.

As sort of a progression:

Immune to mental contact (as prot/evil). This makes it impossible to touch his dreams.
then non-detection added in.
Then Prot/Scrying.

So, he can't be found/located, and you can't touch his dreams. he can still be charmed, but not mentally controlled (they'd have to do it vocally).

===Aelryinth
Bluebrush
11-13-06, 12:10 PM Alternatives:
-Give him a magic item that blocks dream invasion. Sorta like Unknown Armies' Theraputic Pillows.
-Have someone train them in trance meditation, similar to what Elves and the Quori Mindhunter (Magic of Eberron) uses. Maybe impose penalties upon him for this unusual method.
-Make him a lower priority for the eternally patient Dreaming Dark. Sure, the dark could snuff him out like a candle, but do they have bigger fish to fry? Better, could he be turned to their use?
davethebrave371
11-13-06, 03:18 PM Alternatives:
-Give him a magic item that blocks dream invasion. Sorta like Unknown Armies' Theraputic Pillows.
A little off topic, but...where is that Theraputic Pillow located, if I might ask? I found it a few months back, but I don't know what the thread was called.
Bluebrush
11-13-06, 04:54 PM The theraputic pillow is from a completely different system called Unknown Armies. (http://www.atlas-games.com/unknownarmies/index.php)

Basically, The New Inquisition has a few magic pillows which allows their agents to sleep at night without magic disturbance or nightmares.

I think someone did mention an old 1st/2nd ed. item called "[Someone's] Restful Bear", basically a teddy that does the same kinda thing.
davethebrave371
11-13-06, 04:58 PM There was a [P.E.A.C.H.] thread on here a while back that had a pillow that let Kalashtar dream, I thought that's what you were referring to. My bad!
JustX
11-13-06, 07:37 PM I think you'e also forgetting the implications of the mark. he could still activate marked items and have them function far longer than anything else. Add to that the fact that there are magical items that would him allow to uses every other level of the dragonmark as well.

Yeah, at high levels, the power itself isn't that great, but the benefits of the mark are vastly powerful.
Mr. VanderMeer
11-14-06, 04:21 AM Have the ability scale by level.

That is a good idea. It serves the same purpose without giving too much power at once.
It solves the problem I have with the other Marks of Siberys. I partly chose the Deneith mark, because it is only defensive and (in my eyes) wouldn't totally destroy the balance of the game. But some of the other Siberys Marks would make a 1st level character far too powerful.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mr. VanderMeer 11-13-06, 04:39 AM	A Mark of Siberys usually gives a very powerful and special ability. However, when you can finally get one (minimum level 12) you already have a very powerful character. Then the ability is nice, but not that special anymore. I would like characters to be able to get a Mark of Siberys sooner. Als because I am planning a campaign around the Dreaming Dark and a special PC that is on their hitlist. A first level character on their hitlist is normally toast. However this character has gone into hiding and must manage to keep eluding his enemies. He is a low ranking member of house Deneith. Giving him a Siberys Mark would give him the Mind Blank ability. One use lasts 24 hours, so he would be protected all the time. This ability would make it more believable that he can actually elude the Dreaming Dark. So I am thinking of allowing him to start with the Mark of Siberys, or having him gain it at first level, when he is possessed. It could be a dramatic event (bending the rules a little) he could eject the invading quori from his mind when this ability kicks in. And then he has to flee. I figured I would give the character an LA 1 as cost for this powerful ability. So he gets it earlier but the cost is quite high. Does this seem reasonable?
Proteus414 11-13-06, 07:16 AM	My group talked this about a year ago when a human rogue had gained what he wanted as that class and wanted to switch. In the player's original concept he was part of a House (I cannot recall which), which only made the next step feasible. He took the Favored in House feat to make the campaign a little more "real" and then wanted to take the Siberys PrC. The DM of that particular game didn't allow it for fear it was too powerful. We all thought he should be allowed based solely on the fact that the DM was controlling the treasure. Our basis was that all of the fighters, at a mere 7th through 9th level were using rather potent blades with decent armor and the casters (both divine and arcane) were granted metamagic rods in a particularly good fight with the quori. In the end, at that point, he was the only dragonmarked character in the party. So why not? Personally, I think the need for such a high level to gain the mark is a little tight, if only because as you stated the powers aren't as special. In the end, the DM controls the game. Perhaps throwing foes that can suppress the powers of the mark, or putting in a group that wants to expunge all Siberys marks, or some such, would make it allowable and feed the story line. Go for it!
ChaoticGood 11-13-06, 10:54 AM	Earlier is one thing, but from 1st level? That does seem a bit potent. We're talking about 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-level spell-equivalents here. Granted, it's no wish... How about knocking the skill requirements down to 8 ranks, allowing him to enter the PrC at the "normal" level for a prestige class?
aelryinth 11-13-06, 12:06 PM	Have the ability scale by level. Take a look at first making it non-detection, then slowly ramping the protection factor up as he levels (don't give the immunity to mental attacks until it fully manifests). Have him burn the required feats early, and have his Siberys Mark manifest as being 'hollow'...the full color isn't there, it's just faded, and it fills in as he levels, until it blossoms into full power when he takes the Siberys PrC. That gives him two things...one, everyone knows he's destined to have a Siberys Mark, and thus great expectations of his rise to power, and it provides a unique twist on 'growing' a mark. Imagine the envy of the other Marked members of the house as his Mark grows, grows, grows... To really push the point home you could have him able to use the powers of the lower Marks if he takes the appropriate steps/classes. That way his character becomes a 'Master of the Mark' as his overriding character focus. Taking a bunch of Dragonmark feats would only drive it home. He'd probably turn his House upside down with what his Mark is doing for/to him. As sort of a progression: Immune to mental contact (as prot/evil). This makes it impossible to touch his dreams. then non-detection added in. Then Prot/Scrying. So, he can't be found/located, and you can't touch his dreams. he can still be charmed, but not mentally controlled (they'd have to do it vocally). ===Aelryinth
Bluebrush 11-13-06, 12:10 PM	Alternatives: -Give him a magic item that blocks dream invasion. Sorta like Unknown Armies' Theraputic Pillows. -Have someone train them in trance meditation, similar to what Elves and the Quori Mindhunter (Magic of Eberron) uses. Maybe impose penalties upon him for this unusual method. -Make him a lower priority for the eternally patient Dreaming Dark. Sure, the dark could snuff him out like a candle, but do they have bigger fish to fry? Better, could he be turned to their use?
davethebrave371 11-13-06, 03:18 PM	Alternatives: -Give him a magic item that blocks dream invasion. Sorta like Unknown Armies' Theraputic Pillows. A little off topic, but...where is that Theraputic Pillow located, if I might ask? I found it a few months back, but I don't know what the thread was called.
Bluebrush 11-13-06, 04:54 PM	The theraputic pillow is from a completely different system called Unknown Armies. (http://www.atlas-games.com/unknownarmies/index.php) Basically, The New Inquisition has a few magic pillows which allows their agents to sleep at night without magic disturbance or nightmares. I think someone did mention an old 1st/2nd ed. item called "[Someone's] Restful Bear", basically a teddy that does the same kinda thing.
davethebrave371 11-13-06, 04:58 PM	There was a [P.E.A.C.H.] thread on here a while back that had a pillow that let Kalashtar dream, I thought that's what you were referring to. My bad!
JustX 11-13-06, 07:37 PM	I think you'e also forgetting the implications of the mark. he could still activate marked items and have them function far longer than anything else. Add to that the fact that there are magical items that would him allow to uses every other level of the dragonmark as well. Yeah, at high levels, the power itself isn't that great, but the benefits of the mark are vastly powerful.
Mr. VanderMeer 11-14-06, 04:21 AM	Have the ability scale by level. That is a good idea. It serves the same purpose without giving too much power at once. It solves the problem I have with the other Marks of Siberys. I partly chose the Deneith mark, because it is only defensive and (in my eyes) wouldn't totally destroy the balance of the game. But some of the other Siberys Marks would make a 1st level character far too powerful.