Dragonborn

Known for being tough, stern, and proud, Dragonborn are feared on the battlefield, a rare sight in the cities, and in high demand for bodyguard work. Dragonborn seen away from Nordraegen are generally those who have been permanently exiled or those who have elected to escape its oppressive society and make their own way in the world.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Dragonborn are muscular bipedal humanoids that stand on average 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 feet tall, weighing 250 to 350 lbs. They have sharp claws on their hands and feet, as well as tails and wings. Their bodies are covered in scales that can range in colour from red to blue to black and various hues in between. Dragonborn have varied features depending on their lineage; some may have long whiskers or manes, while others have bony ridges or horns. Some Dragonborn have stockier and more muscular builds, while others are taller and slimmer with elongated necks and torsos. They have an estimated natural lifespan of 150 years.

Their facial features resemble true dragons on a smaller scale, with long snouts and lizardlike eyes. Compared to other races, they are relatively expressionless. This makes them hard to read. They are known to have deep and raspy voices.

Dragonborn do not have distinct sexes or genders. They have partial shapeshifting abilities that allow them to change some of their secondary physical characteristics at will, such as the hue of their scales or the size and shape of their horns, but those residing in Nordraegen maintain conformity due to cultural pressures and the will of their creator. Free/Exiled Dragonborn tend to have more unique and personalized appearances.

CULTURE

Dragonborn are raised to have a sense of duty and purpose from the time they are born. Their role in draconic society is assigned to them at birth, and they are expected to fulfil it without question. They belong to a very hierarchical society with clearly defined classes, and any violation of this class system leads to immediate and permanent exile. Dragons are quite isolationist, so the vast majority of Dragonborn seen away from draconic territory are those who have been exiled. As a result of this isolationism, Dragonborn usually have a poor and prejudiced view of other species, though they tend to show some respect to Giant warriors. Exiled Dragonborn who deal with others regularly tend to be more open minded.

Draconic society is receptive to the use of technology, but it stops at the point of body modification. Cybernetics, gene therapy, chemical enhancements and so on are viewed as an insult to their creator and a violation of the draconic spirit. Magical enhancements are acceptable. Because of this view, Dragonborn cyborgs are nigh nonexistent, and any that do exist are guaranteed to be exiles.

Owing to their lack of visual emotional expression, the draconic language spoken by Dragons and Dragonborn is extremely nuanced in terms of conveying emotion. When speaking other languages, native draconic speakers tend to be extremely verbose in order to ensure their message is being conveyed accurately. The draconic language also does not make use of gendered pronouns but rather a term which roughly translates to “this one” or “that one” in English.

Free/Exiled Dragonborn in Midnight City sometimes begin to adopt cultural and social traits from the City that they were not exposed to during their life in Nordraegen, as both an expression of freedom and an act of rebellion. This could include cybernetic enhancements, masculine or feminine modes of dress and address, or even the act of associating with species that the true Dragons would deem “lesser”. Just as often, though, they retain aspects of their draconic culture for their own reasons.

TRAITS

Base Evasion: 11

Flight: Dragonborn can fly, but must start from a height. They cannot take off from the ground. They require at least 31 STR to be able to carry someone while flying.

SPECIES ABILITY

Breath Weapon: Dragonborn are capable of breathing an elemental breath weapon (fire, water/ice, lightning, or air) up to medium range. This attack does Willpower DMG x2 and requires a Willpower/Level roll. This attack does not cost MP. Can be used once per quest or duel. Element must be chosen at character creation.