Dwarf

Intro Text

Clan Professions And Traditions

The kinship of different families who mostly share similar interests and strengths birth some of the strongest clans the dwarven kingdom has to offer. While one clan might bare good masons and smiths another may be able to offer the service of great cooks and bakers. Some of the less specialized and more open clans might still add some useful professions and goods to society, for example the marriage between one of the greatest herbalists and an old bloodline of brew masters paved the path to a long lasting line of tincture and potion makers, thanks to their combined knowledge in the different fields. With the passing of time some clans die out or give way to new ones.

Wisdom of the Stone

During their lifetime each dwarf adds self mined stones to their family cairn, so when their time nears its end nobody has to worry about finding a suiting place for a burial. It is a long lasting family tradition, so long that some of the oldest family cairns span even multiple floors underground and grew huge in diameter and height. These resting places are always open to visitors, and it is considered a noble gesture to visit his former family and friends for their birth or on other important days and leave a small rock as a gift, which adds the the mound. In the center of each of the gravesides is a communing chamber, which allows dwarves that reached the rank of a "Stonespeaker" to communicate with the spirits of the past. Stonespeakers reach out regularly to the souls of high ranked craftsmen or former leaders to ask them for advice. Every larger city has a hall build specifically to commune with important spirits from the past. The minerals used the build these halls is gifted with the natural magic property of making spirits visible to the eye and their voices understandable no matter the language you may speak. Only a few members of society are allowed to visit these "Halls of Vision", to keep the ghosts honored and not bothered by anyone.

Strength of the Bone

While bright minds are kept close for their never aging wisdom, the bones of fierce warriors are used after their death to create family heirloom weapons, shields and sometimes even armor. During the process of crafting the bone will get added to the fire that forges the steel, tinting the flames turquoise. The "Spiritsmiths" say they can feel the soul and power of the dead imbuing the craft, making them a very valuable and personal tool. Equipment forged from the remains of a loved one are handled with highest respect and care and never leave the hands of their families and closest friends. They are always given a name by the closest living person the spirit has. Stealing anything crafted with dwarven remains, no matter how small or large, is punished with nothing less than exile - a small boat, some rations and nothing more than the vast ocean to let the ancestors decide the fate of the condemned soul.

Dwarven Ancestral Traits

Your dwarven heritage manifests in a variety of traits that you share with other kinds of your species.
Ability Score Modifier. You can spend 2 additional points on your physical and 1 additional point on your mental ability scores.
Age. Dwarves reach their adulthood around the age of 40 and they can life up to 230 years.
Height. Dwarves are usually between 4 and 5 feet tall. Your size is medium.
Speed. Due to your shorter legs your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Languages. You can read and speak Dwarven.

Dwarven Cultural Traits

Intro Text

Hlífjall Dwarves

Protected by the shield mountains in the north your clan always valued the lands and the wisdom of its elders.
Ancestral Guidance. 1/day you can call upon your ancestors, to give you an answer for any knowledge check.
Silent Watcher. An additional attacker needs to be flanking you before you are considered flanked.
Heirloom Weapon/Armor. Since generations this item is getting past along inside your family, now it is your time. Your weapon hit bonus or armor damage reduction bonus is considered +1 while you are working with your heirloom.
Vision. Due to your adaptation to working and living underground, you have low-light vision for up to 60 feet.

Aeroch Nor Dwarves

Growing up in or around the half human half dwarven city of Aeroch Nor, the metal crafting knowledge of your clan was always highly valued and sought after.
Repairman. Every time you successfully repair an item, you repair one additional level of damage.
Armor breaker. Your knowledge of armor crafting and its weaknesses allows you to use the Sunder Armor maneuver already on a natural 18 instead of a 19.
Metalwork Apprentice. You worked with and around metals for most of your life giving you 5 skill points in Craft: Metalwork.
Language. You learnt how to can read and speak Common, due to your upcoming side by side with humans.

by Vivian Rentsch

Lifespan

180-210 years

Average Height

4 to 5 feet

Geographic Distribution

• Ederaa
• Hlífjall

Related Ethnicities

• Ederaan Dwarf
• Hlífjall Dwarf