Given that the dragonmarks now may show up on anyone at all, and in that case be considered as part of the Prophecy instead of an expression of a dragonmarked bloodline, it stands to reason that the Mark of Death might make an appearance on someone out there, despite House Vol being hunted to extinction.
I'm interested in hearing others' thoughts on the matter; ideas on how such a mark might work, the circumstances that might cause its appearance, reactions if a character with the mark were discovered, etc. I am aware that this is one of Keith Baker's permanent mysteries in Eberron, but I'd be interested in hearing any of the HellCow's insights as well :]
Also as a side point: It fits nicely with the 12 + 1 (Baker's dozen) themes in Eberron. 12 Houses remain, 1 is gone.
I don't think there is any Eberron continual metaplot, more the setting is intended as your sandbox. If you want the Mark of Death to make a return in a different race, that would be a truly epic campaign. Just keep in mind it was the combined power of the Dragons and Elves that eradicated House Vol, so it would have to be a truly powerful aspect of the Prophecy for the Mark of Death to return.
Also as a side point: It fits nicely with the 12 + 1 (Baker's dozen) themes in Eberron. 12 Houses remain, 1 is gone.
Actually, it's 12 dragonmarks remaining, one gone. There currently exist 13 dragonmarked houses:
- Deneith
- Orien
- Cannith
- Vadalis
- Tharashk
- Ghallanda
- Jorasco
- Phiarlan
- Thuranni
- Kundarak
- Sivis
- Medani
- Lyrandar
Originally dragonmarks were restricted to certain races in 3rd edition, and so, even if someone out there had a Mark of Death, they'd be an elf (and likely doing their best to hide if they even existed in the first place). 4e has changed that a bit, however...
Given that the dragonmarks now may show up on anyone at all, and in that case be considered as part of the Prophecy instead of an expression of a dragonmarked bloodline, it stands to reason that the Mark of Death might make an appearance on someone out there, despite House Vol being hunted to extinction.
I'm interested in hearing others' thoughts on the matter; ideas on how such a mark might work, the circumstances that might cause its appearance, reactions if a character with the mark were discovered, etc. I am aware that this is one of Keith Baker's permanent mysteries in Eberron, but I'd be interested in hearing any of the HellCow's insights as well :]
Consider that catastrophe mages could do the same [That is the current precedent for why by RAW all races can have marks now, right?] in 3e.
I prefer to think of the mark as completely gone, at least until The Prophecy has a need for it again [Remember, the moon tied to that mark is no longer around. Think about that in a prophetic sense]
But that's just me.
I am aware that this is one of Keith Baker's permanent mysteries in Eberron, but I'd be interested in hearing any of the HellCow's insights as well :]
Personally, while it is possible to have out-of-race dragonmarks and I can imagine interesting stories one could do because of this, I prefer to leave the marks on their original races, so it's not something I would do.
However, the greater reason I'd leave it alone is because i like the Mark of Death where it is: On Erandis Vol. I like the fact that she's got it, she can't use it, and the big question is whether she'll find some way to get it working again. The fact of the matter is that her mark is a different thing than what you'd get with a standard dragonmark feat, even if one existed for the Mark of Death; she's a half-dragon and the result of generations of arcane breeding experiments to produce the ultimate expression of that mark. Nonetheless, for me, a PC having the mark undermines the significance of Vol's plotline and the sinister mystery of the mark. On a PC, it just becomes another power modifier. On Erandis, it is a mystery - how powerful is it? What could she do if it's unleashed again?
With that said: If I WAS to use it on a PC, I would likely do two things. First, I WOULDN'T give them all the facts about it, as PCs have with other marks. The other marks and their powers are well known; even if you develop it out of house, people still have a general concept of what a Ghalaanda mark is capable of. With the Mark of Death, I might provide a basic ability and ritual. But then I'd probably say that other things have to be discovered. There may be unique rituals you can perform by tapping into the power of the mark - but who can teach you to use them? Perhaps they'll come to you in dreams (and if so, do the quori have an interest?). Perhaps you'll need to talk to a member of the Vol bloodline - which could involve spirit idols, a trip to Dolurrh, or something else. But I'd try to emphasize the mystery of it - that this is a thing that you know almost nothing about, a thing wiped from history.
Beyond that, I'd probably suggest that your blood could be a key part in restoring Erandis' mark. Which would make your life interesting. Add the Deathguard to that, and it would be a very interesting campaign. I'd spell this out beforehand, and make sure you were prepared. But at my table, any out-of-house dragonmark will make your life interesting. This one would make your life very very very interesting, and potentially very short if you aren't careful.
Definitely agree on the concept of "Dragonmark of Death : Handle with Caution. Do Not Jostle."
The idea came up during a recent game I've started up, so I had to start doing some field work; I dunno if it'll come to fruition in this current game but all this definitely gives me some ideas for another future storyline...
