New Monster – Dragon Descendant (Template)

The mixing of the blood and dragons and mortals is not uncommon on the Sea of Stars.  Among some, the blood expresses itself:

Dragon Descendant

The blood of dragons is strong and even distant descendants of the mighty dragons sometime inherit part of their strength.  Some dragons gather such distant relations to serve them.  Other with draconic blood make their own way with their enhanced strength and abilities.

Dragon descended creatures are highly prized as guardians and fighting beasts.

CREATING A DRAGON DESCENDANT
“Dragon Descendant” is an inherited or acquired template that can be added to any living corporeal creature.

Size and Type: The creature’s type stays the same but it gains the dragon subtype.

Special Qualities: The Dragon Descendant is primarily strengthened by their draconic heritage.
Draconic Will (Ex): All Dragon Descendants are difficult to control or to frighten, they gain a +1 racial bonus to saves against mind-effecting spells raised to +3 against fear and sleep.
Resistance to Energy (Ex): The Dragon Descendant has inherited its progenitors resistance to certain forms of energy.  Choose one energy type, the dragon descendant has resistance to that form of energy 5 or equal to their hit dice, whichever is higher.
Senses (Ex): The Dragon Descendant gains low-light vision.
Weaknesses (Ex): For reasons not fully understood, the blood of dragon causes an imbalance that makes those that possess it vulnerable to certain magics.  Choose one energy type and one school of magic, the Dragon Descendant suffers a -2 penalty to saves against both.

Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: +2 Str and +2 Con.

Challenge Rating:  +0.

Notes: This is based on the draconic template but modified considerably to add more depth.

The added defenses of the energy resistance and draconic will is balanced out by the weaknesses, this is to encourage the research of one’s enemies.

While the CR for this template is a +0, a DM should considered tossing in a few extra experience points for defeating creatures with this template as they are thougher than the base creature just not +1 CR worth.

Compare and contrast with the D&D 5E version.