Scion of the Tenebrous Dragon (3.5e Prestige Class)

Scion of the Tenebrous Dragon

“	Try to disbelieve this spell.	”
—Schwartz Von Drachen, a scion of the tenebrous dragon

Amongst the ranks of shadowcasters, a handful claim their powers are inherited from the powerful bloodlines of the fell shadow dragons.

Becoming a Scion of the Tenebrous Dragon

Found nearly exclusively among the ranks of shadowcasters, the scions of the tenebrous dragon can also be found among cultists, eventide magi and the hollow.

Requirements

To qualify to become a Scion of the Tenebrous Dragon, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

• Race: Any nondragon (cannot already be a half-dragon).
• Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 8 ranks.
• Languages: Draconic.
• Shadowcasting: Must be able to cast 3rd level mysteries.

Table: The Scion of the Tenebrous Dragon   Hit Die: d12

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	Mysteries Known
1st	+0	+2	+0	+2	Dark Beast's Hide (+1), Talons and Fangs	+1 level of existing mystery-using class
2nd	+1	+3	+0	+3	Ability boost (Str +2)	+1 level of existing mystery-using class
3rd	+2	+3	+1	+3	Shadow Breath (1 negative level)	+1 level of existing mystery-using class
4th	+3	+4	+1	+4	Ability boost (Str +2), Dark Beast's Hide (+2)	+1 level of existing mystery-using class
5th	+3	+4	+1	+4	Pierce The Veil 30ft	+1 level of existing mystery-using class
6th	+4	+5	+2	+5	Ability boost (Con +2)	+1 level of existing mystery-using class
7th	+5	+5	+2	+5	Shadow Breath (2 negative levels), Dark Beast's Hide (+3)	+1 level of existing mystery-using class
8th	+6	+6	+2	+6	Ability boost (Int +2)	+1 level of existing mystery-using class
9th	+6	+6	+3	+6	Wings of Night	+1 level of existing mystery-using class
10th	+7	+7	+3	+7	Pierce The Veil 60ft, Shadow Breath (3 negative levels), Dark Embrace	+1 level of existing mystery-using class

Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level)
Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Search (Wis), Speak Language (Int), Spellcraft (Int), and Spot (Wis),

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Scion of the Tenebrous Dragon

Mysteries: At each level, you gain new mysteries and an increase in caster level as if you had also attained a level in a shadowcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained.

Dark Beast's Hide (Ex): At 1st level, the scion of the tenebrous dragon gains a +1 natural armor bonus (or an increase to the character's existing natural armor bonus). This increases by an additional +1 at 4th, 7th and 10th level.

Talons and Fangs (Ex): At 1st level, a scion of the tenebrous dragon gains primary claw attacks and a secondary bite attack if he does not already have them. Use the values below or the disciple’s base claw and bite damage values, whichever are greater.

Size	Bite Damage	Claw Damage
Small	1d4	1d3
Medium	1d6	1d4
Large	1d8	1d6

Ability Increases (Ex): As a scion of the tenebrous dragon gains levels in this prestige class, his ability scores increase as noted on Table: The Scion of the Tenebrous Dragon.

Shadow Breath (Su): At 3rd level, a scion of the tenebrous dragon may, once per day, use a minor form of his ancestor's breath weapon. This breath weapon grants one negative level in a 30 foot cone, increasing to two negative levels at 7th level, and 3 negative levels at 10th. The DC of the breath weapon is 10 + class level + Con modifier.

Pierce The Veil (Ex]: At 5th level, the scion of the tenebrous dragon gains blindsense with a range of 30 feet.

Wings of Night (Ex): At 9th level, a scion of the tenebrous dragon grows a set of draconic wings. He may now fly at a speed equal to his normal land speed, with average maneuverability.

Pierce The Veil (Ex]: At 10th level, the scion of the tenebrous dragon gains blindsense with a range of 60 feet.

Dark Embrace: At 10th level, a scion of the tenebrous dragon inherits the full extent of his ancestral power, he takes on the half-dragon template. His breath weapon reaches full strength (as noted above), and he gains +4 to Strength and +2 to Charisma. His natural armor bonus increases to +4, and he acquires low-light vision, 60-foot darkvision, immunity to sleep and paralysis effects, and immunity to the energy drain.

Campaign Information

Playing a Scion of the Tenebrous Dragon

Combat: A scion of the tenebrous dragon is different from most shadowcasters: He's stronger, hardier, and often smarter. This combination leads to a spellcaster that can outflank a rogue, turn the party's paladin into little more than an insane puppet, or even rip a fighter to shreds with his claws. Often, the scion will choose to hide in the shadows until the moment is right, emerging to breath tongues of shadow on his enemies, then returning to the dark before they realize what hit them.

Advancement: Like most spellcasters, a scion of the tenebrous dragon is best off continuing to improve his magical technique, so he's best off advancing in shadowcaster. A rare few scions might benefit from more physical benefits, especially those who prefer to use their natural attacks in combat, in which case levels of fighter or rogue would help.

Resources: Among the shadowcasting communities, scions of the tenebrous dragon are often viewed in much the same light as sorcerers among wizards, and are often treated as little more than undisciplined apprentices at best, or rabid beasts who need to be put down, at worse. By the same token, among the tiny groups of scions that exist, ordinary shadowcasters are usually viewed as bloated, pompous pricks who hide within the safety of their arcane lore, instead of experiencing life as they should be. One such organization, a circle of about a dozen scions known only as "The Wraith", for their long black cloaks and faceless masks; has a very progressive way of dealing with other shadowcasters, that is, kill them first, then take what ever knowledge they have. The Wraith is believed to actually be headed by a handful of shadow dragons who are also believed to control many such circles and cults all over the world, waiting until their strength is such that they might fulfill some dark purpose.

Scions of the Tenebrous Dragon in the World

“	Shadows hide the unknown and the unseen. Monsters lurk there. Monsters such as I.	”
—Eldross, Scion of the Tenebrous Dragon

Except when traveling with a party, a scions of the tenebrous dragon are generally loners. Even as part of a larger organization, they are rarely, if ever, seen with others. When a typical scion is encountered, it might be while he's in search others of his kind, whether to befriend or kill them; or perhaps he's an assassin sent by a scion circle.

NPC Reactions: NPC's are often terrified of scions of the tenebrous dragon, usually due to their savage countenance, and their draconic demeanor. Scions are often treated as monsters or demons by those who don't know of their true nature, often to the scion's pleasure.

Scion of the Tenebrous Dragon Lore

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

Knowledge (Arcana)

DC	Result
11	A scion of the tenebrous dragon is a spellcaster who draws his power from the his shadow dragon ancestry.
16	A scion of the tenebrous dragon's draconic heritage manifests slowly, toughening his body and mind beyond the norm for his race.
21	A scion of the tenebrous dragon who has completely inherited his power is truly a terror in the night, a draconic beast of shadow magic and fangs.
26	Characters who get this result can know the names and locations of specific scions of the tenebrous dragon and items related to them..

Scions of the Tenebrous Dragon in the Game

“

In the shadow realm, I saw things that were real, things that were not real, and things that should never become real.

”

orig=Jonathan McCallister, a scholar of umbral lore

Scions of the tenebrous dragon run the gamut of the savage draconic beast, to the wise scholar of shadow magic.

Adaptation: The scion of the tenebrous dragon can be adapted to fit nearly any setting that features either shadow dragons or shadow magic.

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