Half-Dragon
It is said that in the past of Runeterra legends, they were common and plentiful in various regions. Perhaps it was in the rune wars or some other conflict that they started to disappear.
Half-Dragons are beings of a nature unknown in depth. Some scholars theorize that they are just dragons that choose to remain in human form through their immense magic prowess, others are sure they are hybrids, but there is no conclusion.
Some think that perhaps they are the result of magic, others that perhaps magic itself is a result of them, whatever the reality may be, the fact is that the mere sight of a dragon is something extremely rare, let alone a Half-Dragon, something that only the most dedicated scholars of the arcane cogitate could exist.
However, there is only one known example of this race, the only one ever revealed in the entire history of Runeterra, its name is Shyvana and, although that is true, almost nobody is aware of what she really is.
Their eyes have an inherent magical glow, something vivid and intense that reflects the nature of beasts. For those who don't know her, this can seem much more like an irresolute determination than in fact a supernatural trait.
Strangers in the Nest
A Half-Dragon is a very rare being, not only due to their parents already being dragons, but because they are not accepted by their parents, which usually causes them to be killed after being born by hatching from their eggs. Among humans, on the other hand, they would certainly be feared or stigmatized because their appearance is naturally different from humans, even if in almost all other visual traits they look human.
A Half-Dragon has an exotic air, starting with its skin, which is supernaturally different in color from the human, and may be bluish-white for the Glacial essence, violet for the Infernal essence, copper colored for the Mountain essence, light gray for the Clouds essence or even an intense blue for the Oceanicc essence.
Draconic Essence
Just by being a Half-Dragon, your existence is already a magical feat. This makes many things different with those who carry the essence of dragons in their blood. The elemental affinity is clear from the first moments after hatching from their eggs and naturally tends to develop over the time that the Half-Dragon manages to survive.
Only five types of elemental dragons are known and when creating a Half-Dragon character it is necessary to choose between one of these five essences. It will define what your elemental affinities, strengths and vulnerabilities are, in addition to defining important traits of your appearance.
The abilities of half-dragons come directly from their draconic relatives, developing their powers based on their connection to their fantastic essence, a connection that evolves as each half-dragon grows stronger, making them an even more unique Origin: While the other origins receive all of their "main" characteristics directly at level 1 during character creation, the traits of a half-dragon are acquired and strengthened gradually as they level up, which can make them seem relatively weaker at early levels, which is compensated at higher levels.
Half-Dragon Origin Traits
Attributes: You can add 2 points to an attribute and 1 to a second attribute.
Heritage: You have 2 Origin Heritage points, see Chapter 5: Customization - Heritages for the list of Heritages available. You gain 1 Origin Heritage point at levels 5, 9, 13 and 17.
Age: Half-Dragons have a high longevity due to their direct connection with elemental dragons., reaching up to more than 1000 years old. Half-Dragons reach maturity earlier than Humans, being considered adults at 9 years old.
Size: A Half-Dragon's size can vary depending on its form. Its humanoid form is usually between 5 and 7 feet tall. You can choose between being Small or Medium in size.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Past: Choose a Past. See Chapter 4: Detailing - Pasts for the list of Pasts available.
Region: You have 1 Region Heritage point and 1 language from that region, you must choose your Region which will define where you grew up and much of how you see the world. You can see more about this in Chapter 11: Runeterra.
Language: Half-Dragons can speak Draconic, a language that comes to them naturally like a call from their blood.
Elemental Nature: A Half-Dragon has a resistance to simple elemental damage and a weakness to one type of elemental damage based on its draconic essence. Starting at level 15, your resistance applies to the magical version of that elemental damage.
Draconic Aspects. Every Half-Dragon has aspects of their draconic lineage in their bodies, which develop as their connection to their essence deepens. You have three natural weapons based on your draconic essence that you can use to perform melee attacks.
Additionally, starting at level 2, you possess the breath weapon of your essence, being able to use it with an attack action a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per full rest. Creatures in the area of your breath weapon must make a Dexterity saving throw with DC 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus, taking your proficiency bonus in d6 of damage of the specified type of your elemental essence on a failure or half as much damage on a success.
Draconic Form: At level 8, the Half-Dragon becomes more aware of its own nature, learning to assume its Dragon Form, thus being able to transform a number of times equal to half its proficiency bonus per full rest. This form lasts for up to 3 hours or until you untransform using a bonus action. When you transform, you gain the following traits:
- You receive an increase equal to half your proficiency bonus in one of your physical attributes (Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution), based on your draconic essence.
- The characteristics of your draconic aspect are strengthened:
- Your size increases by 1 category (up to a maximum of Huge).
- You gain 60 feet of flying speed.
- You gain a number of additional uses of your breath weapon equal to half your proficiency bonus and the scale of your breath weapon's damage dice increases by 1.
- The natural weapons of your draconic essence have their damage dice increased by one category.
- You keep your hit points and hit dice. If you drop to 0 hit points while in this form you detransform and will have to make death saves as you normally would. Dying in Dragon form means the death of your character.
- While in this form, you are able to cast spells normally, except spells that consume a material component.
- You retain the benefits of all features from Class, Origin, or other sources, and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so.
- You can choose whether your equipment falls to the ground at your feet, is assimilated into your new form, or is used by it. Worn and carried equipment works normally, but the GM decides what equipment is viable for the new form to wear or use, based on the creature's shape and size. Its equipment does not change shape or size to adapt to the new form, and any equipment that the new form cannot wear must either fall to the ground or merge with the form. Molten equipment will not take effect until you leave the form.
Lineages. You must choose one of the following Essences:
Draconic Essences
Glacial Elemental
Its elemental essence refers to ice dragons, particularly common in the Freljord region.
Glacial Nature. These Half-Dragons have a natural aptitude for dealing with cold and ice, having Resistance to Cold damage and Weakness to Fire damage (simple and magical). At level 15 the resistance becomes to Glacial damage.
Draconic Aspects
You have physical aspects of Glacial Dragons, such as thick white fur covering parts or all of your body, horns, fangs and claws similar to ice crystals (or even true ice), and dark or bluish scales on parts of your body. Your Draconic Essence grants the following draconic aspects:
Crystalform Natural Weapons. Its natural weapons include Bite, Claws and Horns with a shape and appearance similar to ice crystals:
- Your Bite deals 1d4 + your Strength modifier in Piercing damage;
- Your Claws deal 1d6 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier in Slashing damage;
- Your Horns deal 1d4 + your Strength modifier in Piercing damage.
Cold Breath Weapon. Starting at level 2, the Glacial Elemental Half-Dragon has a cold breath weapon. When you use your breath weapon, you deal Cold damage to creatures within 15 feet cone starting from you.
- Glacial Draconic Form
- When entering your draconic form, your Constitution is increased, increasing your hit points for the duration. Additionally, your wings also have claws, allowing you to perform Claw attacks using a bonus action.
Infernal Elemental
Your elemental essence is linked to infernal dragons, fire-breathing beasts known for their destructive power and menacing presence.
Infernal Nature. You have a connection with the destructive power of fire, having Resistance to Fire damage and Weakness to Cold damage (simple and magical). At level 15 the resistance becomes to Incinerating damage.
Draconic Aspects
You have physical aspects of Infernal Dragons, such as a set of threatening horns, a robust tail (which may or may not have protrusions similar to magmatic rocks at the tip), muscular body and scales in some shade of red on your body. Your Draconic Essence grants the following draconic aspects:
Igniform Natural Weapons. Your natural weapons include a set of Horns, a powerful Tail and Claws on your hands:
- Your Horns deal 1d6 + your Strength modifier in Piercing damage;
- Your Tail deals 1d4 + your Strength modifier in Bludgeoning damage;
- Your Claws deal 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier in Piercing damage.
Fire Breath Weapon. Starting at level 2, the Infernal Elemental Half-Dragon has a fire breath weapon. When you use your breath weapon, you deal fire damage to creatures within 15 feet cone started from you.
- Infernal Draconic Form
- When entering your draconic form, your Strength is increased and your breath weapon deals 1 additional damage die.
Mountain Elemental
Your elemental essence derives from sturdy mountain dragons, the most resilient among elemental dragons.
Mountainous Nature. You have a natural resistance to the vibrations of the earth, having Resistance to Thunder damage and Weakness to Acid damage (simple and magical). At level 15 the resistance becomes to Vibrational damage.
Draconic Aspects
You possess physical aspects of Mountain Dragons, such as a sturdy rock-like tail, stony claws with stalactite-like shapes on your hands, a bite designed with fangs and bones encased in a tough structure, a broad and robust body, resilient scales similar to rocks and minerals, or thick, earth-toned skin. Your Draconic Essence grants the following draconic aspects: Petriform Natural Weapons. Your natural weapons include a mace-like Tail, rocky Claws on your hands, and a developed Bite:
- Your Tail deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier in Blunt damage;
- Your Claws deal 1d4 + your Dexterity or Strength modifier in Slashing damage;
- Your Bite deals 1d4 + your Strength modifier in Piercing damage.
Thundering Breath Weapon. Starting at level 2, the Mountain Elemental Half-Dragon possesses a thunder breath weapon. When you use your breath weapon, you deal Thunder damage to creatures within 15 feet cone started from you.
- Draconic Mountain Form
- When entering your draconic form, your Constitution is increased, increasing your hit points for the duration.
Cloud Elemental
Its elemental essence refers to cloud dragons, particularly agile creatures, which majestically cut through the sky in their flight.
Nebulous Nature. You have a natural affinity for flying through stormy clouds, having Resistance to Lightning damage and Weakness to Cold damage (simple and magical). At level 15, resistance becomes to Plasma damage.
Draconic Aspects
You have physical aspects of Cloud Dragons, such as a bony carapace covering your skull and horns, soft light fluff, a slender body, and cyan scales on your body. Your Draconic Essence grants the following draconic aspects:
Stratiform Natural Weapons. Its natural weapons include a pair of bony Horns, a flexible Tail and a powerful Bite:
- Your Horns deal 1d6 + your Strength modifier in Bludgeoning damage;
- Your Tail deals 1d4 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier in Bludgeoning damage;
- Your Bite deals 1d4 + your Strength modifier in Piercing damage.
Lightning Breath Weapon. Starting at level 2, the Cloud Elemental Half-Dragon possesses an electric breath weapon. When you use your breath weapon, you deal Lightning damage to creatures in a 20 feet long and 5 feet wide line from you.
- Cloud Draconic Form
- When entering your draconic form, your Dexterity is increased and your flying speed is increased by 10 feet.
Ocean Elemental
Your elemental essence derives from the elusive dragons of the ocean, taking part of their attunement to aquatic and maritime environments.
Oceanic Nature. You have a naturally moist and neutral body, having Resistance to Acid damage and Weakness to Lightning damage (simple and magical). At level 15, resistance becomes Antimonic damage
Draconic Aspects
You have physical aspects of Ocean Dragons, such as fangs and serrated teeth in your mouth, a long and flexible tail, claws on your hands similar to your fangs, corals or sea rocks, fins or flippers on parts of your body, or skin with a rubbery appearance or with scales similar to those of marine animals. Your Draconic Essence grants the following draconic aspects:
Pisciform Natural Weapons. Its natural weapons include a whip-like Tail, pointed Claws on its hands, and a serrated Bite:
- Your Tail deals 1d4 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier in Slashing damage;
- Your Claws deal 1d4 + your Strength modifier in Piercing damage;
- Your Bite deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier in Piercing damage.
Acid Breath Weapon. Starting at level 2, the Ocean Elemental Half-Dragon has an acid breath weapon. When you use your breath weapon, you deal acid damage to creatures in a 20 feet long and 5 feet wide line from you.
- Ocean Draconic Form
- When entering your draconic form, your Constitution is increased, increasing your hit points for the duration.
