I have an #Eberron question: would a dragon disguised as a member of House Lyrandar be able to pilot an Airship? And how might that look different than a true holder of the Mark of Storms? It's possible to control an airship without the Mark of Storm, its just an ongoing battle of wills with the elemental.A dragon has a strong will, and if the course is straightforward ("Go west 300 miles") it's not that hard or obvious.
— Keith Baker (@HellcowKeith) August 11, 2018
Hah! You beat me to it.
— RutyWoot! #Inclusivity (@RutyWoot) August 11, 2018
If it suits the story, absolutely.
If you’re asking technically, I’d say— it’s a dragon, who taught the giants magic, and presumably had a connection with the Prophecy and is a direct conduit of magic. So, if yes, it probably looks exactly how the dragon wants. The same OR not.
— RutyWoot! #Inclusivity (@RutyWoot) August 11, 2018
You had the better answer, though. :-p Any creature can try to pilot an airship (Per Explorer's Guide) but a dragon or Lord of Dust could easily have a tool that makes it appear to function normally for them. Again, what suits the needs of the story?
— Keith Baker (@HellcowKeith) August 11, 2018
If the course requires constant adjustment, there would likely be times that the elemental would resist, and you'd have a bumpy or unsafe ride. So don't try to pilot the ship through Sharn.
— Keith Baker (@HellcowKeith) August 11, 2018
And I’d even add to that, if the dragon spent enough time among Lyrandar, and had practiced, even another with the Mark of Storms might not notice any difference even piloting through Sharn.
— RutyWoot! #Inclusivity (@RutyWoot) August 11, 2018
Certainly, the critical question is "What's best for the story?" Setting aside willpower, dragons have access to epic level magic and could presumably craft an item or ritual that would allow such control. Ditto for one of the Lords of Dust.
— Keith Baker (@HellcowKeith) August 11, 2018