Dragonling
all dragon characters must have the Dragonling background
Dragons hatch from eggs and begin life as Dragonlings, miniature dragons that are as cute as they are deadly. Many are raised by their dragon parents, but some are fostered by other creatures, and some are simply left to wander and fend for themselves. In your case, you’ve already spent considerable time around humanoids. Maybe you were raised from a hatchling by a humanoid foster family, or maybe your dragon parents had close humanoid allies who you interacted with and learned from. This early exposure left you with an understanding of humanoid ways and a willingness to adventure that most of your dragon kin lack. Skill Proficiencies: None
Tool Proficiencies: None
Languages: One language spoken by the humanoids you were raised with
Equipment: A few shiny baubles that aren’t worth much but with which you are loath to part (such as glass beads, pewter figurines, quartz crystals, polished brass buttons, or similar small trinkets) and a special wearable harness to which you can attach pockets, pouches, and equipment
HUMANOID RELATIONSHIPS
You were raised amongst humanoids or alongside them. How did this come to pass? Roll on the table below, and then decide the specific details about the people who raised you, such as their race, profession, and alignment. How well do you get along with them now? How well do you know your dragon parents?
d10 Humanoid Relationships
1 You hatched, and there was no-one around, so you just wandered into the nearest village.
2 You were the runt of the clutch — your siblings forced you to leave your dragon parents’ lair.
3 An adventurer came upon your clutch just as you were hatching, and adopted you.
4 Your egg was stolen, and you were raised by a cruel master who wanted a dragon servant.
5 You and your dragon parents never saw eye-to-eye. You left home to live with the humanoids as an act of rebellion.
6 Your were a disappointment to your dragon parents, who kicked you out of the lair in the hopes you would change your ways.
7 As part of an ancient pact, you are to be raised by the great-great-grandchild of a humanoid your dragon parents helped to raise.
8 You observed the humanoids, and became fascinated with them, desiring to learn their ways.
9 You to believe it is your destiny to protect those weaker than you, so you sought them out.
10 Your dragon parents have a scheme to infiltrate a humanoid civilization, and you are their willing agent.
FEATURE: DRAGON REPUTATION Most of the civilized world regards dragons as dangerous creatures to be feared and avoided. In small or remote towns, you can generally go where you please and do what you want — as long as you are not hurting anyone or destroying people’s livelihood, most common folk will be too afraid to interfere. Primitive humanoid tribes and lone creatures in the wilderness, even unintelligent ones, tend to treat you with much the same respect. In large towns and cities, you may get the opposite reaction; the town guard will question you upon entry, and may send soldiers or militia members to escort you around, ready to drive you off at the slightest provocation.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
Dragons are creatures with strong and prominent personalities. Even those of the highest good are proud, often to the point of arrogance. The nice ones try not to be rude about it; they just know that they are better than other creatures. All dragons crave treasure, which can seem greedy to lesser beings. Other characteristics can vary considerably, tending towards what humanoids would consider extreme or eccentric.
d8 Personality Trait
1 I’ll talk your ear off if you let me.
2 I love the arts — music, poetry, theater.
3 I eat constantly and love to try new foods.
4 I’m incredibly lazy. When you live for 1,000 years, what’s the big hurry?
5 I like to admire and show off my treasure.
6 I always talk down to people, and I don’t understand why this bothers them, since I am clearly superior.
7 Jokes, puns, and riddles are my primary language.
8 Anger, joy, sorrow, passion — I express emotions freely and have wild mood swings.
d6 Ideal
1 Greed. My only concern is to grow my treasure hoard. (Evil)
2 Curiosity. I want to experience all that life has to offer. (Chaotic)
3 Independence. Everyone should do what they want, and not be beholden to anyone else. (Chaotic)
4 Knowledge. Information is the most valuable treasure. (Lawful)
5 Noble Obligation. I must protect and care for those weaker than me. (Good)
6 Honor. I must act as befitting one of my high station. (Lawful)
d6 Bond
1 One of my humanoid friends is guarding my treasure horde while I travel.
2 I find humanoids most fascinating.
3 I seek revenge against a more powerful Individual.
4 I have learned a secret clue to the location of a great treasure hoard.
5 Humanoids are weak, and need my protection.
6 I will prove to everyone that I am the wisest and most powerful.
d6 Flaw
1 All treasure is rightfully mine. All of it.
2 I find humanoids most delicious.
3 Those who insult me must submit or die.
4 Why tell the truth when a lie will suffice?
5 I put myself in harm’s way to protect weaker creatures, which is just about everyone.
6 Everyone is beneath me. They should defer to my wishes.
Art by Tom Fisherbach
Dragons hatch from eggs and begin life as Dragonlings, miniature dragons that are as cute as they are deadly. Many are raised by their dragon parents, but some are fostered by other creatures, and some are simply left to wander and fend for themselves. In your case, you’ve already spent considerable time around humanoids. Maybe you were raised from a hatchling by a humanoid foster family, or maybe your dragon parents had close humanoid allies who you interacted with and learned from. This early exposure left you with an understanding of humanoid ways and a willingness to adventure that most of your dragon kin lack. Skill Proficiencies: None
Tool Proficiencies: None
Languages: One language spoken by the humanoids you were raised with
Equipment: A few shiny baubles that aren’t worth much but with which you are loath to part (such as glass beads, pewter figurines, quartz crystals, polished brass buttons, or similar small trinkets) and a special wearable harness to which you can attach pockets, pouches, and equipment
HUMANOID RELATIONSHIPS
You were raised amongst humanoids or alongside them. How did this come to pass? Roll on the table below, and then decide the specific details about the people who raised you, such as their race, profession, and alignment. How well do you get along with them now? How well do you know your dragon parents?
d10 Humanoid Relationships
1 You hatched, and there was no-one around, so you just wandered into the nearest village.
2 You were the runt of the clutch — your siblings forced you to leave your dragon parents’ lair.
3 An adventurer came upon your clutch just as you were hatching, and adopted you.
4 Your egg was stolen, and you were raised by a cruel master who wanted a dragon servant.
5 You and your dragon parents never saw eye-to-eye. You left home to live with the humanoids as an act of rebellion.
6 Your were a disappointment to your dragon parents, who kicked you out of the lair in the hopes you would change your ways.
7 As part of an ancient pact, you are to be raised by the great-great-grandchild of a humanoid your dragon parents helped to raise.
8 You observed the humanoids, and became fascinated with them, desiring to learn their ways.
9 You to believe it is your destiny to protect those weaker than you, so you sought them out.
10 Your dragon parents have a scheme to infiltrate a humanoid civilization, and you are their willing agent.
FEATURE: DRAGON REPUTATION Most of the civilized world regards dragons as dangerous creatures to be feared and avoided. In small or remote towns, you can generally go where you please and do what you want — as long as you are not hurting anyone or destroying people’s livelihood, most common folk will be too afraid to interfere. Primitive humanoid tribes and lone creatures in the wilderness, even unintelligent ones, tend to treat you with much the same respect. In large towns and cities, you may get the opposite reaction; the town guard will question you upon entry, and may send soldiers or militia members to escort you around, ready to drive you off at the slightest provocation.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
Dragons are creatures with strong and prominent personalities. Even those of the highest good are proud, often to the point of arrogance. The nice ones try not to be rude about it; they just know that they are better than other creatures. All dragons crave treasure, which can seem greedy to lesser beings. Other characteristics can vary considerably, tending towards what humanoids would consider extreme or eccentric.
d8 Personality Trait
1 I’ll talk your ear off if you let me.
2 I love the arts — music, poetry, theater.
3 I eat constantly and love to try new foods.
4 I’m incredibly lazy. When you live for 1,000 years, what’s the big hurry?
5 I like to admire and show off my treasure.
6 I always talk down to people, and I don’t understand why this bothers them, since I am clearly superior.
7 Jokes, puns, and riddles are my primary language.
8 Anger, joy, sorrow, passion — I express emotions freely and have wild mood swings.
d6 Ideal
1 Greed. My only concern is to grow my treasure hoard. (Evil)
2 Curiosity. I want to experience all that life has to offer. (Chaotic)
3 Independence. Everyone should do what they want, and not be beholden to anyone else. (Chaotic)
4 Knowledge. Information is the most valuable treasure. (Lawful)
5 Noble Obligation. I must protect and care for those weaker than me. (Good)
6 Honor. I must act as befitting one of my high station. (Lawful)
d6 Bond
1 One of my humanoid friends is guarding my treasure horde while I travel.
2 I find humanoids most fascinating.
3 I seek revenge against a more powerful Individual.
4 I have learned a secret clue to the location of a great treasure hoard.
5 Humanoids are weak, and need my protection.
6 I will prove to everyone that I am the wisest and most powerful.
d6 Flaw
1 All treasure is rightfully mine. All of it.
2 I find humanoids most delicious.
3 Those who insult me must submit or die.
4 Why tell the truth when a lie will suffice?
5 I put myself in harm’s way to protect weaker creatures, which is just about everyone.
6 Everyone is beneath me. They should defer to my wishes.
Art by Tom Fisherbach