New FAQ

[green slime]

And... Is the following really a Frequently Asked Question?

My dwarf character fell into a pit of alchemist fire.
Although he survived, the fire burned his beard away. Does
dwarf facial hair re-grow at the same rate as human facial
hair?

While a dwarf’s facial hair grows at roughly the same rate
as human facial hair, a dwarf’s beard is cultivated from the
time a young dwarf’s first facial hair sprouts on his chin. It may
take a decade or more of careful care and grooming for a beard
to feel (or be recognized by other dwarves) as full as it once
was.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Characters fall into a pit of alchemist fire two or three times per session in my game.

 

[Boregar]

Ah, but surely it depends upon whether its a male or a female dwarf.

 

[Arkhandus]

Not really.

Female dwarves are even more proud of their beard's grooming in fact!

 

[Boregar]

Not really.

Female dwarves are even more proud of their beard's grooming in fact!

Aye, but does it grow at the same rate as a male's?

 

[wedgeski]

Aye, but does it grow at the same rate as a male's?

Sounds like another 'frequently' asked question to me! Send it in!

 

[Slife]

Could a casting of regenerate restore his beard?

 

[Rvdvelden]

I think this has no place in this particular FAQ. While it is something that might get asked frequently, the FAQ specifically states in 'about the FAQ':

If you have a question about the D&D game rules, you might find them within this FAQ.

To me this says the FAQ should restrict itself to game rules, not take any stance in fluff questions.

In this case, the answer is based on assumption/house rule of the asker of the question: the fire burned his beard away by falling in a pit of alchemical fire. I have never encountered a rule that said the beard of a dwarf will be burned away if this happened to him.

I can already see the heated discussion at the gaming table:
- P1:your character doesn't have a beard anymore for the rest of this campaign, my character burned it away
- P2: it grows back in a matter of weeks
- P1, no it doesn't, check the official rules faq
- P2: this can't be correct, right, DM?
- DM: *checks faq* sorry, he seems to be right, it's official
- P2: *creates a new, non-dwarven character*

 

[Tharen the Damned]

The answer in itself is unsatisfying.
We need the rate at which the hair grows back. Maybe a little bit randomizing like 1d3 Inch per month or so.
Then we need some spells that regrow hair, help us groom hair and so forth like "Invulnerability to Dandruff"!
Of course we absolutely need Feats for Hair like "Iron Beard": Your Hair can not be burned, but it is vulnerable to rust attacks.
And after all, where are the Prestige Classes? Frenzied Barber anyone?
Monster: Dire Beard and Hair Golem for example
Magic Items are a must: The Rod of perfect Hairdress!
I see it coming, the next Book of the "Complete" series:
"Complete Hairstyle"

 

[Voadam]

Then we need some spells that regrow hair, help us groom hair and so forth like "Invulnerability to Dandruff"!
Of course we absolutely need Feats for Hair like "Iron Beard": Your Hair can not be burned, but it is vulnerable to rust attacks.

I seem to recall a 2e spell called silver beard that was specific to dwarven priests (of Clangeddin Silverbeard). . . I think it was in an FR book, Demihuman Deities or Prayers from the Faithful. It might be updated for 3e in Magic of Faerun, but I'd have to check.