Dirge
The Unnatural offspring of Humans and Dwarves
Base Racial Traits
Ability Score Modifiers: (+2 Constitution, +2 to any ability of your choice besides Constitution): Dirge are durable and flexible, owing to their dual natures. Size: Dirge are medium-sized creatures, and gain no bonuses or penalties due to size. Dirge are stocky and broad as a sign of their dwarven heritage, but stand taller than the average human, on average around 6 to 6 1/2 feet tall. Type: Dirge count as humanoid creatures with both the human and dwarf subtypes. Speed: Dirge have a base land speed of 30ft. Vision: Owing to their dwarven heritage, Dirge possess darkvision out to sixty feet. Languages: Dirge start play speaking both Common and Dwarven. Dirge with high INT scores can select any non-secret bonus languages they wish, to represent their varied natures and birthplaces. Dwarf Blood: Dirge count as humans and dwarves for any effect related to race. Mutant Strength: Dirge are born with unnaturally strong bodies, and gain an additional racial +2 to Strength, though they are stunned for 1 round when they are critically hit due to their mutant biology. Unnatural: Dirge are rarely born into this world, due to both the infrequency with which humans and dwarves couple, as well as the infrequency with which such a coupling produces a child. When they are born, the natural order of the material plane rejects their very existence. Dirge unnerve both normal and magical animals, and train to defend themselves against the inevitable attacks from such creatures. They take a –4 penalty on all Charisma-based skill checks to affect creatures of the animal or magical beast types, and receive a +2 dodge bonus to AC against animals. Animals’ starting attitude toward them is one step worse than normal. Stonecunning: Dirge gain a +2 bonus on Perception checks to notice unusual stonework, such as traps and hidden doors located in stone walls or floors. They receive a check to notice such features whenever they pass within 10 feet of them, whether or not they are actively looking. Hardy: Dwarves gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities. Skilled: Dirge gain an additional skill rank at first level and one additional rank whenever they gain a level. Dual-Minded: Dirge are beings frequently born into the world misshapen, hated, and are treated with disdain, mistrust, and suspicion. Being used to rough lives and dealing with two heritages, they are resistant to any effect that would seek to shake them mentally. They gain a racial +2 to all will saves. Skullplate: Dirge have a thick skull, and gain a Gore attack that deals 1d8 points of damage. This is a primary natural attack, and does bludgeoning instead of piercing as Gore attacks normally do.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dirge have little unique anatomy that sets them apart from either Humans or Dwarves, and appear to many as "Simply Taller Dwarves". They have the thick bone structure and muscular bodies of Dwarvenkind, but the height and flexibility of their Human ancestry.
They have an abnormally thick skull generally, and they can often appear to many to be misshapen and mutated...the unnatural mixing of Dwarven and Human biology is not wholly compatible, and can often lead to genetic instability that sometimes causes tumors, bone growths, and strange bodily mutations that can sometimes run rampant through their bodies, though the lucky ones can avoid this fate.
Genetics and Reproduction
Dirge have the same reproductive capabilities as other Humans or Dwarves, and reproduce through Sexual Reproduction with another female of the same or a similar species, though because of their Genetic Instability it can be hard for them to successfully reproduce.
Growth Rate & Stages
Dirge inherit the slightly longer lifespans of their Dwarven Ancestry, and age slower than baseline humans. They reach Middle Age around Age 70, become old around age 105, and reach venerable around 140, dying some time thereafter.
Ecology and Habitats
Owing to their Human ancestry, Dirge can thrive in almost every ecology and habitat.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Much like Humans and Dwarves, Dirge are Omnivores.
Biological Cycle
As they age, Dirge often find their bodies growing more and more mutated and unwieldy, while the more lucky among them might avoid most of such a fate others can be horribly mutated and live their final years in agony, their bodies wracked with tumors or strange and possibly cancerous growths that begin to consume them.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Dirge have rough-hewn faces that resemble their dwarven ancestors, with a plentiful amount of facial hair and thick, bony skulls that give them unusually large foreheads for similarly sized creatures.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Dirge, much like Humans, can be found almost everywhere.
Average Intelligence
Dirge are highly flexible, and are almost always as intelligent as baseline humanity or other creatures, and can sometimes be even smarter.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Owing to their dwarven heritage, Dirge can see in the dark out to sixty feet.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Dirge have no naming culture of their own, and are evenly split between names of humanity, and names of the Dwarves. Some rare few mesh such names to create unique labels for themselves, while the Duergar-born Dirge generally take on the more brutalistic names of the Duergar for themselves.
Alternate Racial Trait List: Dirge could reasonably have most any alternate racial traits for both the human and/or dwarf races. Ask/Tell your GM which ones you desire so the two of you can figure out what to replace for them. Dirge Alternate Racial Traits
Racial Feat List: Dirge may take any racial feat meant for Dwarves or humans, but please consult with your GM before you do so just to be safe! Dirge Racial Feats
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Lifespan
140 Years
Conservation Status
Dirge are a rare sight, but are plentiful enough to not require conservation.
Average Height
1.75 - 2.1 Meters
Average Weight
60 -95kg
Average Physique
Dirge are large and imposing, with thick and durable bodies built to withstand most anything thrown at them. They stand tall if not somewhat mutated, and frequently cut an imposing figure to others.
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