Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

(Nancy Kaufman) #1
CHAPTER 4 | THE MARK OF SHADOW 105

The Mark of Shadow ................................................

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— Lady Elara d’Thuranni,
shadow dancer

The Mark of Shadows lets an elf weave illusions
from shadows, crafting sounds and images to
distract or delight. The mark also allows its
bearer to draw on the shadows, making it an
easy matter to avoid detection or even disappear
while in plain sight. It is a valuable tool for an
entertainer, a spy, or an assassin.

THE HOUSES OF SHADOW
The elves have carried the Mark of Shadow for
thousands of years. The families that carry the
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out the Mark of Death and established House
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entertainers in the land, giving them access to all
manner of places and secrets. But the elves do
more than entertain. There has always been an
elite force of spies and assassins within the house.
Common folk know nothing of this. Only special
clients—powerful nobles, merchant lords, and the
like—have access to these shadow-marked spies.
Toward the end of the Last War, a bitter feud
broke out between the major families of the
house. Known as the Shadow Schism, it resulted
in a split withinin Phiarlan—and the foundation
of House Thuranni. House Phiarlan continues to
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west of the Mournland, while Thuranni operates
in Karrnath, the Lhazaar Principalities, and the
eastern lands. As a rule, Phiarlan elves are the
better spies and Thuranni agents are superior
assassins. On the surface Thuranni and Phiarlan
maintain a peaceful relationship, but rivalries
run deep.

DRAGONMARKED CHARACTERS
Here are a few examples of characters who carry
the Mark of Shadow.
House Agent Rogue. You’re a young
agent in House Thuranni. You’ve studied the
performing arts, but you’re far more interested
in the darker side of the house. At the moment
you’re building your skills and reputation as an
observer and investigator, but once you prove
yourself you hope you’ll get to be a player in the
shadow war.
Bard Entertainer. You’re a rising star. Your
performances have already earned you a name
across the Five Nations, and your fame will surely
only increase as you develop your talents. The
house has helped with your career, and they’ve
dropped hints to see if you want to get involved
in the other side of the house, but at the moment
you’re just in this for the music.

MARK OF SHADOW TRAITS
The Mark of Shadow only manifests on elves. If
your character has the Mark of Shadow, this is
their elf subrace.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma
score increases by 1.
Natural Talent.AW]OIQVXZWÅKQMVKa_Q\P
one musical instrument or the Performance skill.
Gift of the Shadows. When you make a
Charisma (Performance) or Dexterity (Stealth)
check, you can roll one Intuition die, a d4, and
add the number rolled to the ability check.
Shape Shadows. You know the UQVWZQTT][QWV
cantrip. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for
this trait.
Slip Into Shadow. You can use the Hide
action as a bonus action, even if you have no
cover or if you’re under observation. Regardless
of whether you succeed or fail, once you use this
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short or long rest.

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