DwD Studios

This was an article I wrote for Decahedron but with Larry MIA I thought I'd post it here.

The Dragon-Kin are a race presented in Flesh and Blood. I'm sure if you search the forums you can find the alpha write up on them if you don't have Flesh and Blood.

Three days due east of Stavengaard, in an area of the sea that is supposed to be landless, there is an island. Shrouded in mist, and not much bigger than Lor Warren, Caer Urdak is home to the enigmatic Dragon-kin. Breed by the ancient Grand Dragons of legend, it is their sworn duty to guard the secret resting place of these great beasts.

There is a single city, also called Caer Urdak by it's inhabitants, and it is home to nearly 10,000 Dragon-kin, kobolds and lizardkin. Built into the high cliffs, the city is an architectural marvel. Vast stairways, twist and turn up the cliff face and arched bridges pan impossible distances between monolithic towers. The harbor is home to a vast fishing fleet that helps keep the island fed.

The island itself is home to a variety of sea birds, goats, sheep, and sparse vegetation. The tombs of long dead dragons dot the island. They are all well guarded deathtraps designed to foil tomb robbers, and more importantly, rival dragons. In fact, with the exception of the slumbering Grand Dragons, no true dragons live on Caer Urdak.

Dragon-kin society is highly structured, at least on the surface. At the top are the ruling dragon priests, called Keepers of the Oath.. The Keepers are selected from the hatcheries of the Warrior class. Those young dragon-kin who show a talent for magic are taken away and raised to be Keepers of the Oath.

Below the Keepers, are the Defenders of the Oath, the dragon-kin warrior class. They guard the hatcheries where the young are born and reared, and they guard the Dragon Tombs that dot the island. Their greatest duty is to guard the sleeping Grand Dragons, and only greatest of dragon-kin warriors are selected to be Guardians.

Only Dragon-kin can be priests or warriors. They make up the Oathbound nobility of dragon-kin society and remain aloof and separated from the lower classes. Family lines are not kept among the upper classes. The children are raised communally t the great hatcheries.

Dragon-kin, kobolds and lizard men make up the Artisan class. Skilled trades necessary for the support of the Oathbound.

The Servant and Labor class are at the bottom of the Caer Urdak social ladder. Comprised entirely of kobolds and lizard men, they do the work that no self respecting dragon-kin would do.

Unlike the Oathbound, Artisans, servants and laborers are expected to raise their own progeny. As a result, their loyalty to the Oathbound was waned over the centuries. The conflict between duty to family and duty to society has led to unrest. Human fishing fleets have began encountering the dragon-kin fleets, and it's clear that the strict isolationism of Caer Urdak cannot continue. Many Artisans see contact with the outside world as a great opportunity, while the Defenders see only a threat.

Recently The Keepers of the Oath have agreed to allow limited contact with the outside world. They hope to better understand what threats the outside world may pose, and to distract an increasingly unruly artisan class with the promise of new opportunities.

Dragon Kin Equipment

The smiths of Caer Urdak have two materials unique to their island. Blue Steel and Dragonbone. Dragon-kin do not make armor. The winged dragon-kin find armor hindering and shun it's use, while the wingless dragonkin have natural armor and see the need for artificial armor tantamount to admitting weakness.

Blue Steel
Steel forged in dragon fire takes on a blue iridescent sheen and is incredibly strong. It is able to hold an edge far sharper than any conventional steel. Weapons formed of blue steel ignore the first two points of DR provided by armor. Blue steel is heavier than conventional steel (+10 to required STR), and it is more difficult to enchant (-20% to Enchanter skill checks). Although Dragon-kin do not traditionally make armor from Blue Steel, such armor would grant it's full DR against magical attacks that would normally bypass armor. Any Dragon-kin with at least one level is Scholar and knowledge of blacksmithing (High Scholar- Blacksmith) will likely know the secret of smelting and forging blue steel. If no true dragon is present to provide the flame, the dragon-kin may use their own fire breath, but it will take twice as long.

Dragonbone
Weapons of Dragonbone are sacred to the Dragon-kin and only the Oathbound are permitted to own them. Stronger and lighter than steel Dragonbone weapons may be made larger and still be wielded in a single hand. Greataxes and two-handed swords crafted from dragonbone have their STR requirement reduced by 5 and may be wielded one handed. Smaller weapons have their STR requirement reduced by 5 as well, but offer no other benefits. Dragonbone cannot be forged into armor, though dragon scales can be. (See Dragonscale Armor, below)

Dragonscale Armor
Though the Dragon-kin do not craft any armor, it is said that some dwarven smiths know the secret of making dragonscale armor. Dragonscale armor provides +20 to resist dragon breath, fire, cold, or lightning attacks. Dragonscale shields allow a free resistance check against dragonbreath, fire, cold, or lightning attacks in addition to the normal bonuses granted by a shield. Dragon-kin are not likely to look favorable on anyone wearing dragonscale armor or carrying a dragonscale shield.

Weapons
Weapon Type #Hands Damage Range STR Cost
Bluesteel Axe Melee 1 2D+2 AP2 - 60 100gp
Bluesteel Sword Melee 1 2D+1 AP2 - 60 100gp
Dragonbone Axe Melee 1 3D - 65 500gp
Dragonbone Crossbow Ranged 2 2D+4 120 60 400gp

Bluesteel Arrow or Bolt By weapon plus AP2 1gp per arrow

Armor DR STR Cost
Dragonscale Armor DR6 60 500+
Dragonscale Shield 200+