Template for the creation of a dragon OC.

[lMarbasl]

I find that a lot of the CYOA options and other creation templates aren't to my liking. So I made one.

Disclaimer, I had AI assisting me in putting it together, the ideas and concepts are my own, the AI just put it together in a more comprehensive way, as English isn't my first language, and I am not very confident in writing this template in any coherent way myself.

Template:

Deep Void Dragon — Creation Template

1. Mortal Origin

Name:
Age at Death:
Gender:
Nationality / World of Origin: Earth
Cause of Death:
Former Occupation / Background:
Relevant Personality Traits:
Important Memories Retained:

Human Legacy

Although the soul is no longer fundamentally human, it retains the developmental tendencies formed during a human life.

Typical consequences:

- Strong incentive toward rapid growth.
- Greater willingness to experiment and deliberately train.
- Shorter psychological time horizon than naturally long-lived dragons.
- Tendency to pursue advancement in years or decades rather than centuries.
- Human memories, values, habits, knowledge, and emotional attachments remain unless later changed naturally.

---

2. Death and Descent

After death, the soul enters the ether.

Under normal circumstances, its structure would eventually resolve, disperse, reincarnate, or otherwise pass through the ordinary cycle of souls.

This soul does not.

Its cohesion proves abnormally resilient.

Rather than dissolving, it persists long enough to descend beyond the ordinary spiritual layers of existence and enters the:

Deep Void

The Deep Void is not merely empty space.

It is the primordial substrate beneath conventional reality—the state or origin from which differentiated concepts such as matter, energy, spirit, time, space, life, death, and magic ultimately emerged.

---

3. The Primordial Encounter

Within the Deep Void, the soul attracts the attention of an ancient primordial entity.

Primordial Entity:
Nature:
Reason for Interest:
Disposition Toward the Soul:
Degree of Interaction:

The entity examines the surviving human soul and alters one fundamental property.

Fundamental Soul Rewrite

Original Soul Nature: Human
New Soul Nature: Dragon

This is not a transformation spell, blessing, bloodline, possession, or acquired ability.

The soul itself is redefined.

Creation will henceforth recognize it as intrinsically draconic.

The human identity survives, but the metaphysical species-property of the soul has permanently changed.

---

4. Deep Void Consequence — Conceptual Weight

Passing through the Deep Void and being directly altered there leaves the reincarnating soul with abnormally high conceptual potential.

At birth, this does not necessarily translate into overwhelming raw power.

Instead, the soul possesses unusually high:

Conceptual Weight

As the dragon grows stronger, its existence becomes progressively harder for external concepts to override.

Early Development

Conceptual weight manifests primarily as supernatural durability and resistance.

Intermediate Development

Metaphysical effects must increasingly overcome the dragon's own existential integrity.

Examples:

- curses;
- soul manipulation;
- spatial attacks;
- supernatural aging;
- forced transformation;
- fate manipulation;
- conceptual damage.

Advanced Development

Concepts can no longer automatically impose themselves merely because they represent fundamental laws.

Examples:

- Gravity may struggle to move or crush the dragon.
- Space may struggle to confine it.
- Time may struggle to age or restrain it.
- Death may struggle to claim it.
- Fate may struggle to dictate its future.

Extreme Development

Manifestations of concepts whose weight is substantially below the dragon's own may become nearly irrelevant to it.

This does not automatically grant control over those concepts.

Resistance to Gravity is not Gravity authority.

Resistance to Time is not Time manipulation.

The dragon merely becomes increasingly difficult for external reality to define against its will.

---

5. Birth Element

The first major stage of draconic formation is the establishment of an elemental root.

Primary Element

Birth Element:

Possible examples:

- Fire
- Water
- Air
- Earth
- Metal
- Ice
- Lightning
- Light
- Darkness
- Space
- Time
- Gravity
- Void
- Life
- Death
- Soul
- Dream
- Chaos
- Order

The Birth Element is not simply an ability.

It becomes part of the dragon's fundamental metaphysical structure.

It influences:

- physiology;
- elemental organs;
- natural resistances;
- breath weapon;
- innate magic;
- environmental affinity;
- sensory development;
- magical growth;
- conceptual development;
- later evolution.

---

6. Elemental Concept Tree

As the dragon's conceptual weight and power increase, concepts naturally associated with its Birth Element become accessible.

These are not automatically separate powers or Elements.

They represent developmental directions.

Primary Element Concept Tree

Primary Element:

Direct Concepts

Closely related physical or metaphysical derivatives.

-
-
-
-

Composite Concepts

Concepts produced through or strongly associated with the Primary Element.

-
-
-
-

Symbolic Concepts

Mythological, philosophical, cultural, or metaphysical associations.

-
-
-
-

Remote Concepts

Valid but less direct conceptual relationships requiring substantial development.

-
-
-
-

Example — Fire

Direct:

- Heat
- Light
- Plasma

Composite:

- Magma
- Sun
- Explosion

Symbolic:

- Destruction
- Purification
- Rebirth
- Passion

Remote:

- Civilization
- Hearth
- Life

---

7. Secondary Element

At a later developmental threshold, one major conceptual branch may crystallize into a genuine Secondary Element.

Secondary Element

Secondary Element: Not yet developed

Derived From: Primary Element

Developmental Cause:
Age / Stage Acquired:

Once established, the Secondary Element can be manipulated with the same fundamental compatibility as the Primary Element.

The distinction is origin rather than proficiency.

The Primary Element is what the dragon was born as.

The Secondary Element is what the dragon became.

The Secondary Element may later develop its own conceptual tree.

---

8. External Imprints

The dragon's growth is not restricted to concepts derived from its own Elements.

Repeated or sufficiently intense exposure to foreign concepts can leave metaphysical marks.

Imprint Progression

Exposure
→ Mark
→ Imprint
→ Integration
→ potentially Aspect

Examples:

- prolonged exposure to Death;
- centuries spent within the ocean;
- repeated dimensional travel;
- surviving divine attacks;
- living within extreme gravity;
- constant interaction with spirits;
- exposure to unusual magical environments.

Current External Imprints

Influence| Source| Depth| Effects
| | |
| | |
| | |

External Imprints do not automatically become new Elements.

They normally provide:

- adaptation;
- resistance;
- affinity;
- altered expression of existing abilities;
- increased understanding;
- specialized developmental potential.

---

9. Draconic Archetype

Collective perception can gradually affect the category of dragon the character becomes.

This does not directly alter the Primary or Secondary Element.

Instead, sustained perception helps reality classify what kind of Dragon the character represents.

Archetype Formation Factors

- Number of observers.
- Strength of belief.
- Duration.
- Cultural importance.
- Repetition through stories, ritual, art, religion, or history.
- The dragon's behavior.
- The dragon's willingness to embody or accept the role.
- Metaphysical compatibility with the Archetype.

An Archetype may form even if observers know the dragon is young.

For example, a newly born dragon may still be perceived as Primordial if people believe it is the newest manifestation of an ancient law, concept, or cosmic principle.

Current Archetype

Archetype: None at birth

Potential examples:

Guardian Dragon

General tendencies:

- Increased physical strength.
- Increased resilience.
- Greater stability.
- Defensive abilities become more effective.
- Greater effectiveness while protecting others, territory, objects, or principles.

Evil Dragon

"Evil" represents archetypal hostility rather than mandatory morality.

General tendencies:

- Greater destructive potency.
- Higher offensive efficiency.
- Increased lethality.
- Stronger hostile applications of existing powers.
- Greater effectiveness as an adversarial or calamity-like entity.

Divine Dragon

Developed through sustained divine perception, prayer, or worship.

General tendencies:

- Greater overall potency.
- Existing Elements begin functioning as Domains.
- Greater authority over manifestations of those Elements.
- Potential development toward true godhood.

Possible later progression:
Divine Dragon
→ Dragon Deity
→ Dragon God

Primordial Dragon

Represents conceptual precedence rather than merely chronological age.

General tendencies:

- Existing Elements gain conceptual seniority.
- Lesser expressions of equivalent or subordinate concepts are naturally disadvantaged.
- The dragon's Element carries greater ontological authority during conceptual conflict.
- Its powers are treated as being "closer" to the fundamental principle they represent.

Other Possible Archetypes

- Sacred Dragon
- Royal Dragon
- Imperial Dragon
- Calamity Dragon
- War Dragon
- Wisdom Dragon
- Astral Dragon
- World Dragon
- Fortune Dragon
- Demonic Dragon
- Ancient Dragon
- Protector Dragon
- Destroyer Dragon
- Creator Dragon

Multiple compatible Archetypes may eventually coexist.

---

10. Physical Formation — Shape

Once the soul has established its draconic nature and Birth Element, it begins producing flesh and bone.

The developing dragon instinctively selects a physical Shape.

This is not necessarily a conscious anatomical design process.

The human mind may influence preference, but draconic instinct constructs the actual body.

Chosen Shape

Dragon Shape:

Possible examples:

Western Dragon

Four legs + two wings.

Natural tendency:

- versatility;
- balanced physical strength;
- powerful grounded combat;
- strong flight;
- broad developmental flexibility.

Wyvern

Two hindlegs + winged forelimbs.

Natural tendency:

- speed;
- aerial maneuverability;
- diving attacks;
- flight specialization;
- high agility.

Drake

Four legs, no wings.

Natural tendency:

- physical strength;
- skeletal density;
- durability;
- terrestrial stability;
- heavy armor.

Wyrm

Long serpentine body, generally without limbs.

Natural tendency:

- flexibility;
- body length;
- constriction;
- burrowing;
- easier transition toward highly elemental or non-standard physical states.

Long

Long serpentine body, usually with four limbs and no conventional wings.

Natural tendency:

- magical development;
- elemental control;
- supernatural flight;
- environmental influence;
- reduced dependence on conventional biomechanics.

Amphiptere

Serpentine body with wings and no legs.

Natural tendency:

- extreme aerial mobility;
- speed;
- maneuverability.

Lindworm

Elongated body with two limbs.

Natural tendency:

- flexibility;
- grappling;
- mobility;
- transitional physical specialization.

Sea Dragon

Aquatic draconic body.

Natural tendency:

- swimming;
- underwater combat;
- pressure resistance;
- aquatic environmental integration.

Leviathan

Massive elongated draconic form.

Natural tendency:

- enormous size;
- endurance;
- physical dominance;
- environmental presence.

Custom Shape

Description:
Number of Limbs:
Wings:
Body Structure:
Natural Locomotion:
Notable Anatomy:

---

11. Shape–Element Interaction

Shape and Element are independent choices, but naturally influence how each other develops.

Primary Element:
Shape:

Expected Interaction

Movement:
Breath Weapon:
Physical Combat Style:
Elemental Expression:
Defensive Adaptations:
Environmental Preference:
Likely Long-Term Specializations:

The initial Shape remains metaphysically important even after the dragon becomes powerful enough to ignore ordinary biomechanical limitations.

For example:

- A Drake may eventually fly without wings but still express flight in a Drake-like manner.
- A Wyvern remains naturally oriented toward aerial predation.
- A Wyrm may become increasingly fluid or elemental.
- A Long may increasingly disregard conventional physics.
- A Western Dragon maintains broad physical versatility.

---

12. Initial Body

Hatchling State

Age: Newly born
Size:
Length:
Height:
Wingspan:
Weight:

Scale Color:
Scale Texture:
Eye Color:
Horn Structure:
Claws:
Teeth:
Tail:
Wing Appearance:
Elemental Markings:

Initial Physiology

Breathing:
Diet:
Temperature Regulation:
Sleep Requirements:
Healing:
Senses:
Natural Armor:
Initial Strength:
Initial Speed:
Initial Flight Capability:
Initial Magical Capability:

---

13. Initial Elemental Abilities

Primary Element: __________

Innate Resistance

-

Breath Weapon

-

Passive Effects

-

Active Manipulation

-

Sensory Abilities

-

Environmental Advantages

-

Early Limitations

-

---

14. Growth Characteristics

The dragon develops unusually quickly by draconic standards.

Its soul is fundamentally Dragon, but its identity and developmental habits were originally formed as a Human.

This produces a Dragon with enormous long-term potential but unusually strong psychological pressure toward rapid advancement.

Human-Derived Growth Tendencies

- Deliberate training.
- Experimentation.
- Active pursuit of improvement.
- Rapid adaptation.
- Short planning cycles relative to naturally immortal beings.
- Strong incentive to achieve measurable progress.
- Willingness to exploit newly discovered mechanics rather than waiting for instinctive maturation.

A single human generation may therefore witness dramatic changes in the dragon's power and status.

Chronological age is a poor measurement of developmental level.

---

15. Current Metaphysical Profile

Original Species: Human
Current Soul Nature: Dragon
Origin: Reincarnation through the Deep Void
Primary Element:
Secondary Element: None initially
Shape:
Archetype: None initially
Conceptual Weight: Dormant / Developing
External Imprints: None initially
Divine Status: None initially

---

16. Later Development Record

Major Growth Stages

Stage 1

Age:
Physical Development:
Elemental Development:
Conceptual Development:
New Abilities:
New Imprints:
Reputation:
Archetype Progress:

Stage 2

Age:
Physical Development:
Elemental Development:
Conceptual Development:
New Abilities:
New Imprints:
Reputation:
Archetype Progress:

Stage 3

Age:
Physical Development:
Elemental Development:
Conceptual Development:
New Abilities:
New Imprints:
Reputation:
Archetype Progress:

---

17. Final Creation Summary

Name:
Former Human Identity:
Soul Nature: Dragon
Birth Element:
Dragon Shape:
Hatchling Appearance:

Core Conceptual Traits:

- Deep Void origin.
- Abnormally high conceptual weight.
- Rapid human-influenced developmental tempo.
- Elemental conceptual expansion.
- Future Secondary Element development.
- Adaptation through external conceptual Imprints.
- Draconic Archetype development through collective perception.
- Increasing resistance to foreign conceptual authority as personal weight grows.

Starting Archetype: None
Starting External Imprints: None
Starting Secondary Element: None

First Moment After Formation: Free for you to decide.

Does your dragon land in an established setting?
Does it enter one of your own creation?

Go wild.