Is there any way in the lore for a kobold to actually become a dragon?

[R3st8]

I know they are no longer descendants of dragons but I always liked the idea, there is just something about a weak creature working its way to power like a magikarp evolving its way to a gyarados that makes me want to cheer and support them.

[QuidEst]

Yep. That's exactly the sort of thing the Wish ritual is for. Divine intervention would also work, but that's a far cry from what you're describing. There's a fish deity aspiring to draconic majesty who is worshipped by kobolds (and people hoping for promotions), which could take the sting out of getting help.

It'll be something big if it's Pathfinder lore, though, because dragons have spent a very long time not being used casually in Pathfinder. That's probably relaxing a bit with the remaster, but most of the other, easier methods I can think of either involve not really being a dragon (regularly renewed shapeshifting, synthesist eidolon in a dragon form, boring technicality like getting the dragon type) or involve taking over an existing dragon.

[moosher12]

Wish Ritual could do it. A major boon from a god like Jin Li or Apsu could also probably do it after you've done a great deed for one of those gods.

But with GM's permission, a Reincarnation Ritual could probably do it if 3rd party content is allowed, Roll for Combat has the Battlezoo Dragons book, written by Mark Seifter, who has done work for Paizo. So Wish, Reincarnation, or a deity's major boon to change your ancestry to a dragon from that book might be a good idea.

[Perpdepog]

My suggestion also relied on having the Battlezoo Ancestries: Dragons book handy, but now I can't find the other part. I could have sworn there was an item that allowed you to change your ancestry with a bit of blood from the target ancestry, I think from an AP, but I've totally forgotten the name.

[moosher12]

You're thinking of a Rebirth Potion, which appears in Treasure Vault. I was actually gonna suggest it, but when I cross-checked to see if it was viable, it had the stipulation that the new ancestry had to be humanoid. Of course, a GM can override, but letting it turn you into a dragon is simply not within the scope of the original item without this override.

[Perpdepog]

moosher12 wrote:

You're thinking of a Rebirth Potion, which appears in Treasure Vault. I was actually gonna suggest it, but when I cross-checked to see if it was viable, it had the stipulation that the new ancestry had to be humanoid. Of course, a GM can override, but letting it turn you into a dragon is simply not within the scope of the original item without this override.

Ah, yeah that's it; thanks. And well dang. Back to the brewing board then.

[Maya Coleman]

Perpdepog wrote:

moosher12 wrote:

You're thinking of a Rebirth Potion, which appears in Treasure Vault. I was actually gonna suggest it, but when I cross-checked to see if it was viable, it had the stipulation that the new ancestry had to be humanoid. Of course, a GM can override, but letting it turn you into a dragon is simply not within the scope of the original item without this override.

Ah, yeah that's it; thanks. And well dang. Back to the brewing board then.

Please share what you come up with in the Homebrew section!

[Zoken44]

Well, I don't know about becoming a full dragon, but there is the dragon-blood versatile ancestry, the Dragon Instinct Barbarian, the Dragon Summoner (with meld into eidolon especially) Several draconic sorcerers. There are a variety of ways to get close.

[LinnormSurface]

It's not quite perfect, since as a caster, you lose a lot from being in a battle form all the time, but getting Dragon Shape and then Perfect Form Control as a druid should let you be in the dragon battle form indefinitely. You can even change which dragon type you are just by dismissing it and recasting it!
That said, Dragon Form doesn't seem to allow you to speak(should maybe be errata'd since iirc most, if not all, dragons can speak), which is a rather significant limitation. At least you can take manipulate actions, though.

[Paul Zagieboylo]

Kingmaker Adventure Path Companion Guide:

Shyka the Many suggest, "Try, and try again!"

[Kilraq Starlight]

This sounds like the realm of rituals or wish spells, as others have said. I'd imagine if said Kobold did something that was huge for dragonkind, something that benefited all dragons, that some of them may create a unique one time ritual to help said Kobold become an honorary member of their kin. I'd imagine it would look like something like a mix between the wish ritual and the reincarnation ritual. With 3 dragons of different traditions having to serve as the secondary casters. Fun to imagine... Give me a bit to homebrew it.

[Jerdane]

Paul Zagieboylo wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

Kingmaker Companion Guide:

And from that same source there's the Incarnate Ancestry ritual, though that one will require the kobold to have actually been a dragon in a past life, not to mention a GM who has a very generous interpretation of what counts as an "ancestry".

[The Raven Black]

After said kobold sacrifices themselves for the benefit of dragonkind, they will forevermore be remembered as a true dragon.

Posthumously.

[Ravingdork]

I agree with those saying to go the ritual route.

As for specific mechanical effects, I'd treat it like the beastkin's Dire Form feat in that your stats are altered per dragon shape (as opposed to enlarge). Like Dire Form, it would essentially be an instantaneous effect that lacks the polymorph trait. That is, permanent not-dispellable-except-by-artifact/deific-magic duration.

[Rhaegal Dragonkin]

Rhaegal says that Kobolds already are Dragons.

But his whole storyline is seeking to become a mighty dragon. He's getting closer. He now has wings that can carry him and a breath weapon. He's tried to transform into one several times, but the closest he's come in a proto-drake (pterosaur) or a super-evolved dragon (bird-of-prey).

[Christopher#2411504]

R3st8 wrote:

I know they are no longer descendants of dragons but I always liked the idea, there is just something about a weak creature working its way to power like a magikarp evolving its way to a gyarados that makes me want to cheer and support them.

Others mentioned options, but I think they forgot Dragon Disciple. It is premaster and was largely absorbed into the Dragonblood Versatile Heritage, but the GM could still allow it:

https://2e.aonprd.com/Archetypes.aspx?ID=56
Of course some homebrew/ritual solution might be better if it is about literally aquiring a Dragon Form.

But also, what if "Dragon" actually means something different in Kobold/for your specific tribe?
What if the actual Kobold word has a complex meaning that poorly translates/got misstranslated to the common word for "Dragon"?

Remaster made a very interesting tweak as to why they follow Dragons - and other powerfull creatures - protection and the tribes children imprinting.

Quote:

Every kobold instinctively understands the importance of power, and many are inclined to venerate those who have it, whether they be mighty dragons, cruel fiends, imperious fey, or even ancient artifacts. Kobolds seek out these alliances out of a sense of pragmatism— after all, who would dare bully a kobold who serves an ancient dragon?—but also because kobold eggs incubated near such loci of power take on physical traits (and sometimes abilities) similar to those of the warren's benefactor.

What if the actual Kobold word meant "someone powerful enough to protect us and with so much magic our children imprint on them" and it was just mistranslated to "Dragon" the whole time?

So "becoming a dragon" could just mean "aquire enough power that Kobolds consider you as their protector and your magic starts imprinting on the children."