The game mechanics for playing half-dragons are similar to role-playing any other standard race in ad&d; a half-dragon depending of his/her humanoid parent can become almost any class except for the paladin, druid and bard that are eligible only for humans (and half-elves), and special kits for half-dragons are described in this handbook to give them some aspirations specific to their race.
Four species of metallic dragons have the natural ability from birth to polymorph into human and demihuman forms: gold, silver, bronze and steel dragons. While in these polymorphed forms, dragons can enjoy the company of the humans and demihumans (this is especially true for steel and silver dragons) and these encounters sometimes produce offspring of mixed heritage – the half-dragons. These four types tend to be the more common (if any) half-dragon types encountered in a campaign.
Note that half-dragons are only born from human or demihuman females; polymorphed female dragons never produce offspring from dalliance with human or demihuman males. In addition to dragons with the natural ability to turn into humans/demihumans, a male dragon using a polymorph self spell can produce half-dragon offspring: this explain the origin of half-chromatic and half-gem dragons. Half-chromatic dragons are produced by rogue chromatic dragons; those rare dragons who tend to go against their fundamental nature either by being neutral or good, or by seeking humanoid mates.
Few physical features definitively mark some newborn babes as a half-dragon, though there are telltale signs of a dragon parent involvement in their birth – usually hint of gold, silver, bronze, red, etc. in their hairs and skin or eyes with oval pupil or of characteristically draconic color (ex: having a purple iris). Usually half-golds tend to have blond hair, half-reds tend to have red hair, half-amethysts will tend to have deep purple-blue eyes, etc. However, all normal available colors and shades for hairs, eyes and skin are possible. If the colors of their hair and eyes are not those of the dragon parent, they usually give a faint reflection of the color of his or her draconic engender. On the other hand, some half-dragons will definitively show evident signs of their draconic heritage from birth: wings, a tail and horns above the temples.
As they reach adulthood, half-dragons grow tall and lean, no matter what human or demihuman blood is mixed with their draconic heritage. During late childhood and the adolescence, draconic abilities begin to manifest themselves. These abilities become stronger and more pronounced with time and use, until a half-dragon has reached his/her full development. Physical changes accompany the appearance of these abilities, eventually metamorphosing a half-dragon into a captivatingly beautiful and unique being.
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