Half Dragons - Between Monsters and Majesty

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Half Dragons

Although half-dragons have varied origins, the one thing they share is loneliness. For most, this condition is imposed by the nature of their existence as monstrous crossbreeds. Some few deliberately choose this solitary path, though, such as by entering the dragon disciples prestige class (Dungeon Master's Guide pg 183) or undergoing some other process.

The majority of half-dragons had no choice in their conceptions. Such creatures have to deal with looking markedly different from their parents and their parents' kin. Even half-dragons who have a loving dragon parent are raised by the nondragon partner - usually the mother - and have little or no contact with the dragon.

A half-dragon raised among humans or other short-lived races has to deal with slower physical and emotional growth, despite having a keen mind. His monstrous appearance leads to ostracism or worse. A half-dragon's response to such exclusion or abuse might be to withdraw into sullen solitude, nursing a bitter hate that only reinforces his isolation. Or he might lash out with his fearsome natural arsenal, killing or maiming his tormentors and guaranteeing his exile or destruction.

Half-Dragons raised among other creatures that share their nondragon heritage mature much more slowly than their fellows. Indeed, one might still be a child when his grown peers are killed in battle. Even before the half-dragon has left adolescence, the rest are dead of old age. Life is cheap in such societies, and the parent cannot afford to devote extra time to this one demanding child. So he usually ends up in a group nursery, watching several groups of infants grow and leave before he is old enough to go. He might even be called on to assist in communal rearing, usually by performing menial chores such as cleaning up waste.

Years of being treated as a child and a burden leave scars, especially to a half-dragon with active and inquisitive intelligence. He typically leaves the tribe as soon as he can defend himself adequately. Very occasionally, though, a half-dragon rises to a position of leadership within the tribe by virtue of his intelligence, superior strength, and natural abilities. (A blast of dragonfire has a way of convincing challengers to back down.) Led by a half-dragon chieftain, a horde of orc raiders becomes an even greater destructive force.

Human societies can range from open-minded to superstitious and bigoted when it comes to half-dragon children. A half-dragon's frightening appearance and terrible weaponry become obstacles to acceptance in any situation. If he is raised in an accepting society, a half-dragon can enjoy a normal childhood, although he must still contend with his slow maturation. Such beings develop a draconic patience and a long-term outlook. Those who have the misfortune to live in a narrow-minded society are likely to end up hidden in a back room or even in a shed, treated like an animal.

Sometimes a metallic dragon (often silver) favors an elf with its affection. Both are long-lived beings and share a magical nature. They have similar outlooks on life and moral duty.

The offspring of such a union is considered a special blessing, and the dragon parent might even remain near the elf community and participate in rearing the child. The community elders take a special interest in awakening the magical potential of the half-dragon.

Held up to impossible standards, subjected to intense schooling, and kept separate from others his age, the half-dragon often finds it hard to mature socially. The pressure to perform takes its toll, manifesting as emotional and physical outbursts alternating with deep depression. Many such children leave home as soon as they are able. Those who continue in wizardly training can rise to influential positions, but they can also be emotionally distant.

Drow are a special case. Evil dragons can lair near drow cities and form alliances with the dark elves. Deep dragons in particular (see Monsters of Faerûn, page 40) might take drow form and consummate a relationship with a high priestess, the head of a house, or some other powerful individual.

The child of such a union becomes a prized tool in the ever-swirling intrigues of drow society. Leaders of the half-dragon's house jealously guard the creature, attempting to keep its existence secret from other drow who would try to steal or destroy it. The child has no say in its upbringing; a male is placed in a school of wizardry, and a female is sent to serve in the temple.

Much like with half-dragons in other elf societies, the pressure to perform can lead to extreme emotional imbalance, made even worse by the brutality of internecine drow conflict. Usually this mindset is useful to drow culture, and such beings end up in positions of great power. Those who do not learn to survive and overcome are summarily destroyed.

Dragons rarely take dwarves as mates. This fact seems odd at first blush, since both types of creatures are stubborn and often covetous, but these factors also drive dragons and dwarves apart. Dwarf communities, although close knit, are isolated and difficult to reach. Dwarves' predilection for killing dragons and seizing their hoards also limits the opportunities for crossbreeding.

Halflings and gnomes also produce few half-dragons. Most dragons consider these races to be silly and inconsequential, although individual halflings and gnomes might decide to buck the stereotype.


Draconic Heritage and Behavior

The presence of dragon blood in one's heritage, however slight, affects one's outlook on life. Draconic characters share some tendencies of the dragons from whom they are descended, but these characteristics are not overwhelming. Dragon parentage strongly colors a half-dragon's personality however, causing the half-dragon to share the same alignment and demeanor. A player character might be the rare exception whose alignment differs from the norm, but others are likely to react to a half-dragon based on their assumptions about that dragon's usual nature. Even if he shares the dragon parent's alignment, a half-dragon's personality is shaped by the nondragon society into which he was born.

Here are some roleplaying suggestions for incorporating the traits of the ten true dragons in the Monster Manual into your half dragon character.


Black
You are sly and incisive, which might suit you well for the paths of the rogue and assassin. Your darkly tinged flesh also aids in such endeavors. You tend to be unpredictable and violent. Your tendencies might favor rapid advancement in societies that value them but make you the object of suspicion in most others.

Blue
You are vain and acquisitive, proud and fierce. These latter qualities serve fighters and barbarians well, while a rogue might make the best use of the former. Your lawful alignment allows you to be a monk, although you are more interested in physical perfection than mental discipline. You love to display your prowess and boast about your achievements. You prefer to do things on your own, which can cause friction in a group situation.

Green
You are belligerent and tyrannical, preferring to strike first and ask questions later. You like to throw your weight around, so you make an excellent brawler or barbarian. Brutish and warlike cultures value these qualities, but in a civilized setting, you might be a mercenary or a gladiator. If you become a cleric, you tend to serve a deity of strength, conquest, and violence.

Red
You are haughty and covetous, valuing personal wealth and glory above all else. You're a natural sorcerer, since you rely on the force of your personality to acquire riches and power. Greed and pride drive you towards a life of adventure. You can't get enough of preening and admiring yourself in front of a mirror. The reddish hue of your flesh resembles the skin tones of goblinoids, and you might become a great leader among them.

White
You are brutish and hedonistic, especially enjoying visceral pleasures. Likely born in the cold north-lands, you are uncomfortable in warm environments. The children of white dragons make excellent wilderness travelers, particularly rangers.

Brass
You are the chatty type. You love to engage in conversation, which is to say talk at length without letting another get a word in. The bard class is a natural choice for you. You're usually good-hearted, despite earning a reputation as a bore. Although half-dragons are rare among the small folk, half-brass dragon who appear in halfling or gnome communities fit in very well.

Bronze
You are curios and brave, and you have a soft spot for animals. As a child, you probably had a favored pet or even a bedraggled stray to keep you company without prejudice or question. Perhaps you ran away from your community to take up a life in the wilderness. The children of bronze dragons have a natural affinity for the druid and ranger classes. Those born into wild elf communities (MM 104) are often treated as equals.

Copper
You love tricks and jests, but you're a bit greedy. This personality lends itself well to the bard and the rogue classes and complements a halfling's demeanor perfectly. You might have reacted to your unusualness by becoming a prankster or used your inherent magic to produce entertaining effects. You desperately want to be liked by everyone you meet, and you become petulant if rejected.

Gold
You are wise and patient. You value examining and discussing a situation at length more than undertaking hasty action, but you are committed to a course once you have made a decision. You have a strong sense of justice. The offspring of gold dragons are most likely to become clerics of paladins, usually serving deities of justice and order.

Silver
You're a people person. That's how you were conceived, after all - silver dragons love to spend time among humanoids. The individuals around you might not respond as you wish, either putting you on a pedestal or turning a cold shoulder, but you persist in trying to form friendships and can be deeply hurt when your affection is not returned. Silver half-dragons are drawn to classes that aid and support others, becoming clerics who focus on healing or druids within rural communities.


Racial abilities and features

Half-Dragon Template

A dragon’s magical nature allows it to breed with virtually any creature. Conception usually occurs while the dragon has changed its shape; it then abandons the crossbreed offspring.

Half-dragon creatures are always more formidable than others of their kind that do not have dragon blood, and their appearance betrays their nature—scales, elongated features, reptilian eyes, and exaggerated teeth and claws. Sometimes they have wings.


Creating a Half Dragon
“Half-dragon” is an inherited template that can be added to any living, corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature).

A half-dragon uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

• Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to dragon. Size is unchanged. Do not recalculate base attack bonus or saves.

• Hit Dice: Increase base creature’s racial HD by one die size, to a maximum of d12. Do not increase class HD.

• Speed: A half-dragon that is Large or larger has wings and can fly at twice its base land speed (maximum 120 ft.) with average maneuverability. A half-dragon that is Medium or smaller does not have wings.

• Armor Class: Natural armor improves by +4.

• Attack: A half-dragon has two claw attacks and a bite attack, and the claws are the primary natural weapon. If the base creature can use weapons, the half-dragon retains this ability. A halfdragon fighting without weapons uses a claw when making an attack action. When it has a weapon, it usually uses the weapon instead.

• Full Attack: A half-dragon fighting without weapons uses both claws and its bite when making a full attack. If armed with a weapon, it usually uses the weapon as its primary attack and its bite as a natural secondary attack. If it has a hand free, it uses a claw as an additional natural secondary attack.

• Damage: Half-dragons have bite and claw attacks. If the base creature does not have these attack forms, use the damage values in the table below. Otherwise, use the values below or the base creature’s damage values, whichever are greater.

Size	Bite	Claw
Fine	1	—
Diminutive	1d2	1
Tiny	1d3	1d2
Small	1d4	1d3
Medium	1d6	1d4
Large	1d8	1d6
Huge	2d6	1d8
Gargantuan	3d6	2d6
Colossal	4d6	3d6

• Special Attacks: A half-dragon retains all the special attacks of the base creature and gains a breath weapon based on the dragon variety (see the table below), usable once per day. A half-dragon’s breath weapon deals 6d8 points of damage. A successful Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 half-dragon’s racial HD + half-dragon’s Con modifier) reduces damage by half.

Dragon Variety Breath Weapon
Black 60-foot line of acid
Blue 60-foot ine of lightning
Green 30-foot cone of corrosive (acid) gas
Red 30-foot cone of fire
White 30-foot cone of cold
Brass 60-foot line of fire
Bronze 60-foot line of lightning
Copper 60-foot line of acid
Gold 30-foot cone of fire
Silver 30-foot cone of cold


• Special Qualities: A half-dragon has all the special qualities of the base creature, plus darkvision out to 60 feet and low-light vision. A half-dragon has immunity to sleep and paralysis effects, and an additional immunity based on its dragon variety.

Dragon Variety	Immunity
Black, Green, Copper	Acid
Brass, Red, Gold	Fire
Blue, Bronze	Electricity
White, Silver	Cold

• Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +8, Con +2, Int +2, Cha +2.

• Skills: A half-dragon gains skill points as a dragon and has skill points equal to (6 + Int modifier) × (HD + 3). Do not include Hit Dice from class levels in this calculation—the halfdragon gains dragon skill points only for its racial Hit Dice, and gains the normal amount of skill points for its class levels. Treat skills from the base creature’s list as class skills, and other skills as cross-class.

• Environment: Same as either the base creature or the dragon variety.

• Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature + 2 (minimum 3).

• Alignment: Same as the dragon variety.

• Level Adjustment: Same as base creature +3.

Source: Monster Manual 3.5, pg. 146-147

Half Dragon Characters in Life

The nature of a dragon-descended creature's life depends greatly on how he is perceived by and how he interacts with the nondraconic beings around him.

Isolated as they are, half-dragons develop solitary pursuits involving intellectual stimulation and discovery. A half-dragon derives great pleasure from testing himself against ever greater challenges.

Leisure
Enjoying long lives, as well as their ancestors' materialism, half-dragons are collectors par excellence. They obsess about acquiring the finest pieces for the collections, with interests that often mirror those of their draconic parent. A half-blue dragon often covets fine gems and jewels, especially sapphires, while a half-gold dragon becomes an art connoisseur. Once collected, a piece never leaves its owner's treasury, and the half-dragon happily spends hours at a time looking over his treasures.

Half-dragons enjoy reading, and they maintain libraries as extensive as they can afford. Those who practice the arcane arts in particular boats immense collections of tomes. Such love of reading comes naturally to the lonely and gifted. Sometimes a bookish young half-dragon earns the rude nickname "bookwyrm".

Magic, especially of an arcane variety, is a prized pursuit of any half-dragon not soured on spellcasting by childhood lessons. Half-dragons are innately magical beings, and their own bodies provide powerful ingredients and foci for magical effects.

Dragons are ravenous creatures and fearsome hunters. Their progeny share these qualities. The life of a lone hunter appeals to the reclusive nature of some half-dragons. Others instead become epicures, if not outright gluttons, and indulge themselves in rare delicacies. Such creatures might travel the world in search of new culinary experiences or pay handsomely for samples brought form distant lands. Many have a weakness for wine or spirits, and even though their stout constitutions make them harder to inebriate, they just drink more to make up for it.

Arts and Crafts
Artistic interests and talent usually flows form the humanoid parent rather than the dragon one. Although dragons love to look at and possess fine works of art, they are seldom interested in creating such objects. Half-dragons born to brutish folk, such as goblinoids, care little for artistic treasures except as loot to sell for something more useful.

On the other hand, those with elf or dwarf heritage often possess an innate talent for creating fine works. Provided the community has accepted such a half-dragon and allowed him to pursue his own interests, he might eventually stand in history alongside the most famed artisans of that race. With their sorcerous nature, half-dragons are especially talented at crafting magic items.

Technology and Magic
The very blood and flesh of dragons is magical. Half-dragons inherit much of this arcane power, making them naturally suited to the spellcasting classes. Those sharing the blood of elves or other magically gifted folk have the potential to become masters of magic, archmages and loremasters of the highest ability. No arcane secret is beyond a keen intellect combined with great patience.

However, half-dragons can be prone to the negative aspects of draconic personality. Often conservative in thought, half-dragons can be unwilling to look at things in new ways - a tendency that increases with age. Possessiveness can also be an obstacle to a half-dragon 's magical development, for once he has acquired a bit of magical lore, he is many times unwilling to exchange that knowledge for another's. Rather, half-dragons embark on secret expeditions to unearth long-lost fragments of knowledge, having spent long hours in solitary research, or they conduct arcane experiments to devise unique magic.

The offspring of metallic dragons might be gifted in divine magic, although they are more likely to worship draconic deities or spirits of nature than they are humanoid pantheons. Half-dragon clerics are not common, but those who exist hold a position of special honor in the worship of Io, the Ninefold Dragon.

Both sorcerers and wizards are common among half-dragons, though sorcerers are more numerous. This tendency towards arcane spellcasting is a natural consequence of half-dragons' isolation, which compels them to explore and train their innate magical abilities. Half-dragon elves are usually wizards.

Dragons rarely create magic items, mostly because of physical limitations. Half-breed offspring who are gifted with hands are not so restricted. Nothing is more pleasing to a half-dragon's eyes than a beautiful object of magic made with his own skills. Once completed, though, such an item is unlikely to be used or even seen by another individual. Some of the bitter and resentful crossbreeds specialize in producing weapons and other magical items dedicated to destroying dragons. Such devices might be bane weapons against the dragon parent's kind or the dragon kind that is the parent's traditional enemy.

Mundane technology holds little interest for half-dragons. Creatures to whom magic comes so easily rarely see the value of complex machinery when a spell can do as well or better. Nor do they have much patience with alchemy, which to them is a pale shadow of true magic. Those raised in a human society or among gnomes might gain exposure to these sciences, but very few embrace them. For many half-dragons, scientific inventions are fads that seem to pass as quickly as the short lives of their creators.

Love
The desire for companionship and acceptance aches in the breast of a half-dragon, but at the same time, it flounders in a sea of anguish. Whether rejected, set apart, or idolized, half-dragons usually end up masking or even suppressing their emotions. Sadly, this situation only reinforces their image as aloof loners, so that their humanoid cousins shun them even more - a vicious circle of solitude and despair. Such individuals usually resign themselves to being unhappy and alone all their lives.

If another being displays interest in or affection for a half-dragon, his first response is likely to be distrust. Painful experience has taught that others approach him only when he is useful. If he response at all, he is often surly and sarcastic. He makes himself as unlikable as possible, both because doing so is safer than opening himself up to more pain and as a test of the other's intentions. If the other persists in attempting contact despite such a strong disincentive, the half-dragon accepts the possibility of being genuinely liked and reciprocates tentatively.

Once a half-dragon is convinced of shared, true affection, he throws himself headlong into the relationship. Having discovered true love for the first time, a half-dragon is not about to let go of it. He can easily become jealous of others who seem unduly interested in his beloved and might insist on spending every moment in that one's company.

Few can endure such smother attentions for long, but a beloved who tries to escape might risk the half-dragon's deadly rage. These dark tendencies are more common in the progeny of evil dragons, but the possessive nature of all dragons manifests itself to some degree in love. As a result, the best mate for a half-dragon is usually another half-dragon or a crossbreed creature with a similarly lonely background. The two cling to one another with a fierceness difficult for others to understand.

Very rarely, a half-dragon enters a romantic relationship with a true dragon. Other dragons look on such coupling with distaste, as further muddying of bloodlines, so the lovers must share an isolated existence.

Roleplay Applications: What is your character's experience with love? Was he isolated from birth, or accepted to some degree in his society? Has he ever had his heart broken? Can he ever trust another individual enough to love truly? Is he the type who worships a beloved in the tradition of courtly love, or is he consumed with possessiveness and jealous?

Half-dragons at War
Being apart from the society into which they are born, half-dragons do not often become involved in the martial traditions of that society. Sometimes this state of affairs is simply due to bigotry and distrust. The community is unwilling to train such a dangerous monster in even more lethal techniques. Other times, a half-dragon is too deeply immersed in arcane study to learn military arts. Mostly, half-dragons feel no sense of duty to a community that has rejected them. Much as dragons do, they fight only when it suits their purposes or in defense of their property.

Half-dragons do have formidable natural armament in the form of teeth, claws, and a breath weapon. Those with wings are capable of swift and maneuverable flight, sometimes taking feats, such as Flyby Attack or Hover, that enhances their aerial combat abilities.

Most half-dragons try to stay at a distance and dispatch a threat with breath weapon or spells. If hand-to-hand fighting is unavoidable, a half-dragon's vitality, strength, and ferocity make him a redoubtable opponent.

In very few cases, a half-dragon takes on a position of great authority. For instance, cultures that value brute strength in their leaders might elevate half-dragons to war-chiefs, sending them on the most dangerous and potentially most rewarding missions. Such beings are fully aware they are seen as expendable, but they channel their anger at such treatment into furious battle and bringing back prodigious spoils. Having proven their prowess at war and leadership, such half-dragons advance rapidly in the hierarchy of their people.

Most half-dragons never become part of an army or even a ragtag warband. They either make their own way and fight their own battles or join a band of like-minded outcasts to turn their talents to lucrative challenges.

Roleplay Applications: What is your character's attitude towards organized warfare? Did the society in which he was raised treat him as an equal, as a traitor, or as an expendable? Does he have any military experience? Does he desire a leadership position? Is he interested in fighting only for himself, or is there a greater cause for which he might lay down his life?

Death
A dragon's life span is truly remarkable - it can live a millennium or longer, and even at the end of its life transform into a permanent part of the land or become ascendant and immortal. Half-dragons usually share the heritage of a less long-lived race and so might endure no more than a few centuries. Still, they are granted far more time than most, and those born of a dragon-elf union can challenge ancient wyrms for longevity.

Most half-dragons covet life as they do so many things. They often seek ways to prolong life by magical means. Some explore dark paths that lead to undeath or even worse, such as grafting fiendish spirits to themselves. Others seek an apotheosis to make them true dragons at last. They do not risk their lives needlessly, but the quest for immortality is worth taking the chance.

Some half-dragons find the burden of a half-breed existence more than they can bear. They indulge in lonely, sad thoughts of death that often take the form of fantasies in which a grieving community finally realizes the half-dragon's true worth. Suicide is not a seriously considered option though.

Such afflicted creatures might turn their black moods to creating supremely mournful works of art or music. Others might set out on dangerous journeys, hoping for reward but not caring much if they do not return. A few seek to renounce their dragon heritage entirely, becoming wholly humanoid and, they hope, finding acceptance at the cost of a shorter life.

In either case, half-dragons do not usually share the religious outlook of humanoids. Racial deities in particular offer no sense of belonging. Nor do dragon deities, other than Io, hold much meaning for these misfits. A half-dragon makes his own religious choice based on his experience and the color of his soul, and his thoughts on the afterlife reflect that choice.


Half Dragons and Other Races

Awkwardness and resentment color half-dragon's relationships with other beings. Strangeness and solitude are their constant companions, whether worn as a protective cloak or a defiant crest.

Draconic Characters
Half-dragons might not immediately recognize a draconic character as being different from his humanoid kin, but might still feel a subconscious attraction to or interest in the character. If a half-dragon comes to realize that he is dealing with a draconic character, he might wish his own lineage were less obvious, envying the draconic character's ability to blend in. In the face of a draconic character who has strong features, a half-dragon reacts much as he would to another half-dragon.

Dragonborn
Half-dragons can only wonder at those who deliberately become dragonblood creatures and willingly take on the social problems and the advantages of that choice. They respect such devotion to the Platinum Dragon, at the same time feeling that the dragon god has little interest in them. Should a half-dragon encounter one of these devotees, he is likely to be full of questions - if he can overcome his usual reticence.

Dwarves
Half-dragons hold a grudging admiration for these stout folk. They respect dwarves' patience, self-sufficiency, and appreciation for the treasures of the earth. They also envy the cohesive structure of dwarven society, in which everyone has a role and gains satisfaction in fulfilling it. The children of earth dragons and those of the deep places feel particular attraction for dwarves.

Half-dragons exhibit a strong individualism that clashes with the expectations of dwarven society. Thus, they usually meet dwarves as part of an adventuring party. In such circumstances, fighting side by side against terrible enemies, the two come to recognize that they share certain strengths and treat each other with reserved acceptance.

Elves
The lives of half-dragons and elves are intertwined in ways that bring them together and simultaneously wrench them apart. As described earlier, half-dragons born to elven communities are expected to fulfill a role assigned to them by virtue of their nature. Individuality and long life, as well as easy familiarity with magic, would seem to make them allies, but the pressure to perform usually alienates the half-dragon. Those who accept their role among elves are respected leaders. Elf society is more likely than others to welcome a half-dragon born to another humanoid race, and a community with a half-dragon elder might even be a haven for such outcasts. As adventurers, half-dragons share the elven talent for marrying martial prowess with magical skill. The path of the bladesinger (see Complete Warrior page 17) suits a half-dragon elf very well.

Gnomes
Half-dragons look on gnomes as flighty and beneath their notice. Unfair as this is, it's an attitude shared by many races. It's also a barrier to the chance for true friendship, since gnomes appreciate many of the qualities in half-dragons that other see as off0putting and bizarre. Ghomes admire the physical beauty of dragons as well as their keen intellect and aesthetic sense, but a true dragon is not easy to approach. Someone with humanoid features who also has draconic talents would make a splendid companion for conversation, song, and artistic pursuits. The moodiness and prejudice of half-dragons, though, discourages such relationships. If thrown together in a situation that requires cooperation, half-dragons might acknowledge that gnomes have their uses, but even so, the two rarely become close friends.

Half-Elves
Accustomed to bridging two very different worlds, half-dragons and half-elves share a certain kinship. A half-dragon is as likely to find acceptance among half-elves as he is anywhere else, perhaps more so. Given their elf heritage and affinity for magic, half-dragons are valued as members of some half-elf communities.

Half-Orcs
Now these folks have some understanding of how it feels to be the object of prejudice. If a half-orc and a half-dragon actually speak to each other, they might recognize how much they have in common. Should a half-orc and a half-dragon meet in their wanderings, a solid friendship might develop. Usually the half-orc makes the first move, hoping a half-dragon misfit might be more accepting of him than pureblooded humanoids. Such advances are surprising to a half-dragon, but if he can control his initial suspicion, he quickly warms to this kindred spirit. Sharing great strength and furious hearts, half-orc and half-dragon barbarians might rage side by side in a warband or adventuring group.

Halflings
Like gnomes, halflings seem silly to half-dragons, who don't recognize the toughness of these little folk. The tendency to wander and strength in adversity are traits that the two races share, and in theory, halflings' desire to get along with everyone should lead them to befriend half-dragons. In practice, a half-dragon is likely to find halflings childish pests, and he doesn't appreciate the trouble that always seems to follow them. Nevertheless, it sometimes happens that a group of halflings travels for a time with a half-dragon camp train. The halflings provide services, grease the wheels for introducing half-dragons to a town's merchants, or, if that is unsuccessful, act as mediators for trade.

Humans
A given half-dragon's attitude towards humanity depends on the culture in which he was raised. Those raised by humans also vary. If accepted, a half-dragon has a positive view towards humans, but if he was treated as a subhuman monster he is resentful. Plenty of human communities are tolerant of humanoid crossbreeds, but far fewer are so tolerant of monstrous mixes. Even more rare are those who accept breeds of dragon and traditional enemy races, such as orcs. As a result, most half-dragons do not have a high opinion of humans.

Humans' pervasiveness makes it nearly impossible for the two not to come into contact. An adventuring half-dragon almost certainly shares the company of several humans with whom he has developed the sort of camaraderie born of risking their lives together. Deeper friendships can form between those who are open to the possibility, but most of the onus is on the human in such cases.

Kobolds
Kobolds revere all things draconic, and they hold great respect for half-dragons. Still, the nature of one's nondragon parent makes a difference in how a half-dragon is received. Nonkobold half-dragons usually regard kobolds as inconsequential, an attitude derived both from their haughty dragon heritage and from the usual views of other humanoids that consider kobolds to be a grubby, cringing race. A half-dragon kobold is not likely to have this preconception but still sees itself as superior to the ordinary kobolds it is related to.

Spellscales
The fickleness of spellscales is irritating to half-dragons. Being creatures whose own draconic nature is more often a burden than a wonder, half-dragons distrust the spellscale's love of life. The one thing the two races might share is a connection with the dragon deities - half-dragons tend to interpret spellscales' daily meditation as worship - although religious half-dragons do not worship as broadly as spellscales do.

True Dragons
Half-dragons have an ambivalent attitude towards true dragons. On the one hand, they long for the full power of that ancient strain, denied them by their crossbeed nature. They try to emulate dragons in many ways and seek to unlock draconic abilities in themselves. On the other hand, a half-dragon is often fiercely resentful of a draconic parent who abandoned him to fate, usually never to return. The aloofness of dragons, especially towards impure breeds, only reinforces that anger, to the extend that half-dragons sometimes devote themselves to slaying dragons.

Half-dragons are commonly contemptuous towards less intelligent creatures of the dragon type, such as pseudo-dragons and wyverns. They see such creatures as less than "real" dragons, perhaps uncomfortably similar to themselves. Dragonnels (see Draconomicon page 151) make excellent steeds for half dragons, who often feel more comfortable with these draconic mounts.


Source: Dungeons and Dragons - Races of the Dragon; Pages 56 - 66