HGd10PHB - Drakonic

Drakonic
Drakonic are a humanoid kind related to dragons. They are not half-breeds, but neither are they actual dragons. Drakonic walk upright, though may drop to all fours to sprint. They have bulky muscles, elongated dragonesque heads, and almost always a tail. Some breeds have functional wings as well.

Drakonic vary almost as much as dragons of the world on which they both reside. However, they tend toward a few dominant breeds. They are physically imposing and generally lack in the non-physical characteristics, but that does not mean that some exceptions don't exist.

While they are warm-blooded, drakonic do lay eggs rather than give live birth. A female drakonic will typically lay from one to three eggs per clutch. It is not uncommon for one or more of these eggs to not survive until hatching. Those that do typically hatch within a month. From hatching, Drakonic are omnivores that favor fresh meat over other forms of food.

Like most dragon-kind, Drakonic are very long lived. They do continue to grow throughout their lives, but this growth slows as they age. The largest Drakonic known have reached the size of ogres. Drakonic prefer to pass through battle, but some eventually enter a twilight time in their lives. Should they reach this point, they will find a lair where all their treasure is stored up and allow the world to come to them as it has need. The descendants of the Drakonic will come to receive gifts of the Drakonic's treasure until only the most prized possessions remain. Eventually, the Drakonic will go to sleep, their soul will leave their body, and the body will turn to stone. Anyone who finds the Drakonic's lair afterwards will find its prized possessions, too. For more on this, see Drakonic in the Creature Codex.

Society
Drakonic have a variety of social structures much like Humans. However, their more durable nature makes them seem brutal to outsiders. Part of this is based on the fact that Humans and other more frail kinds would be torn asunder by what the Drakonics consider friendly tussles.

Drakonic have a binary reproductive cycle and a long, complicated courtship system. Whether they mate freely or exclusively depends on the level of civilization of the world and the region. During the summer cycle of a world, Drakonic will hunt with their intended mate. This is to show their prowess, compatibility, and preferences. If the two work well together in all these aspects, they will find a place to settle in for the colder months. This may be a cave, a castle, a house, or what have you. Drakonic don't hibernate, but they are less active during the cold months. It is during this time that the actual mating takes place. Gestation is four months, then the female will remain with the nest until hatching. At that time, the father will bring live prey for the hatchlings to hunt within the confines of the nest and later the home. Once the hatchlings leave the home to find prey on their own, they typically do not return. The parents will either stay together if their society calls for it, or part ways. Those that stay together in a life-mating are still very independent and may not see one another until the next time they desire to mate - which may be years.

Drakonic are hoarders like their larger kin, but do not accumulate the same mass of wealth. Most of a Drakonic's hoard are treasures gained from adventures, trophies from battles, and the like. Drakonic take pride in their hoard and know where each treasure is from, and even love to tell the tale to those who would listen. They do not steal from the weak as there is no honor in it, even for those who lean more towards evil. Rather, they prefer to test themselves against their equals or those who might be stronger. It is rare, but not unheard of for Drakonics to band together against a dragon, especially one with a different moral alignment.

Like all playable kinds, Drakonic are morally free-willed. However, certain worlds may have Darkonic that trend more towards the evil or good side of the moral line depending on the story.

Character Creation
Key Characteristic: Varies

Base Characteristics: Varies, but likely: +4 AGL; +2 BEA; +6 CON; +5 INT; +6 PRC; +2 PRS; +8 STR; +5 WIS

Free Skill Bonuses (BP): Any 2 Combat Skills; Any 2 Craft Skill; Any 4 Social Skills; Any 2 Movement Skills

Traits & Foibles:
 * Energy Weapon - Like all Dragon-Kin, Drakonic have an energy weapon, usually a breath weapon that they naturally emit. This energy is tied to the Spectrum the particular breed of Drakonic is tied to.  The GM and Player need to design an Energy Weapon that makes sense for their character's Kind.  The skill roll for the weapon may look something like one of these:
 * Eidetic Memory (5)
 * Immunity (Spectrum Specific - 6) - All Drakonic are immune to negative effects from their own Spectrum.
 * Keen Senses (5) - All Drakonic receive +5 to any Perception or Senses, Investigation, Search, Spot, or similar rolls.
 * Miserly (+4)
 * Weakness (Spectrum Specific +4) - All Drakonic take double negative effects from their opposing Spectrum; this Spectrum also prevents Regeneration
 * Weakness (Choose One +4) - All Drakonic take double effect from a second Spectrum of the Player's choosing.

As Heroes
Drakonic are sought out as adventuring companions by many for their overwhelming physical power and innate magical abilities. While these potent adventurers may serve in many roles, they are often after only one thing: personal wealth. This makes them expensive to hire and sometimes foments trouble within the group as only the most noble of the Drakonic can resist their draconic desire for things of value and put the needs of the group ahead of their own when it comes time to divvy up the treasure. However, considering what they bring to the party, most groups find this minor annoyance well worth the increase in survivability rates.

Types of Dragon-Kin

 * Dragons
 * Drakes
 * Drakonic
 * Half-Dragons
 * Great Serpents
 * Wyverns


 * Hero's Guild Players Handbook Home
 * Chapter 1 - Creature Kinds
 * Chapter 2 - Primary Characteristics
 * Chapter 3 - Skills
 * Chapter 4 - Traits and Foibles
 * Chapter 5 - Physical Combat Skills 
 * Chapter 6 - Mystical Skills
 * Chapter 7 - Equipment
 * Chapter 8 - Crafting
 * Chapter 9 - Knowledge Social and Movement Skills
 * Chapter 10 - Optional Classes
 * Chapter 11 - Rules of Engagement