Dwarves
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The Dwarves of Habololy descend from two stocks. The first
and more widely known stock is that of the String Mountains. These
Dwarves are the sons of Smofarf, deity of magic and crafts, and have
inhabited the String Mountains since they first rose out of the sea. They
are the world’s foremost practitioners of magic and revere it as the most
demanding of all the crafts. Their society is based in clans, each of
which has a craft of which they are considered to be the masters. Magic,
however, is woven into the craft of each clan. That is to say, all except
one.
As legend has it, the first major rift among the clans came when the clan of weaponsmiths, known as Sledgehammer, had an argument with the clan of armorers, known as Granitebreaker. The argument centered on whom made the finer items, as was common between the clans. When it was decided upon to have a contest, all of the clans were invited to judge. The gathered clans judged a year’s worth of work, and the Granitebreaker clan won the contest hands down. Unfortunately, there had been some miscommunication and the Sledgehammer clan had not used magic to enhance their weapons. The other clans laughed as the Sledgehammer clan insisted on a new contest. Their clan’s king was so offended that the other clans would not allow another contest that he vowed never again to trade weapons to the other clans, and vowed to make weapons without the use of magic that would be able to overcome the magical armor of the Granitebreaker clan. This bitterness grew and festered into hatred so great, that the king, Drunnbar by name, became empowered by the feelings of his clan, and eventually, others who hated magic for any reason, to the point where his power rivaled the deities. Hence, the first rift among the Dwarves of the String Mountains was complete and two kingdoms stood where there once was one.
The second rift was not so dramatic in it’s beginning, but none the less important. The clan known as Frozensky is the master of the hunt and the only clan who fares well outside of the mountains and caves. Eventually, the clan moved completely out of their ancestral home and into the forests and rolling hills. Although the Frozensky clan does not possess the hatred for the other clans that the Sledgehammer clan has, they are not on the best of terms either.
The other stock of Dwarf is far less known of and far less diverse. The Crystal Dwarves live far below the surface and try their best to avoid contact. Like the String Mountain Dwarves, they are interested in the tenants of Smofarf, who is believed to be their creator. However, the craft that they have mastered is that of the mind, of psionics. For that reason, they also follow the tenants of the faith of Celetal. Gems and mining are a major part of the life of nearly every Crystal Dwarf as well.
APPEARANCE: All Dwarves are stocky, short, and grow beards. All Dwarves applaud a healthy belly and weigh in at about one and a half times what a Human of the same height would weigh. The average Dwarf stands about 4 feet tall, with Frozensky clan Dwarves being on average about 6 inches taller, and Crystal Dwarves standing on average about 6 inches shorter. All Dwarves have beards, but all beards are not the same. Clan Frozensky Dwarves are known for their long unkempt beards, while Crystal Dwarves keep long clean beards. The other clans prefer a short, kept beard. Crystal Dwarves are usually bald, and usually very pale. Females of all types are usually slightly shorter. They are known to grow facial hair, but not always. Crystal Dwarf females are also bald.
ALIGNMENT: The overwhelming majority of Dwarves are lawful, with the sole exception being clan Frozensky who tend toward neutral or even chaotic. Dwarven morality, onthe otherhand, is quite diverse. The CrystalDwarves and clan Sledgehammer tend toward neutral, while the other clans tend toward good. There are however many exceptions to this rule, especially in certain clans.
RELIGION: All Dwarves see Smofarf as their creator. This is a reason for worship by most, and a reason for hatred by clan Sledgehammer. They worship Drunnbar, who they see as both patron and savior. Clan Frozensky can be found in the worship of Gnarion and Treetop, as well as Smofarf, revering freedom and survival as much as anything else. The Crystal Dwarves are mild in their faith, which lead them towards the bland tenants of Everentual and Celetal.
WHAT MAKES DWARVES DIFFERENT:
Although all Dwarves share some bonds with each other, there are some differences brought on by their chosen lifestyles. Described below are what all Dwarves have in common and what nuances make them distinct from other Dwarves.
All Dwarves are medium-sized
All Dwarves have a +4 dodge bonus versus giants
All Dwarves have a +2 saving throw against poison
All Dwarves have a +2 saving throw against spells
All Dwarves receive a +2 bonus on any skill check which involves stone (such as: tracking on it, determining value or quality of it, etc)
No Dwarves are effected in their speed by the weight of any armor worn
No Dwarves may be sorcerers
All Dwarves get one racial feat at 1st level as a bonus feat
Frozensky Dwarves
gain one rank of the Survival skill for free at first level
have low light vision
have a base speed of 25ft.
receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls when fighting against the Gree or the Vishtoo
favored class is Ranger
receive a +1 bonus to both Strength and Dexterity and a –2 penalty to Charisma
may select from the following racial feats: Frontiersman, Hardy, Seething Hatred, Uncommon Sense, Weapon Proficiency (Battle Axe)
Crystal Dwarves
gain one rank of the Craft skill for free at first level
have 120ft. darkvision
have a base speed of 20ft.
receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls when fighting against Illithids and Drow Elves
receive a –1 circumstance penalty to all skill checks and attack rolls when exposed to any bright light (anything as bright or brighter than the sun on a cloudless day)
favored class is Psion or Psychic Warrior. This may be chosen at any time, but may not be changed once the dwarf has taken a level in either class.
receive a +2 bonus to Constitution and a –2 penalty to Charisma
may select from the following racial feats: Endure Light, Seething Hatred, Uncommon Sense, Unemotional, Weapon Proficiency (Warhammer)
Sledgehammer Dwarves
gain one rank of the Craft skill for free at first level
have 60ft. darkvision
have a base speed of 20ft.
receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls when fighting against the Gree or the Vishtoo
favored class is Fighter
receive a +2 bonus to Constitution and a –2 penalty to Charisma
may select from the following racial feats: Crafting Tradition, Seething Hatred, No Friend of the Arcane, Uncommon Sense, Weapon Proficiency (Warhammer)
String Mountain Dwarves
gain one rank of the Craft skill for free at first level
have 60ft. darkvision
have a base speed of 20ft.
receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls when fighting against the Gree or the Vishtoo
favored class is Wizard
receive a +1 bonus to both Intelligence and Constitution and a -2 penalty to Charisma
may select from the following racial feats: Crafting Tradition, Seething Hatred, Touch of the Arcane, Uncommon Sense, Weapon Proficiency (Battle Axe)
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Dwarven – “There are forty kinds of Lunacy, but only one type of Common Sense.”
