While the caravan empties into Mithral Hall, Hops gathers the party, who can now add the name “Defenders of the Hall” to their growing accolades, into a private chamber and asks Ander,
“Manling, now is the time to tell us all you know of Cohoreth the Herald, and what Dragonmarks are, especially what an Aberrant Dragonmark is?!!!”
“Ah, yes master dwarf! I have to warn you though, some things you cannot unlearn.
“I hate to tell you this, but we are in some serious trouble. There is a lot to cover, so I will try to be brief. It all started in Eberron, the other World I am from. I travelled from Eberron to Faerun via a portal at Quastarte.
“In Eberron there are twelve remaining dragonmarked houses, I will not list them all here, but they are a big deal. A dragonmark enhances one’s ability to do something, and may even give the user certain spells. However, when two houses produce an offspring together, the marks don’t quite mix. This union produces an aberrant dragonmark. These marks are considered extremely dangerous.
“Before the Last War, there were many more aberrant dragonmarks. Some decided to use this terrible power for evil. One man could produce powerful earthquakes, and the Lady of the Plague could control diseases and vermin. There was a great inquisition, the War of the Mark, which killed many of those with aberrant marks. However, the marks continue to manifest today, less common, and regardless of bloodline. There is but one organization that I know of that uses these marks, and it’s not a good one. I believe that I mentioned it earlier, but House Tarkanan, which is not a real dragonmarked house, has been using these marks for as long as anyone, except maybe those elves over in Valenar, can remember. Tarkanan is secretive in most operations, but back in Eberron, we have men and women dedicated to the truth. These people write day and night in many papers, and publish them for everyone to see. My personal favorite is the “Voice of Beland,” they had a marvelous article on these people. Anyways, Tarkanan is made up of magic-using assassins. I may or may not have had a running in with one back in Sharn. I barely escaped with my life. If it is Tarkanan though, they seem to be using new creatures, perhaps from the Mournland or the Demon Wastes. If not, then maybe, just maybe, it could be a biological weapon from House Jorasco. There were some rumors about that back in Eberron. Though, there were rumors of many things. I truly do not know these are just speculation, but maybe I can study the remains of these “soldiers” and “hounds”. I believe that this is all that I can think of to share, but if you have questions, feel free to ask them.”
“Thank you, Ander Brightiron, for being open and forthcoming with us all. I fear, at this time, you have created more questions than answers for us,” grumbles Hops.