Custom background – Dragon Familiar – Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition
Nerdarchist Ted here and today I take my first foray into making a background for Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition. We did a video on this possibility of a person being a familiar for a dragon, look for that release on Nerdarchy youtube channel soon. Wizards throughout the editions of Dungeons and Dragons have allowed for bigger and unique options outside of the normal animals.
So if people being small beings of magic in comparison to the mighty being of a Dragon, then why wouldn’t Dragons be able to have a familiar and why not let them be a humanoid and then why not a PC.
Custom background for Dungeons and Dragons
So the down sides of doing this is having an NPC of a Dragon that is powerful enough to have a player as a magical minion. So the player could attempt to persuade the dragon to use or borrow magical items from its lair or use its place as a threat or bargaining chip. So from this it will take an experienced DM or a not super serious game as to allow something like this.
On the plus side however having a dragon as a normal NPC you get a powerful character who can encourage the players to work the quests you have planned. You have to make sure what you offer is balanced so you are not being too heavy handed.
But this play style offers up a resource of information and power. If you have given out too much treasure the Dragon can demand that the Dragon Familiar hand it over or if you need to tip the balance in their favor you can reward them with items from the dragons horde.
The players, as a Dragon Familiar, will have a safe place they can go, just like a town and it offers unique role play opportunities as the Dragon could have other monsters as minions that would be friendly towards the party. So lots of opportunity for fun and role playing.
Dragon Familiar in 5th edition
You are the magically summoned minion of a Dragon (or other greatly magical being). You generally carry some form of marker in the land where the dragon holds power and if the Dragon is on good terms with the locals you will be treated well. You have spent time being a minion and friend or servant of your master.
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion or insight, one knowledge of choice(arcana, nature, religion or history)
Tool proficiencies: None
Languages: Draconic, one language of your choice
Equipment: A marker of your station(it could be a coin, sash or any object able to show what you are and hidden at times you need to be discreet) A set of travelers clothes, A set of fine clothes, an empty book, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp.
Dragons will
As a familiar the DM can have the dragon take control of your character and view through your eyes. Doing so put you, the player, out of the action so choose this background carefully as only death can remove you from the service to your dragon.
Feature: Beloved Minion
As a servant of a powerful being you will be treated well by some and set upon by others. If you remain in good favor with your master you may call on them for a favor in your quest. It is up to the DM what help is offered, but it could be information, an item or even extra help in the way of minions.
Personality traits (roll d8)
- 1-As my master is a being of great power so am I!
- 2-I will uncover any secret that I or my master wishes
- 3 -I and my answers will be as mysterious as my master
- 4 – I am powerful, like my master, may the world tremble before me.
- 5 – I am as patient as can be.
- 6 – Magic is might and I will know it all.
- 7 – The elements are mine to command
- 8 – ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!
Ideal (roll d6)
- 1 – (good) Let me use my power to make the world a better place.
- 2 – (evil) The strong rule and the weak are ruled.
- 3 – (lawful) Let those who break their word be punished.
- 4 – (chaotic)I have power the power and presence do do as I wish.
- 5 – (neutral) The world is balanced and I with it.
- 6 – I seek power and wealth
Bond (roll d6)
- 1 – I will do as my master commands.
- 2 – I am given an item that I must keep out of my enemies hands.
- 3 – I will uncover truth or knowledge to share with my master
- 4 – I am given a dire mission I must complete.
- 5 – I will perform my tasks with haste to please my master.
- 6 – I serve so that others do not.
Flaw (roll d6)
- 1 – My tasks blind me to other threats.
- 2 – My quest for power exists above all.
- 3 – My lust for gold is obvious in my actions.
- 4 – I have a shameful secret about my past.
- 5 – My confidence in my master gives the the ability to show no fear.
- 6 – I will accept no slight on my vanity.
Thank you for reading. I do hope you like my Dragon Familiar custom background for Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition. If you have any suggestions for improvement or ones you would like to see me do feel free to place them in the comments below.
Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!
Kevin Heinz
June 3, 2015 at 8:33 pmI like it, can also be used for being a servant of a powerful extraplanar being (Efreeti, Djinn).
I have two suggestions for new Background options:
1. Former/escaped Slave or indentured servant or Prisoner- Always on the run, from former owner/MAster/Captor
2. Lothario – the Lady Killer/Cassanova/Romeo/Gigolo/Lover: This can also be made by using the charlatan background I suppose.
3. Court Jester?
4. Raised by Evil Humanoids? As in raised in a tribe of Goblins or Orcs or Gnolls? Something that could be made combining the Urchin and Outlander…
Nathan Riggins
June 5, 2015 at 4:18 pmNice suggestions. We were just talking about the consort, an entertainer of one kind of background.
I believe the court jester would be the entertainer background with the major benefit being that he can insult the king or queen and get away with it.