House Deneith

By James ‘Aelasyl' Abels



In Eberron there are twelve economic powerhouse families. Each of these
families bears a dragonmark and runs guilds associated with the mark's
power.

Some marked individuals can send messages, other cast protective
spells, and yet others can heal wounds. A particular mark only appears
among a certain race and only in certain bloodlines. House Deneith is
one of the houses that have a significant presence in Stormreach: House
Deneith, House Jorasco, House Kundarak, and House Phiarlan.



House Deneith is a family of proud humans that bear the Mark of the
Sentinel. This mark allows the heir to protect a person or an object of
worth. Members of House Deneith can be found scattered across Xen'drik,
using their marks to protect the wonders of ages past and the people
searching for them.



Most of the dragonmarked houses have enclaves in the major cities
across Khorvaire. The Deneith enclave in Stormreach, fondly known as
House D, is similar to a stronghold in form and function. Well
fortified against the dangers of Xen'drik, the enclave ensures the
continued prosperity of Deneith in Stormreach. House Deneith runs three
organizations throughout Eberron: the Blademarks, the Defenders Guild,
and the Sentinel Marshals.

The Blademarks

The Blademarks is a mercenary service guild overseen by House Deneith
heirs. Each prospective Blademark goes through background checks and
rigorous training. Afterwards, he is officially hired by House Deneith
and is put into service as a Black blade. The house then hires out the
blademark and he receives a percentage of the funds as commission. In
exchange for the fees, the blademark is furnished with equipment, food,
room and further training. As a blademark progresses in ranks, he
receives larger portions of the fee paid for his service. Heirs of
Deneith mostly serve as officers and blademark trainers. The Blademarks
also sell the services of non-affiliated mercenaries, including Valenar
cavalry and Darguun hobgoblins. While many are loathe to hire either of
these groups, as elite groups, they draw high prices for House Deneith
when their services are required. Blademarks can be found in small
groups as hired hands for forays into the interior of Xen'drik.

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Defenders Guild

The Defenders Guild is the branch of House Deneith that offers
protection to people. More like a bodyguard than a mercenary, only
heirs of the House can gain entrance into this elite guild. Possible
Defenders must pass numerous tests and have served as a Blademark at
some point. At the conclusion of these physical and mental tests, the
heir is given a writ of the Watchful Eye. This document assures not
only the employer, but other Deneith enclaves that the heir is in fact
a Defender. As a Defender, she is provided with room and board, but
pays 20% of her fees to the House. Typical assignments for beginning
Defenders include escorting important visitors to Stormreach. More
dangerous assignments such as protecting a scholar from the Twelve in
the jungles of Xen'drik are reserved for marked members.

The Sentinel Marshals

The last major organization run by House Deneith is the Sentinel
Marshals. Chartered by King Galifar III, the Sentinel Marshals may
cross national borders to pursue criminals and return them for trial.
Even though the nation of Galifar is now divided, the Sentinel Marshals
charter is still legal, and they may return a fugitive in a rival
nation to the place of the crime. Only the most trusted and respected
Deneith heirs are permitted to join the organization. As they travel in
pursuit of justice, they bear the honor of their house. Any member who
abuses his power is stripped of his name and power and expelled from
the house. Sentinel Marshals are employed by the various nations to
pursue criminals the nation's authorities could not otherwise
apprehend. While not part of Khorvaire, Stormreach was once a pirate
safe haven, and many still flee to the city. Sentinel Marshals can be
found tracking criminals and escorting them back to Khorvaire.

Presence in Stormreach

While running all these organizations, House Deneith actively
participates in Stormreach and Xen'drik in other ways. They assist the
city guard in enfo href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Exclusive_Screenshots&id=House_D_NPC&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php"> alt="House Deneith NPC"
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the law and oversee outposts and fortifications. Within the enclave,
many members of the house actively seek out non-affiliated mercenaries
in assisting Blademarks, Defenders or heirs of Deneith. The depths of
the sewers beneath Stormreach--and in particular the Deneith
enclave--are home to various reptilian humanoids. The docks in the
eastern part of the enclave offer adventurers travel to Three Barrel
Cove or Sorrowdusk Isle, home to many monstrous creatures. Finally,
Alciana d'Deneith recruits groups to help retake Stormcleave Outpost
from a giant general and his army.



House Deneith stands firmly between the dangers of Xen'drik and the
relative safety of Stormreach. But even a powerful dragonmarked family
can be stretched thin at times. Adventurers should strongly consider
heeding the call of House Deneith and help protect Stormreach.