Dwarf, Variant (4e Race)

Created By

Sam Kay (talk)
Date Created:	11th April 2009
Status:	complete
Editing:	Please feel free to edit constructively!

Two dwarves planning an assault on an orc encampment.

Dwarves

Master craftsmen of iron and stone, unyielding as the rock of which they were forged

Racial Traits

Average Height:	4' 3"–4' 9"
Average Weight:	160–220 lb.
Ability Scores:	+2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom or +2 Strength
Size:	Medium
Speed:	5 squares
Vision:	Low-light
Languages:	Common, Dwarven
Skill Bonuses:	+2 Dungeoneering, +2 Endurance
Dwarven Weapon Proficiencies:	You gain proficiency with the Warhammer and the Throwing Hammer.
Heart of Rock:	You gain a +1 racial bonus to your fortitude defense. In addition, you gain a +5 racial bonus to saving throws against poison.
Dwarven Resilience:	You have the dwarven resilience power.
Encumbered Speed:	You move at your normal speed even when it would normally be reduced by armor or a heavy load. Other effects that limit speed (such as difficult terrain or magical effects) affect you normally.
Ancestral Grudge:	You gain a +1 racial bonus to damage rolls against orcs, giants and goblins. This bonus increases to +2 at 11th level, and again to +3 at 21st level.

Dwarven Resilience	Dwarf Racial Power
Forged from stone and just as hard to break, you shrug off your wounds as if they are nothing.
Usage::Encounter
Action Type::Minor Action	Personal
Effect: You can use your second wind.

Forged from the bedrock of the world, dwarves are as stubborn and unyielding as the rock of which they were forged. Dwarves have a fierce and jealous love of gold and jewels that is matched by no other race. Though dwarves are the least magical race, they more than compensate for their lack of magic with their tenacity and sheer toughness. Dwarves are among the most unyielding bastions against the darkness, second only to the elves in the defense against evil.

Play a dwarf if you want...

• to be a gruff hero who is as tough as rock and as hard as steel.
• to be able to take all of the punishment your foes can dish out and more.
• to be a member of a race that favors the fighter, paladin and cleric classes.

Physical Qualities

Dwarves are only about 4½ feet tall, they are broad and weigh as much as an adult human. Dwarves have the same range of complexions, eye and hair colors as humans, though they are rarely very pale and usually have ruddy skin tones. Male dwarves have long beards which they plat into elaborate patterns with gold beads. Females instead plat their hair (with similar gold beads) to show clan and ancestry. Dwarves take great pride in the craftsmanship of their weapons and armor, which are generally decorated with gold, jewels, and intricate patterns.

Dwarves mature at about the same rate as humans do, but live for 150 years or more, and remain vigorous for all but the last years of their lives. Venerable dwarves have been known to live for more than 250 years.

Playing a Dwarf

The dwarves were forged from the bedrock of the world, and possess many qualities of the rock of which the were forged. Dwarves are as hard as steel and as unyielding as stone in the face of their foes. They are stubborn, standing firm in the face of even the greatest of foes. Dwarves are capable of taking all of the punishment that their foes can dish out and more. Dwarves value their ancestral traditions greatly and will fight to the last to defend their ancestral homes.

Dwarves value their clan ties and ancestry greatly, and deeply respect the clan elders. Dwarves honor the long-dead founders of their clans and ancestral heroes and are proud of the achievements of their ancestors. Dwarves greatly honor ancestral weaponry and armor, treating such artifacts with great respect.

Dwarves are the most pious of all races, seeking guidance from the gods far more than any other race. Dwarves look to the divine for guidance, hope, and inspiration in the toughest of times. All dwarven communities have grand stone temples to the gods, and all but a few dwarves are pious followers of the gods.

Dwarves have a famous saying; "never forget a grudge". This saying explains their attitude towards those who wrong them. Dwarves can hold grudges against individuals or entire races. The dwarves absolutely hate orcs, giants and goblins, who have wronged them many times over the ages of the world. Though dwarves do not get on well with elves, they do not hate them. Dwarves and elves have, on many occasions, united against common foes. Even so, few dwarves form friendships with elves, thinking them haughty or foolish.

Dwarves love gold and jewels more than anything else, guarding such treasures with their lives. Dwarves have a fierce and jealous love of precious metals, jewels and artifacts fashioned with skill. Though dwarves are the least magical of all races, they make up for their lack of magic with their ability to craft with a skill that only the most skilled elves can match.

Dwarves consider it to be the greatest honor and a sign of the deepest loyalty to stand beside a friend in battle or to protect them from harm. Dwarves honor those who have died protecting others from harm. Dwarves are among the staunchest of bastions against the darkness, unyielding in the face of the mightiest of evils.

Dwarf Characteristics: Stern, stubborn, tenacious, acquisitive, brave, hardworking, loyal, organized, vengeful.

Male Names: Balin, Bruenor, Dáin, Durin, Dwalin, Fundin, Gimli, Glóin, Kíli, Náin, Óin, Thorin Thráin, Thrór, Xyrox.

Female Names: Artin, Bardryn, Diesa, Eldeth, Falkrunn, Gurdis, Helja, Kathra, Kristryd, Mardred, Riswynn, Torbera, Vistra.

Dwarf Adventurers

Three sample dwarf adventurers are described below.

Durin is a dwarf fighter, named after an ancestral hero of his clan by the clan elders. He is believed to be the reincarnation of the ancient dwarf hero and has therefore been trained to fight with great skill by the master warriors of his clan. Now he leads parties of dwarves against the ancestral enemies of his clan.

Dáin is a dwarf paladin and a devout follower of the gods. He wears his ancestral armor and carries his ancestral ax with great pride, willing his ax to cleave goblins once again. He vows to protect his friends with his life, even if it costs him his life.

Vistra is a dwarf cleric devoted to the gods. She follows the gods' every command, devoting herself to her duty as a cleric. She protects and heals the dwarves of her clan and their allies, and defends her people against the ancestral foes of the dwarves.

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