Homebrew Dragon (Edyn) Species Details
A proud bronze dragon, bristling and ready to fight, leaps into the air. Bearing a paladin rider aloft, the two of them speed towards the invading demons, prepared to emerge victorious or die. The forest stirs, trees straining, as the great green dragon flies overhead. In its wake, it leaves a trail of dead enemies, choking on the vile corruption that blossoms around them. A mysterious stranger offers to aid a group of adventurers, joining them for a time on their journeys. Is she a sorcerer? A warlock? Or something else entirely? — Erin M. Evans, The Adversary
Power, Personified
Every culture has its own mythology of dragons — terrifying serpentine monsters that trigger some of humankind’s oldest and most primitive fears. Modern tales of dragons depict no savage predators, however. Massive, armored, and ferocious, dragons are also keenly intelligent, long-lived, and magical. They lead lesser monsters, breathe elemental destruction upon those who displease them, and even demand sacrifices from mere mortals. These are the traits of power, in all its forms. Even the dragon’s hoarding of wealth is a representation of a form of power. From a human perspective, dragons are the pinnacle of evolution and the supreme creatures on the material plane. Dragons agree with this assessment.
Chromatic and Metallic
Myriad dragons inhabit the world, from the lung dragons of the far east to the dragon turtles of the vast oceans. But ten species in particular stand out: the so-called “true dragons.” The benevolent metallic dragons see themselves as stewards or shepherds, using their might to protect and enlighten lower creatures. Many are curious about humanoids and fond of traveling, and they are more likely to take a direct interest in the magical arts. Despite their kindhearted nature, they are still dragons, proud and miserly. Metallic dragons can get along well with others and make good player characters. Chromatic dragons are almost universally evil; their greed and malice outmatched only by the foulest of fiends. These are the fearsome villains that terrorize the countryside, slaying for sport and seizing whatever treasures they find. And yet, there are exceptions; occasionally a chromatic dragon may turn towards the path of good. Some may have a bit of metallic blood in their ancestry, others perhaps had a life- altering experience in their youth, or even a religious conversion. These chromatic dragons face a constant struggle against both their own dark nature and the rightfully-placed prejudice of humanoids everywhere. Such a dragon would be wise to join a band of adventurers.
Legends and Lairs
Dragons are typically monsters, residing in well-guarded lairs, waiting for the PCs to come and slay them for treasure. Yet, there are plenty of tales of dragons taking an active role in the wider world, becoming adventurers themselves. A silver dragon might assume the form of a wood elf to aid in a war against evil dragons. A young gold dragon may travel the world in the guise of an old man, meting out justice. A green dragon may be an agent for a local thieves’ guild — hoping in time to assume control of the whole operation.
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.
Dragon (Edyn) Traits
Your draconic heritage manifests in a variety of traits you share with the others of your kind.Natural Armor
You have tough, scaly skin. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 14 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. You can not wear normal armor and may require custom built pieces to serve your dragon form.
Natural Weapons
You have a -5 penalty to attack with manufactured weapons, but your physiology allows you to make the following unarmed strikes. (Dragon Form)
Bite. Your bite deals 1d10 piercing damage.
Claws. Your claws deal 1d6 slashing damage.
Tail. Your tail deals 1d8 bludgeoning damage.
Darkvision
As supreme predators and frequent cave-dwellers, dragons 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.
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
As powerful creatures who are not afraid to express themselves and impact the world around them, dragons tend away from neutrality and towards the extremes of the alignment scale.
Size
A dragon of your age is over 25 feet long, with a 30 foot wing span, and weighs 2000-4000 lbs. Your size is Large. Your carrying capacity is double that of a Medium character, as are your food and water requirements.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you can fly at a speed of 60 feet. Your dragon species may grant you additional movement speeds.
Draconic Species
You have draconic species. Choose one type of dragon from the Draconic Species table. Your breath weapon and damage resistance are determined by the dragon type, as shown in the table.
Draconic Species
| Dragon | Damage Type + ENHANCEMENT | Breath Weapon |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Acid + Amphibious | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Blue | Lightning + Burrow | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Brass | Fire + Burrow | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Bronze | Lightning + Amphibious | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Copper | Acid + Climb | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Gold | Fire + Amphibious | 15 ft. cone (Dex. save) |
| Green | Poison + Amphibious | 15 ft. cone (Con. save) |
| Red | Fire + Climb | 15 ft. cone (Dex. save) |
| Silver | Cold + Climb | 15 ft. cone (Con. save) |
| White | Cold + Amphibious | 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.
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.
Damage Resistance
You have resistance to the damage type associated with your draconic species.
Polymorphism
Over the course of a minute, you can change your true draconic form down to that of a mortal. You can not determine the specifics of the changes, including your coloration, eye color, and sex. These will be the same as your true form. You can neither adjust your height and weight. You can make yourself appear as a member of either the elvish, the dragonborns, or the tiefling, though none of your game statistics change.
You stay in the new form until you use an action to revert to your true form or until you die.