So, for some reason, I really like Spellscales. I don’t remember how I came across them since they are from 3e and I’ve only ever played 5e, but somehow I did. They’re from a book called “Races of the Dragon” which, as the title suggests, covers a few different draconic player-races. The book also has a section on a very different sort of Dragonborn that also intrigues me but no nearly as much as the Spellscales.
I’ll provide a brief overview for anyone not familiar with the Spellscale. In the artwork, they look rather like purple or blue-skinned elves. They also aren’t really a race since they are born from two sorcerers even if the sorcerers are a human and a half-orc or something. They get a +2 bonus to Charisma and a -2 debuff to Constitution. They can see in low light conditions. They are considered dragons for racial effects. Their preferred class is Sorcerer and they have something called a “Blood Quickening” which is basically a daily devotion to a draconic deity that grants them some sort of bonus for the day (based on which draconic deity they prayed to that day).
In order to rework them for 5e, I’ve created a new origin story for them that actually makes them a race and not the happenstance of a double dose of inherently magical genetics. I’m also altering their appearance somewhat and giving them a few subraces. I am keeping the Blood Quickening (which seems to me to be the biggest distinguishing feature of the race) but changing the bonuses to make the Spellscale a more versatile race. I would be grateful for feedback from more experienced players on my draft (below).
Legend has it that the first of the Spellscale race were the three sons of two exceedingly vain and evil sorcerers. Entirely too pleased with their own features and cruel behavior, their monstrous natures were written into the appearance of their children. Appalled at seeing their own villainy reflected back at them in the faces of their offspring, the sorcerers gave the infants to one of their soldiers along with the order to take them into the woods and slaughter them.
However, the soldier had recently lost a child and could not bear to kill the innocent babes. He consulted with his wife and they agreed to leave the three boys at a temple though they knew their lives would be forfeit if the deceit was discovered. The soldier travelled a full day, hoping that leaving the children at a further temple would lessen the chances of their survival being discovered. He left them in a temple of Bahamut where he hoped their draconic features would be celebrated rather than reviled.
The three infants were found by devotees of Bahamut and, as the soldier had hoped, their appearance was believed to be a blassing from the Platinum Dragon. The boys were given the names of Ornoth, Aurixoth, and Uxmolik and raised in the ideals of Bahamut. They grew to be fine young men and eventually went out into the world to seek their own fortunes. Despite their parentage, they each had an affable and easygoing disposition that allowed them to make friends and lovers easily.
+2 Charisma, Darkvision, speed 30 ft, medium sized. Considered adult at 40 years and live to be about 450 years. NO breath weapon or damage immunities.
Subraces: Ornoth - skin in shades ranging from dark purple to very pale blue with elongated pointed ears. They have vertical slit pupils (like a cat) and their darkvision range is 30ft and they can detect shades of red even in low light. They tend to eat meat-heavy diets. Aurixoth have skin in shades from pale yellow to dark orange (almost red). Their ears are shorter, closer to the head and not as pointedTheir eyes also have the vertical slit pupils and 30ft dark vision but cannot see colors in low light. They are more omnivorous than the Ornoth, however, and have a +1 to perception checks relying on smell. The Uxmolik are slightly larger than either the Ornoth or Aurixoth with skin in shades of grey or brown, often with a metallic sheen. Their ears are small and rounded, little more than a raised ridge of scaled skin around the entrance to the ear canal. Their eyes have more rounded pupils with 30ft darkvision but cannot see colors in low light. They have +1 to perception checks relying on hearing.
Blood Quickening - a 10 minute medidation on the draconic deity of their choice. May include doing something the chosen deity would appreciate, such as leaving a gold piece in a hidden spot for Astilabor. A successful meditation grants the following bonuses based on which deity was considered. No one deity can be called on more than once in a three day period. DM decides if meditation was successful, player decides which boon is granted.
Aasterinian - +1 to Deception OR Sleight of Hand checks for the day OR 1 use of Message (1st level spell).
Astilabor - +1 to History checks for the day OR 2x payout on any money earned today such as rent or wages (does not affect portion of treasure or loot).
Bahamut - 1 use of Channel Divinity OR 1 use Detect Evil and Good (1st level spell) OR do 2d6 additional radiant damage to one enemy.
Chronepsis - +2 to Perception checks for the day.
Falazure - +1 to Religion checks for the day OR 1 use Inflict Wounds (1st level spell)
Garyx - +1 to Survival checks for the day OR 1 use Burning Hands (1st level spell)
Hlal - +2 to Performance checks for the day OR 1 use Hideous Laughter (1st level spell)
Io - +1 to Strength checks for the day OR 1 use Create or Destroy Water (1st level spell) OR 1 use Goodberry (1st level spell)
Lendys - +2 to Concentration OR Insight checks for the day OR 1 use Identify (1st level spell)
Tamara - +2 to Medicine checks for the day OR 1 use Cure Wounds (1st level spell) OR 1 use Healing Word (1st level spell)
Tiamat - 1 use Command (1st level spell) or do 2d6 additional necrotic damage to one enemy.
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