Dragonborn

Physical Description
Standing on average between 6'2" and 6'8", dragonborn are impressively tall with a heavy weight to match, commonly possessing a mass between 220 and 320 lbs. Dragonborn feet are ended with three strong talon-like claws with a fourth claw in the back as are their hands, with the replacement of the rear claw with one thumb on each hand. A dragonborn's head features a blunt snout, a strong brow, and reptilian frills on the cheeks and ears. On the back of the head a crest of hornlike scales form what resembles a mess of ropy hair. Dragonborn eyes are usually red or gold in hue.

Dragonborn resemble in many ways what their name suggests: humanoid dragons. Dragonborn exhibit many draconic features, including a scaly hide, a large muscular body, and the capacity to use a breath weapon. The scales a dragonborn wears are scarlet, gold, rust, ocher, bronze, or brown in hue, though they in fact bear little correlation to a dragonborn's breath weapon and the scale colors of true dragons. The scales are typically in their greatest concentration around forearms, lower legs, feet, shoulders, and thighs, with a very fine leathery covering over the rest of the body. With the proper training, dragonborn can learn to unlock more of their draconic potential, even to the point of sprouting wings with which to fly, like a dragon.

Young dragonborn, who hatch from eggs like their draconic relatives, grow at an impressively rapid rate, much faster than most other races, reaching the equivalent maturity of a human child of 10 by age 3. However, this rate of maturation slows dramatically within a few short years and they are not considered physically mature for another twelve years. Once they do reach adulthood, dragonborn can expect a lifespan identical to that of humans. Not all dragonborn develop a breath weapon but those that do usually obtain it during these years of growth.

Like dragons, dragonborn are often mistaken for reptiles, but are in fact warm-blooded draconic creatures. In fact, the internal body temperature of the dragonborn is warmer than that of most similar races, being so hot as to seem feverish to the human touch. While this might seem disadvantageous, the lack of hair and large mouth allow the dragonborn to displace body heat at an effective rate, meaning dragonborn are comfortable in cold climates while remaining no more vulnerable to heat than humans.

Dragonborn nurse their hatchlings for several months before teeth begin to come in. A dragonborn will then slowly introduce soft food and then move towards normal dragonborn eating habits, which contain more meat than is typical of most other races.

Abilities
Dragonborn have a number of abilities that set them apart. Dragonborn are both stronger and more charismatic than the typical humanoid, traits inherited from their draconic relatives. Dragonborn also are quite durable and when injured have an inner strength that can push them to accomplish even more than when they are at their best. Dragonborn also heal more easily than other humanoids. Most potent of all is a dragonborn's breath weapon, which, like that of a dragon, varies in nature, being acidic, cold, electrical, fiery, or poisonous. However, unlike with dragons, the skin color of a dragonborn does not vary depending on a its breath weapon.

Personality
To their enemies, dragonborn are brutal and fearsome opponents, without parallel in their ferocity and cunning. To their allies, they are noble and honorable, following the traditions of the past. Though brutal in combat, dragonborn fight with a feral grace that equals even the finest fencing of an eladrin noble. For a dragonborn, skill in battle brings great honor. The concept of personal honor that pervades all echelons of dragonborn society has made the race more cohesive and more of a threat to their adversary. Even the naming of a dragonborn is temporary until he has performed a rite of passage. Once a dragonborn has brought honor to his name and the name of his clan, the elders give him a second name based upon his deed. For a dragonborn, personal reputation is as important as his or her clan, and most will fight to the death in defense of either. While the dragonborn might seem quick to anger, they are tempered by the wisdom of their leaders.

Culture
Dragonborn society has always been characterized by hardy and rugged living. As a result they are staunch pragmatists, and never shy from killing if it will protect the future of the dragonborn or his clan. All dragonborn, regardless of gender or station, are expected to pull their own weight and weakness is considered a grave liability. The weakness of one contaminates the strength of all, and it is punishable by the greatest humiliation a dragonborn can receive: exile. Dragonborn prize honor over all other things in life — first to bring honor to their clan and secondly bringing honor to the self and to their sense of self-worth as an individual. Likewise, hospitality is considered one of the greatest honors that can be bestowed. There is no discrimination between genders in dragonborn society. Women are able to pursue the same career choices as men, rise to positions of power and are even expected to answer to the call for battle just as men are. Strength (both physical and mental), courage, initiative and independence are prized traits in all dragonborn. Traditionally, children are seen as children of the parents, but are raised as children of the clan. Magic is not uncommon, but is closely watched. Those showing an affinity for arcane arts of any kind are most often groomed to serve as council directly under the Clan Master, with an Elder (highest ranking arcane user) given mastery over any number of Councilors. These Councilors typically have one apprentice that they train for life as their replacement. Dragonborn culture is concerned with survival over artistic achievement, reveres its elderly and honors its ancestors, and values valor over cunning, as long as valor doesn’t lead to disaster.

One tradition of the dragonborn of ancient Arkhosia was a ceremony for healthy newborns of the clan. The infant’s parents would stand in a body of water near the encampment with the entire clan observing from shore. The mother would hand the baby to the father, who would then proclaim the child as his, through himself and his father, and present the baby for the clan’s blessings. The clan master would then hold the baby and declare the infant under their protection, with the hope that they bring honor and glory to the clan. The clan master’s heir would then give a blessing. Finally the Elder would ask for the blessing of the elemental and wild spirits, and the hope that the ancestors would watch over the newborn. If the child instead appears sickly or frail, they will instead be drowned, likely by the father. A common expression of scorn is that a dragonborn “should have been drowned at birth”.

Dragonborn have a standing love for martial combat, erecting arenas and participating in tournaments of strength whenever the opportunity should arise. Their strength is what makes then a prized addition to fighting forces the world over.

Magic
Magic is not uncommon, but is closely watched. Those showing an affinity for arcane arts of any kind are most often groomed to serve as council directly under the Clan Master, with an Elder given mastery over any number of Councilors. These Councilors typically have one apprentice that they train for life as their replacement. Dragonborn culture is concerned with survival over artistic achievement, reveres its elderly and honors its ancestors, and values valor over cunning, as long as valor doesn’t lead to disaster.

Religion
Having shaped the world during the Age of Upheaval aided by the mighty dragon lords that reign over most of the planet, the dragonborn feel less beholden to gods than the members of other races. For this reason many dragonborn are entirely agnostic, with no strong feelings one way or another about the gods.

Dragonborn who do embrace religion, however, are well-suited to the path of a paladin. Making the creed and commandments of a god a code by which you live is in many ways attractive to dragonborn, so long as they are able to get past their natural aversion to faith. If they do join the faithful, dragonborn can become quite devoted in their chosen church, craving the direction and purpose it gives them. Likewise, paladins, unlike clerics, represent an almost martial career path and one that blends well with the militaristic culture of the race.