Homebrew Dracotaur Species Details

Should one venture deep into the mountains, you may stumble across an ancient stache of coin, a bloodthirsty monster... or perhaps, should you be fortunate, a Dracotaur. Dracotaur are largely a source of mystery, as very few ever venture from their mountain homes. But those that do are hailed as sturdy guards and fantastic trackers, having both a keen sense of smell and the ability to traverse over any sort of terrain. They do, however, often deal with Dwarves, due to sharing mountain homes. Through the Dwarves, they keep themselves satisfied with knowledge of the outside world.

 

Of Monsters and Men

To most, Dracotaur seem as though they are a cross between a Centaur and a Dragonborn, or potentially a Lizardfolk. In truth, they are their own race, although it is easy to see where their names come from. Their upper half is humanoid, although this can vary wildly between each individual, some looking closer to Humans and Elves, whilst others seem more familiar to Dragonborn or Lizardfolk. Their lower half, however, is entirely Draconic, and are usually compared to the body of a Drake.

Either way, Dracotaur easily stand seven feet in height, usually with a height limit of around eight feet or so, and weigh around 2000 lbs. They, like Dragons, have a huge variety of scales, determined by their ancestry. These scales range from bright red, green, blue, or white, lustrous black, or gleaming metallic gold, silver, brass, copper, or bronze.

 

Of Mountain Home

Dracotaur, like Dwarves, prefer a mountainous home, and because of this, they have formed not only a close relation with the Dwarves but a self-sufficient community. Within their mountain homes, they form a tight-knit community, sticking together to make sure they all survive - after all, there are a variety of other monsters that would willingly hunt and kill their kind. Behir are naturally hated and hunted whenever found, sometimes even taking the entire community to destroy an adult. Purple Worms also stand as a great nuisance, as they tend to burrow directly into the center of the community.

Because of the aforementioned terrors to the Dracotaur society as a whole, the race values Strength and Heartiness as a whole. Hunters and Guards are valued above all else, although there is also a great deal of Gem Cutters within the Communities. This is due to their fascination with gemstones of any kind, and it is often said within the Communities that finding a gemstone that matches your scales perfectly is a sign of good luck.

Dracotaur Traits

Dracotaur are a hale and hearty race, sharing some similarities to their Dragonborn Cousins, yet also having grown strong through tough lives.

Darkvision

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.

Sure Footed

You gain a climbing speed equal to your walking speed, and difficult terrain does not cost you any extra movement.

Charge

If you move at least 30 feet straight toward a target and then hit it with a melee weapon attack on the same turn, you can immediately follow that attack with a bonus action, making one attack against the target with your claws.

Claws

Your front claws are natural melee weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal Slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Ability Score Increase

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

Size

Dracotaur stand as tall as centaur, and often end up taller. They stand around 7 to 8 feet tall, and weigh approximately a Ton (2000 lbs).

Age

Dracotaur have the longevity of their Draconic Ancestors. Most can walk within the first few weeks after hatching, and grow to adulthood within fifteen years. They live to around 200 years of age, but some have been recorded as old as 500.

Draconic Ancestry

You have draconic ancestry. Choose one type of dragon from the Dragonborn Draconic Ancestry table. Your breath weapon and damage resistance are determined by the dragon type, as shown in the table.

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. You may use this feature a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, and regain all expended uses on a Short or Long Rest.