I was thinking about a house rule for the Dragonmarks from Rising of the Last War. Specifically, it is about the "Spells of the Mark" feature, which all dragonmarks have in common. There are two drawbacks:
Only spellcasting classes can make use of it
It does not fit well with the lore, according to which some bearers of dragonmarks are able to do high level magic without having to be a wizard or sorcerer
Here is my solution. I am interested in the opinions of more experienced players.
Instead of the Spells of the Mark feature, bearers of dragonmarks have the option to choose between one of the following features at character creation:
Greater Dragonmark The character is one of the rare bearers of a greater dragonmark. The power and size of the mark increases at certain levels:
Level 4: Get +1 use per long rest of the mark’s associated spells (for example, Misty Step for the Mark of Passage). If more than one spell is provided by the mark’s feature, you have two uses in total which can be used in any combination of the spells. Mark size increases by about 20%.
Level 12: get +1 use per long rest for the mark’s associated spell. In addition, choose one spell from the mark’s spell list (see Spells of the Mark). This is now the mark’s greater spell, with 1 use per long rest. The spellcasting ability is the same as for the mark’s associated spells. Mark size increases by about 50%.
Level 19: get +1 use for each the mark’s spell and greater spell. Mark size increases by about 20%.
Intrinsic power A dragonmark can set its bearer above average people, even if it doesnt give additional spells.
Level 4: +1 Attribute point to one of the mark’s attributes. For example, House Medani can choose between any attribute, while House Tharashk can chose between Wisdom or Constitution.
Level 12: +1 Attribute point to one of the mark’s attributes, as level 4.
Level 19: +1 Attribute point to one of the mark’s attributes, as level 4.
Public Mod Note
(Davyd):
Moved to Homebrew & House Rules
The issue with that is that you are essentially giving free ASI's to a subrace choice. Which, to be honest, would be fine if every player in your group had that choice.
What I did in my campaign was to create homebrew feats. I made the following: "Enhanced Dragonmark", "Greater Dragonmark", and "Siberys Dragonmark". Doing the power increases as feats levels the balance among all players, mark or no mark. It represents the character's dedicated training to the magic of their mark. If you were to transcribe your above power bumps to feats, I would do the +1 in addition to the spell benefits.
thanks for the feedback, but please note that these are alternatives. You either get the additional spells for your spell list, or the additional spell, or the attribute dots. I'm not sure with the last one especially, could throw off attribute dots balance.
ASI stands for “Ability Score Increase” which PCs get at various class levels.
Thanks for clarifying!
After reviewing my design goals, maybe the following simplified version is more appropriate and balanced:
Spells of the Mark (Homebrew):
Choose one spell from the table below. Starting from a class level depending on the level of the spell, you can cast it once with this trait (Class Level = [Spell level -1]*2). You regain the ability to cast the spell when you finish a long rest. You can choose a spell you already gained from this dragon mark, giving you essentially a second charge per long rest. The spellcasting attibute is the same as for other class features of this dragon mark.
If you have the Spellcasting or the Pact Magic class feature, instead of choosing a single spell and receiving a charge per long rest for it, you can opt to add all the spells on the table to the spell list of your spellcasting class. The spells are treated as other spells of your class, using your classes spellcasting attribute.
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Hello,
I was thinking about a house rule for the Dragonmarks from Rising of the Last War. Specifically, it is about the "Spells of the Mark" feature, which all dragonmarks have in common. There are two drawbacks:
Here is my solution. I am interested in the opinions of more experienced players.
Instead of the Spells of the Mark feature, bearers of dragonmarks have the option to choose between one of the following features at character creation:
Greater Dragonmark
The character is one of the rare bearers of a greater dragonmark. The power and size of the mark increases at certain levels:
Level 4: Get +1 use per long rest of the mark’s associated spells (for example, Misty Step for the Mark of Passage). If more than one spell is provided by the mark’s feature, you have two uses in total which can be used in any combination of the spells. Mark size increases by about 20%.
Level 12: get +1 use per long rest for the mark’s associated spell. In addition, choose one spell from the mark’s spell list (see Spells of the Mark). This is now the mark’s greater spell, with 1 use per long rest. The spellcasting ability is the same as for the mark’s associated spells. Mark size increases by about 50%.
Level 19: get +1 use for each the mark’s spell and greater spell. Mark size increases by about 20%.
Intrinsic power
A dragonmark can set its bearer above average people, even if it doesnt give additional spells.
Level 4: +1 Attribute point to one of the mark’s attributes. For example, House Medani can choose between any attribute, while House Tharashk can chose between Wisdom or Constitution.
Level 12: +1 Attribute point to one of the mark’s attributes, as level 4.
Level 19: +1 Attribute point to one of the mark’s attributes, as level 4.
The issue with that is that you are essentially giving free ASI's to a subrace choice. Which, to be honest, would be fine if every player in your group had that choice.
What I did in my campaign was to create homebrew feats. I made the following: "Enhanced Dragonmark", "Greater Dragonmark", and "Siberys Dragonmark". Doing the power increases as feats levels the balance among all players, mark or no mark. It represents the character's dedicated training to the magic of their mark. If you were to transcribe your above power bumps to feats, I would do the +1 in addition to the spell benefits.
Hello,
thanks for the feedback, but please note that these are alternatives. You either get the additional spells for your spell list, or the additional spell, or the attribute dots. I'm not sure with the last one especially, could throw off attribute dots balance.
I'm also not sure what ASI means. ;)
ASI stands for “Ability Score Increase” which PCs get at various class levels.
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Thanks for clarifying!
After reviewing my design goals, maybe the following simplified version is more appropriate and balanced:
Spells of the Mark (Homebrew):
Choose one spell from the table below. Starting from a class level depending on the level of the spell, you can cast it once with this trait (Class Level = [Spell level -1]*2). You regain the ability to cast the spell when you finish a long rest. You can choose a spell you already gained from this dragon mark, giving you essentially a second charge per long rest. The spellcasting attibute is the same as for other class features of this dragon mark.
If you have the Spellcasting or the Pact Magic class feature, instead of choosing a single spell and receiving a charge per long rest for it, you can opt to add all the spells on the table to the spell list of your spellcasting class. The spells are treated as other spells of your class, using your classes spellcasting attribute.