Homebrew Dwarf (Rackham) Species Details

The dwarves have always populated Aarklash ever since the beginning of the Creation.  They believe to have been conceived and named by the gods at the same time as the other races.

Light and Destiny

The Dwarves are considered for their extraordinary stamina.  They share an intimate link with the earth and have an unnatural tendency o dwell in subterranean locations or isolated on vast plains.  They are reluctant to move and hate strangers.  Finally, they possess a sharp sense of community even though they may come from different regions and meet for the first time, two dwarves would feel shared trust at once.

Males bear a developed pilosity.  Bearing a dense and decorated beard is not a social imperative, although it is widely spread.

Females are less stocky than their congeners, but just as stout.  The fingers and their limbs, less massive, predispose them to the activities requiring agility and precision.

Darkness

The possessed are dwarves bewitched by gruesome magicians.  Their leader, the Despot, being originally a dwarf of Tir-Na-Bor, has turned his threatening gaze towards his fellow creatures.

During a dreadful ritual, the soul of the dwarf is imprisoned, whereas it’s internal organs are collected in a canopic doll.  The body of the victim is skinned.  It is sewn then with the skin of the other victims, as well as with additional cloth, to form a macabre parody of a body.

The canopic doll comes to life at the same time as the Possessed.  It’s features resemble vaguely those of the Possesed to which it is bound.  These strange idols must be fed by plunging them into blood; otherwise, they sink into a lethargy, which gives them the appearance of simple rag dolls.  A Possessed and his doll share a powerful empathetic link:  if it’s canopic doll is destroyed, the Possessed dies.

The skin and the organs of the Possessed decompose at a very variable pace.  It is necessary to them to renew them to avoid destruction.  For that reason, heat, the sun and water are sources of danger, which are dreadfully painful to the Possessed if exposed to them more than a few minutes.

In Cadwallon

The dwarves do not like to live far from the Aegis Mountains.  Cadwallon is one of the few cities of Aarklash which can boast of having seduced these hard-boiled beings that contributed to the architectural development of the city.  Cadwes owe their most modern districts to the dwarves, as well as numerous innovations.  This does not prevent certain city-dwellers from alleging the dwarves with secret intentions, such as exploiting the Cynwall vestiges.

The Possessed whom one can meet on the streets of Cadwallon are renegades.  They are hunted down by their fellow creatures because their link with the Despot was broken by some demon of the depths.

Dwarf (Rackham) Traits

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

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Constitution by 1. 

Age

Dwarves mature at the same rate as humans.  On average, they live to about 90 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.  However, those tainted by the influences of the Despot of Mid-Nor are entirely different breed.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Dwarvish.

Size

Dwarves stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and average about 175 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

Dwarven Combat Training

You have proficiency with the battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and warhammer.

Hard Boiled

As a reaction, you focus on your endurance and determination.  For the next minute you have resistance to slashing, piercing, and bludgeoning damage from non magical sources.  This may not be used again until you finish a long rest.

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.

Tool Proficiency

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