D&D General Dragonborn Physical Features

[Scribe]

it is not about denting a monolith more growing new branches on a great tree

That does happen. As long as the understanding that the roots, the trunk of the tree, are Elves, Dwarves, Halflings/Hobbits and Humans.

Proof? Tieflings and Dragonborn.

 

[Mind of tempest]

That does happen. As long as the understanding that the roots, the trunk of the tree, are Elves, Dwarves, Halflings/Hobbits and Humans.

Proof? Tieflings and Dragonborn.

the hobbits should not be on the trunk as they are just too limited for most stories by design and the dwarves should grow a second distinct option.

the new guys need an example of setting integration.

 

[Scribe]

the hobbits should not be on the trunk as they are just too limited for most stories by design and the dwarves should grow a second distinct option.

the new guys need an example of setting integration.

They are not limited, they serve the purpose they are intended for, and its timeless.

The issue with new options, is that 'setting integration' is bespoke. Dragonborn have no purpose in Middle-Earth. They have no purpose in Krynn, I mean honestly they are wildly out of place in Krynn since you know, Draconians, stolen Eggs, the whole motivator around the Dragons...

Can a setting be designed to include them? Absolutely, but are they actually foundational at all? Not at all.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

They are not limited, they serve the purpose they are intended for, and its timeless.

The issue with new options, is that 'setting integration' is bespoke. Dragonborn have no purpose in Middle-Earth. They have no purpose in Krynn, I mean honestly they are wildly out of place in Krynn since you know, Draconians, stolen Eggs, the whole motivator around the Dragons...

Mate, draconians are dragonborn!

Can a setting be designed to include them? Absolutely, but are they actually foundational at all? Not at all.

I love Tolkien, but I don't think Tolkien inspired species are in any way mandatory. And D&D versions diverge from Tolkien anyway. Each setting should have species that makes sense for it, be that halflings, dragonborn, tortles or hexe.

 

[Scribe]

Mate, draconians are dragonborn!

No they aren't. Draconians are stolen Eggs of the Metallic Dragons, perverted and tainted by dark magic.

Dragonborn dont even have wings.

 

[CreamCloud0]

how do we make them less lizardy and more dragony?

i think we'd need to first increase the power budget of species to accomplish this but, i'd steal inspiration from the draconic sorcerer feature Draconic Presence and lean into their, uh, presence... being able to inspire their allies or cow their foes.

Spoiler: Draconic Presence

DRACONIC PRESENCE
Beginning at 18th level, you can channel the dread presence of your dragon ancestor, causing those around you to become awestruck or frightened. As an action, you can spend 5 sorcery points to draw on this power and exude an aura of awe or fear (your choice) to a distance of 60 feet. For 1 minute or until you lose your concentration (as if you were casting a concentration spell), each hostile creature that starts its turn in this aura must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed (if you chose awe) or frightened (if you chose fear) until the aura ends. A creature that succeeds on this saving throw is immune to your aura for 24 hours.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

No they aren't. Draconians are stolen Eggs of the Metallic Dragons, perverted and tainted by dark magic.

Dragonborn dont even have wings.

Eh, close enough, they're dragon people. Every species has some setting specific variation. Like Forgotten Realms and Darksun Elves are pretty different, but they're still elves. Same thing here.

As for the wings, I understand the new version has spectral wings, so I'd just refluff those as physical wings for settings in which that makes more sense.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

i think we'd need to first increase the power budget of species to accomplish this but, i'd steal inspiration from the draconic sorcerer feature Draconic Presence and lean into their, uh, presence... being able to inspire their allies or cow their foes.

Spoiler: Draconic Presence

DRACONIC PRESENCE
Beginning at 18th level, you can channel the dread presence of your dragon ancestor, causing those around you to become awestruck or frightened. As an action, you can spend 5 sorcery points to draw on this power and exude an aura of awe or fear (your choice) to a distance of 60 feet. For 1 minute or until you lose your concentration (as if you were casting a concentration spell), each hostile creature that starts its turn in this aura must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed (if you chose awe) or frightened (if you chose fear) until the aura ends. A creature that succeeds on this saving throw is immune to your aura for 24 hours.

I don't think dragons have dragon fear anymore in 5.5.

 

[Stormonu]

They are not limited, they serve the purpose they are intended for, and its timeless.

The issue with new options, is that 'setting integration' is bespoke. Dragonborn have no purpose in Middle-Earth. They have no purpose in Krynn, I mean honestly they are wildly out of place in Krynn since you know, Draconians, stolen Eggs, the whole motivator around the Dragons...

Can a setting be designed to include them? Absolutely, but are they actually foundational at all? Not at all.

My homebrew world has had dragon men in it gnawing at the roots of the tree since 1E. They just have a formal name of Dragonborn now.

Though I agree, dragonborn and draconians are wildly different, especially as the latter were never meant to be PC characters - and most dragonborn don't dissolve nastily in some way once slain.

 

[Scribe]

Eh, close enough, they're dragon people.

I'm sorry but they are not close at all. Lizardmen and Dragonborn are closer, and Lizardmen make a ton more sense as a core option/trope.