Homebrew Deep Dragonborn Species Details
The ancestors of dragonborn hatched from the eggs of chromatic and metallic dragons. One story holds that these eggs were blessed by the dragon gods Bahamut and Tiamat, who wanted to populate the multiverse with people created in their image. Another story claims that dragons created the first dragonborn without the gods’ blessings. Whatever their origin, dragonborn have made homes for themselves on the Material Plane.
However occasionally there are dragonborn born of the lands of the underdark deep underground. These dragonborn are typically adorned with purple-tinted scales of many shades, and instead breathe nightmare-inducing spores, unique to their type. Their ancestry is traced back not to the mighty dragons that fly high over land, but the ones that skulk in the deep beneath it.
Dragonborn look like wingless, bipedal dragons— scaly, bright-eyed, and thick-boned with horns on their heads—and their coloration and other features are reminiscent of their draconic ancestors.
Dragonborn Traits
Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Medium (about 5–7 feet tall)
Speed: 30 feet
Deep Dragonborn Traits
As a Deep Dragonborn, you have these special traits.Breath Weapon
When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one of your attacks with an exhalation of a cloud of spores in either a 15-foot Cone or a 30-foot Line that is 5 feet wide (choose the shape each time). Each creature in that area must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 plus your Constitution modifier and Proficiency Bonus). On a failed save, a creature takes 1d10 psychic damage. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage. This damage increases by 1d10 when you reach character levels 5 (2d10), 11 (3d10), and 17 (4d10).
You can use this Breath Weapon a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.
Damage Resistance
You have gained resistance to Psychic damage from a lifetime spent among the nightmare spores of your kin.
Superior Darkvision
Accustomed to living deep underground, you have a superior Darkvision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 120 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.
Blindsight
The dragons that dwell in the deepest caverns no longer need their eyes at all. You have Blindsight with a range of 30 feet. Within that range, you can effectively see anything that isn't behind total cover, even if you're blinded or in darkness. Moreover, you can see an invisible creature within that range unless the creature successfully hides from you.
Draconic Flight
When you reach character level 5, you can channel draconic magic to give yourself temporary flight. As a Bonus Action, you sprout spectral wings on your back that last for 10 minutes or until you retract the wings (no action required) or have the Incapacitated condition. During that time, you have a Fly Speed equal to your Speed. Your wings appear to be made of the same energy as your Breath Weapon. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest.
Nightmare Breath
Also at 5th level, your breath weapon's spores cause your targets to see horrifying visions. When you use your breath weapon you may choose to forgo the damage for all targets and instead cause them to be Frightened of you until the end of your next turn. Once you use your Nightmare Breath, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.
Hoarder of Magic
The dragons that dwell underground prize magic and magical items over all else, and some of that desire remains in you. Once per long rest you can cast the Detect Magic spell without expending a spell slot.
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