Homebrew Dorwinrim Species Details
"He looked like a Northman of Dale, yet was far richer in dress, and far greater in mirth.
He stood tall and proud before my company, wielding a mighty crossbow." ~ Erling Galbasi of Longbottom
The Dorwinrim are Northmen of mercantile origins hailing from the Gardenlands, far off to the east. Nestled south of the River Running, and along the Northwestern Shore of the Sea of Rhûn, prosperity and wealth is all their people have known. The woodworking skill of the Dorwinrim is second only to their Moriquendi neighbors in Ne'Lórnieth, who aid them on their great trading ventures. From the great kingdoms of the Woodland Realm to the Resplendent Dwarves of Erebor, and the Dragonslayer Kings of Dale, rarely will you find a Dorwinrim Merchant without Moriquendi craftsmanship on hand.
Each year, Dorwinrim merchants travel further afield, looking outside their borders on expansive trading ventures. Sometimes, fellow Moriquendi merchants follow will in their wake, hoping to grow their knowledge of the lands.
Description
Strong in body and fearless in spirit, the men of Dorwinion straddle two worlds. Considered some of the nearest in kin to the Men of the West, they are strong-limbed, with dark, or light, hair, and a mixed complexion owing to their proximity to the Rhûnidain. Unlike their Barding cousins, the Dorwinrim do their best to keep clean shaven, and have well maintained hair. This is owed to their greater status seeing clean shaven as a luxury. Women adventurers tend to wear their hair up in a coiled braid or in a braided halo.
When abroad they may be recognized by their garb, as it often tends to be of luxurious quality. Unlike most denizens of the lost Kingdom of Rhovanion, the Dorwinrim prefer to use two-handed swords, and favor the heavy crossbow.
Typical Names
Like most Northmen, Dorwinrim often name their children after a renowned ancestor or relative or choose a name beginning with the same sound or sharing one element with that of the father (whose name is often given with their first name when introduced formally — for example, Leovegildus, son of Reginaldus, or Ilduara, daughter of Adosinda).
Sample Female Names: Aldrif, Asfrid, Asny, Astrith, Bera, Bergdis, Dagny, Dalla, Eilif, Erna, Eydis, Estrild, Frida, Geira, Gerda, Grimhild, Gundrid, Gunnhild, Halla, Halldis, Hild, Holma, Inga, Ingirun, Ingrith, Kelda, Lif, Linhild, Ragna, Runa, Saldis, Sigga, Signy, Solveig, Thora, Thorhild, Thorleif, Ulfhild, Ulfrun, Una, Vigdis, Walda.
Sample Male Names: Aegir, Arn, Brandulf, Domarr, Erland, Farald, Gautarr, Hafgrim, Hjalmar, Ingolf, Ketilmund, Kol, Kolbeinn, Leiknir, Lodin, Lomund, Magni, Mord, Munan, Nari, Nefstan, Nerulf, Oddmarr, Ornolf, Ottarr, Reinald, Runolf, Sandarr, Saxulf, Sigdan, Sigfast, Sigvald, Sigward, Sigmund, Skarf, Skefill, Smidur, Steinarr, Torwald, Ulfarr, Unnarr, Valbrand.
Dorwinrim Traits
Your character gains the following benefits based on their cultural heritage.Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma and Constitution scores each increase by 1.
Adventuring Age
Between 18-65 years of age. Dorwinrim rarely become adventurers before their 18th year, although they often travel with family on trade missions. Sometimes they'll retire in their forties, however it isn't uncommon to see Dorwinrim merchants who are in their sixties.
Size
Bardings average between 5 and 6 feet tall, tending toward the higher end. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Weapon Master of Rhûn
You have proficiency with the heavy crossbow, and greatsword.
Starting Virtue
You gain one cultural virtue of your choice (see Virtues from The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying).
Wine Merchants
You have proficiency in the Persuasion skill, and resistance to poison.
Languages
You can speak, read and write Westron, Dalish, and Sindarin, which can be described as a very old form of the Common Speech.
Standard of Living: Extravagant
The city of Caras Sant is a resplendent trading city. Those of the Dorwinrim who choose a life of adventure are usually members of less affluent mercantile families — yet, their wealth is still superior to that of most of the denizens of even Dol Amroth.
Backgrounds
Players choosing a background receive a brief personal history, two skill proficiencies, a tool proficiency and two distinctive features.
Gifts of the Entwives
There are many legends and tales from the ‘Garden Lands of the East’; however, one rings truest among you and your kin: the Legend of the Entwives. According to stories told by your grand-parents–who, in turn learned from their grandparents–in the days of old, during the Second Age, the Entwives arrived in the Land of Dorwinion. Upon seeing the beauty of the land, they chose to tarry for a time, and teach the men and elves of that place how best to care for Yavanna’s children. While this knowledge comes from days long since passed, it has never been forgotten.
Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Old Lore
Tool Proficiency: Smith’s Tools or Pipe
Distinctive Features: Resilient, Proud
A Mixed Land
Dorwinion is a land that straddles three worlds. Originally a resting place of the Elves, later generations of Men would also call this place home. Be it the handful of Avari who still remain, the Northmen who now dominate the landscape, or the Rhûnedain who later came to settle, Dorwinion looks upon all as friend. Due to this diversity of bloodlines, many qualities of each have seeped into your culture, whether through cuisine, medicine, or the arts.
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Medicine
Tool Proficiency: Herbalism Kit or Leatherworker’s Tools
Distinctive Features: Charismatic, Compassionate
The Heirs of Rhovanion
Tales of the glorious past are often shared among your people in the Míruvortháms and Vineyard Estates. Stories of ages gone by, about the great Kings of Rhovanion, and their mighty battles for the land against the ‘Agents of the Enemy’. Some of your legendary kings, like Thela ‘Iron-Handed’, who took to the field of battle against Sauron’s mightiest lieutenants and won the day for his people, only to die by a poisoned orcish blade days later. It is stories like these that remind you, and your people, of their past, and what each Dorwinrim should strive for.
Skill Proficiencies: Old Lore, Animal Handling
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher's Supplies or Potter’s Tools
Distinctive Features: Bold, Daring
Tombs of the Fallen
Dorwinion is a land of many things, war being yet another. Despite its natural defenses, raiders from the south-east still harry your farms; while goblins from Mirkwood find their ways into your lands. Suffice to say, war is not something your people are unaccustomed to. These brave warriors, from the lowest commoner, to the princely Vintner Lords, all fight to defend their homes. As such, every warrior, great or small, is interred within the grand burial chambers, the Tombs of the Fallen. A constant reminder to all that, no matter who you are, it is your solemn duty to safeguard these lands.
Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Explore
Tool Proficiency: Mason’s Tools or Glassblower’s Tools
Distinctive Features: Stern, Wilful
Primacy of the Vinter Court
Wine and gold, endless rivers of wine and gold, that is what flows through the streets of Caras Sant. There’s a reason why Dale trades for so much wine from you. Whether sailing south-east to the tribal cities nearby the Sea of Rhȗn, or heading north, up the River Running, there is not a single place between the Kingdom of Eryn Galen, to Ne'Lórnieth where the Vintner Court has not had some interaction. Thanks to this, even a basic understanding of diplomacy is not uncommon among you and your people.
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Insight
Tool Proficiency: Dragonchess Set or Cobbler’s Tools
Distinctive Features: Gregarious, Cunning
Renowned Poets
Avari, Northmen, even Rhûnedain, all have their own history, their own heritage. Yet, here, in Dorwinion, they are all one people. This mixing of cultures has led to an incredible flourishing of poetry and song. From the high-minded ideals of the Avari, to the tales of great hunts by the Rhûnedain, here there is no topic unworthy of song. You are just one among many who seek to make their mark upon the land. Perhaps, with time, even your songs will be sung in the great halls of the world.
Skill Proficiencies: Performance, Riddle
Tool Proficiency: A musical instrument of your choice or Calligrapher’s Supplies
Distinctive Features: Eager, Fair-spoken
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