Homebrew Children of Ardhon Species Details

"I do not think the wood feels evil, whatever tales may say," said Legolas. He stood under the eaves of the forest, stooping forward, as if he were listening, and peering with wide eyes into the shadows. "No, it is not evil; or what evil is in it is far away. I catch only the faintest echoes of dark places where the hearts of the trees are black. There is no malice near us; but there is watchfulness and anger."

"Well, it has no cause to be angry with me," said Gimli. "I have done it no harm."

"That is just as well," said Legolas. "But nonetheless it has suffered harm. There is something happening inside, or going to happen. Do you not feel the tenseness? It takes my breath."

"I feel the air is stuffy," said the Dwarf. "This wood is lighter than Mirkwood, but it is musty and shabby."

"It is old, very old," said the Elf. "So old that almost I feel young again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children. It is old and full of memory, I could have been happy here, if I had come in days of peace."

"I dare say you could," snorted Gimli. "You are a Wood-elf, anyway, though Elves of any kind are strange folk. Yet you comfort me. Where you go, I will go. But keep your bow ready to hand, and I will keep my axe loose in my belt. Not for use on trees," he added hastily, looking up at the tree under which they stood.

— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers

Despite the long standing animosity between elves and dwarves, friendship, and even romance can bloom between them. The fruits of these unions are known as The Children of Ardhon, or The Children of The Earth, for they are half-elf and half-dwarf, encompassing the best of both the mountains and the forests. They belong to both the wood and the stone yet they are viewed as outcasts within their own homes, so they struggle to find their place in the wide world and join with heroes on adventures and make their own home.

Toxic Beauty Standards

With the beautiful pointed ears of the elves and the wild hair and height of the dwarves, while beautiful, The Children of Ardhon are not viewed as such by society. They stand at 4 to 5 feet tall, and and weigh about 100 to 150 pounds, and they tend to be stockier than elves, but more slender than the dwarves. They are capable of growing incredible beards, though not to the extent of their dwarven kin. Their eyes are a blend of both of their parents' eyes.

A Place to Belong

The Children of Ardhon are often blown about place to place and made to feel like they don't belong anywhere in Elven and Dwarven, though they are welcome in human cities and are popular with halflings. In regions where elves and dwarves interact often and put their prejudice aside for any reason, The Children of Ardhon are not only welcomed and treated respectfully, but made to feel like they belong in a world that rejected them. They prefer the company of other Children of Ardhon, half-elves, or anyone who is the result of a mixed union as only they can understand the longing for acceptance and the yearning for a place to belong that The Children of Ardhon so desperately crave.

Naming Conventions

Children of Ardhon use both dwarven and elven naming conventions, but some reject their communities altogether for rejecting them, and their naming conventions along with it. Ask your DM if you want a name from a different species for your child of Ardhon.

The Golden Rule

The Children of Ardhon are outcasts within this world, and so desperate for the love and acceptance they are denied, they are accepting of others, acknowledging their differences while finding common ground. As a race, they want to treat others the way they want to be treated and don't see a need for unnecessary drama or conflict over petty things, which makes them excellent meditators, diplomats, and peacemakers, unless they are amongst elves or dwarves due to their age-old conflict and the fact that dwarves tend to be mistrustful while elves are too proud and rude.

 

Children of Ardhon Traits

Truly the best of both worlds, you have the abilities of both an elf and a dwarf and some that are unique to you, but you'll also have to endure discrimination from elves and dwarves alike.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, your constitution score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Outcast Survivor

You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice and you gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies, or mason’s tools.

Age

The Children of Ardhon mature slower than dwarves, but faster than elves. They live longer than dwarves, living up to 435 years at minimum.

Size

The Children of Ardhon stand at 4 to 5 feet tall, and and weigh about 100 to 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

Darkvision

Accustomed to both life beneath the mountains and the woods at night, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions thanks to your elven and dwarven parenatge. You can see in dim light within 65 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.

Fey Ancestry & Dwarven Resilience

You have an advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep. You also have an advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish, Dwarvish, and one extra language of your choice.