The least, lesser, greater, and Siberys Marks of Death.
The Mark of Death was a thirteenth dragonmark that is believed to be extinct.[1] Originally appearing amongst the Vol family of elves in Aerenal, all bearers of the mark and the family line were wiped out by an alliance of the Aerenal elves and the dragons over 2500 years ago.[2][3][4]
History[]
Along with the Mark of Shadow, the Mark of Death appeared on elves on the island of Aerenal around 3200 years ago.[2][3] While the Mark of Shadow appeared among multiple different elf families, most notably the Phiarlan line, the Mark of Death only appeared to the line of Vol.[5] Along with the Mark of Hospitality, these were the first dragonmarks to appear, an event that drew interest and concern from the dragons because of their connection to the Draconic Prophecy[2][3][5]
The Vol elves were practitioners of necromancy, even before becoming bearers of the Mark of Death. This practice created tensions with the other elves on Aerenal.[6] Around 2600 years ago, the Undying Court of Aerenal discovered that the line of Vol was engaging in secret blood rituals with dragons to produce half-dragons bearing the Mark of Death. The goal of the Vol line seemed to be to create a half-dragon bearing a mark so powerful they could become an avatar of death. In an unprecedented alliance, the Undying Court and the dragons of Argonnessen united to exterminate the line of Vol in a brief and brutal civil war. Every member of the line of Vol, including the half-dragon Erandis Vol and all bearers of the Mark of Death, were killed.[4][5][7]
Legacy[]
The thirteenth floor of the Tower of the Twelve in Korth is left empty to commemorate the lost mark.[8]
While none of the Vol line remain living, Erandis Vol was reanimated as a lich, unable to use her dragonmark.[4]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
- The Lost Mark trilogy
Behind the Scenes[]
- Keith Baker's commentary.
The Mark of Death is one of the few "mysteries" of Eberron in that Keith Baker has stated that the truth of its nature will never be revealed in an official supplement. Keith has stated that the true nature of the Mark of Death, like that of the Day of Mourning, is for the Dungeon Master to decide. In his opinion it would not kill, because dragonmarks are almost universally positive/constructive in their effects, with others involving hospitality, creation, taming, etc. As such, the Mark of Death might do things more along the lines of speaking with the deceased, raising undead, and controlling them (as well as those previously reanimated), or setting undead to rest. He also stated that, in his view, the dragonmark that Lady Vol possessed was not a Siberys Mark, but even more powerful because of her draconic heritage. Essentially, she is a living eldritch machine.[9]
References[]
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 224–225. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 36–37. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 296. ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 64. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 174. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 249–250. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 83. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Baker, Keith (18 April 2012). Dragonmark 4/18: The Mark of Death. Retrieved on 25 September 2021.