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Dragonborn

Despite a passing resemblance to reptilian creatures, dragonborn are warm-blooded beings rather than cold-blooded reptiles. Their bodies are hot enough to seem feverish to human sensibilities. This keeps a dragonborn more comfortable in cold temperatures. A lack of body hair coupled with a large mouth that can be opened to release body heat means that a dragonborn is no more vulnerable to hot temperatures than a human.   The scales that cover a dragonborn are tougher than human skin. Although these scales make a dragonborn less susceptible to small, incidental wounds, they don’t protect against damage dealt by weapons and similar purposeful attack.   Dragonborn give live birth to one child at a time (extremely rarely, twins, but never more). Dragonborn blood also dominates that of any other bloodline (aside from tieflings', whose Infernal bloodline overcomes all others therefore, a non-dragonborn pairing with a dragonborn will always produce dragonborn offspring. Fledglings are quickly capable of standing and walking, but their teeth take a few months to come in. During this time, the mother feeds her offspring by chewing up soft organ meats, eventually moving to normal foods (which for dragonborn is usually more meat than other edibles).   A dragonborn matures quickly, becoming a fully grown adult at around age 15 (sometimes later for females). Dragonborn also carry an almost supernatural bodily potential to tap into and develop draconic traits. Most develop a breath weapon, which is dangerous by the time a dragonborn reaches adulthood. Still, an individual dragonborn might manifest more draconic traits than another. One might do so at birth. Such a change could instead come as the dragonborn’s soul quickens in the crucible of a spiritual path or as the body adapts in the wake of mighty deeds.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

"Feminine" for dragonborn doesn't mean the same as other people, but one theme that has stayed the same is feminine names ending in vowels. Jazitah, Lilothibra, Jheri, etc.

Masculine names

Masculine names generally end on a hard consonant, though it isn't necessarily always the case. Miirik, Zurattar, Jasttor, etc.

Unisex names

Names ending in soft consonants can be considered fairly unisex. Biirdresh, Ixal, etc.

Family names

Family names are Draconic words, much like given names, carried by a specific bloodline. They often come from the deeds of an ancient scion of the family line or an amalgamation of the names of notable ancient ancestors. A dragonborn seldom identifies itself by family name, unless specificity is required.   Dragonborn keep their family names private except among close friends, and instead go by clan name.   Family names are not the same as a clan name. The name of a clan is what a dragonborn uses as their last name in public for the most part, only sharing their true family name with those they feel they can trust.

Other names

A childhood name or nickname is common. Such a name is usually descriptive, and it serves as a term of endearment or encouragement for a young dragonborn. The name might recall an event or center on a habit. It could derive from an ancestor that acted similarly to a child, or a favored toy or item might be the inspiration. Such names are seldom appropriate for adults. For anyone to use such a name without proper authority, such as that of a parent or elder, or without permission is a sign of disrespect. A dragonborn’s elders use a childhood name after that dragonborn becomes an adult only to indicate disapproval.   Examples: Crawler, Biter, Bright-eyes

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Beauty is generally in practicality paired with aesthetic for dragonborn. Who is strongest, most clever, most able to provide or rear children, or whatever else is the interested party's preferences.   Dragonborn do enjoy trinkets and pretty baubles like their larger kin, however, so to attract attention they will wear bells and jewels on their horns and wrists and in nostril piercings.   "Attractive" males tend to have the largest or most interesting-shaped horns, and have powerful confidence about them. Females have no breasts, being a semi-reptilian race of people, so preference is more in wide hips and strong, big thighs, and a terribly powerful protective streak.

Gender Ideals

Dragonborn are expected to be confident and to take pride in themselves and their work. Gender doesn't have much to do with it, and gender expression is whatever they want it to be. Non-binary dragonborn tend to be refer to as "middles" and have no stigma; however, they are expected to perform their duty to either sire or bear at least one child as their biological sex.

Courtship Ideals

Dragonborn wed to procreate. Although notable exceptions exist to this generality, wedlock ends as soon as the offspring from a union is 3 years old. If the parents have no reason to maintain proximity, one of them, usually of the same gender as the child, raises and trains that youngster in the ways of people, family, and clan.   When finding a mate for love, however, it depends on several factors, mostly up to the personal preferences of the dragonborn. True courtship consists of many small trinkets and gifts from the interested dragonborn's hoard to the one they care about. Flirting consists of close contact and touching, namely sharing breath and sometimes locking horns, and in friendly competition. Even in flirtation, dragonborn will never throw a game, however. A dragonborn accepting the others' advances will return with a gift of their own, mingling their two lives as if practicing for cohabitation.

Relationship Ideals

Clan

  The difference between the clan and family is subtle. Family is defined by one’s actual blood relatives as far back as records go. Clan is a federation of families, unified in the annals of time, often for forgotten ends.   All dragonborn revere their honored ancestors, family, and clan. They perform their work with an eye toward what their deeds say about their lineage. Such ties can define peace and enmity, as well as cooperation or antagonism, among individual dragonborn.   Families and clans have reputations, good or ill, that can have little to do with the living scions of the bloodline. The desire to live up to a laudable legacy or overcome a besmirched birthright can define a dragonborn’s life. Some dragonborn instead embrace infamy or flee from the responsibility imposed by the past. Others make their way according to personal values, perhaps aiming at becoming the most capable and admired dragonborn among the elders of a clan, thereby becoming the clanmaster.   When doing so is possible, all dragonborn of a particular clan look to their clanmaster for guidance.   Clan names are ancient titles that are frequently taken from the names of dragon lords of Arkhosia. Those that aren’t dragon names are names of trade associations or martial cadres, much like modern guilds, arcane societies, or knightly orders. A dragonborn goes by his clan name, so his deeds are known to reflect on that clan. Members of a clan fiercely defend their clan name against misuse, and some dragonborn outlaws are stripped of the privilege of using the clan name.  

Family

  The dragonborn family unit is very small. The typical one contains only two dragonborn: a mated pair, or a parent and child.   Honor demands that a parent teach a child well, and that adults care for the young. Through storytelling, tutoring, and demonstration, the parent instills virtues and skills in the child. Although this process serves to educate, it also gives the youngster’s fiery spirit a focus. Without such direction, the fierce nature of a dragonborn comes to the fore, resulting in feral savagery.   When rightly trained in dragonborn ways, however, a juvenile learns that honor requires respect for elders and other worthies, focused and sincere effort, reliability and fulfillment of oaths, and integrity.   At an early age, he or she understands that chosen actions can bring credit or disgrace to self, family and clan, and even all dragonborn. Even dragonborn crafters and laborers grow up with discipline, play inspired by lessons and tales of derring-do, and an admiration for brave and principled deeds. All learn a thing or two about fighting and soldierly ways. They learn to be bold so that they can challenge themselves and those who misuse authority.  

Friends and Allies

  Dragonborn do rely on allies and friends. In fact, dragonborn are frequently without nearby family or clan members, and comrades are essential in the darkening world. Dragonborn give their all to support those who trust them. When such associates show a similar sense of duty, dragonborn come to see them like relatives. They eventually form clanlike bonds with them, sharing the stories of their lives and people. An ultimate sign of trust and bonding would be to share their family name (not just their clan name). Non-dragonborn do well to realize the honor they’re being given when such bonding occurs.

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