The Mark of Handling.
The Mark of Handling is a dragonmark that grants those who bear it powers helping them to calm, care for, and control various animals. It is carried by the humans of House Vadalis, who dominate the breeding and trade of livestock and magically enhanced animals.[1][2][3][4]
House[]
A griffon rider bearing the Mark of Handling upon her brow.
House Vadalis carries the Mark of Handling in its bloodline and through its Handlers Guild controls the breeding and training of both mundane livestock and more exotic pets and beasts of burden throughout Khorvaire. Those of the house who are unmarked often take up professions as breeders, animal handlers and drivers.[1][2][5][4][6] Thanks to its dragonmark, many talented druids have arisen amongst the house. Moreover, its members have been able to domesticate even the most exotic and difficult beasts, not just horses but hippogriffs, griffons, and bulettes, though it is no less dangerous.[5][4]
Powers[]
This dragonmark grants a primal bond with both animals and the natural world,[5][4] helping those who bear it to better persuade and pacify beasts. They are often wise and have good intuition for natural matters,[4] giving a knack for animal handling[1][4] or knowledge of nature.[4] They may also learn an array of magical abilities as they advance and their mark grows.[1][7][4]
From top to bottom: the least, lesser, greater, and Siberys Marks of Handling.
The regular or least Mark of Handling gives the bearer the ability to calm aggressive and agitated animals, or charm or befriend animals, or even communicate with animals, but only one of these once a day.[1][4] A prodigy with this dragonmark may use this power twice a day and also cause animals to become enraged or grant nature's favor to an animal.[8] More advanced bearers might extend these abilities to bestial but non-intelligent monstrosities[4] Alternatively, the bearer may recruit a small animal messenger or summon a steed, while a beast they ride or keep as a companion is quicker and harder to hit in battle and will use its powers when bidden.[7]
The lesser Mark of Handling instead grants the bearer the power to mentally dominate and control animals or enchant their natural weapons, once a day[1] An adept with this dragonmark may also grant nature's favor to an animal or magically teach one tricks, and use their powers twice a day.[8]
Meanwhile, the greater Mark of Handling allows the bearer to cause animals to increase in size or to summon mighty beasts and creatures of the wild and elements to briefly do their bidding, again once a day[1] A visionary with this dragonmark may transform an animal into a dragonblood beast or gain the mark of the wild so that no animal will attack them.[9][10]
Finally, the Siberys Mark of Handling allows an heir of Siberys to summon mightier creatures or even bestow intelligence and self-awareness on a mindless creature, also once a day.[11] With the feral mark, which appears jagged and angular, the bearer has more luck in handling animals. Furthermore, they may expend the power of their dragonmark to enhance the strength and agility of themselves and their allies for an hour, with the lesser mark affecting one ally and the greater mark affecting all allies in 60 feet (18 meters).[12]
A spellcaster such as a druid, cleric, or wizard or even warlock may also learn many of the above powers and others as regular spells, including animal friendship, aura of life, awaken, beacon of hope, beast sense, calm emotions, conjure animals, dominate beast, and speak with animals.[4]
History[]
Numbering only a few families at the time, the human ancestors of the Vadalis family migrated from the west to the northeastern Eldeen Reaches and settled there some 2,000 years ago. It wasn't until two centuries later that the Mark of Handling first appeared upon their descendants.[14][15][16][5] It provided the settlers with protection from the numerous wild beasts of the land, and so they saw it as a gift bestowed by the gods of the Sovereign Host, one that helped them flourish in a harsh land. From them, House Vadalis would grow.[15][5]
Rumors & Legend[]
According to tradition and legend alike, the Mark of Handling is associated with the month of Dravago, which occurs in late spring.[17][18][19]
Magic Items[]
The following magic items are made using the powers of the Mark of Handling and function only for its bearers:
- Collar of the wild bond: Made with dragonshards attuned to the Mark of Handling, it allows one with a lesser mark who can dominate animals to do so freely.[20]
- Scepter of wild dominion: This enhances the powers of Mark of Handling and extends them to magical beasts.[21]
- Stern handler's wraps: Gloves that aid in controlling the most dangerous and monstrous beasts.[22]
Spells[]
The following spells have special effects or options for those bearing the Mark of Handling:
- Dragonblood beast: This transforms an animal into one with dragon-like traits for longer and with stronger scales.[10]
- Leap into animal: This lets one meld with even an unwilling animal.[23]
Availability[]
House members with the least dragonmark may be hired as animal handlers on a daily basis for around 12 gp per day.[24]
Members of House Vadalis in high favor in the house may be permitted free use of another member's Mark of Handling, of least, lesser, or greater level.[25]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Eyes of the Lich Queen
Novels & Short Stories
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
The Delirium Stone
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 12, 63–64, 91. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 21, 23, 39. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 29, 42. ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 234. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 89. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 88, 90. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 138. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 139. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 81. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 140. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 88. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 172, 225. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 239. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 37. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 130. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 33. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 261. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 263. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ Eric Cagle (July 2009). “Bazaar of the Bizarre: Dragonshard Items” (PDF). Dragon #380 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 69.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Stephen Schubert, and Chris Thomasson (2005). Magic of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 97–98. ISBN 0-7869-3696-7.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 121, 124. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 90. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.