Homebrew Gold Dragon Species Details
Creating a Dragon Character
The biggest question when creating a dragon player
character is: why is a dragon accompanying a bunch of
humanoids on their adventures? Are you seeking to build up
your treasure hoard, trying to follow your ideals, or just
curious about the world?
Starting dragon PCs are Young dragons, a few decades old.
The wyrmling background supposes that you were raised by
humanoids, or has at least spent substantial time around
them, so you’re familiar with their languages and customs. If
you select a different background, work with the DM to
explain how your dragon attained their training and
occupation.
Your choice of dragon species also determines many things
about your character’s personality — or at least, determines
what other people will think. A metallic dragon may find
themselves beseeched by the weak and helpless where-ever
they go, with expectations of aid and heroism. Chromatic
dragons are mostly evil in nature. Evil characters usually
don’t make good PCs because their selfishness can cause
conflict between party members. A good or neutral chromatic
dragon will still face fear, mistrust, or even outright hostility
from otherwise-civilized people, until they have proven
themselves virtuous.
Quick Build
You can make a dragon quickly by following these
suggestions. First, Strength should be your highest
ability score, followed by Constitution and Charisma
(in either order). Second, choose the gold dragon
species. Third, take the foster wyrmling background.
Fourth, take your first level in the dragon class,
selecting the History and Insight skills.
Racial Features
All dragon characters must belong to the dragon race.
Dragon Names
Dragons have personal names in the Draconic language,
given by their parents at birth or selected by themselves.
Dragons don’t put much emphasis on gender, so the same
names are used by both male and female dragons.
In addition, most dragons adopt an epithet – a grandiose
nickname in the Common tongue, which is easier for lesser
creatures to understand and remember. Often, this epithet is
an approximate translation of the Draconic name.
Draconic Names (Epithets): Aussirloex (Deathfrost),
Caexoth (Swordtooth), Dartakepesk (Stormwrath),
Gixustraterenesj (Stoneripper), Haurachmajak
(Fatebringer), Ixenloreat (Flamingdeath), Molikethend
(Gemscale), Ocuirisk (Starseer), Svaergithaustrat
(Bravewing), Thraethurkear (Nightwind), Valeijgix
(Bloodtalon), Vuthavyth (Blacksteel).
Gold Dragon Traits
Individual dragons differ considerably based on species and circumstance, but player character dragons share some common characteristics.Ability Score Increase
Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 2.
Age
You are a Young dragon, a few decades old. Dragons reach full adulthood at about age 100, and can live to be thousands of years old.
Alignment
Dragonborn tend to extremes, making a conscious choice for one side or the other in the cosmic war between good and evil (represented by Bahamut and Tiamat, respectively). Most dragonborn are good, but those who side with Tiamat can be terrible villains.
Size
Dragons your age can be up to 25 feet long, with a 30 foot wing span, and weigh 2000-6000 lbs. Your size is Large. Your carrying capacity is double that of a Medium character, and your food and water requirements are quadruple.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you can fly at a speed of 60 feet. Your dragon species (below) may grant you additional movement speeds.
Draconic Ancestry
You have 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 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 draconic ancestry.
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.