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March Mailbag Questions (Patreon)

Published:
2025-03-03 01:54:48
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Hi Everyone!

I've got a lot of travel this month. I'm running games at GaryCon in the middle of the month, and at the end of the month I'm going to England to run D&D in a castle! Because of this, I'm flipping the Q&A schedule. The first Q&A will be on SATURDAY the 15th of March at 10 AM Pacific, on a topic to be determined by a poll this week. The second Q&A will be on WEDNESDAY the 26th of March at 6 PM Pacific, and will answer questions posed here.

The sad truth is that I simply don’t have time to answer every question, but it’s faster for me to TALK about a topic than it is to write about it. So: POST QUESTIONS HERE. If I can answer a question in a few minutes, I might answer it here. Otherwise, I’ll answer the most interesting questions when I do the Mailbag Q&A at the end of the month.

Thanks for your support! And if you're going to GaryCon, let me know -- I might do a live Q&A at the con!

Files

Comments

Earth Seraph Edna

How would you revise the backstory of Elira Dawn, "the Dragonhawk," from City of Stormreach? She is allegedly an exceptionally powerful Aundairian wizard (13th-level in 3.5) whom Breland wanted executed as part of an alliance with Aundair. Elira was spared execution because... she studied under Mordain at Arcanix... and Mordain called in a favor with Adal ir'Wynarn? I do not know about this.

Benjamin Tucker Marcus

Copied from January: What steps would you follow when designing a hagborn Oni for a game, and as a rule, how bound up in story would they be compared to members of less fey-related species? Alternatively, in your Eberron, what's the deal with Ash, Daask's priest of the Shadow? The leadership threat she might pose to Cavallah interests me, but I'm not sure how it would play out with how directly Sora Katra is described as monitoring Daask and how many of Daask's members would probably resent taking orders from a human.

Nicole Couture

If you want to throw a few details about Shae Laen our way, that would be great. Mostly why is there a town founded by Brelish elves a stone's throw from the Barrens and, well anything else you'd like to add.

Inquisitor Thomas

Three possible questions: 1. My usual go to of “Nagas in Eberron” is slightly less interesting if based in 2024 lore since they’re no longer artificial immortals and are now more standard outsiders, but the question still stands. 2. Why are the Kar’lassa only found in the Thunder Sea? Like presumably they would have been distributed across all of the seas of Eberron? 3. How would you utilize Wyrmlings in an Eberron Game? Like can a Wyrmling be a chamber agent or are they seen as being too young for that?

James McConnell IV

Hey Keith, thanks as always for this opportunity for questions. In one of the new unearthed arcana they introduced dragonmarks as feats. In the most recent version there are not any race requirements for taking these feats. In an Eberron where the player characters had dragonmarks unrelated to their species, what kind of plots would you create for the players?

James McAtamney

More of a meta question this month: You've mentioned in a few videos and articles that the 3e Magewright class as published didn't really fit your vision for them, and that your 5e can-only-cast-spells-as-rituals take on magewrights was a closer match. Given that the 3e version's spell knowledge mechanic was already a bit unusual for an arcane caster, was there a particular reason you didn't go all the way and give them a handful of at-will spell-like abilities, the ability to cast Mastered spells more often at the cost of a longer casting time, or something else that would fit the bill better? Or was it as simple as "WotC asked for an arcane version of the Adept, so that's basically what they got"?

Trinity Vaughan

Obviously house Orien doesn't necessarily like House Lyrandar, but what is the house's relationship with House Vadalis, Cannith, or any other house?

hyperewok1

For plots about tyrannical nobles, what legal rights do people have under the Code of Galifar that said tyrannical nobles would likely be denying them?

Sims

1.) The Star Spawn Emmisary and Bodytaker plant are clear homages to John Carpenter’s “The Thing” and the “Invasion of the Body Snatcher” films. How might these alien invaders make their way into Eberron? 2.) How does a Thronehold game work, in your opinion? 3.) With the latest UA on Eberron out, how do you feel about the Dragonmark feats? Supposedly (and I really hope WoTC at least puts a disclaimer saying they should be the right species) they’re not species restricted? How do you feel about this? What about the greater marks for the potent Dragonmark feat? 3b.) I believe there’s a main character from one of the novels who’s a half-elf with Orien mark and also incestuous. The latter part is not important, just a weird note for the story. How do you feel about the idea of a Khoravor with a human mark?

Xavier Parra Pérez

Hi Keith! Would your Eberron have cells, bacteria, molecules and atoms or would you lean more into a ' it has it's own way of working' idea, as the sky and syberspace do?

Rakoon1985

I find really hard to believe that a line full of powerful spellcasters like Line Vol did not manage to relocate and hide themselves. Dragons are arrogant pricks and they were obsessed by the apex mark. I do not believe that the Court by herself would have had the power to locate members of the line hidden with magical means. I mean the Death Watch takes ages to locate and eliminate powerful undead menaces. So I find pretty unlikely that no one survived. So my question is, if some members of the Line of Vol had survived, where would have they have relocated? Excluding Khorvaire of course, or we would have an House Vol today.

Patrick Reupert

Plane touched can come from many sources. And some forces can touch a being as well. Iirc there is mention of Aasimar by the Silver Flame. But what about Tieflings and Genasi touched by the Silver Flame? Like.... Either a being that believes their power comes from the flame, or a literal silver touched

Andre Soares

Hey! My question from the last month was answered in the last live Q&A, but I was unable to watch it live, will it be posted here like the Lhazaar Sea one?

Aelin

How do agents of emerald claw smuggling bones and corpses to use in missions discreetly across Khovaire? Do they prefer bribe? newly acquire fresh or most squad leader have Bag of holding to carry them?

Eric Smith

I know there are observatories for the Draconic Prophecy but I was thinking more of Astrology and Astronomy. Are there observatories tracking the moons, stars, manifest zones and other things? Would that be under a university or a Dragonmarked house or both? Do people draw correspondences like in Astrology? "You were born when Mabar was ascendant and darkness follows you."

Zed Bundershot

Quoting a recent publication of notable reputation: "Boranel may argue, but when you go west of the Trade Road, that’s Droaam" got me thinking about Eberron's significant rivers, and how maybe the most magical thing about rivers is they're simultaneously a 4-way boarder/barrier/entrance/exit that exists regardless of mortal or immortal concern. With that in mind, IYE, which rivers have an association with which manifest zones which manifest themselves witch-way?

Ender Darkos

What is Turakbar up to when he's not the ruthless tyrant he is as the Warlord of the Fist? What are his hobbies, his views on Droaam, etc? I'm thinking minotaurs could be very good at mapmaking and city guides, with their ability to know the paths they walked!

Dan Smith

I know the February Q&A hasn't been posted yet, so if you did answer the first question in the Q&A feel free to ignore it. As always I have a few different questions so take your pick. 1. What's the kanon origin myth of the Titans (and thus Giants) or common myths from Xen'drik about their origin? We know the dragons claim to be the blood of Siberys mixed with (the environments) of Eberron, but I'm curious what (according to you) the Titans claimed about themselves. 2. How do you envision/What can you share about Vralkek? Outside of it being Droaam's primary (or only) port I recall you saying somewhere that it's primarily the city/town of giants and large creatures in Droaam. 3. What sort of exhibits would you imagine are in Dezina Museum of Antiquities? I'm planning an adventure inspired by Night at the Museum and was wondering what interesting things you might put in Dezina's.

Micaerys

Hello, Keith! I have two potential questions, and I couldn't decide, so answer whichever you prefer/consider more interesting: 1. Estara, the pre-Galifar kingdom mentioned in The Fading Dream: was that another name for the nation of Metrol before Cyre arrived, or was it an entirely different kingdom, even older? 2. When you were writing the Dreaming Dark books, did you ever considered a way for Lady Darkheart to be restored, or was Lei's aunt-staff supposed to be irreversibly doomed? Would reuniting her with the other Darkwood Sisters (for example) help?

Jaxson Lueb

Here's a question that has been nagging at me for a good bit after I finished reading 'Son of Khyber'. (I am currently making my way through Fading Dream so if this is answered in that novel please tell me, but I doubt it will) What is Savean's Forge, and/or who is Savean? More to the *Point* what is Steel's history and purpose? Are there more weapons like Steel out there? Is Steel the Blade or the orb in the Pommel? Filieon recognizes Steel as a weapon made in Savean's Forge and asks for its name referring to it as 'an assassin's blade from Savean's forge' and when Daine removes the 'Orb' from Merrix's child Thorn notes that it reminds her of Steel who has a similar orb in its pommel, are they related?

Vessyra

What are some ways that someone in Lammania might travel to the layer of the Twilight Forest? I have ideas for the themes/actions associated with travelling between most layers, but the Twilight Forest is so broad in scope. I can't think really think of anything beyond the PCs just stumbling across the edge of a forest as they traverse through the Broken Land/whatever other layer they happen to be on

David Mitchell

My question is how would you design the mark of death of you wanted it to return as a player character. Maybe cleric of Vol or the Undying Court. Erandis Vol or a Mabar Dreadlord. Perhaps a sorcerer associated with Mabar? How would you envisage this character impacting the setting?

Giuseppe Taverniti

How would you run a campaign about a secret Eternal Dominion infiltration of the Five Nation governments, using the malenti from Exploring Eberron?

Not Mordakhesh

What type of power would it take to return Rhashaak to a state of normalcy/restore his sanity?

King Canuck

Rising Says that it is *common knowledge* that; "Everice is the home of frost giants who escaped the destruction of Xen'drik. Now they hone their arctic magic and plot vengeance. However, a clan of white dragons battle the giants to keep them from growing too powerful. Woe betide the people of Khorvaire if dragon and giant ever set aside their ancient vendetta and join forces!" In light of the story of Xen'drik, what details could you imagine about this conflict? Why are ice dragons battling frost giants on the south pole of the world, 40,000 years after the sundering of Xen'drik? And what's the potential in this idea of joining forces?

Jabez Phommarath Fontaine

It’s mentioned that the Undying Court can join their spirits into a gestalt force to protect Aerenal from invasion, plague, and natural disaster. How would you envision that force manifesting? Empowering their followers, manifesting literal avatars to battle, etc. Reading about the Valraean Protectorate in Exploring Eberron made me think about that. Thank you!

Carlton Anderson

IME, a cult dedicated to the Shaper of Nightmares is trying to get their hands on a Dhakaani dream key (uul'kur) that has recently been found in the ruins beneath Sharn. If the cult were A) able to acquire it and B) able to deliver it to a person or place that allowed Val Gultesh to access the Region of Dreams through it, what sort of impact might that have on the Uul Dhakaan, Dal Quor, and any quori unfortunate enough to come into contact with the Overlord as a result?

Andre Soares

Hi! Secrets of Sarlonna says that denizens of the planes that come through breaches in wild zones can't leave the zones by any method (page 18), but the book also says that edgewalkers create a buffer zone that's a mile wide from a wild zone to have clear view. If no outsiders can pass trhough a wild zone, what are the dangers the wild zones can inflict in to Sarlonna?

Jaxson Lueb

In Exploring Eberron, Mabar is described as consuming parts of other planes and pulling them into the Hinterlands of Mabar., while Irian repairs the damage by creating a new section for the Plane. How extensive is the damage cause by Mabar, does it consume an entire Layer, as EE describes that these consumed sections become new layers for Mabar, or do multiple sections become a new layer?

Inquisitor Thomas

In the February Q&A vod one of the questions you answered was how to make a great and interesting villain, which tended to focus around moral complexity and deep backstories, but notably that doesn’t apply to a large chunk of the late game high level threats of Eberron (Lords of Dust, Dalkyr, and the Dreaming Dark), so how do you make them great villains?

OHeyItsRick

What suggestions would you give to someone wanting to play a shifter Druid? Specifically focusing on Circle of the Moon (trying to emulate the Moonspeaker from 3e), and who heralds from The Glooming region of the Reaches.

John Barleycorn

What are the critical elements of Eberron when homebrewing Eberron for other systems in terms of mechanics? I asssume: 1. Dragonmarks 2. Mechanical framework for wandslingers 3. Rituals/cantrips and magewrights 4. Warforged, Changelings, Shifters, etc 5. Some kind of Artificer class/archetype anything else? Thanks!

Matt Dance

What do non-Chosen/Inspired Riedrans believe and/or know about the planes? Particularly due to the presence of wild zones, it seems they would simply be a matter of common knowledge. But on the one hand, the Quori strictly control what the populace is allowed to know. And on the other, the Edgewalkers would seem to need more accurate and substantive knowledge of the planes in order to police wild zones effectively. While on the third hand (yay, DnD!), the Quori likely don’t want the Edgewalkers knowing *too* much about the planes, either! Just curious how you see these dynamics working.

Spike Hemphill

More asking your opinion I was wondering if Bullywugs becoming fey in MM 24 might be appealing to you and possibly for more story opportunities in Eberron ? While making all goblins or Worgs fey really doesn't fit Eberron or at least in my version of Eberron, Bullywugs never had strong role in Eberron, I have seen them sometimes being placed in Lhaazar, Shadow Marches, or Droaam but that's basically it. I have tried adding them to Grung society in the Shadow Marches as presented Chronicles of Eberron but I didn't think it fit. They are called Amphibious Appreciators of Marsh and Muck, fey embodiments of swamp who believe their cosmic purpose is to protect the marshlands. Their new art is fun and whimsical. I am not sure if they would better as Thelanis Fey, Local Fey, or humanoids with a strong fey connection. Not asking for a full article or spot light, I am just curious if this new interpretation of Bullywugs might be appealing?

Peter S.

Hi! In a campaign focused on the dreaming dark, what are foes that the party could face? Dreaming dark influences mostly humanoids, but I would like to have some variety besides humanoids with psionic powers. thanks!

Ben

I have a question about paladins. When ppl think paladins + Eberron, Thrane comes to mind almost immediately. But I am curious about paladins from Karrnath. Karrnath is a powerhouse of martial might, it stands to reason they would utilize/deploy paladins in their ranks. I've been scouring your blog and materials but either I missed it, haven't found it, or there isn't much information on this topic. Curious what your thoughts are.

Jarrod Taylor

Did either Karrn or Galifar expect to have the reign that they did? Any cryptid prophecies from a coven of witches/hags or guided by a disguised fiend or dragon? Was greatness presented to them as an opportunity or thrust upon them as a burden?