Maybe the human-side of the half-orc is of Cannith linage, especially if it is a first-generation half-orc (unlike most half-orcs in Eberron).
So if a Minotaur takes Mark of Warding or if a Half-Orc takes Mark of Healing, does that count as an abberant mark? So the PC would have to hide it from House Tarkanan and the Twelve?
The 'true' Dragonmarks are very distinct from the aberrant marks, a Mark of Warding is a Mark of Warding is a Mark of Warding is a Mark of Warding... (you get the idea).
The Aberrant marks on the other hand are just that, aberrant, strange, unique and usually impure and dangerous.
The Mark of Warding manifesting on a Minotaur would be HIGHLY unusual and would garner attention if out in the open... but it wouldn't be out right hostility in my mind. The Mark of Warding is understood, useful and safe. The fact a Minotaur has one is indeed quite odd, but people have real problems to worry about and aren't going to care if a Minotaur is really good at locking his doors.
House Members who have a interest in the Prophecy would be VERY interested in this minotaur (as would anyone who follows the prophecy I imagine), but one lone Minotaur with a Dragonmark isn't a threat to the houses power. Now if this Minotaur was somehow spreading the mark, or a entire clan of Minotaurs was manifesting the mark, THEN you would have overt action.
The houses would either bring these Minotaurs into the fold, or eliminate them, or collect them for study, or all of the above.
What if: the Minotaur has an aberrant mark that works somewhat like Rogue from X-Man; It steals the dragonmark from the skin of any dragonmark bearer that the Minotaur touch (or kills) and the last dragonmark bearer he touched was a Kundarak dwarf with mark of Warding. crunch-wise you take the Mark of Warding (and you can retrain the feat to another dragonmark when you level-up to keep the fluff going).
Maybe the human-side of the half-orc is of Cannith linage, especially if it is a first-generation half-orc (unlike most half-orcs in Eberron).
Small quibble, Gilo. I think you're confusing half-orcs for half-elves. Half-Orcs are still largely born from both human and orc parents, especially around the Shadow Marches and in House Tharashk (Orc's dont have the mark, but are considered to be full-blooded members of the House and honored, because they still regularly pass on their blood to half-orc children who can become marked.)
Half-Elves are the ones that, unlike in most other settings, are largely born from other half-elves. That's why there's a name for them in Eberron, Khoravar, and not one for Half-Orcs.
Option 1: True Mark:
Minotaur has an honest-to-goodness mark of warding. It's the right color, etc. This is, as expected, unheard of. The 12 Dragonmarked Houses are probably going to be concerned, to say the least: their monopoly on their marks is part of what makes them an economic powerhouse: they have no competition for what each mark does. While individual members of each house might not care, it could be reasonable for other members of the house to feel threatened by what might end up as a new dragonmarked bloodline, especially Kundarak, whose entire wealth kind of depends on their being the only ones people go to to protect things. This option is at least acknowledged by the 4e Eberron Campaign Guide, with two sub-categories:
Option 1a: Another one? Yawn:
The PC is not the only "off-race" with a True mark. Some NPCs might be curious or hostile, but overall, nobody pays it mind, with some of the Dragonmarked houses actually welcoming their new dragonmarked bretheren.
Option 1b: An abomination to be exterminated:
The Houses have a lot riding on their monopolies. While individuals might not care, the leadership of the Houses realize this is a threat to their well-being, and could eventually lead to another War of the Mark. They try to actively eliminate any off-race marks, sometimes with more prejudice than an Aberrant mark.
Option 2: Aberrant Mark:
This one would be easier. The Minotaur has a Aberrant Mark, which, mechanically, gives all the benefits of a Mark of Warding. However, it's an Aberrant mark, and the Minotaur is treated as such by NPCs (which is to say, he should probably hide it).
The decision becomes the DM's in terms of how he/she wants Marks to work in his/her game, but they are literally the Draconic Prophecy written on mortal flesh, so anyone who has one has SOME importance.
Or, you can go the otherway. Play up the "construct" part of "living construct", and say that the `forged's Mark is a simulacrum of a real mark. Like a magic-ink Tattoo that behaves exactly as a true mark does. It would be a masterwork of artifice. And unlike the first option above... we actually HAVE seen something like this in the Eberron novels...
Basically, a dragonmark on the standard race gives flavor, but if you have a dragonmark on the "wrong" race, it should have some serious story impact.
Basically, a dragonmark on the standard race gives flavor, but if you have a dragonmark on the "wrong" race, it should have some serious story impact.
This.
What if: the Minotaur has an aberrant mark that works somewhat like Rogue from X-Man; It steals the dragonmark from the skin of any dragonmark bearer that the Minotaur touch (or kills) and the last dragonmark bearer he touched was a Kundarak dwarf with mark of Warding. crunch-wise you take the Mark of Warding (and you can retrain the feat to another dragonmark when you level-up to keep the fluff going).
You would give this ... to a player?
Retaining feats is allow by PHB1 p.28 (or did I read it wrong)? crunch-wise it doesn't break the game and the fluff is cool and within Eberron'n canon - so ye why not? (tho I never had such a player request before).
Retaining feats is allow by PHB1 p.28 (or did I read it wrong)? crunch-wise it doesn't break the game and the fluff is cool and within Eberron'n canon - so ye why not? (tho I never had such a player request before).
Retaining feats is allow by PHB1 p.28 (or did I read it wrong)? crunch-wise it doesn't break the game and the fluff is cool and within Eberron'n canon - so ye why not? (tho I never had such a player request before).