The Hidden Hand

Dwarven Arcane Tricksters usually come from one of two groups, the outpost dwarves who fall within the Ashdancers‌. Born out of a necessity to defend their northern outposts from overwhelming foes, the ashdancers first gained prominence during the aarakocran raids called the Eerie Wars‌ by the dwarves. This series of attacks and raids were stymied in a large effort by the small platoon-sized group of soldiers trained in both stealth and magic. Utilizing ash, dust, and sand to create thick cover, the ashdancers were able to negate the bird people’s arial advantage. Forced to fight at ground level, they were ambushed by hidden squads of archers and other fighters. Though at first just a test program headed by a single dwarf, the ashdancers were then expanded to a company, and placed all over the border. Underdark dwarves have a much more pronounced hatred for stealth, and subterfuge, though they still have a group of arcane tricksters. Called the Hidden Hand, they use ambush tactics and stealth to kill enemy mages. Their mastery of the spell magehand allows them to stealthily transport bombs and the like right under their foes' noses. After detonating, the mageslayers will then swoop in and use the confusion to kill their targets and escape in the chaos. Famed for their ability to wield an extra weapon in their mage hand they make for deadly foes, especially enemy wizards who cannot cast spells while being harried by the mageslayer’s third arm.