Dark Dwarf Warrrior
1
Passive Abilities:-
Sunlight Sensitivity
Innate Spell(s) per Long Rest:-
Enlarge Target2
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Invisibility, Minor2
Inventory Equipped:-
Clothes, Peasant0.1 gp
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Lamellar150 gp
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Medium Shield10 gp
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War Pick5 gp
Inventory Unequipped:-
Javelin0.5 gp
Craggy and robust, this humanoid, with skin resembling stone, exudes an otherworldly sturdiness. Hairless like a dwarf, their milky eyes reflect abyssal mysteries. Clad in rugged yet finely crafted armor, a menacing axe at their side, they evoke both craftsmanship and primal might. A sneer bares stark white teeth against slate-gray skin, embodying a unique resilience—a sentinel of depths, a force carved from the very essence of the earth.
The tyrannical duergar, also known as gray dwarves, dwell in fantastic cities deep in the Underdark. Using ancient dwarven knowledge and myriad slaves, they work tirelessly to expand their subterranean kingdoms.
Most duergar (including females) are bald and have ashen gray skin. They wear drab clothing designed to blend in with stone, along with simple jewelry that reflects their severe and utilitarian demeanor.
Slaves to Slavers. The duergar were once dwarves, before their greed and endless delving beneath the earth brought them into contact with the mind flayers. Held in captivity for generations by the illithids, the dwarves eventually won their independence with the aid of the evil god Laduguer. Slavery had forever changed them, however, darkening their spirits to make the duergar as evil as the tyrants they had escaped. Despite winning their freedom, duergar are dour, pessimistic, untrusting creatures, always toiling and complaining, with no memory of what it means to be happy or proud. Their craftsmanship and accomplishments endure, yet they are bereft of warmth or artistry.
Duergar make war against their dwarven kin and all other subterranean races. They forge alliances when it is convenient, then break those alliances when they have nothing more to gain. They take and hold slaves to toil in the Underdark, regarding them as free labor and crude currency.
Tough as Stone. Like dwarves, duergar have strong constitutions. Adding to their physical stamina is an incredible mental fortitude resulting from their time as slaves of the illithids. A duergar's mind is a fortress, able to shrug off charms, illusions, and other spells.
Born of Darkness. The Underdark is saturated with strange magical power, which the duergar absorbed over generations of imprisonment. A duergar can increase its size and strength for a short time, becoming a powerful ogre-sized warrior. If it faces a foe it can't fight, or when spying on creatures approaching its territory, it can just as easily become invisible to slip away into the darkness. Eons spent in the Underdark also sharpened their darkvision, allowing them to see twice as far as other dwarves. This keen eyesight comes at a cost, however, as a duergar's vision is compromised by sunlight.
Infernal Master. Asmodeus, Lord of the Nine Hells, has been known to impersonate duergar gods in order to cultivate the evil brimming in the hearts of the gray dwarves. He offers them divine guidance and vengeance against their enemies while urging them on toward greater acts of tyranny, all the while concealing his true identity.
Deep Dwarves
Deep Dwarves are a unique and intriguing subrace of dwarves that dwell in the shadowed depths of the earth, far removed from the surface world. Their existence is a stark departure from the traditional dwarven culture, as they have become enshrouded in darkness, greed, and a connection to sinister deities.
Subterranean Dwellers:
Deep Dwarves are the denizens of the world below, dwelling in the darkest, labyrinthine tunnels and subterranean cities deep within the earth. They have never seen the light of the sun, and their skin has adapted to this perpetual darkness, making it nearly pitch black. This coloration allows them to blend seamlessly with the rocky surroundings, providing them with a natural advantage in avoiding detection by intruders.
Servants of Darkness:
Deep Dwarves have an intricate, albeit sinister, relationship with the gods of the earth. Many of them serve malevolent deities, such as The Darkness or Idris, God of Malice, who are associated with the depths and darkness. These deities grant the Deep Dwarves unique powers and abilities, drawing strength from the shadows and the unfathomable depths. The Deep Dwarves often view these deities as patrons of their subterranean civilization, guiding their actions and shaping their culture.
Relentless Greed:
Despite their connection to darkness and malevolent deities, the Deep Dwarves are driven by the same insatiable greed that characterizes their surface-dwelling cousins. They relentlessly mine for precious metals, gems, and gold, but their motives extend beyond simple wealth. They believe that their treasures are offerings to their dark deities, and they use them in profane rituals to appease and gain favor with their patrons.
Subterranean Cities:
Deep Dwarven cities are masterpieces of dark architecture, carved into the very rock and stone of the earth. These cities are sprawling labyrinths with intricate tunnels, grand caverns, and shadowed palaces adorned with obsidian, onyx, and other dark minerals. Sinister to outsiders, these cities are a testament to the Deep Dwarves' architectural and engineering prowess.
Conflict and Intrigue:
Deep Dwarves are not only known for their mining and devotion to malevolent deities but also for their intrigue and conflict. Factions within their society vie for power, and the worship of the underground gods often leads to internal strife. Adventurers who delve into the world of Deep Dwarves may find themselves entangled in these complex webs of power, as well as exploring the dark secrets hidden in the subterranean depths.
In Zin, Deep Dwarves offer a unique and compelling twist on traditional dwarves. Their connection to darkness, malevolent deities, and insatiable greed, while still retaining their renowned craftsmanship, makes them an intriguing and multifaceted race that can add depth and complexity to your campaigns. Whether as allies or adversaries, Deep Dwarves bring a new dimension to the underground world of your tabletop adventures.