Dragonborn Paladin 2 (Was a paladin of the Inspired until he discovered what the dreaming dark was all about. He went renegade and intercepted a squad of the dreaming dark who had stolen several of the Storm Guardians' eggs. The mother gave him a bit of draconic power as a reward, and it turned his body into a dragonborn)
Halfling Warlord 2 (Multiclass Cleric, the healing/hp abilities are represented by his Dragonmark. Is a foundling, his parents were kicked out of the house after his uncle framed them by killing some of their guests.)
"Tiefling" Starlock 2 (We've messed around with the lore a bit and she's playing it as a Kalashtar Psion. The only mechanical change was she has Psychic Resistance instead of fire resistance)
Shifter Ranger 2 (Was kind've an apprentice to a local thunderguide, was hired by the PC's as a guide to Stormreach.)
Warforged Fighter 2 (Hasn't really worked out his background yet. Wields a Flail. I think Pierce from Hellcow's novels was an inspiration for this character. Was going to be a ranger but decided at the last minute to change to Fighter because he didn't want to be redundant with three strikers in the party)
The campaign is going to be based in Xen'Drik for the time being.
Turning a Tiefling into a Kalashtar the way you did is brilliant, really a good call on that one.
Multiclass Cleric is a good way to include the Mark of Healing while waiting for the real marks.
I raise my hat to you.
Rekko
(I still play 3.5)
Let's see, the PCs are:
• Dwarf male fighter (from 3.5 barbarian) 2 - From Clan Droranath in the Mror Holds, spent the previous 30 years petrified (from a basilisk).
• Half-elf male ranger 2 - From the Eldeen Reaches.
• Halfling male cleric 2 - A dragonmarked member of House Jorasco and a priest of Olladra.
• Human male battle sorcerer (now a fighter/wizard hybrid) 2 - A dragonmarked member of House Deneith.
• Human female rogue 2 - A Thrane aristocrat and follower of the Silver Flame.
• Human male warlock (fey) 2 - A forger and "adopted child" of some fey from the Twilight Demesne.
• Shifter ranger (from a 3.5 scout) 2 - Former military scout from the Talenta Plains.
my PCs are:
Dragonborn Cleric of the Sovereign Host (depicts them as Dragons) - part of a small clan of Dragonborns that settled at the foot of the Icetop mountains, he served in the Karrnath army during the last war and is now part of the town watch of Lakeside.
Human Ranger - a Karrnathi from one of the farming families near Lakeside.
Minotaur Fighter - exiled from his tribe in Droaam. he travels around Khorvaire.
Doppleganger (Changeling) warlock fey pact (I thought it could be a funny twist if the fey-pact is with the Eladrin Wizard PC)- not much known about him - it travels looking like a 16years old girl.
Eladrin Wizard - two years ago he fell asleep under a tree in Thelanis and woke up in the woods near Lakeside.
Party consists of:
Human ranger (ranged). Prodigee of player's previous character, a human warlord who organized the defense of a town.
Human rogue. Thief, outcast cousin of Oargev ir'Wynarn, and thus 2nd in line to the nonexistent Cyre throne.
Warforged fighter, property of human rogue, ex-soldier in Last War.
Eladrin wizard. His eladrin city shifted between Thelanis and Eberron regularly, and was lost in the Mourning.
Now the party is huddled in Highwalls in Sharn, about to take part in a plot most foul...
Currently, we have the following party:
Miguel - a human member of the House of Cannith and student at Morgrave University. In 3.5e, he was an artificer who gained an aberrant dragonmark. In 4e, he’s played as a 5th level star pact warlock (to reflect his concentration on his aberrant powers) and has ritual casting and alchemy as his feats to reflect his artificer background.
Rourke – a human Karnnath native who has met Miguel at Morgrave. In 3.5e, he was a hot headed warmage. In 4e, he’s played as a 5th level wizard; concentrating on fire spells.
Icon – A big human who is also Rourke’s life partner. In 3.5e, he was a multi class bard/barbarian. In 4e, he’s played as a 5th level fighter of the great weapon fighter build specializing on the greatsword. He took up a multi-class feat for wizard and was allowed to use the cantrips (instead of the at-will power) as encounter powers to reflect his bard arcane skills.
Lloyd- a half-elf member of House Medani and Miguel’s ex. The current adventure is to rescue his fiance, the daughter if his boss. This causes much conflict when he interacts with the warlock during the adventures. In 3.5e, he was a ranger, part inquisitive and leader of a squad of Medani guards. In 4e, he was converted to a 5th level Warlord.
Kenneth – another half-elf member of House Medani , part of Lloyd’s squad. (The rest of the squad got killed in the 1st encounter). He knows of his superior’s past relationship with the party’s warlock is currently thinking of taking Lloyd’s place in the relationship. In 3.5, he played a ranger/cleric of the sovereign host. In 4e, he was converted to a 5th level Paladin (still of the sovereign host).
The Pcs are a minotaur fighter, a kobold rogue, a valenar ranger, a tiefling warlock, a goblin warlord and a dragonborn fighter.
The group is not in Stormreach after the elf was framed for the regicide of the mayor of New Cyre. Stormreach was the only place they could escape to and survive.
The PCs greatest enemy is the Cult of Tiamat, and some nasty Rakshashas that area leading a specific cell of cultists. They also have to watch their step if they ever step foot in Khorvaire again.
I'm very much kitbashing the 'marks; right now, it's a feat to provide, once per milestone, concealment for 3 rounds (shadow), or +1 to all defenses for 3 rounds (sentinel). Seeing how it works, and we'll change it as necessary.
1st level Dragonborn Paladin.
1st level Dwarf Rogue.
Group One (DM)
Elsa Tralkin d'Lyrandar: Khoravar infernal pact warlock. The infernal pact is with the power of the storm; to represent this, we changed any power that did fire damage to lightning.
Lupin Redfang: Longtooth ranger from the Eldeen Reaches.
Khaas Dhakaan: Hobgoblin warlord from the Kech Volaar, exiled for challenging tradition and seeking to become a duur'kala, now on a quest to prove his own right to the restored Dhakaani throne.
Jacob: He's a rogue. His race is something of a mystery, and I'm leaving it there in case any of my players are reading. He's an agent of Kirris Sel Shadra, one of the lords of Stormreach.
Minius the Magnificant, AKA Minius Sel Shadra: Gnome wizard, sent to his aunt in Stormreach to learn the ways of the world.
Group Two (DM)
Leific: Valenar ranger. Bound to the path of an archer heroine, but wants to follow the path of the heroic swordsman his father emulated.
Kalor: Dragonborn paladin of the Blood of Vol. Driven from his family's ancestral fiefdom in Karrnath due to his faith.
Ishmael d'Medani: Khoravar Star Pact warlock. Drunken sot and adventuring archaeologist with unsettling connections to the Lords of Dust.
Niles: Human wizard; working at Stormreach's fledgling arcane library.
Jule: Changeling cleric of the Silver Flame; having failed to topple a corrupt bishop, he has now gone to Stormreach to try to understand the nature of corruption (and there's been lots of fun debates between him and Kalor).
Group Three (Player)
(All former Cyran soldiers. As I'm a player in this one, I don't know everyone's full secrets.)
Drego: Dragonborn melee-oriented cleric. Originally followed a Thir-influenced variation of the Sovereign Host, but has come to revere the Prophecy directly, believing that it works through him. Has developed an aberrant dragonmark, and may be the reincarnated soul of Halas Tarkanan. (This is me.)
Jareth: Goblin rogue with ties to the Sharaat'Khesh. He's actually just left the group to try to kill Lhesh Haruuc.
Jorneth: Dwarf wizard, immigrating from the Mror Holds, has some sort of vendetta with the Order of the Emerald Claw.
Drix: Changeling warlock. Something's going on with her background, but I haven't figured it out yet.
Karsis: Human warlord, foundling heir to the Mark of Passage, currently entangled in business dealings with House Tharashk.
Currently we're doing work for Prince Oargev that's taken us into the Mournlands and Droaam, though I'm planning to get back to Sharn to connect with House Tarkanan sometime soon.
One question though: aberrant Marks in 4e are now for any race?
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The decision to give this character an aberrant mark, and the form that this mark has taken, is something developed by myself and the DM and does not necessarily have any direct bearing on the official form aberrant dragonmarks will eventually take.
With that said, what James Wyatt mentioned at the Secrets of Eberron seminar at Eberron is that the current thinking is that PCs - and only PCs - are exceptions to all dragonmark racial restrictions, but that such an unmatched mark reflects the direct touch of the Prophecy and means that the character in question would be a) extremely unusual and b) would not have a background connection to a dragonmarked house. So in the case of my character, he's not just some shmoe with an aberrant dragonmark - he's potentially Halas Tarkanan reborn! He has an epic destiny, and his unusual mark reflects that.
So aberrant dragonmarks may or may not be available for any race; however, ANY dragonmark is potentially available to a PC - with the understanding that having an unmatched mark could actually be as much a burden as a blessing, if the house in question doesn't particularly care to have someone beyond their bloodline suddenly manifesting their gift.
With that said, what James Wyatt mentioned at the Secrets of Eberron seminar at Eberron is that the current thinking is that PCs - and only PCs - are exceptions to all dragonmark racial restrictions, but that such an unmatched mark reflects the direct touch of the Prophecy and means that the character in question would be a) extremely unusual and b) would not have a background connection to a dragonmarked house. So in the case of my character, he's not just some shmoe with an aberrant dragonmark - he's potentially Halas Tarkanan reborn! He has an epic destiny, and his unusual mark reflects that.
So aberrant dragonmarks may or may not be available for any race; however, ANY dragonmark is potentially available to a PC - with the understanding that having an unmatched mark could actually be as much a burden as a blessing, if the house in question doesn't particularly care to have someone beyond their bloodline suddenly manifesting their gift.
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No.
You are correct, based on the theory that a PC orc could develop the Mark of Making because that's his destiny, then yes, a PC could theoretically develop the Mark of Death, because that's HIS epic destiny. But that's been possible in 3.5E too, which is why I've seen any number of people post their own versions of the Mark of Death online. You can decide that the Mark of Death will return on a PC, and that would be a good basis for an epic destiny. But it's not a trivial thing, and not something we're going to suggest casually. The Mark of Death is going to remain something that is in your hands as DM. If you want to reintroduce it to the world, determine its powers as fits the story you want to tell with it; that might be a very different story from the one I'd tell, and as such you might come up with very different powers than I would.
So the epic destiny/loosened restrictions for PCs certainly makes clear how a PC COULD develop the Mark of Death. That doesn't mean that they are automatically entitled to do so. That decision - and what it means for the PC and the world - is up to you as DM.
So does that mean the Mark of Death will be given statistical representation, perhaps in the ECG if not the EPG?
No.
You are correct, based on the theory that a PC orc could develop the Mark of Making because that's his destiny, then yes, a PC could theoretically develop the Mark of Death, because that's HIS epic destiny. But that's been possible in 3.5E too, which is why I've seen any number of people post their own versions of the Mark of Death online. You can decide that the Mark of Death will return on a PC, and that would be a good basis for an epic destiny. But it's not a trivial thing, and not something we're going to suggest casually. The Mark of Death is going to remain something that is in your hands as DM. If you want to reintroduce it to the world, determine its powers as fits the story you want to tell with it; that might be a very different story from the one I'd tell, and as such you might come up with very different powers than I would.
So the epic destiny/loosened restrictions for PCs certainly makes clear how a PC COULD develop the Mark of Death. That doesn't mean that they are automatically entitled to do so. That decision - and what it means for the PC and the world - is up to you as DM.
No.
You are correct, based on the theory that a PC orc could develop the Mark of Making because that's his destiny, then yes, a PC could theoretically develop the Mark of Death, because that's HIS epic destiny. But that's been possible in 3.5E too, which is why I've seen any number of people post their own versions of the Mark of Death online. You can decide that the Mark of Death will return on a PC, and that would be a good basis for an epic destiny. But it's not a trivial thing, and not something we're going to suggest casually.
To be fair, I think it's a lot more trivial for the Mark of Death to return on an Elf than for the Mark of Making, or Warding, or indeed any True Mark to appear on a hobgoblin or a shifter or a dragonborn. Aberrant a little more trivial, perhaps. None of them are trivial, but in gradients, I'd say it's something to be treated with much more gravitas when a Mark appears, for the first time in history, on a non-Human or non-Dwarf that was previously entirely their purview, whereas an Elven Mark reappearing on an Elf is huge, yes, but not that huge. I think if we can pop a Mark on anyone, the MoD should be an option. IMHO, anyway.
The Mark of Death is going to remain something that is in your hands as DM.
And Marks on unmarked races isn't? The answer, of course, is that of course that is still in the hands of the DM. So I don't see why providing stats for a Mark of Death, either for a historical campaign or for an epic story arc, should be that big of an issue. If I'm to understand correctly, there will be a bit of a warning issued re: Marks on different people than are supposed to have them, so the DM knows that it should be one in a trillion or rarer, and that the PC is literally the only one. So why not do the same with the Mark of Death?
If you want to reintroduce it to the world, determine its powers as fits the story you want to tell with it; that might be a very different story from the one I'd tell, and as such you might come up with very different powers than I would.
But you could say the same for the Marks on other races. Maybe, in addition to manifesting the Mark, they get a new power previously unseen. Maybe a hobgoblin manifests the Mark of Detection and the Least and Lesser powers are in line with the Mark...but the Greater power, when it manifests, is brand new. That doesn't mean there isn't a single baseline, or perhaps (if it's more like 3.5) even multiple options as a baseline. You could do the same with the Mark of Death.
So the epic destiny/loosened restrictions for PCs certainly makes clear how a PC COULD develop the Mark of Death. That doesn't mean that they are automatically entitled to do so. That decision - and what it means for the PC and the world - is up to you as DM.
And again, I don't think they are automatically entitled to be an Orc with the Mark of Warding either. That's a world-shaker, same as the MoD.
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You miss my point.
You are correct, for ANY mark to appear outside of house is a serious momentous event and should be called out as such. It is a sign that the character is directly touched by the Prophecy. It's something that could cause the character to be hunted by the house in question. There's nothing trivial about it, and it's certainly something that the PC should discuss with the DM beforehand.
However, it's also something that requires absolutely no new material on our part. The marks already exist: we're just allowing you to do more with them.
The Mark of Death has never been bound to mechanics. As such, it has always been entirely up to the DM to decide just what its powers are. Does it bring back the dead? Does it, alone of the pure marks, possess aggressive power? Or is it purely about communing with the dead or the like?
As soon as we set mechanics to it, we cut off a host of stories that you could decide to tell. And we do so when many players may not even which to use it at all - when there is no NEED for it to be statted exception for this single rare case. The other twelve marks are an everyday established part of the world, and their capabilities must be known to understand how NORMAL characters in the world work. The appearance of the Mark of Death is decidedly ABnormal. Yes, it's no stranger than the Mark of Making appearing on an orc - but we aren't devoting a page of the book to the possibility of you putting the Mark of Making on an orc. We're putting the Mark of Making in for the humans of House Cannith, and saying "If you want to do something truly bizarre, with historic ramifications, a PC orc could develop this mark."
Given that the ONLY time the Mark of Death will appear is if you, the DM, decide to let this historic thing occur - our decision remains to let you decide what it's capabilities are based on what story you want to tell.
You COULD; we aren't. We aren't creating a huge matrix of "Here's extra powers for the Mark of Making on an orc PC", because I don't know if anyone is ever going to run a campaign in which the Mark of Making does appear on an orc, even if we've now given you official permission to do it. e aren't creating new material to support this, as it is called out as a rare case with serious consequences; we are simply loosening restrictions, allowing existing material to be used in more cases.
In the case of the Mark of Death, we would be creating new material specifically to cover a situation that is never going to occur in the average campaign - one that I'm sure would be more common than an orc with the Mark of Making, but that's because I really don't expect that particular combination to ever occur. We'd also be providing details on a subject we've always said would be left to DM's discretion; and again, what is really gained out of it? If I present the mark as being the "Speak with Dead" mark, the DM who wanted it to be the "Slay Living" mark is now faced with either contradicting "official" material or changing the story he wanted to tell.
We NEED the Mark of Making for House Cannith; the fact that we've allowed you to give it to the orc simply lets you get more use out of the existing material if you want it, and is called out as a rare case. We don't need the Mark of Death for anything except that rare case - and in that case, I'd prefer to let the DM decide what he personally wants from the Mark.
I think if we can pop a Mark on anyone, the MoD should be an option. IMHO, anyway.
You miss my point.
You are correct, for ANY mark to appear outside of house is a serious momentous event and should be called out as such. It is a sign that the character is directly touched by the Prophecy. It's something that could cause the character to be hunted by the house in question. There's nothing trivial about it, and it's certainly something that the PC should discuss with the DM beforehand.
However, it's also something that requires absolutely no new material on our part. The marks already exist: we're just allowing you to do more with them.
The Mark of Death has never been bound to mechanics. As such, it has always been entirely up to the DM to decide just what its powers are. Does it bring back the dead? Does it, alone of the pure marks, possess aggressive power? Or is it purely about communing with the dead or the like?
As soon as we set mechanics to it, we cut off a host of stories that you could decide to tell. And we do so when many players may not even which to use it at all - when there is no NEED for it to be statted exception for this single rare case. The other twelve marks are an everyday established part of the world, and their capabilities must be known to understand how NORMAL characters in the world work. The appearance of the Mark of Death is decidedly ABnormal. Yes, it's no stranger than the Mark of Making appearing on an orc - but we aren't devoting a page of the book to the possibility of you putting the Mark of Making on an orc. We're putting the Mark of Making in for the humans of House Cannith, and saying "If you want to do something truly bizarre, with historic ramifications, a PC orc could develop this mark."
Given that the ONLY time the Mark of Death will appear is if you, the DM, decide to let this historic thing occur - our decision remains to let you decide what it's capabilities are based on what story you want to tell.
But you could say the same for the Marks on other races. Maybe, in addition to manifesting the Mark, they get a new power previously unseen.
You COULD; we aren't. We aren't creating a huge matrix of "Here's extra powers for the Mark of Making on an orc PC", because I don't know if anyone is ever going to run a campaign in which the Mark of Making does appear on an orc, even if we've now given you official permission to do it. e aren't creating new material to support this, as it is called out as a rare case with serious consequences; we are simply loosening restrictions, allowing existing material to be used in more cases.
In the case of the Mark of Death, we would be creating new material specifically to cover a situation that is never going to occur in the average campaign - one that I'm sure would be more common than an orc with the Mark of Making, but that's because I really don't expect that particular combination to ever occur. We'd also be providing details on a subject we've always said would be left to DM's discretion; and again, what is really gained out of it? If I present the mark as being the "Speak with Dead" mark, the DM who wanted it to be the "Slay Living" mark is now faced with either contradicting "official" material or changing the story he wanted to tell.
We NEED the Mark of Making for House Cannith; the fact that we've allowed you to give it to the orc simply lets you get more use out of the existing material if you want it, and is called out as a rare case. We don't need the Mark of Death for anything except that rare case - and in that case, I'd prefer to let the DM decide what he personally wants from the Mark.
You miss my point.
hahaha, I certainly did. Thanks for the explanation, it did clear things up for me some. My only last little gasp of breath in my argument is in response to these:
We aren't creating a huge matrix of "Here's extra powers for the Mark of Making on an orc PC", because I don't know if anyone is ever going to run a campaign in which the Mark of Making does appear on an orc, even if we've now given you official permission to do it.
I wasn't referring to making new sets for different races so much as saying, "Ok, so the Mark of Making lets you make or repair things in one of these three particular ways at the Least stage" and then this Orc comes along with a Mark that lets him do it in yet a fourth way, a la Dragonmarked's additional powers via Feats, or somesuch. It wasn't a "provide the Orc options" so much as a "provide the Death baseline" which leads me to...
If I present the mark as being the "Speak with Dead" mark, the DM who wanted it to be the "Slay Living" mark is now faced with either contradicting "official" material or changing the story he wanted to tell.
Why not have all of the above? I don't know how close to 3.5 the options are for 4E marks, but if they're like 3.5 in the multiple options, you could have the Least Mark of Making have make whole, mending and repair light damage and the Least Mark of Death could have speak with dead, inflict light wounds and gentle repose to represent the varying paths of communication/utility, killing and bringing back. Just an example, and a 3.5 example as I haven't seen 4E Eberron. I guess it's just that there are few themes for a Mark of Death, and all of them could be encompassed by one Mark, same as the Mark of Making also encompasses repair, and the Mark of Passage encompasses enhanced standard mobility as well as teleportation, etc, etc. The Sivis gnomes already have different line names for the gnomes that carry the different powers in certain configurations, so why couldn't it be that you could give the options and let DMs go from there, or make their own as they see fit? Providing the baseline is, I think, important.
That all being said, I do grasp your point that some things were promised not to be revealed. I just think this was a weird one, as it's just crunch. Fluff stuff not being revealed, I get. Like the Mourning for instance. Gotcha. But providing a mechanical baseline that covers all the death options (and communicating, raising, animating and killing are the only things I can think of) seems like a better idea to me than just saying, "You do it." Again, IMHO.
More Mark of Death:
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The main issue to me is that all of the Cannith options all center on the same fundamental action: repair. The Mark of Making doesn't let you inflict damage or disable construct. The three MoD options above include two very different approaches to death - causing death and interacting with those already dead - and I'd personally prefer to give the house tighter focus than that (not to mention the fact that as a third level spell, Speak With Dead would be pretty hefty as a least mark). My personal inclination has always been to lean towards Speak With Dead/Gentle Repose/Deathwatch sorts of powers with the Mark of Death, as offensive powers (such as, among others, inflict light wounds) are traditionally aberrant; that the Mark of Death was about preserving, reanimating, and communing with the dead. I don't WANT to add slay living to that list, because it simply doesn't fit MY view of what the mark should be capable of. You might say "But if it doesn't kill, why were people so afraid of it?" Well, aside from the issue of the creation of undead through use of the mark, you have the fact that they WEREN'T afraid of it for centuries. It wan't until the house joined forces with the Emerald Claw and the birth of Erandis that the Undying Court and Argonnessen took action. Thus it's always been my position that Erandis is something beyond even a Siberys mark - that she is (or was) in essence a living eldritch machine, capable of performing feats far beyond those of any other dragonmarked individual, regardless of mark... at least, this weas her potential. She was killed before she truly mastered her power, and that's her tragedy. Thus, even if you have a PC who develops the Mark of Death, he's not as great a threat to the world as Erandis - though if he can pass on the mark (and as it stands, the "destiny" marks are not supposed to be hereditary - they are tied to YOU, not your bloodline) he stands the risk of starting the process that created Erandis all over again.
In any case, the net point of all of this, is that I personally don't WANT to give the Mark of Death options that cover all possible interpretations. I don't want the base Mark of Death to have anything to do with inflict or slay living. And if I wrote the stats for it, it wouldn't; again, it's just not part of my vision for the house. But I know there are those out there who want it to be a deadly mark - and I'm happy to let them explore that path.
If we were going to bring back the full house, to suggest that there are hundreds or thousands of people in the world with the mark, I'd feel obliged to stat it. But since it remains a thing that can only appear by the work of destiny, I prefer to leave it to serve the needs of the story.
But that's where I disagree. In my opinion, the powers of the mark set the flavor of the house. A house whose members can slay living or use mass inflict serious wounds is going to have a very different tone than one whose mebers can use speak with dead and gentle repose. By leaving both in the shadows, there's room for you to make it that fearsome house that deals IN death, while I keep it as the more peaceful house that deals WITH death. I want the crunch to be tied TO the fluff - which is why I'm saying make the mark have the powers that serve the needs of the story you want to tell. Because we don't need to define it for other reasons (as we do with Cannith or Jorasco), it's the only mark where we really have that freedom to leave it in your hands - to let YOU decide if those who carried the Mark of Death were terrifying or tragic.
... you could have the Least Mark of Making have make whole, mending and repair light damage and the Least Mark of Death could have speak with dead, inflict light wounds and gentle repose to represent the varying paths of communication/utility, killing and bringing back.
The main issue to me is that all of the Cannith options all center on the same fundamental action: repair. The Mark of Making doesn't let you inflict damage or disable construct. The three MoD options above include two very different approaches to death - causing death and interacting with those already dead - and I'd personally prefer to give the house tighter focus than that (not to mention the fact that as a third level spell, Speak With Dead would be pretty hefty as a least mark). My personal inclination has always been to lean towards Speak With Dead/Gentle Repose/Deathwatch sorts of powers with the Mark of Death, as offensive powers (such as, among others, inflict light wounds) are traditionally aberrant; that the Mark of Death was about preserving, reanimating, and communing with the dead. I don't WANT to add slay living to that list, because it simply doesn't fit MY view of what the mark should be capable of. You might say "But if it doesn't kill, why were people so afraid of it?" Well, aside from the issue of the creation of undead through use of the mark, you have the fact that they WEREN'T afraid of it for centuries. It wan't until the house joined forces with the Emerald Claw and the birth of Erandis that the Undying Court and Argonnessen took action. Thus it's always been my position that Erandis is something beyond even a Siberys mark - that she is (or was) in essence a living eldritch machine, capable of performing feats far beyond those of any other dragonmarked individual, regardless of mark... at least, this weas her potential. She was killed before she truly mastered her power, and that's her tragedy. Thus, even if you have a PC who develops the Mark of Death, he's not as great a threat to the world as Erandis - though if he can pass on the mark (and as it stands, the "destiny" marks are not supposed to be hereditary - they are tied to YOU, not your bloodline) he stands the risk of starting the process that created Erandis all over again.
In any case, the net point of all of this, is that I personally don't WANT to give the Mark of Death options that cover all possible interpretations. I don't want the base Mark of Death to have anything to do with inflict or slay living. And if I wrote the stats for it, it wouldn't; again, it's just not part of my vision for the house. But I know there are those out there who want it to be a deadly mark - and I'm happy to let them explore that path.
If we were going to bring back the full house, to suggest that there are hundreds or thousands of people in the world with the mark, I'd feel obliged to stat it. But since it remains a thing that can only appear by the work of destiny, I prefer to leave it to serve the needs of the story.
That all being said, I do grasp your point that some things were promised not to be revealed. I just think this was a weird one, as it's just crunch.
But that's where I disagree. In my opinion, the powers of the mark set the flavor of the house. A house whose members can slay living or use mass inflict serious wounds is going to have a very different tone than one whose mebers can use speak with dead and gentle repose. By leaving both in the shadows, there's room for you to make it that fearsome house that deals IN death, while I keep it as the more peaceful house that deals WITH death. I want the crunch to be tied TO the fluff - which is why I'm saying make the mark have the powers that serve the needs of the story you want to tell. Because we don't need to define it for other reasons (as we do with Cannith or Jorasco), it's the only mark where we really have that freedom to leave it in your hands - to let YOU decide if those who carried the Mark of Death were terrifying or tragic.
It occurs to me that it's probably best to sblock these long posts, since they are pretty far offtopic.
And as such, I'll make this my last word on the topic and then leave it to PMs if we have any further points for each other.
Mark of Death:
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Ok, now I see your point. For me, I've always seen the Mark as a Mark of possibilities of Death, where there was the possibility of that darker side, but, having read a lot of what you've written here on the boards, I had seen this view of yours before, and agreed with it: I find the tragedy of a maligned House more poignant and more compelling than a dangerous force taken down...but the added notion that Lady Vol may have in fact been the first to carry any sort of truly dangerous True Mark is something I hadn't considered. As usual, you've given me pause, and made sense out of a lot for me. And, as usual, your patience and attention to detail have far exceeded normal human limits. Thanks for that!
Ok, now I see your point. For me, I've always seen the Mark as a Mark of possibilities of Death, where there was the possibility of that darker side, but, having read a lot of what you've written here on the boards, I had seen this view of yours before, and agreed with it: I find the tragedy of a maligned House more poignant and more compelling than a dangerous force taken down...but the added notion that Lady Vol may have in fact been the first to carry any sort of truly dangerous True Mark is something I hadn't considered. As usual, you've given me pause, and made sense out of a lot for me. And, as usual, your patience and attention to detail have far exceeded normal human limits. Thanks for that!
A game I'm running set in Stormreach, episodic in nature going in sort of a 'round robin' style highlighting one character or his background or his associated NPCs for a game or two before shifting focus... all the while dropping hints and foreshadow towards the stirring the The Scar that Abides.
William Drake, Human Cleric of the Sovereign Host. The naive and optimistic one of the group. Newly arrived in Stormreach he grew up in rural Breland, was in the Last War, but since peace has come has taken up the life of a wandering priest. After coming to Stormreach was surprised to find that his cousin Tania Drake is a priestess at the the local temple of the Sovereign Host. He's not sure what to think of the denomination of the Wyrm Ascendant, worried that his young cousin might be falling away from the true Sovereigns. Maybe he can be convinced to help her 'clear some corruption' from the temple in Stormreach.
Fun fact; This player, having never seen the City of Stormreach book independently created a cleric of the host with the last name Drake. A rather happy coincidence, given Tania's ambition. I'm having a lot of fun with this, so, Keith, do I have you or Nick to thank for this serendipitous hook?
Ghesh, Dragonborn Warlock. Hailing originally from Seren he was exiled from his tribe with no explanation. Forced to flee from his homeland he eventually ended up in Stormreach, and has spent his time bartering knowledge. He loves to horde books. Friendly and the most talkative of the party his personality shifts when he starts to use his warlock powers, cackling and muttering incoherently in combat. Currently unbeknown to him, Hassalac Chaar has been keeping an eye on him, contact will be made soon.
Griever Dragonborn Fighter. Born and raised in Stormreach. The most level headed of the group. A calm and introspective warrior Griever spends most of his downtime in his home with his tropical fish ponds. Has an interesting relationship with House Deneith, he does jobs they want done but for one reason or another officially can't take.
Vorn Dragonborn Rogue. The laid back and morally ambiguous one. Another native to Stormreach. Vorn is an admitted thief, not a treasure hunter, not an adventurer, not a tomb raider, he's a thief. He also fancies himself as quite the swordsmen, but that doesn't change the fact that he's a thief. The party picked him up after seeing his advertisement at the Black Wrack with "Need a thief?" boldly written on it. He also likes to collect trophies, trinkets and what not from his 'jobs' that he has no intention of ever fencing he just keeps them.
Icleal Tiefling Wizard. Presumably from the 'Reach. A researcher and historian, with an interest is uncovering the mysteries of Xen'drik's interior.
Icleal is the character of an old player who just rejoined the group after schedule conflict kept him out for a year, just joined the last game session, didn't get a chance to talk about his background much and in 3.5 he always played dumb fighters, barbarians... anything with a full bab so I have no idea what to expect from Icleal.. yet.
Jareth: Goblin rogue with ties to the Sharaat'Khesh. He's actually just left the group to try to kill Lhesh Haruuc.
Has the player read Doom of Kings?
Current 4e Eberron party (DM):
Kylar, Valenar (Elf) Ranger, Wields longsword and hand axe. The hand axe has been somewhat of an issue seeing as how often it crits, damn vicious.
Baern, Dwarf Fighter, a tough as nails dwarf that has the determination to crush any opposition with what amounts to a rock-lashed-to-a-stick.
Anna, Female Khorvaire Elf (Eladrin) Wizard, to this Student of Morgrave any ice age that comes in her lifetime would be her fault, entirely. Focusing on some frosty spells makes it easy for "cold shoulder" jokes.
Norrin, Khorovar (Half-elf) Cleric of the Silver Flame. An embodiment of altruism, but don't count him out in a fight. From across the bar he will still perforate you with the all-consuming flame, while bringing his own back from the brink to pummel your weakened Swiss cheese like form.
And the Sivis folk.
OK, last off-topic word myself...
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It's the introduction to Dragonmarked (it's actually something I first wrote for the ECS, that was cut at the time). "...children often develop the same powers as their parents. Within House Sivis, members of the Torralyn family typically manifest whispering wind while Syrralans are more likely to possess the power of arcane mark. Many houses practice arranged marriage with marks in mind."
My point was that it's the case that you may see a common thread of power within a family, but the family still comes first. Only about one in two heirs develops a dragonmark at all, and while heirs "often" or "typically" develop the power of their parents, it's never a sure thing. You're not going to get kicked out of Torralyn and become a Syrralan because you ended up with arcane mark instead of whispering wind, and you aren't bound to a name or power choice - it's just there so if the DM is randomly throwing an NPC together with no driving ideas, the gnome running the speaking stone could easily be a Torralyn, while the notary is more likely to be Syrralan.
I do see where you were coming from; I just wanted to clarify that while family may influence powers, they didn't name the lines because of the powers; the lines preceded the powers, and it turns out that certain powers appear with greater frequency among particular family lines.
Oh, and bonus points for remembering the Torralyns and Syrralans without having the books on hand!
I had read, I believe (but don't quote me, I'm lending it out to a friend at the moment) it was in Dragonmarked, that the various line names corresponded to a general tendency to manifest one mark power over the others.
It's the introduction to Dragonmarked (it's actually something I first wrote for the ECS, that was cut at the time). "...children often develop the same powers as their parents. Within House Sivis, members of the Torralyn family typically manifest whispering wind while Syrralans are more likely to possess the power of arcane mark. Many houses practice arranged marriage with marks in mind."
My point was that it's the case that you may see a common thread of power within a family, but the family still comes first. Only about one in two heirs develops a dragonmark at all, and while heirs "often" or "typically" develop the power of their parents, it's never a sure thing. You're not going to get kicked out of Torralyn and become a Syrralan because you ended up with arcane mark instead of whispering wind, and you aren't bound to a name or power choice - it's just there so if the DM is randomly throwing an NPC together with no driving ideas, the gnome running the speaking stone could easily be a Torralyn, while the notary is more likely to be Syrralan.
I do see where you were coming from; I just wanted to clarify that while family may influence powers, they didn't name the lines because of the powers; the lines preceded the powers, and it turns out that certain powers appear with greater frequency among particular family lines.
Oh, and bonus points for remembering the Torralyns and Syrralans without having the books on hand!
This player, having never seen the City of Stormreach book independently created a cleric of the host with the last name Drake. A rather happy coincidence, given Tania's ambition. I'm having a lot of fun with this, so, Keith, do I have you or Nick to thank for this serendipitous hook?
Both Tania and the Church of the Wyrm Ascendant are mine. Maru and the CotWA have a brief appearance in The Shattered Land.
Ghesh, Dragonborn Warlock... Currently unbeknown to him, Hassalac Chaar has been keeping an eye on him, contact will be made soon...
I loves me some Hassalac. He'll be appearing in my Stormreach game in the future.
Has the player read Doom of Kings?
He made the character well before it was released. We just like our Dhakaani over here. I've been able to work a lot of extra Dhakaani material into the game thanks to Khaas' quest.
Of course, as for going off to kill Haruuc, I don't know if my DM for that campaign has read the book yet. Jareth's player was moving away, and it was a convenient way for him to depart.
I take it that picture is Lance of Faith?
Yes sir, the Player/Inkblot really liked the concept of a "Lazor Cleric" that dispenses the Silver Flame rather literally. Also, although I don't recall the conversation exactly I don't think the "weapon" in the image is modeled after the Quincy from Bleach.
Of course, as for going off to kill Haruuc, I don't know if my DM for that campaign has read the book yet. Jareth's player was moving away, and it was a convenient way for him to depart.
So what you're saying is that there is an opening...
Just kidding of course.
Off-topic to Hellcow
I actually want to thank you for your campaign. With regards to the fact that "monsters" are not so quickly relegated to the status of treasure hording ne'er do well that has nothing better to do then wait to be slain by the heroes as anthropomorphic experience points.
This might come from the idea that I've always liked the role reversal that opposed the Mother Goose tails of my childhood. (It's kind of funny actually that more traditional (ye olde) fairy tails were far more gruesome and often painted the audience-insert-characters as the victim, and not the hero.) The fact that in Eberron, the relativist ideals are all there. The Darguuls keep slaves, others turn a blind eye to it. The Karrns raise their own as undead, and while there are those even within Karnnath's hierarchy that disapprove it's a common practice. The sidebars in the Five Nations book are wonderful in this regard.
What I mean is that in opposition to the standard fantasy black vs. white Khorvaire is painted in a myriad of gray tones. That is not to say that Eberron isn't vivid and colorful as the wings of Coatls that bind demons in the depths of Khyber.
Once again thank you, and sorry for the rant.
This might come from the idea that I've always liked the role reversal that opposed the Mother Goose tails of my childhood. (It's kind of funny actually that more traditional (ye olde) fairy tails were far more gruesome and often painted the audience-insert-characters as the victim, and not the hero.) The fact that in Eberron, the relativist ideals are all there. The Darguuls keep slaves, others turn a blind eye to it. The Karrns raise their own as undead, and while there are those even within Karnnath's hierarchy that disapprove it's a common practice. The sidebars in the Five Nations book are wonderful in this regard.
What I mean is that in opposition to the standard fantasy black vs. white Khorvaire is painted in a myriad of gray tones. That is not to say that Eberron isn't vivid and colorful as the wings of Coatls that bind demons in the depths of Khyber.
Once again thank you, and sorry for the rant.
OK, last off-topic word myself...Show
It's the introduction to Dragonmarked (it's actually something I first wrote for the ECS, that was cut at the time). "...children often develop the same powers as their parents. Within House Sivis, members of the Torralyn family typically manifest whispering wind while Syrralans are more likely to possess the power of arcane mark. Many houses practice arranged marriage with marks in mind."
My point was that it's the case that you may see a common thread of power within a family, but the family still comes first. Only about one in two heirs develops a dragonmark at all, and while heirs "often" or "typically" develop the power of their parents, it's never a sure thing. You're not going to get kicked out of Torralyn and become a Syrralan because you ended up with arcane mark instead of whispering wind, and you aren't bound to a name or power choice - it's just there so if the DM is randomly throwing an NPC together with no driving ideas, the gnome running the speaking stone could easily be a Torralyn, while the notary is more likely to be Syrralan.
I do see where you were coming from; I just wanted to clarify that while family may influence powers, they didn't name the lines because of the powers; the lines preceded the powers, and it turns out that certain powers appear with greater frequency among particular family lines.
Oh, and bonus points for remembering the Torralyns and Syrralans without having the books on hand!
Rovias Onyxhoof - minotaur runepriest, and soon to have a mark of warding to really mess with things, from Droaam with ambitions of claiming warlord status for himself one day
Goeban - minotaur warden also from Droaam and faithful to Rovias as long as smashable things are continued to be put in front of him
Cuggle - 15 yr old blue goblin sorcerer from Darguun thats unable to return
Squigly - goblin hybrid bard/ranger also from Darguun who's skill set alone makes him ridiculously useful
Vogrin - drow paladin of the Mockery who we just picked up very good at what he does unless fighting minions
Currently making our homebase in Graywall
Online game (Dubbed "Sharn and Beyond")
Current Roster:
Aurora Lumines: Female human Cleric of the Silver Flame. She's taken Deva Heritage to represent an unusually strong tie to the flame, and may be the reincarnation of a past hero. She was too vocal about stamping out corruption in the hierchy of Sharn's branch of the Church, so was deligated to head priestess of Blackstone Cathedral in Fallen as a back-handed promotion. The unofficial Silver Flame priestess already there, Faela, welcomed her.
Marianysa Leyonard: Female human Swordmage multiclass Artificer. She had been a full-classed Artificer in 3.5, being a scroll and potion shop-owner in Sharn. In the last session before the edition-change hiatus, her paladin love-interest (a fellow PC) sacrificed himself to save the party (Grappled Chryssk, a mind flayer, and wrestled it into a river of lava when everyone else was Mind Blasted). In-character, she spent the hiatus training to use her artificer skills in combat, layering infusion-after-infusion into the paladin's sword until she formed a swordbond with it, and now she's taken up his blade as the party's Defender in 4e.
Mauz the White: Male human Warlock of the Star-pact with the Mark of Finding. Was found as a prisoner of a Cult of the Dragon Below in Sharn that were repeatedly flaying and healing him. His blood is tainted by the abberant cults within House Tharashk, and he first looked to the stars for help, only to find a seperate set of whispering voices clawing their way into his mind. He now looks for help at the bottom of a bottle, and in the arms of women whose names he doesn't ask for. (I also just gave him the new 4e Deck of Many Things. Mwahaha)
Former PCs:
Phanos: A male deva drud/invoker hybrid. He was the immediate reincarnation of his 3.5 character, a spellscale druid/dread necromancer. The plot behind how a deva was forced into a humanoid draconic body will still figure into the campaign.
Johen ir' Hodgenhiem: A male human summoning wizard. Is a sort of exloring intellectual, and sometime professor at Morgrave University. His character was inspired by John Hodgeman.
Tabletop game (Dubbed "Beyond Broken Seals)
Corenathin: Male wilden (We still call them Killoren because we think it sounds cooler) hybrid warden/barbarian. A gatekeeper druid/fighter in 3.5. At the beginning of the campaign, he accidentally freed a diminished form of a Dealkyr Lord. Most of the game has concerned fixing this mistake. During the last session befor we went on hiatus, Core had acctually been the recipient of an emergency Reincarnation in the final battle, so he spent the first few sessions in 4e as an Elf warden/barbarian.
Har: Male human wizard (standing in for fire/lightning/thunder/energy-blast using Psion). Used to be a kalashtar psion/monk named Harharath in 3.5, but in the final battle before the Hiatus was subject to a permanent Insanity effect. Spent the first few sessions of the game as a Kalashtar wizard/monk hybrid with multiple dissassociative identity disorder. When he was taken to the Enlightened Havakhad, he was unable to cure him completely, but managed to use a psionic ritual based of the 3.5 Fission power to physically seperate sections of his personality into three different bodies. Harath, the spirit of his quori lineage, was unable to maintain higher function in two bodies, so they lapsed into commas. Har, his personal identity apart from his quori spirit, remained as a rambunctious, impetuous human capable of wielding psionic power (using the wizard class for energy effects) with none of the discipline usual for trained psions.
Rion Rolace: A male Paladin of Dol Dorn. Joined the game after the Hiatus. He fought for Karrnath in the Last War, dispite the dissatisfaction he felt with using undead troops. He fought alongside his brother, even though he converted to the Blood of Vol. Eventually relations soured and Rion defected from the army and left Karrnath as an outlaw. In his wanderings, he received a dream-vision from Dol Dorn, assigning him a holy quest to retrieve an artifact from the jungles of Qbarra called the "Tear of Bahamut", saying that it would be the key to freeing his brother from spiritual bondage. When he returned to Karrnath with the Tear, he found his brother had fallen in with the Emerald Claw, and was serving as a bodyguard for a lich-priest of the Blood. When he confronted them, the lich casually slew Rion's brother in an attempt to kill him. In his grief, Rion shattered the Tear, which caused him to absorb its essence. This caused him to be filled with even more divine power, which he used to destroy the lich (but not its phylactery). (This was all backstory to explain where a paragon-level hero came from to join the party, since Khorvaire isn't really big on the paragon heroes. He later learned that the Tear being the key to freeing his brother meant that it had powered him up enough to destroy the death knight made from his brother, freeing his soul.)
Pietro: Mechanically a male human Avenger of the Silver Flame. Story-wise a 3.5 Elan created 700 years ago from a Silver Flame missionary to Sarlona. He was created by the Inspired to exile and imprison an insane Kalaraq spirit known as Legion. Legion had been destroyed several times on Dal Quor already, but was so powerful that when it was reformed from the plane, it retained its personality and unique ability to control its Mind Seeds with absolute authority (And it's Mind Seed's Mind Seeds. And their Mind Seeds, etc.). Containment was the only solution, so the Dreaming Dark tried to duplicate method of the Kalashtar exodus, except insuring the host was sterile. So they bound Legion into a prisoner (a missionary tresspassing on their land and preaching devil-worship).
I don't have the full character list in front of me write now, but the group included a Warforged fighter who might have been the vessel for the soul of a human girl; a gnome artificer who was the squad leader; a kalashtar psion serving as the communications officer and pursuing knowledge of the Prophecy; a shifter Avenger dedicated to the Silver Flame; and a Lyrandar Storm sorcerer.
We only had time for a few sessions - the completion of the first mission - before I moved, but I'm looking forward to getting something started again once I'm finally settled.
42nd Airborne
Patchwork Wolverines
Team members:
Ritik :Ranger Half-Orc
Shadow :Longtooth Druid
Hirien : Elven Avenger
Crash : Warforged Warrior
Dr Tesla Volks: Deva Artificer, uses tuning fork wand.(TimeLord)
www.penandpapergames.com/forums/group.ph...
my Char background and group fluff, if one happens to be interested.
It works really well for our group, partly because we have more players in the group than we can run for efficiently, if everyone shows up, and who is able to play is quite a shifting landscape.
Right now, we've got
Can't remember most of everyone's names, offhand)(me)Banmarden Vereldan(sp?don't rememeber) d'Tharask: Human Assassin/Avenger(Covenent Agent build. Might go Assassin|Avenger/Shaman after someone in the group gets around to paying for a month of DDI, so I have the Assassin Hybrid entry.) Mark of Finding.
My character's cousin, and fellow dragonmarked Heir: Half-Orc Barbarian. He and I worked as Liondrake's Roar Mercs during the War. We were part of a sort of black ops/specialty mission unit. I specialized in counter intel and infiltration, he was good enough at stealth for us to ambush guards and such. The rest of the team hasn't been established, as most of them died on the Day of Mourning. We're hoping to rebuild the team with some of the other mercs we were assigned to work with during the battle(the other players).
A Half-Elf Fighter. He's in House Tharashk, but not an Heir. He may develope the Mark of Storm at some point, making for interesting inter-house politics between our house and Lyrander.
Nubbins: Halfling Chaos Sorcerer. He hasn't developed his guy much yet, but he's got a fun personality, and he's one of our "Big Guns."
Oni: Changling Bard. She generally runs around in a Teifling persona, and is kind of a distant, smarmy brat.
An Elven Druid: She was an officer in the War. She's only played once, so far, so I'm not sure what she's going to be like as a character yet.
A Kobold Wizard who is searching for the red dragon who killed his mentor, a gold dragon. He's still figuring out exactly what the details of his background are going to be, but it's going to involve a Prophecy Mark in his tribe's village, which the gold dragon was researching. The tribe started venerating the dragon, and to expediate his research, the dragon didn't argue. He noticed that one young Kobold had a knack for the arcane, and for studying the Prophecy, and so he took the Kobold in as his assistant, and tought him some wizarding. The character is a bit naive, and thus sometimes a bit silly, and the other characters mostly just want to keep him out of trouble.
An elven ranger. The player hasn't decided which elven nation (or non elven nation, as the case may be) she's from, but I expect good things once she gets a good feel for the character.
A human Monk. first time player, so we'll see where that goes.
All in all it's a really fun group.
Faral d'Phiarlan - Inkoker of the Flame 4
Faral, while marked, has done virtually nothing with it. While trained in stealth, she consideres espionage and entertainment base concerns compared to the accumulation of knowlege and the salvation of the common folk. As such, she was annoying to even the other Archivists and snet to Morgrave.
Jonn d'Deneith - Avenger of the Flame 4
While Jonn was good at guarding his charges, he had one fatal flaw. He would not stop trying to convert every charge he had. And there wasa few times hwere his single minded pursuit of his foe resulted in him being led away from his charge...
Warryn d'Sivis - Wizard 4
Warryn might be the only one here because the House wants him to be for actual House reasons. He's considered a student of the Draconic Prophecy, and is very good at translation of old texts related to it. He might be there just to transcribe the whole Library...
Harbeck d'Kundarak - Paladin of Kol Korran 4
Harbeck might have been too good at his job. He was bored guarding vaults because no one ever got into his vaults, leaving him with little to do. Some think he requested this assignment just to get out more.
Marc-Adran d'Lyrandar - Bard / Artificer / Warlock 4
Marc used to serve on an Elemental Galleon during the war, that served as a Pirvateer Vessel. He came back after the war to discover that he had lost his wife and child to a commoner because he was never home. He joined the Raincallers just to travel, but made little money for the house at it, and was asked to transfer to Morgrave, and saw no reason to argue. His loyalty to his house had cost him his family...
Pickaxe - Artificer 4
An 8 year old Warforged that has decided that hsi creator was a moron form naming him after a weapon he doesn't even know how to use, Pickaxe is a self taught expert on many of the machines and arcane devices that keep Sharn running. His services are occasionally loaned to the Dragnmarked specialists at Morgrave.
Professor Harmsworth - NPC Artificer 14
The Professor is a bit... off, but knows his stuff and is ever cheery about sending the party off after things for him to take apart. He runs the 'aquisitons' department at Morgrave. Tends to start meetings with the words, "Good news everyone!" when it is in fact, not.
That party is:
Tavar - Mark of Storm Half-Elf. Kind of has a bit of a mechanical bend to him with generating his arcane lightning.
Dorvin - Human Warlock. He's the guy who is seemingly embracing going insane (CoC inspired game).
Geepo - Kobold Wizard. Uses a lot of illusion powers and has proved pretty effective.
Zahar - Half-Orc Rogue|Assassin. Recently changed to the assassin side of the power tree out of ranger (which was grossly underperforming in that combination).
Oren - Kalashtar Cleric. Again, somewhat going down the route of insanity and is going to be rather integral in treating all the diseases the party picked up.
Not sure what the final composition of the other party will be at the moment.
Alexander, a human Paladin of the Silver Flame, originally from Sharn.
Cimarron, a swashbuckling Changeling Bard, formerly of the Lhaazar Principalities, secretly a member of the Royal Eyes.
Oifa, a mute elven Thuranni Ranger.
Ravan, a Shadar-Kai Wizard who left behind his life in Dolurrh
Unravel, a Tiefling Avenger dedicated to the Traveler, who escaped from a harsh life in the Demon Wastes.
Together, they fight crime.
I am running a limited engagement paragon tier campaign referred to as The Soterian Thread. I say "limited" because when we finish paragon tier, another DM will run a different campaign. The campaign started with 3 flashbacks (before paragon tier) for the players to develop backgrounds and get familiar with their PCs. The 1st flashback took place on the Day of Mourning (in a secret prison on the border between Darguun and Cyre), 2nd took place in Sharn on the day of the signing of the Treaty of Thronehold and the last one year before the campaign begins (4 years after the Mourning). We started the campaign at the end of April, so only played our first 11th level session this week. The players do not yet know what "Soterian" refers to, but seem to be having fun discovering Eberron, since only one or maybe two out of 7 players were familiar with Eberron before we started.
They are running:
Baxter Haggerty (Elven Ranger most recently from Karrnath; House Phiarlan operative, semi-retired)
Dax (Changling Rogue from Breland, being recruited by the King's Swords)
Dirge (Human Druid from Sharn, Breland - unique Urban druid)
Emmerick (Human Cleric of the Silver Flame from Thrane, knew Jaela before she was Keeper)
Flash (Genasi Swordmage from Aundair – he is the only known Genasi in Eberron; Royal Eyes agent)
Procelleus d'Lyrandar (Half-elf dragonmarked Invoker from Aundair; child prodogy)
Sarge (Warforged Fighter from Karnnath; a man in search of a mission).
They are collectively referred to as the "Heroes of Gorgonhold" (an abandoned House Cannith quarry that was converted into a goblin secret prison, thus the nickname referring to the Gorgon).
Anyways, while the game I'm in is technically a campaign thats spans the cyrstal spheres and campaign settings, my character is of Eberron origin. We started out in Ravenloft, each of us taken from our respective worlds by the dreaded Mist. With character deaths, new players joining, old players leaving, mine is the last of the original party. We are all currently 14th level, possibly 15 as we did not yet get XP from our last session.
Dramatis Personae
Illyria Emilie Anteros [d'Lyrandar], the Lyre Bird (me, stats linked) - In my character flashback sequence, we were on my airship, in Cyre's airspace when the Mourning occured and the blastwave hit us. The following mist engulfed us and then I found myself (and the other party members with their own flashback) in a Realm of Dread (Ravenloft).
Music of the Spheres (her background)
“Music is all around us, and within us. From the cadence of our hearts to the stars dancing in their orbit, music is echoed in all of creation.” –Illyria Emilie Anteros, the Lyre Bird
Illyria Emilie Anteros [d’Lyrandar] is many things; a privateer, an enchantress, merchant. But above all, she is a warrior-poet. She appears to be a strikingly beautiful human woman, until an errant breeze unfurls her honey gold hair to reveal fey ears. Her emerald eyes glimmer with mirth and hidden promises that will just lead you to trouble. She wears a rose-hued silk vest with bright gold stitching over a loose white blouse that teases the eye with a glimpse of flesh underneath. Dark leather breeches hug her hips and legs, leaving little to the imagination. Knee-high boots (with a raised heel) made of supple doe-skin and lined with interlocking coils of mithral protects her calves and feet. A longsword is sheathed at her side, hanging from a wide buckled belt, along with a coiled leather bullwhip. Draped over her lithe and curved figure is a form fitting hooded leather coat colored a green so dark it appears to be black. And those who stare after her can never miss her symbol emblazoned upon the bronze shield strapped to her back: a bird of flame with lyres for wings.
Sharp of wit and quick of tongue, Illyria is a force to be reckoned with both in the battlefield and the courts. Illyria possesses a voice that rivals that of a siren’s, which can bend even the elements to her will. Whether she is singing an aria to greet the dawn or a Valkyrie’s hymn during battle, none can deny the power of her songs. Instead of observing the heroics of others, she seeks to inspire legends of her own. She is always in the thick of things; bold as brass and just as brilliant.
A daughter of Lyrandar, Illyria is expected to carry on the mercantile duties of her House. Growing up among the windswept spires of Stormhome (island north of Aundair), Illyria watched airships fly in and out of port, dreaming of sailing away in one, free of House and duty. When she was 14 summers old, she ran away from home, stowing away in a water galleon by disguising herself as a cabin boy named Emil. She worked hard and learned many trades sailing to the many ports in Khorvaire and beyond (Bard of All Trades). After 2 years at sea, she finally returned to shore and made her way to Thrane to experience a more disciplined way of life. She spent a few months in a battle convent of the Silver Flame, squire to one of its sisters (Armor Proficiency: Scale, Dilettante: Recovery Strike). A wild and free spirit, she eventually grew bored with the restrictive theocracy of Thrane and went back to Aundair. Posing as the long lost grand-niece to an absentminded master in Arcanix she enrolled as apprentice mage Emilie. Rather than pursue wizardry, she studied song and sorcery; the bardic art. Her natural talent and passion for music carried her through to graduation with top honors (Combat Virtuoso, Focused Expertise: longsword). Her rising reputation/fame garnered her her titular name of Lyre Bird.
When the Last War grew to a fevered pitch, Illyria went back home to be with her House and family. Apparently, they knew of her activities outside of House influence and applauded her independent spirit. House Lyrandar encourages their members to go out into the world to find their purpose, and dutifully, come back home with a broader knowledge and deeper wisdom. During the Last War, Illyria captained one of the first elemental airship ever built; a small and sleek vessel named Clarion’s Call. She and her ship were hired out to Cyre, serving as a scout and skirmisher along Cyre’s borders. Then, on 20 Ollarune 994 YK, tragedy struck Khorvaire. A great magical conflagration comsumed Cyre on a day history calls forever after, the Day of Mourning. The Clarion’s Call was last sighted in Cyre’s airspace when the cataclysm destroyed the nation and ended the Last War. No sign of its wreckage were found, and all scrying attempts revealed only dead gray mist. Illyria and her crew are believed to be KIA.
Pious - warforged invoker 2: A 'forged who saw no combat, Pious was ignored by his owner. The day of the Mourning, he had a spiritual epiphany, and has worked to serve the Host ever since, street preaching and acting as a holy warrior. Rayne has repaired him, building a friendship.
Rayne - human artificer 2: A introverted inventor who's spent her life in the Cogs. Recently, she's trying to create sentience in constructs, with her personal project, a metal dragonling familiar. She was friends with Rodan and Spike as a young girl.
Rodan - human battlemind 2: A personality right out of Ayn Rand. Rodan doesn't know he's psionically empowered, and has busted through life thinking his skill alone is sufficient. He served the Brelish army, but walked out after a particularly stupid proposal. Sailed with pirates, and returned to the city for a new challenge. Worked with Spike as a teenage robber.
Shava - khorvar storm sorcerer 2: Wealthy marked heir who has just returned from the first trade journey to Riedra. Devoted to her house, but entangled with an excoriate who was a childhood love. Worked with both Rodan and Spike at different points in their careers.
Spike - halfling rogue 2: Classic rogue with a heart of gold. Lost his mom at six, joined the army, recruited by Basilisk's Gaze, and mysteriously manifested the Mark of Detection (usually half-elf). Back in town to kick butt and take names. Ran with Rodan as a teenage gangster.
I am loving it, and I think they're having a good time, too. The intrigue, high magic, and cultural/political diversity make Eberron so easy to have fun with.
Q'mtarr Del'Shai - Stormsoul Genasi Swordmage 3: From a hidden Genasi community deep in the Eldeen Reaches, Q'mtarr seeks answers on behalf of his community regarding the assassination of their former king.
Chan Crawford - Halforc Barbarian 3
Erich the Quick - Halfling Rogue 3
Quinn - Human Ranger 4
Kalas d'Deneith - Human Warlord 2
Ran al'Thor - Human Cleric 3: Impulsive and quick to act, Ran often causes more trouble than he heals.
all level 5, now stuck on the Mourland, chassed by emerald claw soldier.
Human Ranger(beast). A deneith Sentinel Marchal with mark. Framed by a Dark Lantern spy, he just came out of prison to be sent on a mission. He can control his beast (wolf) with the power of his mark.
A half-elf warlock (hell pact). Warlock of bel shalor. His destiny his to freed the shadow from the flamme. But he want to study humanity first, to see if his mission is worthy. Born on the demon waste.
Human paladin of the silver flame. Born of noble from Thrane, his father and her mother were killed by Silver flame zealot because they were loyal to the crown. He dosent know that and he was raised by the church. A kind paladin, kwnowing of that, send him away from the church on an mission.
Human orbwizard of cannith, with mark. Cyrian who lost his house. Struggle to find his place on the house. An eladrin told him that his part on the prophecy was very important.
A warforged figther, from cyre, destined to unraveled the warforged existance mystery.
Human warlord from Karnath. 30 year old, lone father. He protected some Emerald claw captain in service of the Karnath military by foiling a overthrown. Many of his friends die in the failde attempt. He is now an enemy of the emerald claw.
dragonborn fighter 4th
deva avenger 4th
gnome bard 4th
drow dhampyr swordmage 4th (going on 5th)
halfling rogue 4th (going on 5th)
human ranger 4th
Well the campaign is going great.(ofcourse the unlucky rogue seems to fall prey to concealed pits-lol)
Time will tell how they fare in the city of great crag in droaam.
To date, I've been running two and playing one.
Seriously (and I'm not even ashamed to admit it) I would chop off my own finger to play in/with a game with Keith Baker, maybe even a hand or foot if I could guarantee it going over a year. Talk about a DM knowing his setting...
"The Trust wouldn't do that!"
"I invented this world kid, they do what I say they do"
but since I hate to be off topic I'll post the characters from the game I run.
Dorn Abidall, Half-Orc Ranger/Stormwarden 12: Drunk former Cyran scout. Learned from the prophecy that he would do great things and now doesn't believe he can be killed
Arkhan Ir'Tellyr, Human Warlord/Battle Captain 12: Thranish noble with a family tied deep into the Silver Flame. Hides a mark of healing that manifested in a battle with the Emerald Claw, who are after him for some reason. (Vol believes that his body posseses the ability to channel marks of a different bloodline, possibly allowing him to manifest the mark of death)
Designation Shield 7 "Leviathan", Warforged Fighter/Kensei 12: Made shortly before the signing of the treaty of Thronehold, Shield 7 never got to see action in the war. The unit just did odd body guard jobs in sharn before getting swept up in lower sharn politics (gang wars). After some encounters with minions of the Lord of Blades, Shield 7 refers to himself as Leviathan and desires to usurp the Lord of Blades.
Terryn Vadallia, Elf Avenger (Spirits of the Past) /Pit fighter 12: Elf cousin of the High King, Terryn is currently Banished along with his war band for disagreements with the king. His ancestor fought to free the elves from Xen'Drik and he believes the elves in Valenar should be fighting for a cause as opposed to just fighting for it's own sake.
Daendrick Triton IV, "Mist Touched" (I reflavored Shadar Kai) Swordmage|Wizard/Academy Master 12: Cyran soldier, so troubled that he had to see his friends to the Mourning die decided to go back and rescue them. He didn't return until months later when he had been twisted by the Mournland and had gained an unusual connection to Dolurh.
Revenant fighter- dude from Karrnath who died way back at level 5. Became a revenant in order to keep the PC.
Deva druid- in past life fought against the Lords of Dust. Was a companion of Tira Miron's.
Half-elf sorcerer
Warforged barbarian- funny character
Elf ranger- has the essence of an ancient dragon living within her
Human cleric- priest of the Silver Flame who is obsessed with the Draconic Prophecy. My PC.
Group I DM:
Human warden- marked member of House Deneith, but in discussions with the player will probably connect with the Gatekeepers for plot purposes and a desire to fully embrace primal power of the class.
Half-orc warlord- orphaned member of the 'Aashta clan of House Tharashk. Raised by a human mercenary. In the beginning of the campaign he realized his Tharashk roots.
Human artificer- marked Cannith in the Tinkers guild. She recently found out she was excoriated.
Human rogue- former member of Boromar Clan.
Gnome wizard- faculty member at Morgrave University
Shifter ranger- member of the King's Citadel
Three of the PCs met on the Day of Mourning as per the Mark of Prophecy adventure in the ECG. I modified it some. The campaign is currently Sharn-based and a ton of fun. Great group of players. We play online using Maptools.
Rennoc d'Tharask, Half-Orc Fighter
Lambda Complex, Human Artificier
"Steve", Tiefling Starlock
Naoki, Wilden Avenger of The Traveler
Marley, Razorclaw Shaman
Adding an Elf Ranger next week. So far, so good.
I'm playing Arranis, human great weapon fighter. He's a former general of Karnath from the war. He disagreed with the policy of using undead to support the military. With the plagues, undead, and poverty of his nation, he believed that his family was in danger and didn't want to see them end up as undead servants. So he tried to flee the country with his family but was caught. He and his family were to be executed for treason. A small resistance cell, who also opposed the government's policies stemming from the war, helped him escape. They were too late to save Arranis's family. Now Arranis adventures with the group and operates out of Breland. Though he's sworn vengeance on the King of Karnath and is raising an army to one day return. He is driven by revenge, but he also still holds the old ideals of Karnath near to his heart. He wants to save the people of Karnath from a king he views as a tyrant and restore Karnath to its former glory.
Lam, Changeling Warden. Lam is from Cyre. While engaged in battle, on the Day of Mourning, the mist actually stopped right at his back. It just so happened that he had just crossed the border, but the survivors of Cyre don't know that. They see him as a messiah who single-handedly stopped the myst and look to him to save them. Lam has the very unusual personality trait of being completely honest at all times. This is also very dangerous for him, as changelings are not trusted. His ultimate goal is to reunite the five nations and establish peace, while restoring Cyre to full nation status.
Siruv, Changeling rouge. Siruv a Breland resident and a House Phiarlan assassin. At some point in his career as a contract killer, he came across some information he wasn't supposed to have. The problem is, he doesn't know what piece of information he has is so valuable. Now his house has turned against him and put a contract out on his life. He was given a contract from Karnath to Assassinate Arranis, a task no other assassin had been able to complete. Siruv would either be killed by Arranis or they would ambush him after the fight and catch him in a vulernable position. A loyal friend in the house warned Siruv about the betrayal and ambush. Now Siruv is trying to fend off House Phiarlan and is seeking the assistance of his former target. Siruv was picked up by the Dark Lanters and hired to gather information on House Phiarlan.
Marcus O'Rien, human bard. Marcus is a wealthy member of House O'Rien and bears the mark of passage. He is a learned and ambitious man just as comfortable in political dealings as fights to the death. Throughout his travels, he came across the corrupt orgainization known as The Orum. With political leaders in their pockest, illegal trade, military corruption and a host of other unsavory activities, the Orum has become a problem for House O'Rien. Marcus has gone undercover for his house in an attempt to route out the secret membersr of the Orum. His motivations for doing so are still a mystery.
Dayereth, eladrin warlord. Dayerth came from the Feywild strictly by accident. His tower simply appeared one day, in the goblin nations. Now what's left of his people are under seige by hordes of goblins. Dayereth is attempting to find anyone who will help his tower and return them to the Feywild.
Bloodvak, Kalashtar storm sorcerer. Hunted by the inspired and hated by the public, Bloodvak's people are enslaved or slaughtered. The Kalashtar are second class citizens as the Inspired preach the evils of their race and lead a crusade to eliminate them. Bloodvak has sworn to free his people and rid the world of the Inspired. To him, the Inspired are a blight that must be wiped out. Bloodvak desires to return the plane of dreams and take it back from the Inspired, turning the tables and freeing his people.
My party is currently 9th, almost 10th level. Originally set out to reinstate the Kingdom of Galifar they have grown to be more off a problem solving crew for the Twelve in the Heroic Tier. Finishing that up the plans to reinstate Galifar should become prime agenda again after some discoveries they will do rather soon.
Kamaria d'Ghallanda, Halfling Beastmaster Ranger (lizard)/Barbarain (going for Pack Runner)
A young and untamed Talenta Warrior, sole survivor of a Caravan captured between Karnathi Undead and Valenar Raiders. She and Askook form a inseparable duo and are out adventuring to prove them in the eyes of the Matron mother of House Ghallanda.
Famous exploits: Winner of the Race of the Eight Winds, Founder of the Kamaria d'Ghallanda High Hopes orphan program.
Lord Zohr Aashta d'Tharask, Half-orc Lifebloood Warden/Barbarian (going for Guardian of Two Worlds)
An old and wise Half-Orc who tagged along with the party after they found him emerging from the Moonpool below the Six Kings. Former Brelish Soldier and now marked Heir. In an ordeal below Six Kings he lost his wife and part of his memory, the only thing he knows is that he is missing 3 days of time and has a pure Khyber Shard statue of his wife to which he feels a strange connections. He hopes to find out what happened to himself and his wife.
Strengths: Expert tracker and spotter, stalwart defender
Lord Morgram d'Kundarak, Dwarf Preserving Invoker of the Ascendant Host (Eberron) (PP unknown)
Former clerc in the service of House Kundarak. Started his adventuring career when he received a vision of the god Eberron. Ever since he tries to make sense of his vision and tries to unlock his true potential. During a particularly vicious battle he developed the Mark of Warding.
Strengths: Party cashier and accountant, wields the power of both life (Eberron) and death (Khyber)
Adrin d'Medani, Half-elf Resourceful Warlord, (PP unknown)
Former Medani inquisitive and spil of the party. All other characters know or have met Adrin before the group formed. Up and coming investigator in Sharn, when his mentor was murdered and he went a tad bit too far to catch the killer. Officially he solved the case of the High Walls ripper but even Adrin himself doesn't know how. A shady deal got him the location and when he woke The Ripper was dead, autopsy established The Ripper died of pure fright. Adrin was promoted to Gatherhold. Recently he is reinstated by the Baron himself for successfully rescuing his daughter and saving his life from a potential bombing.
Famous exploits: Saving Baron d'Medani's life, rescuing Zelina d'Medani
Haendryth d'Phiarlan, Eladrin Spear Fighter/Rogue (going for Master Spy)
Adopted at a young age by the leader of House Phiarlan in Wroat. Traveled with the Carnival of Shadows and learned his trade in house Phiarlan. Cultural and educated Eladrin looking for the truth about his heritage and hoping to once be selected as Keeper of the Dance. Cat Burglar extraordinaire and known for his aerial stunts. Terrified of Orien teleporting but known for his tactical use of his racial gifts.
Famous: Carries a Dhakaani Greatspear which turns into a Shortsword at his command.
Wow, all D-Marked crew? Was that a stipulation you made when they all made up characters, or did it just happen that way?
I am not Magicstar, but I play the eladrin fighter in his campaign. When the campaign started, we agreed it would be something with unifying Galifar, and while creating characters the group decided it would be fun to approach the problem from the Dragonmarked Houses' perspective. It would mean the characters would not be tied to any country, and as a group the character would feel it would be best for the Houses if there was some kind of counterbalance to their own power. The result was a group consisting of all DH crew, and through adventuring accidently became a troubleshooting crew for the Twelve. Note that we do not all have dragonmarks (yet).
Note: I would say Haendryth is more famous for his paranoia and convulted theories then his greatspear ;) He is also probably more proud of disabling that mentioned bomb. Originally he was going for a dancer of the house, the burglar/master spy aspect grew when we realized nobody had Thievery trained and that multi-classing as rogue and going for PP master spy actually made sense both power- and characterwise ;)
Group is L8
Runesteel, Warforged Runepriest (Sharn - which includes lots of Ptolus material)
Aul'Stikur, Dragonborn Paladin (originally from Q'barra, well traveled)
Flynn, Halfling Sorceror (from Nentir Vale, which I placed in Breland west of Sharn near the border)
"Sir" Philip, Human Assassin (just joined group, washed up on the jungle island where they are stuck, no real backstory)
No Dragonmarks.
Players are all boys ages 10-14 and the intrigue level for the campaign is fairly low.
Started rural with Nentire Vale starter bits, then Keep on the Shadowfell, then some Ptolus / Sharn bits, then a flyer to Stormreach was shot down. They are now trapped on a small tropical volcanic island being pursued by the BBEG's lieutenants from the Order of the Silver Kraaken - a chaos cult that draws bits from Hydra (not the Captain America film, but same deep research - advanced toys - wacko fanatics - creepy masks stuff).
Gideon MaKari - Human Swordmage Inquisitive, working for House Medani.
Errol Argent d'Lyrander: Half-Elf Warlord (Inspiring), estranged heir of House Lyrander
Tira Miron (d'Thuranni): Elf Rogue, of House Thuranni (but with a rather...distant relationship).
Vanri: Experimental Warforged (Genasi with some Warforged abilities swapped out) Runepriest.
Grung Skullcrusha: Half-Orc Fighter.
Althea: Eladrin Wizardress, of Shae Joridal.
So far, a good crew.
Korinn, Dragonborn Paladin of the Devourer. Fled Seren after questioning the divinity of the local Dragon god. Called by a Kraken to serve. Currently the captain of the group's brig of war. Began as CE but slowly falling(?) to Unaligned.
Nimloth, Elven Bard. A Valenar elf whose ruthless, bloodthirsty patron was one of the greates and most controversial revolutionary leaders of the elves. Plans to lead a new revolution, kikcing and screaming if she has to. Flirts with corrupted fey powers. Rides a Sea Horse.
Eldamar Madrigal Paelion, Elven Illusionist bearing the Mark of Shadow(will become Phantasmist) A Bloody Shadow. Recently met a Qabalrin ancestor of the Paelion line. On a course to discover that a faction of the Chamber orchestrated the Paelion slaughter...and then there will be hell to pay.
Tzu, Changeling Dark Warlock. A member of a family long associated with a dark magical force(the Umbra, but unaware of the fact yet). Chaotic to the Core, instigated at least two infightings in their enemies' ranks so far. Unleashed accidentally Gibbeth to an unsuspecting Shadowfell(the effects are not clear yet). Usually on the Brig's Crow nest for some reason.
Ronstor, Minotaur Brawler Fighter. A veteran of the Last War, he desetred the forces of Drooam after grabbing his commanding officer and placing him as a living cover when the Brelish archers began their volleys. Unfortunately the commanding officer was a troll(who, naturally, survived) and now he's on the run. Carries a bag of children "marbles", as he calls them. All we know is that Pazuzu blessed them. Well...he doesn't.
Enmebaragesi, Thri-kreen Ranger. A slave of the eladrin cleric known as Lareth the Beautiful, who discovered his true name. A reluctant ally of the rest. Looking for a way to break the cleric's hold on him and then devour the !@#$%.
It's supposed to be an evil group but so far it has not been that bad. Definitely chaotic, but mostly works as a neutral group . Mostly. A fun group to be sure.
The game has evolved since its beginning premise, but the party was initially formed by Morgrave University as a publicity stunt to make their school look a little better in the public eye. All that theft and adventuring going on leaves a bit of a stain on an academic standing for a prestigious University you see.
"Operation Publicity Stunt"
Drake Snowe - Human Rogue/Fighter. A Brelish native, he grew up in a small farming village until his parents earned enough money to send him for a proper schooling in Sharn and eventually to attend Morgrave University. Armed with a strong sense of Justice and a headstrong attitude he was recruited by Larrian ir'Morgrave to be the local boy of the adventuring party. A keen interest in the exploration of Xen'drik and some college friends that are now within House Cannith provides a lot of opportunities for the future...
Lavanya - Human? Ranger. There are many oddities taking residence at Morgrave University, and Lavanya is the most recent one. Knowing little of her past the young woman was found stumbling out of the dead grey mist of the Mournland and has been given free room and board after making it to Sharn with the help of some adventurers she encountered shortly after leaving the dead country. The only constant companion she has is a voice inside of her head that identifies itself as "Klahan". Adding her to the team provides a bit of mystery from Larrian's point of view.
Vorik Brand aka Vorkhad - Kalashtar Monk/Cleric of the Path of Light. Like many Kalashtar, Vorik is much older than he seems and is a Veteran of the Last War. Initially he fought on the side of Thrane but as the war dragged on it wore upon his spirit. His forces consistently clashed against Karrnath until one final attack left most of his squad dead or disfigured. Traveling under the name "Vorik Brand" rather than his true Kalashtar name, he began the life of a wandering priest masquerading as a worshipper of the Silver Flame for a time until he finally settled upon the district of Fallen in Sharn - finding a place where his talents are needed.
After being promised a lucrative financial bonus for the Church in the district of Fallen by Larrian ir'Morgrave for his services, Vorik signed up to help keep the rest of the party in one piece.
From the same kalashtar bloodline (spirit line?) as the Enlightened Havakhad.
Merriwether Fawkes - Half-elf Rogue/Sorceror with the Mark of Storm. Fawkes, as most people call him, is not a Sharn native though he has been stuck there for about a decade since his father's ship was burned in the Karrnathi attack on Sharn during the last parts of the War. With growing medical bills for his fathers rarely discussed pains, the possibility of going home to Lhazaar slipped away. For a couple years now Fawkes has been working as a taxi driver in Sharn. He signed up for the promise of free room/board and access to Jorasco healers for his alcoholic father.
Cat aka Sanekoma Catsenburg - Changeling Bard. Unaware to the rest of the party the unassuming newspaper for the Sharn Inquisitive, Sanekoma Catsenburg is a Changeling seeking his fortune in the world. Armed with a quick quill from his job he has been put on retainer to Morgrave University to chronicle the exploits of the party and make sure they look good in the newspaper.
"Black" Bellamy d'Medani- Half elf Tempest Fighter/Warlord from the Principalities. On a secret mission from House Medani, also trying to find out more of his murdered father. Recently found out that dude wasn't his dad and that his mother may have ordered the hit along with a Thuranni d'Phiarlan. De facto leader of this part of the merc group, mostly because Player takes the lead.
Kat d'Deneith- Human Ranger- converting to Hexblade. Daughter of the Merc group leader. Elder cousin hates her for being ahead in line of succession. Wanted to change to Hexblade, so we've got an NPC to take her to the Feywild and swear her allegiance to the Lady of the White Well.
Amarill- Eladrin Wizard. On the run from his family because he stole the family Spellbook. His brother is hunting him down, and Amarill is looking for his uncle who has taken Amarill's side in the famil conflict. Too bad he's going to die soon and be replaced by:
Sanguilar- Vryloka Executioner. A secret member of the Emerald Claw, sent to spy infiltrate the party and assassinate the Merc group leader. (yup, I'm setting up inter-party conflict)
Storm Fury- Longtooth Shifter Fighter. Recently fought against a group of Silver Flame Zealots who tried to slaughter his village. Secretly likes to read and gain knowledge. (Player is marginally interested in RP, so I make sure he's got plenty of slaying in combat)
Birdoswald- Human Pacifist Cleric. found the Host after committing a particularly heinous act in the War. Concept isn't working for the party, he tend to just heal and total defense.
NPC's- Relic- Warforged Artificer. Before we had the Cleric, party needed a companion character Leader to help. Haven't actually used Relic for a few months, except to explain why some characters were missing. They drank his potions and got sick!
Kane- Eladrin Hexblade. This was a character for a one shot side encounter that tagged along to "train" the ranger as a Hexblade.
It's a fun party, but sadly only the Wizard's player actually talks about character goals with any regularity. The Half-elf has goals, but I don't want to focus on him so much
We have the following PCs (all 3rd level)
Rhasgaar Silverwing d'Deneith-Dragonborn Inspiring Warlord, born in Q'barra and worked for House Deneith, manifested the Mark when he was body-guarding a house heir in battle, worships the sovereign host but sees them as ascended dragons.
Athena d'Orien-Eladrin Assault Swordmage, came from the feywild only a year ago worked for house orien as a smuggler, manifested the mark when she used fey step to escape a patrol, she has human-like eyes hinting at some human ancestry, worships the Spirits of the Past.
Claudius d'Medani-Vryloka Blackguard., His family worked for the Kannath military during the war, providing necromantic services, he hasn't revealed how he got the mark, he is posing as a human., hints at a connection to the Blood of Vol.
Dine d'Cannith: Human Artificer. grew up in Fairhaven, Aundir. Is an artificer prodigy but due to familial rivalries Jorlanna d'Cannith refuses to give him due credit for his work in the field of Giant artifact research. This is mostly due to the fact that Dine has been in competition with her son (and justified because her son's inventions of the post-it note and cosmetic makeup of dogs are more profitable in the current political climate than a warforged component rail gun that costs as much as an airship.) and that Jorlanna was in competition with Dine's parents since their childhood. He is frustrated by the fact that apparently Jorlanna values soulless profit over magical/alchemical/scientific innovation. This has been put on the back burner because he has been burned by the Silver Flame and it has commanded him to "Burn the impure. Cauterize the pure." which he has taken to assume that he must kill evil things and heal good things.
Keland d'Sylph: Eladrin Avenger: He was raised in a monastery devoted to training paladins and avengers in northern Aundir after being orphaned during the Last War by one of the undead legions. He developed the mark of shadow a few months after picking up the sword that was used to kill Erandis Vol's mother. He has more than the usual hatred of Karrnath that Aundirans usually have because of his parent's deaths. He disdain's politics of any sort, but due to a case of mistaken identity House Thuranni has been trying to kill him and has had to go to House Phairlan for protection. The only time when he was glad for having the Mark of shadow was when it prevented him from being knighted by Kaius III. He is beginning to have a rivalry with a mysterious elf who bears the mark of death and keeps showing up wherever Keland and his friends go.
Countess Mala (formerly "Mal") ir'Harath: Kalshtar Paladin: Born and raised a man, Mal was an orphan that never knew any kalashtar growing up. During the war he served as a guard in a rear position defending a small town from stray kobolds and skeletons. After the war he took up wandering the continent and got tangled in with Dine's affairs. Upon meeting other Kalashtar he began to doubt his faith in the Blood of Vol, and changed to the Path of Light upon seeing the activities of the Cult of Erandis and the Emerald Claw. On meeting the Jade Talon, a cult of Vol that operates in Syrania, he was permanently polymorphed into a female. She has accepted her new identity and now quests to make the Kalashtar a strong united people to destroy Vol and eventually the Inspired. She has been knighted and made a count recently for her actions against the Emerald Claw in Karrnath and saving Queen Etrigani
Count Agraith ir'Drogo: Valenar Ranger: So quiet some people think he is mute, he is a very unlikely count in Karrnath. A Valenar that spent the war traveling and doing mercenary work as a tracker and guide to various armies. He mostly just sits back and lets his double sword do the majority of his talking. He is definitely a staunch supporter of his friends, but has been lucky enough to avoid many of the personal entanglements they always seem to get involved in, while always getting his share of the rewards. At times he thinks he is the luckiest of the group for not haveing these political intrigues always popping up aimed at him, but he fears that one day that it will be his turn and he will reap what he has sewn.
Lyealia "Leah" d'Avaren: Eladrin Swormage: A member of House Phairlan that doesn't carry the dragon mark she has been assigned to keep an eye on Keland and assist him in getting used to his new role as a member of house Phairlan. She is the newest member of the party and while by no means poor, she is often shocked at how much wealth the rest of the group have accumulated during the last two years of their travels and the crazy secrets that they know (some of which have her superiors in the house sweating.
Unchartered Enterprise has the party currently exploring an island off Xendrik to recover an artifact for a gnome professor/historian/inventor. The party consists of:
- Zarra Silvista'thar
Drow Seeker/Gatekeeper Mystagogue. Originally hailing from Xendrik, an awful encounter with a dolgaunt forever changed her life. With a burning desire to destroy all aberrants, Zarra traveled the world hunting them and learning more about them. Eventually, she made her way to the Shadow Marches and learned under the Gatekeepers.
- Donal Samroth
Human Warpriest/Dusk Oracle. An agent of the Emerald Claw and a Seeker of the Blood of Vol, Donal was part of a notorious cell of the Claw known as the Emerald Skulls. Once the war was over and the Emerald Claw outlawed in Karrnath, the Skulls were hunted down and exterminated. Donal eluded execution, and wound up in Aundair as a mercenary.
- Shaena Tryn
Halfling Bard|Ranger/Sharpshooter. Never wanting for anything during her idyllic childhood in Varna, Shaena grew up to be a nationalist in Aundair. But years serving in the war made her disillusioned by the actions of her country. Losing her parents to the war, she dedicated herself to saving others from the same fate. She spirited deserters and refugees to safety through the wilderness. After the war, she took to wandering Khorvaire.
- Malorn
Longtooth Shifter Assassin/Shadowblade. A gambler and ne'er-do-well before the war, Malorn was drafted to fight. Not looking to serve any nation during the war, Malorn ran from his recruiters. He has since found work as a mercenary, bounty hunter, and assassin. Always on the run from someone he's crossed before, Malorn stays one step ahead of most that are after him, and keeps the others at bay with his unpredictable shifter nature.
- Finnan
Halfling Fighter/Pit Fighter. Finnan was born to city halflings. His parents died while he was young, and he was adopted by relatives from the Plains. There, he grew up learning the customs of the Talenta halflings. He is a halfling that moves between two worlds, the urban that sheds tradition, and the rural that keeps tradition alive. He mostly stayed out of the war, though kept to the plains so long as the Karrnathi and the Valenar were marauding. After the war, he took to wandering on his clawfoot Rengu, and the two find adventure and mischief wherever they can.
Dragonborn Blackguard of Domination (sent by Dragon masters to observe the Last War)
Mul Invoker of the Keeper
Minotaur Paladin of Dol Dorn
Warforged Artificer
Shade Vampire (on the run from the Blood of Vol)
Vyrolka Warlord (believer in the Blood of Vol)
I was hoping to segueway into "Seekers of the Ashen Crown", but the dice conspired against the party. We lost the Dragonborn in the 2nd encounter, and I had to PCify the rescued NPC in order to get them out alive.
The battle with the BBEG went south as well, with the Vampire dying after being dealt twice his starting HP, and the Invoker and Warforged dying in an attempt to crash a skycoach into the BBEG (it worked). The Paladin and Warlord were both out of healing surges, and kept rolling 2s and 3s on their Charisma checks for the final encounter.
Now . . .
I'm planning a 5e game.
The party consists of:
Axel Ducaine, Human Artificer - Clever, yet excessively self-confident Cannith 'excoriate' who really should think before he speaks. Secretly answering to Merrix d'Cannith.
Berennab d'Sivis, Gnome Wizard - Mildly eccentric yet unassuming, this demonologist often poses as a classy noble when he's not trying to sate his strange tastes and curiosity.
Rail, Warforged Fighter - This solemn warforged often wants to lend a helping hand, at least when he's not hungering to smack something down with his axe.
Calin d'Thuranni, Elf Assassin - An unforgiving killer at heart who often hides his intentions beneath the exterior of a fast-talking journalist with a devil may care persona.