Only 4 years ago was the first tale of "dwarves" emerging from the Chanwe mountains reported. 3 years since the first officially recorded interaction. the sudden appearance of this new sapient species; and their insular, disinterested affect and unknown language is the target of all manner of speculation. But only you know the truth. At least, something that may become the truth after you connect all the dots. Maybe the dwarves aren't passive, they're lying in wait. Maybe they didn't defeat the monsters of those peaks, but they are their handlers. You've studied them since their first appearance. In every stolen sheep, every missing child, every sighting, there are clues. And you will be the one to uncover the truth. And you will be known far and wide for it.
- Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Insight
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan's tools
- Languages: One language of your choice (except Dwarvish)
- Equipment: A leather-bound journal full of frenzied notes, and sketches of dwarves doing mundane (see: suspicious) things, a set of commoner's clothes, an ink pen, a bottle of black ink, a lock of hair from a dwarf's beard, and a pouch with 10gp.
The Truth
To determine your strongly held beliefs about the truth of dwarves, roll two d20s, and choose from the table below. Or just pick which ones you like. Or choose them all and make up your own bonus ones! Who cares if they contradict? It's just another part of the puzzle to solve.
| d20 |
The Truth |
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1
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Dwarves are not made of flesh. They are granite golems created by a monstrous patron deep within. Building its army for the coming invasion.
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2
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Dwarven armor is not forged, it is naturally grown on them, thanks to their diet of raw metals. They must prune it regularly to remain mobile. You've seen the scraps yourself.
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3
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There is no such thing as a dwarven child, they emerge fully formed from a stone cocoon deep within the hold.
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4
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Those aren't beards. It's a parasitic creature which has latched itself onto humans, taking over their minds, and stunting their growth. The "Dwarf Hold" is colony of parasites.
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5
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Dwarves kidnap children and turn them into more dwarves. That's why there are no dwarven women!
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6
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The dwarves are the remnants of past gods. Watching us, judging us. Should they find us wanting there may be nothing we can do to stop them.
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7
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The dwarves are forging an alloy stronger than steel and invisible to the naked eye. The merchant Princes of The Orracine are buying it up piece by piece.
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8
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Dwarves are just a red herring hiding the real conspiracy. Only I know the truth.
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9
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The Dwarves suffer from something I've coined "cultural stage fright". They are deeply ashamed of their culture, and are afraid outsiders will laugh at their art and traditions. The solution is to loudly complement them in each interaction.
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10
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The Dwarves are debt collectors from an underground world. Surface dwelling mortals signed contracts eons ago with the dwarves, they've finally come to collect.
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11
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There is no "dwarven language". It's all an act. They only pretend to not understand Common to avoid scrutiny.
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12
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Dwarves are actually just really committed children with very active imaginations.
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13
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Dwarves are a tax avoidance scheme by the nobility. As soon as taxes were increased a mysterious colony appears in the mountains? Yeah right. The nobles are making their own tax-free society right under our noses.
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14
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Dwarves have always been there. Just, nobody has bothered to check all this time. Embarrassing really.
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15
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The dwarves are spies under the employ of Orracine's infernal princes. Searching for weaknesses in Vereth's defenses.
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16
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The dwarves meant to stay in the ground a lot longer than they have. They refuse to speak to us out of simple embarrassment for their mistake.
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17
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Dwarves are the world's original inhabitants who fell into a deep hibernation. Now that they have awoken, they will retake what was once theirs.
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18
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The dwarves did not appear, they returned. The Chanwe mountains are reversing to a time before humans had evolved their height.
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19
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Dwarves are actually quite talkative. Their language is just so efficient they've said all they wish to say in a mere grunt.
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20
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The dwarves are aliens from another planet. Should they connect the portals back to their home world, they shall unleash an invasion force the world cannot hope to stop.
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Feature: Leaping Epiphany
Your constant theorizing lets you pick up on patterns others might ignore. Sometimes even real ones. Once per long rest, you may ask the DM for a "revelation" which gives an odd but potentially useful connection or clue related to a mystery. It may or may not be accurate. You also have a small network of other likeminded scholars. One you're convinced is growing by the day, as people are waking up to the truth.
Suggested Characteristics
| d6 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I'm convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets.
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2
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I take copious notes on everyone I meet. In case they're involved.
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3
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I claim not to trust anyone, but I'm actually desperate for someone to believe me.
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4
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I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition.
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5
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I hope this all makes sense to me one day. Until then, I’m going to keep faking it.
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6
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I’m quick to jump to extreme solutions. Why risk a lesser option leaving truths still buried?
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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Truth. The world needs to know, even if it drives me mad.
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2
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Control. If I can figure them out, they can't surprise me.
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3
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Chaos. Whether I believe the theories doesn't matter. Stirring the pot is fun.
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4
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Legacy. I must be remembered for my research. I will be the foremost researcher on dwarf habits.
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5
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Obsession. I’ve lived this way for so long that I can’t imagine another way.
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6
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Distrust. Power always hides the truth. That's why I dig even deeper when they tell me to stop.
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I once saw a dwarf look directly into my eyes. I've been changed ever since.
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2
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I've sacrificed friends and family in the pursuit of the truth. I'm willing to sacrifice more.
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3
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A dwarf once saved my life. I'm convinced I have a grander part in their intentions.
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4
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I have a rival theorist who plagiarized my best work. And now they have a book deal.
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5
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There is one person in my life who can convince me a theory I have is wrong. Of course, that doesn't mean it's all wrong.
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6
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The bulging muscles, the gravelly voices, the knotted beards, it's all I can think about... For purely academic reasons, of course.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
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I've alienated almost everyone I know. I assume new acquaintances will leave me too.
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2
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I see coded messages everywhere. You just have to know how to see them.
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3
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I'm terrified I myself may be a dwarf, and I never even knew it. I'm constantly trying to prove I'm not. Or that I am.
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4
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I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones.
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5
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I am exceptionally credulous and believe any story or legend immediately.
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6
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I'm afraid of the mystery of the dwarves actually being solved. If there is no mystery, I'd have to rebuild myself.
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