Dragonborn
The Dragonborn- a race of reptilian humanoids created by the dragons themselves to serve as laborers, warriors, and agents in their pursuit of wealth and power. For generations, they lived in servitude, tasked with expanding their masters’ hoards and enforcing their will. Their eventual liberation came at the hands of the Island Republics, whose bloody intervention freed them from draconic rule. Though no longer bound by chains, many Dragonborn feel a lasting obligation and a great sense of loyalty to their liberators.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dragonborn resemble in many ways what their name suggests: humanoid dragons. Standing on average 6 '2 to 6'8, dragonborn are impressively tall with a heavy weight to match, commonly possessing a weight of 220 to 320 pounds. Dragonborn feet end with three strong talon-like claws with a fourth claw in the back, while their hands are similar with three claws with a thumb replacing the rear claw. A dragonborn's head features a blunt snout, a strong brow, and reptilian frills on the cheeks and ears. On the back of the head, a crest of hornlike scales form what resembles a mess of ropy hair. Dragonborn eyes are usually red or gold in hue. A rare, few individuals are born with tails, but this is largely seen as a deformity by most dragonborn.
Growth Rate & Stages
Dragonborn reach maturity at 15 and typically have the same average lifespan as humans. Some exceptions do exist, such as white and silver dragonborn, who typically live to around 200 years of age due to their internal cryogenics. These two variants are often seen as elders, figuratively and literally.
Ecology and Habitats
Dragonborn are native to the Feywood Tropics and the Westpassage Archipelago due to their hot and wet climates. They perform excellently in the warmth but suffer in cold environments. Dryness does not impede them but prolonged exposure will cause frequent nose bleeds and a general sense of discomfort.
Behaviour
Due to their upbringing as servants of dragons, dragonborn usually have an innate urge to take any wealth they can get their claws on. The peculiar part about this behavior is that they have an equal need to give their wealth away, most likely because they would relinquish anything of value to their draconic overlords. This sentiment typically leans their species to the Lawful Good and Neutral Good alignments.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
Dragonborn are most often found within the Archipelogan Republics, but they are also scattered across other nations as well. The Cyraneed Empire holds a large portion of the dragonborn population, alongside the Kingdom of Autumnia and city state of Valleyhome. Discrimination is rare against dragonborn due to their often-times good nature and charitable attitudes.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Dragonborn speak a multitude of languages, but their native tongue is Draconic.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Dragonborn culture is shaped by their history of servitude, their liberation, and their ongoing struggle to define their own identity. Though they no longer serve the dragons, remnants of their former structure persist. Many Dragonborn value discipline, hierarchy, and purpose, as their ancestors were conditioned to follow orders and work toward a singular goal. Even in freedom, they often organize themselves into tight-knit communities with strong leadership, ensuring that every member has a role to fulfill. Honor is deeply ingrained in their society, not as a rigid code but as a means of proving self-worth—whether through combat, craftsmanship, or service to their people. While their cultural practices vary depending on where they have settled, a shared sense of perseverance and resilience unites them.
Despite their attachment to structure, the Dragonborn are not bound to their past traditions. Their close ties to the Island Republics have introduced them to new customs, philosophies, and ways of governance. Many Dragonborn embrace these influences, particularly in matters of trade, politics, and military service. However, some reject the idea of assimilating fully, believing that their people must establish their own distinct identity separate from both the Republics and their former masters. This cultural divide has led to different Dragonborn communities forming their own traditions, some favoring strict martial discipline, while others seek artistic and intellectual pursuits once denied to them under draconic rule.
Common Taboos
The Dragonborn accent is characterized by a deep, resonant tone with a distinct hissing quality on sibilant sounds like "s" and "z." Their speech often carries a slight growl or rumble, especially when speaking in a commanding or emotional manner. The accent varies by region, but many Dragonborn pronounce vowels with a drawn-out, almost serpentine elongation, and their "r" sounds tend to be guttural or rolled. Due to their unique vocal anatomy, their voices can sound both authoritative and intimidating, even in casual conversation.
History
According to legend, the dragons themselves molded the first Dragonborn, crafting them as an extension of their own power and ambition. Whether through magical experimentation or divine intervention, these beings were created not as equals, but as tools. The earliest Dragonborn were bred for specific purposes- some as laborers, others as warriors, and a select few as overseers who ensured the will of their draconic masters was carried out. Their entire existence revolved around one purpose: the accumulation of wealth and power for the dragons. Mines, treasuries, and great hoards of gold and artifacts were built by their hands, all of it belonging to their overlords.
For centuries, the Dragonborn remained bound to the rule of their creators, scattered across the lands in the service of various dragons. Their societies were structured according to the whims of their masters, with strict hierarchies enforced through fear and supernatural compulsion. Some dragons ruled with brutal oppression, while others granted their servants a degree of autonomy so long as their loyalty remained absolute. Over time, the Dragonborn developed their own customs and traditions within their subjugation, forming familial units and social structures within the constraints of servitude. Some rebelled against their fate, though few revolts ever succeeded, as the power of the dragons was insurmountable.
The turning point in Dragonborn history came with the intervention of the Island Republics, a collection of free city-states that saw an opportunity to strike against the dragons for their own gain. Through a combination of military action and diplomacy, the Republics waged war against the dragons, weakening their hold on their servants. Many Dragonborn took advantage of this upheaval, fleeing their masters and fighting alongside the Republics in exchange for their freedom. As more dragons fell, entire Dragonborn populations were freed, breaking the cycle of servitude that had lasted for countless generations. However, freedom came with a cost- without the structure imposed by their former masters, many Dragonborn found themselves lost, uncertain of their place in a world where they no longer served dragons.
Lifespan
80-90*
Average Height
6-7 ft.
Average Weight
220-330 lbs.
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
Comments