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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.
Energy: This aura grants you a bonus on the save DC for your acid, cold, electricity, or fire effects; choose one type when you gain the aura. (A dragon shaman must choose the energy type associated with his totem dragon; see page 13 of Player’s Handbook II). The bonus applies to spells, powers, spell-like abilities, supernatural abilities, or any other ability that either has the appropriate descriptor or deals damage of the chosen type. Insight: This aura grants you a bonus on Decipher Script, Knowledge, and Spellcraft checks. Power: This aura grants you a bonus on caster level checks made to overcome spell resistance (and manifester level checks made to overcome power resistance). Presence: This aura grants you a bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate checks. Resistance: This aura grants you resistance to acid, cold, electricity, or fire (choose one when you gain the aura) equal to 5 × your bonus. (A dragon shaman must choose the energy type associated with his totem dragon; see page 13 of Player’s Handbook II). Resolve: This aura grants you a bonus on Concentration checks and on saves against fear, paralysis, and sleep effects. Senses: This aura grants you a bonus on Listen checks, Spot checks, and initiative checks. Stamina: This aura grants you a bonus on Constitution checks (but not Constitution-based skill checks) and Fortitude saves. Swiftness: This aura grants you a bonus on Climb, Jump, and Swim checks. It also increases your climb, fly, and swim speeds by 5 × your bonus. (The aura doesn’t grant you a fly or swim speed if you don’t already have one.) Toughness: This aura grants you damage reduction 1/ magic for each point of your bonus. DRAGONPACTS A dragonpact is a mystical bargain made between a sorcerer and a powerful dragon. In exchange for gold and a small portion of the sorcerer’s magical power (a spell slot), the dragon grants the sorcerer access to one or more spell-like abilities. Dragons do not enter into these pacts lightly, for the bargain also costs them a bit of personal life force (in the form of lost hit points). CREATING A DRAGONPACT To make a dragonpact, a sorcerer of 4th level or higher (that is, a character with at least four levels of sorcerer) must undertake a mystical ceremony in which he establishes mental contact with a true dragon (that is, a dragon with twelve age categories, such as a red dragon). A true dragon can’t initiate this ceremony (though it can try to convince a sorcerer to do so), nor can it attempt to establish a dragonpact with another dragon. A sorcerer of the dragon type (such as a half-dragon sorcerer) can still create a dragonpact, as long as he is not a true dragon. Upon beginning the ceremony, the sorcerer must state what level of spell slot he is offering, and which dragonpact he seeks to enter (chosen from among those described on pages 90 and 91). The sorcerer must have an uncast spell slot of the level offered in order to begin the ceremony. After 1 hour of uninterrupted meditation, he must attempt a Concentration check (DC 20 + the spell slot offered). A sorcerer with 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (arcana) gets a +2 bonus on this check. If the sorcerer is in the presence of an eligible dragon and wishes to entreat that dragon to enter the pact, he gains a +10 bonus on the check. If the check succeeds, the sorcerer has made contact with a dragon willing to enter the dragonpact. If not, he can continue the ceremony for another hour; each consecutive hour after the first grants a cumulative +1 bonus on the Concentration check. If the ceremony is interrupted, the sorcerer must begin again. The header for each kind of dragonpact (see pages 90 and 91) indicates which varieties of dragons can enter into that dragonpact. However, unless the sorcerer is in the presence of the dragon he is contacting during the ceremony, he has no power to dictate precisely which dragon—or even which kind of dragon—answers his entreaty. The identity of the dragon entering the dragonpact is not crucial to completing the task, though it must be of an appropriate kind, at least of adult age, and capable of casting spells of the level of the slot being offered by the sorcerer. In fact, the dragon need not reveal its identity at all, though it always knows the identity of the sorcerer. If desired, the dragon can become a significant NPC in the campaign, perhaps a mentor of sorts for the sorcerer. A dragon that enters a pact with a sorcerer can view the mortal as an ally, a business comrade, a potential catspaw, or a would-be worshiper, depending on its alignment and personality. Once the sorcerer establishes contact, he must negotiate with the dragon for payment. Typically, a dragonpact requires the sorcerer to offer gold, gems, and/or art objects worth a total value equal to the level of the spell slot squared, × 100 gp. For example, a sorcerer offering a 4th-level spell slot must also offer treasure worth 1,600 gp (4 squared × 100). However, that’s just the opening bid. The sorcerer must then attempt a Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check against a DC of 15 + the spell slot offered. Depending on the sorcerer’s style of negotiation, the DM should feel free to apply a modifier (ranging from –4 to +4) on the check. Then consult the table below to determine how the sorcerer must modify his initial offer to satisfy the dragon. Check Result Payment Minus DC Modifier –5 or more +25% –1 to –4 +10% +0 to +4 +0% +5 to +9 –10% +10 or more –25% CHAPTER 3 DRACONIC MAGIC 87
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Contents Introduction. . . . . . .
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Illus. by R. Horsley xcept in a few
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CHAPTER 1 DRAGONBOUND HEROES —Dee
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Stonehunter gnomes have very dark s
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DRACONIC CLASS FEATURES Often, drag
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Class: Hexblade (see Complete Warri
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enefit of a divine feat you have. Y
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Special: If you are of the dragonbl
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Table 1-1: New Feats (cont.) Dracon
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INITIATE OF HLAL [INITIATE] Fueled
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Illus. by R. Horsley ragons are kno
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Table 2-1: The Dragonfire Adept Hit
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Greater Invocations Aura of Flame:
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which dragonfire adepts are common
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Table 2-3: The Diamond Dragon Hit D
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ence between the manifesting classe
Page 35 and 36: ecome immune to fear and gain a +1
Page 37 and 38: DRAGON DESCENDANTS IN THE WORLD “
Page 39 and 40: Entry Requirements Base Attack Bonu
Page 41 and 42: Combat If you can win a battle with
Page 43 and 44: HAND OF THE WINGED MASTERS “By th
Page 45 and 46: Resources If you absolutely must ha
Page 47 and 48: Table 2-7: The Pact-Bound Adept Hit
Page 49 and 50: CHAPTER 2 DRAGON ASPIRANTS people
Page 51 and 52: Table 2-8: The Swift Wing Hit Die:
Page 53 and 54: to seek out her own allies. She kno
Page 55 and 56: WYRM WIZARD “Every dragon is like
Page 57 and 58: Wyrm wizards choose living creature
Page 59 and 60: Illus. by R. Horsley ore than any o
Page 61 and 62: of writing in some manner (even a p
Page 63 and 64: Primal Instinct: Gain a +5 bonus on
Page 65 and 66: You create a burst of icy energy th
Page 67 and 68: Vague, translucent shadows of your
Page 69 and 70: to your attackers. While this spell
Page 71 and 72: PATH OF FROST Transmutation [Cold]
Page 73 and 74: Casting Time: 1 standard action Ran
Page 75 and 76: • A 20-foot-radius cloud of fog c
Page 77 and 78: DRAGONFIRE ADEPT BREATH EFFECTS The
Page 79 and 80: Humanoid Shape: Take the form of an
Page 81 and 82: INSTILL VULNERABILITY Dark; 7th You
Page 83 and 84: format and rules for soulmelds, wit
Page 85: A serpentine dragon of blue fire co
Page 89 and 90: dead party returns to life within t
Page 91 and 92: 8th 9th ray of enfeeblement 3/day,
Page 93 and 94: AMULET OF FEARSOME MIGHT This amule
Page 95 and 96: ROD OF THE DRAGON HEART Dragon lord
Page 97 and 98: attacks the tome’s owner or the o
Page 99 and 100: Aura/Caster Level: Moderate abjurat
Page 101 and 102: EMERALD EYE PATCH Prized by charact
Page 103 and 104: Activation: An opalescent amulet fu
Page 105 and 106: over legions of weaker monsters and
Page 107 and 108: Illus. by R. Horsley n a world wher
Page 109 and 110: STRATEGIES AND TACTICS An aspect of
Page 111 and 112: Typical Physical Characteristics: L
Page 113 and 114: DRAKKENSTEED “Fitting that those
Page 115 and 116: STRATEGIES AND TACTICS Huitzils are
Page 117 and 118: Phynxkin SAMPLE ENCOUNTER Phynxkin
Page 119 and 120: pqqqqqqqqqrs REDSPAWN BERSERKER LOR
Page 121 and 122: pqqqqqqqqqrs SPELLEATER LORE Charac
Page 123 and 124: TWILIGHT GUARDIANS IN FAERÛN Twili
Page 125 and 126: VELROCS IN FAERÛN Velrocs are less
Page 127 and 128: Black Dragon Sinister black dragons
Page 129 and 130: Immunity to Poison (Ex): All copper
Page 131 and 132: Illus. by R. Horsley ragons are an
Page 133 and 134: ed to understand the strange develo
Page 135 and 136: or other legendary dragons from the
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usually at the cost of protecting t
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ing with the creature is straightfo
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to limiting the political, magical,
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Affiliation Score Title: Benefits a
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flowed. This attitude grew as the o
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CHAPTER 5 DRACONIC CAMPAIGNS 147
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shelves lined with books the size o
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where tyrannical dragons demand wor
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CHAPTER 5 DRACONIC CAMPAIGNS Illus.
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5. Confrontation with Heldrivor (EL
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CHAPTER 5 DRACONIC CAMPAIGNS This i
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