Homebrew Demi-Dragon Species Details

To most, dragons are monsters to be feared and hated. But to
a few, they are symbols of power and potential—and those
few would sacrifice anything if it would let them have the
strength of dragons to use for their own ends.
Whether driven by fanatical beliefs, a hunger for personal
power, or a genuine wish to help others by whatever means
are available, some choose to undergo a ritual transformation
that changes their body into an imitation of a true dragon.
Other individuals concoct detailed magical experiments on
unwilling subjects, exploring the limitations of the blood of
dragons. Regardless of origin, the resulting creature is
known as a demi-dragon—a being that was created rather
than born.

The exact details of the demi-dragon transformation are
unclear, but the nature of innate dragon magic hints at
multiple paths to the same result. Whether accomplished
through magical prowess, alchemy, zealous devotion, or by
bathing in dragon's blood, the transformation draws upon the
essence of a true dragon to instill a spark of magic within the
subject, forcing them to take on the physical characteristics
of a dragon. Though adopting the shape of a dragon during
the transformation, the subject is often brought only halfway
there, and can be left temporarily scaleless or wingless. Such
deficiencies tend to correct themselves over time—but once
transformed, there is no known way to reverse the
metamorphosis.

As part of their transformation, a spark of magic forms in the
heart of a demi-dragon—this is what allows them to mimic a
dragon's power and imitate their elemental breath weapons.
As a result of their unusual nature, demi-dragons develop
the ability to siphon magic out of their surroundings,
requiring an external source of magical energy to feed this
spark as a way to bring themselves closer to the inherent
nature of true dragons. The relative power of this spark is a
measure of the magical essence a demi-dragon has
accumulated.
Where true dragons are born into their natural splendor,
demi-dragons must toil, steal, and sacrifice for but a fraction
of that power.

You have undergone a ritual that has changed the
nature of your being. When creating a demi-dragon
character, you lose all racial traits associated with
your former race and instead adopt those of the
demi-dragon. You keep your memories, alignment,
and other class levels (if any). You can't use the
demi-dragon racial traits if you don't have at least
one level of the class.
If your race is later changed by another effect,
you lose access to all demi-dragon class features.
Your race and class are invariably tied together.

When creating your demi-dragon, you should carefully
consider two questions: who were you before you became a
demi-dragon, and what series of events led you to become
one? Consider what your character was like before, how
others see them, and how they see themselves now.

When creating your demi-dragon, you should carefully
consider two questions: who were you before you became a
demi-dragon, and what series of events led you to become
one? Consider what your character was like before, how
others see them, and how they see themselves now.

Quick Build
You can make a demi-dragon quickly by following these
suggestions. First, make Strength your highest ability score,
followed by Constitution and Charisma. Second, choose the
Victim of Thaumaturgy background. Last, choose a cone of
fire for your Dragon's Breath feature.
d6 Cause of Transformation
1 You studied for years as a dragon disciple, surpassing
the other students by achieving a true transformation.
2 You participated in slaying a dragon, then used its
magical blood to imbue yourself with its essence.
3 A crazed wizard captured and transformed you against
your will as part of a magical experiment.
4 As a promising young warrior of a barbarian clan, you
were chosen to become the clan's draconic champion.
5 You found and wore a cursed artifact, which
transformed you. You now seek a way to remove the
artifact and its curse.
6 Actually, you are a true dragon, searching for your very
own adventure.

Demi-Dragon Traits

Your draconic nature manifests in a variety of shared traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Aided Jump

Your wings provide you with lift. Your maximum jump distance for high and long jumps is doubled, and you do not need to take a running start. This extra distance costs movement as normal.

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.

Dragon Scales

Your magical essence enhances your protective scales. While you aren't wearing armor, your Armor Class equals 10 + your Constitution modifier + your Charisma modifier.

Mythic Build

You count as one size category larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Your claws have enough manual agility to manipulate objects as normal, but you have disadvantage on attack rolls made with weapons that have the ammunition or two-handed properties, and receive no benefit from wielding shields. In order to wear armor, you must have it specially constructed, costing twice the normal rate.

Fanged Maw

You have access to an arsenal of natural weapons. These natural weapons count as martial melee weapons for you, and you are proficient with them.

You can use them to make melee weapon attacks, and you add your Strength modifier to the attack and damage rolls when you attack with them. Your fanged maw deals 1d12 piercing damage on a hit. Your lashing tail has the reach property and deals 1d10 bludgeoning damage. Your rending claws deal 1d6 slashing damage. When you take the Attack action and attack with your claw, you can use your bonus action to make an additional claw attack.

Lashing Tail

You have access to an arsenal of natural weapons. These natural weapons count as martial melee weapons for you, and you are proficient with them.

You can use them to make melee weapon attacks, and you add your Strength modifier to the attack and damage rolls when you attack with them. Your fanged maw deals 1d12 piercing damage on a hit. Your lashing tail has the reach property and deals 1d10 bludgeoning damage. Your rending claws deal 1d6 slashing damage. When you take the Attack action and attack with your claw, you can use your bonus action to make an additional claw attack.

Rending Claws

You have access to an arsenal of natural weapons. These natural weapons count as martial melee weapons for you, and you are proficient with them.

You can use them to make melee weapon attacks, and you add your Strength modifier to the attack and damage rolls when you attack with them. Your fanged maw deals 1d12 piercing damage on a hit. Your lashing tail has the reach property and deals 1d10 bludgeoning damage. Your rending claws deal 1d6 slashing damage. When you take the Attack action and attack with your claw, you can use your bonus action to make an additional claw attack.

Inheritance

Your connection to a particular type of true dragon manifests as a related skill.

You gain proficiency with one of the following skills of your choice: Arcana, Acrobatics, Deception, History, and Persuasion.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic.