Homebrew Automaton Dragonborn Species Details
Created in the shape of those born of dragons, as their name proclaims, the automaton dragonborn are made to walk proudly like their image does through a world that greets them with fearful incomprehension both in their appearance and then more so due to their makeup. Shaped by draconic gods or the dragons themselves, dragonborn originally hatched from dragon eggs as a unique race. This creation combines the best attributes of dragons and humanoids while also benefitting from being mechanical.
Proud Dragon Kin
Dragonborn look very much like dragons standing erect in humanoid form, though they lack wings or a tail. The first dragonborn had scales of vibrant hues matching the colors of their dragon kin, but generations of interbreeding have created a more uniform appearance. Their small, fine scales are usually brass or bronze in color, sometimes ranging to scarlet, rust, gold, or copper-green. Automaton Dragonborn share their appearance with natural Dragonborn, but tend to be more commonly colored as the metal they are created with, which does tend to match current day Dragonborn coloration. They are tall and strongly built, often standing close to 6½ feet tall and weighing 300 pounds or more. Their hands and feet are metallic strong with metal talon-like claws possessing three fingers and a thumb on each hand.
Automaton Dragonborn Names
Automaton Dragonborn have personal names given at the point of creation and usually mimic true Dragonborn names, but they can get a clan name put first as a mark of ownership. This can vary depending on its creator's origin.
Male Names: Arjhan, Balasar, Bharash, Donaar, Ghesh, Heskan, Kriv, Medrash, Mehen, Nadarr, Pandjed, Patrin, Rhogar, Shamash, Shedinn, Tarhun, Torinn
Female Names: Akra, Biri, Daar, Farideh, Harann, Havilar, Jheri, Kava, Korinn, Mishann, Nala, Perra, Raiann, Sora, Surina, Thava, Uadjit
Automaton Dragonborn Traits
Your draconic heritage manifests in a variety of traits through the magic of the arcane and mimics true dragonborn.Ability Score Increase
Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution or Dexterity score increases by 1.
Creature Type
You are a construct.
Size
Dragonborn are taller and heavier than humans, standing well over 6 feet tall and averaging almost 250 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Armored Casing
You are encased in thin metal or some other durable material. While you aren't earing armor, your base Armor Class is 13 + your Dexterity modifier.
Built for Success
You can add a d4 to one attack roll, ability check or saving throw you make and you can do so after seeing the d20 roll, but before the effects of the roll are resolved. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Imitated Draconic Ancestry
You are made to replicate your draconic ancestry. Choose one type of dragon from the Draconic Ancestry table. Your breath weapon and damage resistance are 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) |
| Copper | Acid | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Gold | Fire | 15 ft. cone (Dex. save) |
| Green | Poison | 15 ft. cone (Con. save) |
| Red | Fire | 15 ft. cone (Dex. save) |
| Silver | Cold | 15 ft. cone (Con. save) |
| White | Cold | 15 ft. cone (Con. save) |
Breath Weapon
You can use your action to exhale destructive energy. Your imitated 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 2d6 damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. After you use your breath weapon, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or long rest.
Damage Resistance
You have resistance to the damage type associated with your imitated draconic ancestry due to the material you are made with.
Languages
You can speak, read and write Common, Draconic and whichever language is native to your creator. 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.
Healing Machine
If the mending spell is cast on you, you can spend a Hit Die, roll it, and regain a number of hit points equal to the roll plus your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 hit point).
In addition, your creator designed you to benefit from several spells that preserve life but that normally don’t affect Constructs: cure wounds, healing word, mass cure wounds, mass healing word, and spare the dying.
Mechanical Nature
You have resistance to poison damage and immunity to disease, and you have advantage on saving throws against being paralyzed or poisoned. You don’t need to eat, drink, or breathe.
Sentry's Rest
When you take a long rest, you spend at least 6 hours in an inactive, motionless state, instead of sleeping. In this state, you appear inert, but you remain conscious.
Specialized Design
You gain two tool proficiencies of your choice, selected from the Player’s Handbook.