DRAGONSBLOODS

By Adam Solis (ajsolis@aol.com) (30 April 1996)

History

During the mythic age, a cabal including an alchemist destroyed a dragon. The alchemist, whose name is forgotten, saved and studied the blood of the dragon. The blood's properties amazed him. So, he began a research project with other alchemists (Solificati, Iteration X, Order of Hermes, and Progenitor Pharmacopiests). It is widely believed that these Mages had the help of a Lilitu Nephilim and an Eastern Dragon. Some speculate that one or more of the Mages were Changelings as well. The result of their experimentation was a Dhampir who hunts dragons as naturally as most hunt vampires.

Disciplines

Dragonbloods learn Auspex, Celerity, potence, prowess, and fortitude at Caitiff learning costs. They can only develop other disciplines in the ghoul manner by drinking the blood of a vampire who has the desired discipline.

Weaknesses

Dragonbloods have quite a few. Like the Malkavians, every Dragonblood is insane and has at least one derangement if not more. Choices are usually delusions of grandeur, paranoia, the belief that they are dragons (!), phobias, obsessions with hunting/fighting/killing dragons, obsessive morbidity, psychopathic disregard for life, delusions that they are the next step in human evolution, habitual disregard for laws (Laws are for Sleepers!), manic depression, schizophrenia, overconfidence, and amnesia. Dragonbloods also have the Dark Fate flaw -- their base lifespan is five to seven years from the time that their powers manifest themselves. Only dragon's blood will prevent that early death. The drinking of straight dragon's blood will increase the Dragonbloods life span by one month for every blood point drank up to a maximum of six months. Alchemically treated blood will add eight months with one success and three years with five or more successes. Of course, an alchemist such as a mage, mummy, or hedge wizard must be persuaded to take the time for the ritual, it can take up to six months.

Preferred paths

The Hunter, Death and the Soul, Power and Inner Voice, Inner Focus, and the Path of Lilith are all common. The Path of Harmony is not unheard of.

Character concepts

Athlete, mercenary, Gladiator, outdoorsman, spy, assassin, bodyguard, criminal, gang member, and ninja are all possible.

Character Creation

Physical attributes are always primary. Ability priorities depend upon character concept. Technofetishes and Devices are common backgrounds (blood points are lost for every point of paradox gained until the blood point expenditure generational limit is reached. After that, each point of paradox becomes one die of aggravated damage rolled against the Dragonblood. Fortunately Dragonbloods usually have the fortitude to soak it.). Common merits are Obsession pool, Self confident, Danger sense, occult resistance, daredevil, paranoid, and efficient digestion. Dragonbloods of particular concepts might start with other disciplines; they might even be subfamilies. An outdoorsman would have a natural affinity with Animalism while a ninja would find Obfuscate, Quietus, and Kai quite useful.

Rule modifications

For their dhampir powers, all that is required is to substitute the term dragon for vampire. Hence Dragonblood attacks always due aggravated damage to dragons instead of vampires, although the burning wrath power is popular for making their brawl attacks aggravated against other supernaturals. They gain the dhampir's dice bonus against dragons instead of vampires. However, Dragonbloods have no innate ability to sense dragons, instead they make use of the Awareness talent to notify them of supernatural presence. Dragonbloods can feed off other people just like a vampire or dhampir; they can roll humanity/enlightenment and spend a willpower point to fuel disciplines, and are otherwise like regular dhampir. Like vampires but unlike dhampirs, a Dragonblood whose blood is depleted and is taken past Incapacitated will not die but simply enter torpor. Hence, other than their dark fate, only aggravated damage will kill them. Dragonbloods children will also become Dragonbloods upon puberty, with generation equal to the lower parent's generation plus one. Therefore the union of an eighth generation and a twelfth generation Dragonblood will produce a ninth generation offspring.

Other Notes

Dragonbloods will usually manifest themselves at puberty although there are cases of manifestation as late as twenty-seven years of age. Their dark fate countdown begins at that point, so many Dragonbloods will discount chronological age and use how long they have been a Dragonblood as their age. This means that a thirty-two year old and a nineteen year old will be seen as equals if both manifested their powers five years ago. Dragonbloods also do not age other than their dark fate, so a Dragonblood with a steady supply of dragons blood will live forever barring violence. There are rumors of nonhuman Dragonbloods, specifically, of Changelings of the troll, dwarf, and sidhe kith. Changeling Dragonbloods have no Glamour; they spend vitae to empower their Cantrips. These usually belong to the Zantraedi, Tanuwyth, or Fiona Houses. No one knows if the rumors of Garou and even Gargoyle Dragonbloods are true, or even if they are caused by actual specimens or ongoing experiments by cabals of Mages. There are rumors of Immortal Dragonbloods, but it is unknown if that is simply wishful thinking. If true, the Dark Fate flaw is totally negated, though they still have the derangement(s) and addiction.

Prestige

Long life is the ultimate source of prestige, but daring and extravagant actions are also easy ways to gain prestige. Like vampires, Dragonbloods may find their reps catching up to them.

Nicknames

Dragonhunters, the Fighting Dee-Bees, Lunatics

On relations with the Supernatural

Actually, Dragonbloods and Dragons (whether Eastern, Western, or Magely) are not necessarily hostile. For Dragonbloods, a willing dragon donor is a simple way to avoid early death. For dragons, a devoted squadron of Dragonbloods is the ultimate in protection against the supernatural and especially other dragons.

Their relationships with vampires are usually ambivalent. Dragonbloods are Dhampir after all, and few vampires would donate their blood just so a Dragonblood could advance their disciplines. Generally though, few vampires have a reason to hate Dragonbloods, and almost no Dragonbloods have a reason to hate vampires. Also note that the Embrace will negate their dark fate. Dragonsblood vampires retain their powers but they keep the usual disadvantages.

To Garou, Dragonbloods do not stink of the wyrm unless their humanity or enlightenment is below seven, as is normal for vampires. If Garou Dragonbloods do exist (or will exist) then friendly relations are inevitable. Rumors of giant dragons in Russia have attracted the Dragonblood community. It is possible that an army of Dragonbloods will descend upon Russia en masse. The Shadow Curtain should not be a problem. Look at it this way, have your players pit a fifth generation Dragonblood killing machine armed with gifts due to technofetishes and rotes thanks to Devices. It would not be a long fight. In fact, Rage Across Russia would be a natural way to integrate Dragonbloods into an ongoing campaign.

Except for Changeling Dragonbloods, there is not a lot of interaction between the kithain and these Dhampir. Any relations would be on a one to one basis.

If Dragonbloods ever found out about Mummies, Horis would be hard pressed to handle the influx of Revenants desperate for immortality who would pour into Switzerland. Of course, a Horis might decide that a horde of undying Revenants is just what is needed to finish of Set conclusively.....Heh heh heh.

Immortal and Dragonblood relations would be the similar to their mummy relations. Most Dragonbloods would seek to join up with the Immortals.

Relations with the Gargoyles depends upon a few factors. Gargoyle Dragonbloods would embrace their human kindred as brothers, which would link the two societies. Also, thanks to their Paths of Enlightenment and derangements, Dragonbloods tend to be at either end of the morality spectrum. The good Dragonbloods would get along quite well with Gargoyles.

Being in the Skinlands, Dragonbloods do not interact a lot with the otherworldly Wraiths. Dead Dragonbloods who became wraiths could change that situation...

Daemon and Umbrood hang out with Dragonbloods surprisingly often.

Note about Generations

Dragonbloods can be anywhere from thirteenth to fifth generation, just like Kindred player characters. The only way to decrease a Dragonblood's generation would be through Golconda. Being innately vampiric, Golconda would be appropriate for Dragonbloods, although they would not have a long time to attain it.