I'm proposing this in our upcoming campaign. Still up for edits before I submit the final draft it to my GM, I'd appreciate any feedback you guys may have.
Yes, I have a bad sense of humour.
The Hidden Dragon Tradition
Concept: Obfuscation, persuasion, and control are a Hidden Dragon's goals.
Combat: Fire (A symbol of knowledge and its power when applied properly.)
Detection: Earth (All life comes lives upon it, even those that soar.)
Health: Water (Common, precious, and deceptively powerful.)
Illusion: Air (It permeates the world, unseen but not unfelt.)
Manipulation: Man (The most versatile pawns.)
Drain: Willpower + Charisma (Seek to control yourself and through it, others.)
Not a unified branch of magical practice, the Hidden Dragon Tradition refers to the adoption of a method of operation commonly attributed to living dragons--that of a puppetmaster. Though one would typically assume this would be a combat-centric tradition focusing on ambushes with various fire or toxic breathing specialties and flight capabilities those that follow the Hidden Dragon are set on a much subtler path.
Most common practicioners are in fact quite capable in battle though they choose not to be in the magical application of force. Guided by spiritual manifestations many specialize themselves into a particular fighting form; some are excellent vehicle gunners, martial artists, and marksmen but almost as a rule any flagrant magical displays are frowned upon. However, there are those that break with tradition and have chosen a fiery addition to their repertoire. They are considered unseemly for those that thrive unseen.
Aspects
The Hidden Dragon manifests itself in many ways though these spirits share a common goal.
Silk Dragon
Not necessarily avaricious, the Silk Dragon is noted for its shrewdness and single-minded defensiveness; after all, something as precious as silk must be protected. Hidden Dragons are rare and widespread enough that Silk Dragon spirits can be found mentoring all walks of life; from the crafty corporate executives to street youths ekeing out a living as thugs. The Silk Dragon knows the deal.
Advantages: +2 Manipulation, +2 Etiquette or +2 Negotiation (Choose one)
Disadvantages: Silk Dragon counsel their wards to be sensitive to threats. The desperation of a hard-won life, as the creation of silk requires tremendous effort, patience and skill, makes them quite proactively defensive. Characters that are threatened, insulted, or humiliated in a social setting must make a Willpower + Logic (4) test to ignore the slights. Immediate violence is usually not an option, but long-burning grudges and vendettas are--such characters plot the downfall of those that irk them quite obsessively. It is important to note that the more volatile characters often carry hidden pistols that fire merciless flechettes or highly explosive rounds for immediate reprisal if the threat (and only the threat) was grave enough.
Thorn Dragon
Hidden in plain sight, thorns are found in all manner of plants and flowers. Even the prettiest of roses can harm if the thorns are sharp enough. These spirits personify the will of the Hidden Dragon to remain hidden but is infused with the pride to still be visible. Deception is key for a Thorn Dragon, and they revel at lulling those around them to familiarity before flexing their wishes. 'Prickly' doesn't even approach the personality of these Dragons.
Advantages: +2 Illusion, +2 Con
Disadvantages: A primadonna at the core, underneath the cool calcuating need to be unseen, the character must restrain herself from "showing off" and being the centre of attention with a Willpower + Logic (3) test. This makes her delicate to be around in situations where she may feel slighted by not being offered by what she feels is her entitled right; be it a larger cut, personal thanks for her obviously greater role, to even the proper amount of fear and dread from those she considers beneath her. She may even be insulted that she is not being shot at (and therefore not a threat).
Smoke Dragon
A master of distraction and surprise Smoke Dragons are tricksters and malevolent trappers in one. With a seaborn fog, a sudden tropical squall, or a wrong turn, a Smoke Dragon doesn't wait for opportune moments; he creates them. Self-assured and sly, he has a tendency to try and hide behind his magical conflagrations instead of seeking less obvious means. In combat he has a tendency to seek the better part of valour. Usually he remembers his ‘friends’.
Advantages: +2 Illusion, +1 Con, +1 Air Spirits (Binding Air Spirits 75% cost)
Disadvantages: Manifesting the element of air, the Smoke Dragon can be subtle but often is not. Though always careful to dissipate astral signatures his ploys and plots often leave his 'fingerprints' glowing for all to see. Treat the character as if he has Astral Beacon to all his Illusion Spells and Air Spirits; removing astral signatures takes twice as long. “Airhead� is a typical accusation against Smoke Dragons, and that air usually has questionable chemical content.
Ghost Dragon
Favouring those that are naturally sneaky and markedly self-preserving (even moreso when compared to other Hidden Dragons), the Ghost Dragon is an apparition that constantly seeks to warn of danger and conceal his ward. Warning forever of the death that may come, a supernatural wariness begins to seep into the ward’s psyche.
Advantages: +1 to Detection, +1 Illusion, +2 to Perception tests
Disadvantages: "Twitchy" - Surprise attacks are real surprises and the Ghost Dragon freaks out. The character may choose to immediately try casting Invisibility to hide himself or seek cover if the spell is already running. Obsessively cautious when it comes to leaving magical trails or evidence, the character seeks to limit his "forensic footprint" by constantly brushing off dead skin, trimming hair, and prefers full body coverage even if impractical. Must make a Willpower + Logic (3) test to prevent the erasure of his astral signatures even when something more urgent requires his attention; an Air Spirit is summoned at all times for "clean up" duties. Also unduly pessimistic.