Homebrew Half-Dwarf Species Details

"Kingdoms rich in ancient grandeur, halls carved into the roots of mountains, the echoing of picks and hammers in deep mines and blazing forges, a commitment to clan and tradition, and a burning hatred of goblins and orcs—these common threads unite all dwarves."

"In the reckonings of most worlds, humans are the youngest of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and dragons. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something to prove to the elder races, and that’s why they build their mighty empires on the foundation of conquest and trade. Whatever drives them, humans are the innovators, the achievers, and the pioneers of the worlds."

 

Best of both Worlds

Half-dwarves often look very similar to their dwarven parent, though they are taller and not as stocky. They usually stand between 5 and 5 1/2 feet tall. Depending on parentage, hair color can range from dark blonde to black; eyes can be any color, from blue to hazel to black. Most male half-dwarves will have a beard of some kind. Only those attempting to deny their dwarven heritage will be clean-shaven. Half-dwarves will dress in the style of the community in which they were raised.

They are stockier, broader in the shoulders and hips, with a tendency towards shorter legs and wider faces when compared to humans. Half-dwarves inherit the ethnic traits of their human parent; a half-dwarf with a Illuskan parent is fair-skinned, while a half-dwarf with an Rashemi parent is much darker. Half-dwarves may pass as dwarves with a +8 bonus to Disguise checks, but they are usually too tall and human-like to fool their dwarven kin.

A half-dwarf will often assume the role of hardy adventurer. If he has been around dwarves, he will try to live up to the ideal standards of dwarven character. If he has never seen or been around dwarves much, he will often take this stereotype to the extreme, making himself in what he sees as the typical dwarven personality. Many adopt dwarf mannerisms, skills, and weapons with ease, proudly brandishing an axe as an identifying characteristic. Others instead go completely the other way and seem more human than even other humans.

Half-dwarves often appear as either too-short humans or too-tall dwarves, and their behavior falls in between the two as well. He is a stalwart friend and companion, and he can be relied on in dangerous situations. Gruff and steadfast, he will support the party through the toughest time. A half-dwarf does not actively seek out danger, and he tempers the party's enthusiasm for new things with a down-to-earth realism.

The combination of dwarven and human characteristics affect his non-adventuring life as well. Half-dwarves in human communities have a reputation for crafting and mining superior to their human neighbors. In dwarven lands, half-dwarves are used as messengers and diplomats, as their human heritage gives them an advantage in dealing with the unknown.

There are no significant half-dwarven leaders, as there are very few half-dwarves. This does not mean that there never can be. If more half-dwarves appear, a half-dwarven leader could emerge to help bring dwarves and humans closer together.

Half-dwarves do not have their own communities. They are equally likely to exist in dwarven and human communities. Many human communities would accept a half-dwarf as easily as a half-elf. Half-dwarves must find comfort in families or groups where difference is not treated with fear or contempt. Hill dwarf communities generally accept half-dwarves, though the dwarven parent may be shunned for raising a half-dwarf. Half-dwarves of dwarven mothers are often forced to live on their own, as they can be cast out as unfit dwarves.

Half-Dwarf Traits

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

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

You may choose an ability score of your choice by 1.

Age

Half dwarves mature at the same rate as humans, but they’re considered young until they reach the age of 40. On average, they live about 280 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

Half dwarves stand between 4 1/2 and 5 feet tall and average about 150 - 175 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life both underground and topside, you have reasonable vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 40 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.

Sub Dwarven Resilience

You have a +1 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage (explained in the “Combat” section).

Mixed Combat Training

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

Tool Proficiency

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

Craftcunning

 Half-dwarves inherit the dwarf's keen eye for craftsmanship, and their human heritage expands this to more than just stone and metal.

Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to the origin of crafted items, you are considered proficient in the History skill and add a proficiency + 2 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.

 Half-dwarves often take up a regional language as a bonus language.