Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Neofish 10-01-06, 01:01 PM	When I first read the Eberron campagin setting, I remember it making mention that the house constantly competed with one another for wealth and power, kinda like Dune (at least, that was the similarity Mr. Baker made if I remember correctly). But after a re-read of the various sourcebooks, only one house really dares to pursue this end. House Tharashk. It is by far the most ambitious all the houses. First off, they are the major supplier of dragonshards throughout Eberron. This alone makes they very influential. But house Tharashk isn't content to stop there, no, they also provide a cheap alternative to house Denieth by providing monsterous mercenaries outsourced from the shadow marches and Doraam. In addition to cheap mercs, house Tharashk also is attempting to rival Orien in Sharn with their Gargoyle parcel service. This just seems to me that Tharashk is balliest of the Houses, and really does try to compete with the other houses in various markets. I was just wondering what other people think? Perhaps I missed something in which the other houses are so bold as to step on one another's toes like Tharashk does. Or are they the only house that directly tries to undercut the other houses. Anyway, this is just a random musing and I had wondered if others had got the same impression I did about house Tharashk.
The White Sorcerer 10-01-06, 02:43 PM	Orc blood runs in the veins of House Tharashk, and they are definately from a harsher area than the other Houses. It's no wonder they're so bold.
DarkWarriorKarg 10-02-06, 08:50 AM	They also staff their complaints department with orc and half-orc Frenzied Berserkers. Cuts down on the bad press from too many complaints.
Adhevan 10-03-06, 01:46 AM	house Tharashk also is attempting to rival Orien in Sharn with their Gargoyle parcel service. I thought House Vadalis ran the gargoyle service in Sharn.
Zalaster 10-03-06, 10:16 AM	They are also in the bounty hunter, inquisitor, item recovery, adventuring and guide businesses. Being the newest house and from such a harsh environment with such new found wealth at thier fingertips should make them bold.
Recovering_Blackguard 10-03-06, 10:27 AM	They are also in the bounty hunter, inquisitor, item recovery, adventuring and guide businesses. Being the newest house and from such a harsh environment with such new found wealth at thier fingertips should make them bold. Agreed. They are definitely the scrappy, up and coming house. In fact, a turf battle between Tharashk and Cannith is going to figure prominently in the campaign I'm running.
Korhal IV 10-03-06, 05:44 PM	I thought House Vadalis ran the gargoyle service in Sharn. Me too. Sorry, guess Tharashk isn't as all-out as people think. :P
eehamburg 10-03-06, 05:48 PM	But of all of the Houses, would you really want to cross them?
goblin_pride 10-12-06, 03:30 PM	If I understand correctly, most of the time the houses don't compete much since their dragonmarks make them better suited to differing tasks. Although, you could alter that to suit your needs, I know I would.
DarkWarriorKarg 10-12-06, 04:06 PM	It's not just the Dragonmarks, but the networks they form. Tharashk can offer mercenaries because they have a network in Droam. Vadalis offers courier services through flying creatures. They're not so much competitors, but rivals (at least at this point). There's plenty of business for everyone... so far. But there are differences. Deneith has troops to hire out and offers mercenary training. Tharashk are middlemen, putting you in contact with an ogre brute squad. Which do you think is more disciplined?:D
Neofish 10-13-06, 01:39 AM	Deneith has troops to hire out and offers mercenary training. Tharashk are middlemen, putting you in contact with an ogre brute squad. Which do you think is more disciplined?:D Which do oyu think is more effective and is better able to give deliver the message of promised death? Also, I blelieve is was Mr. Baker who explain that it is Hourse Tharasak that makes use of the Gargoyle Couirers, not Vadalis. Since I wrote, I managed to remember that House Lyrander and Orien openly compete for shipping contracts. Orien currently dominates the shipping lanes in Lhazzar while Lyrander struggles to try and gain a foothold thier. So, I do belive that the houses sport rivialries rather than out and out fueding. But they do seem to want to make for themselves first and foremost and while attempt to do so in whatever market they can get ahold of.
The White Sorcerer 10-13-06, 05:01 AM	Orien currently dominates the shipping lanes in Lhazzar while Lyrander struggles to try and gain a foothold thier. That doesn't make any sense.
Ellorin 10-13-06, 05:04 AM	That doesn't make any sense. Well...it does. It's the Seadragons. These days they primarily work for House Orien.
(Psi)SeveredHead 10-14-06, 03:05 PM	When I first read the Eberron campagin setting, I remember it making mention that the house constantly competed with one another for wealth and power, kinda like Dune (at least, that was the similarity Mr. Baker made if I remember correctly). But after a re-read of the various sourcebooks, only one house really dares to pursue this end. House Tharashk. It is by far the most ambitious all the houses. First off, they are the major supplier of dragonshards throughout Eberron. This alone makes they very influential. But house Tharashk isn't content to stop there, no, they also provide a cheap alternative to house Denieth by providing monsterous mercenaries outsourced from the shadow marches and Doraam. In addition to cheap mercs, house Tharashk also is attempting to rival Orien in Sharn with their Gargoyle parcel service. This just seems to me that Tharashk is balliest of the Houses, and really does try to compete with the other houses in various markets. I was just wondering what other people think? Perhaps I missed something in which the other houses are so bold as to step on one another's toes like Tharashk does. Or are they the only house that directly tries to undercut the other houses. Anyway, this is just a random musing and I had wondered if others had got the same impression I did about house Tharashk. They're frustrated by not being taken seriously. Isn't House Medani the newest House, though? But of all of the Houses, would you really want to cross them? Deneith is scary. The elven assassin Houses (not their primary bread-n-butter, though) are also scary if you're in the know. But ticking off nearly any House is bad. If you never think you're going to see an inn again, then maybe you tick off House Ghallandra. But even if an inn isn't run by halflings, it might be licensed by that House, and they might throw you out anyway. Angering Tharask is like angering someone who is stupid, huge and has a very bad temper; best done from a difference, and with planning. And even then, maybe the stupidity is an act.
Neofish 10-14-06, 08:25 PM	Angering Tharask is like angering someone who is stupid, huge and has a very bad temper; best done from a difference, and with planning. And even then, maybe the stupidity is an act. Better not be planning on crafting very many magic items then either, seeing how Tharashk primarily controls the dragonshard industry. I dunno, I guess your right that they feel they have something to prove to the "civilized" nations.
(Psi)SeveredHead 10-14-06, 08:39 PM	Are dragonshards "flavor text" costs for regular items, or only specific ones?
Neofish 10-15-06, 04:49 AM	Are dragonshards "flavor text" costs for regular items, or only specific ones? A little of both, some items state that you do indeed need a specific type and grade of dragonshard to construct. But the ECS also suggests that dragonshards are something used in the creation of ever magic item, ala a "flavor text" cost. All in all, I think by far that Tharashk is far more deverse within its services that any other house.