Are you a loyal heir to a noble house who proudly wields the magic woven into your blood? Perhaps you bear a mark that defies tradition, pulsing with power no one expected? Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, releasing December 9, introduces 28 new feats that explore one of Eberron's greatest mysteries: dragonmarks!
Inside its pages, you'll find new Dragonmark feats that represent your connection to one of Eberron's family lines—or to otherworldly influences. You'll also discover greater dragonmark feats that signify the growing power of your dragonmark and a new Epic Boon feat for when you manifest the pinnacle of your dragonmarked abilities.
Read on to learn more about these arcane gifts that bring power, prophecy, and legacy!
What Are Dragonmarks?
A halfling healer touches a dying man; the mark on her forehead blazes with blue fire as his wounds close and vanish. A half-orc bounty hunter reaches out with the power of his mark to find his prey. A human artificer touches a creation forge and the symbol on her hand flares as the eldritch machine rumbles to life.
- Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Dragonmarks are mystical sigils that appear on the skin of some people across Khorvaire. Twelve of the known dragonmarks are tied to a specific family line and fuel the wielder's magical talents in a particular area: healing, transportation, illusion, and more. The thirteenth kind of dragonmark—the aberrant dragonmark—can manifest on any individual regardless of family ties, and individuals who bear such a mark threaten to undermine the power structure of Khorvaire.
The families that wield dragonmarks—known as the dragonmarked houses—have used these arcane gifts to shape the very structure of Eberron's civilization. Through careful consolidation and centuries of influence, each house has turned its mark into a powerful monopoly, for example:
- House Jorasco controls the healing arts.
- House Orien dominates overland travel and courier services.
- House Lyrandar's heirs are the only ones who can pilot elemental airships.
A brief description of each dragonmark, how it ties to a house, and the power it provides can be found below:
Mark of Handling
House Vadalis
Strengthens the command and connection with Beasts and Monstrosities.
Mark of Shadow
House Phiarlan / House Thuranni
Bends light and produces illusions to conceal and deceive.
How Do Dragonmarks Work?
In Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, dragonmarks are represented by feats. You can choose a background tied to one of the thirteen dragonmarked houses—or the Aberrant Heir background—to gain a Dragonmark feat at level 1. Or, you can choose a different background and select a Dragonmark feat whenever you gain a new one.
Each dragonmark grants you magical traits that reflect its themes and powers—such as spellcasting abilities, bonuses to checks made with certain abilities or tools, or other unique features. If you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic features, your dragonmark adds spells to your class's spell list, allowing you to channel its power in creative and thematic ways.
Take the Mark of Storm, for example, which can be gained by taking the House Lyrandar Heir background at character creation or any other time you can choose a feat:
Mark of Storm
Dragonmark Feat (Prerequisite: Eberron Campaign, Can't Have Another Dragonmark Feat)
You gain the following benefits.
Windwright's Intuition. When you make a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or an ability check using Navigator's Tools, you can roll 1d4 and add the number rolled to the ability check.
Storm's Boon. You have Resistance to Lightning damage.
Storm Magic. You know the Thunderclap cantrip. When you reach character level 3, you also always have the Gust of Wind spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest. You can also cast it using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells (choose when you select this feat).
Spells of the Mark. If you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic class feature, the spells on the Mark of Storm Spells table are added to that feature's spell list.
Mark of Storm Spells
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Spell Level |
Spells |
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1 |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
Greater Dragonmarks
Dragonmarks have the potential to evolve in potency, portrayed by new feats that represent greater dragonmarks.
To take one of these feats, you must have the matching Dragonmark feat and be level 4 or higher.
For example, you took the House Lyrandar Heir background at character creation, which grants the Mark of Storm feat. At level 4, you decide to take the Greater Mark of Storm feat:
Greater Mark of Storm
General Feat (Prerequisite: Level 4+, Mark of Storm Feat)
You gain the following benefits.
Ability Score Increase. Increase one ability score of your choice by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Improved Intuition. When you use the Windwright's Intuition benefit of your Mark of Storm feat, you can roll 1d6 instead of 1d4.
Improved Storm. When you use the Storm Magic benefit of your Mark of Storm feat to cast Gust of Wind without a spell slot, you also gain a Fly Speed of 60 feet for the duration of the spell.
Beyond representing an evolution of power, greater dragonmarks are recognized by the dragonmarked houses as significant signs of destiny and are sometimes seen as crucial to the unfolding Draconic Prophecy. Choosing to grow your mark not only produces mechanical benefits; it may paint a target on your back or chart your path toward dominion over your house's legacy.
Origins of the Mark
A flicker of electricity runs through your body. As you look down, a sigil burns into your palm—shifting lines and glowing curves that you recognize all too well.
It's a dragonmark, a birthright you've waited for your whole life…or one you never expected to bear. The symbol hums with potential, binding you to the legacy of a house, or to a prophecy older than time. In that moment, you feel the weight of destiny and the spark of power that could change your life forever.
While these strange markings traditionally appear on members within certain family lines, recent years have seen marks emerging on members of all species, which is reflected in the new rules found in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer.
Here are some ways a dragonmark may manifest on your character:
Dragonmarked Heir. You are born into one of the powerful dragonmarked houses—perhaps a halfling of House Jorasco or a khoravar of House Lyrandar. These houses rigorously train their heirs, culminating in a rite of passage known as the Test of Siberys, a trial meant to trigger the mark's manifestation under pressure.
Distant Offshoot. You carry a mark but have no formal ties to the house. Maybe your family splintered off generations ago, or maybe your mark manifested out of nowhere. If the house finds out, expect a knock on your door.
Mark of Prophecy. Your dragonmark defies tradition. Perhaps you're a tiefling with the Mark of Warding, or a dwarf with the Mark of Storms. Some say the Draconic Prophecy guides such manifestations. Others call it heresy.
Aberrant Mark. Houses view those with aberrant dragonmarks as unpredictable and are not trusted. They don't follow house lines and often bring raw, dangerous magic. If you bear one, tread carefully. The houses have been known to eliminate what they cannot control.
Embrace the Power—and Peril—of a Mark
A dragonmark is a birthright, a burden, and sometimes, a beacon. It can be hidden beneath gloves or flaunted with pride. It can open doors—or mark you for death.
No matter your background, the symbol you bear shapes your future. Will you walk in the footsteps of your house? Or break the cycle and forge a legend of your own?
Pre-order Eberron: Forge of the Artificer and prepare to claim your place in the Draconic Prophecy when the book releases December 9!
Mike Bernier is the Content Marketing Manager for D&D Beyond, where he helps bring the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons to life. When he isn't adventuring across the multiverse in search of his next great story, Mike can be found gaming, hiking with his partner, or cooking something delicious while his dog waits for him to drop a bite.
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Posted Nov 27, 2025Awesome! I'm really looking forward to the dragonmarks!
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Posted Nov 27, 2025I'd also like to direct anyone angry that Eberron's dragonmarks are now feats that anyone can take regardless of species to this post from Keith Baker regarding the revised dragonmarks: https://keith-baker.com/dragonmarks2025/