The Spellscales
This powerfully built humanoid has a small pair of horns growing from her head, claw-like fingers and toes, and a fine layer of silver scales for skin.
Spellscales are to dragons as tieflings are to fiends or aasimar are to celestials—they are humanoid descendants of draconic bloodlines. Many dragons are capable of interbreeding with other creatures, and their magical nature imbues humanoid lineages for countless generations. Ironically for being descended from such long-lived creatures, spellscales have lifespans equivalent to those of humans. This (relatively) short lifespan gives most spellscales a level of drive and ambition not seen in their dragon ancestors, and most try to make an impact on the world around them.
Spellscales are typically magically gifted and curious, frequently innovating with new spells and magic items. Even those without levels in spellcasting classes possess some magical talents. They tend to live in larger mixed race settlements, rather than sequestering themselves in their own communities. Most spellscales delight in trying as many novel sensations and experiences as possible, and spend at least part of their lives as adventurers. They get along well with other cultures with strong magical traditions, like most gnomes and elves
Spellscales vary in appearance with their levels of draconic traits. All have their namesake scales, but some have clawed feet, tails, horns or other physical markers of dragons. Despite what some prejudiced folk may think, the color of a spellscale’s scales has no reflection on their alignment—metallic spellscales can be evil, chromatic ones are good, and many spellscales have patterns and colors not reflected by true dragons at all. They tend towards chaotic alignments, but even spellscale monks and paladins are not unheard of.
Spellscale Characteristics
Spellscale characters have the following traits:
Ability Modifiers:+2 Str, +3 Cha, -2 Con Spellscales have powerful muscles and personalities, but lack stamina
Medium size: A spellscale gains no penalties or bonuses due to their size. They can range anywhere from 5ft - 7ft tall.
Speed: A spellscale has a land speed of 30 ft.
Darkvision: Thanks to their draconic bloodline, Spellscales gain access to Darkvision, as it is passed down genetically to their offsprings. You can see in dim light within 60ft as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.
Elemental Mastery: A spellscale gains resistance in one damage type associate with their draconic bloodline (Example: resistance to fire if their associated ancestry is that of a Red Dragon)
Spell Ward: They gain advantage on spell saving throws against spells targeted at the Spellscale
Magical Gift: A spellscale gains a single cantrip from the sorcerer/wizard list as a spell-like ability usable at will. All rules for cantrips apply
Artifact Affinity: A Spellscale gains advantage on any Intelligence(arcana) checks to identify magic items and gains proficiency in Arcana if they do not already have it.
Languages: A spellscale can read, write, and speak Common, Draconic, and one other language of their choice. While they have mastered the art of their ancestral language, Spellscales find themselves wanting to understand other cultures.
Alignment: Spellscales have a wide range of personalities, motives, and philosophies, depending on their upbringing and heritage. Though an offspring is generally not responsible for the actions of their parents or even their beliefs, they do occasionally follow the creeds of their ancestry. This makes spellscales very difficult to land on the alignment chart, as many factors influence their perspectives, goals, and philosophies. Your Alignment can range anywhere from Chaotic Evil to Chaotic Good, and anywhere in between, but keep in mind the ancestry of your character and what may influence their beliefs. For example, a red-scaled spellscale may shun the beliefs of their ancestry, but show signs of rash actions and chaotic tendencies.
Alternate Racial Traits For each of the three abilities above, a player may replace any of them with the following traits: Claws: Some spellscales have clawed fingers. A spellscale with this racial trait gets claw attacks that deal 1d4 points of damage. If a spellscale with this trait takes the draconic bloodline or any other class ability that gives them claws, their claws deal damage at one die higher. This trait replaces magical gifts.
Imperious: Some spellscales are imbued with draconic mastery over fear. You gain proficiency in the intimation skill, and gain expertise in it as well. This trait replaces Artifact Affinity.
Draconic Immunities: Some spellscales have the immunities of the dragon type instead of a general protection from magic. A Spellscale increases their resistance to the chosen damage type to immunity. This trait replaces Spell Ward
Spellscale characters have the following traits:
Ability Modifiers:+2 Str, +3 Cha, -2 Con Spellscales have powerful muscles and personalities, but lack stamina
Medium size: A spellscale gains no penalties or bonuses due to their size. They can range anywhere from 5ft - 7ft tall.
Speed: A spellscale has a land speed of 30 ft.
Darkvision: Thanks to their draconic bloodline, Spellscales gain access to Darkvision, as it is passed down genetically to their offsprings. You can see in dim light within 60ft as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.
Elemental Mastery: A spellscale gains resistance in one damage type associate with their draconic bloodline (Example: resistance to fire if their associated ancestry is that of a Red Dragon)
Spell Ward: They gain advantage on spell saving throws against spells targeted at the Spellscale
Magical Gift: A spellscale gains a single cantrip from the sorcerer/wizard list as a spell-like ability usable at will. All rules for cantrips apply
Artifact Affinity: A Spellscale gains advantage on any Intelligence(arcana) checks to identify magic items and gains proficiency in Arcana if they do not already have it.
Languages: A spellscale can read, write, and speak Common, Draconic, and one other language of their choice. While they have mastered the art of their ancestral language, Spellscales find themselves wanting to understand other cultures.
Alignment: Spellscales have a wide range of personalities, motives, and philosophies, depending on their upbringing and heritage. Though an offspring is generally not responsible for the actions of their parents or even their beliefs, they do occasionally follow the creeds of their ancestry. This makes spellscales very difficult to land on the alignment chart, as many factors influence their perspectives, goals, and philosophies. Your Alignment can range anywhere from Chaotic Evil to Chaotic Good, and anywhere in between, but keep in mind the ancestry of your character and what may influence their beliefs. For example, a red-scaled spellscale may shun the beliefs of their ancestry, but show signs of rash actions and chaotic tendencies.
Alternate Racial Traits For each of the three abilities above, a player may replace any of them with the following traits: Claws: Some spellscales have clawed fingers. A spellscale with this racial trait gets claw attacks that deal 1d4 points of damage. If a spellscale with this trait takes the draconic bloodline or any other class ability that gives them claws, their claws deal damage at one die higher. This trait replaces magical gifts.
Imperious: Some spellscales are imbued with draconic mastery over fear. You gain proficiency in the intimation skill, and gain expertise in it as well. This trait replaces Artifact Affinity.
Draconic Immunities: Some spellscales have the immunities of the dragon type instead of a general protection from magic. A Spellscale increases their resistance to the chosen damage type to immunity. This trait replaces Spell Ward
Comments