Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dorpond 04-04-06, 09:11 AM	OK, I am still kinda getting a feel for this new place. I am a visual person so I need to clearly see it all in my minds eye before I can run the game. When someone is part of a House, do they advertise it by wearing clothes or badges of some sort or is that not true in many cases? for example, if came across someone and he was with another (a protecting figure from House Deneith), would I know that the person was a "body guard" or would he not show it to protect his image? Would he have some clothes or a badge of the symbol of that house or would he protect himself by not advertising the fact that he is body guard? Before you answer that, think of the other houses too. If you work for a house, do you have to identify as such? What about when you are not at work and are just in town shopping after your work day? I guess I am trying to imagine this place. Does everyone who is part of a house symbolize it in some manner? Same question for Dragon Marked people - do they show it or do they hide it? Perhaps it is a mixture of both? Thanks again for all the help.
Kid SixXx 04-04-06, 09:54 AM	When someone is part of a House, do they advertise it by wearing clothes or badges of some sort or is that not true in many cases? Each DMarked house has a coat of arms (My PC is a member of House Medani, hence their coat of arms in my avatar). Most DMarked members of a house probably wear signet rings i'd imagine, or even arcane signet rings if they are high ranking. I'd also imagine that there is some type of livery or uniform involved in some cases. Social standing should also be evident on any official identification or traveling papers possessed by a member of a DMarked house. I guess I am trying to imagine this place. Does everyone who is part of a house symbolize it in some manner? Same question for Dragon Marked people - do they show it or do they hide it? Perhaps it is a mixture of both? This probably depends on situation, rank of the member, or their actual affiliation. Some DMarked members aren't exactly welcomed in their own houses, or may be foundlings with no official ties to a DMarked house so they might choose to mask their heritage as best they can. A DMarked member may also wish to conceal his mark if he's traveling incognito. I'd imagine that members of House Thuranni hide their marks all the time. On the personal side, it may not be feasible for a DMarked member to openly display his mark. Since DMarks can appear anywhere on the body, I'd imagine that there are a rare number of DMarked house members whose marks have manifested on... mildly embarassing areas of their person. ;)
Bluebrush 04-04-06, 12:28 PM	I'd say most Dragonmarked family members show at least some measure of affilation, unless there is reason not to. Denieth employs mercenaries and guards-for-hire as well as bodyguards, so I'd imagine the former two probably have some kind of uniform or clear identification (Tabards for instance) for when they're working, though most of these will be unmarked house workers, rather than family members. Bodyguards would probably be lower key (Or higher key if you want to project an air of intimidation) but all would probbly carry (if not wear) a house signet ring. For an interesting example, look at this picture of a Cannith Heir kicking assassin butt. (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/sharn_gallery/84586.jpg) Note the mark on her neck is bright red, rather than the normal holographic blue green colour (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/eb_gallery/80189.jpg). It has been suggested elsewhere that the mark on her neck is a tatoo, presumably because her true mark appeared somewhere she cannot show in public, like the sole of her foot. An important thing to remember is that being a family member of the house is like being a member of minor royalty. You might want to take advantage of that by flaunting it.
FabulousRex 04-04-06, 01:35 PM	I would consider it just like any other sort of identifiable tattoo in the real world. Many different people will treat it with many different answers. Those wanting to 'show off' their mark will certainly do so. Deneith mercs, Phiarlan Bards, Cannith shopkeepers, Lyrander airship captains, Kundaruk bankers, etc. Those not wanting to advertise will also do so. Thuranni spies, Aberrants, and those working in a 'less visible' job will certainly hide their marks as best they can. I'ld assume the vast majority will simply show/hide their mark as the situation demands. This can lead to some rather interesting role-playing situations. One of the most fun PCs I've ever played was a pure Scout that manifested the Siberys mark of Shadow for no good reason. He eventually had to fake his own death in order to avoid the bidding war/assassination attempts of the competing houses of Shadow.
Arz 04-04-06, 02:24 PM	What people have mentioned so far is sort of the players side of things. DMarked people have another level of roleplaying to deal with. The good/bad sides of affiliation with any organization. In this case the twist is that it is hereditary and bestows a measure of power to the bloodline. On the DM's side you have a set of powerful political entities. The houses are a combination of early capitalist corporate entities and masonic lodges. Houses members have signs, sigils, rituals, and traditions that are taught to all members of the bloodline. They are more of a culture than a society though, because of the growth of the family. The main goal of these houses is economic power. Their natural profit motive often limits how much a DM might use them depending on the campaign. Hope this helps you to see the angles.