Eberron Marks and Party Animosity

[Xyrlove Woodsoul]

I have a Cleric, Human, Good, with the Mark of Healing, and a Unaligned Gnome Wizard with the Aberrant Mark of Madness, in the same group (which is primarily Unaligned) in a quasi-Eberron setting. Should there be a conflict? If so, how much? I've read the section in the EPG, but it was a bit unclear insofar as the level of the animosity. The Gnome is a bit creepy (necrotic and illusions).

 

[mkill]

A bit of party animosity is always fun, as long as it's clear that this is a character - character thing and not a player - player thing.

Look at the Roy-Belkar relationship in the Order of the Stick: Roy keeps Belkar around because then, at least he can make sure that someone will keep the little guy in check...

 

[bganon]

There's as much conflict as you want there to be. I mean, you're already playing in quasi-Eberron; in "canon" Eberron a human with the Mark of Healing would be nearly as much of a freak as the gnome. Without knowing the details of the setting it's hard to even know what a "typical" reaction to such marks would be.

Maybe your character thinks thinks they can help the gnome character? Maybe one of you swore to look after the other long ago, only to find yourself resenting it now? I'd think of it this way: you both might be playing in the same gaming group for a while, so you might as well think of interesting in-setting ways to have your characters want to work together.

 

[Colmarr]

Look at the Roy-Belkar relationship in the Order of the Stick: Roy keeps Belkar around because then, at least he can make sure that someone will keep the little guy in check...

And this is a very common solution to the "good and evil party members" problem. One that my (good) cleric of tempus is currently using to justify hanging around the party's (unaligned but with definite leanings) wizard.

As long as the unaligned/evil character isn't being a complete douche and the good character isn't smite-happy, they can adventure together just find, and the character interraction adds to the tapestry of the campaign.

Pro-tip though, this will only work for mature (as in sensible, not old) gamers. Without them, you're in the fast lane to game-drama.

This isn't really a new issue, and I've blogged about it in the past.

 

[Turtlejay]

This question is like the pre 4e alignment questions.

How should my TN Druid behave?
Can my LG Cleric associate with the CN Rogue?
What does NG mean?

Alignment is just words on a paper, it is up to you to make that alignment realized in a three dimensional character.

Same with the mark. If you have chosen to make it an aspect of your character, and not just a feat to improve your healing, then it is up to you to determine how your character views their mark. As stated upthread, that is a feat normally taken by Halflings, so your character may already have an unorthodox view of Dragonmarks. Depending on how Eberron and how Quasi your setting is, you might both be fugitives from the Dragonmarked houses.

The fluff on those marks is a guide, but it is up to you to decide how your character acts.

Jay

 

[Artoomis]

It's COMPLETELY up to you and the group.

How NPCs react to you is up to the DM, how PCs do is up to the players.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

With mature gamers, in character conflict can be alot of fun and can lead to some really amazingly memorable scenes {like the time the Assasin and the Thief forced the fallen Paladin to redeem himself and ended up being granted titles by the Church as part of the faithful....}

Without mature gamers, in character conflict can destroy your group.

So.. how much conflict really depends on your players, your play style, and the group.

I would recommend laying out how the guilds and NPCs in your quasi-Eberron world view Dragonmarks and Aberrant Marks.. then ask the players what thier characters background is in regards to the marks and what steps they take to announce or keep private that connection.

IMC, Aberrant marks are viewed by NPC's who are in favor with a House as a vile abomination and linked to the Delkyr... so either the bearer needs to be 'healed' or excised for the protection of all 'good' people. They are not simply misguided, but contaiminated.
The fact that the Halfing also courts with the necrotic and deceiving magics would enhance that opinion, so it would be advised that he/she keep things under wraps. {possibly literally}

The Mark of Healing would mean that the human would be a 'very important person' to the Houses, as control of the Mark is key to thier Guild monopoly. Depending on why the Cleric is adventuring will determine the Houses interaction.


Perhaps the Halfing has proven to the human that the Aberrant mark isn't a contamination, or perhaps the human is convinced they can find a 'cure'?

Put it into the hands of the players and see where they take it.

 

[DreamChaser]

I have a Cleric, Human, Good, with the Mark of Healing, and a Unaligned Gnome Wizard with the Aberrant Mark of Madness, in the same group (which is primarily Unaligned) in a quasi-Eberron setting. Should there be a conflict? If so, how much? I've read the section in the EPG, but it was a bit unclear insofar as the level of the animosity. The Gnome is a bit creepy (necrotic and illusions).

In terms of your character personalities? As much as you choose.

In terms of your marks, you're both technically aberrant (yours is a mixed mark because only halflings manifest a true mark of healing and his is aberrant). I the society of Khorvaire, you're both outcast and apt to be persecuted by the Dragonmarked houses so you may find some comradarie even if you disagree philosophically.

(note that the above assumes that your quasi-Eberron uses the houses and marks as written in the ECG and EPG. If not, then then it all comes down to the personality behind the power.)

DC