The dragon adopts a kindredbond, which is a member of one of the three vassal ancestries (dwarf, elf, and gnome). This character has the statistics of a standard member of the ancestry and class the player chooses. The alignment of the kindredbond is always the same as its dragon, and the level of the kindredbond is always three less than the level of the dragon to which it is bonded. A kindredbond is tied to the dragon, usually acclimated to the dragon’s presence around the time of its hatching, until it is ready for be accepted by the dragon when it takes this feat. The dragon and the kindredbond participate in a ceremony overseen by a representative of the Council of Wyrms or the dragon’s clan, and at the end of the ceremony the two are bonded.
This bond is metaphysical and carries no connotations other than servitude of the kindredbond to its dragon master. The dragon knows where its kindredbond is at all times, and can detect thoughts as per the spell on their kindredbond whenever it desires and from any distance. The two share a telepathic communication link while within 120 feet of one another.
The kindredbond cannot knowingly commit an action that endangers its master, though the dragon feels no such compunction in turn. While the kindredbond can debate and communicate with the dragon, it generally acquiesces to any command that does not subject it to grievous bodily harm. In certain situations, the Dungeon Master may allow the player to take direct command of their kindredbond in order to go into locations where the dragon might not fit. The kindredbond follows the dragon into combat if so ordered, but the death of a kindredbond carries some risk for the dragon.
Should a kindredbond die, even if it is later raised from death, the dragon suffers an immediate level of exhaustion that lasts for a period of one month and cannot be removed by any means. Further, allowing a kindredbond to be slain costs status among other dragons, even chromatic ones. After all, if a dragon cannot protect their possessions, do they deserve to
have them? Should your kindredbond die due to old age or because you forsake or release them from this bond, you do not suffer this penalty. Instead, you may petition a dragon of authority (be it a Council of Wyrms representative or a figurehead from your clan) to grant you leave to adopt another kindredbond. This kindred may be a relative of your previous one (there are dynastic families of kindredbond raised for this purpose) or any other suitable kindred you select. Only dwarves, elves, and gnomes may typically be selected for kindredbond. With special Dungeon Master dispensation, you may consider other ancestries as your kindred, but it must be a humanoid creature of Small or Medium size. Attempting to adopt a human as your kindredbond will invite scorn from the Council and your clan, due to the enmity between humans and dragons.
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