Homebrew Dragon Wyrmling (incomplete) Species Details

Dragon Race 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?

Dragons are among the most powerful, magical, and frightening creatures in all of fantasy. They are so emblematic of the genre that the creators of the game put them right in the name! And modern fiction is full of all sorts of dragons — dragons as sidekicks and mounts, friendly dragons as protectors and companions, and the occasional scheming dragon antihero. They run the gamut of protagonists, villains, and everything in between. Whether they are subtle schemers, ferocious brutes, lofty idealists, or just in it for the treasure, a dragon can be a tremendous asset to any adventuring party.

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 humanoids on their adventures? Are you seeking to build up your treasure hoard, following your ideals, or just curious about the world? Starting dragon PCs are often 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 sorcerer class with the Sorcerous Origin of Draconic Bloodline, selecting the Arcana and Insight skills.

Dragon Traits

Your draconic lineage manifests in a variety of traits you share with other dragons.

Draconic Vigour

Because of your draconian heritage, you have a strong body. (Hit dice 8d8+24)

 

Darkvision

Thanks to your draconic heritage, 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.

Eye for Money

Whenever you make an Intelligence (Investigation) check related to gold, magical items, or gemstones, you are considered proficient in the Investigation skill and if you are already proficient in the Investigation skill, your proficiency bonus is doubled for the check.

Dragon Body

Although you are a powerful dragon, being a dragon also has some detriments. You cannot wield weapons or use armor in your true form, and must find creative ways to use rings, hats, and other apparel.

Lair

Every dragon has a lair where, due to your accumulation of treasures, you take everything that has value. Sleeping in your lair and under your treasure reduces your rest time to half the time required. Anyone who approaches up to 120 feet from your lair alerts you to possible invaders, but does not give the exact location of them. The lair should typically be built in a terrain that fits your ancestry. Having a lair in not optional.

Dragon Wyrmling (incomplete) Traits

Your draconic heritage manifests in a variety of traits you share with other dragonborn.

Draconic Vigour

Because of you draconian heritage you have a much stronger body than other creatures.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Age

Young dragonborn grow quickly. They walk hours after hatching, attain the size and development of a 10-year-old human child by the age of 3, and reach adulthood by 15. They live to be around 80.

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

Dragon wyrmlings are usually up to 6 feet tall and averaging almost 250 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, flying 60ft and swimming 30ft

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.

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 4d6 damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 5d6 at 6th level, 6d6 at 11th level, and 7d6 at 16th level. After you use your breath weapon, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or long rest.

Breath Weapon Recharge(5-6)

As a dragon you can recharge your breath weapon. Use this ability when you try to use your breath weapon with no charges left as a free action. On a success you use your breath weapon, on a fail nothing happens.

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.