#underworld dragon

Underworld dragon, from Pathfinder

[Dragon Mistress]

(art by BarelynormalActivity on DeviantArt)

 In keeping with the theme that the 2nd Edition Advanced Player’s Guide has a bunch of archetypes based on the old prestige classes of first edition and 3.5 of yore, today we’re looking at this edition’s version of the Dragon Disciple.

For those who aren’t aware, a dragon disciple is a character that seeks to emulate dragons, undergoing rituals and the like to infuse and awaken draconic power within them, often directly related to a specific dragon type.

A lot of dragon disciples are draconic sorcerers, tapping even further into the potential that already exists. Others may manifest draconic blood in some other way, or may even have no prior connection to dragonkind aside from a deep fascination with them.

Either way, these disciples complement and enhance their pre-existing sorcerer powers quite well, or alternatively, gain access to those abilities.

These disciples may experience even stronger changes in personality and appearance than other draconic sorcerers, and even those connected to metallic dragons or goodly dragons of other clades may find themselves swelling with draconic pride, especially when they make use of their abilities.

The powers granted by this archetype are actually almost nearly identical to their First Edition counterparts as well, so that’s a nice touch for those who prefer that the two different editions feel like part of the same reality.

 Starting with the dedication, which kobolds with sufficiently draconic heritages, barbarians with the draconic instinct, and draconic (or wyrmblessed) sorcerers have access to, grants some master of magic, elemental resistance to a damage type based on a type of dragon you pick when taking the archetype, as well as resistance to paralysis and sleep. Initially, the list of choices was limited to chromatic and metallic, but has been updated to include primal and imperial dragons as well.

These disciples are also able to grow powerful claws, an ability which stacks with the sorcerous ability to do the same by making those magical claws stronger.

Many also develop a strong sense of smell, which aids them in locating foes.

Those that can cast spells but are not already draconic sorcerers can still learn the spells associated with the bloodline, even if they would normally be outside their discipline, though they must still actively seek out and learn them.

Hard scales are also a common manifestation, granting them some protection while unarmored.

Naturally, a draconic breath weapon is also a common ability these disciples share, and those that already possess this ability find they have more focus to utilize for that and other abilities as well.

Continuing, many also learn to manifest wings, which work similarly to the breath in relation to sorcerous power.

Where things get extremely impressive is how some are able to transform fully into a dragon for a brief span of time, unleashing their full draconic fury.

More powerful disciples can gain a true organic breath weapon, one that replenishes naturally every few second and is more potent.

The mightiest among them can transform into a dragon for much longer periods.

There was, however, an addition to this archetype that added three new feats specifically tied to cloud dragons, namely one that grants a modified version of dragon-polymorphing that grants appropriate abilities, one that let’s the user walk on clouds, and one that improves flight speed.

Interested in going hard into the dragon theme as a sorcerer or any other sort of dragon-themed character? This archetype is full of useful abilities, all of which find ways to augment any overlap you might see with the main archetype. That being said, you will want to look up the wyrmblessed bloodline too to get an idea of how the breath weapons of the primal and imperial dragon types are meant to work.

 I mentioned it briefly, but becoming a dragon disciple means that your mind as well as your body become more dragon-like. Even metallic dragons have great pride, and it is up to the person to find ways to temper that emotion into confidence rather than becoming insecure and quick to lash out at the slightest perceived insult.

  The underworld dragon Yamahana is in a bind, as a group of vault giants have begun raiding his territory recently, and he has quickly come to realize that he and his disciples are not powerful enough to repel the massive reptilian titans. He would pay a daring group of explorers a king’s ransom for their aid.

 Born already with the mark of reptilian power, the beastkin Naket soon discovered that not only did she embody the power of the mighty crocodile, but also a blue dragon, a fact she is eager to explore, ordering all sorts of texts on draconic mysticism.

Pathfinder 2nd Edition Bestiary 3, Imperial Adult Dragons

Pathfinder 2nd Edition Bestiary 3, Imperial Ancient Dragons

 We’re laying off the archetypes that grant a drake companion today, but rest assured they’ll be back later this year.

Fun fact, dragons are common symbols in alchemy, often used to represent the process of alchemy, including the cyclical nature of breaking things down and recombining them again when the dragon is drawn as an ouroboros.

While I don’t know for certain, I imagine that part of this symbolical representation comes from the fact that most mythologies, legends, and folklore attributes all sorts of wondrous properties to the blood of dragons, everything from being deadly poison to granting health and immortality, and so on.

It is those sorts of stories that give rise to today’s archetype, the dragonblood chymist! These alchemists specialize in unlocking draconic power within their own bodies, becoming more and more dragon-like as they achieve mastery.

As the name suggests, they might have access to a small amount of dragon’s blood which they use for their concoctions, but it is just as likely they have found another method for emulating draconic power. Regardless, they have a vested interest in the studying of dragons, though most dragons would object to having their bodies dissected and used as components in some concoction, I imagine.

 With their mutagenic compounds, these alchemists can transform themselves into a scaly, draconic form, granting them greater strength and durability. As they refine their formula, their physical might and the thickness of their scales grows, and they even grow usable claws and fangs.

Rather than throw traditional bombs, these alchemists exclusively drink concoctions to breathe fire on their foes.

Long-term exposure to their mutagens also makes them resistant to sleep and paralysis the way dragons often are, eventually becoming totally immune.

A simple archetype, but one that can be quite useful. The fact that the constant breath weapon bomb modification precludes the use of other bomb-altering discoveries means you’ll likely be playing this archetype as a close-range combatant with those claws, jaws, and breath bombs. With that in mind, buffing and close-range blasting extracts are the priority here, as is healing.

 While naturally this archetype has a strong connection to the art and act of harvesting and utilizing draconic parts, how they view this art will vary a lot. Some will see it as a sacred process of making use of everything such a powerful creature left behind, while others eager seek out more and more, hunting dragons or paying unscrupulous hunters to do the same.

  In an ultimate act of betrayal, the wind yai oni Muvero managed to capture and imprison the three underworld dragon sibilings he had allied with. Furious but helpless, the trio are bled daily by the oni’s army of servants, who experiment with the blood to turn soldiers into draconically-infused powerhouses suitable for the army he plans to build.

 Utterly fascinated by everything to do with supernatural cold, the alchemist Iridia eagerly explores all avenues, including attempting to tame frost drakes and white dragons to test the properties of their blood and bile. Unfortunately, the changeling lass has yet to find a way to replicate the cold while also maintaining her focus on draconic power. Perhaps if she were to tap more into her winter-born nature…

Pathfinder 2nd Edition Bestiary 3, Imperial Young Dragons

Doodled a couple dragons in their battlefield today during school. The first is a dragon of the underground, he guards their treasure. The second one is the dragon of rain and storms, he’s worshipped by lowly farmers to have good raining seasons so their crops don’t dry out from a drought.

Also sorry for barely posting anything anymore, school’s been keeping me busy.

I love them both.