Dragon Mage (5e Class)
Dragon Mage[edit]
The dragon mages are a relative recent phenomena in the circles of spellcasters , eliciting suspicion and sometimes animosity from other arcane practitioners. The reason for this is related to the power source of this group of magicians: in order to become a dragon mage, all neophytes are required to have their bodies infused with dragon blood, in a lengthy and painful process for both the future mage and for the dragon.
As expected, find a dragon wiling to volunteer himself to this ritual is hard, and although is not unheard of dragons offering their bloods to particularly loyal and useful servants, in most cases, a dragon is captured and have his blood drained by force for a group of soon to become dragon mages. For this reason, dragons often hate dragon mage, and the most aggressive of their kind will often attack them without warning, considering dragon mages a threat. Good aligned dragons will proceed with more care, but will be no less uncomfortable in the presence of a dragon mage, and will use every opportunity to inquiry the mage about the means in which he had achieved such power.
In other occasions, however, some particularly powerful dragons will create their own dragon mage cabals to serve their purposes. This is often done by good aligned dragons whose try to limit the evil spreading by expanding their influence, using leaders of humanoid communities as representatives, and giving these representatives the magic blood. Evil dragons are more hesitant in doing this, since the type of individual with the disposition to align himself with the evil dragon for power, can later become a menace for the same dragon.
Creating a Dragon Mage[edit]
Dragon Mage
by Triper7 |
As you create a dragon mage, ask yourself why your character would put himself in such a risk for arcane power, risking its life in a dangerous procedure and becoming a possible target for the more powerful monsters in existence? Did you have grown with relatives that are dragon mages themselves, or part of a dragon mage cabal? Do you seek power, without being restricted by pacts, servitude or years and years of study? Have you found a willing dragon, who trusted you with power? Were you a student of magic who have your studies interrupted, and was driven to seek arcane power by other means? Or maybe have you discovered the process of draconic blood infusion by yourself, and just bought the resources from the hands of black market dealers and dragon slayers?
In what ways your new arcane powers further your goals, how and why you use them? You found a sense of proud and respect for this power, ancient and mysterious, using it with care and only when necessary, to help others? You use your power to lift yourself above others, seeking domination and control? Do you use this dragon's blood against dragons, in a quest for revenge or in a mission for an dragon or cabal? Or you seek knowledge and understanding of your dragon blood, perfecting your spellcraft as an artist seeking his masterpiece?
Some dragon mages are part of a cabal, and some questions related to it may clarify your role in the world. Why have you joined the your dragon mage cabal? What's the relations of your cabal with the dragons from where they draw their power? They are servants, enslavers or friends of dragons? What's the agenda of the cabal, if some agenda at all exists? Why have you joined an adventures party, and how this affect your relation with the cabal?
- Quick Build
You can make a dragon mage quickly by following these suggestions. First, make Charisma your highest ability score, which empowers your magic. Constitution your next highest, if you to increase your hit points and chance to maintain concentration in spells. Choose a higher Dexterity next, as you want to have higher AC with your proficiency in light armors. Finally, select the noble or sage background.
Class Features
As a Dragon Mage you gain the following class features.
- Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d8 per Dragon Mage level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + Constitution modifier per Dragon Mage level after 1st
- Proficiencies
Armor: Light armor
Weapons: Simple Weapons
Tools: Alchemist supplies
Saving Throws: Charisma and Constitution
Skills: Choose two from Animal Handling, Arcana, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Nature, Perception, and Persuasion.
- Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- (a) spear or (b) quarterstaff
- (a) studded leather armor or (b) leather armor
- (a) light crossbow or (b) any simple weapon
- (a) dungeoneer's pack or (b) explorer's pack
Level | Proficiency Bonus |
Features | Cantrips Known | Spell Known | Mana | Power Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | +2 | Dragon Blood, Dragon's Scale | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
2nd | +2 | Draconic Spellcasting, Elemental Breath | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
3rd | +2 | Dragon Mage Cabal, Vision Manipulation | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
5th | +3 | Primal Stance, Dragon's Weakness | 3 | 6 | 14 | 3 |
6th | +3 | Dragonic Senses | 3 | 7 | 14 | 3 |
7th | +3 | Cabal Feature | 3 | 8 | 17 | 3 |
8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 | 9 | 17 | 3 |
9th | +4 | — | 3 | 10 | 27 | 5 |
10th | +4 | Cabal Feature | 4 | 11 | 27 | 5 |
11th | +4 | Dragon's Blessing | 4 | 12 | 32 | 5 |
12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 12 | 32 | 5 |
13th | +5 | — | 4 | 13 | 38 | 6 |
14th | +5 | Dragon Wings | 4 | 13 | 38 | 6 |
15th | +5 | Cabal Feature | 4 | 14 | 44 | 6 |
16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 14 | 44 | 6 |
17th | +6 | — | 4 | 15 | 57 | 7 |
18th | +6 | Cabal Feature | 4 | 15 | 57 | 7 |
19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 15 | 64 | 7 |
20th | +6 | Dragon's Perfection | 4 | 15 | 64 | 7 |
Draconic Spellcasting[edit]
Dragons are rumored to be the source of the magic they are probably the ones who invented it. At 1st level you learn how to cast spells, drawing the power from your blood.
- Cantrips
At 1st level, you know two cantrips of your choice from the dragon mage spell list. You learn additional dragon mage cantrips of your choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips Known column of the Dragon Mage table.
- Mana Points
You have an internal reservoir of energy that can be devoted to the spells you know. This energy is represented by mana points. The number of mana points you have is based on your dragon mage level, as shown in the Mana column of the Dragon Mage table. The number shown for your level is your mana point maximum. Your mana point total returns to its maximum when you finish a long rest. The number of mana points you have can’t go below 0 or over your maximum.
Each spell cost an amount of mana points, depending on its level, as shown in the Mana Cost table bellow:
Though you have access to the power of the dragon blood coursing through your veins, it takes training and practice to channel that energy. There is a limit on the number of mana points you can spend to cast a spell. The limit is based on your dragon mage level, as shown in the Power Limit column of the Dragon Mage table. For example, as a 3rd-level dragon mage, you can't cast spells higher than 1st-level spells, no matter how many spell points you have.
You know two 1st-level spells of your choice from the dragon mage spell list. The Spells Known column of the Dragon Mage table shows when you learn more dragon mage spells of your choice. Each of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For instance, when you reach 3rd level in this class, you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level. Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the dragon mage spells you know and replace it with another spell from the dragon mage spell list, which also must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
Charisma is your spellscasting ability for your dragon mage spells. You use your Charisma modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a spell or when making an attack roll with one. Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier
You can use an arcane focus as a spellcasting focus for your dragon mage spells. Dragon Blood[edit]At 1st level, you awaken powers due to the infusion of draconic blood into your body. The Dragon Blood table bellow is refereed by some of your class features.
In addition, you can use your draconic blood to regenerate your wounds. As a bonus action, you can regain 5 hit points for each 2 mana points spent. The maximum of mana points you can spend for turn with this feature is shown on the Power Limit column on the Dragon Mage table. Dragon Scales[edit]At 1st level, you can use your mana to manifest scales on your body. As a bonus action, you can spend 1 mana point to grow a set of dragon scales, giving you a AC equal to 13 + your Dexterity modifier, lasting for 1 hour. You may use a shield and still gain these benefits if you are proficient. In addition, your dragon scales give you resistance to the damage type your dragon blood is associated with, as shown in the Damage Type column on the Dragon Blood table. Elemental Breath[edit]At 2nd level you gain the ability to exhale a damaging breath attack consistent with the elemental damage type of the dragon blood you have chosen. As an action, when you use your breath weapon, each creature in the area of the exhalation must make a saving throw, the type of which is determined by your dragon blood. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier. A creature takes 2d6 damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. You can increase the damage dealt by spending mana points. You can cause 1d6 additional damage for each 2 mana points spent, up to 10 mana points. You can use this breath attack once, being unable to do it again until you complete a short or a long rest. Dragon Mage Cabal[edit]At 3rd level, you chose to join how to control the draconic blood inside your body, joining a cabal. You must chose between one of the following: Dogma Cabal, Companion Cabal, Woken Heritage Cabal, and Sage Cabal. Your choice grants you new features at the 7th level and again at 10th, 15th, and 18th level. Vision Manipulation[edit]At 3rd level, you learn how to control your blood to activate some aspects of your draconic vision. As a bonus action, you can spend 2 mana points to gain darkvision up to a range of 120 feet for 8 hours. Ability Score Increase[edit]When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature. Primal Stance[edit]At 5th level, whenever you cast a spell that deals acid, cold, fire, lighting, or poison damage, you can chose to change the damage type for the one your dragon blood is associated with. In addition, when you cast a spell that deals damage from the type related to your dragon blood, you can add your Charisma modifier to the damage roll. Dragon's Weakness[edit]At 5th level, you have achieved a deeper knowledge of a dragon's anatomy, being able to pinpoint weak spots on their scales and telegraphed moves in their attacks. When fighting dragons, you add your Charisma modifier to your attack rolls. In addition, when any dragon causes damage to you, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage caused by an amount equal to 1d10 + your Charisma modifier. Draconic Senses[edit]At 6th level, you start to develop a keener sense. You can add the double of your proficiency modifier to Wisdom (Perception) checks. In addition, you can use your bonus action to gain blindsight up to a range of 30 feet, and advantage on your Wisdom (Perception) checks, lasting for 1 minute. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier. You regain all expended uses when you complete a long rest. Dragon's Blessing[edit]At 11th level, your blood fusion is almost complete. You now have more dragon's blood inside of you than your original blood. Your body becomes hardened, and you become immune to the damage type associated with your dragon blood. In addition, your magic becomes more violent, and you are now able to ignore resistance to the damage type you are associated with. If a creature within 60 feet is immune to this damage type, you can use your bonus action to cancel that immunity until the end of your turn. Dragon Wings[edit]At 14th level, you gain the ability of sprout a pair of wings from your back, as a bonus action. You can fly with these wings, flying with a speed equal to your movement speed. Dragon's Perfection[edit]At 20th level, your body has finally fully acclimated to the dragon's blood coursing in your veins. You gain the following benefits:
Dogma Cabal[edit]Members of the Dogma Cabal seek the mastery of channeling the dragon blood in their bodies to use magic. They are often very educated in the more intricate aspects of arcane spellcasting, spending many years studying and perfecting their spellcraft, and learning how to transform the innate blood casting into a carefully crafted science.
The Dragon's Dogma lets you choose from an expanded list of spells when you learn a Dragon Mage spell. The following spells are added to the dragon mage spell list for you.
|