Dragonkin as Dragons? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dragonkin as Dragons? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Romulus LoneWolf
04-05-04, 03:25 PM Ok, something I've been thinking about for my campaign world (which uses anthro animal characters) is to have dragons turn out to have two forms: One, the classic Big Draconic form, the other a smaller, anthropomorphic form.

Now, the best way I was thinking of handling that was using the standard dragons, but giving them an additional ability to turn into a single Dragonkin alternate form, while keeping the special abilities of the original dragon form; this could be handled by adding the Half-Dragon template to it. The dragon could turn back and forth from it's Anthro and Draconic forms in a full round action.

Ideally, I'm trying to simulate the flavor of the Dragon Clan from Breath of Fire, only with anthro dragons turning into full dragons..

Any advice on how to fine-turn such a change, including CR/ECL/LA adjustment?
Joren
04-05-04, 07:51 PM Been playing much horizons recently? :)

Something that might work is taking the physical stats of a medium sized dragon, keeping the magical abilities of the dragon's larger form and giving the dragon the ability to use weapons and armour as a biped.

That way the Dragon keeps its abilities to continue breathing fire at 1d4 round intervals and is tougher than a half dragon of that size would be.

I don't think you would need to modify the ECL or CR at all for these dragons. When you're facing one down in mortal combat the ability to turn into a slower, weaker, less armoured version of yourself in a full turn action isn't going to provide much of a bonus.
Romulus LoneWolf
04-06-04, 07:23 PM Ok, I don't know Horizons, so I don't get the reference.

And while simply giving Dragons the ability to assume a bipedal form without altering their stats seems fine, it stops being a simple solution once the Dragons reach Large+ Size...
Joren
04-06-04, 07:40 PM In horizons once you reach adult stage you can transform yourself into a small humanoid dragon form so that you can fit through doors :)

What I meant was that you use the stats for a medium sized dragon of that type for it's humanoid form. So a gargantuan red dragon shrinks down to what would be wyrmling size for it's race.

Let's say you have a red dragon that turns into a medium sized humanoid. Treat is as a shapechange spell to a Wyrmling red dragon but make a few alterations to stay within theme.

It's abilities would become STR 17, DEX 10, CON 15, INT 10, WIS 11, CHA 10

It would have natural armour of +6 (for a total AC of 16). Land speed 40ft, Fly speed 150ft (poor)

Natural attacks of bite (1d8) 2 claws (1d4) and two wings (1d4)

Breath weapon now does damage of 2d10, but keep the DC of the gargantuan dragon (31)

Now give him hands to hold things. Stands on two feet (so no bonuses to resist tripping and so on)

Hey presto, instant medium sized humanoid dragon :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Romulus LoneWolf 04-05-04, 03:25 PM	Ok, something I've been thinking about for my campaign world (which uses anthro animal characters) is to have dragons turn out to have two forms: One, the classic Big Draconic form, the other a smaller, anthropomorphic form. Now, the best way I was thinking of handling that was using the standard dragons, but giving them an additional ability to turn into a single Dragonkin alternate form, while keeping the special abilities of the original dragon form; this could be handled by adding the Half-Dragon template to it. The dragon could turn back and forth from it's Anthro and Draconic forms in a full round action. Ideally, I'm trying to simulate the flavor of the Dragon Clan from Breath of Fire, only with anthro dragons turning into full dragons.. Any advice on how to fine-turn such a change, including CR/ECL/LA adjustment?
Joren 04-05-04, 07:51 PM	Been playing much horizons recently? :) Something that might work is taking the physical stats of a medium sized dragon, keeping the magical abilities of the dragon's larger form and giving the dragon the ability to use weapons and armour as a biped. That way the Dragon keeps its abilities to continue breathing fire at 1d4 round intervals and is tougher than a half dragon of that size would be. I don't think you would need to modify the ECL or CR at all for these dragons. When you're facing one down in mortal combat the ability to turn into a slower, weaker, less armoured version of yourself in a full turn action isn't going to provide much of a bonus.
Romulus LoneWolf 04-06-04, 07:23 PM	Ok, I don't know Horizons, so I don't get the reference. And while simply giving Dragons the ability to assume a bipedal form without altering their stats seems fine, it stops being a simple solution once the Dragons reach Large+ Size...
Joren 04-06-04, 07:40 PM	In horizons once you reach adult stage you can transform yourself into a small humanoid dragon form so that you can fit through doors :) What I meant was that you use the stats for a medium sized dragon of that type for it's humanoid form. So a gargantuan red dragon shrinks down to what would be wyrmling size for it's race. Let's say you have a red dragon that turns into a medium sized humanoid. Treat is as a shapechange spell to a Wyrmling red dragon but make a few alterations to stay within theme. It's abilities would become STR 17, DEX 10, CON 15, INT 10, WIS 11, CHA 10 It would have natural armour of +6 (for a total AC of 16). Land speed 40ft, Fly speed 150ft (poor) Natural attacks of bite (1d8) 2 claws (1d4) and two wings (1d4) Breath weapon now does damage of 2d10, but keep the DC of the gargantuan dragon (31) Now give him hands to hold things. Stands on two feet (so no bonuses to resist tripping and so on) Hey presto, instant medium sized humanoid dragon :)