Draconic Champion (3.5e Prestige Class)

Draconic Champion

“	The Tiamat's wrath shall rain down destruction upon you and your kin, Bahamut worshipper. Face me if you dare!	”
—Willis Manslayer, Human Draconic Champion, Worshipper of Tiamat

Draconic Champions aspire to become symbols of their gods and fearsome warriors on the battlefield. They show no fear, offer no quarter and expect none in return. Their fearsome physiques become more serpentine and terrible with each stage of their gradual transformation. Once they have begun their scaly transformation, their bloodlust is unquenchable. They seek war, conquest and destruction of those who would oppose them. There are two paths, but only one can be travelled, Tiamat or Bahamut.

Becoming a Draconic Champion

The trevails of this class are true tests of sacrifice, desire, and devotion. Many have felt the lure of the elemental power of dragon kind, but few survive the process for danger is always imminent. To serve Tiamat provokes the anger of the servants of Bahamut, who will seek to put an end to your violent episodes and bring justice and retribution upon your head. Likewise, servants of Bahamut are equally pursued with zealous and righteous anger by the servants of Tiamat. Fighters, rangers and barbarians are usually the types that take on these herculean trials necessary to properly serve the 5 headed mother of monsters or the father of good dragonkin. The few that are able to pass the rituals gain great power and influence within their sect.

Entry Requirements

Race:	Any Non-Dragon
Base Attack Bonus:	+5
Feats:	Dragonfriend if good aligned or Dragonthrall is evil aligned
Religion	Either a worshiper of Bahamut or Tiamat
Special:	You must find a dragon of the bloodline you wish to be part of. Request that the dragon give you a trial of strength or cunning to gain their favor. If you pass your trial, then you must swear allegiance to either Bahamut or Tiamat infront of that dragon. The dragon will perform a ritual, infusing your body with his magical blood that will begin your transformation into a True Dragon.

Table: Draconic Champion

Hit Die: d12

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+0	+2	Blood Oath, Tooth and Claw, Ophidian Eye
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+3	Scales, Multiattack
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+3	Dragon’s Breath, Tiamat's Bite, Bahamut's Blessed Touch
4th	+4	+4	+1	+4	Wings
5th	+5	+4	+1	+4	Frightful Presence
6th	+6	+5	+2	+5	Rampant Growth
7th	+7	+5	+2	+5
8th	+8	+6	+2	+6	Wyrm’s Coil, Immunities
Class Skills (6 + Int modifier per level) Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Int), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Draconic Champion. Each transformation occurs over a period of 24 hours, gradually transforming them into a Half-Dragon Variant over 8 levels.

Blood Oath (Ex): At 1st level, the initiate is welcomed under the wing of their patron dragon god, either Tiamat or Bahamut. You acquire a draconic bloodline that is the same as the dragon whose blood you are infused with. Once the blood ritual has been performed, it can never be done again. You also gain a +4 circumstance bonus on all diplomacy, bluff and intimidation checks versus dragons.

Dragon Bloodline

Dragon Variety	Breath Weapon	Dragon Variety	Breath Weapon	Dragon Variety	Breath Weapon
Black	60-foot line of acid	Brass	60-foot line of fire	Battle	30-foot Cone of sonic energy
Blue	60-foot line of lightning	Bronze	60-foot line of lightning	Chaos	60-foot line of random energy
Green	30-foot cone of corrosive (acid) gas	Copper	60-foot line of acid	Fang	None*1
Red	30-foot cone of fire	Gold	30-foot cone of fire	Radiant	60-foot line of force
White	30-foot cone of cold	Silver	30-foot cone of cold	Shadow	30-foot cone of shadows*2

• 1:Three times per day, a fang draconic champion can choose to deal 1d4 Constitution drain with its bite attack (Fort DC 14 negates). Also, their natural attacks are increased by one damage step.
• 2:Shadow dragon breath bestows 1 negative level.
• 3 Other true dragon varieties can be used wit DM permission.

Tooth and Claw (Ex): At 1st level, the Draconic Champion gains two claw attacks and a bite attack, and the claws are the primary natural weapon.

• Medium: Bite Damage: 1d6, Claw Damage: 1d4
• Large: Bite Damage: 1d8 Claw Damage: 1d6
• Huge: Bite Damage: 2d6 Claw Damage: 1d8
• Gargantuan: Bite Damage: 3d6 Claw Damage: 2d6

Ophidian Eye (Ex): At 1st level, a Draconic Champion's pupils become slits like a snake and change to the color of their chosen dragon type. He gains Dark Vision 60ft and low-light vision. If he already has Dark Vision, then it extends out another 30ft.

Scales (Ex): (First Molt) At 2nd level, the new initiates’ skin hardens and scales begin to form. The Draconic Champion gains a Natural Armor equal to +1/4 character level (rounded down).

Multiattack (Ex): At 2nd level, a Draconic Champion gains the Multiattack feat.

Breath Weapon (Ex): At 3rd level, a Draconic Champion gains a breath weapon he can use every 1d4 rounds that deals damage equal to 1d8 plus 1d8/3 character levels. The shape of the breath and its energy type is determined by the bloodline you have chosen. Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 character level + Con modifier) reduces damage by half. 3/day a Draconic Champion can supplement his normal breath weapon to instead breath a 30ft cone of positive energy if you are worshipper of Bahamut or a 30ft cone of negative energy if you are worshipper of Tiamat.

Tiamat's Bite (Ex): At 3rd level, as a full round action a Draconic Champion may make a single natural attack against all foes within his reach. This attack deals normal damage and knocks all struck creatures 1d3 x 5ft backwards. Reflex save DC 10 + 1/2 character level + Constitution modifier to avoid being pushed backwards. He may do this a number of times per day equal to his Constitution modifier. Only a Worshipper of Tiamat may use this class ability. (Note: The defender provokes attacks of opportunity if he is moved. The two of you do not provoke attacks of opportunity from each other, however.)

Bahamut's Blessed Touch (Ex): At 3rd level, a worshipper of Bahamut gains the "Touch of the Golden Ice" feat, even if he doesn't meet the requirements. (Feat benefit: Any evil creature you touch with your bare hand, fist, or natural weapon is ravaged by golden ice (see Ravages and Afflictions in Chapter 3: Exalted Equipment for effects). Only a worshipper of Bahamut may gain this class ability.

• (Golden ice: Contact Poison Fort Save (DC 14); Initial Damage 1d6 Dexterity, Secondary Damage 2d6 Dexterity. Any evil creature also takes additional damage equal to its Charisma bonus on the initial and secondary damage. Evil elemental or evil undead takes an extra 1 point of damage, and an evil outsider or an evil cleric of an evil deity takes an extra 2 points of damage.)

Wings (Ex): (Second Molt) At 4th level, the Draconic Champion undergoes a dramatic transformation, having wings erupt from his shoulders. He can fly at twice its base land speed (maximum 120 ft.) with average maneuverability.

Frightful Presence (Ex): At 5th level, a Draconic Champion can unsettle foes with his mere presence. The Draconic Champion can activate his frightful presence as a free action. Creatures within a 30ft radius are subject to the effect if they have fewer Hit Dice than the Draconic Champion (dragons are immune to the effect). A potentially affected creature that succeeds on a Will save (DC 10 + champion’s class level + Cha modifier) remains immune to that champion’s frightful presence for 24 hours. On a failure, creatures with 4 or fewer HD become panicked for 2d6 rounds and those with 5 or more HD become shaken for 2d6 rounds.

Rampant Growth (Ex): (Third Molt) At 6th level, the Draconic Champion's body expands and grows to enormous proportions, gaining thews of iron, similar to a Enlarge Person spell. He increases his size by one size category, -1 to AC and Attack Rolls, and incidentally, his natural attacks have also moved up one damage category due to this. His Strength and Constitution increase by +4. His Dexterity decreases by -2. All equipment worn or carried by a creature is similarly enlarged by this ability permanently. Melee and projectile weapons affected by this ability deal more damage. Other magical properties are not affected by this spell. Any enlarged item that leaves an enlarged creature’s possession (including a projectile or thrown weapon) retain their new size.

Wyrm’s Coil (Ex): (Final Molt) At 8th level, the final transformation of The Draconic Champion turns him into a full fledged member of the true dragons. He changes his type to Dragon. He now ages like a dragon, old age starts at 401 years, very old age starts at 601 years, ancient age starts at 801 years and wyrm age starts at 1001 years and great wyrm age starts at 1201 years. He no longer takes penalties to his ability scores for aging and cannot be magically aged. Any such penalties that he has already taken, however, remain in place. Bonuses still accrue, and the draconic champion still dies of old age when his time is up.

Immunities (Ex): At 8th level, the Draconic Champion gains immunity to sleep, paralysis effects, frightful presence of dragons, and an additional immunity based on its breath weapon type.

Ex-Draconic Champions

Code of conduct:

Followers of Bahamut:

• shall not change alignment from Good
• Shall not slay another good dragon
• Shall not murder a dragon that surrenders
• act with honor (not lying, not cheating, and so forth)
• Shall not delay justice and punishment against the wicked
• Shall not exterminate all dragons

Followers of Tiamat:

• shall not change alignment from Evil
• Shall not slay a superior evil dragon without the consent of Tiamat (excluding if you are attacked first of course)
• Shall not mercy to a good dragon
• Shall not evil without 'good' cause
• Shall not exterminate all dragons

If you ever break your allegiance to good dragon kind or evil dragon kind respectively, all your abilities granted by this class are taken from you by the gods themselves. In addition, you must make a Fortitude save DC 15 + class level or die instantly.

You may atone for these grievous actions by undertaking a quest at the behest of a dragon.

Campaign Information

Playing a Draconic Champion

Combat: They are pretty much the melee type; their large numbers of hit points and combat ability make them great at melee.

Advancement: After finishing the Draconic Champion class they often return to a former class or to another combat-based prestige class like Exemplar, Vassal of Bahamut or Talon of Tiamat.

Resources: They are usually loners; a guild full of them would end up in a terrible bloodshed.

Draconic Champions in the World

Draconic Champions when seen are leading a battle against another war machine. Combating an army or their rival Dragon Master allies. There is intense hatred between Tiamat’s forces and Bahamut’s that has lasted through the millennia’s. When opposing faction Champions meet, only one will soon remain as they battle without regard to others to the death.

NPC Reactions: Draconic Champions are given a wide berth. Their mere appearance brings terror and a bad omen of war. Or maybe a savior to a lost cause.

Draconic Champion Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Local) can research undefeated to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (Local)

DC	Result
16	Draconic Champions are fighting a several millennia war between the two factions, Tiamat and Bahamut.
21	Once a Draconic Champion completes their rituals, they become a true dragon that lacks sorcerer levels.

The progress in becoming a true Champion of Tiamat or Bahamut is extremely painful as they transform through various stages. Driven for war, apparently stored up from the long and painful transformations and molts, they gain their strength and drive for war. If one comes across your path, run. If one is with you, be thankful they are in a less the destruction mood.

Draconic Champions in the Game

Adaptation: COMING SOON

Sample Encounter: COMING SOON

EL whatever: COMING SOON

---

Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Classes → Prestige Classes