Mark of Death [Archive] - Wizards Community

Mark of Death [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Blarghy
02-15-08, 04:55 PM Is there any official info on what abilities were granted by the presumably extinct Mark of Death? If so, what book? If not, what would you all think would be appropriate abilities for the various levels of the Mark?

I'm thinking about running an Ebberon campaign where one of party members manifests the Mark which, of course, draws much unwelcome attention of all sorts of trouble, with much hijinking and adventure to follow.
skrap-san
02-15-08, 05:37 PM Well I don't think there is anything official, but I do know that in some thread there has been a discussion about the mark, don't remember what thread sadly, and they concluded (Keith included) that the most logical thing would be for the mark to grant someone undeath, at least the most powerfull part of the mark would.

Others might know more about this, and the thread I'm thinking of.
Syltorian
02-15-08, 05:56 PM Others might know more about this, and the thread I'm thinking of.

There have been a fair number of threats on this topic. Some ideas can be found here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=883262), here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=14024080) and here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=259606). Like skrap-san, I remember the threat where it was said that the mark should have powers over undead, and where it was pointed out that Erandis' mother turned her daughter into a lich with her (Siberys?) mark, but I can't find it with either google or the boards' own search.

In short: there has been nothing official on this. Even the Mark of Death novels, and in Eberron novels are not considered canon, does not make it clear whether the mark in question is really the Mark of Death or an aberrant one. It is unlikely that the abilities are ever going to be revealed - it is so far left as one of the mysteries akin to the question of what caused the Mourning or whether there are gods.

Some things to keep in mind is that virtually none of the known true dragonmarks offers powers that attack or cause damage; Lyrandar's Siberys Mark is virtually the only exception. So it is more likely that the Mark of Death has power over unlife, and practical stuff such as gentle repose rather than chill touch; that is the preserve of Aberrant Marks.
Amaril
02-15-08, 07:19 PM Some things to keep in mind is that virtually none of the known true dragonmarks offers powers that attack or cause damage...Technically, the Mark of Healing can cause damage. Have a mark that channels negative energy is simply a change in energy type (i.e. - positive vs. negative), but that's just my personal opinion on the matter.
Amaril
02-15-08, 07:25 PM As an aside, one could always borrow spells from the Repose domain list.
Repose Domain Spells

1. Deathwatch
2. Gentle repose
3. Speak with dead
4. Death ward
5. Slay living
6. Undeath to death
7. Destruction
8. Surelife
9. Wail of the banshee
Edymnion
02-15-08, 08:08 PM I remember the threat where it was said that the mark should have powers over undead, and where it was pointed out that Erandis' mother turned her daughter into a lich with her (Siberys?) mark, but I can't find it with either google or the boards' own search.I may be mistaken, but I don't think its in an official source that Erandis's mother used her mark to Lich Erandis. I'm pretty sure thats something I came up with in my background for Vol. I could be wrong though, its been a couple years now.
AlHazred
02-15-08, 09:16 PM I may be mistaken, but I don't think its in an official source that Erandis's mother used her mark to Lich Erandis. I'm pretty sure thats something I came up with in my background for Vol. I could be wrong though, its been a couple years now.
Edymnion is correct. I also can't find the thread, but this was never said in KB's words on the subject.

I like the idea that an extension of the powers of the Mark of Death were used, much like an Unbound Scroll uses an extension of the arcane mark power to perform her miracles.
Hellcow
02-15-08, 09:38 PM ...and they concluded (Keith included) that the most logical thing would be for the mark to grant someone undeath...
While anything's possible, I don't recall ever saying this. Personally, I lean towards the latter part of Syltorian's post. There's an aberrant mark that grants Inflict Light Wounds; as such, I'd personally be inclined to make the Mark of Death more about effects aside from strict offensive powers, such as deathwatch, gentle repose, false life, and the like. I'm not especially against the idea of the mark having the ability to create or control undead - I just don't recall saying it myself. And it's certainly the case that the Line of Vol was studying necromancy long before they manifested the mark, so while the mark might grant such abilities, they would have other means to do so at their disposal.

With that said, AlHazred makes an excellent point that the base powers of the mark are only one piece of the puzzle. The things the houses are best known for - the creation forges, airships, speaking stones, etc - are all dragonmark focus items. Personally, I don't think that the Siberys Mark of Death is "Create Liches". However, it's entirely plausible that Erandis' mother used a focus item or eldritch machine that channeled the powers of her mark to accomplish this task - just as it's the creation forge that creates warforged, not simply the mark of making.

Beyond this, I personally maintain that Erandis herself has a mark with far greater potential than even a Siberys mark - that as a marked half-dragon she represents an evolutionary step, and that this may have been one more reason her family was so thoroughly exterminated. It's neither here nor there - but if I were to restore Erandis' mark, I'd give her a level of power far greater than I'd give to someone with even a Siberys mark. Essentially, I see her as a living Eldritch machine... or at least, she would be, if she was alive.
Edymnion
02-15-08, 09:52 PM Hmmm... half dragon template = super dragonmark? :devil:
skrap-san
02-16-08, 02:48 AM I don't recall ever saying this.
My greatest apologies for misquoting you. I should have added a "I think".

Now I also like the power of the marks to be more of a preserving state rather than offensive controlling.
Syltorian
02-16-08, 06:37 AM Technically, the Mark of Healing can cause damage. Have a mark that channels negative energy is simply a change in energy type (i.e. - positive vs. negative), but that's just my personal opinion on the matter.

Good point, though I believe it was said somewhere that the planes are born of the Progenitors too - and Mabar is more aligned with Khyber than Eberron or Siberys, who probably have greater influence in Irian. By that reasoning, negative energy goes to Khyber marks (= aberrant marks?), where we find the inflict power, and positive energy to the Eberron/Siberys Marks (true marks, that is the Mark of Healing). All this is assuming that the marks are tied to the Progenitors, of course.

I wonder what that means for Vol's experiments with negative energy, though, even if their mark does not necessarily involve Khyber's touch.

I ike your idea to use the Repose domain, though in keeping with my 'no damage' (from the PoV of a living creature) policy, I'd rule out slay living, destruction and wail of the banshee; undeath to death seems to be at odds with the ideals of House Vol. Looking at domains to make up the list is a great idea in general, too.

I may be mistaken, but I don't think its in an official source that Erandis's mother used her mark to Lich Erandis. I'm pretty sure thats something I came up with in my background for Vol. I could be wrong though, its been a couple years now.

My apologies to both you and Keith for wrongly attributing this idea in that case. That explains also why I couldn't find the quote...
Hellcow
02-16-08, 12:21 PM Hmmm... half dragon template = super dragonmark? :devil:
That would be the idea, at least from me (I'm not sure it's been stated in anything that could be considered a canon source). However, with that said, the extension of the idea is that it's no simple matter to get a dragonmark on a half-dragon - that it's not as easy as crossing a dragon and a dragonmarked heir, and that it's something the line of Vol and their Argonnessen allies were working on for some time before their labors finally bore fruit. So it's possible, but there's mystical eugenics involved... it's not just the birds and the dragons.
Rekko
02-19-08, 12:21 PM Where the secret schemes of House Vol only the creation of a half-dragon, or Erandis was only the fist step of a greater plan (that might have been interrupted with House Vol's destruction)? If so, what would the greater plan be?
Edymnion
02-19-08, 12:38 PM Where the secret schemes of House Vol only the creation of a half-dragon, or Erandis was only the fist step of a greater plan (that might have been interrupted with House Vol's destruction)? If so, what would the greater plan be?http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=14977811
:)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Blarghy 02-15-08, 04:55 PM	Is there any official info on what abilities were granted by the presumably extinct Mark of Death? If so, what book? If not, what would you all think would be appropriate abilities for the various levels of the Mark? I'm thinking about running an Ebberon campaign where one of party members manifests the Mark which, of course, draws much unwelcome attention of all sorts of trouble, with much hijinking and adventure to follow.
skrap-san 02-15-08, 05:37 PM	Well I don't think there is anything official, but I do know that in some thread there has been a discussion about the mark, don't remember what thread sadly, and they concluded (Keith included) that the most logical thing would be for the mark to grant someone undeath, at least the most powerfull part of the mark would. Others might know more about this, and the thread I'm thinking of.
Syltorian 02-15-08, 05:56 PM	Others might know more about this, and the thread I'm thinking of. There have been a fair number of threats on this topic. Some ideas can be found here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=883262), here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=14024080) and here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=259606). Like skrap-san, I remember the threat where it was said that the mark should have powers over undead, and where it was pointed out that Erandis' mother turned her daughter into a lich with her (Siberys?) mark, but I can't find it with either google or the boards' own search. In short: there has been nothing official on this. Even the Mark of Death novels, and in Eberron novels are not considered canon, does not make it clear whether the mark in question is really the Mark of Death or an aberrant one. It is unlikely that the abilities are ever going to be revealed - it is so far left as one of the mysteries akin to the question of what caused the Mourning or whether there are gods. Some things to keep in mind is that virtually none of the known true dragonmarks offers powers that attack or cause damage; Lyrandar's Siberys Mark is virtually the only exception. So it is more likely that the Mark of Death has power over unlife, and practical stuff such as gentle repose rather than chill touch; that is the preserve of Aberrant Marks.
Amaril 02-15-08, 07:19 PM	Some things to keep in mind is that virtually none of the known true dragonmarks offers powers that attack or cause damage...Technically, the Mark of Healing can cause damage. Have a mark that channels negative energy is simply a change in energy type (i.e. - positive vs. negative), but that's just my personal opinion on the matter.
Amaril 02-15-08, 07:25 PM	As an aside, one could always borrow spells from the Repose domain list. Repose Domain Spells 1. Deathwatch 2. Gentle repose 3. Speak with dead 4. Death ward 5. Slay living 6. Undeath to death 7. Destruction 8. Surelife 9. Wail of the banshee
Edymnion 02-15-08, 08:08 PM	I remember the threat where it was said that the mark should have powers over undead, and where it was pointed out that Erandis' mother turned her daughter into a lich with her (Siberys?) mark, but I can't find it with either google or the boards' own search.I may be mistaken, but I don't think its in an official source that Erandis's mother used her mark to Lich Erandis. I'm pretty sure thats something I came up with in my background for Vol. I could be wrong though, its been a couple years now.
AlHazred 02-15-08, 09:16 PM	I may be mistaken, but I don't think its in an official source that Erandis's mother used her mark to Lich Erandis. I'm pretty sure thats something I came up with in my background for Vol. I could be wrong though, its been a couple years now. Edymnion is correct. I also can't find the thread, but this was never said in KB's words on the subject. I like the idea that an extension of the powers of the Mark of Death were used, much like an Unbound Scroll uses an extension of the arcane mark power to perform her miracles.
Hellcow 02-15-08, 09:38 PM	...and they concluded (Keith included) that the most logical thing would be for the mark to grant someone undeath... While anything's possible, I don't recall ever saying this. Personally, I lean towards the latter part of Syltorian's post. There's an aberrant mark that grants Inflict Light Wounds; as such, I'd personally be inclined to make the Mark of Death more about effects aside from strict offensive powers, such as deathwatch, gentle repose, false life, and the like. I'm not especially against the idea of the mark having the ability to create or control undead - I just don't recall saying it myself. And it's certainly the case that the Line of Vol was studying necromancy long before they manifested the mark, so while the mark might grant such abilities, they would have other means to do so at their disposal. With that said, AlHazred makes an excellent point that the base powers of the mark are only one piece of the puzzle. The things the houses are best known for - the creation forges, airships, speaking stones, etc - are all dragonmark focus items. Personally, I don't think that the Siberys Mark of Death is "Create Liches". However, it's entirely plausible that Erandis' mother used a focus item or eldritch machine that channeled the powers of her mark to accomplish this task - just as it's the creation forge that creates warforged, not simply the mark of making. Beyond this, I personally maintain that Erandis herself has a mark with far greater potential than even a Siberys mark - that as a marked half-dragon she represents an evolutionary step, and that this may have been one more reason her family was so thoroughly exterminated. It's neither here nor there - but if I were to restore Erandis' mark, I'd give her a level of power far greater than I'd give to someone with even a Siberys mark. Essentially, I see her as a living Eldritch machine... or at least, she would be, if she was alive.
Edymnion 02-15-08, 09:52 PM	Hmmm... half dragon template = super dragonmark? :devil:
skrap-san 02-16-08, 02:48 AM	I don't recall ever saying this. My greatest apologies for misquoting you. I should have added a "I think". Now I also like the power of the marks to be more of a preserving state rather than offensive controlling.
Syltorian 02-16-08, 06:37 AM	Technically, the Mark of Healing can cause damage. Have a mark that channels negative energy is simply a change in energy type (i.e. - positive vs. negative), but that's just my personal opinion on the matter. Good point, though I believe it was said somewhere that the planes are born of the Progenitors too - and Mabar is more aligned with Khyber than Eberron or Siberys, who probably have greater influence in Irian. By that reasoning, negative energy goes to Khyber marks (= aberrant marks?), where we find the inflict power, and positive energy to the Eberron/Siberys Marks (true marks, that is the Mark of Healing). All this is assuming that the marks are tied to the Progenitors, of course. I wonder what that means for Vol's experiments with negative energy, though, even if their mark does not necessarily involve Khyber's touch. I ike your idea to use the Repose domain, though in keeping with my 'no damage' (from the PoV of a living creature) policy, I'd rule out slay living, destruction and wail of the banshee; undeath to death seems to be at odds with the ideals of House Vol. Looking at domains to make up the list is a great idea in general, too. I may be mistaken, but I don't think its in an official source that Erandis's mother used her mark to Lich Erandis. I'm pretty sure thats something I came up with in my background for Vol. I could be wrong though, its been a couple years now. My apologies to both you and Keith for wrongly attributing this idea in that case. That explains also why I couldn't find the quote...
Hellcow 02-16-08, 12:21 PM	Hmmm... half dragon template = super dragonmark? :devil: That would be the idea, at least from me (I'm not sure it's been stated in anything that could be considered a canon source). However, with that said, the extension of the idea is that it's no simple matter to get a dragonmark on a half-dragon - that it's not as easy as crossing a dragon and a dragonmarked heir, and that it's something the line of Vol and their Argonnessen allies were working on for some time before their labors finally bore fruit. So it's possible, but there's mystical eugenics involved... it's not just the birds and the dragons.
Rekko 02-19-08, 12:21 PM	Where the secret schemes of House Vol only the creation of a half-dragon, or Erandis was only the fist step of a greater plan (that might have been interrupted with House Vol's destruction)? If so, what would the greater plan be?
Edymnion 02-19-08, 12:38 PM	Where the secret schemes of House Vol only the creation of a half-dragon, or Erandis was only the fist step of a greater plan (that might have been interrupted with House Vol's destruction)? If so, what would the greater plan be?http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=14977811 :)