Draak'ar (5e Race)

Draak'ar

Come not between a dragon, and his wrath' -William Shakespeare

Physical Description

Draak'ar embody the power of true dragons with the sophistication of humanoids. They are usually large, with well developed muscular structures and a variety of tough scales which are hardest around the shoulders, spine and shins. They come in a large spectrum of matte colours, with darker shades signifying more pure dragon blood. They have long, semi-prehensile tails which are around 3/4 the height of the individual and are often used as a weapon. Protruding from wings would sprout are blade like plates, covered in the toughest scales. The plates range in size, larger plated individuals usually gaining more respect. Draak'ar heads greatly resemble that of true dragons, except with toned down and occasionally mixed traits, such as a green dragon's sail and a black dragon's curling horns. One thing that defines draak'ar from other similar races are the striking scale patterns that are unique to individuals, swirling wave like patterns to jagged, lightning streaks. These patterns are always of a contrasting colour to the main scales, either a different shade or entirely different colour. In family lineages the patterns are always similar, often having a common trend or 'theme'.

History

Eons ago; before the days of humanity, when the elven race was young; there was an immense war between the metallic and chromatic dragons. It was fought on the land, in the skies and beneath the waves throughout the world of Triptychon. The war was so intense that the great dragon gods, Bahamut and Tiamat, sent some of their warriors to fight for their causes. The chromatics, seeing the rise in sentient humanoids wanted to enslave them while they were in their infancy. The metallics desired to instruct, not enslave, the humanoids; in order to direct their development towards peace before they began to war. In the closing days of this war that spanned draconic lifetimes, the chromatics were winning, having conquered vast swathes of the world and enslaving the newly arrived human race. In desperation the metallic dragons held a secret meeting to discuss options; one dragon, a defector from the chromatic side who had her wings removed by her former allies, suggested an alliance with the humanoids. Specifically the elves, dwarves and surviving dragonborn. It was radical, but it was accepted. The chromatic dragons, blinded by hubris and arrogance, did not believe the tiny mortals a threat until they freed humanity and began killing chromatic leaders. The alliance with the humanoids saved the metallic cause, the surviving chromatic dragons either fled or were captured. The majority were captured and fittingly punished. They were cursed to humanoid form; stripped of power, long life and resembling the dragonborn that were once their slaves they hid away and waited to regain their power.

Through many of 'dragon-kin' lifetimes, they watched as humanity, elves and dwarves grew to become the dominant races. Each race having only a single metallic dragon adviser, albeit disguised in humanoid form. Many descendants of the cursed died of or ended their own lives, but a small few grouped together to find a way to regain their stolen power. This secret society managed to grow to include nearly every surviving 'dragon-kin', they then began rituals to summon fiends and Old Ones to try and restore their power to no avail, until one former servant of Tiamat herself agreed to restore a sizable fraction of their power. They unanimously agreed and regained long life, affinity for magic and minds not unlike true dragons, however, their bodies and minds were scarred. Full body markings and mocking wing-like plates appeared as they gained a thirst for vengeance against those who caused their downfall. They were not dragons nor dragonborn, so they dubbed their new race Draak'ar.

Now nearly every draak'ar are villians, criminals or evildoers. Embodying draconic ambition in 'human' form. They act to disrupt, destroy and deface the societies of the beings that cursed them to this lesser form.

Society

Draak'ar society is far different to that of their chromatic dragon heritage, instead of solitary living, they value family and brotherhood as one of their core tenements. Families are organised and behave like small kingdoms with an alpha male leading it, often with titles like Lord or Count. The alpha's mate is then the second most powerful, followed by first-born children than any other children, after that the importance in the family descends as the relation to the alpha becomes more distant. In most cases the family never works against each other, exceptions have occurred, but the main threat from within comes from rival families. The opposing families may be enemies, however, they treat each other with appropriate respect. Draak'ar are sophisticated in their lives; wearing lavish clothes, having the best weapons and living in grand palaces or castles; they despise the simple and 'barbaric' ways of other dragon-kin like the dragonborn, seeing themselves as being of higher stature.

One thing that is common throughout draak'ar society is the unbridled dissent towards other humanoids; especially humans, elves and dwarves. Often times draak'ar enslave people from these races and use for lowly tasks, tasks which they would rather not give their paid servants. Goals of different draak'ar vary, but a large fraction wants to conquer humanoid kingdoms, often targeting specific groups that affected their direct ancestors.

Draak'ar Names

Draak'ar, being descendants of dragons, typically have draconic names. Draak'ar families are a big part of their culture, thus their family name is very important. Family names are also draconic, but they tend to have a meaning such as Sventar'werdian which translates as Killer of the dawn.

Male: Arjhan, Balasar, Bharash, Donaar, Ghesh, Heskan, Kriv, Medrash, Mehen, Nadarr, Pandjed, Patrin, Rhogar, Shamash, Shedinn, Tarhun, Torinn

Female: Akra, Biri, Daar, Farideh, Harann, Flavilar, Jheri, Kava, Korinn, Mishann, Nala, Perra, Raiann, Sora, Surina, Thava, Uadjit

Family names: Sventar'werdian, Arcmitne, Gulixen, Naktar'drihliri

Draak'ar Traits

Descendants of cursed dragons who used magic to regain some of their power, at a cost.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.
Age. Draak'ar have long lives, but not as long as their ancestors. They mature around their third decade and can live for nearly a millennium.
Alignment. Draak'ar, like many dragon-kin, tend towards extremes of law and chaos and due to their resentment, most are evil. But there have been exceptions.
Size. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Tail Attack. Draak'ar tails are heavy and powerful, and thus can be used as a weapon. You are considered proficient in this unarmed attack and it deals 1d6 bludgeoning damage.
Dragon Fire. Due to the magic used by their ancestors and interbreeding, their draconic breath weapon is corrupted and of universal type. You may expel a 15 ft cone of breath. Creatures must make a DC 8 + Constitution modifier + proficiency bonus Dexterity saving throw to take half of the 1d6 fire and 1d6 necrotic damage. This damage increases to 2d6 each when you reach 11th level. You regain use of this feature after you finish a short or long rest.
Draconic Resolve. You gain advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write in Common and Draconic.
Subrace. Pick one from Savage or Titan.

Savage Draak'ar

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Affinity for Magic. From increased exposure to magic rituals, you have obtained a natural talent for magic. You may learn one cantrip from the sorcerer_spell_list. The spellcasting ability for this cantrip is Charisma.

Titan Draak'ar

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Draconic Endurance. You have advantage against being knocked prone.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 4''	+2d10	160 lb.	× (2d8) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
6′ 6''	+2d12	250 lb.	× (2d10) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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