Homebrew Dragon Species Details

Dragon Player Characters

A proud bronze dragon, bristling and ready to fight, leaps into the air. Bearing a paladin rider aloft, the two of them speed towards the invading demons, prepared to emerge victorious or die. The forest stirs, trees straining, as the great green dragon flies overhead. In its wake, it leaves a trail of dead enemies, choking on the vile corruption that blossoms around them. A mysterious stranger offers to aid a group of adventurers, joining them for a time on their journeys. Is she a sorcerer? A warlock? Or something else entirely?

DRAGONS ARE AMONG THE MOST POWERFUL, MAGICAL, AND frightening creatures in all of fantasy. They are so emblematic of the genre that the creators of the game put them right in the name! And modern fiction is full of all sorts of dragons — dragons as sidekicks and mounts, friendly dragons as protectors and companions, and the occasional scheming dragon antihero. They run the gamut of protagonists, villains, and everything in between. Whether they are subtle schemers, ferocious brutes, lofty idealists, or just in it for the treasure, a dragon can be a tremendous asset to any adventuring party. These rules allow you to create and play a dragon as a player character, starting with your dragon's basic racial traits. Only dragon characters can earn levels in the dragon class, which allows you to improve your already-formidible abilities. A special dragon-only background, foster wyrmling, can help explain why you are adventuring with humanoids. Power, Personified Every culture has its own mythology of dragons — terrifying serpentine monsters that trigger some of humankind’s oldest and most primitive fears. Modern tales of dragons depict no savage predators, however. Massive, armored, and ferocious, dragons are also keenly intelligent, long-lived, and magical. They lead lesser monsters, breathe elemental destruction upon those who displease them, and even demand sacrifices from mere mortals. These are the traits of power, in all its forms. Even the dragon’s hoarding of wealth is a representation of a form of power. From a human perspective, dragons are the pinnacle of evolution and the supreme creatures on the material plane. Dragons agree with this assessment. 

Chromatic and Metallic

Myriad dragons inhabit the world, from the lung dragons of the far east to the dragon turtles of the vast oceans. But ten species in particular stand out: the so-called “true dragons.” The benevolent metallic dragons see themselves as stewards or shepherds, using their might to protect and enlighten lower creatures. Many are curious about humanoids and fond of traveling, and they are more likely to take a direct interest in the magical arts. Despite their kindhearted nature, they are still dragons, proud and miserly. Metallic dragons can get along well with others and make good player characters. Chromatic dragons are almost universally evil; their greed and malice outmatched only by the foulest of fiends. These are the fearsome villains that terrorize the countryside, slaying for sport and seizing whatever treasures they find. And yet, there are exceptions; occasionally a chromatic dragon may turn towards the path of good. Some may have a bit of metallic blood in their ancestry, others perhaps had a life- altering experience in their youth, or even a religious conversion. These chromatic dragons face a constant struggle against both their own dark nature and the rightfully placed prejudice of humanoids everywhere. Such a dragon would be wise to join a band of adventurers.

Legends and Lairs

Dragons are typically monsters, residing in well-guarded lairs, waiting for the PCs to come and slay them for treasure. But there are also plenty of tales of dragons taking an active role in the wider world, becoming adventurers themselves. A silver dragon might assume the form of a wood elf to aid in a war against evil dragons. A young gold dragon may travel the world in the guise of an old man, meting out justice. A green dragon may be an agent for a local thieves’ guild — hoping in time to assume control of the whole operation

Dragon Traits

You can make a dragon quickly by following these suggestions. First, Strength should be your highest ability score, followed by Constitution and Charisma (in either order). Second, choose the gold dragon species. Third, take the foster wyrmling background. Fourth, take your first level in the dragon class, selecting the History and Insight skills.

Ability Scores.

+2 to STR, +1 to CON, and +1 to CHA.

Alignment

Alignment. As powerful creatures who are not afraid to express themselves and impact the world around them, dragons tend away from neutrality and towards the extremes the alignment scale. Although each dragon species has a typical alignment, dragon player characters are exceptional members of their species and may have any alignment.

Creature Type.

Creature Type. Your creature type is dragon, which renders you immune to effects that do not affect dragons, such as the charm person and hold person spells

Size.

Size. Dragons your age can be up to 25 feet long, with a 30 foot wing span, and weigh 2000-6000 lbs. Your size is Large. Your carrying capacity is double that of a Medium character, and your food and water requirements are quadruple.

Speed.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you can fly at a speed of 60 feet. Your dragon species (below) may grant you additional movement speeds

Darkvision.

Darkvision. As supreme predators and frequent cavedwellers, dragons have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Natural Armor.

Natural Armor. You can't wear manufactured armor, but your scales give you an armor class of 14 + your Dexterity modifier

Natural Weapons.

Natural Weapons. You have a -5 penalty to attack with manufactured weapons, but your physiology allows you to make the following unarmed strikes.

• Bite. Your bite deals 1d10 piercing damage.
• Claws. Your claws deal 1d6 slashing damage.
• Tail. Your tail deals 1d8 bludgeoning damage.

Breath Weapon.

Breath Weapon. As an action, you can exhale deadly energy in an area. Each creature in the area must make a saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier). A creature takes 2d6 damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful save. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. The area, damage type, and saving throw ability are determined by your dragon species (below). You can use your breath weapon once, regaining the expended use when you finish a short or long rest.

Damage Resistance.

Damage Resistance. You are resistant to the type of damage dealt by your species' breath weapon.

Languages.

Languages. You speak Common and Draconic. Draconic is one of the oldest languages, often used for important magical writings. It contains many hard consonants and sibilants, making it difficult for lesser creatures to master.

Species (Variant).

Species (Variant). Choose a dragon species from the next section, which will grant you additional traits