Homebrew Dwarforged Species Details

“Rory, I need the help of the best artisans of your kind.” To'marr Ironfist eyed the gnome with a sense of purpose.

“Sure thing, master Ironfist! You know us; always ready to tackle a new project!” Rory always got a twinkle in his eye when the dwarf would come to his workshop.

“Good. This idea could make all the difference in this war. Or it could spell certain doom. You know, the usual.”

—The Thinker and the Tinker

The dwarforged were designed as a failsafe should the heroes or Argaria fail in their quest to stop the Great Adversary. While initially little more than steam-powered constructs, gnomish innovation was paired with dwarven spirit to produce the final result. What were once mindless husks became vessels for concentrated spirit energy magically siphoned from the Soul Forge. Losing the identity of the ancestral heroes that gave them life, these sentient machines were built for one thing: protection. Dwarforged are made from forged natural resources and brought to life by the power of souls, but they can feel pain and emotion. Built as weapons, they must claim a new identity for themselves, now that a global calamity no longer looms on the horizon.

Built Back to Life

Dwarforged are formed from a blend of organic and inorganic materials. Root-like cords infused with alchemical fluids serve as their muscles, wrapped around a framework of steel, darkwood, or stone. Armored plates form a protective outer shell and reinforce joints. A durable core beneath their chests house a spirit box which gives them life. If this box were to be destroyer, the Dwarforged would lose its identity and become a run-of-the-mill mindless construct. Dwarforged all have a similar basic construction, but each one sports unique visual features trademarked by the specific artisan which created it. No two models look quite the same, as some are made in likeness to heroes of the past (from all known races in Argaria).

Although they were manufactured, dwarforged are living humanoids. Resting, healing magic, and the Medicine skill all provide the same benefits to dwarforged that they do to other humanoids.

Wayward Souls

Upon being reborn to the material plane, the dwarforged remembers nothing of its past life. The mysterious power of the Soul Forge infuses the spirit of a fallen ancestor into the construct. Nobody knows exactly whose spirit resides within, or if a new soul is forged in the process. Regardless, upon rebirth it's common for dwarforged to have something of an identity crisis. Each individual is typically educated about its existence by the people who created it. From there, it is up to the dwarforged to determine who they are meant to be. While the wars of the past necessitated compliance for battle, modern constructs are encouraged to find their own way and forge their paths as individuals. 

Dwarforged Personality

The dwarforged were initially built to serve and to fight, but are now created out of artistic expression. In their infancy, dwarforged had a clearly defined function and were encouraged to focus purely on that role. The Beldarak Alliance gave them autonomu, but many still struggle both to find a place in the post-war world and to relate to the creatures who created them.

The typical dwarforged encodes emotion based on the world it grows up in. Many embrace a specific purpose — such as protecting allies, completing a contract, or exploring a land — and embrace this task with stoic efficiency. However, there are dwarforged who delight in exploring their feelings, their freedom, and their relationships with others. Most dwarforged are educated in teachings of Wyr Karag, as each model has the deity to thank for its existence, but are typically not devout unless they choose that path.

The typical dwarforged has a sexless body shape, though this can be influenced by the craftsman who created it. Some dwarforged ignore the concept of gender entirely, while others adopt a gender identity that suits them.

The more a dwarforged develops its individuality, the more likely it is to modify its body, seeking out an artificer to customize the look of its face, limbs, and plating.

Quirks

Dwarforged often display an odd personality trait or two, given how new they are to the world. The Dwarforged Quirks table contains example quirks.

Dwarforged Quirks

Dwarforged Names

The prototype dwarforged were specifically provided model numbers for names, but after the War of the Wolf, the constructs were allowed to choose their own name. Sometimes this is a regional choice, others take names of dwarven of gnomish heroes. The freedom of choice has allowed for a large variety of unique names, so there are no wrong answers.

Dwarforged Traits

Your dwarforged character has the following traits. A few of the traits give you a choice; consider how your choice reflects the purpose for which your character was built.

Ability Score Increase

Dwarforged models were built with durability in mind, but to also serve a variety of random purposes. Your Constitution score increases by 1, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 2.

Age

Dwarforged were first constructed during the last age, so none have been around longer than 22 years. The maximum dwarforged lifespan remains a mystery; so far, dwarforged have shown no signs of deterioration due to age. You are immune to magical aging effects.

Alignment

Dwarforged are inclined to imprint the values and morals of those around them, but are free to have their own wants and desires.

Size

Dwarforged body sizes range wildly depending on the artisan who built them. Some are as short as a regular gnome, while many are built taller than standard dwarves.

Your size is Small or Medium. To set your height and weight randomly, start with rolling a size modifier:

Size modifier = 2d6

Height = 3 feet + 10 inches + your size modifier in inches

Weight in pounds = 270 + (4 × your size modifier)

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Built to Last

You were created to have remarkable fortitude, represented by the following benefits:

• You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage.
• You don’t need to eat, drink, or breathe.
• You are immune to disease.
• You don’t need to sleep, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Watchful Protector

When you take a long rest, you must spend at least six hours in an inactive, motionless state, rather than sleeping. In this state, you appear inert, but it doesn’t render you unconscious, and you can see and hear as normal.

Durable Frame

Your body has built-in defensive layers, which can be enhanced with armor:

• You gain a +1 bonus to Armor Class.
• You can don only armor with which you have proficiency. To don armor other than a shield, you must incorporate it into your body over the course of 1 hour, during which you remain in contact with the armor. To doff armor, you must spend 1 hour removing it. You can rest while donning or doffing armor in this way.
• While you live, the armor incorporated into your body can’t be removed against your will.

Echoes of the Past

While the memories of your past life are gone, the Soul Forge has granted you a natural affinity to some of the previous aptitude you once had an inclination for. You gain one skill proficiency and one tool proficiency of your choice.

Languages

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