Dragon

A tall albino human outlander strides through a blizzard, draped in soft cloths and hefting his axe. He chuckles softly as he walks toward the frost giant who dared poach from his elk herd.

A hoard of kobolds stops nervously at the words of the imperious elf as she grow horns and wings, revealing her true form. They begin to bow their heads and beg for forgiveness at the sight of the dark tyrant before them.

Flying across the grassy plains around his hometown, a silver dragon lets out a roar at the invading orc army. They begin to retreat as blasts of icy wind spew from the dragon's maw, freezing many of their warriors.

All of these dragons know that they are at the top of the food chain, and use that fact to protect what is rightfully theirs and rule benevolently over their domain.

Apex Predators

Dragons were created to be lethal hunters with a strong force of personality. Their natural weapons: claws, teeth, tail, and breath are all legendarily effective on the field of battle.

Dragons are not born massive and indomitable however, and the story of how a dragon learns and grows defines each of the legendary dragons that in turn define the world.

Shapeshifted dragons usually take their natural combat talents and apply it to their humanoid forms, becoming fearsome warriors even when not in their full majesty.

Innate Shapeshifters

Not all dragons are shapeshifters. Those that are able to shapeshift at a young age tend to innately enjoy the company of the smaller races and are far more socialable and humble. A sort of proud humility involved in reducing such a grand form and treating the smaller races as equals.

In rare cases where a wyrmling is able to shapeshift, they actually often tend to look up to the more experienced people they travel with, seeing them both as mentors and family to be protected.

Creating A Dragon

When creating a dragon it is important to think both about why you are wandering the world, as well as where you came from. What about your dragon has led them to innately develop the ability to shapeshift so early? What does your dragon collect in their hoard? Is it something valuable or something rare but inconsequential? Are your parents alive and lording over distant lands or have they been slain by a group of heroes or villains? What did they want for you to grow up doing?

Read through your selected Dragon Type's entry in the monster manual, and check with you DM to learn what dragons are in your game and their place in the world.

Dragon Names

Most dragons keep three names. The first is their personal name in the their native draconic tounge. This is often given to them by their parents but sometimes it is selected by the dragon themselves.

The second is an epithet - a grandiose nickname in the Common tongue, which is easier for lesser creatures to understand and remember. Sometimes this is just a translation of their personal name into common.

The third is a psudonym for their shapeshifted persona. This is usually picked up later in life and usually depends on the race they are able to shapeshift into.

Dragon Name

Epithet

Hoard

Every dragon is at heart, a collecter. They are liable to put a great amount of effort in order to find suitable additions to their hoard. What makes every dragon unique, is what items drive their obsession to collect. What does your dragon collect? Why do those items make the dragon want to aquire them? What is the rarest, and most desired item that your dragon dreams of eventually adding to your hoard?

Hoard

d6	Collected Items
1	Precious Gems
2	Books
3	Rare coins
4	Skulls or other bones of slain monsters
5	Toys
6	Business Cards, Playing Cards, and Greeting Cards

First Treasure

Every hoard starts somewhere, and that starting point often holds a special place sentimentaly for a dragon. Even the most dispassionately greedy of dragons are known to frame their very first gold piece. What is your dragon's first treasure? How did they aquire it?

First Treasure

d6	Treasure
1	A sparkling black opal that seems to whisper faintly when held to the ear.
2	An epic romance novel you have read several times, that is the first book in a very long series.
3	A coin from a magical empire that has since fallen. As an anti-counterfitting measure, it always lands on its side when flipped.
4	A tooth from a wolf that tried to eat you, preserved perfectly in a thin silver coating.
5	An intricate puzzle box that you think you have nearly solved after months of work.
6	The calling card for a famous archmage, featuring a hollographic illusion on the back.

Insignia of Claws

In cases where a dragon needs to empower their strikes with magical energy, they often seek to get an Insignia of Claws placed on one of their scales. Cults of Tiamat and Temples of Bahamut often reward them to dragons and half dragons for very notable deeds or significant acts of service. More often however, a dragon will need to assume a humanoid form in order to weild the magic weaponry a situation may require.

Insignia of Claws Wondrous Item, Uncommon While wearing the insignia you gain a +1 bonus to the attack rolls and the damage rolls you make with unarmed strikes and natural weapons. Such attacks are considered to be magical.

.

Art Sources

Woman with Horns by Guangjian Huang https://www.artstation.com/gyhgjart Knight Facing a Dragon by Vuk Kostic (aka Chevsy on DeviantArt) https://www.gmbinder.com/images/Q0RCIyi.png Leviathan Izuku, by Raven-by-the-sea https://78.media.tumblr.com/2e2154419f43a2f170b2b8ca8d78c48b/tumblr_p3p5gidztr1vn7x87o1_1280.png Green Dragon, by Sandra Tang https://i.imgur.com/ujR6ejK.png https://www.facebook.com/ArtofSandara3/ Yndry, The Prankster Young Copper Dragon by Mukhlisnur https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/9odi31/art_yndry_the_prankster_young_copper_dragon/

Choosing a race

Thanks to the nature of your shapeshifting powers, you still choose a race during character creation, and gain their features.
Optional Rule: True Strength At your DM's discretion, you may replace one of your selected race's ability score increases for an equivalent ability score increase to Strength, unless the race already has an ability score increase to Strength.

Class Features

As a dragon, you gain the following class features

Hit Points

---

• Hit Dice: 1d10 per dragon level
• Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution modifier per dragon level after 1st

Proficiencies

---

• Armor: Light armor
• Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
• Tools: none

---

• Saving Throws: Charisma, Constitution
• Skills: Choose two from Arcana, Deception, History, Insight, Perception, Persuasion, and Stealth

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) two martial weapons or (b) a longbow and a quiver of 20 arrows
• (a) a scholar's pack or (b) an explorer's pack
• A small treasure worth 100 gp

Multiclassing

Prerequisistes. To qualify for multicasting out of the Dragon class, you must meet these prerequisites: Strength 13 and Charisma 13. You cannot multiclass into the Dragon class.

True Nature

At 1st level, your draconic nature manifests. You have two creature types: humanoid and dragon. You can be affected by a game effect if it works on either of your creature types. You can speak, read, and write Draconic.

In addition, your AC equals 14 + your Draconic Might modifier, as shown in the Draconic Might section of the Dragon table.

Draconic Form

Starting at 1st level, you can enter or exit your true form as a dragon as an action. While you are in your Draconic Form, you gain the following properties:

• You no longer count as a humanoid creature.
• Your size is medium.
• Your Strength and Strength maximum increase by an amount equal to your Draconic Might modifier, as shown in the Draconic Might section of the Dragon table.
• You gain a flying speed of 30ft. This benefit works only in short bursts; you fall if you end your turn in the air and nothing else is holding you aloft.
• You gain razor sharp claws, which are natural melee weapons, with which you’re proficient. When you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 2d4 + your Strength modifier. You also lose proficiency with simple and martial weapons.
• Your Draconic Form counts as your original form for purposes such as Truesight and Antimagic Fields. If you die, you revert to your Draconic Form.

You choose whether your Equipment falls to the ground in your space, merges into your Draconic Form, or is worn by it. Equipment that merges with your Draconic Form has no effect. Your DM decides whether it is practical for your Draconic Form to wear a piece of equipment. If you die, all the equipment merged into your Draconic Form falls to the ground in your space.

Draconic Aspect

As you grow as a Dragon, your continued evolution and change manifests itself in new Aspects.

At 2nd level, you gain one Draconic Aspect of your choice. Your Draconic Aspect options are detailed at the end of the class description. You gain additional Draconic Aspects of your choice at 6th level, 10th level, 13th level, and 15th level. A level prerequisite in a Draconic Aspect refers to Dragon level, not character level.

Dragon Type

At 2nd level, you choose your Dragon Type, which describes your Draconic Ancestry. While you are in your Draconic Form, you have immunity to the damage type specified in the Breath Weapon table below, and resistance to it while not in your Draconic Form.

Draconic Weapons

At 3rd level, you gain access to different methods of attack while in your Draconic Form. You can use the following melee weapon attacks up to once per round each.

Bite Attack. Your fanged maw is a natural melee weapon, with which you’re proficient. When you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d10 + your Strength modifier + 1d8 damage of your dragon type's relevant damage type. This damage increases to 2d8 at 9th level, and 3d8 at 14th level.

Tail Attack. Your tail is a natural melee weapon with a reach of 10ft, that you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with it, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d8 + your Strength modifier, plus an additional 1d8 damage at 14th level. The reach of this attack increases by 5 feet at 9th level.

Wing Attack. You beat your wings. Creatures your size or smaller within 10 feet of you must make a Strength saving throw, with the DC being equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier. On a failed save, a creature is knocked prone. After attacking this way, you can immediately move up to half your flying speed.

Breath Weapon

Also at 3rd level, you gain a Breath Weapon as you develop glands to shoot raw, destructive elements from your maw. You can use an action on your turn while you are in your Draconic Form to use your Breath Weapon. The saving throw is calculated as follows:

---

Breath Save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Draconic Form’s Constitution modifier.

---

You deal a number of d8s worth of damage equal to half your Dragon level, rounded down. The shape of the breath weapon, and the required saving throw are all based on your Dragon Type, as shown in the Breath Weapon table.

You can use this feature a number of Times equal to your Draconic Might modifier, as shown in the Draconic Might section of the Dragon table. You regain all expended uses of it when you finish a short or long rest.

At 9th level, the range of your breath weapon doubles. At 14th level, it doubles again.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Enormous Appetite

Also at 4th level, whenever you spend more than four hours in your Draconic Form on a given day, the amount of rations you require for that day increases by an amount equal to your Draconic Might Modifier, as shown in the Draconic Might section of the Dragon table.

Extra Attack

Beginning at 5th level, you can Attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
The number of attacks increases to three when you reach 11th level in this class.

Freedom of Flight

Also at 5th level, your wings grow stronger. Your Draconic Form’s flying speed increases by 15 feet, and you no longer fall to the ground if you end your turn in the air.

Draconic Resilience

At 7th level, you gain proficiency in your choice of either Wisdom or Dexterity saving throws.

Quickened Transformation

Also at 7th level, you learn how to speed up your transformation into an apex predator. You can enter or exit your Draconic Form as a bonus action.

Childhood’s End

At 9th level, you gain the following additional benefits while you are in your Draconic Form.

• The size of your Draconic Form is now large.
• Your flying speed increases by 15 feet, your walking speed increases by 10 feet.
• Your claw attack's damage increases to 2d6.

Adulthood

At 17th level, you gain the following additional benefits while you are in your Draconic Form.

• The size of your Draconic Form is now Huge.
• When you take damage, you can use your reaction to make an attack using one of your Draconic Weapons.
• You can make Wisdom (Perception) checks during your turn as a bonus action.

Frightful Presence

Also at 17th level, you can use your action to let out a mighty roar. Each creature of your choice that is aware of your presence and within 60 feet of you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw, with the DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier. On a failed save, a creature is frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to your Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.

Lair Creation

At 18th level, you are able to make a lair in your favored terrain. You must spend thirty days and create a hoard of at least 10,000gp worth of gems and coins to establish your lair, which provides lair actions and creates regional effects as found in the Monster Manual. You lair must be in your Dragon Type’s favored terrain, as listed in the table below.

Legendary Resistance

At 20th level, you gain the powerful resilience only possessed by the most legendary beings. If you fail a saving throw, you can choose to succeed instead. You can use this feature three times. You regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.

Draconic Aspects

If a draconic aspect has prerequisites, you must meet them to gain it. You can gain the draconic aspect at the same tie that you meet its prerequisites. A level prerequisite refers to your level in this class. You can't select the same aspect more than once, unless otherwise noted.

Shadow Touched

You become marked by the dark energies of the shadowfell. While in your Draconic Form, dark shadows billow around you and your scales turn inky black. Your breath weapon and bite attack deal necrotic damage instead of its regular type and while in your Draconic Form, you gain resistance to necrotic damage.

In addition, you gain advantage on stealth checks while in dim light or darkness. You also gain Sunlight Sensitivity; while in sunlight you have disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Arctic Adaptation

Prerequisite: White dragon type

You can move across and climb icy surfaces without needing to make an ability check. Additionally, difficult terrain composed of ice or snow doesn’t cost you extra movement.

In addition, while in your draconic form, you gain a swim speed of 30ft, and a burrowing speed of 10ft, letting you rapidly dig through thin ice, or loosely packed dirt and sand.

Aquatic Adaptation

Prerequisite: Black, Green, Bronze, or Gold dragon type

You gain a swim speed of 30ft, the ability to breathe both air and water, and proficiency in a skill of your choice from the Dragon class skill list.

Continental Adaptation

Prerequisite: Red, Silver, or Copper dragon type

You gain a climb speed of 40ft, and proficiency in a skill of your choice from the Dragon class skill list.

Desert Adaptation

Prerequisite: Blue or Brass dragon type

You are unharmed by temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit or as high as 120 degrees Farenheit.

In addition, while you are in your Draconic Form, you have a burrowing speed of 10ft, letting you rapidly dig through thin ice, or loosely packed dirt and sand.

Elemental Affinity

Prerequisite: Red, White, Blue, or Black dragon type

Damage you deal that matches your Dragon Type's damage type ignores resistance.

Sleep Breath

Prerequisite: 6th level, Brass dragon type

You expend two uses of your Breath Weapon to exhale sleep gas in an area the shape of your Breath Weapon as an action on your turn. Each creature in that area must make a Constitution saving throw or fall unconscious for 1 minute. This effect ends for a creature if the creature takes damage or another creature uses an action to wake it.

Repulsion Breath

Prerequisite: 6th level, Bronze dragon type

You expend two uses of your Breath Weapon to exhale repulsion energy in an area the shape of your Breath Weapon as an action on your turn. Each creature in that area must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is pushed a number of feet equal to half the length of your Breath Weapon. If a thrown target strikes an object, such as a wall or floor, the target takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet it was thrown.

Poisoning Breath

Prerequisite: 6th level, Green dragon type

A creature that fails its saving throw against your breath weapon becomes poisoned for 1 minute. They can make a saving throw at the end of each of their turns, ending the effect on a success.

Slowing Breath

Prerequisite: 6th level, Copper dragon type

You expend two uses of your Breath Weapon to exhale gas in an area the shape of your Breath Weapon as an action on your turn. Each creature in that area must make a Constitution saving throw or become slowed for 1 minute. A slowed creature can’t use reactions, its speed is halved, and it can’t make more than one attack on its turn. In addition, the creature can use either an action or a bonus action on its turn, but not both. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of it's turns, ending the effect on itself with a successful save.

Weakening Breath

Prerequisite: 6th level, Gold dragon type

You expend two uses of your Breath Weapon to exhale gas in an area the shape of your Breath Weapon as an action on your turn. Each creature in that area must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, that creature has disadvantage on Strength-based attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws. A creature can repeat the saving thorow at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

Paralyzing Breath.

Prerequisite: 6th level, Silver dragon type

You expend two uses of your Breath Weapon to exhale paralyzing gas in an area the shape of your Breath Weapon as an action on your turn. Each creature in that area must make a Constitution saving throw or become poisoned. A creature that is poisoned this way is paralyzed, and can repeat the saving throw at the beginning of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Manifested Nature

Prerequisite: 6th level

When you gain this Draconic Aspect, choose two of the following draconic features: wings, horns, a tail, claws, or scales. You may select this aspect multiple times. Each time you do so, you must choose different draconic features.

You can choose to manifest your slected draconic features whenever you shapechange into your humanoid form.

• If you manifest wings, while in humanoid form you have a flying speed equal to half your Draconic Form’s flying speed.

• If you manifest horns, while in humanoid form, you can still utilize your Breath Weapon. While using your breath weapon in this way, it's range is halved and creatures get advantage on any saves to resist it's effects.

• If you manifest a tail, you can use it as a natural weapon that deals 1d8 bludeonging damage.

• If you manifest claws, you can use them as natural weapons that deal 2d4 slashing damage and have the finesse property.

• If you manifest scales, you maintain immunity to your dragon type's damage type.

Predatory Senses

Prerequisite: 6th level

You gain significantly heightened senses. You gain Darkvision out to a range of 60 feet, as described in chapter 8. In addition, you gain Blindsight out to a range of 10 feet, letting you perceive your surroundings without relying on sight within that radius.

In addition, you gain proficiency in Perception. If you are already proficient, you gain expertise in Perception, which means your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make with it.

At 14th level, the range of your Darkvision increases to 120ft, and the range of your Blindsight increases to 30ft.

Dragon Warrior

Prerequisite: 6th level

Your attacks in dragon form count as magical and your scales are hard as adamantine. Critical hits on you become normal hits while you are in your Draconic Form. In addition, while in your Draconic Form, your attacks deal double damage to objects and structures.

Draconic Blood Magic

Prerequisite: 10th level

You learn two cantrips of your choice from the sorcerer spell list. One of which must deal the same damage type as your Breath Weapon. In addition, choose one 1st or 2nd level spell also from the sorcerer spell list. You learn that spell and can cast it at 2nd level. Once you cast it, you must finish a short rest before you can cast it again.

Your spellcasting ability for these spells is Charisma.

Beast Shapechanger

Prerequisite: 10th level

As an action, you can cast polymorph on yourself without expending a spell slot, and requiring no material components. When you do so, you can only transform into a beast whose challenge rating is 1 or lower. While polymorphed in this way, you still maintain your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma ability scores.

Your spellcasting ability for this spell is Charisma.

Once you cast polymorph in this way, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Combat Shapechanger

Prerequisite: 10th level

Whenever you shapechange into your Draconic Form or your Humanoid Form on your turn, you have advantage on the first melee attack you make before the end of the turn.

In addition, whenever you shapechange into your Humanoid Form, you gain temporary hit points equal to your Charisma modifier plus your Draconic Might Modifier, as shown in the Draconic Might section of the Dragon table, that last until you shapechange back into your Draconic Form.

Apex Mind

Prerequisite: 13th level, a non-white dragon type

Your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores increase by 3. Your maximum for these scores increases by 3.