Hello people of YouTube Jorphan here the PH is silent.
We’re headed back to Eberron today with some information on dragonmarks and the dragonmarked
houses.
To start this we need to first talk about the Draconic Prophecy.
This is an ancient prophecy that is technically a record of things to come that has been playing
out since creation.
The dragons observe and record events that are playing out in this prophecy.
It is said that only the dragons with their incredibly long lifespace have the ability
and patience to study and understand the prophecy.
I get the sense that the prophecy isn’t just written plainly but must be interpreted
to understand and thus see the future.
It reminds me of all those Nostradamus fanatics looking for meaning and future events within
his writings.
The dragonmarks are a part of this prophecy.
Once the dragonmarks occurred just for dragons, however in recent years (recent for dragons)
these marks started appearing on the lesser races of Eberron.
A dragonmark is kind of a intricate birthmark; it’s actually more than a birthmark and
more distinct than a tattoo.
There are twelve recognized dragonmarks that are associated with a specific bloodline.
Well there were thirteen but since the fall of House Vol that mark has vanished from Khorvaire.
It is possible to get a dragonmark that is not from these twelve houses and those are
called Aberrant marks.
They are unusual marks that are not recognizable outside of the twelve, but these Aberrant marks can
also be known marks but on the wrong race, outside of the normal bloodline.
These marks give the person a special kind of magical power.
For example the Mark of Healing is specific to Halflings and is from House Jorcasco.
Someone with this dragonmark is inherently better at healing than someone without it.
Mechanically for fifth edition someone with this dragonmark can spend their own hit die
to heal another.
The mark is in shades of blue and purple and appear to move and shimmer when observed.
They become warm and glow when the dragonmarked person utilizes their power.
The mark can be anywhere really across your eye or in the palm of your hand.
A dragonmark can even grow in size and complexity if a player focuses their character on a path
that enhances their dragonmark.
In fifth edition this means taking certain feats that expand the power of what your dragonmark
can do.
In Khorvaire only a small number of dragonmarked actually have this expansion.
These people are cherished and are often used because of their extra powers.
Due to the power of these dragonmarks the families, or bloodlines associated with them
have risen to greater power.
They were politically kept in check for a while but that changed with the Last War.
Many nations still wanted to contain the power of the dragonmarked houses but the war vastly
increased demands for goods and services from these Houses.
A specific and significant case would be House Cannith creating warforged and other machines
of war.
House Jorasco was very sought after to heal the injured and get them fighting again.
Profits for the Houses soared and they were able to financially put themselves in a better
place politically.
After the war there are those that wish the houses to be kept in check again.
Some efforts have been made like the Treaty of Thronehold which called for the destruction
of the creation forges.
Now the interesting thing about these houses is that they are not bound by national borders,
and often worked for whomever during the Last War.
The war was terrible but it was profitable and elevated the Dragonmarked Houses in Khorvaire.
With a new war looming on the horizon many nations are trying to make ties with the Dragonmarked
Houses, in hopes they can be allies in any future conflicts.
It’s interesting to think about where Eberron’s history is going.
Khorvaire specifically, once the monarchy was in charge and controlled all of Khorvaire
with the dragonmarked houses in check.
Now the nations are divided and squabble but everyone recognizes the economic power that
the dragonmarked houses have.
Some even say that if peace is going to be truly found it will be a dragonmarked heir
that sits on the throne, not a royal descendant.
The twelve dragonmarked houses are… here we go with my mispronouncing.
House Medani, Tharashk, Vadalis, Jorcasco, Ghallanda, Cannith, Orien, Sivis, Deneith,
Phiarlan / Thuranni, Lyrandar, and Kundarak.
House Medani is the Mark of Detection, they are a guild house of brokers, bodyguards,
and advisors.
These members are half-elves.
House Tharask is the Mark of Finding, their heirs make great bounty hunters.
Their mark helps guide the hunter to its prey.
House Vadalis has the Mark of Handling.
They have a connection to nature and beasts of the natural world.
They train beasts for a wide range of purposes.
We’ve spoken about house Jorcasco before, they are the halfing house of healing.
Which is kind of a tongue twister I just realized.
Ghallanda is the mark of Hospitality.
Another halfling house that has the odd power to keep a place clean, and to heat and chill
food.
It might not seem like much but they’ve developed a tavern slash inn network throughout
Khorvaire.
They build friendships and deal in favors.
Next is House Cannith and the Mark of Making.
People with this mark can mend broken things with a touch.
They specialized in the creation of the warforged for the Last War.
The Mark of Passage belongs to House Orien.
They are able to move at above average speeds, enhancing climbing and jumping, all movement
really.
They specialize in travel and the Lightning Rail is their most important tool.
House Sivis is the Mark of Scribing.
This is a gnomish house with a wide range of gifts.
They can translate languages, communicate over long distances, and can feel words knowing
their true meaning.
They are a backbone in long distance communication.
The Mark of the Sentinel is House Deneith and it warns and protects.
They specialize in shielding others from harm.
The Mark of Shadows is an elvish house divided into two.
House Phiarlan and Thuranni.
They divided shortly towards the end of the Last War when a fued broke out between the
major families.
On the surface the two are peaceful but rivalries run very deep between them.
The Mark of Storm is home to House Lyrandar who are masters of the seas and oceans.
With their powers they have been rumored to control the weather itself, easing it for
sailors, or turning it against their enemies.
And finally House Kundarak and the Mark of Warding.
This house can protect belongings and other things of value.
They could use their mark of power to keep things safe, or for opening locks and stealing
the contents.
It’s a good house for a rogue, or a wizard.
It might be the perfect house for that dwarf transmuter wizard I want to play.
That’s it for today.
It’s a lot of information so if you’re curious about a particular house I’d encourage
you to read further about it in the Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron.
There’s a link to it in the doobly doo below.
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Thanks again for watching everyone.
Thanks for sharing these videos with your gaming groups.
I’ll see you all in the next video!