Eberron 5E: Background -- Dragonmarked Scion

You were born to one of the thirteen dragonmarked houses that wield enormous power throughout Khorvaire. Perhaps you have manifested one of the magical dragonmarks that showed your descent from a house member, or were born to someone who was granted member-ship or married into a house; regardless, you have lived a life of privilege and responsibility.

     The dragonmarked houses are deeply entrenched in the economic and social ecology of Khorvaire. All guild monopolies are controlled by the houses, which fix prices and maintain quality standards. Although the houses are forbidden from holding lands or political office by the Korth Edicts, many dragonmarked heirs have great influence in politics due to their affiliations and personal power.

Dragonmarked House

When you choose this background pick a dragonmarked house based on your race, or roll a d12 and consult the following table to determine race and house affiliation, as well as a particular set of skill and language/tool proficiencies, and starting equipment.

d12	Result
1	Cannith      Dragonmark: Mark of Making      Race: Human      Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Search      Tool Proficiencies: Two different kinds of artisan’s tools      Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools with Cannith insignia (one of your choice), masterwork of your house (appropriate to your craft), a set of fine clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
2	Deneith      Dragonmark: Mark of Sentinel      Race: Human      Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Perception      Language: One of your choice      Weapon Proficiency: Either long sword or short sword      Equipment: A long sword or short sword with Deneith insignia (your choice), a set of common clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp
3	Ghallanda      Dragonmark: Mark of Hospitality      Race: Halfling      Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Persuasion      Tool Proficiencies: Mounts (land), vehicles (land)      Equipment: A ledger with Ghallanda insignia, a bottle of black ink, a quill, a set of fine clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
4	Jorasco      Dragonmark: Mark of Healing      Race: Halfling      Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Medicine      Tool Proficiencies: Healer’s kit, herbalism kit      Equipment: A healer’s kit with Jorasco insignia, an herbalism kit, a set of common clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
5	Kundarak      Dragonmark: Mark of Warding      Race: Dwarf      Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion      Tool Proficiencies: Artisan tools, thieves’ tools      Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools (one of your choice), a lockbox with Kundarak insignia, an abacus, a set of fine clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
6	Lyrandar      Dragonmark: Mark of Storm      Race: Half-elf      Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival      Tool Proficiencies: Navigator’s tools, vehicles (air)      Equipment: A set of navigator’s tools, a set of fine clothes, a set of traveler’s clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
7	Medani      Dragonmark: Mark of Detection      Race: Half-elf      Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Search      Language: One of your choice      Tool Proficiency: Inquisitive’s kit      Equipment: A pair of manacles with Medani insignia, a bull’s-eye lantern, a flask of oil, a set of fine clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
8	Orien      Dragonmark: Mark of Passage      Race: Human      Skill Proficiencies: History, Survival      Tool Proficiencies: Navigator’s tools, vehicles (land)      Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a set of traveler’s clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp
9	Phiarlan or Thuranni [50% chance of either]      Dragonmark: Mark of Shadow      Race: Elf      Skill Proficiencies: Deception (Thuranni) or Persuasion (Phiarlan), Stealth      Tool Proficiencies: Artisan’s tools (Phiarlan) or poisoner’s kit (Thuranni), disguise kit      Equipment: A disguise kit, a set of costume clothes or a set of artisan’s tools (your choice), a set of fine clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
10	Sivis      Dragonmark: Mark of Scribing      Race: Gnome      Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Insight      Languages: Two of your choice      Equipment: A scroll case with Sivis insignia, a bottle of black ink, a quill, 10 sheets of parchment, a set of fine clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
11	Tharashk      Dragonmark: Mark of Finding      Race: Half-orc, Human      Skill Proficiencies: Search, Survival      Tool Proficiencies: Mounts (land), navigator’s tools      Equipment: An explorer’s pack with Tharashk insignia, a set of common clothes, a set of traveler’s clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp
12	Vadalis      Dragonmark: Mark of Handling      Race: Human      Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Nature      Tool Proficiencies: Mounts (land), mounts (air)      Equipment: A magebred trained companion (cat, dog, or hawk), a collar and lead with Vadalis insignia, a set of fine clothes, a signet ring, identification documents, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp

Feature: House Membership

You are a member of a dragonmarked house. The house will provide you with lodging and food. Where the house has a presence, you may have access to discounts on other goods and services related to the house’s specialty.

     Houses wield tremendous political power in every nation on Khorvaire. If you are accused of a crime, your house will support you if a good case can be made for your innocence or the crime is justifiable in the eyes of the House. You can also gain access to powerful political figures through the house, if you are a member in good standing. Such connections might require that you perform some noteworthy service for the house.

     Your house will occasionally call upon you for support. You will have to provide support for the house to remain in the house’s good graces.

Suggested Characteristics

The scions of the dragonmarked houses display the full range of motivations. Some spend their time performing charitable works or repaying debts of honor, while others use their house connections to achieve their own ends no matter the cost. Regardless, their house affiliation irrevocably colors their attitudes and methods.

d6	Ideal
1	Tradition. The ancient traditions of my house must be upheld and enforced. (Lawful)
2	Freedom. The power of my house means I can do what I want. (Chaotic)
3	Charity. The power of my house allows me to alleviate the suffering of the people. (Good)
4	Power. House affiliation is a sure path to temporal and economic power. (Evil)
5	House. I’m loyal to my house and the people in it, and everyone else can go to Dolurrh for all I care. (Neutral)
6	Destiny. The dragonmarks are intimately tied to the Draconic Prophecy; we must steer it so that we can make the world what we want it to be. (Any)