Identifying Dragonmarks - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Identifying Dragonmarks

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Snooze
Sep 17, 2010 13:36:32 How easy is it to identify a Dragonmark? I assume that as soon as you see the tattoo, you can tell it's a Dragonmark, but is it easy to identify which Dragonmark it is? Would a common adventurer be able to tell at first sight?
#2
salla
Sep 17, 2010 13:40:02
How easy is it to identify a Dragonmark? I assume that as soon as you see the tattoo, you can tell it's a Dragonmark, but is it easy to identify which Dragonmark it is? Would a common adventurer be able to tell at first sight?

I'd probably do History or Arcana checks. Easy for regular marks, moderate for Aberrant* marks, hard for Siberys marks.

And, of course, no check required if you have the same mark as the mark you're looking at.

*Telling an Aberrant mark from a regular mark is a no-brainer, though ... this is for IDing the specific kind of mark. Just to clarify.
#3
Alex_
Sep 19, 2010 21:02:49 Every line's dragonmark is distinct and is identical from person to person. All members of House Cannith have a mark that looks exactly the same. Likewise for Sivis, Phialarn, etc. Some are larger and more intricate than others- in relation to the power the individual wields- but they're all easily identifiable.

Plus, all dragonmarks are a bright glossy blue/green color and when their bearer draws upon them, they glow and become warm to the touch.

I would say that most people would recognize them as much as they would recognize the logo of any major business. I would imagine your "average" adventurer would be someone civilized from central Khorvaire and as such, will have had much contact with the houses (if not working for them at one point) so they should be able to tell which mark is which fairly well.
#4
Talae
Sep 19, 2010 23:40:07 Players Guide to Eberron (3.5e) says:

Knowledge (arcana) DC 15 and Knowledge (nobility and royalty) DC 10 get you this:

"You know the names of the thirteen dragonmarked houses and the mark associated with each one. You can identify the trade symbols and seals of each house."

It also discusses results of both lesser and greater rolls, as well as knowledge (history) and spellcraft.
#5
balseraph
Sep 20, 2010 1:16:36 (Usual preface of: This is how I run it in my game, your mileage may vary)

If the N/PC is a member of a dragonmarked house then they automatically know what all the other dragonmarks look like as well as a basic overview of the other houses' operations. I consider that a factor of upbringing and education.

As far as the general populace are concerned, I treat it as a DC 10 History or Arcana check to recognize a dragonmark and connect it to a house. I increase that DC by 5 outside of the Five Nations as a broad rule of thumb.

Obviously there are exceptions. The orcs of the Shadow Marches almost certainly recognize the Mark of Finding and House Tharashk, for example.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Snooze Sep 17, 2010 13:36:32	How easy is it to identify a Dragonmark? I assume that as soon as you see the tattoo, you can tell it's a Dragonmark, but is it easy to identify which Dragonmark it is? Would a common adventurer be able to tell at first sight?
#2 salla Sep 17, 2010 13:40:02	How easy is it to identify a Dragonmark? I assume that as soon as you see the tattoo, you can tell it's a Dragonmark, but is it easy to identify which Dragonmark it is? Would a common adventurer be able to tell at first sight? I'd probably do History or Arcana checks. Easy for regular marks, moderate for Aberrant* marks, hard for Siberys marks. And, of course, no check required if you have the same mark as the mark you're looking at. *Telling an Aberrant mark from a regular mark is a no-brainer, though ... this is for IDing the specific kind of mark. Just to clarify.
#3 Alex_ Sep 19, 2010 21:02:49	Every line's dragonmark is distinct and is identical from person to person. All members of House Cannith have a mark that looks exactly the same. Likewise for Sivis, Phialarn, etc. Some are larger and more intricate than others- in relation to the power the individual wields- but they're all easily identifiable. Plus, all dragonmarks are a bright glossy blue/green color and when their bearer draws upon them, they glow and become warm to the touch. I would say that most people would recognize them as much as they would recognize the logo of any major business. I would imagine your "average" adventurer would be someone civilized from central Khorvaire and as such, will have had much contact with the houses (if not working for them at one point) so they should be able to tell which mark is which fairly well.
#4 Talae Sep 19, 2010 23:40:07	Players Guide to Eberron (3.5e) says: Knowledge (arcana) DC 15 and Knowledge (nobility and royalty) DC 10 get you this: "You know the names of the thirteen dragonmarked houses and the mark associated with each one. You can identify the trade symbols and seals of each house." It also discusses results of both lesser and greater rolls, as well as knowledge (history) and spellcraft.
#5 balseraph Sep 20, 2010 1:16:36	(Usual preface of: This is how I run it in my game, your mileage may vary) If the N/PC is a member of a dragonmarked house then they automatically know what all the other dragonmarks look like as well as a basic overview of the other houses' operations. I consider that a factor of upbringing and education. As far as the general populace are concerned, I treat it as a DC 10 History or Arcana check to recognize a dragonmark and connect it to a house. I increase that DC by 5 outside of the Five Nations as a broad rule of thumb. Obviously there are exceptions. The orcs of the Shadow Marches almost certainly recognize the Mark of Finding and House Tharashk, for example.