3.5e Question - Dragons as PCs

[Ziggoratt]

Hey, all. I have a question regarding using a Polymorphed Dragon in an RP, but allow me to give you a light bit of background first.

Five centuries ago, the world was torn between two forces, each struggling to gain dominion over the other. Each force worshiped a different category of God. The 7 Greats, or The 7 Accursed. Eventually, the Accursed's followers claimed victory, taking much of the known world as their prize. As a result of this new regime, nearly every single ally of the Greats has been systematically hunted down, including the Metallic Dragons.

The DM and I have come up with an idea that we'd love to implement, but it would be difficult. We'd like for the party to meet an Old Bronze Dragon and her Young child, both of whom have narrowly escaped death on a number of occasions. The Old Dragon, having been wounded in a recent battle, realizes that her death is quickly approaching. Seeing a way to give her daughter a chance at life, she'd take the child and Polymorph her into a human girl, about seven years old by human standards, then cast a homebrew Permanency spell to ensure that the girl won't be caught. She would then send the child off under the protection of the party.

The questions I have are as the follows:
1. How would the child age? As a dragon, or as a human?
2. What class would the child most benefit from, considering the fact that she'd keep her Intelligence (16), Wisdom (17), and Charisma scores(16)?
3. What level should I introduce her to the party at?
4. Are there any references that could help me in her mannerisms or personality at all?

Thanks in advance,

-Garret Daniels

[hex0]

Since you are basically homebrewing this, why not instead have her introduced as being a human with the Draconic or Half-Dragon template to ease things a bit?

[TuggyNE]

Um... correct me if I'm wrong, but how is the Bronze's Alternate Form ability unsuitable for this? 3/day, can remain in a given form as long as it wants. And it's granted at ... Young.

[Ziggoratt]

hex0 - I don't really have an answer to this, save for the fact that we'd really just prefer it to be a dragon for the sake of it xD
It gives the dragon a different outlook on the humanoid world, I suppose, as she was never introduced to day-to-day civilized customs. She'd remain a curious, pure-hearted child, getting into mischief because it's amusing.

Tuggyne - Because a Young Dragon in her natural form would make most encounters far too easy at this point. We want her to basically be an alternate-shaped dragon, just without the ability to change back and forth between forms.

[hex0]

Um... correct me if I'm wrong, but how is the Bronze's Alternate Form ability unsuitable for this? 3/day, can remain in a given form as long as it wants. And it's granted at ... Young.

...There is that too. :smalltongue:

Maybe just make it a weird Reincarnate spell instead?

[TuggyNE]

Tuggyne - Because a Young Dragon in her natural form would make most encounters far too easy at this point. We want her to basically be an alternate-shaped dragon, just without the ability to change back and forth between forms.

Hmm. Essentially, then, you're looking for a mechanical enforcement of her alternate form for two reasons: balance (game), and inconspicuousness (RP). If you figure the girl is reliable enough (always LG, 16 Int, 17 Wis, anyone?), just have her promise her mother not to transform until it's safe (or unless she'd die anyway). Otherwise, perhaps a fiat-ed version of bestow curse to prevent changing form, and then figure out some way to get nystul's magic aura (and maybe some other protective spells) on top to avoid the awkwardness of overly-helpful clerics trashing the curse. Here a custom magic item would be great and massively symbolic and stuff.

[Ashtagon]

Perhaps momma dragon cast a specialised geas on her to remain in human form?

[hex0]

The questions I have are as the follows:
1. How would the child age? As a dragon, or as a human?
2. What class would the child most benefit from, considering the fact that she'd keep her Intelligence (16), Wisdom (17), and Charisma scores(16)?
3. What level should I introduce her to the party at?
4. Are there any references that could help me in her mannerisms or personality at all?


1. As a human. Are you set as a child? She should be 16 in game terms.
2. Paladin would be interesting. With her BAB and spellcasting, she can already qualify for Abjurant Champion if she picks up a martial weapon proficiency. Though she might attract attention going into combat. Child physical scores are quite low, but her HP and BAB are high. Fist of Raziel (BOED) is nice too.
3. It would have to be at least 12, since she has that many HD. I would wave the LA completely.
4. I'd check the Draconomicon.

[Ziggoratt]

1. As a human. Are you set as a child? She should be 16 in game terms.
2. Paladin would be interesting. With her BAB and spellcasting, she can already qualify for Abjurant Champion if she picks up a martial weapon proficiency. Though she might attract attention going into combat. Child physical scores are quite low, but her HP and BAB are high. Fist of Raziel (BOED) is nice too.
3. It would have to be at least 12, since she has that many HD. I would wave the LA completely.
4. I'd check the Draconomicon.

1. Whether she ages as a human or not, I'd like for her to come into her human body with the same physical and mental maturity as that of a Young Dragon - Which translates to about an 10-year old for humans.
2. I can see this working mechanically, but realistically, not so much. I don't think a child has the mental discipline required to be a Paladin, honestly.. xD
3. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Polymorph change the HD to that of the new form..?
4. Checked there, never really found any specifics =/

[hex0]

Found this article (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/tt/20060523a), though not much on behavior either.

Bronze Dragons seem more passive than Gold dragons but not as much as Silver. They tend to be more concerned with protecting animals and the sea than other dragons. Maybe a Ranger would be a better class choice. If looking for something less skilled and disciplined, then Favored Soul would be a very interesting choice.

As for stats, you would keep HD. As per Alternate Form (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#alternateForm)