Homebrew Draconic half dwarf Species Details

"....D-don't ask"

-Therrak Aladonson, Draconic half dwarf fighter

 

Being a perfect mix of both dwarvenkind and draconids, a member of this new race will find themselves displaying attributes of both parents in physical and psychological capacities. However, as a result of this combination, you are generally shunned by both dwarven and draconic societies alike, possibly only finding solace among more understanding individuals, or electing to raise yourself in this harsh, misunderstanding world.

Often bold and hardy, dwarves are known well as warriors, miners, stonemasons and blacksmiths; those who are not afraid to get coated in sweat, dirt, ash and blood to achieve their goals and perfect their crafts. Dragons, by comparison, are a more ancient and covetous race, preferring to admire the creations of other “lesser” beings, hoarding them for themselves rather than expending any unnecessary energy to build trinkets and monuments of their own. Several varieties of both dwarves and dragons exist; from the noble and jaunting Hill Dwarves to the stalwart and proud Mountain Dwarves, and from the reviled Chromatic Dragons to the more virtuous Metallic Dragons, there is a plethora of combinations for the parentage of a Draconic Half-Dwarf (see the tables at the end of this race for details).

Though they stand well under five feet tall, dwarves are so broad and compact that they can weigh more than a human that stands nearly two feet taller than them. On the other hand, most mature dragons are considerably larger than the average humanoid, ranging anywhere from around ten feet tall and twenty feet long to dozens of feet in any dimension. As one may realize, the situation required for these two races to mate (let alone meet without killing each other) must be rather unique and complex.

In terms of lifespan, dwarves can live to be well over 400 years old, and many dwarves who survive to their golden years are fond of telling stories about the glories of the world during the time of their youth. This longevity grants them a perspective on the world that shorter-lived races such as humans and halflings lack; however, this impressive lifespan is dwarfed in comparison by that of dragons, who may live to be several millennia old. While no one can be certain, it is likely that any scholar of the draconid races, if pressured to give an estimate of the lifespan of a Draconic Half-Dwarf when asked, will likely mutter to themselves and give an estimate of approximately 1 or 2 millennia at best; although, no one can definitively say for sure

Racial Variations

Several variations of dwarves and dragons exist across the world, and you are a unique combination of two of them. Pick one Dwarven Subrace and one Dragon Color from the tables below; you gain all traits associated with the Subrace and Color that you pick. 

Dwarven Subrace	Dwarven Traits
Duergar	Usually calling the deepest and darkest passages of the cursed and tumultuous Underdark their home, Duergar have developed unique magical abilities that allow them to survive and thrive. Enlarge - once a day for 30 seconds, as an Action, you may magically swell your form to become Large until the ability ends, or if you willingly end the effect as a Bonus Action. While enlarged, you may double the amount of damage dice you use when making Strength-based melee attacks, and you gain Advantage on Strength checks/saving throws. Invisibility - once a day, as an Action, you and any gear you have on your body magically become invisible until you perform another Action or receive damage, or until 10 minutes elapse.
Hill	Living in a fashion more akin to Halflings (a possible point of contention with other Dwarven subraces), Hill Dwarves are generally considered to be intuitive, resilient, and possess remarkable senses. Being the most likely Dwarven race to interact with other sentient races, Hill Dwarves tend to garner and display their wealth more extravagantly than other Dwarves.   Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1 Dwarven Toughness. Your health point maximum increases by 1 at first level, and increases by 1 additional point every time you gain a new level.
Mountain	Born and raised among the crags and peaks of some of the tallest mountains, Mountain Dwarves are usually the strongest, hardiest, and physically largest of all the Dwarven subraces due to their harsh lifestyle. Unafraid of hardship and hard work, these dwarves have the most prominent sense of honor among all the subraces you will find in this world. Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2

•   Most dwarves tend toward more lawful

Dragon Color	Dragon Traits
Black	Generally considered to be the most sadistic variant of dragon, Black dragons revel in chaos and enjoy watching their prey squirm in agony while they hunt them down. Ability Score Increase - your Constitution score increases by 1 Elemental Resistance - you have an innate resistance to Acid damage Acid Cloud - as an Action, you emit an acidic cloud from your body that disperses at the end of your turn. All creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 12 + your proficiency bonus), taking 1d6 acid damage on a failed save and becoming Blind for 30 seconds (if the creature is not immune to being Blinded). Creatures who succeed on the save suffer none of the effects of this ability.
Blue	Usually more methodical and orderly than other chromatic dragon variants, Blue dragons enjoy tricking and manipulating “lesser” creatures with their magic and wits. Ability Score Increase - your Wisdom  score increases by 1 Elemental Resistance - you have an innate resistance to Lightning damage Acid Cloud - as an Action, you produce a burst of electrical energy around your body until the end of your turn. All creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 12 + your proficiency bonus), taking 1d6 lightning damage on a failed save and suffering Disadvantage on the next attack role they make. Creatures who succeed on the save suffer none of the effects of this ability.
Brass	Preferring long and interesting conversations above all other forms of engagement and interaction, Brass dragons are considered to be the most friendly - and by extension, most benign - of all the metallic dragon breeds. Ability Score Increase - your Charisma score increases by 1 Elemental Resistance - you have an innate resistance to Fire damage Heatwave - as an Action, you emit a wave of heat and noxious fumes from your body until the end of your turn. All creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 12 + your proficiency bonus), taking 1d6 fire damage on a failed save and falling unconscious  for 30 seconds. Creatures who succeed on the save suffer none of the effects of this ability.
Bronze	Imposing, lithe, and noble, Bronze dragons have many stories associated with them that recount their strong morals and their penchant for challenging evil forces, or simply those who would oppress the weak and downtrodden. Ability Score Increase - your Dexterity score increases by 1 Elemental Resistance - you have an innate resistance to Lightning damage Thunder Wave - as an Action, you expel a sudden and momentary burst of thunderous force from your body. All creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Constitution  saving throw (DC = 12 + your proficiency bonus), taking 1d6 thunder damage on a failed save and being pushed back 5 feet. Creatures who succeed on the save suffer none of the effects of this ability.
Copper	While not malicious, Copper dragons have been known to display habits of acting as tricksters and jokesters, taking joy in benignly misleading “lesser” races who may be seeking guidance. Ability Score Increase - your Intelligence score increases by 1 Elemental Resistance - you have an innate resistance to Acid damage Toxic Cloud - as an Action, you emit a noxious cloud from your body until the end of your turn. All creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 12 + your proficiency bonus), taking 1d6 acid damage on a failed save and moving half speed until the end of their next turn. Creatures who succeed on the save suffer none of the effects of this ability.
Gold	The most reclusive and majestic of all the draconic races, Gold dragons are legendary for their grace, wisdom, unassailable morals, and raw destructive power that is rivalled only by that of the fierce Red dragons. Ability Score Increase - your Strength  score increases by 1 Elemental Resistance - you have an innate resistance to Fire damage Heat Burst  - as an Action, you expel a blistering aura of debilitating heat from your body until the end of your turn. All creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 12 + your proficiency bonus), taking 1d6 fire damage on a failed save and suffering disadvantage on all ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls that are modified by Strength for 30 seconds. Creatures who succeed on the save suffer none of the effects of this ability.
Green	Weaker and less imposing than the other chromatic dragon variants, Green dragons tend to weave complex schemes involving the manipulation and utilization of “lesser” beings to gain power. Ability Score Increase - your Charisma score increases by 1 Elemental Resistance - you have an innate resistance to Fire damage Poison Cloud  - as an Action, you produce a sickening cloud of poisonous gas from your body until the end of your turn. All creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 12 + your proficiency bonus), taking 1d6 poison damage on a failed save and becoming poisoned for 1 minute. Creatures who succeed on the save suffer none of the effects of this ability.
Red	Known for an unyielding ferocity matched only by a raw destructive power of Gold dragons, Red dragons are some of the most vain and brutal creatures in existence, believing all creatures - even other dragons - to be wholly inferior and worthy only of enslavement or eradication.  Ability Score Increase - your Strength score increases by 1 Elemental Resistance - you have an innate resistance to Fire damage Searing Corona  - as an Action, you expel a searing aura of scorching heat from your body until the end of your turn. All creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 12 + your proficiency bonus), taking 1d8 fire damage on a failed save and an additional amount of damage equal to half of your level (rounded down) if they are wearing metal armor. Creatures who succeed on the save suffer none of the effects of this ability.
Silver	Arguably the most sociable and carefree of the different dragon varieties, Silver dragons usually prefer the company of humanoid creatures, going as far as taking on the form of a humanoid and integrating themselves within that society. Ability Score Increase - your Intelligence  score increases by 1 Elemental Resistance - you have an innate resistance to Cold damage Chilling Gale  - as an Action, you produce a chilling veil of frigid air from your body. All creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 12 + your proficiency bonus), taking 1d6 cold damage on a failed save and becoming Paralyzed for 30 seconds. Creatures who succeed on the save suffer none of the effects of this ability.
White	Seen as the weakest yet most feral and, in some cases, most ferocious variant of chromatic dragons, White dragons tend to not care about grandiose schemes or manipulative domination; they hunt, they kill, and they revel in their power. Ability Score Increase - your Dexterity score increases by 1 Elemental Resistance - you have an innate resistance to Cold damage Fog Veil  - as an Action, you produce a disorienting cloud of freezing fog from your body until the end of your turn. All creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 12 + your proficiency bonus), taking 1d6 cold damage on a failed save and becoming Frightened for 30 seconds. Creatures who succeed on the save suffer none of the effects of this ability.

Draconic half dwarf Traits

Your dwarf character has an assortment of inborn abilities, part and parcel of dwarven nature.

Prismatic Protection

Due to the brilliant patchwork of gleaming, sturdy scales found across your body, enemies may find it more difficult to land a damaging strike on you. While not wearing armor, your Armor Class is equal to 10 plus your Dexterity modifier plus your Constitution modifier, and any bare-fisted unarmed attacks made against you that successfully hit have a 50% chance of causing 1 point of slashing damage to the attacker.

Draconic Half-Dwarf Traits

Due to your unique heritage, your character gains an interesting conglomeration of abilities from both parents, yet not in a full capacity compared to pureblood members of either race.

Blindsight

As a result of your draconic parentage, you can perceive your surroundings without relying on your eyesight for up to 10 feet around you.

Darkvision

With inherently more impressive vision than most other races, you are able to see relatively well 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 the darkness, only shades of gray.

Ability Score Increase

Both your Constitution and Wisdom scores increase by 1.

Elemental Resistance

The draconic blood flowing within your veins grants you resistance to one type of elemental or environmental damage; consult the tables at the end of this race for details.

Dwarven Resiliance

You may add your proficiency bonus on saving throws against poison (or double the bonus if you already have proficiency), and you may reduce the amount of damage received from poison by 2d4. 

Draconic Vanity

All dragons, both chromatic and metallic, often have a sense of superiority that puts them above all other races - in their minds, at least. While you may have inherited these feelings of superiority to a degree, it is entirely up to you whether or not you act upon them in your daily life.

Heritage Manifest

Most dragons, either while travelling abroad or in lounging their lair, tend to exude a palpable aura of charged elemental power in a wide radius around their bodies. The ability exude such a presence is also shared with their half-dwarven children, but to a much lesser extent. A Draconic Half-Dwarf, unless unconscious or dead, will constantly exude a trace manifestation of their elemental heritage within a 20 foot radius. For example, a child of a silver dragon may always be followed by a noticeable eddy of chilled air or a thin cloud of icy fog, while the child of a black dragon may be blanketed by a nearly unseeable haze of foul-smelling air that burns the eyes or nostrils of anyone who ventures too close. This passive effect is not enough to cause physical harm to another creature unless it is concentrated and used as an active, momentary burst. For such effects, see the tables at the end of this race for more details.

Age

Dwarves more or less mature at the same rate as humans, but they’re considered young by their elders until they reach the age of 50. On average, they live for about 350 years. On the other hand, dragons have an impressive lifespan that can extend across several millennia, and the combination of these two unique bloodlines lends many scholars of draconids to assume a lifespan of 1 to 2 millennia.

Alignment

Most dwarves are lawful by nature, believing firmly in the benefits of a well-ordered society; however, there are always outliers who prefer to live their life in a more neutral or chaotic way. While chromatic dragons tend to lead more evil lifestyles while metallic dragons are generally considered to be good, there have been many instances in which individual dragons live in a way that seems contrary to the nature brought on by the color of their scales.

Size

Dwarves typically stand between 4 and 5 feet tall, carrying an average weight of about 150 pounds. Because of your draconic parentage, your size is slightly larger on average, with your height being between 4.5 and 5.5 feet tall, and your weight being between 200 to 300 pounds. Your size is Small if under 5 feet and Medium if over 5 feet.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet if Small and 30 if Medium. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

Tool Proficiency

You gain proficiency with one artisan’s tool of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies, or mason’s tools.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, as well as either Draconic or Dwarvish depending on which culture or heritage you identify more with.