Dragonborn
Dragonborn are one of the three Old Bloods, or races that predated the rest. Their origins are heavily debated, though they bear similar qualities to Dragons as their name appropriately suggests. For this reason, they are often theorized as descendants of true dragons, despite not carrying their blood. Most say that Gods of draconic nature birthed them, and most who encounter a Dragonborn will struggle to understand its culture or read their expression. Dragonborn bare a Dragon's indifference and have little to no body language suggesting their thoughts. Their purpose is unclear: Some hold themselves servants of the True Dragons, and their kind are known as ruthless fighters with naturally tough bodies matching a fearsome strength.
The species often takes on martial focuses simply because they hold a natural affinity in force and develop consistent muscular structures superior to other humanoid races. Even the unrivaled Orcs have been bested by Dragonborn in primitive competitions, from muddy pit fights to simple brawls. Dragonborn tend to be proud of their heritage and hold themselves upright, heads held high. They may lack certain appendages, but they continue to display the colors of their origin, purer breeds being brighter and interbred families being dimmer. A purebred family of Bronze Dragonborn may have brilliant shining bronze scales, and a mixed Dragonborn of Black and Bronze may have dim, matte brown scales, or simply a tint. Because of this most Dragonborn have a uniform terracotta-like coloration. The scales covering a Dragonborn's body vary in size depending on the age of their bloodline, older bloodlines would have tiny scales which overlap while newer families would have larger, but still small scales to cover their body. The coloration is most notably bronze-ish, but can also be scarlet, rose gold, rust, gold, copper-green, or jade. On the rare occasion that a Dragonborn is purebred, its scales will be a bright and saturated tint of its appropriate color. Most have husky, burly builds and stand tall around 6 to 7.5 feet with anywhere from 275 to 400 pounds of weight. Their hands and feet are strong, talon-like claws with three fingers and a thumb on each hand.
Dragonborn will almost always prioritize their devotion to their Clan before anything else, no matter the importance to the individual or their comrades. If the reputation of their clan is attacked, they are likely to respond violently in the pursuit of honor and redemption, which has been used against Dragonborn in political settings. Because of this abuse, the race is often viewed as violent and barbaric within the mainstream and sometimes evokes fear in commoners. Their conduct will reflect the values of their clan, and they will work frivolously to honor it and avoid exile or banishment of any variation. Depending on the clan, a Dragonborn may be aware of their station and responsibilities, and will always act within the boundaries of such. Clans compete and all wish to demonstrate their purity and honor. This leads to a universal appreciation for excellence and skill in all things within Dragonborn culture, and somewhat elitist views. They will always push themselves to the brink before giving in to any test and despise failure, feeling nothing but shame in its wake. Many will devote their lives to a specific craft or skill, and seek complete and utter mastery in its field - - often earning them companions of similar crafts along the way.
The Dragonborn kind is stubborn and prefers self-sufficiency, but is not too prideful or stubborn to ask for help when it is reasonable. That said, a Dragonborn will always request help from its clan before anyone or anything else, and the clan will provide whatever they can to aid these goals.
The names of Dragonborn begin with their clan unless they are exiled, and a Dragonborn is typically proud to identify with their clan. In childhood, nicknames are more common than their given name.
The Variants
There are few variations of the Dragonborn outside of their ethnicities and the color of their scales. These notably only include the Drained Dragonborn, the Purebred Dragonborn, and the Divine Dragonborn. Drained Dragonborn have undergone a ritual performed by their clan's shaman to dishonor them when they are expelled from their clan, which drains the elemental energies from their bodies. Dragonborn of this kind slowly lose the colored pigments of their scales and have matte terracotta scales with no coloration after 5 years (or 11 and a half in modern years) of exile. They cannot use their breath weapons and have no immunity or resistance to their appropriate damage type. These are especially rare because most Dragonborn with this condition commit ritual suicide shortly after being stripped of their clan's name and their element. The Purebred were mentioned before, and cannot be missed. They have difficulty hiding from spellcasters since their scales emit strong elemental magic which alerts anyone who can sense it. On the flip side, their breath weapons are considerably more powerful, and the magic cast within their element is more effective. When attacked with the magic of their element they can use it to restore their vitality and regain health. They are proud warriors and politicians, and if a clan or bloodline of Dragonborn is purebred, it is surely important. Much like the upper class - middle class relationship of modern-day, the Purebred often look down upon regular Dragonborn despite that their differences were determined from birth. A Purebreed who interbreeds is usually shamed and exiled from their bloodline and/or clan, and the children are their natural enemies. The Divine Dragonborn are those said to be born from a Draconic Deity, and not from parents of the mortal world. Hanebrith, the Scale, is the assumed creator of all Divine Dragonborn, who share features such as dragon tails and a chubbier build. They are large in size and resilient to all forms of magic. Their scales are stronger and act as natural armor which is notoriously difficult to penetrate. These types of Dragonborn are rare, usually do not have a clan, and are respected or worshipped by other Dragonborn of their coloration.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Draconis Humanoid
Origin/Ancestry
Copulan
Related Myths
Comments