Draconic Characters

deadly rage. These dark tendencies are more common in the progeny of evil dragons, but the possessive nature of all dragons manifests itself to some degree in love. As a result, the best mate for a half-dragon is usually another half-dragon or a crossbreed creature with a similarly lonely background. The two cling to one another with a fi erceness diffi cult for others to understand. Very rarely, a half-dragon enters a romantic relationship with a true dragon. Other dragons look on such couplings with distaste, as further muddying of bloodlines, so the lovers must share an isolated existence.

Roleplaying Application: What is your character’s experience with love? Was he isolated from birth, or accepted to some degree in his society? Has he ever had his heart broken? Can he ever trust another individual enough to love truly? Is he the type who worships a beloved in the tradition of courtly love, or is he consumed with possessiveness and jealousy?

Half-Dragons at War

Being apart from the society into which they are born, half-dragons do not often become involved in the martial traditions of that society. Sometimes this state of affairs is simply due to bigotry and distrust. The community is unwilling to train such a dangerous monster in even more lethal techniques. Other times, a half-dragon is too deeply immersed in arcane study to learn military arts. Mostly, half-dragons feel no sense of duty to a community that has rejected them. Much as dragons do, they fi ght only when its suits their purposes or in defense of their property. Half-dragons do have formidable natural armament in the form of teeth, claws, and a breath weapon. Those with wings are capable of swift and maneuverable fl ight, sometimes taking feats, such as Flyby Attack or Hover, that enhance their aerial combat abilities. Most half-dragons try to stay at a distance and dispatch a threat with breath weapon or spells. If hand-to-hand fi ghting is unavoidable, a half-dragon’s vitality, strength, and ferocity make him a redoubtable opponent. In a very few cases, a half-dragon takes on a position of great authority. For instance, cultures that value brute strength in their leaders might elevate half-dragons to war chiefs, sending them on the most dangerous and potentially most rewarding missions. Such beings are fully aware they are seen as expendable, but they channel their anger at such treatment into furious battle and bringing back prodigious spoils. Having proven their prowess at war and leadership, such half-dragons advance rapidly in the hierarchy of their people. Most half-dragons never become part of an army or even a ragtag warband. They either make their own way and fi ght their own battles or join a band of like-minded outcasts to turn their talents to lucrative challenges.

Roleplaying Application: What is your character’s attitude toward organized warfare? Did the society in which he was raised treat him as an equal, as a traitor, or as an expendable? Does he have any military experience?

Does he desire a leadership position? Is he interested in fi ghting only for himself, or is there a greater cause for which he might lay down his life? Death

A dragon’s life span is truly remarkable—it can live a millennium or longer, and even at the end of its life transform into a permanent part of the land or become ascendant and immortal. Half-dragons usually share the heritage of a less long-lived race and so might endure no more than a few centuries. Still, they are granted far more time than most, and those born of a dragon–elf union can challenge ancient wyrms for longevity. Most half-dragons covet life as they do so many things.

They often seek ways to prolong life by magical means.

Some explore dark paths that lead to undeath or even worse, such as grafting fi endish spirits to themselves. Others seek an apotheosis to make them true dragons at last. They do not risk their lives needlessly, but the quest for immortality is worth taking the chance. Some half-dragons fi nd the burden of a half-breed existence more than they can bear. They indulge in lonely, sad thoughts of death that often take the form of fantasies in which a grieving community fi nally realizes the halfdragon’s true worth. Suicide is not a seriously considered option, though. Such affl icted creatures might turn their black moods to creating supremely mournful works of art or music.

Others might set out on dangerous journeys, hoping for reward but not caring much if they do not return. A few seek to renounce their dragon heritage entirely, becoming wholly humanoid and, they hope, fi nding acceptance at the cost of a shorter life. In either case, half-dragons do not usually share the religious outlook of humanoids. Racial deities in particular offer no sense of belonging. Nor do dragon deities, other than Io, hold much meaning for these misfi ts. A half-dragon makes his own religious choice based on his experience and the color of his soul, and his thoughts on the afterlife refl ect that choice.

Draconic characters are tougher, stronger, and more selfconfi dent than those who do not have dragon blood. Many exploit these advantages to the fullest.

Leisure

Draconic characters don’t live much longer than their ordinary kin, even though their draconic stamina gives them a better chance of surviving to old age. Thus, they do not focus on long-term activities as much as half-dragons. A draconic creature’s interests are often colored by the nature of her dragon ancestor. Thus, a descendant of a lung dragon (from Oriental Adventures) has a philosophical bent and might be scholarly or interested in art. Someone with green dragon blood tends to be aggressive, interested in boxing or other contact sports. The scion of a brass dragon can happily spend hours in conversation. Sharp claws make it diffi cult to pursue activities that require fi ne manipulation. Draconic pastimes therefore tend to those focusing on physical strength and endurance.

A draconic creature might be a champion long-distance runner, for example.

DESCENDED DRAGON- CHAPTER 4

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DRAGON- DESCENDED

Illus. by J. Nelson

Arts and Crafts

Because delicate craftwork does not come easily to clawed hands, draconic creatures rarely focus on crafts requiring intricate detail. Other than that, their interests span the range of those favored by their mundane kinfolk. Dragon heritage still tilts a draconic creature’s preferences. Descendants of greedy, selfi sh dragons show little interest in artistic pursuits, especially if they are members of boorish societies. Those with the blood of aesthetically inclined dragons are more attracted to the arts. In particular, draconic characters prefer the performing arts. Singing in particular is a strength. Performers, already viewed as odd, have no trouble assimilating a not-quitehuman member into the troupe. Talent is the only criterion.

Draconic characters tend naturally toward the bard class.

Roleplaying Application: Is your character artistically talented? Does she perform professionally or just sing to herself? Maybe she is someone who always entertains her companions. Does her performing bring pleasure to those around her, or is it an irritant?

Technology and Magic

Where half-dragons truly are of the dragon clan and are strongly inclined to all things arcane, draconic characters are far enough distant from their ancestors to feel less tied to magic. Certainly, they carry the potential for arcane power and can awaken it more readily than those without a draconic heritage—it just doesn’t infuse their beings in the same way. As a result, draconic characters are just as likely to engage in technological invention as in arcane study. If a draconic character is interested in magic, she looks to amplify her existing talents. She’s not usually interested in pure power but sees magic as a useful tool, and she has a better aptitude for understanding and operating magic items than others of her race.

Love

Unlike half-dragons, who are so often lonely, draconic characters are less likely to be rejected by the society they live in. Ultimately, how they are treated depends largely on their appearance. If her dragon blood complements features seen as attractive within her society, a draconic character might be a rare beauty to her people. (Claws can always be trimmed and painted, after all.) An elf with silver dragon ancestry might have shimmering eyes, a slight gleam to the skin, and a graceful carriage that all enhance her beauty. On the other hand, if the dragon ancestor is incompatible with a society’s standards of beauty, its descendant might never fi nd a mate. A dwarf descended from a black dragon, with a gaunt face, sunken eyes, and a hint of horns would be seen as aberrant. Clan responsibilities might give her a home and a role, but not a husband. Draconic characters who display strong draconic features can be mistaken for half-dragons. Their obvious monstrousness keeps them apart from society, sometimes condemning such unfortunates to despair or even selfhatred. As with half-dragons, they react intensely should they fi nd someone who truly cares for them.

Draconic characters often fi t into their community