[help] How to add mystery to the Houses ? [Archive] - Wizards Community

[help] How to add mystery to the Houses ? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aloïsius
07-20-05, 08:50 AM I have a problem with the dragonmarked houses : while they are tied to the prophecy through the dragonmarks, they seem to just be mere heroic-fantasy megacorporation. Where is their occult/mystic agenda ? What is their role in the cosmic order of things ? Sure, the dragons may have an idea, but I'm not a dragon, just a DM unsatisfied with the houses. Sure, Cannith or Vol may have something special, but what about Jorasco or Vadalis ? I'm still looking for the nature of the ties between houses, dragonmarks, moons, planes etc.... And looking for how the houses perceive thoses ties. Has someone an idea ?
demonpunk
07-20-05, 09:11 AM Here's a few ideas off the top of my head:

--dragons are secretly in control of the Houses, manipulating events of Khorvaire (even the Last War)

--the houses help balance the planes (perhaps intentionally, like a cult of mystics in each house; or perhaps unintentionally); the splitting of the Dragonmark House of shadow could have great planar implications (again, perhaps intentionally)

--the Lords of Dust, realizing that the houses play a part in the Draconic prophecy, have been infiltrating the houses for years, spreading chaos and manipulating events; if discovered, this could lead to massive interference with the dragons (like, mass invasion of Khorvaire to weed out corruption)

I like that last one a lot, would be a great high level campaign arc
LewisLlynn
07-20-05, 10:22 AM I think it's important to differentiate between the dragonmarks and the Houses. I think that certainly, the dragonmarks have some mystical connection to the Prophecy. However, the humanoids of the Houses most likely have no idea what role they play in the fate of Eberron.

That said, other groups that DO know about the Prophecy may be influencing the Houses, as demonpunk mentioned.
Aloïsius
07-20-05, 10:49 AM However, the humanoids of the Houses most likely have no idea what role they play in the fate of Eberron.

Something I find strange : the houses are here since millenia. They are greatly organized. They have had (and still have) a great number of wizards among their ranks. they have been involved in a bitter war directly tied to the dragonmarks. And NONE of them (or their respective "inner circle") would care about what the prophecy is and what role they play in ? I can't imagine the such of Merrix D'Cannith just thinking "oh, those mark, they are handy, indeed, but I don't realy care about what they are".

I like demonpunk idea of the house having an effect in the balance of the planes, however.
Siran Dunmorgan
07-20-05, 12:40 PM The bearers of the dragonmarks hold curious beliefs: they are aware, dimly, that they are the chosen of the Prophecy, but it's not something that directly impacts their daily lives as much as the ability to wave their hands and purify food and drink.

The mystical properties of the dragonmarks are the proper study of The Twelve, and I have little doubt that The Twelve is deeply interested in the Prophecy and the rôle of the dragonmarked in it.

Within the Tower of The Twelve in Korth, these matters are likely hotly debated: what do the dragonmarks mean; what happens when a dragonmarked person stands on a dragonmarked landscape; why are they called 'dragon' marks, if the dragons don't have them; why was the Mark of Hospitality first to appear; what is the fate of the thirteenth moon and mark?

There is an explicit relationship between the moons and the dragonmarks; it was for this reason that The Twelve is called The Twelve. But there is no apparent relationship between the properties of the moons and the planes, nor between the dragonmarks and the planes, other than the 13-1 pattern that permeates the Eberron cosmology.

Now, that said, it is likely that The Twelve includes a few adepts—or clerics—of the Dragon Above who 'worship' the force that gives rise to the dragonmarks, and venerate the marks themselves as holy symbols.

Such persons might act as chaplains of secret ceremonies among the Houses where they venerate the dragonmarks and their Progenitors above the very gods.

However, the 'rank and file' of the dragonmarked has no such belief: only a vague sense of being different or special; they might even be appalled to learn of these 'deep secrets' of the House or of The Twelve.

—Siran Dunmorgan
LewisLlynn
07-21-05, 11:08 AM Something I find strange : the houses are here since millenia. They are greatly organized. They have had (and still have) a great number of wizards among their ranks. they have been involved in a bitter war directly tied to the dragonmarks. And NONE of them (or their respective "inner circle") would care about what the prophecy is and what role they play in ? I can't imagine the such of Merrix D'Cannith just thinking "oh, those mark, they are handy, indeed, but I don't realy care about what they are".

I like demonpunk idea of the house having an effect in the balance of the planes, however.

Certainly, the houses have existed for millenia. And of course, some of the more philosophical house members might wonder. However, the House as an organization does not play a role in the Prophecy (knowingly). Merrix d'Cannith may, in fact, wonder about his dragonmark. When House Cannith is thought of as a single entity, working toward common goals, it is something entirely different.
MysticTheurge
07-21-05, 08:58 PM I don't remember it being a foregone conclusion that the Draconic Prophecy and the Dragonmarks were intertwined. IIRC, it's stated that some members of the Chamber (the younger ones?) think there might be some connection, or that the Dragonmarks are Prophecy made flesh. Also keep in mind that the Prophecy isn't something that's widely known of, studied or understood. It's not your generic "Who-so-ever pulleth this sword from this stone shall be the King of Briton." It's a giant, widespread, mystical, ever-changing piece of prophecy whose meaning not even all the members of the Chamber can always agree on.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aloïsius 07-20-05, 08:50 AM	I have a problem with the dragonmarked houses : while they are tied to the prophecy through the dragonmarks, they seem to just be mere heroic-fantasy megacorporation. Where is their occult/mystic agenda ? What is their role in the cosmic order of things ? Sure, the dragons may have an idea, but I'm not a dragon, just a DM unsatisfied with the houses. Sure, Cannith or Vol may have something special, but what about Jorasco or Vadalis ? I'm still looking for the nature of the ties between houses, dragonmarks, moons, planes etc.... And looking for how the houses perceive thoses ties. Has someone an idea ?
demonpunk 07-20-05, 09:11 AM	Here's a few ideas off the top of my head: --dragons are secretly in control of the Houses, manipulating events of Khorvaire (even the Last War) --the houses help balance the planes (perhaps intentionally, like a cult of mystics in each house; or perhaps unintentionally); the splitting of the Dragonmark House of shadow could have great planar implications (again, perhaps intentionally) --the Lords of Dust, realizing that the houses play a part in the Draconic prophecy, have been infiltrating the houses for years, spreading chaos and manipulating events; if discovered, this could lead to massive interference with the dragons (like, mass invasion of Khorvaire to weed out corruption) I like that last one a lot, would be a great high level campaign arc
LewisLlynn 07-20-05, 10:22 AM	I think it's important to differentiate between the dragonmarks and the Houses. I think that certainly, the dragonmarks have some mystical connection to the Prophecy. However, the humanoids of the Houses most likely have no idea what role they play in the fate of Eberron. That said, other groups that DO know about the Prophecy may be influencing the Houses, as demonpunk mentioned.
Aloïsius 07-20-05, 10:49 AM	However, the humanoids of the Houses most likely have no idea what role they play in the fate of Eberron. Something I find strange : the houses are here since millenia. They are greatly organized. They have had (and still have) a great number of wizards among their ranks. they have been involved in a bitter war directly tied to the dragonmarks. And NONE of them (or their respective "inner circle") would care about what the prophecy is and what role they play in ? I can't imagine the such of Merrix D'Cannith just thinking "oh, those mark, they are handy, indeed, but I don't realy care about what they are". I like demonpunk idea of the house having an effect in the balance of the planes, however.
Siran Dunmorgan 07-20-05, 12:40 PM	The bearers of the dragonmarks hold curious beliefs: they are aware, dimly, that they are the chosen of the Prophecy, but it's not something that directly impacts their daily lives as much as the ability to wave their hands and purify food and drink. The mystical properties of the dragonmarks are the proper study of The Twelve, and I have little doubt that The Twelve is deeply interested in the Prophecy and the rôle of the dragonmarked in it. Within the Tower of The Twelve in Korth, these matters are likely hotly debated: what do the dragonmarks mean; what happens when a dragonmarked person stands on a dragonmarked landscape; why are they called 'dragon' marks, if the dragons don't have them; why was the Mark of Hospitality first to appear; what is the fate of the thirteenth moon and mark? There is an explicit relationship between the moons and the dragonmarks; it was for this reason that The Twelve is called The Twelve. But there is no apparent relationship between the properties of the moons and the planes, nor between the dragonmarks and the planes, other than the 13-1 pattern that permeates the Eberron cosmology. Now, that said, it is likely that The Twelve includes a few adepts—or clerics—of the Dragon Above who 'worship' the force that gives rise to the dragonmarks, and venerate the marks themselves as holy symbols. Such persons might act as chaplains of secret ceremonies among the Houses where they venerate the dragonmarks and their Progenitors above the very gods. However, the 'rank and file' of the dragonmarked has no such belief: only a vague sense of being different or special; they might even be appalled to learn of these 'deep secrets' of the House or of The Twelve. —Siran Dunmorgan
LewisLlynn 07-21-05, 11:08 AM	Something I find strange : the houses are here since millenia. They are greatly organized. They have had (and still have) a great number of wizards among their ranks. they have been involved in a bitter war directly tied to the dragonmarks. And NONE of them (or their respective "inner circle") would care about what the prophecy is and what role they play in ? I can't imagine the such of Merrix D'Cannith just thinking "oh, those mark, they are handy, indeed, but I don't realy care about what they are". I like demonpunk idea of the house having an effect in the balance of the planes, however. Certainly, the houses have existed for millenia. And of course, some of the more philosophical house members might wonder. However, the House as an organization does not play a role in the Prophecy (knowingly). Merrix d'Cannith may, in fact, wonder about his dragonmark. When House Cannith is thought of as a single entity, working toward common goals, it is something entirely different.
MysticTheurge 07-21-05, 08:58 PM	I don't remember it being a foregone conclusion that the Draconic Prophecy and the Dragonmarks were intertwined. IIRC, it's stated that some members of the Chamber (the younger ones?) think there might be some connection, or that the Dragonmarks are Prophecy made flesh. Also keep in mind that the Prophecy isn't something that's widely known of, studied or understood. It's not your generic "Who-so-ever pulleth this sword from this stone shall be the King of Briton." It's a giant, widespread, mystical, ever-changing piece of prophecy whose meaning not even all the members of the Chamber can always agree on.