Just so you know they do a decent enough job explaining the dragonmarks appearing in other races. But before I get into that I want to address your real concern. The Dragonmarked houses haven’t been changed or cheapened. Each Dragonmarked house is still made up of the races outlined in 3e Eberron. The book is very clear on that. There is also a fair introduction to each of the dragonmarked houses, why they’re important, backgrounds associated with dragonmarked houses instead of geographic location, and paragon paths for each dragonmarked house. Also the change to the way the Dragonmarks work makes them a much better representation in game what they are supposed to be in the fiction, which is a /great/ change. I think in the Dragonmark article the writers did a good job of explaining why they changed dragonmarks appearing on new races.

Now in regards to your previous question about dragonmarks. Remember the mark of Siberys and how it would appear on anyone? Expand that concept to regular marks and you essentially have their take on Dragonmarks this edition. Essentially Dragonmarks have been known to appear on the land and creatures as well as people. The PCs are are key figures in the world at a time when the events of the prophecy are coming to a head and the Draconic Prophecy may write itself upon them regardless of their race. It’s not too far removed from what’s already said. We already have the mark of death re-appearing in the fiction, rather spontaneously, and marks already appear on things as mundane as rocks. Having it appear on new races isn’t a huge stretch. Different than the norm, usual, and probably unsettling to everyone of Khovarie, but not a stretch. Think of it as a new kink that defines the current era as a real upheaval.

I think this idea kind of works best if the mark appears in the middle of their adventuring career. There are some interesting stories you can tell.

As far as the 3e Eberron books, if you can find them on sale I’d say pick them up. I’d particularily reccomend the Eberron Campaign Setting and Dragonmarked. For a great history of Eberron pick up Forge of War and Five Nations. And the guidebooks to Sharn and Xen’drik are both excellent if your campaing is going to take place in either of these loactions.

@Vaeron
If you’ve never played in Eberron then the lack of substantial geographic information is a disservice since many of the unique locations in Eberron are so great for adventuring. But I think those details will be covered in the Eberron Campaign Guide.

@DM Doom
I don’t think the setting was raped, but it was certainly diluted. There’s still a lot of great stuff in here, but I think it should remain unique to Eberron and not try to be presented in such a way that any PC in any world can use it.

@Shades
I was very alarmed to learn that any PC could have a Dragonmark when it was announced at least year’s GenCon. I agree that they were fine as originally presented in 3e and allowing any race to have any Dragonmark cheapens them somewhat. I think a lot of hardcore Eberron fans will stick to the old guidelines as a house rule. I think I’m going to recommend this to my group.

That’s more than just a little off. Part of the core of Eberron was an attempt to get away from fantasy worlds structured around the various different religions. Dragon Marks and the great mercantile houses built on those marks was the alternate model they created. That model worked because of the exclusivity of the marks and the blood ties of the people that held them. Eliminating that strikes at the underpinnings of the structure of the world.

Unless they have a really good explanation for the change (we want people to be able to play what they want is not good enough) it’s not something I will be recognizing in my game.

The true test will be the setting guide. Did they utterly remake the setting until it was only recognizable as a shadow of its former self like they did the realms or do they give it a fair translation to 4e without effectively raping it. I really don’t want to see another of my favorite settings ruined so I’m more than a little anxious for the campaign guide to come out. It’ll determine whether or not I give 4e any further funds.

Your review makes it sound like they were more focused this time around, and hopefully will not have that needless repetition of information. Even though I do have DDI and the Char Generator, I will probably buy this book anyway due to complete unfamiliarity with Eberron, whereas I have material dating back to 1988 or so for the Realms.