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There were a number of questions about how I'd use gem dragons and dragonborn in this month's questions thread, and what started as an IFAQ grew expanded as I wrote to the point that I decided to call it a Dragonmark instead of an IFAQ. However, I am still planning to write another Dragonmark article later this month, and given the number of possible contenders in the questions thread, I'll be posting a poll to determine the topic. 

Meanwhile, Threshold patrons, we'll be getting going on the next session soon. Due to last poll we will be playing out the events that have happened in Kala's absence, and we will be creating two new player characters. I don't intend to rush this process; we may have a new character in time for the next session, but I don't consider that to be a priority. 

Thanks for your support! 

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Dragonmarks: Gem Dragons, Gem Dragonborn, and Gith!

As time permits, I like to answer interesting questions posed by my supporters. This month, a number of questions circled around the same topic-how would I integrate gem dragons and gem dragonborn into my Eberron? In adding anything new to the setting, by question is always how it makes the story more interesting.

Comments

Anonymous

Hey Keith I was wondering if the gem greatwyrm had any ideas about his echoes (as mentionned in Fizban) if so do the echoes reflect different dnd settings, differents realities or different planes?

keithbaker

I don't love the idea of draconic echoes and don't use it in my campaign. For me, it feels weirdly limiting. If there were only a hundred dragons in existence—if they were all epic, mythic beings—that's fine. But in Eberron, dragons are mortal creatures with a civilization and a nation; there are thousands of dragons in Argonnessen, and the idea that every one of them has an epic echo in every reality seems weird. Add to that the point that I'm saying that Gith Eberron didn't have metallic or chromatic dragons and that they reproduce in a completely different way--which means that Gith Eberron didn't have echoes of all the dragons on current Eberron. And if two versions of Eberron don't have the same dragons, than why or which would appear in other settings? I'm OK with the idea that you could have a handful of "Lynchpin dragons" who appear in every reality, but even there you'd have to account for the fact that if Rhashaak or Vvaraak existed in Gith Eberron, they'd have been ascended gem dragons, so quite different from their current counterparts. Short form: *I* ignore the draconic echoes concept and just say that Greatwyrms represent the ultimate draconic ascension. But don't let that stop you from using it if you like it!

Anonymous

Sorry for another question but I’ve got to ask… Do Githyanki Knights ride Gem Dragons? In the standard Monster Manual the Red Dragon and the Githyanki are arguably equals or at least different power structures, while in Eberron it seems like the Gem Dragons are the clear superiors since they used to be Githyanki that achieved enlightenment/apotheosis, it’s like if once Jaela became Speaker of the Flames he started giving a Paladin piggyback rides into battle.

keithbaker

The key is the relationship between Githyanki and dragon. When Gith ride gem dragons into battle, it's not like a knight riding a horse. It's more the way dragons are presented in Naomi Novik's Temeraire books. The dragon is choosing to serve; it respects the primary rider (the captain, if you will); and any other riders are much like the crew of a ship. The knight and the dragon are entering battle together, working toward a common goal.