dragon-magic-oef

CHAPTER 3
DRACONIC
MAGIC
86
Illus. by E. Deschamps
DRACONIC AURAS
Mortals have learned to express the innate magical power of
dragons in many ways, including through the use of draconic
auras. Dragon shamans (see Player’s Handbook II) are the greatest
wielders of draconic auras, but other characters can also
learn to harness this power.
Draconic auras typically resemble some of the innate
abilities possessed by dragons, from great presence to keen
senses to energy resistance. The bonus of a draconic aura,
which describes the potency of its effect, starts at +1 and can
increase as you attain higher class levels.
Projecting a draconic aura is a swift action, and you can
only project one draconic aura at a time. An aura remains in
effect until you use a free action to dismiss it or you activate
another aura in its place. You can have a draconic aura active
continually; thus, an aura can be in effect at the start of an
encounter before you take your
first turn.
Unless otherwise
noted, your draconic
aura affects all allies
within 30 feet (including
yourself) with line
of effect to you. Your aura
is dismissed if you become
unconscious or slain, but otherwise
it remains in effect even if you
are incapable of acting.
GAINING AURAS
For most characters, a draconic aura is learned by selecting the
Draconic Aura feat (see page 16). This feat grants a character
access to a single aura with a bonus of +1. Members of certain
classes and some creatures, however, can gain the ability to
project a draconic aura from different sources.
Dragon Lord
Characters who take this prestige class (see page 38) gain a
draconic aura at 1st level and additional auras at 4th, 7th, and
10th level. At 5th level, the bonus granted by both of a dragon
lord’s auras increases to +2. At 9th level, the bonus granted
by all three of a dragon lord’s auras increases to +3. The aura
gained at 10th level grants a +3 bonus, just as the other three
auras gained earlier.
Dragon Shaman
The dragon shaman class in Player’s Handbook II introduced
the concept of the draconic aura. A dragon shaman can learn
any of the auras presented here in place of the ones in Player’s
Handbook II, but he can’t take the same aura more than once.
The shaman still must abide by the limit of draconic auras
known (three at 1st level, with one additional aura gained
at every odd-numbered level, to a maximum of seven at 9th
level). The bonus granted by a draconic aura equals the bonus
normally granted by the character’s draconic aura (+1 at 1st
level, +2 at 5th level, +3 at 10th level, +4 at 15th level, and +5
at 20th level), and otherwise follows all the normal rules for
that class’s draconic auras.
Marshal
The marshal (a class presented in Miniatures Handbook) can
learn any of the draconic auras presented here in place of
a major aura. The bonus granted by a draconic aura equals
the bonus normally granted by the marshal’s major aura (+1
at 2nd level, +2 at 7th level, +3 at 14th level, and +4 at 20th
level), and otherwise follows all the normal rules for the
marshal’s auras (including range, eligible targets, and when
it ceases functioning). It is also considered a draconic aura
for all effects that apply to such auras, such as the Double
Draconic Aura feat (see page 16).
Dragons
A true dragon capable of casting sorcerer spells can
select any draconic aura described
below in place of a known
sorcerer spell and spell
slot of 2nd level or
higher. Once a dragon
makes this choice, the
known spell and spell
slot is forsaken forever
(unless it is later replaced; see
Hand to claw: a gesture of alliance between a
human and a dragon
below). Regardless of the number of
spells or powers known by a dragon,
it can’t have more draconic auras than
1/2 its caster level or manifester level. The bonus granted by a
draconic aura equals 1/2 the level of the spell forsaken when
the aura is gained. If a dragon later gains access to a higherlevel
sorcerer spell, it can lose a known spell and spell slot
from that level instead of the lower level. It immediately gains
a known spell and spell slot of the previous level, and the
bonus granted by its draconic aura improves accordingly.
For example, a mature adult black dragon loses a known
2nd-level sorcerer spell and a 2nd-level sorcerer spell slot,
and in exchange it gains a draconic aura with a bonus of +1.
Later, when the dragon reaches the very old age category,
it decides to boost its aura. It then loses a known 4th-level
sorcerer spell and a 4th-level sorcerer spell slot, improving its
draconic aura bonus to +2. At the same time, it gains a known
2nd-level sorcerer spell and a 2nd-level sorcerer spell slot.
A dragon capable of manifesting psionic powers can
instead choose to give up a known power and power points
equal to twice the power’s level, minus 1. Otherwise, this
functions identically to a dragon giving up a sorcerer spell
and spell slot.
AURA EFFECTS
Each aura grants a bonus to a particular statistic or group of
statistics, as noted below. Benefits from multiple draconic
auras overlap, rather than stacking.