Dragonmarks

A dragonmark is a magical symbol that manifests on the skin, seeming like a magical tattoo, but they manifest naturally and cannot be removed. A "true" dragonmark is etched in shades of blue, green, and purple so vivid that they appear to glow, although the mark provides no real illumination. They grant the bearer magical powers, related to the type of mark they have.
The first dragonmarks appeared on Khorvaire thousands of years ago, and mysteriously have never appeared elsewhere on Eberron. They only manifest on Khorvaire. Today, there are twelve "true" marks, each one tied to a certain bloodline and race. The families that developed each mark came together in the last several millenia to form the dragonmarked houses, and they now each hold a near monopoly in their respective areas. This affords them tremendous economic and political power, even with the Korth Edicts ensuring that they are officially unaffiliated with any nations or political factions, and prohibiting members of a house from holding land or noble titles.

True Dragonmarks

The Mark of Making presents on humans descended from the Cannith bloodline and is tied to construction, creation and innovation. House Cannith is celebrated for its inventions of magical technologies such as warforged and the lightning rail
The Mark of Sentinel presents on humans descended from the Deneith bloodline and is tied to protection and martial ability. Both during the Last War and through the present day, House Deneith is the most reputable source of personal protection and mercenary services in Khorvaire. The Mark of Hospitality presents on halflings descended from the Ghallanda bloodline and is tied to service of others, food and shelter. House Ghallanda provides the best inns and restaurants across Khorvaire. It remains popular largely due to the strict neutrality of its inns, with governments having no power in a Ghallanda house
The Mark of Healing appears on halflings and is tied to healing wounds, both physical and mental. House Jorasco offers medical services of both mundane and magical natures throughout Khorvaire, and some of its most powerful dragonmarked heirs can even raise the dead.
The Mark of Warding presents on dwarves descended from the Kundarak bloodline and is tied to the storage and protection of material goods and places. House Kundarak controls the majority of Khorvaire’s banking industry and used that status to acquire significant wealth during the Last War.
The Mark of Storm presents on half-elves descended from the Lyrandar bloodline and is tied to weather patterns and effects. House Lyrandar controls the seas and skies of Khorvaire, with the majority of Khorvaire’s ships and all of its skyships belonging to this house. During the Last War, it played an important role in ensuring an adequate food supply through manipulating weather.
The Mark of Detection presents on half-elves descended from the Medani bloodline and is tied to finding immediate threats and preventing those yet to come. House Medani serves as private investigators—known as inquisitives—and profited from counterintelligence operations during the Last War.
The Mark of Passage presents on humans descended from the Orien bloodline and is tied to movement. House Orien provides most courier services and land transport in Khorvaire, but lost its main interchange and thousands of miles of lightning rail during the Day of Mourning.
The Mark of Shadow presents on elves descended from the Phiarlan bloodline and is tied to illusion and stealth. House Phiarlan is renowned for its skilled artisans and entertainers, but secretly provides espionage services through its clandestine branch. Formerly based in Cyre, the house moved headquarters to Sharn after the Day of Mourning. Several decades ago, the Thuranni family split off from House Phiarlan and took with them the house's clientele in eastern Khorvaire, forming their own dragonmarked house, House Thuranni.
The Mark of Scribing presents on gnomes descended from the Sivis bloodline and is tied to written and verbal communication. House Sivis heirs serve as scribes, notaries, and translators. Its message stations are ubiquitous, where an operator can use a speaking stone to send instantaneous messages to other message stations across the world.
The Mark of Finding presents on half-orcs descended from the Tharashk bloodline, along with humans holding the same half-orc ancestry. This mark is tied to locating and tracking valuables and people. House Tharashk, based in the Shadow Marches, provides prospectors, bounty hunters, and inquisitives. It frequently contracts with Droaam to hire monstrous races.
The Mark of Handling presents on humans descended from the Vadalis bloodline and is tied to raising, breeding and communicating with beasts and monsters. House Vadalis is known for its exceptional magebred mounts and other exotic animals, but also offers a wide range of practical services including ranching and animal training. It is constantly experimenting and refining new breeding methods.

Aberrant Dragonmarks

Dragonmarks have existed for thousands of years, always carried predictably through certain bloodlines and granting positive powers. However, another kind of mark exists—the aberrant dragonmark. Unlike true marks, aberrant marks can manifest on anyone, regardless of their ancestry. Their powers are destructive, unpredictable, and hard to control, and their bearers are universally feared and reviled.