No one is born a Dragon-Spawn (hmm - in that case I should probably change the name). Instead they are Men who undergo powerful rituals based on draconic lore which transform them into lizard-people. They acquire a new identity and start life afresh. The Dragon-Spawn are distrusted throughout the lands of the Diamond Throne, for the Dragons themselves were terrifying and anyone linked to them must be a bad omen. Consequently most of the Dragon-Spawn live in isolation, even from others of their own kind; the Waste Lands are most hospitable to them.

A player can either create a Dragon-Spawn character to begin with, in which case the ceremony has already taken place, or can begin play with a human character and select the Ritual of the Dragon-Spawn to transform the character. This mutation is strictly one way: you've given up your humanity forever, and can never return to what you once were.

If a Dragon-Spawn transcends, it's certainly in character to transform into a full-grown Dragon.

Pools and Stuff Like That

If the character begins the game as a Dragon-Spawn (i.e., the ritual of transformation happened before the curtain rises), the character can have a Reason score of up to 7, but starting Instinct must be 4 or lower. Such a character must also have Illicit as either an A or B ranked skill, and Social must be ranked B or C: the Dragon-Spawn are secretive loners by nature.

These restrictions don't apply to those who undergo the Ritual of the Dragon-Spawn later in the game, though they're good guidelines.

Dragon-Spawn Innate Ability: Breathe Fire (V)

A Dragon-Spawn can breathe a jet of flame from its mouth for a distance of maybe 10 yards. The Success Level determines how much damage this does, and how accurately it's targetted.

Dragon-Spawn Species Secrets

Ritual of the Dragon-Spawn

This is a vile, terrible ordeal that transforms a willing human into a Dragon-Spawn. They grow a stubby tail, claws on their hands and feet, their eyes become slitted, and they get a forked tongue. More importantly, they gain scaly skin which gives an armor benefit in combat (reduces the Success Level of a physical attack by 1). Cost - Nothing. This secret is required for Dragon-Spawn characters.

Secret of Discerning Vision

Like calls to like, and a Dragon-Spawn character with this power can spot magicians and other wielders of supernatural power. This is generally automatic, unless the Storyguide prompts you to roll Reaction against a set difficulty level or an opponent's Resist score.

Secret of the Lizard's Tail

A Dragon-Spawn with this secret has developed a muscular and well-coordinated tail, which gives a +1 "weapon" in those situations when having a third arm would be handy, particularly Scrapping and Athletics.

Dragon-Spawn Species Keys

Key of the Dragon Cult

Dragon-Spawn cannot reproduce sexually, so they are forced to seduce others into undergoing the Ritual of the Dragon-Spawn to increase their numbers. This is, however, a pretty delicate subject and most Humans will either run for the hills or form a lynch mob to drive out a Dragon-Spawn cultist in their midst. Gain 1 XP when discussing the transformation and Dragon lore with an interested human; gain 3 XP if the person actually undergoes the transformation rite. Buy-Off - Talk someone out of becoming a Dragon-Spawn.

Key of Forbidden Lore

Dragon-Spawn characters are often obsessed with furthering their transformation into Dragons. I'm still thinking about how to implement this in terms of pay-offs.