Dragon Patron

"This is..." Cassius narrowed his eyes, a glint of surprise showing in his pale gold pupils. The crimson markings on Misha's body flared with fiery light once more, gradually condensing into an illusory tether of flame that connected to the dragon crystal on the red dragon's chest. Instantly, that feeling of shared bloodline grew even stronger as fire elements flowed and interchanged across the tether. Cassius had become a so-called "patron," while Misha became the pact servant bound to his service—this contract was no mere verbal agreement, but a binding magical pact rooted in the very nature of magic. A patron could directly bestow power upon their pact-bound servant, and the servant's growth would in turn feed back into the patron. "Spells?" "I can even grant these?" What surprised Cassius even more was that he could even bestow spells from his own spell list upon his pact-bound, even those precious draconic spells. It was just that this boon was temporary, and the patron could revoke it at any time. After a moment of thought, Cassius experimentally transferred several spells over: Scratch, Trembling Dread, and Scorching Ray. Along with an invisible ripple, the unconscious Misha furrowed her brows slightly as new power surged in her mind. [Dragon-Pact Sorcerers form pacts with a rare group among dragons—dragon variants.] [These mighty beings look down upon mere mortals, unsatisfied with the innate gifts of dragons, eternally pursuing endless ambitions.] [Every dragon variant is unique, yet all possess power far surpassing mortal limits. Similar beings include: Demon Heart Ashardalon, Dregoth the Dragon of Death, and Cassius, Lord of Cinders.] Faction subclass construction complete: Dragon-Pact Sorcerer [Flames leap from the slender woman's hands, and ancient incantations slowly weave into her spells as she whispers her patron's name, while golden slitted pupils faintly manifest in the void. The Dragon-Pact Sorcerers of the Kingdom of Cinders forge pacts with red dragon variants. Wielding mysterious and potent draconic spells, they pledge unified allegiance to the kingdom's sole master, the one of supreme authority—Cassius, Lord of Cinders. These formidable spellcasters dedicate themselves to proclaiming their patron's renown across the multiverse. When Dragon-Pact Sorcerers chant their patron's name, raging fires burn everything before them to ash, pleasing their patron with the swirling embers.] [In addition to the warlock's base class features, Dragon-Pact Sorcerers gain additional traits.] [At 1st level, gain traits: Draconic Spell, Heart of the Dragon] [Draconic Spell: When you learn a warlock spell, your red dragon patron expands your spell options. You can learn spells from the sorcerer spell list, and you can also receive your patron's boons to learn ancient draconic spells.] [Heart of the Dragon: Your patron's power has reshaped your heart. You possess a magical heart and fundus vessels akin to a dragon's, drastically enhancing your Constitution and elemental affinity.] [At 3rd level, your otherworldly patron bestows a gift for your faithful service. You gain the trait: Pact of the Dragon Heart.] Pact of the Dragon Heart: Through your patron's gift, you learn the spell to summon a pact familiar and can cast it as a ritual. When casting this spell, you can summon a dragon-blooded familiar. This familiar must belong to the Kingdom of Cinders faction and possess draconic bloodline, such as: wyverns, pseudodragons, kobolds, land drakes, etc. [At 6th level, you gain a feature bestowed by your red dragon patron: Elemental Affinity.] You gradually manifest the traits of your red dragon patron. You gain resistance to fire determined by your patron type, and your spells of this type deal extra damage. [At 9th level, you gain a feature bestowed by your red dragon patron: Dragon Form.] Dragon Form: A Dragon-Pact Sorcerer prays to their patron, communing in mind and bloodline to gain the ability to transform into a red dragon. The transformation uses the basic red dragon template. Upon reaching class levels 9, 14, and 20, you can transform into juvenile, young adult, and adult red dragons, respectively. [At 14th level, you gain a feature bestowed by your red dragon patron: Planar Breath.] Planar Breath: The bond between Dragon-Pact Sorcerer and patron is so deep that you can magically open a temporary gateway to make a plea to your patron. The patron can unleash a breath weapon through this temporary gateway, and can even project their will upon you through this connection, granting you the true power of the "Lord of Cinders."] Cassius carefully read through the information. "Patron and servant... interesting." As expected of the physique of a Child of the Elements. The power of this pact had even slightly stirred the fire elements within the red dragon's body. One had to remember that this was a draconic form flowing with the bloodline of a progenitor dragon; its essence had already reached a terrifying degree. Meanwhile, Misha finally awakened from her unconsciousness. Still weak, she lay on the ground and whispered, "Your Majesty..." Struggling, she raised her head. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I'm still too weak. Is... is this still not enough to avenge Old John?" Cassius replied calmly, "Misha, you have done very well. Grow accustomed to this power; it will not disappoint you. In addition, Trump will arrange quarters for you, right near this palace." Along with Cassius's voice, the surrounding flames gradually coalesced into physical form, shaping into an exquisite crimson robe that draped over Misha's petite frame, making her feel exceptionally warm. Flame Spirit Robe Quality: Uncommon With Cassius's current strength, casually expending a tiny fraction of his power was enough to craft equipment of this tier. "Th-thank you for your boon," Misha said in pleasant surprise, her eyes filled with fondness as she looked at the robe. Ever since Old John passed away, it had been a very long time since Misha had worn new clothes. Over the past few months, she had spent most of her time in the wilderness foraging for wild fruits and hunting to survive, barely getting by on her fire spells. Her living conditions had only improved somewhat upon returning to Northwind Keep. Now, having forged this pact, she once again felt a long-lost sense of someone to lean on—even though the difference between His Majesty and Old John was like heaven and earth. "Go on, rest well." As Cassius's words fell, a teleportation portal appeared before Misha and whisked her away into thin air. The red dragon quietly watched where Misha had vanished as his vassal's status panel appeared before his eyes: Daughter of the Dragon Pact - Misha Faction: Cinder Nest AC: 16 (Flame Spirit Robe) Strength: 6 Dexterity: 9 Constitution: 14 (Heart of the Dragon) Intelligence: 11 (Draconic Spell) Wisdom: 16 Charisma: 20 (Child of the Elements, Bloodline Pact) Total Caster Level: 6 Class Level: Dragon-Pact Sorcerer - Cinder Patron Level 1 (Not fully transformed) / Sorcerer - Elemental Tide Level 5 Challenge Rating: 6 (2,100 XP) One could say that Misha's starting point was a realm most sorcerers and wizards could hardly reach in their entire lifetimes. This was pure talent crushing all else. Even without receiving any magical education and enduring a thoroughly miserable past, in her previous life she had still become the infamous, terrifying "Frenzied Flame Witch." In this life, sheltered beneath the vast wings of the red dragon, she was certain to gain power far exceeding her previous life and emerge as a prominent rising star of the kingdom. Even Cassius couldn't help but sigh with emotion. "Such talent..." "Tsk tsk. At this rate, Trump might not be the kingdom's first legend after all."