Gold Dwarf
Gold dwarves are the most populous of the dwarves in eastern and southern Faerûn. They are descended from the exiles of Bhaerynden, after it was destroyed by the drow. They eventually returned and resettled the ruins of Bhaerynden in the Great Rift, where they remain to this day. Although the Great Rift was hit hard by the Spellplague, the gold dwarves remain undaunted. They are known to be powerful warriors and shrewd traders, but also somewhat isolationist.
When the cavern of Bhaerynden collapsed in -7,600 DR, it destroyed the drow empire of Telantiwar that had occupied it for thousands of years. The gold dwarves, who had been exiled from their homeland ever since it fell, quickly returned to reclaim their lost territory. The cavern had collapsed entirely, forming a huge depression now called the Great Rift. The dwarves were able to take most of their original territory, with the drow only managing to occupy a few caverns at the edges of the Rift. The gold dwarves were able to maintain control over the Great Rift for thousands of years, establishing a prosperous empire once more. The opening of the Underchasm following the Spellplague heavily damaged the kingdom, but it was able to endure.
Due to the long prosperity of their homeland, gold dwarves have developed a tradition of trade with neighbouring kingdoms. Although they occasionally fought wars against the drow and monsters of the Underdark, they didn't experience the same hardships as the shield dwarves of western Faerûn. Tradition is crucial for gold dwarves, and their society is highly regimented. Decisions such as their profession to their partner are decided by their birth, and those who refuse to conform face immense social pressure to do so.
Ostentatious displays of wealth are common in gold dwarf society. Unlike the practical and enduring stonework of the shield dwarves, gold dwarves prefer intricately detailed and gilded craft and architecture. The pursuit of wealth is of the utmost importance in gold dwarf society, second only to the respect for tradition. Outside of the Great Rift, gold dwarf enclaves are insular in the few places they can be found. Despite their long history of trading, gold dwarves are fierce fighters, tempered in battle against the hordes of the Underdark. Dwarven children are trained from an early age in the use of hammers and axes, ready to defend their homeland at a moment's notice.
Gold dwarves prefer hammers and axes as their arms, or crossbows if fighting at range. They tend to wear medium, richly-decorated armour (usually scale), though it is not unknown for them to wear heavier armour if need be. Where possible, gold dwarves forge their weapons and armour from adamantine, which is common in the Great Rift.
When the cavern of Bhaerynden collapsed in -7,600 DR, it destroyed the drow empire of Telantiwar that had occupied it for thousands of years. The gold dwarves, who had been exiled from their homeland ever since it fell, quickly returned to reclaim their lost territory. The cavern had collapsed entirely, forming a huge depression now called the Great Rift. The dwarves were able to take most of their original territory, with the drow only managing to occupy a few caverns at the edges of the Rift. The gold dwarves were able to maintain control over the Great Rift for thousands of years, establishing a prosperous empire once more. The opening of the Underchasm following the Spellplague heavily damaged the kingdom, but it was able to endure.
Due to the long prosperity of their homeland, gold dwarves have developed a tradition of trade with neighbouring kingdoms. Although they occasionally fought wars against the drow and monsters of the Underdark, they didn't experience the same hardships as the shield dwarves of western Faerûn. Tradition is crucial for gold dwarves, and their society is highly regimented. Decisions such as their profession to their partner are decided by their birth, and those who refuse to conform face immense social pressure to do so.
Ostentatious displays of wealth are common in gold dwarf society. Unlike the practical and enduring stonework of the shield dwarves, gold dwarves prefer intricately detailed and gilded craft and architecture. The pursuit of wealth is of the utmost importance in gold dwarf society, second only to the respect for tradition. Outside of the Great Rift, gold dwarf enclaves are insular in the few places they can be found. Despite their long history of trading, gold dwarves are fierce fighters, tempered in battle against the hordes of the Underdark. Dwarven children are trained from an early age in the use of hammers and axes, ready to defend their homeland at a moment's notice.
Gold dwarves prefer hammers and axes as their arms, or crossbows if fighting at range. They tend to wear medium, richly-decorated armour (usually scale), though it is not unknown for them to wear heavier armour if need be. Where possible, gold dwarves forge their weapons and armour from adamantine, which is common in the Great Rift.
Encompassed species
Size: Medium
Speed: 25 ft.
Natural Sprinters. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.
Darkvision. Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Dwarven Resilience. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.
Dwarven Combat Training. You have proficiency with the battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and warhammer.
Tool Proficiency. You gain proficiency with the artisan's tools of your choice: Smith's tools, brewer's supplies, or mason's tools.
Stonecunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to the origin of stonework, you are considered proficient in the History skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Dwarvish.
Dwarven Toughness. Your hit point maximum increases by 1, and it increases by 1 every time you gain a level.
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