Merdragon (5e Race)

Merdragons

“	First a swift swim through the water, then break the surface to glide through the air. That's how the merdragon do.	”
—ZeFrank on merdragons

Physical Description

By Xal

Most merdragons look mainly like their parents of the draconic lineage. However there are a few differences. Their thin, smooth scales come in many different colors but are usually mottled shades of blue, green, grey, or black. They are not varied in as many colors as dragonborn. The scales are covered in a slight layer of oil that helps keep them moist out of the water, as well as making them waterproof and streamlined when swimming.

Like most merfolk, the merdragons have large fins that run down their arms, and up their back, necks, and heads. Their necks can be flexed and extended at will. The fins on their heads tend to be stiffer and hold their place, much like the horns of the dragonfolk. Their tail has the largest fin arrangement, like a fishtail. An important feature is that merdragons lack hind legs. To move on land, they drag their bodies across the ground with their strong arms.

They have webbed claws and, if their tails have metal adornments, they can use it as a lashing weapon to those who dare sneak behind them. A pair of dragon wings lie folded among their fins. Merdragons are only decent fliers and are like slugs on land. Their true adeptness shows in water.

History

Merdragons were given their start when the two great societies, the dragonfolk and merfolk erectus, first crossed paths. The floating islands of the dragonfolk had never before been found in the clouds above the shores populated by merfolk erectus. Once this connection was discovered, the trade between the two civilizations grew to the point of peace. With this, the edges of the two populations began to blur together, creating the merdragons. The merdragons then proceeded to live with their parent races. When they reached maturity, they would conduct mass migrations to the home of the other parent. It is a spectacle to see merdragons crawl en masse onto land from the sea, or vice versa. People have witnessed this phenomena for some decades now, which embolden hunters of exotic species.

Society

The merdragons do not exist within their own society. Most live with either of their parent races, calling either one or the other their home. Some have even moved into human cities. Very few places like the original islands above the shores exist, but those who live where they do move freely between the clouds and the ground. However, merdragon wings develop slower and are less advanced than that of actual flying dragons. They are much more adapted to water travel at young ages, eventually growing to fly. Due to their lack of legs, they do not fare very well on land. Many a young merdragon has met their end flopping on land, unable to escape from hunters, who poach merdragons for their rarity as game and scales.

Merdragon Names

Merdragons have a mixed naming system of Aquan and Draconic language. Their last names usually sound similar to that of tritons while their first names are mixed.

Male: Vuhlax, Dhimroth, Raghall, Jarres

Female: Elthyris, Ogdyn, Ishyn, Nuspora

Last Names: Sudelmath, Ollulomath, Ithmath, Kuillomath

Merdragon Traits

Mermaid-like water dragons
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age. Many merdragons reach adulthood around the age of 30 and live up to 300 years.
Alignment. Like both of the parent races, merdragons tend to be neutral, though they like any other race can be on any side of the spectrum.
Size. They tend to be about 6 feet long from tip to tail, but can vary between 5 and 7 feet. They are Slender and flexible, and pretty light at about 115 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 10 feet. Your features grant you additional movement speeds.
Amphibious. You can breathe both air and water.
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.
Swimmer of the Seas. Though not as adept as mermaids, merdragons are agile swimmers. You have a swim speed of 30 feet.
Claws. Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Wings. You have dragon wings which are not quite developed as much as an aarakocra's but they are usable. You have a flying speed of 30 feet. You must not be wearing medium or heavy armor to use this speed.
Fins. Your many fins, tail and wings make it hard for regular armor to fit you. You cannot wear regular armor and require specially tailored clothes and armor, which costs four times as much to make or buy.
Languages. You can speak, read and write in Common, Draconic and Aquan.

Random Height and Weight

Table: Merdragon Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
5′ 3″	+3d8 inches	115 lb.	×4 lb.

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