Dragonborn

“No, I would not want to live in a world without dragons, as I would not want to live in a world without magic, for that is a world without mystery, and that is a world without faith.”

-- R. A. Salvatore, Streams of Silver





A roar echoes across the morning mountains, calling a clan of scaled men and women to prayer. The defensive line of dragon-kin stand ready, fangs bared and halberds raised, before a flood of elemental power spills forth into the enemy charge. A lone minstrel makes her way from town to town, reptilian horns draped with jewelry from her many admirers.

Kin to Dragons

Born in the primordial age from the eggs of dragons, the humanoid dragonborn were shaped by draconic gods to serve as soldiers in a war for all creation, alloying the best traits of dragons and the mortal races.

Millenia later, these proud and mighty drakelings still endure, forming tight-knit clans bound by honour and inheritance. Some clans serve the gods that forged them, or worship true living dragons. Others live according to their own proud creed, acting as fearsome mercenary bands or isolationist lords of their own communal lairs.

Storied across the world, dragonborn are a rare sight, and often met with awe or fear when they venture among the other civilized races. Such a reaction does not disquiet them. It is only natural, when faced with a dragon's majesty.

Mighty Wyrms

Dragonborn resemble nothing less than humanoid dragons. In ancient times they were said to possess the same wings, tails, and vibrant hues as true dragons, but many dismiss this as bragging. If it were ever true, the generations since have stripped them of their spare appendages and dulled their leathery scales to shades of tan, rust, grey, and green.

Tall and broad, the dragonborn are blessed with immense strength, and have hands and feet that more resemble talons than conventional hands. Many have crests or stripes that match the pure color of a true dragon, but only a few are fully clad in the brightness of their ancestors.

Dragon's Pride

The clans of the dragonborn stem from a history older than some continents, and occupy a religious devotion among their members. To embarass oneself is awful: to embarass the clan with poor conduct is a disgrace beyond measure, worthy of exile or execution.

Dragonborn prize perfection and drive, regarding even a slight flaw in handiwork or behavior as an unforgiveable embarassment. Failure is intolerable, and a drakeling will push itself past the point of reason to avoid it. If this proves insufficient, grueling training or penitence follows.

The constant need to improve drives every dragonborn, a pursuit hampered by the difficulty they face in asking for help. Only clanmates and worthy comrades can be approached for aid, and even then only in private.

Lords of Earth and Sky

The only legitimate reason for a dragonborn to join an adventuring band would be at the clan's direction, but many set out independently to avenge wounded pride or protect their clan against unseen threats, and return to a warm welcome or utter disgrace depending on their success.

Mavericks among the dragonborn might seek adventure to as an escape from shame, or simply abandon their clan to be free from its expectations.

Dragonborn Names

Dragonborn have personal names given at birth, but they put their clan names first as a mark of pride. A childhood name or nickname is often used among clutchmates as a descriptive term or a term of endearment. The name might recall an event or center on a habit.