Homebrew Half-dragon Species Details

Half-dragons are a charismatic blend of strength and grace, inheriting the best traits of their dragon parent. They most often reside among the elves, and can sometimes be found as ambassadors between them and the flights of dragons who claim territories that surround elven cities and forests.

Slender and Graceful

With their unearthly grace and fine features, half-dragons often pass as unusually muscular elves or half-elves. They are somewhat taller than humans on average, ranging from well over 5 feet tall to just under 7 feet. They are stockier than elves, often weighing 150 to 250 pounds. Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females.

A half-dragon's coloration encompasses the normal human range and also includes elven shades of copper, gold, or bronze. Their hair can be any shade, including more unusual tones such as green or blue, metallic, and even vibrant colours such as might be found on their parent's dragonscale hide. Half-dragon eyes are solid depths of colour reminiscent of their dragon parent's nature, anything from forest greens or ocean blues to pools of liquid gold or silver. Half-dragons have no facial or body hair. They do inherit some physical trait of their dragon parent - whether it be patches of feather or scale, horns, claws, or a tail. Some few even grow wings, though this is much more rare. They favor similar hoarding habits to their dragon parent, though on a much smaller scale. Puzzles and riddles are enjoyed by many half-dragons, as they enjoy games of the mind that stimulate thinking and attention to detail. They often hoard trivia as much as they might physical goods.

A Timeless Perspective

Half-dragons can live for centuries, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply. They are more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy - though some are inclined to the more negative traits some dragons display. They tend to remain aloof. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art, half-dragons can be as focused and relentless as the dragons they descend from. They are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They reply to petty insults with disdain and to serious insults with vengeance.

Hidden Woodland Realms

Half-dragons can be found to dwell with elves in small forest villages hidden among the trees. Some reside in mountaintop caverns and fortresses with their dragon relations. Most prefer life on the road, joining adventuring groups to stretch their proverbial wings and see the broader world.

HAUGHTY BUT GRACIOUS

Although they can be haughty, half-dragons are generally gracious even to those who fall short of their high expectations—which is most non-dragons. Still, they can find good in just about anyone.

Dwarves. “Dwarves are dull, clumsy oafs. But what they lack in humor, sophistication, and manners, they make up in valor. And I must admit, their best smiths produce art that approaches elven quality.”

Halflings. “Halflings are people of simple pleasures, and that is not a quality to scorn. They’re good folk, they care for each other and tend their gardens, and they have proven themselves tougher than they seem when the need arises.”

Humans. “All that haste, their ambition and drive to accomplish something before their brief lives pass away—human endeavors seem so futile sometimes. But then you look at what they have accomplished, and you have to appreciate their achievements. If only they could slow down and learn some refinement.”

Half-dragon Names

Half-dragons take a variety of names, depending on their upbringing, personality, and the culture they find themselves among. Some have draconic names gifted them by their dragon parent, others take simpler human names or melodic elven ones. Still others choose words that describe a trait of theirs to represent them in naming.

Draconic Names: Aeros, Irfel, Qorsaintius, Eroese, Ixu, Thargar, Golos, Osk, Lotho, Raali, Unur, Quirin, Muhr, Voarex, Traint, Treoris, Valos, Zyreph, Jhar, Marux, Ballax, Andra, Arveia, Aryxon

Elven Names: Cendamë, Altaro, Cendar, Altano, Cammírë, Elmenda, Incaner, Lórewen, Necel, Nahta, Quildolor, Saniel, Sanano, Wilindiel, Yelloquen, Arcë, Arcandur, Carnifinda, Hendumaica

Human Names: Dave, Bob, Roger, Cindy, Corey, Tina, Tom, Sam, Alex, Bart, Elizabeth, Richard, Henry, Bonnie, Victoria, Vincent, Paul, Sarah, Himiko, Francois, Erik, Marie, Taka, Miaka

Trait Names: Strider, Thorn, Dagger, Striker, Grace, Luck, Shine, Red, Bird, Starflower, Quill, Feather, Tiny, Walker, Dancer, Cook, Dim, Shiner, Jumbo, Shortstack

 

Half-dragon Traits

Your half-dragon character has a variety of natural abilities inherited from their dragon parent.

Natural Resistance

Because of your draconic parentage, you have innate resistances to non-magical damage, poison, thunder, and lightning.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and Intelligence score increases by 1. You also gain a 1d12 racial bonus to AC.

Age

Although half-dragons reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, you continue to seek more knowledge and consider a mature mind the mark of adulthood rather than simple physicality.

Alignment

Half-dragons love freedom, variety, and self-expression, so they lean strongly toward the aspects of chaos. They value and protect others’ freedom as well as their own, and they are more often good than not.

Size

Half-dragons range from over 5 to under 7 feet tall and have muscular builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

At level 5, gain flight ability 3x per day, reset at dawn. Functions as fly spell.

Vision

Accustomed to twilit forests, cavernous depths, and the night sky, you have superior vision 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.

Thanks to your dragon parentage, you also have True Sight within 60 feet.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Insight and Perception skills.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic, as well as one language of your choice.