Homebrew Half-Dwarf Species Details

Walking in two worlds but truly belonging to neither, half-dwarves combine what some say are the best qualities of their dwarf and human parents: human curiosity, versatility, and ambition tempered by the fortitude, honor, and artisanry of the dwarves. Some half-dwarves live among humans, set apart by their emotional and physical differences, watching friends and loved ones age while time barely touches them. Others live with the dwarves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless dwarven kingdoms, while their peers continue to live as children. Many half-dwarves, unable to fit into either society, choose lives of solitary wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in the adventuring life.

Of Two Worlds

To humans, half-dwarves look like dwarves, and to dwarves, they look human. In height, they’re usually taller than most dwarves, but also noticeably broader than most humans. They range from under 5 feet to nearly 6 feet tall, and from 140 to 280 pounds, with men only slightly taller and heavier than women. Half-dwarf men almost always have thick facial hair, and half-dwarf women are sometimes able to grow minimal facial hair themselves. Half-dwarf coloration and features lie somewhere between their human and dwarf parents, and thus show a variety even more pronounced than that found among either race. They tend to have the hair of their dwarven parents.

Artisans or Adventurers

Half-dwarves have no lands of their own, though they are welcome in human cities and somewhat less welcome in dwarven kingdoms. In large cities in regions where dwarves and humans interact often, half-dwarves are sometimes numerous enough to form small communities of their own. They enjoy the company of other half-dwarves, the only people who truly understand what it is to live between these two worlds.

In most parts of the world, though, half-dwarves are uncommon enough that one might live for years without meeting another. Some half-dwarves endeavor to prove their worth to society through craft, combining their curiosity and adaptability with masterful craftsmanship to make a name for themselves as some of the best artisans alive. Some are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity, reinforced by their bold and rash natures, aspiring to become renowned adventurers and legendary heroes. Others, in contrast, embrace their multicultural heritage, putting their charisma and social skills to great use in diplomatic roles.

Half-Dwarf Names

Half-dwarves use either human or dwarven naming conventions. As if to emphasize that they don’t really fit in to either society, half-dwarves raised among humans are often given dwarven names, and those raised among dwarves often take human names.

Half-Dwarf Variants

Some half-dwarves have a racial trait in place of the Adaptable Artifice trait. If your DM allows it, your half-dwarf character can forgo Adaptable Artifice and instead take the dwarf trait Stonecunning, Dwarven Combat Training, or a trait based on your dwarf parentage:

• Hill Dwarf Heritage - Dwarven Toughness
• Mountain Dwarf Heritage - Dwarven Armor Training
• Duergar Heritage - Duergar Resilience or Duergar Magic

Half-Dwarf Traits

Your half-dwarf character has some qualities in common with dwarves and some that are unique to half-dwarves.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Half-dwarves mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live much longer than humans, however, often exceeding 180 years.

Alignment

Half-dwarves share the lawful bent of their dwarven heritage. They value both honor and creative expression.

Size

Half-dwarves are only slightly smaller than humans, ranging from under 5 feet to nearly 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your dwarven blood, 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.

Dwarven Resilience

You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage (explained in the “Combat” section).

Adaptable Artifice

You gain proficiency in one skill and one Artisan's Tool of your choice.

Languages

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