Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 exabar2380 Oct 10, 2014 8:30:41	Hi I'm new to 5th edition and my player came up with an idea for a origin story for his character and an established NPC ancient red dragon named Draconus "the Deathwyrm". The player wanted his human fighter to be the half dragon son of Draconus, but I notice that the innate dragon spellcaster variant states that the dragon has spell level equal to 1/3CR so that make the Draconus an 8th Sorcerer with 4th level spells? And I read polymorph now does that allow him to cast it on him self? And if so can he polymorph into a humanoid? I just want to follow the rules as a DM so I hope I don't have to hand wave that the dragon can turn human.
#2 EzechielDantan Oct 10, 2014 9:07:29	Even if not you could assume that many half-dragons are actually created through ritual magic. Perhaps a willing pregnant human(oid) can offer the child to the dragon, assuming the dragon accepts then by performing rites which might involve drinking or bathing in dragonsblood can allow the absorbing of a fraction of draconic essence and bestow this on the unborn child.   I personally prefer this option to dragons fornicating with human(oids), I imagine the very idea must be offensive to most dragons and red dragons probably more than most.   The dragon with CR 24 can cast a number of spells of a spell level up to 1/3 of it's CR (8th lvl spells), a number equal to it's charisma modifier (6). It also does not specify a spell list from which to draw the spells so that is entirely open to your whim.   Either way polymorph can only polymorph into a beast shape so not humans. Of course a powerful sorceress could use shapechange to assume dragon shape instead.
#3 Theros Oct 10, 2014 9:11:22	I’d go with a ritual.
#4 Timborama Oct 10, 2014 13:34:01	You could just, you know, GIVE him the Shapechange trait that metallics have. Dragons in my world have always had it, regardless of edition or type of  dragon (well, the main 5 from each type had it. Some of the "secondary" true dragons did, too).   That way I can still have that annual "Dragon Ball" where dragons of all type get all fancy and have a dance in humanoid form. And then some PCs stumble in...   (also, be careful if your PC is going Halfdragon. I'd make them Dragonborn instead and just say they're half dragon, half whatever...)
#5 MonsterEnvy Oct 10, 2014 17:47:20	Though there is a half dragon Template still.     Anyway as mentioned about spells. Dragons can have their charisma mod in spells and their spells level can be equal or less then to 1/3 of their CR so for the Red here 8th level spells. If you can find a spell that lets someone turn into a human of 8th level or lower he can turn into a human.