Dragonborn

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Greyhawk Creature
Dragonborn
General information
Size:Medium
Alignment:Varies
Type:Humanoid
Patron deity:Bahamut (some)
First appearance:Races of the Dragon (2006)


Dragonborn are a humanoid species. Originally introduced in third edition (v3.5), they became one of the primary races available for player characters in Dungeons & Dragons fourth edition.

Description

Typical physical appearance

In many ways, Dragonborn resemble what their name suggests: humanoid dragons. Standing usually "well over 6 feet tall",[1] dragonborn average 6'2" and 6'8" (1.9​ to ​2m), though they are anywhere from 5' to 7'.[2] Dragonborn are impressively tall with a heavy weight to match, commonly possessing a weight of 220​ to ​320 pounds (100​ to ​150 kg). Dragonborn feet end with three strong talon-like claws with a fourth claw in the back, while their hands are similar with three claws with a thumb replacing the rear claw. A dragonborn's head features a blunt snout, a strong brow, and reptilian frills on the cheeks and ears. On the back of the head, a crest of hornlike scales forms what resembles a mess of ropy hair. Dragonborn eyes are usually red or gold in hue.[3] A rare, few individuals are born with tails.

Dragonborn exhibit many draconic features, including a scaly hide, a large muscular body, the capacity to use a breath weapon, and resistance to the same elemental energy they can breathe, thanks to their draconic heritage. Because of thousands of years of mixed procreation, the scales of a dragonborn's hide are usually scarlet, gold, rust, ochre, bronze, or brown in hue,[3] though a few dragonborn with an stronger draconic heritage had scales resembling those of true dragons,[3] but white scaled dragonborn are said to be rare.[4] The color of their scales bear little correlation to a dragonborn's draconic heritage, however.[3] The scales are typically in their greatest concentration around forearms, lower legs, feet, shoulders, and thighs, with a very fine leathery covering over the rest of the body.[5]

Dragonborn used to have wings,[6] but it is believed they lost them when their noble heritage was lost in the dark times of their ancient history. However, with the proper training, dragonborn with an exceptional draconic heritage could learn to unlock more of their draconic potential, even to the point of sprouting wings with which to fly, like a dragon.[7][8]

Like dragons, dragonborn are often mistaken for reptiles, but are in fact warm-blooded draconic creatures. In fact, the internal body temperature of the dragonborn is warmer than that of most similar races, being so hot as to seem feverish to the human touch. While this might seem disadvantageous, the lack of hair and large mouth allows dragonborn to displace body heat at an effective rate, meaning dragonborn are comfortable in cold climates while remaining no more vulnerable to heat than humans.[9]

Draconic Ancestry

Despite having no ancestral links to true dragons,[6] the blood of particular dragon types ran in the different dragonborn clans, giving them the traits and some abilities of these types of dragons.[10] Some dragonborn believed that they had the blood of the dragon gods Bahamut, Tiamat and Sardior, instead.[11] There are three known draconic ancestries: the more common chromatic and metallic ancestries,[3] and the gem ancestry.[10]

Although dragonborn of different ancestries could interbreed between them,[3] it is generally believed that dragonborn could not breed with members of different humanoid species.[12]

In the 3.5 supplement Races of the Dragon, dragonborn are presented as a transitive race, members of other humanoid races who, to show devotion to Bahamut, willingly took on draconic traits in place of their original biology.[13]

The dragonborn race is a true draconic race in Dungeons & Dragons fourth edition, and they are descendants of the greater Dragon God, Io.[14] In fourth edition, they frequently appear as mercenaries, and make excellent sorcerers, warlords, [[]paladin]]s, and fighters.[15][16]

Notable individuals

Dragonborn are mentioned living in Ket in the Western Flanaess,[19] and in the Lortmil Mountains of Old Keoland.[20].

Ghosts of Saltmarsh (2019) includes references to dragonborn artifacts on the black market, [21] ships crewed by dragonborn, [22] and mentions that dragonborn are reacted to in Saltmarsh "with a mixture of curiosity and fear."[23]

Publication history

Third edition (v3.5)

The dragonborn are originally introduced in the Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 supplement Races of the Dragon, published by Wizards of the Coast in 2006.[24][13]

Fourth edition

In fourth edition, dragonborn are available as one of the core player character races in the Player's Handbook.[25][14] The dragonborn are further detailed for fourth edition in Dragon #365 in the "Ecology of the Dragonborn",[26] and in the book Player's Handbook Races: Dragonborn.[27] The dragonborn are also available as a core character race in the fourth edition Essentials rulebook Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms.[28]

Fifth edition

The dragonborn remained one of the core races in the fifth edition Player's Handbook (2014),[29] as well as the Player's Handbook (2024).[2]

Development

The dragonborn are introduced to the core rules of Dungeons & Dragons fourth edition in an attempt to reflect contemporary trends in fantasy fiction and appeal to newer players.[30][31] In addition, it reflected a perception among the game's designers that it should be possible to play dragon-like creatures in a game with "Dragons" in the title.[30][32] Richard Baker, who helped design fourth edition, noted that the introduction of dragonborn to the core rules allowed them to "grow the D&D world by allowing the mix of characters to evolve in the new edition."[32]

In other media

The Dungeons & Dragons-based MMORPG Neverwinter made dragonborn available as a player character race as part of the Tyranny of Dragons expansion.[33]

See also

See also: Category:Dragonborn characters

Reception

Jonathan Bolding of The Escapist noted that the inclusion of the dragonborn in the fifth edition Player's Handbook does "push the 'traditional D&D' mold a bit, but this is a greatest hits of D&D player races and powers from the last fifteen years of the game."[34]

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ↑ Player's Handbook (2014), p.32.
  2. ↑ a b Player's Handbook (2024), p.187.
  3. ↑ a b c d e f Player's Handbook (2014), p.32-34.
  4. ↑ Whisper of Venom, Chapter 11.
  5. ↑ Player's Handbook (2014), p.34.
  6. ↑ a b Baldur's Gate III.
  7. ↑ Player's Handbook 2, p.25.
  8. ↑ Wizards Presents: Races and Classes, p.24.
  9. ↑ "Ecology of the Dragonborn".  Dragon #365 (Jul 2008), p.27.
  10. ↑ a b Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, p.10-12.
  11. ↑ Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, p.184-185.
  12. ↑ Brimstone Angels, p.66.
  13. ↑ a b (2006) Races of the Dragon, Wizards of the Coast
  14. ↑ a b (2008) Player's Handbook, Wizards of the Coast
  15. ↑ (2008) Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition For Dummies, For Dummies ISBN: 978-0470292907.
  16. ↑ Lissauer, Gabrielle (2015) The Tropes of Fantasy Fiction, McFarland
  17. ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.154.
  18. ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.163.
  19. ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.171.
  20. ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.169.
  21. ↑ Ghosts of Saltmarsh (2019), p.34.
  22. ↑ Ghosts of Saltmarsh (2019), p.210.
  23. ↑ Ghosts of Saltmarsh (2019), p.1!.
  24. ↑ Races of the Dragon Excerpt.
  25. ↑ 20 Things About Dungeons & Dragons That Make No Sense. ScreenRant , June 2, 2018.
  26. ↑ Sims, Chris (July 2008). "Ecology of the Dragonborn". Dragon Magazine 365. Wizards of the Coast.
  27. ↑ Wyatt, James (2010) Player's Handbook Races: Dragonborn, Wizards of the Coast
  28. ↑ (2010) Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms, Wizards of the Coast
  29. ↑ Player's Handbook (2014), p.32.
  30. ↑ a b Tresca, Michael J. (2010) The Evolution of Fantasy Role-Playing Games, McFarland, p. 81
  31. ↑ D&D Player's Handbook: Then and Now. wired.com , 2008-07-30. Retrieved on 2015-07-16.
  32. ↑ a b Player's Handbook Races: Dragonborn (4e). rpgnow.com , 2015-03-31. Retrieved on 2015-07-21.
  33. ↑ 'Neverwinter: Tyranny of Dragons' Free Expansion Brings 'Onslaught of Dragons'. gamerant.com. Retrieved on 2015-07-16.
  34. ↑ D&D Player's Handbook Review - A Greatest Hits Collection | Reviews | The Escapist. Escapistmagazine.com.

Bibliography

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).


This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Dragonborn on the Forgotten Realms Wiki (view authors.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Dragonborn Monster Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus, D&D 5e 4, 6, 109, 110, 111
Dragonborn Monster Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 11, 34, 210
Dragonborn Monster Oerth Journal #29 12,25
Dragonborn Monster Oerth Journal #32 9
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