RPG-a-Day #16: Composure

"I've been practicing my human forms for tens of thousands of years, so I make it look easy. I can consistently adopt one of six different forms, with a couple of them being my favorites, and I will look like that specific individual each time. I make it look easy, but it's not. When you get angry, or frustrated, or even scared... well, it's hard to predict what will happen, but the form often doesn't hold."

--Brigid the Red, a dragon living secretly among humans

20 Random Effects from Loss of Composure 

by Shapeshifted Dragons

Roll 1d20 to determine the category, followed by a roll of a 1d4 to determine the specific effect. Alternatively, choose an appropriate effect when a shapeshifted dragon experiences strong emotion (rage, fear, desire, pain) or fails a concentration/composure check. Multiple effects can stack for dramatic reveals. Effects typically last 1-10 minutes unless otherwise noted, or until the creature regains composure.

Visual Transformations (1-4)

1. Eyes Flare - Pupils become vertical slits and glow with inner fire or sulfurous light (Intimidation checks gain advantage; Deception checks have disadvantage for 1 minute)

2. Skin Flickers - Patches of scales, leathery hide, or chitinous armor briefly appear across exposed skin (Observers within 10 feet may attempt Perception check DC 12 to notice)

3. Shadow Distortion - The creature's shadow moves independently or shows their true monstrous silhouette (Automatic detection by anyone specifically watching shadows)

4. Chromatic Shimmer - A heat-haze effect surrounds the body, with colors inappropriate for humans—deep crimson, sulfurous yellow, or void-black (Disadvantage on Stealth checks for 10 minutes)

Auditory Phenomena (5-8)

1. Voice Resonance - Speech gains an unnatural echo or multi-tonal quality, as if multiple voices speak at once (Persuasion checks have disadvantage; Intimidation checks gain advantage)

2. Bestial Growl - Words are punctuated by deep rumbling growls or hisses that vibrate in listeners' chests (All creatures within 15 feet must succeed on DC 13 Wisdom save or become frightened for 1 round)

3. Linguistic Slip - Accidentally speaks in Draconic, Infernal, or Abyssal mid-sentence (Reveals supernatural nature to anyone who understands the language)

4. Harmonic Distortion - Nearby sounds become muffled or distorted when the creature speaks, as if reality strains (Perception checks based on hearing have disadvantage within 20 feet)

Physical Manifestations (9-13)

1. Claw Emergence - Fingernails extend into black talons or claws for 1d4 rounds (Unarmed strikes deal 1d6 slashing damage instead of normal damage)

2. Temperature Flux - Body temperature spikes dramatically—burning hot for demons/fire dragons, freezing cold for ice dragons (Anyone touching the creature takes 1d4 fire or cold damage)

3. Vestigial Wings - Shoulder blades bulge and small wing-buds or membrane fragments tear through clothing (Movement speed increases by 10 feet; clothing may be ruined)

4. Fang Protrusion - Teeth sharpen and elongate into predatory fangs (Bite attack becomes available: +proficiency to hit, 1d6+Strength piercing damage)

Environmental Disturbances (14-17)

1. Ambient Heat/Cold - Temperature in a 15-foot radius increases or decreases by 20-30 degrees (Uncomfortable for others; may extinguish small flames or cause frost)

2. Electrical Discharge - Static electricity crackles across nearby metal objects and causes hair to stand on end (Metal armor wearers within 10 feet feel uncomfortable tingling)

3. Sulfurous Scent - Strong smell of brimstone, ozone, or ancient reptilian musk fills the area (Automatic detection by anyone within 20 feet; may cause nausea in sensitive individuals)

4. Reality Warp - Straight lines near the creature appear slightly curved; colors seem oversaturated or washed out (Observers must succeed on DC 14 Wisdom save or feel disoriented, disadvantage on attack rolls for 1 round)

Behavioral Changes (18-20)

1. Predatory Focus - Eyes lock onto the nearest creature and track them with unblinking, hunting intensity (Target must succeed on DC 13 Wisdom save or feel instinctively threatened)

2. Hoarding Compulsion - Becomes momentarily fixated on valuable objects, unable to look away from gold, gems, or magical items (Must succeed on DC 12 Wisdom save to avoid reaching for or commenting on valuables)

3. Territorial Aggression - Adopts dominant posture, moves to control high ground or central position, and becomes hostile to challenges (Automatically responds to perceived slights with hostility; Wisdom save DC 14 to suppress violent response)

4. True Personality - Becomes supremely arrogant and impatient with perceived foolishness or stupidity, makes no effort to be diplomatic or tolerant (Wisdom save DC 14 to suppress violent response)

Optional: Stacked Transformations

1. 1d4 transformation effects (Roll on tables above)

2-3. Two transformation effects (Roll on tables above)

4. Three transformation effects (Roll on tables above)