TheScribbler
Explorer
In some spare time I have been working on a 5e campaign idea that involved creating PCs like the Battledragons in Christopher Rowley's Bazil Broketail books.
For those that haven't read, in the books "dragons" are distantly descended from the mythical big Dragons. The different breeds range a bit in size, speed, toughness, and disposition.
Bazil himself is on the lighter and more maneuverable end of things (his breed nicknamed a "leatherback"), and this is his general size:
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I know that Large PCs aren't really a thing, though they have gotten big characters done within the system in some cool ways, but that's mostly because the size issues can make group playability an issue (like, say, for dungeon-crawling).
For the campaign and setting I am working on some of those concerns shouldn't be an issue, and others are part of the point; every Drake is paired with a human kid (16+ but most are still young) who helped raise them and bonds with them when both are young. In-setting this is done largely because, left to their own devices, drakes are considered by those in power to be impulsive, dangerous, and far to independent-minded to do anything but fight wildly or cause trouble.
I plan on working on some options (through Backgrounds and other stuff) that will allow someone to play a Drake or one of these Bonded without another PC on the other side, and for making playing a duo a fun experience.
The various sub-races I've been fiddling with are loosely based on real groups of lizards, and their names are all up for debate.
Here is the outline that I have so far:
Race: Drakes
Drake Sub-Race: Sandskins
Originally native to dry desert regions, they're most recognizable for their pale coloration, odd gaits, and for weirding out humans with odd behavior. Also, they prefer to eat their food while it is still alive and that's not always easy for humans to handle. They are generally 12-14ft from nose to tail, but tend to go on all fours when at rest and are about 5-7ft high at the shoulder, meaning they don't tower over humans like their cousins.
Drake Sub-Race: Pebbletails
Originally native to warm coastal regions, Pebbletails are often considered rather clever by humans and maybe a bit too human by other drakes. Their skin is often green, grey, or even blue and often has traces of all three. The defining feature of this type, however, is their flexible and quick tail with the thicker hide that gives them their name. They are primarily bipedal, and stand about 10-12 feet tall.
I have two more (Glasseyes, who are basically crocodiles, and Gravelhides, who are tanks) but need to get off the computer for a bit.
Feedback is appreciated.
For those that haven't read, in the books "dragons" are distantly descended from the mythical big Dragons. The different breeds range a bit in size, speed, toughness, and disposition.
Bazil himself is on the lighter and more maneuverable end of things (his breed nicknamed a "leatherback"), and this is his general size:
[sblock=Two Covers For Example]
I know that Large PCs aren't really a thing, though they have gotten big characters done within the system in some cool ways, but that's mostly because the size issues can make group playability an issue (like, say, for dungeon-crawling).
For the campaign and setting I am working on some of those concerns shouldn't be an issue, and others are part of the point; every Drake is paired with a human kid (16+ but most are still young) who helped raise them and bonds with them when both are young. In-setting this is done largely because, left to their own devices, drakes are considered by those in power to be impulsive, dangerous, and far to independent-minded to do anything but fight wildly or cause trouble.
I plan on working on some options (through Backgrounds and other stuff) that will allow someone to play a Drake or one of these Bonded without another PC on the other side, and for making playing a duo a fun experience.
The various sub-races I've been fiddling with are loosely based on real groups of lizards, and their names are all up for debate.
Here is the outline that I have so far:
Race: Drakes
- Size: Large
- The world is not made for them or things their size, making dealing with tight spaces, tiny tools, and other things in the predominately human world rather difficult. They have Disadvantage in some enclosed spaces, and when most using tools, items, and weapons not made specifically for their use.
- Melee attacks that hit do an extra 1d4 of damage.
- Drake tools, items, weapons, light armor, and medium armor: 2x Cost and Weight
- Drake heavy armor: 4x Cost and Weight - Predator's Maw:
- Descended from coastal and marsh hunters.
- Bite attacks do an additional d4 of damage (so 2d4 total). This does not stack with the bonus from Size. - Thick Hide:
- Drakes have a wide variety of skin textures, but all are thick and resistant to the teeth of other predators.
- Damage Resistance against non-magical Piercing. - Sharp Senses:
- Never lost their hungry and wary perspective on the world, still very sensitive to the smell of prey and the approach of potential threats.
- Skill Proficiency in Perception.
Drake Sub-Race: Sandskins
Originally native to dry desert regions, they're most recognizable for their pale coloration, odd gaits, and for weirding out humans with odd behavior. Also, they prefer to eat their food while it is still alive and that's not always easy for humans to handle. They are generally 12-14ft from nose to tail, but tend to go on all fours when at rest and are about 5-7ft high at the shoulder, meaning they don't tower over humans like their cousins.
- Deadly Bite:
- They have a terribly infectious bite, only a real threat once they are adults, which makes it easier to kill.
- Requires victim to make a Constitution Save with a DC of 8+Constitution+Proficiency. Save or take (1/4 Level)d8 Poison damage. If reduced to 0 hit points the victim is Stable but paralyzed + poisoned for 1hr. - Cunning:
- Sandskins like to watch and mimic others, seeking to understand their environment before they grow too comfortable.
- Wisdom +1. - Swaying Gait:
- It doesn't become obvious until they really get moving, but Sandskins have almost awkwardly long limbs that make them seem to shimmy when walking and look bizarre when running.
- +10ft to Speed.
Drake Sub-Race: Pebbletails
Originally native to warm coastal regions, Pebbletails are often considered rather clever by humans and maybe a bit too human by other drakes. Their skin is often green, grey, or even blue and often has traces of all three. The defining feature of this type, however, is their flexible and quick tail with the thicker hide that gives them their name. They are primarily bipedal, and stand about 10-12 feet tall.
- Whip Strike:
- It is exceedingly dangerous to be distracted around a Pebbletail drake, and their tail makes sure that combatants feel constantly harassed.
- If a Pebbletail hits an enemy in melee combat and are within 5ft. of an ally, they do an additional 1d6 damage. This increases to 2d6 at level 5, 3d6 at level 11, and 4d6 at level 17. - Agile:
- Compared to other drakes they are better with their hands, more flexible, and quicker on their feet.
- Dexterity +1. - Man-Speaker:
- Something about Pebbletails makes other drakes look to them when dealing with humans; maybe it's their own eccentric minds, maybe it's that humans see more of themselves in the way Pebbletails act, but they just get people.
- Skill Proficiency in Insight.
I have two more (Glasseyes, who are basically crocodiles, and Gravelhides, who are tanks) but need to get off the computer for a bit.
Feedback is appreciated.
