A classmate of mine is going to start an Eberron campaign soon, and I was thinking of playing a Dragonborn Fighter concept I've been thinking of for a while. It would be a good fit with what everyone else is playing, and I've finally got a little bit of backstory. I should also mention we will be starting at level 11.
First of all, I've read up on Eberron in the last couple of days (mostly Wiki), so I'm familiar with the very basic world history and stuff. Unfortunatly, I haven't been able to find more than a passing mention of Dragonborn. In fact, the Wiki didn't even mention them at all.
What I'm looking for is some basic information on Dragonborn history, where they are now, and if the 'rough draft' back story fits with basic Eberron fluff. This campaign is supposed to be RP heavy, which I've never done before, so I'm trying to do it right.
Anyway, without further ado, my questions:
1) One of my friends mentioned Dragonborn had a small empire/kingdom/city somewhere, then the empire fell, and they are now living in a jungle. I don't remember the name of the region or empire, so knowing that would be nice. I downloaded the Khorvaire & World map via DDI, so I do have some frame of refference now.
2) Are Dwarves still industrious? I've read that Dwarves are in charge of the banking systems, and they have a Warding element, which is good, but are they still craftsmen? This is important to my character's personality.
3) I'm having trouble figuring out what House would be the most appropriate. My origional concept called for living with Dwarves, which would mean House Kundarak, but Deneith and Cannith would also fit in a pinch (if Dwarves don't match my back story)
Backstory rough draft Nebezial Ironscale, Dragonborn Fighter (Shield Style) - Clan fled when the Dragonborn empire/kingdom/whatever fell. - Clan moved in with the Dwarves - Clan had an emphasis on Shield & Spear style fighting - Clan faded in glory over the years, nearly eliminated after Great War - Family dead, only older brother survived war (at least in immediate family) - Clan/Family had a rite of passage to forge your own armor & face a nasty bugger - Brother killed when his store-bought weapon/armor failed (I've heard craftsmen in Eberron are trustworthy, so perhaps it was a scam or Aberrant mark or something) - Brother's failure/death let something bad happen. Clan's honor tainted. - Now adventuring to restore honor, etc.
Personality Traits Sort of a Lawful Good paladin personality, but not naive enough to think he can change the world. In other words, not Lawful Stupid. Easygoing, dependable, though somewhat worldweary. Tired of seeing friends & family end up dead. Think Chad from Bleach, but a bit more aggressive - willing to fight back, but would never start a fight, and do his best to avoid it in the first place. Unless you threatten his friends (for no reason). In that case, expect no mercy.
His shield, Rampart, is his weapon. He wields a warhammer (family tradition evolved a bit), but a shield is Who he is, What he does, and Why he does it. Shields are designed to protect their wielder, to defend the innocent, and to get in the way of danger. That's what he does. That's what he is. When a fight starts, he stands in the way of as much danger as possible, counting on his allies to do the dirty work and keep him alive.
Quirks Insists on personally constructing his weapons and armor, especially his shield. (Warsmith background) Takes his shield everywhere, and uses it to store items you might need quickly (rope, bandages, backup weapon(s)) Not very fond of magical devices. Recognizes their usefulness, yes, but prefers simple, functional, well made tools to the flashiness of blatantly magical weapons. Insists on wearing scalemale, at least until he feels he's restored the clan's honor. When the time comes, he will personally construct an entire suit of armor and be Very Awesome in it. $_$
Shield Design (got some help with this a while back, so thanks!)
Crunch Build: STR/CON/wis fighter, with a hammer & shield. Pushy Fighter with Draconic Arrogance and Iron Vanguard ED of choice: Adamantine Soldier
Feats: Shield Push, Shield Defense, Uncanny Dodge, Draconic Arrogance Wyverenscale + 3, Defensive Warhammer + 3, and either (Hammer Shield, L8) or (Shield of the Barrier Sentinels, L9)
Powers: Tide of Iron, Knockdown Assault, Come & Get It, lots of Close Burst powers
Objective: Get the entire room's attention, keep them marked, stay alive thanks to maximized defenses & HP. Amusingly, Uncanny Dodge + Shield of the Barrier Sentinels means my AC goes up when I'm flanked! Once several enemies have been downed, or when tactics are preferable, I shove things around or knock them on their butt. The group's Rogue should love me. :P
Anyway, if anyone actually reads that giant Wall of Text, I hope I'm being coherent. Any information, linkage, or advice would be appreciated.
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1) That story is largely associated with the Points of Light campaign setting (the generic campaign setting). In Eberron dragonborn are more associated with Argonessen (a few small cities over there) and Q'Barra (as generic semi-barbaric people who were brought there a VERY long time ago with the draconic guardians sworn to watch over a bound rajah). They also occasionally make pilgrimages to the dragon graveyard in Talenta. I'm sure there are also some more civilized dragonborn, especially from an Argonessen city (Dang! I can't remember the name) and there might be a few that were 'rescued' and raised among other Khorvairian humanoids.
2) Indeed! However, House Kundarak is not the clan focusing on these works of artifice. There are several other clans, some of which perfectly fit the stereotypical dwarven artificer model.
3) Seeing as your character is a fighter, Deneith or Tharashk (sometimes helps House Deneith by treating with more 'monstrous' mercenaries). However, if Aberrant marks are at all involved, I'd advise you to keep your character clear of the official dragonmarked houses at all costs. They're rather bloodthirsty when it comes to 'Khyber's brood'.
As a side note, from what you've described of his personality, he might have a good chance of being sympathetic to the warforged. In fact, if you had just posted the personality and quirks without any hint of dragonborn heritage or clan ties, I might have mistaken him for a warforged.
Hopefully this helps! ECG and EPG are musts for an Eberron campaign and can definitely give you better info.
2) Indeed! However, House Kundarak is not the clan focusing on these works of artifice. There are several other clans, some of which perfectly fit the stereotypical dwarven artificer model.
Right, I was just thinking of the "build your own armor" thing as making some kind of sense. As long as they do a bit of tinkering, I can always just play up that aspect a little.
3) Seeing as your character is a fighter, Deneith or Tharashk (sometimes helps House Deneith by treating with more 'monstrous' mercenaries). However, if Aberrant marks are at all involved, I'd advise you to keep your character clear of the official dragonmarked houses at all costs. They're rather bloodthirsty when it comes to 'Khyber's brood'.
Hopefully this helps! ECG and EPG are musts for an Eberron campaign and can definitely give you better info.
Could you elaborate on this a bit more please? Wiki says Kundarak has a Warding guild, and with the association with Dwarves, that would make it a solid fit for several reasons. As far as I can see, Deneith's only association is that it has an army and trains mercenaries... wouldn't Kundarak have guards for their banks and stuff, or do they always hire Deneith?
If Aberrant marks are involved how? In the campaign, or in the backstory? Honestly, the mention of aberrants in the backstory was just an explanation for the "must forge weapons" quirk.
Acquiring the Eberron books won't be possible until some time after Christmas, so I'm trying to make do for now. :/
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Could you elaborate on this a bit more please? Wiki says Kundarak has a Warding guild, and with the association with Dwarves, that would make it a solid fit for several reasons. As far as I can see, Deneith's only association is that it has an army and trains mercenaries... wouldn't Kundarak have guards for their banks and stuff, or do they always hire Deneith?
If Aberrant marks are involved how? In the campaign, or in the backstory? Honestly, the mention of aberrants in the backstory was just an explanation for the "must forge weapons" quirk.
Kundarak does probably use a few bodyguards from their own house, however, they seem to focus on magical traps, wards, and locks more than anything. If I remember correctly, they also run a major prison in the campaign, making full use of their abilities to keep intruders out and prisoners in. But, to make a long ramble short, yes they could make use of body guards without connections to the other dragonmarked houses. You'll just need to explain how come they trust these strange creatures that, for all they know, may be spying for the dragons of Argonessen (In the Eberron setting dragons are much more social with their own, one group in particular scheming to direct the draconic prophecy. While not nescecarily evil, they think nothing of destroying a few puny humanoids to get the desired result).
Aberrant marks are seen as a major threat and perversion to the twelve dragonmarked houses. To them, ANY connection to aberrant dragonmarks is a dangerous thing. They fear what they don't understand. Course, depending on your DM, he/she may let it slide. And there's always a chance a House looking for the next big weapon decided to take a less hostile view.
Aberrant marks are seen as a major threat and perversion to the twelve dragonmarked houses. To them, ANY connection to aberrant dragonmarks is a dangerous thing. They fear what they don't understand. Course, depending on your DM, he/she may let it slide. And there's always a chance a House looking for the next big weapon decided to take a less hostile view.
Ooooh... I see where the miscommunication is now. Presumably his brother unknownigly bought something from an Aberrant marked guy. I was under the impression that aberrant marks were often disguised as, or identical in appearence to, normal marks. That would explain why the products were faulty. I think. Maybe.
If I got that part correct, it would make an excellent case for not trusting strangers. I'm pretty sure he would hate the Aberrant secret society with... conviction. Is that more informative?
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Ooooh... I see where the miscommunication is now. Presumably his brother unknownigly bought something from an Aberrant marked guy. I was under the impression that aberrant marks were often disguised as, or identical in appearence to, normal marks. That would explain why the products were faulty. I think. Maybe.
If I got that part correct, it would make an excellent case for not trusting strangers. I'm pretty sure he would hate the Aberrant secret society with... conviction. Is that more informative?
Buying something from someone with an Abberant Dragonmark wouldn't really mark someone as a criminal or whatever among the Dragonmarked Houses. They only wish to eliminate persons with the Abberant Dragonmark, mostly because they don't want the competition, and they fear, or at least highly mistrust, anyone with one.
You could merely drop the Abberant Mark entirely. Craftsmen don't all have Dragonmarks, they're fairly rare. While works of incredibly powerful magic, such as an Airship or the Lightning Rail, ect, are the work of a group of Dragonmarked craftsmen, more common items, even enchanted suits of armor or weapons, are likely the work of a skilled Artificer. The Dragonmarked Houses themselves, even ones specializing in crafts like House Cannith actively search for and hire skilled Artificers and Craftsmen, even though they don't bear a Dragonmark.
I think the Wiki's focus on the houses has convinced me everyone is a member of one, which I guess would be rather silly.
Removing the aberrant mark... remark, anything else stand out as being weird?
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Got my hands on an EPG this week (borrowed it from a friend), and read up on the basic world history and relevant regional stuff. Here's my revised background, trying to tie in as much regional information as reasonably possible.
My next step is to create 5 or 6 family members and NPCs I've dealt with, because we will be starting at Paragon. I'll list the very rough draft of that info last.
Thanks again for any feedback, and have a Happy Turkey Day
Clan History Clan lived along the coast in Q'Barra Clan fighting style stressed Spear & Shield fighting Spears useful for Reach, also effective for fishing & such Shields once made of turtle shell, but perfected later. Rite of passage to survive wilderness for seven days, common trick to hunt a turtle first Shields useful for collecting water, carrying berries, other jungle stuff. Sort of a basket? Clan historically had some tallent with magic, usually quite raw and… explosive.
(about 100 years ago) Clan decided to move when humans started settling the region Started a pilgrimage, seeking to learn why others had shown up in large numbers Also seeking others with a similar cultural beliefs, knowing that Q'Barra would never be home again Visited the Krezent Ruins, the Boneyard Some Dragonborn living near those two sites, but War was brewing and they would be leaving Most of clan decided to stay for a while, others (Grandpa) continued exploring Ventured into Dwarven territory Stumbled across some outnumbered Dwarves fighting off some Orcs, came to their aid Dwarves invited clan members to stay for a while, friendship grew Unspoken agreement to stay. Some clan members decided to join, others went to fight in war, attempting to protect sacred grounds Yada yada, much of clan moved in with dwaves
Dwarves & Dragonborn Proud of ancestry and Family Dependable, Loyal, Honor-bound Tough & Resilient Continuous Self-improvement Stubborn, tenacious, never surrender
Clan Shield & Spear evolved Spears don't work so well in tunnels Dwarves taught Clan to use shields & mass to great effect Superior metallurgy = more awesome shields Clan showed Dwarves how to use spears in open terrain Polearms encourage Wisdom Clan showed Dwarves some Sorcerer Magic, ineffectual results
Personal History Parents killed in the Great War; died defending something important Youngest of 3 siblings; older brother & sister Demonstrated exceptional Dragon Breath power at a young age Childhood nickname of 'Sparky' Expected draconic & elemental powers never blossomed Never showed any tallent for Arcane arts Tutored under Dwarven 'Uncle Artificer', but showed no signs of arcane skill Eventually learned rudamentary Artificer stuff (weaponsmithing) but not efficient at it Warsmith Background = Forge own weapons/armor in two/four days This lack of understanding explains his natural suspicion of magical effects Prefers magically enhanced & magically durable tools to snazzy stuff Began Adventuring when Brother shamed family Brother bought used weapons & armor, attempting to save money. Brother was on guard duty, got killed when weapon or armor broke Honor-bound to fix brother's error
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Acquantances Sister Powerful sorcerer & designer of magical traps. Especially painful ones. Uncle Dwarf Saved by Grandpa at a young age long ago. Early 100's now Father figure when parents & grandpa died Artificer, lesser dragonmarked, and old teacher Dwarf Friend Grew up together, though he's much older (40's) Trained in Spear & Shield
One last note: I'm very, very bad at coming up with names. I've been to Seventh Sanctium and places like that (in fact I have a list of 300 names for each race), but those all sound so forced to me. I think I've picked out about 20 that I don't hate.
My favorite trick or naming things is to pick a 'dumb name' such as "The Green Forest" and look up synonyms for those words. It takes a while, but produces nifty results, especially if foreign languages get involved.
Personally, from my non-professional observations, I think Draconic draws on lots of Russian sounds, so I've been trying to find a Russian translation site. More speciffically, I'm trying to find one that doesn't generate results in Crylic, so I can actually try pronouncing them. >_<
Anyone know of such a site? My Search-fu has failed me.
When the new forums were unveiled I started compiling a list of legitimate complaints and recommendations. Many of these problems have been fixed, but if you have anything to contribute, please do
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