I recently dipped this subclass for story reasons and I wanted to know how all of you flavour your dragon scales / powers. What do they look like if anything?
The two spells I took were shield and absorb elements.
This seems like something to discuss with your DM. Planning things like that can lead into narrative reasoning for why such flavor is the case in the future and can be important.
That being said, the powers can manifest however you want really. Does half your body become covered in scales? Does your face begin to take a draconic shape? If you are a warforged, do you get an upgrade that attaches a tail? Maybe its a tattoo that looks like a dragon. Does your draconic element manifest itself somehow? Like you drooling minorly acidic saliva, being able to see your breath as if it were cold, Having an unnaural amount of static build discharge when you touch a metal surface? It can really be whatever you want.
If you don't want to change your character's normal appearance you could also consider a spectral aspect, i.e- when using their powers, or resisting damage they are cloaked in a spectral dragon form with horns, bony armoured plates etc., lasting as long as the spell does, or just for an instant if using their unarmored AC or something quick.
Another alternative is the "Bilbo freak out" from Fellowship of the Rings, where you look perfectly normal until something triggers the momentary appearance of scales, fangs etc., like two different beings in a single body, which could also come out while attempting Intimidation or such.
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There is the ability to have the changes become more pronounced as you level. Think of levels 1-5 as you have some unknown charisma, perhaps just always had an easier time convincing people all your life. Perhaps your nails grow a bit quickly and you don't seem to get as fatigued/hurt as easily. Had a slight fascination with an element and a color that you like to hold when resting as you connect to it easier when you meditate. (hit points and regaining spell slots)
Then levels 6-11 you find a stronger connection to an element. Feeling a higher need to wish to use that particular element more often as it comes more easily and more powerfully. Might start hinting a bit about a strong draconic influence in you as you become more and more powerful, using spells that seem to awaken something in your blood and if wanted to take more things you like about dragons to start cropping out. Such as your shoulder blades having small growths on the bone (hinting for level 14 when you can sprout wings) maybe you start to get a nub at your tailbone and slowly grow a small or slender tail. People start to question a highly pronounced mysticism in your eyes (perhaps looking like a dragons and being incredibly vibrant of the mettallic or chromatic anscestor) Your forearms or legs start to shift in shape, maybe digitigrade legs, or more pronounced forearms. Maybe your dragonborn companion does a little side by side about how it happened. Or an npc comes by and makes a comment. "Half-dragonborn? I didn't even know it was possible!"
Level 14. Get them wings out, bedazzle them. People will notice them and unless you want to hide your amazing dragon bloodline, you will have them out. Because wings are useful in this game, and dragon wings.
Maybe at 14 you may stick with what you got, or slowly start looking up Abashai of your dragon color/ element and color swap if metallic. Won't be one of those, but at this level of play, you can look like a half dragon all the time or whatever. Could start to have to wrestle control of your former species name as you have to contend with a lot more of the dragon blood that has awakened. Work it into the story or a nice side arch. Seek out a dragon of your scale, and ask some questions. Worst case, awquard family dinner. Best case, dragon ally can help a lot in a region.
Level 18, take on the aspect of your ancestors against the biggest of big bosses. Since your at the spot where your main threat will change the world, and perhaps future games with your friends.
At least in my opinion, your class features sort of have reasons to pop up. Sure can start with it all, but level 1 dragon blood sorceror has maybe messed around with cantrips. level 14 has something different inside them that lets them level a town, or go to a different plane. Even if a dragonborn, there are differences between them and half-dragons, and then to actual dragons.
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I recently dipped this subclass for story reasons and I wanted to know how all of you flavour your dragon scales / powers. What do they look like if anything?
The two spells I took were shield and absorb elements.
This seems like something to discuss with your DM. Planning things like that can lead into narrative reasoning for why such flavor is the case in the future and can be important.
That being said, the powers can manifest however you want really. Does half your body become covered in scales? Does your face begin to take a draconic shape? If you are a warforged, do you get an upgrade that attaches a tail? Maybe its a tattoo that looks like a dragon. Does your draconic element manifest itself somehow? Like you drooling minorly acidic saliva, being able to see your breath as if it were cold, Having an unnaural amount of static build discharge when you touch a metal surface? It can really be whatever you want.
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"Play the game however you want to play the game. After all, your fun doesn't threaten my fun."
If you don't want to change your character's normal appearance you could also consider a spectral aspect, i.e- when using their powers, or resisting damage they are cloaked in a spectral dragon form with horns, bony armoured plates etc., lasting as long as the spell does, or just for an instant if using their unarmored AC or something quick.
Another alternative is the "Bilbo freak out" from Fellowship of the Rings, where you look perfectly normal until something triggers the momentary appearance of scales, fangs etc., like two different beings in a single body, which could also come out while attempting Intimidation or such.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
There is the ability to have the changes become more pronounced as you level. Think of levels 1-5 as you have some unknown charisma, perhaps just always had an easier time convincing people all your life. Perhaps your nails grow a bit quickly and you don't seem to get as fatigued/hurt as easily. Had a slight fascination with an element and a color that you like to hold when resting as you connect to it easier when you meditate. (hit points and regaining spell slots)
Then levels 6-11 you find a stronger connection to an element. Feeling a higher need to wish to use that particular element more often as it comes more easily and more powerfully. Might start hinting a bit about a strong draconic influence in you as you become more and more powerful, using spells that seem to awaken something in your blood and if wanted to take more things you like about dragons to start cropping out. Such as your shoulder blades having small growths on the bone (hinting for level 14 when you can sprout wings) maybe you start to get a nub at your tailbone and slowly grow a small or slender tail. People start to question a highly pronounced mysticism in your eyes (perhaps looking like a dragons and being incredibly vibrant of the mettallic or chromatic anscestor) Your forearms or legs start to shift in shape, maybe digitigrade legs, or more pronounced forearms. Maybe your dragonborn companion does a little side by side about how it happened. Or an npc comes by and makes a comment. "Half-dragonborn? I didn't even know it was possible!"
Level 14. Get them wings out, bedazzle them. People will notice them and unless you want to hide your amazing dragon bloodline, you will have them out. Because wings are useful in this game, and dragon wings.
Maybe at 14 you may stick with what you got, or slowly start looking up Abashai of your dragon color/ element and color swap if metallic. Won't be one of those, but at this level of play, you can look like a half dragon all the time or whatever. Could start to have to wrestle control of your former species name as you have to contend with a lot more of the dragon blood that has awakened. Work it into the story or a nice side arch. Seek out a dragon of your scale, and ask some questions. Worst case, awquard family dinner. Best case, dragon ally can help a lot in a region.
Level 18, take on the aspect of your ancestors against the biggest of big bosses. Since your at the spot where your main threat will change the world, and perhaps future games with your friends.
At least in my opinion, your class features sort of have reasons to pop up. Sure can start with it all, but level 1 dragon blood sorceror has maybe messed around with cantrips. level 14 has something different inside them that lets them level a town, or go to a different plane. Even if a dragonborn, there are differences between them and half-dragons, and then to actual dragons.