Dragons and their forms in the Sea of Stars

While the dragons, in theory (as well as in Imperial law and pretty much in fact as well) rule the Sea of Stars, they are fairly rarely seen, or are they?

Arguably the most powerful beings in the Sea of Stars are the Dragons, they defeated the gods and usurped mortal rulers to claim the entire world as theirs. Yet, while immortal, they are not invincible, the gods slew them in their hundreds, the Visse Conspiracy -now called the Sen’Tek- murdered scores and many more have been lost to other causes (not least to intra-draconic conflict).

Each dragon is unique but each is knowable, draconic powers follow their boodlines and with proper research a dragon’s powers and possibly weaknesses may be revealed. Confronting a dragon head-on without knowing anything about it is suicidal, confronting one with proper knowledge, preparation and a plan is just exceedingly dangerous.

The color of a dragon in the Sea of Stars tells you nothing about what elemental forces it is aligned with or is vulnerable to, that is dependant on other factors in their heritage.  A dragon with white scales is as likely to breath fire as frost (and may have an even more exotic breath weapon).

Additionally, all dragons in the Sea of Stars possess the following special ability:

In Pathfinder terms:

Change Shape (Su)
All dragons can assume a humanoid form as if using polymorph; a very young or older dragon may do so at will while a wyrmling may be commanded into such a form by either parent.

In D&D 5E lingo:

Change Shape.

The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (the dragon’s choice). In a new form, the dragon retains its core abilities as well as this action.  Its physical statistics and capabilities are otherwise replaced by those of the form it has assumed, except any class features or legendary actions of that form.

Many dragons settle on a single humanoid form (and a few find that they can only manifest a single form) and use that exclusively, others change their forms to match their mood. A very small number of dragons can also change into natural animals using this ability.

However, all dragons retain a tell of their true draconic form, rarely it is as obvious as a tail or wings, but more usually it is eyes, a patch of scales, or something that can be concealed. This tell is consistent across all the forms a dragon may possess and the dragon will be aware of it and may take efforts to conceal it.

Many dragons spend much, even most, of their time in humanish form as it is just so much easier to intereact with an environment that s already scaled to people of such a size.

Notes: My second contribution for this month’s RPG Blog Carnival, which has the theme of Dragons, hope you can join in.

Image Dragons Dance by VSales and found on DeviantArt, image is owned by unnamed client and used without permission.