Dwarf

Humanoid

Dwarves are a short, stocky people who are often stubborn, fierce, and devoted.

Dwarves have a well-earned reputation as a stoic and stern people, but they also have an unbridled zeal and deeply value artisanship. To a stranger, they can seem untrusting and clannish, but to their friends and family, they are warm and caring. While trust from a dwarf is hard-won, once gained it is as strong as iron.

If you want to play a character who is as hard as nails, a stubborn and unrelenting adventurer, with a mix of rugged toughness and deep wisdom, you should play a dwarf.

You Might…

Strive to uphold your personal honor and refuse to back down
Appreciate quality craftsmanship in all forms and insist upon it for all your gear.

Others Probably…

See you as stubborn, though whether this is an asset or a detriment changes from moment to moment.
Recognize the deep connection you have with your family, heritage, and friends.
Assume you are a sailor or blacksmith.

Physical Description

Dwarves are short and stocky, standing about a foot shorter than most humans. They have wide, compact bodies and burly frames. Dwarves of all genders pride themselves on the length of their hair and beards, which they often braid into intricate patterns, some of which represent specific clans. A long beard is a sign of maturity and honor among many dwarf clans.

Dwarves typically reach physical adulthood around the age of 25, though their traditionalist culture places more value on completing coming-of-age ceremonies unique to each clan than reaching a certain age. A typical dwarf can live to around 350 years old.

Society

Though the ancient dwarven empire fell long ago, overwhelmed by orc and goblinoid enemies, dwarves today retain many of the qualities that once propelled them to greatness: fierceness, gumption, and stubbornness in their endeavors. Dwarves live within mountain Sky Citadels dotted over the surface, which can create vast cultural divides between dwarf clans. Yet nearly all dwarven peoples share a passion for stonework, metalwork, and family.

Few dwarves are seen without their clan dagger strapped to their belt. This dagger is forged just before a dwarf’s birth and is distinctive to their clan. Dwarves honor their children with names of ancestors or dwarven heroes. When introducing themselves, dwarves tend to list their family and clan, plus any number of other familial connections and honorifics.

Beliefs

Dwarves tend to value honor and closely follow the traditions of their clans and kingdoms. They have a strong sense of friendship and justice, though they are often very particular about who they consider a friend. They work hard and play harder—especially when strong ale is involved. Torag, god of dwarvenkind, is dwarves’ primary deity, though worship of Torag’s family members is also common.

Popular Edicts create art with utility, guard your community against those who would harm it, keep your clan dagger close
Popular Anathema leave an activity or promise uncompleted, forsake your family

Adventurers

Although dwarven adventurers are rare compared to humans, they can be found in most regions of the world. Dwarves often leave the confines of their redoubts to seek glory for their clans, to find wealth with which to enrich the fortress-homes of their birth, or to reclaim fallen dwarven citadels from racial enemies. Dwarven warfare is often characterized by swift and brutal hit-and-run tactics, and as such most dwarven adventurers tend toward classes such as fighters and barbarians.

Names

Dwarven names boom with the power of the mountains themselves. Often inspired by the ancient tongues of the north, like Old Norse, these names reflect dwarven history and connection to the earth. Unlike some folk, dwarves see no need for separate names for males and females – a strong name is a strong name, regardless of who wields it.

Sample Names

Borin, Brunhild, Eldur, Eira, Fjora, Grimhild, Hrid, Njord, Ulfgar, Yrsa

Ethnicities

The different Dwarven ethnicities represent how their people have adapted to different climates throughout Reylan. A dwarf may be of any ethnicity regardless of what region they call home. Dwarven heritages are equally prevalent throughout all dwarven ethnicities.

Creven are the most well-known throughout central Reylan. Creven dwarves are on average a bit taller and stockier than other dwarves, with light brown skin and hair ranging from light brown to black, and brown or hazel eyes.
Dynth dwarves hail from Dynthgar and are rarely stray far from their homes or their ships. Dynth dwarves typically have fair skin, blue eyes, and blonde or red hair, with brown eyes or hair being less common.
Haith dwarves settled in southern Ardmyre and parts of the Southern Continent. They tend to have light to dark brown skin and eyes and thick black hair.

Dwarf Mechanics

Hit Points

Size

Medium

Speed

20 Feet

Ability Boosts

Constitution
Wisdom
Free

Ability Flaw

Charisma

Languages

Common
Dverga (dwarven)
Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it’s positive). Choose from Disirean, Goblin, Jotun, Lizardfolk, Orcish, Telluric, Harrath and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).

Darkvision

You can see in darkness and dim light just as well as you can see in bright light, though your vision in darkness is in black and white.