Homebrew Decay Dragonborn Species Details

Decay dragonborn are occasionally hatched from the eggs of topaz dragonborn. One story holds that these eggs went unblessed by the dragon gods Bahamut and Tiamat, who wanted to populate the multiverse with people created in their image. However, these particular eggs are considered rejects, or defects.

While average 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, decay dragonborn are mostly rotting flesh and skeletal in their true form. They're also slightly larger on average than their decay-free topaz counterparts. Decay Dragonborn have a very faint, peculiar smell, but it is only noticeable to other Decay Dragonborn- or those who are trained to detect it.

Stumbling upon a Decay Dragon won;t be immediately apparent either. Constantly in a tortured pursuit of companionship or other means to stay part of the world, these unusual variants have found ways to hide their ghastly appearance through innate magic- To those around them, they appear to be regular dragonborn, but to others of their kind, they appear as they truly are. In the right situation, they may also reveal their true appearance to outsiders. Revealing one's true form is culturally significant, symbolizing deep trust or respect to those determined worthy of seeing it.

Decay Dragonborn previously lived in conclaves of their own kind, much like Yuan-Ti. However, these conclaves don't exist anymore as decay dragonborn have been slowly thinning out due to better understanding of how they occur. Since dragonborn haven't got the best of reputations in the material planes due to their appearance, Decay dragonborn eggs are generally destroyed prior to hatching, though some occasionally slip through the cracks.

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Dragonborn Traits

Creature Type: Monstrosity
Size: Medium (about 6-8 feet tall)
Speed: 30 feet

As a Decay 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 magical energy 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 Dexterity saving throw (DC 8 plus your Constitution modifier and Proficiency Bonus). On a failed save, a creature takes 1d10 Necrotic 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).

This Attack has a rather strong, lingering odor akin to rotting flesh that attaches to anything it hits. A creature hit by this attack has disadvantage on charisma checks for 24 hours or until it can clean itself up again. Making this attack does not apply this effect to the user.

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 Resistance to the Necrotic damage.

Darkvision

You have Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.

Draconic Decomposition

When you reach character level 5, you can channel a mix of necrotic and draconic magic to give yourself a temporary gaseous form. As an Action, you decompose yourself into a gaseous form that lasts for 10 minutes or until you recompose yourself (no action required) or have the Incapacitated condition. During that time, you may pass through objects, ignore difficult terrain, and you cannot become restrained by non-magical means. If you have the restrained condition when you activate this ability, you lose it. While in this form your speed is unaffected by rough terrain, objects, or other creatures. You are also invisible for the duration, though you cannot use the attack or magic actions while in this form.Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest.