Homebrew Dragon-Touched beta Species Details

With the power of dragons flowing through them, Dragon-Touched carve a path through life, garnering both scorn and respect from the world around them. The exact origins of the Dragon-Touched is shrouded in mystery, though stories suggest that they're descendants of a group of ancient dragon knights who are said to have found a way to assimilate themselves with their partners in both body and soul. Some Dragon-Touched have direct relationships with true dragons, ranging from faithful servants to master and pupils, while others form or join clans centered around the nature of the draconic being that flows within them. 

Pride in Heritage

Dragon-Touched can almost be referred to as 'reverse Dragonborn', as Dragonborn are often described as dragons in humanoid form, whilst the Dragon-Touched have the appearance of humans who possess draconic qualities. The overall appearance of a Dragon-Touched can vary greatly depending on what category and type of dragon runs within the family. For instance, a family connected to drakes will never develop wings but will normally have a strong physique, while members of a family connected to wyverns will always have wings and are great fliers by nature but will normally have slender to average builds. Scale size, color, wingspan, tail length and build, horns, and most other traits have too great a variety to pin down. 

Pride is something that most Dragon-Touched have plenty of, especially when it comes to their heritage. As such it's normal for them to try and keep the lineage pure by mating with those who possess the same draconic connection. Yet there are those who can set aside this notion or possess pride in simply being connected to such majestic beasts and end up mating. Offspring from these unions will only develop a connection to one type of dragon, which in most cases is inherited from the mother's lineage.

Special Characteristics 

Some Dragon-Touched hold special sway among their people due to traits or abilities obtained from their bloodline heritage. For instance, a family descended from metallic dragons may rarely develop the ability to digest metals and other materials, their jaws commanding an obscene amount of strength to bite and chew through such things. Another example could be that in a more modern setting, Dragon-Touched possessing the ability to resist and use electricity may be able to absorb it as a form of sustenance. 

Inter-Species Mating

Dragon-Touched are able to have children with a variety of humanoid races. Although it's uncommon for them to do so since, with the exception of Dragonborn, it's frowned upon despite most claiming to have no issue with the prospect. Because of this, knowledge of offspring created by such unions is limited:

Since female Dragon-Touched lay eggs, the offspring between them and another race (excluding Dragonborn and sometimes Yuan-ti) will always be a Dragon-Touched. Records also state that the offspring will strongly resemble the father in both build and overall appearance. It's rumored that they may inherit weakened traits or connections from the father, though no evidence of such exists.            
For males, it's essentially the opposite. Offspring between another race (excluding Dragonborn and sometimes Yuan-ti) and a male Dragon-Touched will always be the race of the mother. All records show that the offspring inherits no to very faint traces of draconic influence. However, it appears that they tend to develop stronger physically or have a stronger talent for magic than the average of their race. 

Societal Structure 

While it can differ in how it's organized, Dragon-Touched do have social classes which they are divided into according to their draconic lineage. From highest to lowest, the classes are typically divided as such: True dragons, Lung dragons, Wyrms, Wyverns and Drakes and Lindwyrms, and then most other draconic creatures. This division of classes came about due to the differences in power granted to a Dragon-Touched according to which species of dragon they belong to. Additionally, the higher the class of dragon the less Dragon-Touched you'll find with the blood of said creature flowing through them, which other races took as supporting evidence to the class division. 
It's also not uncommon for Dragon-Touched to create clans, with the formation typically being centered on draconic type (Red dragon vs blue dragon), special traits, or those with the most influence. 

Dragon-Touched can thrive anywhere but prefer to build their settlements and kingdoms in areas that are known to be both beautiful in scenery and rife with monsters of mild danger. Naturally, they value strength, skill, and power, thus the desire to have a source of manageable danger present to keep themselves tempered. And like dragons with their treasure, Dragon-Touched hold respect for qualities of beauty and charm in both people and places, though not quite to the degree of elves. 

DM Notes

If a campaign wishes to have Dragon-Touched descended from creatures normally/sometimes considered to be a type of dragon such as a hydra or sea serpent, the class division they're sorted to is decided upon by the originating strength of the lineage and the average power or ability possessed by those with said bloodlines. Though never placed above those with an ancient dragon bloodline. 

Dragon-Touched Names

Though Dragon-Touched don't have much of any customs when it comes to names, the emphasis of importance is often given to titles, nicknames, and those of respectable positioning. It is believed that names hold power, but only when given rightfully or their meaning is met admirably. 

Male Names: Bryncor, Yinra'l, Grizoa, Hevrost, Schaice

Female Names: Difara, Sarthien, Asuven, Galain, Perfryth'n

Dragon-Touched beta Traits

Your draconic heritage manifests in a variety of traits you share with other Dragon-Touched

Draconic Calling - Claws of the Dragon

Once per short rest.

Starting past the elbows and knees,  your arms and legs become scaled while your hands and feet morph into the claws of a dragon. Gear being worn on these areas temporarily meld with the scales, and held weapons temporarily meld with the claws, effectively disappearing though defensive qualities remain the same. 

Unarmed strikes utilizing your claws deal slashing damage equal to the weapon you were holding. If the held weapon had a special quality, (e.g. ignores resistance to slashing, deals 1d4 fire dmg, etc), your claws have the same quality. Add an additional 1d8 to damage rolls. 

If no weapon is held, your claws do 8 slashing dmg + your Strength or Dexterity modifier. 

Draconic Calling - Form of the Dragon

In combat

• For 1 minute (10 rounds)
  • You gain all traits listed by 'Draconic Influence' (you may only choose one wing type. If a wing type was already chosen, it remains the same)
  • Your walk speed becomes 40ft and your flight speed becomes 70ft
  • You gain 50 temporary hitpoints. Renews when the transformation is extended. 
  • Your size category increases by 1 size.  
  • Your tail attack does 1d8 + Strength or Dexterity modifier. Your claw attacks do slashing dmg (3d6 + Strength or Dexterity modifier). Your bite attack does piercing dmg (3d10 + Strength modifier). You can attack with your horns for 1d8 dmg and the opponent must make a Strength saving throw, getting knocked prone if they fail. 
  • You may use your bonus action to attack
  • You may use your breath weapon once every 3 rounds
  • After the transformation ends, you gain 1.5 points of exhaustion. Before the transformation ends you may extend the transformation by 1 minute up to two times, adding another 1.5 points of exhaustion each time the transformation is renewed. 

Out of Combat 

• For 30 minutes 
  • You gain all traits listed by 'Draconic Influence' (you may only choose one wing type. If a wing type was already chosen, it remains the same).
  • Your walk speed becomes 40 and your flight speed becomes 70
  • You gain 50 temporary hitpoints. Renews when the transformation is extended.
  • Your size category goes up by 1 size
  • You may carry an additional 300 pounds
  • After the transformation ends, you gain 1 point of exhaustion. You may extend the transformation by 30 minutes up to two times, adding another 1 point of exhaustion each time the transformation is renewed. 

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength or Dexterity score increases by 2, and you choose an ability score to increase by 1.

Age

Dragon-Touched age quickly as young, but their growth slows considerably after reaching a certain point. Newborns walk within a month after hatching, they attain the size and development of a 10-year-old human child by the age of 6. From this point, their growth slows and they reach adulthood by 33. They live to be around 400.

Draconic Influence

Not all Dragon-Touched are born the same. The traits they are born with are dependent on the traits that manifested within their parents and the species of dragon they're connected to. 

 

Draconic Trait	Effect
Aerial Wings * (Cannot pick Defender Wings)	Gain a fly speed of 30ft
Defender Wings * (Cannot pick Aerial Wings)	You can use your wings as a shield (+2 to AC)
Dragon Eyes	Gain Darkvision of 30ft
Inherited Resistance	You gain resistance to the damage type associated with your draconic ancestry
Strong Tail	You’re capable of using your tail as an extra attack along with your other attacks. (1d4 + Strength Modifier)
Tougher/Extra Scales	When not wearing armor, your base armor class is 13

 

Size

Dragon-Touched are somewhat taller and heavier than average humans, starting at 6ft with the tallest reaching up to 8ft while ranging from 200 to almost 400 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Draconic Ancestry

You have draconic ancestry. Choose one type of dragon from the Draconic Ancestry table. Your breath weapon and damage resistance are determined by the dragon type, as shown in the table.

Draconic Ancestry

Dragon	Damage Type	Breath Weapon
Black	Acid	5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Blue	Lightning	5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Brass	Fire	5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Bronze	Lightning	5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Copper	Acid	5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Gold	Fire	15 ft. cone (Dex. save)
Green	Poison	15 ft. cone (Con. save)
Red	Fire	15 ft. cone (Dex. save)
Silver	Cold	15 ft. cone (Con. save)
White	Cold	15 ft. cone (Con. save)

Some Homebrew Options

Dragon	Resistance	Breath Information	Breath Weapon
Purple	Fire	Plasma Breath - Bypasses most fire resistance and immunity.	3 by 40 ft. line (Dex. save)
Stone/Crystal	Slashing	Petrifying Breath - Special gas that causes petrification exhaled alongside a blast of force.	15 ft. cone (Con. save)
Lich/Undead	Necrotic	Vile Breath: Spew forth life-sapping black mist	15 ft. cone (Con. save)
Lunar/Solar	Radiant	Divine Breath: Appears pale blue-grey from Lunar and bright yellow-white from Solar	5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)

 

Breath Weapon

You can use your action to exhale destructive energy. Your draconic ancestry determines the size, shape, and damage type of the exhalation. When you use your breath weapon, each creature in the area of the exhalation must make a saving throw, the type of which is determined by your draconic ancestry. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. A creature takes 2d6 damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 5d6 at 11th level, and 6d6 at 16th level. After you use your breath weapon, you can’t use it again until you complete a long rest.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic. Draconic is thought to be one of the oldest languages and is often used in the study of magic. The language sounds harsh to most other creatures and includes numerous hard consonants and sibilants.