Homebrew Dwelf Species Details

My people can never know about us, you know." Lyaera whispered, caressing her rugged partner's cheekbone with that unique elven grace he'd come to love. Ovur frowned, furrowing his brow and saying nothing quite yet in response. He had enjoyed the elf woman's embrace more than he knew he should have over his lengthy stay in her homeland. But to actually find himself torn whether return to his ancestral home or stay at the governor's side in secret, and start a family with her like his heart burned to do. "They don't have to," he spoke brusquely, serious for once, "We could just go, get out o' this land, let some other elf take yer job, so we can stay together, Lyaera."  His heart leapt for a moment as he saw a small, fragile smile appear on the elf's pale, angular face, but it quickly sunk as he noticed how pained her expression looked. "You know I can't leave my people on the brink of war, Ovur. Not even for a love that one hopes to last 10 lifetimes." Although his face had fallen, he still reached towards Lyaera and clutched her empty delicate hand in his own coarse one, chuckling sadly as he responded, "Aye. I did know, but I felt like I should ask again jest to be sure. Then it looks like this is goodbye. Could I know you jest one last time to fill my heart for the next few centuries?"  Lyaera closed her eyes and leaned into his embrace, murmuring, "Of course, Ovur. Always..." 

Dwelves are the offspring of an unlikely pairing of parents; Dwarfs and Elves. Their ancestors usually shun them leaving them in a strange purgatorial social class. Their attitudes and appearance make it easy to confuse them for Humans, and because of this, they tend to make their homes in Human societies.

Dwelves exude an earthly grace and a communal compassion that enhances the lives of those near them. They value tradition less than their dwarven kin and try to have an open mind about things in the new age, even seeking negotiations with goblins and orcs, for some dwelves try to value life above custom. Unlike their elf kin, they live entirely as part of the world and are troubled by events that a more pompous elf might refrain from.

The sight of a dwelf is a rare one. Some remark that these human looking creatures are a sign of the world progressing, changing for the better. Others see dwelves as an abomination, a symbol for the collapse of the two greatest empires to ever grace the earth. Their stocky build, their shorter stance, their graceful sway mark dwelves as the fruit of the forbidden love between an elf and dwarf.

Dwelves are a wholly unnatural hybrid of the graceful and ethereal elves with the hardy and earthbound dwarves, rarely conceived, and usually by some magical or unnatural means. Due to the generally opposing natures of elves and dwarves, you'll be hard pressed to find a dwelf in any land, and if you do, they probably take more-so after one parent than the other, and most easily pass for one or the other fairly well. 

Familiar Features

Taking different traits from each of their parents, one Dwelf may look very different to the next; some may be tall with strong features whereas others may be small and slender. More often than not, males tend to grow facial hair at a young age and females tend to have long elven ears. Despite the variety in dwelves, they all tend to look more or less like a Human. 

Conflicting Opinions

Taking the military influence of their Dwarven heritage and creative influence of their Elven heritage, Dwelves tend to shy away from politics, keeping themselves to themselves and seeking a peaceful living. They believe in combining beautiful craftsmanship with efficient and proven design. Dwelves are often some of the finest designers of machinery and architecture. 

Belonging Nowhere

To most, including elves and dwarves, dwelves look human. They range from 4 and a half feet to 5 and a half feet tall and weigh about as much as any human. Dwelven men do grow luscious facial hair, one of the few things distinguishing the genders. Not much of the in the way of the parents' subraces bleed through other than in appearance. Dwelves of duergar or drow parentage may not possess innate magic but are usually an ashen gray in coloration. Other dwelves sport a blue beard or a greenish hue.

Abominations of Progress

The life of a dwelf is a forbidden one. While elven and dwarven nations are cordial and respectful to each other and individuals can develop deep friendships lasting centuries, romantic attraction to the other is frowned upon. A dwelf's parents are typically disowned by their kin and live either as hermits or in human cities. However, humans find the presence of dwelves unsettling as they appear human, yet are distinctly not. Dwelves typically wander, never feeling accepted anywhere. They keep a low profile, portraying themselves as human. 

 A strange mixture of Dwarf and Elf, gone are the race wars and gone are the feuds. The Calamity brought together a lot of races, in mourning for friends and enemies lost to this blast of magic from the continent of Antraxis. Even still, genetics can be a strange one and this race exhibits traits from their grouchier stockier ancestors and their slender nimbler ones. As such they are gifted fighters and are known to be quite hardy in combat, making great city guards as they are resistent to most charms and poisons.

A Medley of Oddities 

Due to the mixture of rugged and large dwarven features with that of the narrow and elegant elves, a common dwelf usually ends up looking more round and soft, almost childlike in nature, but since the two parents are so different it's hard to tell what exactly could come of their pairing, with other not uncommon possibilities being stouter elves, dwarves with sharper ears and features, typical half-elf appearances, and even dwelves that resemble tall halflings. They are slightly shorter than humans on average, ranging from about 4 feet to 5 feet, although it's not unheard of for a dwelf to reach just under 6 foot. They tend to appear with mostly normal human body types while leaning towards the curvy side. Males and females are typically the same average weight and height, and have an equal chance of growing extra body hair, with a slight chance of growing facial hair. 

Dwelves' coloration of course includes the normal human range and also includes skin in shades of copper, bronze, other earth tones and occasionally an almost bluish-white or reddish pale, and eyes like pools of liquid gold or silver. Hair can come in black, gray, brown, red, gold, greenish or blueish hair, though usually never as sleek as a parent elf's. They could favor bright colored fanciful clothes, or more practical comfortable dwarven attire, and anything in between depending on the dwelf.

Uncertain Futures 

Although elves can live well over 700 years, and dwarves nearly half as long getting over 400 years themselves, there haven't been many recorded instances of dwelves in history, and so it's unknown which life span they lean towards, if they live even close to a dwarf's lifespan despite their mashup of generally nonviable genes. What is known of dwelves is that they mature usually at the same speed if not a little faster than dwarves, although they likely do not reach full maturity until the same time as elves. While dwarves lean towards more lawful alignments and elves lean towards chaotic, a dwelf raised by both parents will probably lean towards neutrality, although it would not be uncommon at all for a dwelf to favor one side more closely than the other. 

Resident Nowhere 

A dwelf that looks less like a hybrid can live among either dwarves or elves respectively, usually combating their conflicting instincts and getting used to living as one or the other, but dwelves that toe the line between dwarf and elf too strongly, or cannot learn to live in the usual way of where they live can be ostracized by their community and forced to live in human villages or towns.

A Lifelong Search

Due to their feelings of being out of place in the world, a dwelf will usually take up adventure in order to feel a sense of belonging somewhere in the world. A dwelf will usually retain a dwarf's natural love for gold and precious metals, leading some to a mercenary type lifestyle to amass such wealths, rarely does a dwelf raised by dwarves fall into thievery to get the goods their hearts desires, though those leaning closer to elvish chaotic natures may seek out this lifestyle. 

Racial Relationships 

Due to their existence being generally frowned upon in nature by both elves and dwarves, a single dwelf likely does not think highly of either of their parental races, although this can depend on the circumstances of their childhood. If a dwelvish child is only brought up surrounded by one part of their racial culture, they may lean more towards that society's way of thinking. (See Elf and Dwarf race guides for 

 

Names

Dwelves either have Dwarven or Elven first and last names, sometimes one of each. Often times, Dwelves choose a second name for themselves that would help them to fit into a Human society.

Dwelf Traits

Dwelves have the grace of the Elves and the resolve

 

Dwelf Traits

Your dwarf character has an assortment of inborn abilities, part and parcel of dwarven nature.

Dual Heritage

You Dwarven heritage allows you suppress that which would sicken you, your fey ancestry gives you a better chance to shrug off charms

Trance

Much like there elven ancestors, dwelfs don't need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 6 hours of sleep. But, if instead you sleep you become even more rejuvenate

Cantrip

You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.

Mask of the Wild

You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.

lowlight vision

The moon gives blessing to your sight. 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, retaining the ability to distinguish color and detail

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Dwarves mature at the same rate as humans, but they’re considered young until they reach the age of 50. On average, they live about 350 years.

Alignment

Most dwarves are lawful, believing firmly in the benefits of a well-ordered society. They tend toward good as well, with a strong sense of fair play and a belief that everyone deserves to share in the benefits of a just order.

Size

Dwarves stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and average about 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. 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.

Ancestral Resilience

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep. You also have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage (explained in the “Combat” section).

Dwelfen 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. Dwarvish is full of hard consonants and guttural sounds, and those characteristics spill over into whatever other language a dwarf might speak.