Dragonborn
The Dragonborn subrace is one of several that evolved from humans, and despite their imposing appearance and unique abilities they had rather humble beginnings and unlike their genetic ancestor
humans or fellow subspecies tieflings don't have a dramatic backstory. The first Dragonborn was born in the city of Akrodon in what used to be Wales around the year 7987 PDF, a male named Rogon Audran. He was born as a mutation with bumpy scales, a small tail and a reptilian maw. Over time his genes were passed on until the present day where Akrodon is mostly populated by Dragonborn. Over time similar mutations have popped up in other cities as well, similar enough to also be considered Dragonborn. Their appearance have also evolved during this time. The rough uneven scales have become smaller and more even (size and shape tends to differ from city to city), the tails have become longer and thicker, they have evolved an organ in their throat that enables them to spit one of several elemental magic blasts and they have generally become more reptilian in appearance. They have also noticably grown taller and bulkier with each generation (Audran was about 176 cm tall and a bit thin, while an average modern Akrodon Dragonborn is around 200 cm and built much more robust) which continues to this day.
Dragonborn are not very common outside of Akrodon, but they aren't that rare either. There are about 850 000 Dragonborn all around the planet, and since they are generally thriving that number continues to increase. The Dragonborn came from almost nothing and grew over time to become the imposing force they are today, and they keep going upward still.
Dragonborn Variations
Dragonborn are similar to Tieflings in regards to their evolution. They started out strong in one area and evolved independantly in other areas over time, all similar enough to be classified as Dragonborn. They all share some traits like scaly skin, tails and breath glands but differ in colour, size and various other areas.
Akrodon Dragonborn
The first Dragonborn to evolve and the most successful as a whole. Akrodon Dragonborn are the physically biggest out of all the variants, averaging at about 200 cm and can grow as tall as 230 cm in rare cases, along with being very bulky and muscular in general. Although they look a bit smaller due to being hunched over most of the time. They have two large horns growing backwards from the side of their heads and uniquely among Dragonborn have a mane of usually white hair between them. The tails are about 140 cm and very thick and have a set of up to six smaller spikes at the end. Their scales are either red, copper or black in colour with their eyes being generally orange.
Akadence Dragonborn
The Akadence Dragonborn is built more humanoid and less beastly than the Akrodon variant. While still tall and bulky they are less so than their cousins, averaging in at just around 190 cm with the tallest (not counting individual mutations) being about 210 cm. In a rare case of gender-exclusive traits only the males have horns, similar in shape and placement to the Akrodon variant but shorter and less sharp. The tails are also quite short at only 100 cm and medium thickness, but the top of them are covered in hard protective scales that combined with the tail weight make them a formidable melee weapon. Their scales are mostly a brass colour, but a few have a golden hue with their eyes being a sharp yellow.
Ouverton Dragonborn
An Ouverton Dragonborn is very similar to an Akadence Dragonborn when it comes to biology. They're about as tall with average being about 187 cm but slightly less bulky. They also have horns that look almost the same as the Akadence variant, but for both genders like most Dragonborn. The tails are slightly longer and thinner at about 107 cm along with the same tough scales as the Akadence ones. Their scales are either blue or green and their eyes are sharp yellow.
Cloudcairn Dragonborn
The Cloudcairn Dragonborn is one of the most unique. They are the fewest in number out of all Dragonborn variants with only about 29 at the moment but stand out from a visual standpoint: they are the only Dragonborn variant with wings. To be better suited for the high altitudes of Cloudcairn their bodies are smaller than average at "only" 180 cm on average and almost human level bulk. Their wings however are massive and a bit unwieldy, about 5 meters from tip to tip, to be able to carry them. Their general build are also built for aerodynamics, thus they lack horns but have a short sail growing from the back of their head to the tip of their tail. The tails in question are very long but not the thickest, about 80 cm, and function as a rudder in flight. The colour is generally bronze or silver, with a couple being blue. The eyes are a piercing blue.
Asian Dragonborn
The Asian Dragonborn includes both the Yáoga Pòhzhě and the Bùluxīng Dragonborn due to them being similar enough to be considered the same variant. Both of them are average height for a Dragonborn at 200 cm with the same low level of bulk as a Cloudcairn Dragonborn, but other than that they look extremely different compared to other types. For one their horns are more brittle and round than other horns, looking more like short antlers. They also have long whiskers underneath their nostrils and three long sails going down their backs. Their tails are also longer than their body at around 220 cm while also being very flexible and whip-like. Their scales are very small and smooth, with the Yáoga Pòhzhě ones being either black or red while the Bùluxīng ones being white or silver. Their eyes are a sharp red.
Vaaston Dragonborn
Dragonborn from Vaaston are slightly shorter than the Akrodon standard at 185 cm in general, but they are noticably the bulkiest and physically strongest and look almost as wide as they are tall. They do have horns, but they are very short and stumpy and rarely grow longer than 8 cm. They are also notable in that they lack tails as a whole, the only Dragonborn variant to do so. Their scales are mostly green or copper with a few being brass coloured, while their eyes are a dull orange.
Ondaverne Dragonborn
The Ondaverne variant of Dragonborn are physically very similar to the Akadence Dragonborn, being about the same height and build. However, their main differing trait are their horns, claws and fangs. All of these are more developed than any other variant. They generally have a whole crown with two giant 2-feet horns growing from the back of their head, with three smaller ones adorning the top of the head and a row of spikes going down their back. Their claws are also very long, sharp and durable, capable of leaving marks in stone. And their fangs are extremely sharp, but not very durable and break easily (they regrow over time similar to a shark). An Ondaverne Dragonborn tail is also similar in length to the Akadence variant but also possesses broad fins on each side. The scales are usually red or brass, with some being gold or black. Their eyes are a piercing yellow.
Kinmont Dragonborn
Dragonborn from Kinmont are the most animalistic looking out of all the Dragonborn. They look similar to the Akrodon Dragonborn, but shorter, wider, even more hunched over and with very rough ridged scales. They look like a crocodile became bipedal and grew bigger limbs and a slightly rounder head. They do not have horns, but their fangs are huge and can pierce bone. Their tail is similarly crocodilian as their body and about as long. Their scales are mostly green but can be blue or even silver. Their eyes are pitch black.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dragonborn are humanoid in build with two legs and two arms with the addition of a large tail. They also generally have the same internal build as humans with the same organs and skeletal build. Despite their reptilian appearance they are still in fact mammals and thus share reproductive procedures. Females still have breasts and give birth to live young unlike reptiles but like mammals. But that's where the similarities end. Dragonborn are covered in scales of varying sizes, shapes and durability, with colour varying largely on city of origin. Most Dragonborn also have frills, claws, sharp teeth and horns (again these vary depending on variant). They are also much taller than a human on average, ranging anywhere from 180 to 220, in rare cases 230, cm depending on variant. Lastly they have a special organ in their throat called a breath gland. This generates a form of liquid that have various properties depending on the Dragonborn. It can be ignited or frozen, it can be focused into electric bolts or it can be acidic, giving the Dragonborn a unique ranged attack.
Genetics and Reproduction
Since Dragonborn are still a subspecies of human they share the same reproduction stages, but they reproduce a bit faster. The gestation period is only about 7 months instead of 9 and twins and even triplets are much more common than for humans. Since Dragonborn traits are recessive, it's believed the quick birth and many children are necessary to keep the subspecies going strong. Especially since very few species are compatible with and can make children with a Dragonborn barring a few like Lizardfolk, Tortle, Aarakocra, orcs/half-orcs and Triton, and hybrids are rare (but not unheard of).
Growth Rate & Stages
Dragonborn grow very quickly, even as children. When they are three years old they are already as tall as a human ten-year old, although they remain that tall until they are about 10 when they enter puberty. Then they grow almost 60 cm in 8 years time, sometimes more or sometimes less. Their horns and fangs grow longer, their frill (if they have one) starts to come in and the tail gets longer and thicker, but less wieldy. This is also when the breath gland fully matures. During childhood a Dragonborn can only breathe a small puff of their element, so when it matures is when they can spit their signature stream. A Dragonborn also matures faster psychologically. They grow until they are about 18 but their brains are mature and they qualify as adults when they are 15.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
A Dragonborn has a reptilian snout instead of a flat face with their nostrils on top of their front jaw instead of a separate nose. Their eyes are larger than humans and thus gives them a bit better eyesight. The scales on their heads are thicker than the rest of their body to protect their brains and as a side effect gives them a very rough and intimidating appearance.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Dragonborn are found in northwest Europe, east Asia and parts of North America. In Europe they live in the cities Akrodon, Akadence, Cloudcairn and Ouverton, in Asia the cities of Yáoga Pòhzhě and Bùluxīng and in in North America the cities Vaaston, Ondaverne and Kinmont.
Average Intelligence
Dragonborn brains are similar in size as a human, but some (like the North American and Ouverton ones) are slightly less developed than humans. Therefore these dragonborn have lower intelligence and are slower on the uptake than their fellow citizens. They are still capable of fitting into society, but have trouble with more complicated things and are seen as dumb brutes by many. Other Dragonborn are around the same level as a human.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Dragonborn tend to follow their cities naming traditions, but since Akrodon is mostly populated by Dragonborn they have their own ones. Maybe due to their rough exterior and/or their stonework, Akrodon Dragonborn have names that sound very rough and like they're growling. Examples include Daardenrian, Lumijhan, Drazavur and Zofrann regarding last names and Lurthuush, Arrhishtal, Nyaldir and Krimtaath regarding first names.
Beauty Ideals
Again varies both from city to city and from person to person, but the most common beauty ideal seems to be being big in general. Many Dragonborn are attracted to people taller and more muscular than the average one. It's speculated that this is a result of their difficulty in passing their genes on, so they're pulled towards strong people so their offspring will have a physical advantage growing up. Another common preference seems to be large thick tails.
Average Technological Level
Since Dragonborn aren't the most intelligent of races, there are not many technological achievements created by them specifically. While there are certainly a fair number of Dragonborn scientists they don't stand out that much compared to most other races. So most Dragonborn are once again only as advanced as the city they find themselves living in. In the Dragonborn-filled Akrodon technology isn't the most advanced. They do have things such as electric lighting, vehicles and radio communication, but not much more advanced than that.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
The people of Akrodon speak Draconic, a language originating from the Dragonborn populace. It evolved from the language Welsh over time and involves a lot of growls and guttural sounds and involves a lot of consonants compared to Common. Unlike languages like Infernal and Common Draconic is spoken only in Akrodon, but some people in other places who have researched the old languages can understand traces of it
Common Taboos
If it's one thing that the Dragonborn subspecies seem to hold in common it's their honour. The worst thing you could do to a Dragonborn is insult that. Depending on the Dragonborn you could walk away with a light threat at best and a few broken bones at worst. It's believed that the cause of this firm grasp on their honour is genetic given that Dragonborn all across the globe share it, but what is fully known is that insulting a Dragonborn is something you should never do. As the saying in Vaaston goes: "Insult a human and you'll be lucky if they just laugh it off. Insult a Dragonborn and you'll be lucky if they just break your arm off".
Historical Figures
The Dragonborn subspecies hasn't had as big of an impact in the world as some of the other races has, but there are still a few remarkable people who have achieved legendary status:
- Rogon Audron, Ancestor. Rogon Audron was the first Dragonborn to ever exist. Born with scales and other reptilian features in the year 7987 PDF. in Akrodon, Audron was known to be a very shy and reclusive individual and was viewed upon with mostly bewilderment but also contempt. Nevertheless he eventually married a half-orc known as Sue Raxxon-Audron and had three children with her, two of which were Dragonborn as well. Upon his death in 8075 there were about 10 other Dragonborn in Akrodon, two of which were completely unrelated to him.
- Daar Xyvus, Titan. Dragonborn are known to be physically big and strong, but Daar Xyvus was much more than that. She was born in Ondaverne with a Physical Mutation that made her grow for much longer than other Dragonborn. Thus she didn't stop growing until she was 25 when she was about 302 cm tall and much bulkier than any other recorded Dragonborn, which also gave her immense super strength. Luckily she decided to follow her lust for battle and got a position in the guard force as a defender of Ondaverne against outside forces. She did so for almost 40 years, with her biggest achievement being tearing the arms of off a Hook Horror and having them converted into swords to use. She eventually fell to an Earth Elemental after a lifetime of fighting taking the toll on her, but not before beating it down enough for other guards to finish it off.
- Géléi, Sacrifice. Géléi is remebered by the survivors of Bùluxīng as a hero who let others live. A group of Dragonborn rights extremists known as Dīyīn had staged a revolution to take over the emperor's palace and create a Dragonborn leadership. But before they could advance into the palace and murder the leadership, the member known as Géléi stood in their way, refusing to let them go this far. He tried to stall them long enough for the guards to arrive and put a stop to their rebellion and eventually tried to fight them off, but was struck down and murdered. However he did distract them long enough for the guards to arrive and stop the extremists. His sacrifice prevented a coup that could have plunged Bùluxīng into disorder, and this involvement regardin Dragonborn rights led the officials to better the lives of the otherwise outcast Dragonborn population.
Common Myths and Legends
A common myth among Akadence Dragonborn is the legend of the Tarrasque. The name Tarrasque comes from the title "King of the Monsters" in a now extinct language adapted to Common and refers to a gigantic reptilian creature of immense power. It is said to be more than 30 meters in length and 15 meters in height with a powerful carapace covered in giant spikes, it's maw filled with jagged teeth and a roar that can shake mountains, its tail alone strong enough to kill a hundred people and its claws sharp enough to level a building with a single swipe. The Tarrasque is a world-ender and is said to be sleeping deep underneath Akadence, and if it ever wakes up the world will turn to ash. It isn't known how the legend came to be, only that it started with a Dragonborn researcher 1500 years earlier.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Out of the 9 cities where Dragonborn can be found, 5 of them have no interspecies issues with them. Dragonborn can live freely without any widespread misconceptions in Akrodon, Akadence, Ouverton, Kinmont and Ondaverne as equals to the other races. Interspecies sexual/romantic relationships exist, but they aren't that common due to the recessive Dragonborn traits meaning those relationships could endanger the Dragonborns legacy. So people in most of these relationships either try anyway, don't care what subspecies their child is or don't have children at all. On the other side of the spectrum are the Dragonborn in Vaaston, Cloudcairn, Yáoga Pòhzhě and Bùluxīng. None of these cities house any actual hatred for Dragonborn, but rather distrust and fear. Either it's their imposing appearance (the Dragonborn in Yáoga Pòhzhě tower over the otherwise Halfling-heavy population), their abilities or personal history, like in Bùluxīng and the barely prevented Dragonborn Uprising which has left half the city in disdain of the subspecies.
Akrodon Dragonborn
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Homo Sapiens Saurus
Origin/Ancestry
Wales
Lifespan
80 years
Average Height
1.9 - 2.1 meters.
Average Weight
110-160 kg
Average Physique
Varies a bit between subspecies, but mostly tall and very bulky.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Depending on variant a Dragonborn can have very different colured scales, ranging from chromatic colours like red, blue, black, green and white to metallic colours like brass, bronze, copper, silver and gold.
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