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September Questions Thread (Patreon)

Published:
2023-09-03 15:00:53
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Greetings, Patrons!

I'm at PAX West in Seattle. If you’re here, drop by the Twogether booth in the tabletop area and say hi! I’m over COVID and finally catching up from the chaos of the last few months. It’s still going to take a while until I’m back at full speed, but I’m planning on having another exclusive preview from Frontiers of Eberron for you soon, as well as another AMA and the next session of the Quickstone campaign. In the meantime, let’s get some more questions!

As always, I will not be able to answer every question; simple questions are the best questions. If I can answer a question in five minutes here, I'll probably answer it. If it would take significant research or an hour of work to answer a question, I probably can't. Feel free to ask questions that didn't get answered in a previous month, just know that I won't be able to get to them all... and if there's a question I've skipped over a few times it means that I need focus to answer it and I haven't had that focus. In addition, I will only answer one question per patron. You can ASK more than one, because one may be easier for me to answer than another, but I'll only answer one.

Thanks again for your patience and support throughout this difficult time. Hopefully that light at the end of the tunnel isn’t an oncoming lightning rail!

Files

Comments

Ben

Do you see the river elves culture of half-elves/Khoravar around Aundair and Thrane as having influenced or been the original source of House Lyrandar? I know Lyrandar first arose in Thrane. Five Nations first introduces the river elves group in Fairhaven of half-elves/Khoravar who still trade between Aundair and Thrane. In the “Explore Fairhaven” 4e Dungeon articles by Chris Sims (Dungeon 170, 173, and 175), he expands on this to say that the river elves are descended from migrant Tairnadal elves who settled around Scions Sound and mingled with Sarlonan settlers. The River Elves now ply the waterways of the sound and the Aundair River. Sharing the excerpts from that article below for context.

Maia's Game Room

I'm wanting to start a campaign in Sharn, but since it's such a large and detailed place, would you recommend I start the players as being from outside the city? So they can learn about it slowly but surely.

Jarrod Taylor

The articles for Taer Lain Doresh incorporate hag-created scarecrows to guard the fortress. Where are scarecrows (animate or mundane) most common in Khorvaire and does anywhere have a pumpkin/turnip jack-o-lantern custom?

Earth Seraph Edna

One concept I would like to introduce in my game is the idea that 1,500 years ago, a large population of Pyrineans fled the Sundering by traveling to Daanvi. They petitioned the pseudo-mechanical immortals for asylum, but they were also fascinated by the Infinite Library, and requested open access to it. After long and arduous negotiations, the Daanvian immortals agreed, but only under the condition that the Pyrineans would create a civilization on Nymm for 1,500 years and carry out whatever social experiments the Daanvians demanded. (Additionally, the moon naturally shares the Plane of Truth trait, so nobody can lie at all.) Is this a plausible scenario, and if so, what sort of social experiments would the Daanvians attempt on these mortals?

Inquisitor Thomas

How would you use the Giant Scions from Bigsby’s Glory of the Giants in Eberron? Would they be ancient titans from before the Titan’s Curse, or something else?

Not Mordakhesh

A Cannith artificer vs a Cannith wizard. How might their attitudes/theories about magic differ? And if I choose to be a Cannith wizard, what schools of magic might be favoured the most? And what different role would wizards and artificers have in Canniths big projects? Creation forges, heavy artillery etc. Would it make much of a difference to say an artillerist artificer vs evocation wizard played a heavy role in the design of blast disks and other arcane weapons? Transmuter vs alchemist in the creation of potions. Battlesmith vs abjurer in the creation of docents. etc

Jesse Riggins

What is the "Kilroy Was Here" of Eberron? What is some common graffiti found either in Sharn or all over Khorvaire?

Richard Flynn

What do think are the implications of a returning Sul Khatesh avatar on Arcanix and Aundair?

Jessie Harris

Where do you see the Helm of Teleportation in Khorvaire, a Rare magic item that can cast teleport up to 3 times per day? Teleport does have a risk of going awry, but if there are known teleportation circles already that risk goes away. You’ve stated in the past that the most reliable teleportation in Khorvaire (in 5e) came from roaming Orien Heirs who use their once per day Teleportation Circle. I imagine Orien would want to use these helms for their reliability, but what are your thoughts?

Eric Smith

Are the Daelkyr part of the Draconic Prophecy or outside of it? Do they care?

Peter S.

In a campaign against the Dreaming Dark, assuming a Tier 3 campaign. What could be some possible endgame scenarios for defeating the Dreaming Dark? Is it a good idea to have the turning of age on the table?

Micah Peltier

Repeat from last month: what times and places in the near (or far!) past would you find interesting to run a campaign? Or is that not something you would find interesting at all (if so, why not?)?

Afghanis Tan

All of four of the surviving nations of Galifar have a national anthem in the book Five Nations. After having checked Exploring Eberron, I can't seem to find anything on if Cyre had a national anthem at all. Can we get details on the Anthem of lost Cyre?

Zachary Butler

I haven't found much on the mainland of the Lhazzar Principalities outside of Taer Lian Doresh, but it seems like such a large area. Who/what do you think lives there?

Zac Luchette

Hi Keith! If time, cost, license restrictions, etc weren't a concern, and you could make it as long as you wanted, what book, supplement, or other creation would you most like to write/publish?

Zac Luchette

Is there anyone you dream of collaborating with?

Chris

With several of the religions of Eberron there are diametrically opposed factions. The Blood of Vol has The Emerald Claw, the Silver Flame has The Pure Flame AND the Shadow in the Flame, and even the druidic sects have extremists like the Ashbound. Would there ever be, in your mind, a Cult of the Dragon Below that was a force for good? I know the lore doesn't say the DM has to twirl his moustache each time he mentions them, but they feel inherently evil. Must be the overlord smell.

Spike Hemphill

1.the Dhakaani Empire did build statues despite their brutalist style, it was only to celebrate heroes or was some artistic merit behind it? 2. If Devourer of Dreams was destroyed but the age didn't turn, how would Dreaming Dark handle the power vacuum. Would they wait for Devourer to regenerate. Would they find a replacement or would be a power struggle with all Karalaqs? 3. Which nation has best shrimp fishing? 4. What did the Dhakaani think of gold? I know adventurers must find gold in their ruins but did the Dhakaani actually value it?

dirDav3

Hi Keith! I have several questions I'm going to lay out. 1) The silver flame is the combined force of couatl soul energy, basically. Let's say Illmarrow helped do the Mourning. Her job was to produce an effect that kills everyone it touches by wrenching the soul free of the body. Let's then say she collected each and every soul killed by the mist in this manner. I know her 3 primary goals are to regain her mark, become the new queen of death over Dolurrh, and take vengeance on aeranal and the dragons. I don't have a specific question, I'm just not sure where to go next with this hook and wonder if you have any thoughts. 2) If gnomes originated from Thelanis from Pylas Pyrial as called out in Chronicles, wouldn't they not dream either, like elves and warforged? For that matter, why do elves (and by extension gnomes, following my logic) even have souls that would go to Dolurrh? I would think that if you were inherently disconnected from 1 plane like Dal Quor, that you'd also be disconnected to all of them, Dolurrh included. 3) (my preferred question of the month if i were to choose) Is the intention with husksteel that it's a whole soul (or several whole souls depending on what's being made), or would you be splitting a soul in some cases if you only needed so much of it at once? What are the implications of resurrection if a soul is turned into an object this way? Could a powerful NPC learn to create and work with husksteel or is this a uniquely Smith of Shadows thing?

Marcus

Hi Keith :D - Would you happen to have a pitch for an alchemical eldritch machine?

Will Buck

I'm glad to hear you're feeling better! I am still interested in learning more about any of the following topics: 1) Chivalric orders of the Five Nations. 2) Any thoughts or details about Starilaskur. 3) Additional information about Karrnath's Ministry of the Dead. 4) Additional information about the Nine Brothers of Night, or any other of the archfey of the Moonlit Vale. Thank you!

EllieSF

Very quick question, does Cyre have a national animal? Correction, *did

Khadorek

If the potential of an Apex mark of death caused the dragons and aereni to ally, what would its inverse provoke if it were discovered? What is the potential of an Apex (Nadir?) Aberrant mark?

MajorTotoro

Given Fey have existed forever, how did the Dhakaani deal with the Fae? I was rewatching the Greyfinger session, as I plan to use him soon on my game, and the thought crossed my mind that the previous Dhakaani inhabitants must have also have to deal with him, or at least be aware. But that's just context, main question would be how Dhakaani culture would have dealt with Thelanian creatures and manifest zones.

Jesse Williams

1.I am reading through your old articles and I saw one that mentioned the Hammerfest Dwarves in the Demon Wastes. They sound very fascinating, would you ever elaborate on them like you did with some of the various gnome societies? 2. I see a lot of fans in there games running a campaign where a brand new dragonmark emerges and it got me wondering, if you HAD to create a brand new dragonmark, what ideas would you have? 3. I like Kalashtars but I'm a bit intimidated by how their behavior and body language is "strange and alien". what tips would you give on roleplaying one? 4. Ok, this will be a long one. In the past/in books, you mentioned how someone could "hack" the silver flame to use its power without faith. Also, if I remember correctly, the "faith" component of the silver flame is that you must believe what you're doing is for the greater good of humanity. Finally, regardless if the common people of Eberron know it today or not, the silver flame starts with a non- divine being (the couatl), with all of this information, could someone, maybe even a seeker of the blood of vol, use the silver flame? they'd definitely be a social pariah on both sides, but they'd believe they're serving the greater good ( unlocking the divinity within) , yet would only be using the flame as a tool, thus not be relying on a deity. would any of this crazy idea of mine work? a blending of two completely different divine powers.

Shogunbirds

I don't remember when this was exactly but a while ago you mentioned how after publishing Frontiers Of Eberron: Quickstone that you would begin development on a new setting and shift your focus over to that, with that said QUESTION: What is the current theme(s) you have in mind for the new setting? I believe I remember something about fae/fae magics being a big part of it, if I'm correct, is that still true or has that changed?

Marcus

Alternate Question: How would alkiliths fit into Eberron? By default they are living portals to horrifying realms that can superficially appear as slime/fungus; my first instinct being to turn them into extensions of Xoriat.

yh park

Hi Keith. I like the idea in the Exploring Eberron book that Droaam uses the teeth of dangerous beasts as currency. But here comes a question - "If there was a bounty on dangerous beasts, couldn't these teeth just be exchanged for gold coins somewhere - perhaps at a government office controlled by the Warlord of each region? I don't think it would help anyone to have gold coins mixed in with other types of currency on the market." After hearing this thought, I couldn't help but be curious: What do you think, Keith?

Jessie Harris

Are there any traditions or customs specific to the Order of the Emerald Claw?

Chris

Would someone who was killed in action while serving in the King's Dark Lanterns have that designation inscribed on their tombstone or memorial? Or are the identities of the Dark Lanterns kept secret even in death?

Jabez Phommarath Fontaine

I know only one question can be answered, but I’ve put my top three here to choose from: -It’s been mentioned that automated farming implements exist in the setting, but what kind (I assume not tractors)? In addition, with the existence of these advanced implements and Lyrandar Storm Spires, how does Karrnath (or any nation for that matter) suffer from major famines? -Stereotypes regarding different arcane focuses. Wandslingers use wands, rods, and staffs while most magewrights use their tools. But there are other arcane focuses in 5e (crystal, orb, or a component pouch is usable as well). How are these incorporated into the Five Nations? Does a wizard using a component pouch to cast fireball look like a book-wielding librarian firing a bazooka to the common layman? -How advanced are the Feyspires? We know the City of Silver and Bone was successfully sacked by the Giants, but its survivors spawned the Qabalrin, a civilization potent enough that even the giants of old feared it. Yet in the present day, the City of Emerald Lights is being besieged by Darguun and is seemingly threatened. How much of a threat do these WWI-ish era nations really pose against a spire of the Fey?

OHeyItsRick

So, I don't know if this has been covered previously, but: How do you see it having played out when the Eldeen Reaches split from Aundair? Especially for the nobility that may well have held land there. Did they lose what all they had, or ... ?

Afghanis Tan

Does the ambient magic from the Ring of Siberys permeate on all planes? Or do Siberys Theiry users need to switch to Externalist when on other Planes?

Axelle McNarrow

Hello, I know that magic is an important part of elvish culture, but the Tairnadal and in particular the Valenar warbands give the image of very straightforward wandering warriors, I'm wondering how much of their day-to-day is impacted by magic/magical items ? (Do they uses regular tents, magical ones or, I don't know, a variant of Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion, this sort of things...) Oh also (I know that I should ask only one question but it's kind of an extension of the previous one) Do any of the Valenars uses any sort of flying mounts ?

hyperewok1

What did goblin civilization look like when Karrn and other human forces pushed them to the edges of Khorvaire? Were there post-empire kingdoms or city states, or had they collapsed into even smaller groups?

Jamie Bernstein

A pair of general questions on the Bolatashi; Do they require an input to produce creatures (magic, food?) and is there a limit on the size of the things they can produce, or is that dependent on their size?

Marquis Amon

I've got a question for addaption of the greater marks into 5th eddition, did you have any info on that like what a siberys mark would be in 5e. i've read elsewhere you said lady vol was full embodyment of the mark of death have you considered Whay that would look like for mark of making?

Martin Westerberg

How would you use Zorlan d'Cannith for a game, what sort of hooks would he have? He seems rather undercooked compared to his western and southern counterparts. Also if you played (or heard of) baldurs gate 3, would the shadowcursed lands be like a mabaran manifest zone?

Sims

1.) In 5e, the Artificer Class and Thief Subclass have the ability to eventually gain access to all magic items, even those restricted by class or race. While Eberron is Wide Magic, a PC can reach these levels (14 for Artificer/13 for Thief) and use any magic item, including those that required a Dragonmark. How would you say the Twelve would react to this? With fear? Apprehension? Would they reach out a hand, or attempt to squash them? What if the PC is a Dragonmark, such as a Cannith Artificer hoarding items meant for other Houses? Does one or all the Branches assist them? Hide them? Or turn them over to the Twelve? 2.) One theory/possibility is that the Dreaming Dark influenced the Last War, manipulating the dreams of the younger Wyrnans, including Kaius I. Of course, Kaius I became ("became?") a vampire, and according to Exploring, the Kech Nasaar leaders were cut off from their shared dream by turning into vampires, influenced by Erandis Vol/her line. Could Kaius I's conversion to vampire ironically have set him towards his path to peace? By attempting to turn him into her unwitting servant, could Erandis Vol have freed him from the influence of the Dreaming Dark?

Jamie Gardiner

Hi Keith, been holding in my September question until I had one good enough and to be honest I need your help with some things to do with my current campaign! So my Party are Level 8 and running through a reworked version of the Shadows of the Last war adventure from 3.5e (I've rejigged it for their level and 5e) and are currently just in Rose Quarry (Since Whitehearth is marked on the Khorvaire map now I'm having that puzzle reward them with an entrance code). Anyway, since they're level 8 they should be getting noticed a bit, and have done some interesting things. They are mostly (with a couple new joinees) working for Morgrave University (Flamewind in particular) and so are mostly Sharn based, I'm wondering on ways I could have them involved with more upper Echelons of society and who or what would be noticing their antics at this point! I've never gotten a campaign this far before and would appreciate your input!

The Indie Fox

Sorry for posting the wrong question you told me to move from the Age of Monsters Q&A to here before. Here's the take 2 actual question: The Kech Draguus is interesting because they're tied with Gold Dragons who can notably manipulate dreams. How does Kech Draguus utilize this ability? How do the Keepers of the Dream feel about it? What was the process of the Kech morphing into their more draconic theme? Do we know what they were before they became tied with Gold Dragons? (Spitball of Questions to suit a general theme, not asking all of them of course just clarifying my intent with the questions) Thank you!

Jimmy Kedge

Hey Keith I've got a September question. How did warforged citizenship work, after the events of the thronehold treaty they where given citizenship but how did that play out. Did they still have to apply for it through the system, did they just have it immediately granted by the leader of said nation. Was there a month long process of giving each warforged a proper citizenship registry (I know how the base citizenship system works but how was it applied to warforged)

Simon

If you had to rewrite Baldurs Gate 3's main story and origin characters as characters from Eberron how would you change them and would you change any of their races/ give any marks?

Earth Seraph Edna

What sort of plot hooks could be made between the Tairnadal and Riedra? Elves happen to be ideal agents against the Dreaming Dark due to their lack of dreams (even if most elves are completely unaware of this. Should a Tairnadal become aware of the quori in Sarlona, it seems plausible for them to be struck with the idea of emulating their patron ancestor by toppling *another* tyrannical empire tied to Dal Quor. How feasible would it be for a Tairnadal army to arrive in Syrkarn and start raiding the Riedran border fortresses?

Inquisitor Thomas

In Exploring Eberron one of the suggested class ideas for a Kalaraq Kalashtar was a conjurer who summons spirits bound by your Kalaraq spirit, but how did the Kalaraq bind those spirits in the first place: Do spirits dreams or are these spirits that the Kalaraq collected in a previous cycle before Dal Quor was cut off? Also a less serious note: Do Kalaraq toss around their eyes like Pokeballs? Is there a Kalaraq spirit who dreams of being the very best like no one ever was?

Boodle

Late to this but if you catch this, here's my question: you mentioned before that monsters like gnolls and such live in the five nations and I have many questions relating to that but currently my biggest question is: how do monster civilians of Breland feel about their nation's actions again Droaam? I'm sure some don't care but curious about the ones who do care? How do they feel? Do they wish Breland to leave the nation alone or would they be more likely to plead with Droaamites to come back into he brelish fold? And how do they feel about their king? I imagine liking Boranel is difficult for a monster with Droaam family members

craigrkennedy

Hi Keith, I did a quick search through a bunch of lore and couldn't find an answer to this. What is the dragon's relationship with the Silver Flame? Not the Church of the Silver Flame, but the actual Kalok Shash/Silver Flame/Binding Energy of Sacrificed couatls. I can't remember if you've said you worked on/agreed with this one, but Dragons of Eberron says "The draconic faith acknowledges three divine forces: the Progenitors, the Dragon Gods, and the Sovereigns.". That seems a little lacking... I would think that with the dragons big schtick being thwarting the release of the overlords, who are bound by the silver flame, and their ancestors having fought alongside the couatls who became the silver flame, that it should factor into their religious beliefs more significantly. Or maybe they view it entirely pragmatically, and it's just a construct that binds fiends and can be tapped as a source of power, but no need to in any way worship it?

Daelkyr Devon

Hey Keith, I'm thinking about doing a Planescape/Spelljammer blended campaign set in Eberron, and I had a weird question about the Astral Plane (as presented in Chronicles) and Siberspace, and how they interact. To my understanding, the Astral Plane wouldn't be accessible via Siberspace PHYSICALLY, rather, MAGICALLY. I almost am thinking about it as the Astral Plane is to Siberspace as the Border Ethereal is to the Material Plane, and that if you were to say, shift to the Ethereal plane while in Siberspace, you would simply shift to the Astral Plane, and vise versa. But that's just how I'm rationalizing it, I'm curious if you had a different layout in mind. Essentially, if I had a Brelish Spelljammer, how might I travel from Eberron, to Siberspace, to the Astral Plane, to the Moons, to Kythri, etc.

Patrick Nielsen

With the name of Tira Miron's sword being spelled "Klojner", how do you imagine it would be pronounced? Closer to "Cloy-nur", or perhaps - borrowing from the the Mayan language K'iche' - closer to "Clochr-ner", given its connection to couatl? Or something else entirely?