Faalorian Dwarves
Faalorian Dwarves range from 4 to 4.5 feet tall and weigh
between 150 and 250 lbs. Their hair is blond or red (but
there is a fair number of brown and black hair) and their skin
is often ruddy or brownish color. Dwarves tend to be
passionate and single-minded. They are lovers of life
and art (especially crafted items and earthenware). They
speak their own language, Hral, but teach it to no outsider.
Dwarven Racial Traits
- +2 Constitution, -2 Charisma: Dwarves are stout and
tough but tend to be gruff and reserved.
- Medium-size: As medium-size creatures, dwarves have no
special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
- Dwarven base speed is 20 feet.
- Darkvision: Dwarves can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
Darkvision is black and white only, but it is otherwise
like normal sight, and dwarves can function fine with no
light at all.
- Stonecunning: Stonecunning grants dwarves a +2 racial
bonus on checks to notice unusual stonework, such as
sliding walls, stone traps and new construction.
- +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison: Dwarves
are hardy and resistant to toxins.
- +1 racial bonus to attack rolls against Chuth and
Veshnuul orcs: Dwarves
are trained in the special combat techniques that allow
them to fight their common enemies more effectively.
- +4 dodge bonus against giants: Note that any time a
character loses his positive Dexterity bonus to Armor
Class, such as when he's caught flat footed, he loses his
dodge bonus too.
- +2 racial bonus on Appraise checks that are related to
rare or exotic gems.
- +2 racial bonus on Craft checks that are related to
stone or metal.
- Automatic languages: Common and Dwarven (Hral).
Occasionally speak Gnomish or Elvish.
- Favored Class: Fighter. A multi-class dwarf's fighter
class does not count when determining whether he suffers
an XP penalty for multi-classing.
Dwarves are arranged in Clans, large family groups lead by
a Thain. The Thain is usually the eldest male, but can be a
younger more charismatic or wise male. Females (who make
up less than 10% of the dwarf population) are almost never
known to take the title of Thain. Each Clan is
encouraged to strike out on it's own, building it's own
mini-fief. With the Dwarven sense of commerce and the ability
to find natural resources, often a Clan will take up residence
near non-dwarven towns, sometimes becoming the center for
economic activity in a region.
Just over 1200
years ago, dwarves began to migrate to the Island from their
mainland homes, lead by the great Thain, Glamfleud.
Glamfleud is to this very day considered THE hero of Faalorian
dwarves among a pantheon of heroes and gods. His
exploits in battle against the orcs, his ability to produce
the finest craftsmanship, his commissioning of the great halls
that make up much of Mourningthain's upper halls and his
heartbreaking end make him the standard of dwarven behavior.
Faalorian Dwarves are a secretive lot and most of what
follows is information they keep to themselves.
The most revered and respected member of any Clan is the
Priest. Culled from the ranks of the Clan, the Priest is
solely responsible for the Clan's spiritual well-being.
While lesser priests are often seen wandering, adventuring and
otherwise participating in the outside world, Clan Priests
almost never leave the confines of their Shrine. They
almost never have anything to do with non-Dwarves and even a
Dwarf of the same Clan may find it difficult to obtain an
appointment.
Officially, Faalorian Dwarves worship Adrahil, but their
hearts, as a rule, really belong to Hargoth (Aergot). In addition,
two other gods have followed the Dwarves to Faalor: Graenuk
(God of the Tunnel and that-which-is-hidden-below) and Klegsor
(the God of Battle and Righteous Fury). Religious ceremonies
are tightly guarded secrets and blessings from these gods are
difficult to secure for non-Dwarves.
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