Homebrew Dragonkin Species Details

Proud Dragon Kin

Dragonkin look very much like humans at first glance but their faces, shoulders, back, arms and legs are slathered with scales. Their tails and horns are often always visible, and they take on a more feral appearance while shifting. They are tall and strongly built, often standing close to 6 1/2 feet tall and weighing 250 pounds or more. Their hands and feet are strong, talonlike claws grow from their fingertips and some even walk on bi-pedal legs. The first dragonkin had scales of vibrant hues matching the colors of their ancestors, and while many clans still stick to very strict breeding as to not mix with other draconic lineage there are not many pure-blooded dragon kin in the world.

Self-Sufficient Clans

To any dragonkin their clan is what they are most devoted too. Bringing glory to their clan is the first rule, dishonoring your clan name could mean banishment or even death in some cases. Each dragonkin knows what role they will play in their clan from a young age, and dedicates their time and training too excelling in that role. To desire anything outside of the role assigned to one is often considered blasphemy.

Self-improvement and self-sufficiency of the clan is the second most important law. Dragonkin value competence and aptitude. They despise failure and it isn't uncommon for them to work themselves to near-death in an attempt to succeed.

While many dragonkin aren't inherently opposed to seeking out aid as a last resort, some are appalled by the thought. They have a tendency to look down on other races is they are often considered inferior.

The Dragon Within

 When a dragonkin fully embraces their draconic heritage they can physically transform for a short time.

A dragonkin's form and traits reflect the element they are associated with, these elemental associations act as differentiators for the subraces. The main four subraces are air, earth, fire and water; but there is a fifth  more rare subrace that lies in the association with the celestial bodies:

• Earth Dragonkin are often descended from brown, crystal, and green dragons
• Fire Dragonkin are often descended from brass, gold, and red dragons
• Water Dragonkin are often descended from black, copper, and white dragons
• Air Dragonkin are often descended from blue, bronze, and silver dragons
• Celestial Dragonkin are descended from lunar, solar, and time dragons

While an element has a physical and psychological affect on the dragonkin it is important to note that not all dragonkin are alike in every regard. While air aligned dragonkin are often peaceful and calm, some might still seek out violence, as with any other element.

The Journey Yet to Come

Dragonkin have taken to settling all over the four islands, often residing on one that aligns best with their elements, but still some loners travel across each continent with no regard for the life of a clan dragon.

Dragonkin Names

Dragonkin often go by several names. Their first name is given to them at birth and is typically a placeholder name until they reach adulthood and undergo the Ascensus. Once they've undertaken and succeeded in passing their Ascensus they receive their adult name in draconian as well as a last name derived from the last names of their parents or parental figures in the absence of biological family. They also will go by a clan name which acts as a placeholder last name until the Ascensus and then becomes a way to show association after they have earned their other names.

Dragonkin Names:

Dragonkin Traits

Your dragonkin character has the following traits.

Age

Dragonkin generally mature at the same rate as humans, and reach adulthood around age 18. On average they live to be around 400 years old.

Alignment

Dragonkin tend toward neutrality. However, they do tend to have a proclivity towards the alignment of their respective ancestors as dragon blood still runs thickly through their veins.

Size

Dragonkin stand between 5 and 7 feet tall and average around 275 pounds. Your size is Medium

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

You 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.

Shifting

As a bonus action, you can assume a more draconic appearance. This transformation lasts for 1 minute, until you die, or until you revert to your normal appearance as a bonus action. When you shift, you gain temporary hit points equal to your level + your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 temporary hit point). You also gain additional benefits that depend on your dragonkin subrace, described below.

Once you shift, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or 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.

Draconic Ancestry

You have draconic ancestry. Choose one type of dragon from the Draconic Ancestry table. Your breath weapon is 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)
Brown	Fire	15 ft. cone (Con. save)
Copper	Acid	5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Crystal	Radiant	5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Gold	Fire	15 ft. cone (Dex. save)
Green	Poison	15 ft. cone (Con. save)
Lunar	Cold	15 ft. cone (Con. save)
Red	Fire	15 ft. cone (Dex. save)
Silver	Cold	15 ft. cone (Con. save)
Solar	Radiant	15 ft. cone (Con. save)
Time	Force	15 ft. cone (Con. save)
White	Cold	15 ft. cone (Con. save)

Subrace

Draconic Ancestry shapes each dragonkin both physically and mentally. The five subraces of Dragonkin include: Air, Celestial, Earth, Fire, and Water. Choose a subrace for your Dragonkin.

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 [roll]2d6[/roll] damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one.  After you use your breath weapon, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or long rest.