Homebrew Half Dragon Species Details

Born of dragons, as their name proclaims, the half dragons walk proudly, secretly, or both through a world that denies their existence. Some are faithful servants and family to true dragons, some live average lives of non-dragon-related races among average people, and still others find themselves adrift, with no clear calling in life and little to no understanding of their true nature.

Secret Dragon Kin

Half dragons have the full appearance of their nondragon parent's race or the mix of their nondragon parent's race and that of their dragon parent's shifted form (child of an elf and a dragon in human form would be a half elf). They lack wings, horns, or a tail until their dragonic blood has matured and their dragonlike nature embraced. At this time their heritage is revealed, and they can develop all, some, or none, through which they occasionally gain special abilities. They tend to be a touch taller than the average member of their nondragon race, and their hands and feet are mostly average though their nails naturally grow at sharper angles reminiscent of claws.

The blood of the dragon parent's particular type runs very strong through a half dragon. They sometimes grow scales at later ages that match those of their parent—red, green, blue, or white, lustrous black, or gleaming metallic gold, silver, brass, copper, or bronze.

 Half Dragon Names

Half Dragons are born looking just as any other child of their nondragon parent's race and whatever form the dragon parent took or takes in society, so recieve names consistent with their nondragon race.

Half Dragon Traits

The majority of your draconic heritage does not manifest until triggered during the age of a young to juvenile dragon (between 16-50 years old; see Forgotten Realms dragon aging), at which time you age 1 year for every 15 and begin to develop traits of you dragon parent's type.

Ability Score Increase

You have +1 to Wisdom, +1 to Charisma, and +1 to Strength

Darkvision

You have 60ft of darkvision

Age

Young half dragons grow at the standard rate of their nondragon parent's race. Their draconic blood matures to capability of physical expression between 16 and 50 years old, at which time, upon being triggered, they age 1 year for every 15 and begin to develop the more draconic physical traits. So few exist that their average lifespan is unknown.

Size

Half dragons are generally taller than the average member of their nondragon parent's race but are classified as that of your nondragon parent's race. Having a human parent would make you a medium creature, while a gnome or other such race would make you small or large, depending on your parentage.

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 damage resistance and breath weapon (gained at level 4) are determined by the dragon type, as shown in the table.

Draconic Ancestry

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

Damage Resistance

You have resistance to the damage type associated with your draconic ancestry.

Emerging Ferocity

As your draconic self ages, it effects your physicality. At level 2 you gain a +2 bonus to Constitution, Strength, or Dexterity.

Dragon Blood

Your dragon blood has reached maturity and is beginning to express itself, matching the type of your draconic parent. At level 8, roll a d4 to determine how it is expressed: 

1. Wings

2. Tail

3. Vision of the Ancients

4. Frightful Presence

 

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.