I and my DM are trying to figure out what to do with my character, who is a 3rd level fighter at the moment. A couple of sessions ago my character drank a bit of a potion he found and it permanently made his hand into a drake claw. I kept the potion and now I have found the ingredient that makes the transformation non-permanent, so now my character will randomly turn into a drake. The only part I can control is my hand, as I was already used to having it that way. So I have a couple of questions on how to implement this mechanically and roleplaying rise. First, how should I learn to control my transformations? Should I get taught by a Druid or maybe a lycanthrope? The story is pretty dragon heavy so I could get taught by a dragon as they do know shapeshift. Also, how should this be implemented mechanically? Should it just be the rules of Druid Wild shape but I only have one transformation, or should it be more like lycanthropy or the spell polymorph. Next, what type of "triggers" should I have, I feel like there should be something that makes me transform involuntarily, maybe the sight of blood requires me to rule a dice. Finally, what type of drake should I transform into? in 5e there are the guard drake and the ambush drake, but both of them seem somewhat weak to me. I found the Rage Drake from 5e, but that seems like it would be too overpowered for a 3rd level character. So yeah, I have a strange situation and I am just looking for any tips on how to deal with it.
That said, have some fun with it and test all the different ways you have outlined above. I'd ask your DM to run you through some one-scene encounters, a bar brawl, a small ambush, a fire in a building, something the character can manage. Ignore XP. Test the different features out individually. One encounter try a trigger, for example, when you encounter a surface elf you must make a DC 10 Wisdom check or transform into a drake. Or you don't have a trigger, and like you said, consult the druid's Wild Shape class feature. Because your a creature, you can Alter Form at will as a bonus action for one minute. You can end the alteration at any time before that minute (10 combat rounds). Or, you could have the DM make the roll in secret, every morning. Whatever form you get, you have for the day. This could be fun if you're hanging out on the shoulder of another character. Or, you're not the only one this happens to. You are paired with another NPC. When you alter form into a drake, that NPC alters into a humanoid. When you alter form into a humanoid, that NPC takes drake form.
As far as stats go, start with Homunculus first. Test those. See if they work. Also, as you adventure perhaps the drake's abilities, features, and actions mature. At Level 2, you can have the use of a breath weapon (2d6 1/long rest), as an example.
There's a lot you can with it. Play test. Write down what works, what doesn't and when you have figured it out most of it, adventure.
Thanks for the help! I like the idea of my form maturing as I level up. My character is also a halfling, so maybe he could start out as a really small drake but grow as he levels.
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I and my DM are trying to figure out what to do with my character, who is a 3rd level fighter at the moment. A couple of sessions ago my character drank a bit of a potion he found and it permanently made his hand into a drake claw. I kept the potion and now I have found the ingredient that makes the transformation non-permanent, so now my character will randomly turn into a drake. The only part I can control is my hand, as I was already used to having it that way. So I have a couple of questions on how to implement this mechanically and roleplaying rise. First, how should I learn to control my transformations? Should I get taught by a Druid or maybe a lycanthrope? The story is pretty dragon heavy so I could get taught by a dragon as they do know shapeshift. Also, how should this be implemented mechanically? Should it just be the rules of Druid Wild shape but I only have one transformation, or should it be more like lycanthropy or the spell polymorph. Next, what type of "triggers" should I have, I feel like there should be something that makes me transform involuntarily, maybe the sight of blood requires me to rule a dice. Finally, what type of drake should I transform into? in 5e there are the guard drake and the ambush drake, but both of them seem somewhat weak to me. I found the Rage Drake from 5e, but that seems like it would be too overpowered for a 3rd level character. So yeah, I have a strange situation and I am just looking for any tips on how to deal with it.
First, wow, this is a really cool idea...
That said, have some fun with it and test all the different ways you have outlined above. I'd ask your DM to run you through some one-scene encounters, a bar brawl, a small ambush, a fire in a building, something the character can manage. Ignore XP. Test the different features out individually. One encounter try a trigger, for example, when you encounter a surface elf you must make a DC 10 Wisdom check or transform into a drake. Or you don't have a trigger, and like you said, consult the druid's Wild Shape class feature. Because your a creature, you can Alter Form at will as a bonus action for one minute. You can end the alteration at any time before that minute (10 combat rounds). Or, you could have the DM make the roll in secret, every morning. Whatever form you get, you have for the day. This could be fun if you're hanging out on the shoulder of another character. Or, you're not the only one this happens to. You are paired with another NPC. When you alter form into a drake, that NPC alters into a humanoid. When you alter form into a humanoid, that NPC takes drake form.
As far as stats go, start with Homunculus first. Test those. See if they work. Also, as you adventure perhaps the drake's abilities, features, and actions mature. At Level 2, you can have the use of a breath weapon (2d6 1/long rest), as an example.
There's a lot you can with it. Play test. Write down what works, what doesn't and when you have figured it out most of it, adventure.
Thanks for the help! I like the idea of my form maturing as I level up. My character is also a halfling, so maybe he could start out as a really small drake but grow as he levels.