Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Artifact 11-14-07, 11:08 AM	In describing sorcerers, the Player's Handbook strongly implies that "the blood of dragons courses through their veins". Assuming the phrase ins't merely fanciful, its a sure bet that a line of sorcerers with the blood of an actual dragon (or other "unusual heritage" as the PH puts it) would want to keep the blood as pure and undiluted as possible. I would imagine then, just as with real world royalty, intermarriage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_intermarriage) would be common. That is, sorcerer families would marry into other sorcerer families to keep the line pure. In the real world of course, such intermarriage invariably leads to interbreeding, which brings with it a host of physical and mental instabilities. This is fantasy however, so I'm inclined to ignore (or at least gloss over) such real world concerns. If it comes up at all, it will most likely take the form of madness. Its generic enough to apply to a variety of situations without infringing upon real world issues. I mean what stalwart hero hasn't confronted a maniac sorcerer or two, eh? ;) If you're wondering why I bring this up, well, I'm curious. I hadn't given the importance of fantasy bloodlines much thought until I saw the wikipedia article, then my imagination sorta took over from there. In a D&D game, the sorcerer seems the obvious vehicle for exploring and developing bloodlines. There are other powerful heritages of course, such as a line of clerics or druids touched by the divine, or a clan of barbarians empowered over the centuries by a powerful artifact, for example. Has the issue of bloodlines (and their purity) ever came up in your own games? What form did it take? How was it handled? Any impact on the setting, or did was it just backround detail? Just curious. /\ Art
Rania 11-14-07, 11:50 AM	Well, in my game the DM said that if someone bathes in dragon blood they can become a sorcerer.... (The only reason that has an effect is because our game's rather low-magic.) Sorry, that's just what I thought of when I saw the title.
Artifact 11-14-07, 11:57 AM	Well, in my game the DM said that if someone bathes in dragon blood they can become a sorcerer.... (The only reason that has an effect is because our game's rather low-magic.) Sorry, that's just what I thought of when I saw the title. Actually, that's pretty cool. Thanks!
Belkar 11-14-07, 12:19 PM	Various fiction preposits the idea that the Sorceror's power is a very rare thing - even if the conditions are right... A clever DM would proabably make it a random occurence within the bloodline - not breedable or predictable. Another tact would be to take the completely opposite stance - perhaps breeding sorcerors creates something terrible, (maybe an arcane abomination with a host of spell-like abilities) the horrible results of improper comibinations of dragon-blood and arcane power. This could be a source for some crazy creatures...lol... But it's clear from D&D's standpoint that Dragon blood (whether an actual genetic line, or a spiritual bond/commitment) is paramount. What playable race produces more sorcerors than any other? Yep. Kobolds. (Races of the Dragon has a lot of info on this, BTW, if you don't have it... take a look...) Kobolds consider themselves to be the descendents of primordial/diefic dragons - and whether they are or arent - their reptilian features, their language, and their tendancy to become sorcerors speaks volumes. At the very least, Kobold believe they come from Dragons, and that spiritual connection may be what grants them their power.
GeeBee 11-14-07, 12:42 PM	You know, a table of minor psychosis/deformations might be kind of a fun way to further differentiate sorcerers from wizards, especially if there was a minor benefit to offset it. Sort of a "cursed and blessed by the dragon blood" thing. I hope you don't mind, but I think I'm going to steal this idea for my campaign.
Belkar 11-14-07, 12:43 PM	I hope you don't mind, but I think I'm going to steal this idea for my campaign. I know, right! Consider this concept "yoinked", Artifact! ;) :plotting:
Artifact 11-14-07, 12:58 PM	A phrase in Belkar's first post gives me an idea: What if sorcerers were force bred by some madman attempting to establish or enhance a specific line (sorta like race horses, maybe?) I like GeeBee's idea of a table of psychosis/deformities, as you say, it has the benefit of making sorcerers unique from wizards. As long as it doesn't add to much complication to the game. Oh, and Belkar, yoink away, although honestly, I haven't added much myself (that's what I'm hitting you guys and gals up for) :P. Well, I'm headed out to work; I'll be sure and check back later tonight. Thanks to all who've shared ideas so far. /\ Art