Need Help with a new (PC) Dragon's Breath Power

[NobleAmberDragon]

I'll try to keep this short and sweet.

I'm playing in a campaign where the world is basically ruled by a Dragon aristocracy. Every piece of land is the domain of a particular dragon, and they are heavily involved in its affair. All non-dragons are serfs, peasants, slaves. Anything with dragon's blood but is not a pure dragon (Half-Dragons, and other things) are expected to be slain upon birth (by the human or dragon).

Now, I always enjoy playing draconic-themed characters, and I talked my DM into allowing me to play a Half-Dragon character (sniper rogue: ranged & cunning sneak), since one of her motivations would be to complete the main storyline of toppling draconic empires. Currently I am using a modified Dragonborne race for her racial bonuses.

For story reasons, in all but the best circumstances, she will be killed if she broadcasts her as a Half-Dragon. This is problematic, since her racial is dragon's breath, something that is 'expected' to be used every encounter. That won't work, for story reasons.

Does anyone have a suggestion for how to change the dragonborne racial encounter power to fit the fluff?

She is an alchemist, so she could use her breath weapon to empower an alchemedic item every encounter. Or her breath weapon could be changed to a daily power (standard action). When it comes to pinning down actual numbers, I am not so sure about what it should be, however...

 

[Siberys]

A recent dragon article had some feats for dborn - among which was a feat to switch out your dragon breath for a "fearful presence" type power. Maybe that would work?

 

[Mentat55]

Isn't this just a cost you have to accept when you decided to play a half-dragon in a campaign setting where half-dragons are supposed to be slain on sight? Use it when you really need it, or when there are no eyewitnesses.

Alternatively, take the Dragonborn Channeling feat from MP2. Lets you spend your dragonbreath power to do extra damage to a take, basically channeling elemental energy into your weapon attack.

 

[Mesh Hong]

Isn't this just a cost you have to accept when you decided to play a half-dragon in a campaign setting where half-dragons are supposed to be slain on sight? Use it when you really need it, or when there are no eyewitnesses.

Sorry to sound harsh but I absolutely agree with the above.

You knew what you were getting into when you created the character, in fact you state yourself that you persuaded the DM to let you have a character race he wasn't expecting.

Congratulations you have created a character with a dark secret that will get her killed if it ever comes out. Enjoy the roleplaying challenge and stop trying to weasel out of your (seemingly) poor choice.

As they say "be careful what you wish for, you might just get it".