Half-Dragons

Origins
Half-Dragons are not a race like elves or dwarves, nor are they are product of person/dragon relationships. In fact, no-one is certain why Half-Dragons exist, or even if it's accurate to call them 'Half-Dragons'. Every so often in an otherwise completely normal bloodline, a child will be born with some of the characteristics of a dragon. In some cases, this is as minor as slitted lizard eyes, in others babies are born with vestigial wings and the ability to breathe fire. Half-Dragons can occur in any racial pairing, meaning Half-Dragon dwarves or elves are just as possible as Half-Dragon humans. However, due to the faster breeding rate of humans and halflings, a higher number of Half-Dragons come from these bloodlines.

Race Relations
It should come as no surprise that a good number of Half-Dragon babies are quietly disposed of, abandoned by their parents as aberrations or demons. Half-Dragons that do survive to adulthood tend to be solitary and paranoid, perhaps with good reason.They are generally social pariahs and will stick to the outskirts of civilization, whether that is remote villages in the country or seedy back alleys in the town. This creates a vicious circle where Half-Dragons are perceived as scum, driving them even further away from the rest of the Empire.

Biology
"'Some of my valued peers will argue that 'Half-Dragons' shouldn't be called as such, as there's no evidence in them of any dragon ancestry. This is clearly folly. Half-Dragons clearly exhibit a 'colour' - like true dragons. A red Half-Dragon will breathe fire, a silver will breathe frost. Furthermore, autopsies done on Half-Dragon volunteers clearly show the same runic patterns in the bones and organs as you would find in a true dragon - just writ on a smaller scale. I should hope that puts the matter to rest, so that we can focus on the true mystery - why we get Half-Dragons in the first place.' - From Alexia's Thesis on the Properties of Half-Dragons (Currently held at Kingspire University)"The biology of Half-Dragons depends on the individual. Unlike the Dragonblooded, their characteristics are determined at birth and won't develop further with age. While external signifiers such as scales, horns or wings may differ, all Half-Dragons possess a scaled down version of a true dragon's breath weapon. This has been the downfall of more than one ill-fated lynching party.