dragon-magic-oef

Illus. by R. Horsley
xcept in a few rare situations, dragons are not heroes.
That job is left to the mortal races—the adventurers,
soldiers, and champions who involve themselves
in world-shaking events on a daily basis. In truth,
even the least powerful dragons have greater concerns than
the petty squabbles and so-called quests of lesser races. And
yet, many characters show signs of draconic influence, particularly
in campaigns where dragons are prevalent. These
characters either have draconic ancestry or simply feel the
social and cultural influence of dragons in their lives.
Powerful creatures imbued with the magical energies that
flow through the world, dragons can warp the fabric of reality
simply through their existence. Their innate magic can
twist and alter the way nature takes its course, and the mere
presence of a dragon nearby can grant ordinary humanoid
children strange powers. Moreover, when dragons take an
active hand in the lives of mortals, they can actually shape
these changes, carefully altering the destinies of lesser creatures
in ways even the most powerful wizards cannot.
Communities that have dragon overseers (or overlords)
who meddle in the lives of their citizens produce heroes
rich in draconic legacy. Other champions trace their origins
to eons past when their ancestors crossed paths with
mighty drakes, irrevocably changing their lives and those
of their descendants. This influence is not always proof of
breeding between the races; dragons can simply shape the
culture and beliefs of a community through regular contact.
Regardless of the seeds of draconic influence, many
characters owe their unique abilities and knowledge to the
great creatures. These mortals are far more than typical
adventurers; they carry the regal power of dragons with
them wherever they roam.
Dragonbound heroes might relish or resent their heritage.
Some defy dragons that involve themselves in the
lives of mortals, while others seek them out for wisdom
or arcane lore. Still others feel the residual effects of
this legacy without knowing it exists, believing their
odd powers or characteristics to be “just the way things
are.” Of course, characters whose physical appearance
distinguishes them from others of their race have a
more difficult time ignoring their special status, and
might face prejudice and scorn.
RACES OF THE
DRACONIC REALM
With the influence of dragons felt in nearly every
aspect of adventurers’ lives, it comes as no surprise
that dragons have altered the mortal races themselves.
Through cultural, magical, and biological means,
dragons have created entirely new subraces and
societies that are unique and distinct from the
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