Classical fantasy races have withstood the test of time. They’re staples of the genre and beloved by all. However, sometimes, you need something a little bit different. The game is called Dungeons and Dragons, but dragons themselves are rarely seen. What better way to play up the title (and do something new) than a unique race specifically to this game? Enter the dragonborn. The previous races, especially the peculiar elves, have all been distinct, but were much more approximate to humans. Dragonborn, on the other hand, aren’t even half human. They’re their own race, unrelated to human beings. But new things face an uphill battle, especially for being so inhuman. How can these things stand beside the icons of elves, dwarves, and halflings? Surely the dragonborn are only a cheap cash grab and a watered down dragon, right? By the end of this article, you’ll think again and dragonborn will be on the map. Because if you’re not killing it, you’re not playing to the hilt.
Starting from the beginning, dragonborn were made, like most other races, by their gods. One account tells of them springing from the divine blood of Io as he was severed into Bahamut and Tiamat. Older lore makes them originally another race, but blessed by Bahamut into a wholly new draconic form to better serve them. In any event, the divine plays a major role in the life of most dragonborn. Regardless of their walk of life or what their strengths are, their choice of deity will guide their decisions. The vast majority of dragonborn pick either Bahamut, a dragon god of justice and mercy, or Tiamat, a dragon goddess of greed and vengeance. Though, most dragonborn favor Bahamut. In either case, you trust the divine. The suggests for playing up a dwarf’s faith in Moradin can work here, but that’s the easy way out. A dragonborn’s praises should be brief, but longer than a simple exclamation. A classic example is “may the force be with you” or “God bless you.” Thinking of it in terms of a motto might also help. “May justice be your guard” or “Let mercy hold you” are fine sayings for following Bahamut. “May plunder be your power” or “Let vengeance have its due” are fine sayings for following Tiamat.
Stemming from both their love of Bahamut and their own inclinations, dragonborn have a distinct sense of honor. Honor is valued nearly as high as following Bahamut himself. Honor is how you conduct yourself with discipline. Honor is reverence and how you are revered. Honor is a way of life. Honorless dragonborn are tragedies, but unrepentantly dishonorable dragonborn are despicable. As such, any dragonborn worth his salt strives to bring honor to himself and his clan. To represent this, you might become a master craftsman and give out some of your works as gifts to warriors or nobility. You may teach the basics of your craft to youngsters willing to listen, encouraging another generation to flourish. An honorable quest might be to slay an unrepentantly honorless dragonborn or offer a dishonored dragonborn a chance at redemption. You yourself might have been dishonorable and you seek to regain it! Maybe you lost it by indulging in your vices or totally by accident. Everyone loves a good redemption story.
Knowing the mindset and values of a dragonborn is one thing. Knowing how they feel is different. What it feels like to be a dragonborn isn’t purely a matter of piety. A major source is the small spark of power dwelling within them, a power unmistakably draconic. You breath fire. No extensive training necessary, no special knowledge, only a little bit of practice, like when toddlers learn to walk. Even so, it’s a double-edged sword. You are always dangerous. A careless sneeze or cough is all it’d take to accidentally scorch a building and end lives. It is a sobering responsibility, one that finds comfort in discipline and utility. To showcase this, you might hold your nose in dusty dungeons or meadows, insist on sleeping without a feathered mattress or pillow, and try to stay near a window to safely sneeze in.
Though they aren’t a typical fantasy race, dragonborn have all the depth and complexities as other races. With destructive power firmly in their blood, they have forged themselves into a people dedicated to honor and their deities. All three are fundamental to their existence and brings a distinct sense to the table. So when you make a character, and flip to the dragonborn, think back to this post. Because if you’re not killing it, you’re not playing to the hilt.
-The Clark Side