Multiple Dragonmark Feats [Archive] - Wizards Community

Multiple Dragonmark Feats [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Syltorian
03-20-07, 12:30 PM I was wondering whether it is possible to take the same dragonmark/aberrant dragonmark feat more than once. This is with the understanding, of course, that the spell-like abilities are aspects of the same dragonmark, not actually two different marks (and, in the case of true marks, the abilities would have to be of the same dragonmark).

E.g. taking Aberrant Dragonmark twice to get a single aberrant dragonmark that can produce flame and use burning hands; or taking Lesser Mark of Storm twice to get wind's favor as well as wind wall.

In the latter case, this would dublicate the Dragonmarked Heir prestige class, which gives a a precedent, but at the same time makes having more than one spell-like ability per grade something exclusive to this PrC, which would perhaps become less 'prestigious' if the above is allowed (though it would still add to caster level and house status, and essentially give free feats).

The rules do not forbid this, as far as I can see; but they do not explicitely allow it either, the way they do for, say, Extra Music. The default position is:

If a character has the same feat more than once, its benefits do not stack unless indicated otherwise in the description.

In general, having a feat twice is the same as having it once.

This probably works against this way of increasing a dragonmark's potential, but getting different abilities is not the same as stacking (though it would mean that you do not get further +2 bonuses to the associated skill by taking Least Dragonmark multiple times). The last sentence, of course, would mean that it does not even give you any further spell-like ability.

What are people's opinions on this... ruleswise, flavour-wise and balance-wise?
UnderworldLord
03-20-07, 04:06 PM Doesn't there have to be a notation somewhere to say you can take a feat more than once? Either way, the feat Unlock Dragonmark, I think, might be what you want, though I wait for better gurus than I to answer your question.
Artector
03-20-07, 04:27 PM Unless otherwise noted a feat can only be taken once.

Though a homebrew feat or houserule to do the effect you want might be reasonable with the true marks. The aberrant ones I might not, just because they're aberrant.
Syltorian
03-20-07, 07:47 PM Doesn't there have to be a notation somewhere to say you can take a feat more than once? Either way, the feat Unlock Dragonmark, I think, might be what you want, though I wait for better gurus than I to answer your question.

I'd forgotten about Unlock Dragonmark. The existence of that feat (and the consensus that "feats can only be taken once unless otherwise noted") pretty much answer my question. Thanks for the help, UnderworldLord and Artector!
Nundahl
03-20-07, 08:18 PM In 90% of cases I'd say refer to the default rule, which means it can't be taken again. And in this case, with Unlock Dragonmark available, its also just not necessary. However, in my game, if a player asked, I wouldn't stop them in this or a similar case. Maybe its just the love of fluff, I want my players to use the Dragonmarks.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Syltorian 03-20-07, 12:30 PM	I was wondering whether it is possible to take the same dragonmark/aberrant dragonmark feat more than once. This is with the understanding, of course, that the spell-like abilities are aspects of the same dragonmark, not actually two different marks (and, in the case of true marks, the abilities would have to be of the same dragonmark). E.g. taking Aberrant Dragonmark twice to get a single aberrant dragonmark that can produce flame and use burning hands; or taking Lesser Mark of Storm twice to get wind's favor as well as wind wall. In the latter case, this would dublicate the Dragonmarked Heir prestige class, which gives a a precedent, but at the same time makes having more than one spell-like ability per grade something exclusive to this PrC, which would perhaps become less 'prestigious' if the above is allowed (though it would still add to caster level and house status, and essentially give free feats). The rules do not forbid this, as far as I can see; but they do not explicitely allow it either, the way they do for, say, Extra Music. The default position is: If a character has the same feat more than once, its benefits do not stack unless indicated otherwise in the description. In general, having a feat twice is the same as having it once. This probably works against this way of increasing a dragonmark's potential, but getting different abilities is not the same as stacking (though it would mean that you do not get further +2 bonuses to the associated skill by taking Least Dragonmark multiple times). The last sentence, of course, would mean that it does not even give you any further spell-like ability. What are people's opinions on this... ruleswise, flavour-wise and balance-wise?
UnderworldLord 03-20-07, 04:06 PM	Doesn't there have to be a notation somewhere to say you can take a feat more than once? Either way, the feat Unlock Dragonmark, I think, might be what you want, though I wait for better gurus than I to answer your question.
Artector 03-20-07, 04:27 PM	Unless otherwise noted a feat can only be taken once. Though a homebrew feat or houserule to do the effect you want might be reasonable with the true marks. The aberrant ones I might not, just because they're aberrant.
Syltorian 03-20-07, 07:47 PM	Doesn't there have to be a notation somewhere to say you can take a feat more than once? Either way, the feat Unlock Dragonmark, I think, might be what you want, though I wait for better gurus than I to answer your question. I'd forgotten about Unlock Dragonmark. The existence of that feat (and the consensus that "feats can only be taken once unless otherwise noted") pretty much answer my question. Thanks for the help, UnderworldLord and Artector!
Nundahl 03-20-07, 08:18 PM	In 90% of cases I'd say refer to the default rule, which means it can't be taken again. And in this case, with Unlock Dragonmark available, its also just not necessary. However, in my game, if a player asked, I wouldn't stop them in this or a similar case. Maybe its just the love of fluff, I want my players to use the Dragonmarks.