Author Topic: Scion or Emissary of a Dragon  (Read 6509 times)

Offline Amondrask

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Scion or Emissary of a Dragon
« on: July 30, 2019, 11:08:42 PM »
Hello there!

Longtime fan of the series, and I'm getting the chance to actually play with the RPG, which I'm very excited about!

This is a solo game that's being run for me, and we're going with 'full on power level' as my DM described it.

I've been itching to play a Scion or Emissary of a Dragon,capital D or Western lesser, but I could use some guidance on the mechanics, as I'm still getting through the rulebook and I know that dragons can have a fairly broad spectrum of abilities. I have vague notions of the scion of a capital D dragon not being ludicrously, overwhelmingly powerful via either still being young and growing into his power, or having the bulk of his power locked away by his parent until he can be trusted to use it wisely.

I'd like the character to be physically formidable, but not completely focused on it to the exclusion of all else - some sort of energy projection would be nice, maybe better senses or the like, more utility since I'll be working solo. I am visualising him being able to manifest thick scales along his body for protection, as well as claws.

Suggestions are welcome!
« Last Edit: July 30, 2019, 11:26:52 PM by Amondrask »

Offline Sanctaphrax

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Re: Scion or Emissary of a Dragon
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2019, 12:32:01 AM »
Transforming into a dragon might be a good way to go. Beast Change giving you a whole extra skill pyramid to work with does wonders for your versatility.

If you go that route, you'll also want Human Form attached to Wings and Claws (or something Claws-like).

Offline Amondrask

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Re: Scion or Emissary of a Dragon
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2019, 12:36:26 AM »
I was considering that, but turning into a dragon is something I'd rather save for much, much later as a Big Gun resort, and it's a tad..Noticeable, haha.

Unless you mean he remains human but manifests the Claws and scales and the like. I'll take a look at Beast Change shortly.

Offline Con

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Re: Scion or Emissary of a Dragon
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2019, 07:56:21 AM »
I've done one or two such characters with Sanctaphraxes help. My favourite idea was a Dragon Knight that gets power based on how large their Dragon's hoard was. Or something like that. I'll have to dive into some old files to clarify.

Offline Amondrask

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Re: Scion or Emissary of a Dragon
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2019, 10:10:48 AM »
That would be very helpful, if you don't mind! I'd appreciate it a lot.

Offline g33k

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Re: Scion or Emissary of a Dragon
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2019, 11:23:31 PM »
I'd work on the concept a bit more, too.  Mechanics may flow from the conceptual framework you build on (they often do, for me).

A scion implies blood descent.  I'm... kind of having a hard time envisioning a being such as Ferrovax ever wanting to mate with a human.  You may feel differently, of course!  But explore that a bit, if it's how you want to go.  It could lead you to some interesting mechanical choices.

An "Emissary" implies that the Dragon has some purpose or task for you, has some relationship(s) with other supernaturals which it doesn't do directly (yet it came to Bianca's ball, a relatively low-power Ramp with delusions of greatness... why???).  So why the Dragon wants an Emissary might give some ideas for how to develop the mechanics.

Offline Con

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Re: Scion or Emissary of a Dragon
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2019, 04:39:57 AM »
OK here are all my Dragon related characters. Ddraig is a Dragon in Arthurian and Welsh mythology. Melusine is a Dragon/Fey creature from French mythology.

William (Submerged)

Leaving the Aspects mostly blank, since you haven't told me much about this guy.

High Concept: Wizard Archaeologist
Trouble Aspect: Emissary of Ddraig
Other Aspects:
Skills:
Superb: Lore
Great: Discipline, Conviction, Scholarship
Good: Weapons, Rapport, Endurance
Fair: Resources, Presence, Alertness
Average: Athletics, Empathy, Deceit
Stunts:
Ddraig's Contacts (Lore): Use Lore instead of Contacts to know dragons and those who associate with dragons.
Powers:
Marked By Power [-1]
Wizard's Constitution [-0]
The Sight [-1]
Soulgaze [-0]
Evocation [-3]
Thaumaturgy [-3]
Magic:
Evocation (Fire, Air, Earth): +1 air control
Thaumaturgy: +1 crafting strength
Foci: Sword (+1 offensive air power)
Enchanted items: 6 slots, power 6, loadout varies
Total Refresh Cost:
-9
Refresh Total:
1

Charles Drake (Submerged)

High Concept: Dragonborn "Ex"-Pirate
Trouble Aspect: A Bit Too Old School
Other Aspects: Motley Crew, Vulnerable Neck, Wanted For Credit Card Fraud, Treasure Hoards, Sailed With Blackbeard
Skills:
Superb: Deceit, Resources
Great: Driving, Weapons
Good: Contacts, Intimidation
Fair: Discipline, Guns
Average: Endurance, Athletics, Burglary, Stealth, Conviction, Alertness, Presence
Skills (Dragon form):
Superb: Fists, Athletics
Great: Might, Alertness
Good: Endurance, Intimidation
Fair: Discipline, Weapons, Deceit
Average: Conviction, Presence, Stealth, Driving, Burglary
Stunts:
Treasure Hoards (Resources): Given time to access a hoard and convert its contents into usable cash, +2 Resources.
Master of Schemes and Scams (Deceit): Can use Deceit instead of Scholarship or Burglary to handle the technical side of various frauds.
Powers:
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Human Form [+1]
  Beast Change [-1]
  Claws [-1]
  Supernatural Senses [-2]
  Feeding Dependency [+1]
    Inhuman Strength [-2]
    Inhuman Toughness [-2]
    Inhuman Recovery [-2]
    The Catch [+3]
    Wings [-1]
Total Refresh Cost:
-9
Refresh Total:
1

Remy (Up To Your Waist)

Unfortunately, it's not possible to have thaumaturgy and all five Evocation elements at Refresh level 7. Hope the lack of air and earth doesn't bother you.

High Concept: Magician-Sorcerer
Trouble Aspect: Fae'd To Black
Other Aspects: Would-Be Dragonslayer, Trained In Bagua, Gentleman Thief, Family Above All, Corporate Bureaucratic Bullshit
Skills:
Great: Discipline, Deceit
Good: Conviction, Lore
Fair: Fists, Rapport
Average: Empathy, Stealth, Athletics, Alertness, Burglary, Endurance, Presence
Powers:
Evocation [-3]
Thaumaturgy [-3]
Magic:
Evocation (Air, Spirit, Water): +1 spirit power
Thaumaturgy: +1 worldwalking control
Foci: Svartalf staff (+1 defensive spirit power and control)
Enchanted Items: Tarot cards (3-shift divination assessment of someone's destiny, once/session), illusion card (3-shift maneuver, creating an Aspect appropriate to cheating at cards, once/session), 2 potion slots
Total Refresh Cost:
-6
Refresh Total:
1

Ddraig (Deep One)

Wasn't sure whether dragons are free-willed or not, so I kept him close-ish to 0 Refresh.

My self-imposed rule about functional skill pyramids is always a pain in the neck when a character insists on being good at almost everything. Which Dragons generally do. But that's what True Shapeshifting is for! Ddraig can raise his physical skills freely. Presumably he doesn't have Mediocre Fists when he goes full dragon.

Most of the abilities locked behind Human Form are available only as a dragon, but obviously Wings and Hulking Size are exceptions. He can have those as a bird or an elephant.

He can't become much smaller than a human. Lacks Diminutive Size or the ability to Modular it up.

High Concept: Red Dragon of Wales
Trouble Aspect: Not Quite A Greater Dragon
Other Aspects: Patron of King Arthur, Accomplished Shapeshifter, Involved In Welsh Politics, My Emissary William, I Am Not Respected Enough
Skills:
Epic: Resources, Lore
Fantastic: Intimidation, Contacts
Superb: Conviction, Discipline
Great: Presence, Deceit
Good: Empathy, Scholarship, Survival
Fair: Performance, Rapport, Investigation, Craftsmanship
Average: Burglary, Driving, Guns, Alertness
Stunts:
Treasure (Resources): +2 Resources for gold, jewels, and the like.
Hired Help (Resources): Add a Minions trapping to Resources.
Powers:
Marked By Power (Self) [-1]
The Sight [-1]
Potent Ranged Selective Area Natural Weaponry [-5]
Supernatural Strength [-4]
Inhuman Speed [-2]
Supernatural Toughness [-4]
Supernatural Stoicism [-2]
Inhuman Recovery [-2]
True Shapeshifting [-4]
Human Form [+1]
  Hulking Size [-2]
  Mythic Strength [-2]
  Mythic Toughness [-2]
  Wings [-1]
Dragon Magic [-3]
Thaumaturgy [-3]
Refinement [-1]
Internalized Foci [-2]
Magic:
Thaumaturgy: +2 dragon magic complexity, +1 dragon magic control
Foci: +4 dragon magic complexity
Total Refresh Cost:
-42
Refresh Total:
-4
Melusine (In A Submarine)

High Concept: Summer Dragon
Trouble Aspect: Oaths And Their Breaking
Other Aspects: My Godson Remy, Big Screwed Up Family, Under A Curse
Skills:
Fantastic: Fists, Deceit
Superb: Lore, Might
Great: Resources, Contacts
Good: Presence, Conviction, Discipline
Fair: Rapport, Intimidation, Athletics
Average: Scholarship, Alertness, Investigation, Empathy, Survival
Stunts:
Treasure (Resources): +2 Resources for gold, jewels, and the like.
An Eye On My Descendants (Contacts): +2 Contacts when dealing with family matters.
Heavily Built (Might): Use Might for physical stress track.
Powers:
Marked By Power (Summer) [-1]
Aquatic [-1]
Greater Glamours [-4]
Potent Ranged Selective Area Natural Weaponry [-5]
Supernatural Strength [-4]
Inhuman Speed [-2]
Supernatural Toughness [-4]
Inhuman Recovery [-2]
Hulking Size [-2]
Wings [-1]
Summer Magic [-4]
Internalized Foci [-2]
Magic:
Foci: +2 summer magic complexity and control
Total Refresh Cost:
-36
Refresh Total:
-15

Offline Taran

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Re: Scion or Emissary of a Dragon
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2019, 11:25:47 AM »
I have a ‘feet in the Water’ dragon that I played a long time ago.  He was a 15 year old kid that could shape shift in to a dragon.   Actually, vice versa.  He was a young dragon that could shift into a 15 year old kid.

In kid form, he had high resources and lots of social skills. 
In dragon form, he had spellcasting abilities and speed powers and claws.  He was a storm dragon so he did lots of lightning/weather  related spells and maneuvers.

He was being raised in a mansion by his butler.

Edit: found him.  I just copy/pasted the whole lot
(click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: August 12, 2019, 11:32:16 AM by Taran »