So he keeps getting new breath weapons, but never the one he wants? That bites!

Quote Originally Posted by Dracus
Dracus, Discount Tiamat

STUB:Chaotic Good Third-Dragon Elan Dragonborn Barbarian 2/Totemist 2/Dragon Shaman 4/Bard 1/Master of Masks 2/Dragon Disciple 4/Half-Dragon Savage Progression Template 2/Half-Dragon Paragon 3

Spoiler: Background
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Dracus always knew he was a Dragon on the inside, not the strange bipedal creature he was born as. Living in the wilderness, growing up battling red in tooth and claw to prove the dominance of the bloodline he felt burgeoning inside him, Dracus was sure of his draconic nature. But not just any dragon, no Dracus was destined to be one of the Great Silver Wyrms, ruling benevolently with an icy grandeur.

When he felt the touch of Lord Bahamut recognizing him Dracus was amazed and vindicated – it was true; he was indeed a dragon. Only, when he emerged from the Shell of his second birthing it was not to the cool sheen of silvery scales as he was expecting, but to the warm earthy tones of Brass. Confused, but not dissuaded, Dracus set about getting even deeper in touch with his inner draconic self, for surely if he could prove to himself and Bahamut the Silver that resided in his soul then the Platinum Dragon would grace him again and correct the transformation.

Years passed and Dracus learned to call upon the Spirit of the Dragon with him, ghostly outlines of claw and tail manifesting as he focused his will. Finally, with great effort Dracus managed to cause the Spirit within to manifest fully into the Material Plane and he transformed! His head twisted and elongated into a wholly Draconic form! But something was wrong, the flesh of his head and neck continued to shift and crackle, splitting in three another head, and another popped into being until Dracus stood and beheld the world not solely through his Draconic Eyes, but also through those of a Goat and a Lion! Confused, horrified, and slightly afraid, Dracus sought out the Draconic Shamans deep in the wilds and began to study with them to try to understand what had gone wrong, and get back in touch with the great Silver he knew was inside him.

More years passed, and Dracus learned much about the Great Wyrms, and about himself. Able to call upon the soul of Silver within him to manifest the least of their powers, the no longer young man decided that the Shamans had given him enough to go on with, and he set out into civilization in search of arcane practitioners who might be able to help him become the inner version of himself he sought. In his time in the wilds Dracus had forgotten that most people find three headed draconic beings unsettling, and he had to learn how to disguise his nature to make any progress into settled lands. However! All his hard work paid off and Dracus found a group who would catalyze the change he sought in exchange for work done. Slowly, through many rituals and alchemic means, Dracus felt himself changing again, become more fully Dragon, but he had chosen his associates poorly, and he found that rather than Silver replacing the Brass of his scales, Bronze began spread. Furious and heartbroken, Dracus fled once again.

Years passed and Dracus searched far and wide, following rumors of great magics and rituals that one could use to change one’s self at a fundamental level. Eventually through many trials and travails Dracus found all the pieces needed to complete the ritual, and on a dark and stormy night he stepped into the center of a Ritual circle and changed. Unfortunately for Dracus, while he was changed and emerged undoubtedly more Draconic, he had mistranslated one aspect of the ritual, and rather than emerging finally smooth and Silver, he returned still twisted, multi-headed and striated with scales of Brass, Bronze, and other colors. It is said that his cries of grief and fury could be heard for leagues around. To this day, Dracus roams the Realms looking for a way to finally be free of his twisted form and become the Dragon he was meant to be. Until then, he will continue to live as best he can in the image of the dragon he wishes to be.


Spoiler: Race (Elan (EPH 09) -> Dragonborn (RoD 05) (Brass, Heart) -> Half-Dragon (Battle) Template (Savage Progression 2, Online)
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Type: Aberration (Dragonblood, Psionic)
Ability Scores:
Dragonborn: -2 Dex, +2 Con
Half-Dragon: +4 Str, +2 Con, +2 Int
Special Qualities:
Dragonborn: +2 Dodge Bonus vs. Dragons, Immunity to Frightful Presence of Dragons, Heart (Su): Gain a Breath Weapon (5’-85’ Line, 1d8-5d8 Elemental of Choice, DC10+1/2HD+Con for Half)
Half-Dragon: Natural Armor +3, Darkvision 60’, Low-Light Vision, Claws (1d4), Bite (1d6), Breath Weapon (30’ Cone, 3d8 Sonic, DC10 +1/2 HD + Con for Half, 1/Day), Immunity to Sleep & Paralysis, Resistance Sonic 20


Spoiler: Ability Scores
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Ability Point Buy (32) Racial (Elan) Racial (Dragonborn) 4HD 8HD 12HD ECL13 ECL15 ECL16 ECL17 16HD (ECL18) Final
Strength 16 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +2 +1 28
Dexterity -2 10
Constitution 14 +2 +2 18
Intelligence 12 +2 14
Wisdom 10 10
Charisma 14 -2 12


Spoiler: Build Progression
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Level Class Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Skills Feats Class Features ACFs
1st Barbarian 1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Bluff 2(4cc), Knowledge (Arcana) 2(4cc), Perform (Act) 2(4cc), Perform (Woodwinds) 2(4cc), Speak Language 1(2cc), Tumble 2 Extra Rage (1), Entangling Exhalation (F) (RoD 101), Dragon Wings (F) RoD 100) Illiteracy, Rage 3/Day, Pounce Lion Spirit Totem (CC 46) – Exchange Fast Movement for Pounce
Skilled City Dweller (Cityscape Web Enhancement) – Exchange Ride for Tumble
2nd Barbarian 2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Disguise 2(4cc), Tumble 3(1), Bluff 2, Knowledge (Arcana) 2, Perform (Act) 2, Perform (Woodwinds) 2, Speak Language 1 Improved Trip (B) Wolf Totem Barbarian (UA 48) – Lose Uncanny Dodge, Gain Improved Trip as a Bonus Feat
3rd Totemist 1 (MoI 21) +2 +5 +2 +0 Bluff 3(2cc), Knowledge (Arcana) 5(3), Disguise 2, Perform (Act) 2, Perform (Woodwinds) 2, Speak Language 1, Tumble 3 Knock-Down (3) (S&F 7) Wild Empathy, Illiteracy, Soulmelds (2), Essentia (1) Skilled City Dweller – Exchange Ride for Tumble
4th Totemist 2 +3 +6 +3 +0 Disguise 3(2cc), Knowledge (Arcana) 7(2), Tumble 4(1), Bluff 3, Perform (Act) 2, Perform (Woodwinds) 2, Speak Language 1 Totem Chakra Bind (1), Soulmelds (3), Essentia (2)
5th Dragon Shaman (PHB2 11) 1 +3 +8 +3 +2 Bluff 5(2), Disguise 4(1), Knowledge (Arcana) 7, Perform (Act) 2, Perform (Woodwinds) 2, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Draconic Aura (Vigor, Power, Presence), Totem Dragon (Silver)
6th Dragon Shaman 2 +4 +9 +3 +3 Furious Inhalation (RoD 102) Skill Focus (Disguise) Bluff 7(2), Disguise 5(1), Knowledge (Arcana) 7, Perform (Act) 2, Perform (Woodwinds) 2, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4
7th Dragon Shaman 3 +5 +9 +4 +3 Bluff 8(1), Disguise 7(2), Knowledge (Arcana) 7, Perform (Act) 2, Perform (Woodwinds) 2, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Draconic Adaptation (Feather Fall at will), Draconic Auras (4, add Senses)
8th Dragon Shaman 4 +6 +10 +5 +4 Disguise 8(1), Knowledeg (Arcana) 8(2cc), Bluff 8, Perform (Act) 2, Perform (Woodwinds) 2, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Breath Weapon (2d6 Cold, 15’ Cone), Draconic Resolve (Immunity to Paralysis, Sleep, Frightful Presence (Dragons))
9th Bard 1 +6 +10 +7 +6 Perform (Act) 8(6), Perform (Woodwinds) 3(1), Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Knowledge (Arcana) 8, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Extra Music (9) Bardic Music (5/Day), Bardic Knowledge, Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Courage (+1), Spellcasting
10th Master of Masks 1 (CSc 52) +6 +10 +9 +8 Knowledge (Arcana) 9(1), Perform (Act) 9(1), Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Knowledge (Arcana) 8, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Persona Masks (2, Dragon, High Priest)
11th Master of Masks 2 +7 +10 +10 +9 Knowledge (Arcana) 13(4), Perform (Act) 10(1),, Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Persona Masks (3, Dragon, High Priest, Archmage), +1 Spellcasting (Bard)
12th Dragon Disciple 1 +7 +12 +10 +11 Knowledge (Arcana) 15(2), Knowledge (The Planes) 1, Perform (Act) 10, Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Improved Dragon Wings (RoD 100) Natural Armor Increase +1, Bonus Spell (Bardic 1)
13th Dragon Disciple 2 +8 +13 +10 +12 Knowledge (Arcana) 16(1), Knowledge (Nature) 1, Perform (Act) 10, Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Knowledge (The Planes) 1, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Ability Boost (+2 Str), Claws and Bite (1d4, 1d6), Bonus Spell (Bardic 1)
14th Dragon Disciple 3 +9 +13 +11 +12 Knowledge (Arcana) 17(1), Knowledge (Religion) 1, Perform (Act) 10, Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Knowledge (The Planes) 1, Knowledge (Nature) 1, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Breath Weapon, Bronze (2d8 Lightning, 60’ Line)
15th Dragon Disciple 4 +10 +14 +12 +13 Knowledge (Arcana) 18(1), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1, Perform (Act) 10, Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Knowledge (The Planes) 1, Knowledge (Nature) 1, Knowledge (Religion) 1, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Rapidstrike (15) Ability Boost (Str +2), Natural Armor Increase +1
16th Half Dragon Template (Battle) 1 +10 +14 +12 +13 Knowledge (Arcana) 18, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1, Perform (Act) 10, Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Knowledge (The Planes) 1, Knowledge (Nature) 1, Knowledge (Religion) 1, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 - +2 Str, +2 Int, Resistance (Lesser – Sonic 10), Darkvision 60’, Low-Light Vision
17th Half Dragon Template (Battle) 2 +10 +14 +12 +13 Knowledge (Arcana) 18, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1, Perform (Act) 10, Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Knowledge (The Planes) 1, Knowledge (Nature) 1, Knowledge (Religion) 1, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 - +2 Str, +2 Con, Resistance (Greater – Sonic 20), Claws (1d4), Bite (1d6), Natural Armor Increase +1, Breath Weapon (3d8 Sonic, 30’ Cone), Immunities (Sleep, Paralysis)
18th Half-Dragon Paragon 1 (UA 37) +11 +16 +12 +15 Knowledge (Arcana) 19(1), Knowledge (The Planes) 3(2), Knowledge (Nature) 2(1), Knowledge (Religion) 2(1), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2(1), Perform (Act) 10, Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Sorcerous Blood
19th Half-Dragon Paragon 2 +12 +17 +12 +16 Knowledge (Arcana) 20(1), Knowledge (The Planes) 5(2), Knowledge (Nature) 3(1), Knowledge (Religion) 3(1), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 3(1), Perform (Act) 10, Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Natural Armor Increase +1
20th Half-Dragon Paragon 3 +13 +17 +13 +16 Knowledge (Arcana) 21(1), Knowledge (The Planes) 7(2), Knowledge (Nature) 4(1), Knowledge (Religion) 4(1), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 4(1), Perform (Act) 10, Perform (Percussion) 3, Bluff 8, Disguise 8, Perform (Woodwinds) 3, Speak Language 1, Tumble 4 Dragonfire Inspiration (18) Breath Weapon 3/day


Bard Spells
0th: 3/day, Known: Detect Magic, Read Magic, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Summon Instrument
1st: 4/day, Known: Inspirational Boost, Disguise Self

[B]Spell-Like Abilities[B]
1/day: Bless, Cure Wounds, Protection from Evil, Sanctuary, Charm Person, Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Magic Missile



Spoiler: Build Write-up
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Spoiler: Level 5:
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The name of the game is Breath Weapons, and we’re starting out with the second most basic source in the game; Dragonborn of Bahamut with the Heart Aspect. Entangling Exhalation is taken because if you have a breath weapon you need to take it. Similarly with Lion Spirit Wolf Totem Barbarian, the ACFs are too good not to take. The levels in Totemist are taken pretty much entirely to get the Threefold Mask of the Chimera bound to the Totem Chakra. With a primary attack that now consists of two bites and a gore attack, we’re going to be using this as our primary method of attacking all game long. The second soulmeld slot will generally be either Dragon Claws for the secondary natural attacks, or Dread Carapace for boosting the bite attack damage. On days when you aren’t going to be biting things you have access to a whole bunch of other soulmelds for significant versatility. Skills are largely setting up prerequisites, but give a little bit of versatility. On the Feats front, Extra Rage to be more useful, Entangling Exhalation to absolutely ruin everything’s day at first level, Dragon Wings for the flavor and eventual Ex flight, since we got Improved Trip for free we might as well get Knock-Down, which will also get us an extra bite attack, which will become more relevant later.

Spoiler: Level 10:
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The build begins coming online in these levels. We’ve picked up a second and third Breath Weapon (Cold from Dragon Shaman, Fire from Master of Masks, and any other basic element from Dragonborn) and our 6th level feat is Furious Inhalation. Now whenever we Rage we can give up a use of each breath weapon to add 6d6 damage to each Bite attack, of which we get two, three on a successful trip attack. Dragon Shaman Auras are nice little bonuses, and Bard is picked up for a little versatility and magic. Our first round of combat looks like starting Inspire Courage for +2 (Base value and Masterwork Drum or Natural Horn), Raging, and moving into position. We’ve also picked up most of our SLAs (Feather fall at will, and the 1/day spells from the High Priest Mask).

Spoiler: Level 15:
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At this point the build is essentially done. A second level of Master of Masks gets additional SLAs from the Archmage Mask, and Bardic Spellcasting gets 1st level spells, of which we mostly care about Inspirational Boost. Dragon Disciple adds additional 1st level slots so we can cast Inspirational Boost during each combat. Dragon Disciple also fails to turn us into a Silver Dragon (mechanically we’re choosing Bronze) and instead we get a fourth Breath Weapon, now adding Lightning to our arsenal. The Strength boosts are welcome for our fighting style, which consists of using the Threefold Mask of the Chimera rather than iteratives. Speaking of, Dragon Disciple gives us a bite attack, so the Goat head of the Mask should now also get a Bite attack. Add in Rapidstrike (Elan base lets us qualify as an Aberration), and our full attack routine should be 6 Bites, a Gore, an Improved Trip Bite, and Secondary Claws. Using Furious Inhalation and Inspire Courage we should be attacking at +21 (+10 BAB +8 Str +3 IC) for primary attacks before items and buffs, doing 1d6+8+8d6 (39.5avg) on a bite.

Spoiler: ECL 20:
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One last ditch attempt to turn into a Silver Dragon fails as the ritual magic used to take on the Half Dragon Template goes awry and turns us into a Half Battle Dragon (so sad) instead. A final Breath Weapon (Sonic damage this time) is added to our arsenal so our Bite Attacks do 10d6 extra elemental damage. Half-Dragon Paragon means we can add the Sonic Damage 3/day (coincidentally the number of times we can rage), so we’re fully armed every fight. Dragonfire inspiration means we can add up to 4d6 additional Sonic damage to all of our attacks (IC +1, Masterwork Instrument +1, Inspirational Boost +1, Badge of Valor +1). Our Strength tops out at 28 (32 Raging), which is decent, and gives us Bite Attacks at +24 before items and Buffs (and not including Inspire Courage) doing 1d6+11+14d6 (62.5avg) damage each hit.



Sources: Items not called out are either in the PHB or sub-items of higher level callouts (e.g. Warlock Invocations)