Dwarves
Ancient kingdoms rich in 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.
Dwarves live to more than 350 years old, and the oldest dwarves remember a very different world. Some Ruzvarkun elders recall events three centuries past as vividly as recent memory. This longevity grants them a perspective on the world that shorter-lived races lack. They revere the Dwarven Celestial Council — their pantheon of gods who uphold the ideals of industrious labor, skill in battle, and devotion to the forge.
Racial Traits (All Dwarves)
Size: Medium | Speed: 25 ft (not reduced by heavy armor) Age: Mature same as humans; considered young until ~50; live ~350 years Darkvision: 60 ft Dwarven Resilience: Advantage on saves vs. poison; resistance to poison damage Dwarven Combat Training: Proficiency with dwarven waraxe, handaxe, battleaxe, light hammer, warhammer, and light crossbow. Advantage on attacks vs. orcs, goblinoids, and giantkin (and those creatures have disadvantage vs. you). Stonecunning: Double proficiency on Int (History) checks related to stonework Dwarven Armor Training: Proficiency with light and medium armor
The Dwarf Subtypes
Ruzvarkun Dwarf
Old Name: Roseland Dwarf
Character: The most widespread and sociable of dwarves. Sturdy, traditional, and fiercely loyal to clan and craft. They have a strong sense of fair play and tend toward law and good. Found throughout the Holy Rose Empire and many mountain ranges.
Appearance: Stocky and short compared to humans. Skin ranges from ruddy and tan to pale grey-brown; hair typically brown, black, red, or grey; eyes commonly brown, grey, or blue. Males typically sport braided beards as a point of pride.
Homeland: The Duchy of Khazrelgrimm (Mountain of Crowned Steel), Kingdom of Durmarnholl (Sacred Hold of the Oath-King), Principality of Faelnyssa, March of Dravdrakdal, and Principality of Dalgrûnvaldr within the Holy Rose Empire.
Languages: Dwarf and Aislandtic (Iljarnskarn). Additional choices: Ananthean, Al’Malik, Giant, Fae, Orc, Elf, Draconic, Gnoll.
Alignment: Tend toward Lawful Good; strong sense of fair play.
Tool Proficiency: Choice of smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies, or mason’s tools.
Notable Traits:
- Long memory — grudges and debts are tracked meticulously.
- Deeply religious; the Dwarven Celestial Council is central to daily life.
- Comfortable co-existing with Sylvalûn elves in mountain territories.
Durakhald Dwarf
Old Name: Durin Dwarf
Character: Darker and more suspicious than their Ruzvarkun kin. The Durakhald live deeper underground, in harsher conditions, and their culture reflects it. Where Ruzvarkun dwarves trade and build alliances, Durakhald are more insular, mistrustful of outsiders, and — in some — more prone to avarice.
Appearance: Paler and leaner than Ruzvarkun dwarves; grey, ashen, or pale white skin; dark or platinum hair; often sharp, suspicious eyes in grey or silver tones.
Homeland: The deep underdark; the Dual Kingdom of Edrum-Khaelyth’s deeper halls; Niflheim.
Languages: Dwarf + Underdark languages. Often speak Elf (Kharunyel) due to Niflheim coexistence.
Alignment: Tend toward neutrality; the Durakhald are driven by pragmatism and survival more than principle.
Notable Traits:
- Superior Darkvision (extended range).
- More avarice than Ruzvarkun — wealth and resource hoarding can become problematic.
- Trust must be genuinely earned; strangers are watched carefully.
Duergar
Grey Dwarves
Character: The Duergar are the darkest branch of dwarfkind — twisted by generations in the deepest places beneath Amantia, often under psionic or fiendish influence. They are dour, paranoid, and relentlessly pragmatic. Not all are evil, but their society is shaped by hardship and enslavement in their ancient past.
Appearance: Ashen grey skin; hairless or very sparse hair; pale or milky eyes; lean and angular.
Homeland: The deepest parts of the underdark; Niflheim’s lower reaches.
Languages: Dwarf + Undercommon + often Abyssal or Infernal.
Notable Traits:
- Enlarge/Reduce once per long rest (innate magic).
- Advantage on saves vs. illusions and charm/paralysis effects.
- Sunlight Sensitivity.
- Psionic heritage — resistance to mind-affecting magic.
The Dwarven Celestial Council
The dwarven pantheon is called the Dwarven Celestial Council — a council of gods who uphold the dwarven ideals of labor, battle, and the forge. Key members include Ylmodra (Goddess of Amantia, Nature, Agriculture, Dwarves) and Skardrum (God of Stone Giants, Stone Craft, Rune Craft).
See also: Species Index | Country Index | Deity Index | ChapterTwo_RacesOfAmantia_09March2024.pdf