Appearance
In general, dragonborn are reptilian humanoids with features such as scales, claws, tails, and draconic snouts. With appearances taken from the great Dragons of Mythology, they can be found in 10 distinct lineages, each with a different hue and distinct features. Silver dragonborn, for example, have shining scales and tend to have a grand sail fin that extends up their spine onto their head as a crest. Meanwhile, blue dragonborn have rougher scales, deeper eye sockets, and can sport a large, rhinoceros like horn on their snout, though this feature is much rarer than a silver's fins.
Some rare and lucky few have even been seen with wings, though it is unknown how many were born with these, and how many were granted them in some kind of secret ritual.
Description
Mysterious Origins
The dragonborn have existed as a known species since records began, meaning they were either created during the Archonomachy, or even lived before it. The question of who made them has been the subject of debate for centuries; the most commonly accepted view is that they were created by
Kiderha, who wished for children that could walk amongst mortals instead of always flying above them as protectors.
Another, blasphemous, theory posits they were created by the Dragons themselves - sacriligious for the suggestion that any beings other than the Gods could create life from nothing. Even wilder ideas include them being the children of dragons breeding with mortals, or that they are actually the dragons of old hiding in plain sight!
Proud & Independent
Regardless of their origins, Dragonborn tend to be proud folk eager to prove themselves as individuals, without needing to stand in the shadows of mythical beasts. They are known to push themselves harder and to greater extremes than perhaps any other species, as though demanding attention from the very Gods of Creation. This determination is admirable when reaching for the heights of the world, where they serve as unflinching guardians for their communities, but terrible for crueller dragonborn, for they will descend just as low in their attempts to demonstrate their "worth".
Preyed Upon Subjects
Dragonborn have suffered greatly over the years due to monster attacks that seem to target their kind more than others, and in The Republic Mage's desperation to recreate the dragons of long ago, the dragonborn suffer more. They are kidnapped and experimented on, twisted and stolen from. This is all done in secret of course, so dragonborn only ever have their suspicions to act on. Recently, as more “half-dragon” creatures show up tensions have increased, with dragonborn becoming more isolated and preferring to move away from cities over time.
Religion & Politics
The Dead Mother
Dragonborn very rarely show faith in the same way that other species do, for the God they would pray to died long ago.
Kiderha does often serve as inspiration, however, as many dragonborn join factions and religious orders where they might best protect the weak.
Father of Monsters
Fidain seems to dislike the dragonborn as much as he did the true dragons of old, for isolated draconic clans will often find themselves beset by serpents far more often than the settlements of other folk, so much so that some dragonborn have begun to actively seek out his shrines hidden throughout the world to deface and destroy them in retaliation.
Republic of Ósa
From the commoner's perspective, Dragonborn are well loved by the Republic and welcomed wherever they are. They regularly ascend to positions of power, either as physical protectors or naturally gifted mages. And while there are plenty who have made a beloved home here, there is an undercurrent of unease that the common folk may not notice. Sudden disappearances are not uncommon, and who can say whether that individual was taken, or simply moved away to join a clan of their kind somewhere in the mountains?
Kingdom of Praelos
Thanks to their physical might and draconic confidence, dragonborn are truly welcomed in Praelos as warriors and leaders. Distrust of The Republic in recent decades has also led to a gradual migration, with some dragonborn seeking out "safer" lands, or wishing to get their own back against the mages who are suspected of harming their kin.
Mechanics
Dragonborn - General
All dragonborn share the following traits:
Size: Dragonborn are taller and heavier than humans, standing well over 6 feet tall and averaging almost 250 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed: 30ft.
Languages: You can speak Common and Draconic
Draconic Ancestry: You have a draconic "ancestor", granting you a special magical affinity. Choose one kind of dragon from the Draconic Ancestry list. This determines the damage type for your other traits, as shown below:
- Black or Copper: Acid
- Blue or Bronze: Lightning
- Green: Poison
- Red, Brass, or Gold: Fire
- White or Silver: Cold
Breath Weapon: When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one of your attacks with an exhalation of magical energy in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus). On a failed save, the creature takes 1d10 damage of the type associated with your Draconic Ancestry. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage. This damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).
You can use your Breath Weapon a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest
Draconic Resistance. You have resistance to the damage type associated with your Draconic Ancestry.
Dragonborn - Chromatic
Chromatic dragonborn - Black, Blue, Green, Red, or White - have the following traits:
Ability Scores: Str +2, Cha +1
Chromatic Warding: Starting at 5th level, as an action, you can channel your draconic energy to protect yourself. For 1 minute, you become immune to the damage type associated with your Draconic Ancestry. Once you use this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.
Dragonborn - Metallic
Metallic dragonborn - Brass, Bronze, Copper, Gold, or Silver - have the following traits:
Ability Scores: Cha +2, Str +1
Metallic Breath Weapon: At 5th level, you gain a second breath weapon. When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one of your attacks with an exhalation in a 15-foot cone. The save DC for this breath is 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. Whenever you use this trait, choose one:
- Envervating Breath: Each creature in the cone must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or become incapacitated until the start of your next turn.
- Repulsion Breath: Each creature in the cone must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed 20 feet away from you and be knocked prone.
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