What do Dragonborn look like?

[DeeL]

Races of the Dragon may have been the worst edited accessory WotC ever put out for D&D.  The writing isn't really uncreative, nor did I find any actual typos - but so much of it should have been sent back for a good rethink.

The fist section of the book is devoted to a new PC race called the Dragonborn.  The name, for starters, could have been revised.  Dragonborn are in fact perfectly normal humaoniods subjected to a transformation into a race of 'half-dragon'-like creatures when they commit themselves to opposing evil dragons in Bahamut's service.  Part of this tranformation process involves encasing themselves in an artificial egg, from which they hatch at the culmination of the process.  Nothing 'born' about it, except that that was a word to which the word 'dragon' could be prefixed.

This tranformation is just one tactic among many in the age-old conflict between Bahamut and Tiamat known as the Dragonfall War.  I have a lot of WotC accessories, and as far as I know the Dragonfall War is mentioned in precisely 1 other - the execrable Monster Manual IV, widely reviled for its padding the lists with monsters that had already appeared previously, with class and template treatments notable for already being in use by any DM who wanted them.

I'm not going to talk about the spellscales - or dragonkender, 'dragon' being the new 'bat' - at this time.  Maybe a different thread.  Or not.  I don't know.  Here is what I do know.  The dragonborn chapter is missing a section.  The Appearance section.

Oh sure, it does have a section marked Appearance, but this is misleading.  Here, let me transcribe it in its entirety -


[note=Dragonborn Appearance]Noble.  Draconic.  Nearly every description of a dragonborn includes those two words.  So thoroughly has a dragonborn physically transformed that only the framework of her former appearance remains.  Dragonborn are always slightly bigger than most other members of their original race.

These servants of Bahamut epitomize devotion to righteousness.  Their very appearance gives an impression of virtuous purpose.  Dragonborn carry themselves with good deportment, seeing themselves as humanoid representations of noble dragonkind.

When a dragonborn walks into an inn, patrons' heads turn and eyes stare.  What they see is well worth a second glance.  In every aspect of their presence, dragonborn consciously act as emissaries of their adoptive father, Bahamut.[/note]

Three paragraphs, and what do we have? Their draconic, and they are slightly bigger than usual.  Sure, there are some pretty good illustrations, but if I were confined to reading this in braille, I would have no clue.

(Even the 'bigger than most others' line is rather evasive.  From other passages,it is clear that a dragonborn is capable of wearing clothing and armor it had before its transformation.  Taken in a certain light, and it could almost mean that Bahamut tends to adopt larger than usual individuals in general, and that there is no actual size change.  But I'll act on the assumption that this is not the case.)

Fine, then.  As I intend to use the dragonborn in my setting, they have to look like something.  Here goes -

 [note=My version]Dragonborn tend to retain the same form they had before, and even the same coloration to an extent.  Their eyes are changed most strikingly, the iris changing to a reflectivity so bright it is difficult for the viewer to tell what color it is.  

The dragonborns hair changes to extremely long, thin, almost feathery scales.  There are few notable scaly patches otherwise visible, and the skin even retains its previous color when viewed directly.  Viewed at an angle, however, a dragonborns skin reflects that same brilliant metallic color, giving the impression that a dragonborn is limned with light.

Unless they attempt to affect otherwise, dragonborn naturally adopt a straight, confident posture, and their facial expressions tend to a kind of vigilant compassion.  [/note]

There!  See??  Description!!!  And I didn't use up too many more words, did I?  There may be other things about the dragonborn that I will adjust for my play, but that appearance thing was what was really getting under my skin.  The floor is now open for comments, additions, criticisms, or incoherent ranting.

[CYMRO]

Kudos on your reinterpreted description.
Alas, WOTC, like TSR before, has hit the skids.

[Numinous]

Personally, I think the illustrations were very helpful in all of this.  your new description is good though, kudos on adapting a sourcebook to your own needs, which so many people these days seem to find blasphemous.

Note: I understand you couldn't see the pictures if you were reading the book in braille.  but then again, how many blind memebers of the CBG do we have, and how many of those are going to read this thread? ;)

[DeeL]

@Crit:  I don't know, and I don't know.  My point is, a well-written sourcebook should use the illustrations as a supplement to the text, not a replacement for it.  Besides, I contend that my description is better than the creatures depicted, on one simple ground - if you had a helmet before you transformed, how would you wear it afterwards with all those spurs and frills?

That's what I meant by 'sent back for a rethink.'

[Numinous]

Well, I wasn't disagreeing with you, and as pointed out by ElDo, I had no intentions of being rude.  I thought your rewrite was useful, and I'll probably use it myself. (If and when I ever use Dragonborn.)

[DeeL]

Oh hey, no rudeness percepted.  If I sound short, it's because I've been injured lately (my foot was bruised badly enough for me to need crutches; it's mending fast, but it still hurts) and because every time I think about all the unfulfilled potential in this book, it makes me bitter.

I'm adapting the materials from WotC for my campaign setting book by book, and now that I'm into this one I'm having to rewrite the stinkin' thing.  Bitter.  But at least I have this one issue seemingly straightened out.

[brainface]

i feel great pity for anyone trying to read this site thru a screenreader.

[SDragon]

i feel great pity for anyone trying to read this site thru a screenreader.

or worse: trying to read this site by running their fingers across the moniter :huh:

[SA]

...because every time I think about all the unfulfilled potential in this book, it makes me bitter.

Darn tootin'!  It's Races of the Dragon, for Tiamat's sake!  Dragons!  The second awesomest race in D&D! (Three guesses which one comes first)

By all rights, this book and the Draconomicon should have been two of the most polished works ever put out by Wizards, but nooo...

[CYMRO]

Dragons!  The second awesomest race in D&D! (Three guesses which one comes first)

Humans. Best race ever.  All other races are just wannabes.
Except my revised gnomes.