Races and the creation of NPCs

[Urizen]

I've been considering creating a product, and something I'm wondering about;

If I want to create, say, a 10th level dragonborn Warlord NPC, can I stat him, or do I have to refer to the monster manual for information on the race?

Also, can I create a slightly modified Dragonborn race and call them something else, Like, oh, dragonspawn?

From what I understand, you can't re-define any race in the PHB. So it seems that any tweaks to the existing race would necessitate a change in names.

Thanks in advance for any feedback

[Starglim]

You can publish a new stat block headed "Level 10 Dragonborn Warlord". I believe you would have to refer to the PHB and MM for definitions of race and class abilities named in the SRD.

You should be able to add elements usable by a core race, such as, for example, new racial feats or suggested builds. Directly taking away or changing any of their existing abilities would be redefining SRD-named material and not allowed under the same name.

[Urizen]

Originally Posted by Starglim

You can publish a new stat block headed "Level 10 Dragonborn Warlord". I believe you would have to refer to the PHB and MM for definitions of race and class abilities named in the SRD.

You should be able to add elements usable by a core race, such as, for example, new racial feats or suggested builds. Directly taking away or changing any of their existing abilities would be redefining SRD-named material and not allowed under the same name.

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.