Valignar (5e Race)
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Valignar[edit]
From the molten depths, a crocodilian behemoth gradually rises to the surface, its infernal body immune to the burning sensation of the molten hot fluid; it creeps unto its seemingly petrified victim, terrified for its life and unable to move an inch. It clenches its jaws shut around its hapless victim, sealing their fate. Another contract fulfilled successfully, with yet another lost soul having effectively "vanished" from the Forge's rossier.
Draconians are Infernal Lizardfolk that have adapted to life in the Forge: a literal hellscape, where the only light that emits comes from deep underground, and where the only foliage that grows, does so via a process known as chemosynthesis, and via designated cultivars for local advanced food production; consequently, they are slightly larger than traditional Lizardfolk, exhibit drastically different behaviors and mannerisms from them (albeit for similar reasons), possess stony, mineralistic scales of various different hues, grayscales, and opacities, and have astonishing levels of longevity, when compared with their surface-dwelling variants.
Physical Description[edit]
Due to their unique upbringing, Draconians have adapted their bodies to withstand extreme heat, acquired natural features that defend against other infernal beings, and gradually developed a society & culture to match their infernal reptilian upbringing. Their scales more often than not have a stony texture and coloration to them, with varying degrees of grayscale, opacity, and/or color. Furthermore, they generally tower over Medium-sized creatures, and are covered from head to tail in protruding horns or phoenix-like feathers, with clawed hands and feet made from organic obsidian of various different kinds. Whereas the horns of some match their clawed hands and feet in the materials grown, the feathers of others are generally multicolored and fire-kissed, but otherwise retain a similar color scheme and stony appearance to their scales. Lastly, on their backs are a pair of either Infernal or Phoenix-like wings, depending upon whether they have horns or feathers: Infernal wings, if they have horns; Phoenix-like wings, if they have feathers.
Attitudes & Beliefs[edit]
Having adapted to the harsh realities of the Forge, Draconians typically prioritize their own survival over the survival of others, including their own kind. As such, they have developed a survival of the fittest mentality, prioritizing such things as strength, power, fitness, and dominion over more frivolous things, such as altruism, peace, and kindness. Whilst some Draconians do embrace their softer sides, many do not, instead opting to be hated and feared by many, whilst also idolizing and worshipping those who have power over them. Contrary to this, however, is their universal condemnation of the practice, known as "obsidian harvesting", in which they are de-clawed, de-fanged, and in some instances, de-horned.
Society[edit]
Draconian society greatly differs from other societies, in that they live in a classless feudal hierarchy. That is to say, rather than one’s bloodline or the conditions of their birth, one’s social standing is entirely dependent upon one’s merits. Draconians are also all too familiar with the concepts of trade, and an open market, and have codified into their laws some of the most exploitative, yet just forms of labor.
As an example of what this may look like, it is entirely legal for a slave to acquire their own freedom through a variety of different means, such as through combat, surreptition, the purchasing of their own freedom, or through litigation; however, a slave may only do this, if they are successful, and both the slave and slave owner are legally placed on an even playing field, though foul play is permitted on both sides, in some circumstances.
Whilst the lower classes generally do not retain rights in the traditional sense, all denizens, regardless of one’s social standing are enumerated the rights to both upward and downward mobility, based on a combination of one’s desires and one’s social standing, but typically not on the basis of one’s identity. Naturally, however, this means that once a law gets codified, it is seldom, if ever repealed, and instead gets overwritten by improved and revised versions of existing laws that better support Draconian society writ large.
Draconian Names[edit]
Draconian names are adopted from a variety of different cultures, taking inspiration from the Infernal, Abyssal, Draconic, Common, and Undercommon languages and vernaculars.
Male: Aearkath, Bhraazhen, Drirazhu, Ghozhriel, Houliakthuul, Illklathuul, Krathkothylam, Lakjothym, Merzhigoeje, Nozhkluuth, Oupjkkhum, Raepjhian, Thylliam, Ullijhani, Vlaaketh, Zhakrieuhl
Female: Akuzha, Balashaanaan, Doumokhryl, Ghollimuelzhe, Iimerille, Jhakuezha, Khryjuul, Lujhylla, Mozhgaethy, Naraijhyam, Ouqailljya, Reijhan, Thriazhuul, Uljhamoe, Villjhiazhe, Zhillamouzhye
Draconian Traits[edit]
Draconians are Infernal Lizardfolk that have adapted to life in the Forge.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Draconians reach adulthood at age 20, and can live for centuries, or even millennia.
Alignment. Draconians tend to gravitate towards lawful alignments.
Size. You tower over other races with ease, with a height ranging from 6 feet and 5 inches to 8 feet even, and with a weight ranging from 241 to 400 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking and climbing speeds are 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.
Adapted to Fire. Your body is adapted to the hellish temperatures of the Forge. You have resistance to fire damage. However, you have disadvantage on saving throws made against the effects of extreme cold as described on page 110 of the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Natural Armor. Your scales are as hard as stone. While not wearing armor, your armor class equals 14 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Hold Breath. You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour at a time.
Natural Weapons. You can use your fanged maw and claws to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier damage: piercing from your maw and slashing from your claws; instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.
Random Height and Weight[edit]
Base Height |
Height Modifier* |
Base Weight |
Weight Modifier** |
---|---|---|---|
6′ 4'' | +1d20 | 240 lb. | × (1d8) lb. |
*Height = base height + height modifier |
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
When creating a Draconian character, you can use the following table of traits, ideals, bonds and flaws to help flesh out your character. Use these tables in addition to or in place of your background's characteristics.
d8 | Personality Trait |
---|---|
1 | I use kindness as a means to an end, in order to get the things I want in life. |
2 | My problem solving method is to rush into things without thinking. Why waste time, when the problem can be resolved immediately? |
3 | I am quick to judge people and events by their merits, rather than by their true natures. |
4 | I impose a rigorous training regimen, in order to better myself and others every single day. |
5 | I have a knack for detecting the desires of other creatures - even the ones that are unknown to them. |
6 | I use fear as a means of preventing others from stepping out of line. |
7 | I spite only those who spite me first, no matter if directly or indirectly, and I attempt to do so in the most insidious of ways. |
8 | I actively challenge others, as a means of testing my own abilities. |
d6 | Ideal |
---|---|
1 | Altruism. Against my true nature, I will always lend a hand to those in need. (Good) |
2 | Righteousness. I will use my strength and power to smite and punish the wicked by any means necessary. (Neutral) |
3 | Desire. Everyone has their vices, and I am no exception. Why not fulfill our every need and want? (Chaotic) |
4 | Honor. They say there is honor, even amongst thieves, and so I extend that logic to all walks of life. (Lawful) |
5 | Strength. Survival is for the fittest, and thus strength is the only thing that matters in this world. (Any) |
6 | Dominion. All things in this world have a place where they belong. My place in this world is to rule over all others. (Evil) |
d6 | Bond |
---|---|
1 | Someone saved my life once, and thus, I have made it my life’s goal to return the favor someday. |
2 | I am a disgraced noble, who has since learned to survive in the most hostile of conditions, and environments. |
3 | I worked my way to the top from nothing, and seek to broaden my horizons. |
4 | I fell in love with a rival of mine, whose affections I seek to earn by my own merit. |
5 | I once met a traveler whose wanderlust inspired my own desires for exploration. |
6 | I was ostracized from the very beginning, and seek to right the wrongs of my people. |
d6 | Flaw |
---|---|
1 | Whenever I see someone is down, I cannot help but bring my full attention towards them, and them alone. |
2 | In any given situation, my mind immediately turns to war and bloodlust, and is incapable of knowing true peace. |
3 | I am incapable of feeling empathy or compassion for others: if they suffer, I feel nothing for them. |
4 | I am afraid of anyone having power over me, and am deeply insecure about anything I do not have absolute control over. |
5 | My temper sometimes gets a stranglehold over me, and doesn’t let go, until I have resolved the very thing that made me upset in the first place. |
6 | I get insidious and/or lustuous intrusive thoughts about every single creature I encounter. |
Racial Feat: Magma Diver[edit]
Prerequisite: must be a draconian
Through natural aptitude or harsh exposure training, some draconians have developed such a great inurement to heat that they can swim through magma. You gain the following benefits:
- You are immune to fire damage.
- While submerged in lava, magma, or another superheated liquid, you have a swimming speed equal to your walking speed and blindsight out to 30 feet.
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