¶ Dragonborn
- Height: 6'6" - 8'2"
- Lifespan: 650 - 850 yrs
- Dominant Racial Traits: Dragons
Dragonborn are the proud offspring of Dragons and other races. They are the most direct evidence of Dragons existence left in the Living Realm. Rarely do they mingle with other races, and when they do, they tend to do so either alone or in pairs. It's said if you see more than one gathered together, it's an ill omen.
¶ Description
Dragonborn are bipedal humanoids with the physical traits of Dragons. Their heads look the most draconic, with their bodies following a typical bipedal humanoid morphology, but their skin is covered in the typical scaled hide of a dragon and their feet end in clawed toes, while their hands are a bit more humanoid but still end in wicked looking talons. They have tails with lengths almost two thirds their standing height.
Dragonborn skin and horns follow the same variance of Dragons. The only thing most (but not all) do not share with their [Dragon][] ancestors is wings.
Dragonborn have a very serious (some say "humorless") demeanor. Everything they do is for a purpose, and they take things very seriously. They are proud and stuborn, slow to anger, but willing to react with lethal force if they feel the situation requires it. They do not hesitate once they've been roused to action.
¶ Abilities
Dragonborn are some of the strongest [hybrids][]. They are believed to be the most magical beings capable of living in the Living Realm.
¶ Long Life
Dragonborn live a very long time. Some are believed able to live longer if they are near sources of magic, but they've never been willing to confirm that. They seem immune to disease the same way Dragons are, with their mortality coming more often from physical harm rather than age or illness.
¶ Magical Ability
Dragon born are capable of performing limited magic, much like monsters. Many of them study magic, but they rarely perform it. When they do, it's generally the stuff of legends.
¶ Intelligence
Dragonborn are the intellectual equals of most other races. They aren't as intelligent as Dragons, but they are close. They can often match a Gnome's ability for brilliant insights, making them one of the only races able to keep up with the smaller race's ramblings.
¶ Physical Strength
Dragonborn are, generally, stronger than most other races, save Orcs. Often, a Dragonborn could defeat an [Orc][orc] in a sparing match, but loose to them when it matters. Such conflicts are rare, thought.
They also have improved reflexes and the ability to heal from most wounds quickly.
¶ Form Changing
Dragonborn have a lesser form of their acestor's form-changing. They are able to appear significantly more humanoid, if they wish. They do not lose all of their dragonic features, but they look more like a slightly-off looking Orc or Elf rather than a bipedal Dragon.
Much like with Dragons, when they do this, they limit both their strength and magical abilities. However, it has a benefit; they may not have access to their full abilities, but the cost of those abilities is greatly reduced.
¶ Races Forms and Effects
When Dragonborn take on the form of another race, their access to their abilities changes, as well as their physical appearance and demeanor. While a Dragon born will not become another person, different aspects of their personalities are accentuated.
- Human
- Severely reduced magical abilitiess.
- Moderately reduced intellectual ability
- Moderately reduced physical ability
- Moderately reduced healing ability
- Appearance:
- Size reduced to 5'8" - 6'8"
- Appear like a well-built human
- Very subtle horns, often wraping around ears
- Personality:
- More care-free and jovial, more affectionate can caring.
- Elf
- Severely reduced intellectual ability
- Severely reduced physical ability
- Severely reduced healing ability
- Full access to magical abilitiess.
- Appearance:
- Size reduced to 5'8" - 6'8"
- Thin, lithe appearance of elves
- Horns form a crown or circlet
- Personality:
- More aloof and patient, as well as cool and indifferent.
- Dwarf
- Severely reduced intellectual ability
- Severely reduced healing ability
- Moderately reduced magical ability
- Full access to physical traits.
- Appearance:
- Personality:
- Much more given to bragging and showing off.
- Orc
- Severely reduced intellectual ability
- Severely reduced magical ability
- Moderately reduced healing ability
- Full access to physical traits.
- Appearance:
- Normal Height
- Body proportions match those of well-built orcs
- Longer tusks, possibly several
- Horns are smaller and reduced in number, but otherwise draconic
- Personality:
- More cunning and sly, increased love of fighting.
- Gnome
- Severely reduced physical ability
- Severely reduced healing ability
- Moderately reduced magical ability
- Full access to Gnomish intellect.
- Appearance:
- Personality:
- Much more jovial and excitable, prone to gnome-like tangents.
¶ Limitations
Dragonborn, while they don't like to talk about it, have a severe limitation. Their lifespan is directly died to how much magic they expend. If they have a way of recharging it; either through being near a magical item, being near monsters or simply finding a way to the Magic Realm, then they can extend their life. However, it is not in their nature to gamble like that, so they weigh every use of magic heavily.
For them, this includes things such as healing from wounds. Over the centuries, these acts add up, and might be the difference between living an extra hundred years or so. To them such decisions are not to be taken lightly.
It should be noted that their Form Changing ability helps them mitigate this limitation. When in a lesser form, they do not reduce their life by using their limited abilities. They might not be as powerful as they otherwise would be, but what power they do possess they can use without hestiation. Whichever other race's form they adopt depends on their needs, as it will change just how effective their different abilities are.
The only reason why Dragonborn don't simply do this
¶ History
Dragonborns were one of the first [hybrids][] created, back when Dragons still intermingled with the other races. They were fiercly proud of their heiritage and were some of the earliest Heroic characters of myth.
When the sundering happened, they retreated from popular view, now facing mortality for the first time and having to conserve their magic. Since then, it's believed that they are working hand-in-hand with Veza to try to repair the world.
¶ Racial Beliefs / Opinions
Despite their serious and gruff nature, in general most beings hold Dragonborns in high regard. They are well respected, honorable, and willing to sacrifice themselves for others.
¶ Non-Magical Races
The Non-magical races are the ones who most often benefit from a Dragonborn's actions, which has, over time, given them the status of Hero. It can be a difficult legacy for a young Dragonborn to live up to, especially if their parents were not Dragonborn and it's simply their ancestry asserting itself. Those new Dragonborn often find themselves with expectations well beyond what they're capable of being so young.
¶ Humans
Man, these guys are the coolest. I met one once in a bar. Tried to buy him a drink and he just stared at me until I went away. Later that day I saw him unleash a lightning storm on a group of Harpies that had been harassing the town. So cool!
¶ Elves
I've found over the years that while we may no longer have access to their more magical kin, Dragonborn are a very close second in wisdom and honor. They take a long view, weighing the needs of the many against the needs of the individual with a deftness I envy.
¶ Dwarves
There's no better drinking partner, if you can get one to drink. Let me tell you, I still don't remember that week, but if half the stories are true, it was the best week of my life. My Dragonborn drinking buddy even cracked a smile, some say. Goddess, I wish I remembered that.
¶ Orcs
One of the most honorable races, we are honored whenever they make their presence known to us. We have an understanding; they may use our lands as the see fit, and we will let them pass without notice. In return, they agree to send their top three warriors once every few years to train our best. I think, secretly, that they enjoy it.
¶ Gnomes
Fascinating creatures! I can talk to them for hours about any topic and somehow they can still find a new perspective or idea to add! They are some of the most intelligent beings to remain in the Living Realm, and should I ever get the chance, I would love to visit one of their communities. The idea of spending even a few days with a group of them is almost overwhelming! I could die a happy Gnome, should that happen, let me tell you!
¶ Magical Races
Unlike the Non-magical races, the hero worship of the Dragonborn isn't quite as strong among the magical races.
¶ Dragons
Our favored contribution to this world. We love our half-blooded offspring as much as we love our full-blodded broods. They are special creatures, with our wisdon and outlook, but a uniquely mortal twist. Truth be told, they may even be greater than we are, when the scales are balanced. They certainly have done the most good of any other race, and continue to do so.
¶ Celestials
Our Dragonborn kin are some of the most formidible forces for good left in the Living Realm. They're single-handedly fighting for the goal of reunifying the Realms, and that should be enough to convince anyone of the worthiness of the goal.
¶ Infernals
I'd prefer them to have a bit more of a sense of humor, though they do seem to when they're in other forms. That's when they're at their best, in my opinion. Still, for a group of proud, stubborn do-gooders, they're pretty alright.
¶ Kivuli
Our methods may differ, but our goals and those of the Dragon born are the same. I've found working with them to be refreshing; few other races have the same focus we find comes so naturally.
¶ RPG
- Stats Page: Dragonborn stats