Dwarves are a prominent and iconic fantasy race in many fictional worlds, known for their distinctive characteristics, strong cultural traditions, and unique social behaviors. Here is an overview of the standard dwarven fantasy race:
Physical Characteristics:
• Appearance: Dwarves are typically depicted as short and stocky, with sturdy builds. They have long beards, which are a source of pride and cultural significance. Dwarven males and females are often difficult to distinguish physically.
• Height: Dwarves are usually around 4 to 5 feet in height, making them one of the shorter humanoid races in most fantasy settings.
• Longevity: Dwarves have a relatively long lifespan, often living up to 240 years or more. This extended lifespan contributes to their patient and methodical outlook on life.
• Resistance to Toxins: Dwarves are known for their natural resilience and resistance to poisons and toxins. This ability is a result of their hardy physiology and has evolved as a defense against the dangers of living underground and working with various minerals and substances.
Cultural Characteristics:
• Lawful Outlook: Dwarven society is often characterized by its strong sense of order and law. They place a high value on honor, loyalty, and adherence to tradition. Dwarves have a strict code of conduct, and they tend to be lawful in alignment.
• Mining and Crafting: Dwarves have a deep connection to the earth and the subterranean realms. They are skilled miners, blacksmiths, and craftsmen, creating intricate and durable items, from weapons and armor to jewelry and ornate objects.
• Clan-Based Society: Dwarven society is often organized into clans or extended family groups. These clans are tightly knit and share a deep sense of kinship. Clans are typically led by a council of elders, and the decisions made are based on the principles of wisdom and experience.
Social and Interpersonal Habits:
• Hospitality: Dwarves are known for their hospitality. They take great pride in welcoming guests to their underground halls and offering them food, drink, and shelter. However, they expect the same level of respect and courtesy in return.
• Grudges and Loyalty: Dwarves are infamous for their long memories and a strong sense of grudge-holding. They take loyalty and honor seriously, and a wrong committed against a dwarf or their clan is rarely forgotten. Conversely, dwarves are fiercely loyal to their friends and allies.
• Hardworking and Methodical: Dwarves are industrious and methodical in their work. They take pride in their craftsmanship, and their projects often take a considerable amount of time to complete. This attention to detail is a reflection of their dedication to perfection.
• Love of Stories and Song: Dwarves have a rich tradition of storytelling and singing. They often recount epic tales of their ancestors, famous battles, and great achievements. Their songs and stories are important means of passing down their cultural heritage.
In Summery, Dwarves are a hardy race that live under the mountains. They are known for their superior ability to craft stone and metal (Metal and Stone Affinity Enhancement), most notably the precious metals Mythril and Adamantite. Their underground halls, among the oldest structures, date back thousands of years. Throughout the ages, the Dwarves have clashed with the Orcs, Giants, and Goblins, and they consider these races historical enemies (they suffer a -2 reaction roll from these hate-filled races). Although the Dwarves are secretive and standoffish, they have nonetheless formed a bond with honest and hardworking individuals. Dwarven trust is not easily gained; it is as valuable and lasting as a coat of Mythril mail.
The average dwarf is 4’2” to 5” feet high, weighs about 150 to 200 pounds, and possesses a stocky and muscular frame with sanguine cheeks and dark eyes. Their skin is lightly tan, and their hair is white, black, gray, red, or brown. A dwarven lifespan is about 200 to 240 years. They also are not very fond of water and have a difficult time swimming (-1), and they are not great at riding animals (-1 to Land Based Riding checks). On the other hand, dwarves are very active and laborious and well known for being persistent in labor and hardship. Honor and membership in the clan are also very important for the Dwarven race. When they fight, their pride and rage are often feared among their enemies. Dwarves make excellent warriors and tacticians. Dwarves receive one free Clan Craft skill of choice at character generations and Survival (underground). Dwarves are naturally resistant to magic cast directly at them and gain a +2 to such resistance rolls (Superior Magic Resistance Talent). Further, they resist poisons/toxins better than humans gaining a +1 to such rolls. Due to their extended lifespan, Dwarves gain a bonus skill of choice at character generation. Finally, dwarven clans often champion a clan weapon (melee or propelled weapon of choice) and receive a +1 to hit with the clan weapon.
Dwarves are secretive about everything, but about their language and names, they are especially reticent. In fact, dwarves refuse to reveal their "given-names" to any but another dwarf whom they trust. Every dwarf has another name, derived from an ancient human language, which is used when dealing with others. Names like Fundin and Dalin are not given names but rather ‘use-names.’
Dwarves consider mating with other races an affront to the Dwarven culture and will not knowingly participate in such a union. Though scarcely known, Dwarves can produce offspring with Gnomes and Halflings. Unions with Gnomes produce a hybrid, which closely resembles a Halfling; this may be the source of the Halfling race. Dwarf and Halfling unions produce Dwarven children. Dwarves are not naturally fertile with the other races.
Racial Advantages:
Extended Life Span (202-240 years)
+2 Starting HIT POINTS
Constitution Stat Boost (D8)
Constitution Superior Stat (D8+1)
Gain Metal and Stone Affinity Enhancement
(+1) to hit with Clan Weapon
Gain a bonus Clan Craft Skill (D4)
Gain Survival (underground) Skill (D4)
Gain (1) bonus Skill of Choice
Darkvision to a range of 60 feet
(+2) to resist poison/toxins/magic with Physical Resistance rolls
Racial Disadvantages:
Short Height and Stocky (-1) HP
Cannot take the Arcane Training Vocation
Appearance Stat Penalty (D4)
Racial Appearance Stat capped at (D10)
(-1) to Charisma Stat (D6-1)
Race has enmity with Orcs, Gnolls, and Goblins (-2 to reactions)
(-1) to Swimming and Riding Land based Skill Checks
-20% Movement Reduction (95 ft per combat round base)
Sturdy, Thick, and Dense (+20% to starting body weight)