Brennin Magalus said:
Then why don't we see more drow/dwa... I don't think I'll be going there.
Tell me about dwarves in your world
- Thread starter Janx
- Start date
Then why don't we see more drow/dwa... I don't think I'll be going there.
Brennin Magalus
First Post
MoogleEmpMog
First Post
Kingdom of Ivalice
No dwarves; the only downside of having a human-only campaign.
But, the dwarven stereotype lives on in the sturdy mountain-folk of the northeastern Duchy of Zeltennia. Either that or the Russian stereotype. Or is it the Rokugan Crab Clan stereotype? Anyway, dwarves are sort of Russian in their habits and the Crab Clan were even shown as dwarves in the alternate Rokugan option in OA, so I hold that their stereotype lives on.
Dwarven Age
Stereotypical dwarven culture is like a mix of Anglo-Saxon, Confucian Chinese and Imperial British. If that recipe isn't going to dominate the entire world, I don't know what will. Add the fact that dwarves are now pretty much the most effective race on average of any of the core races and you have the recipe for world domination.
Such is the case in the Dwarven Age. Emerging in the last millennia, the high dwarves (PHB dwarves) swept aside the allied kingdoms of men and orcs and the remnants of the elven empire those luminaries ousted. The dwarves were few in number, being a young race, but they bred fast, lived long, and took a great deal to kill. They were also natural inventors, merchants and soldiers.
The dwarven race has two older, smaller subraces, the physically weak but mentally agile low dwarves (PHB gnomes) and the unintelligent but tough cave dwarves (OA korokoboru). The high dwarves grant these lessers higher status than any non-dwarven race other than giants (see below), but still keep them under control.
These industrious, imperialistic high dwarves descend from matings between the lesser dwarven races with scattered giants (AU giants), who fled underground after losing a long war with the elves. Although not citizens, the remaining giants are still accorded respect by their dwarven descendants for their age and wisdom.
The high dwarves are split into two great nations: a constitutional monarchy and a mercantile oligarchy. The former is largely benevolent in its imperial rule, treats the "lesser" races like humans and orcs kindly, and allows low and cave dwarves to rise to positions of authority if they prove their mettle. The latter is ostensibly open and encourages lesser race trading partners, but imposes brutal industrial slavery on those within its borders. A third faction, promoting full dwarven equality and the purging of the tainted lesser races, has established a foothold as well, led by a charismatic schemer, a dwarven cross between Lenin and Hitler.
All three factions control powerful steampunk-level technology, but have little aptitude for magic.
No dwarves; the only downside of having a human-only campaign.
But, the dwarven stereotype lives on in the sturdy mountain-folk of the northeastern Duchy of Zeltennia. Either that or the Russian stereotype. Or is it the Rokugan Crab Clan stereotype? Anyway, dwarves are sort of Russian in their habits and the Crab Clan were even shown as dwarves in the alternate Rokugan option in OA, so I hold that their stereotype lives on.
Dwarven Age
Stereotypical dwarven culture is like a mix of Anglo-Saxon, Confucian Chinese and Imperial British. If that recipe isn't going to dominate the entire world, I don't know what will. Add the fact that dwarves are now pretty much the most effective race on average of any of the core races and you have the recipe for world domination.
Such is the case in the Dwarven Age. Emerging in the last millennia, the high dwarves (PHB dwarves) swept aside the allied kingdoms of men and orcs and the remnants of the elven empire those luminaries ousted. The dwarves were few in number, being a young race, but they bred fast, lived long, and took a great deal to kill. They were also natural inventors, merchants and soldiers.
The dwarven race has two older, smaller subraces, the physically weak but mentally agile low dwarves (PHB gnomes) and the unintelligent but tough cave dwarves (OA korokoboru). The high dwarves grant these lessers higher status than any non-dwarven race other than giants (see below), but still keep them under control.
These industrious, imperialistic high dwarves descend from matings between the lesser dwarven races with scattered giants (AU giants), who fled underground after losing a long war with the elves. Although not citizens, the remaining giants are still accorded respect by their dwarven descendants for their age and wisdom.
The high dwarves are split into two great nations: a constitutional monarchy and a mercantile oligarchy. The former is largely benevolent in its imperial rule, treats the "lesser" races like humans and orcs kindly, and allows low and cave dwarves to rise to positions of authority if they prove their mettle. The latter is ostensibly open and encourages lesser race trading partners, but imposes brutal industrial slavery on those within its borders. A third faction, promoting full dwarven equality and the purging of the tainted lesser races, has established a foothold as well, led by a charismatic schemer, a dwarven cross between Lenin and Hitler.
All three factions control powerful steampunk-level technology, but have little aptitude for magic.
It's a Dynasty!
This thread (and the others) has inspired this thread. Read, ponder, reply. Decide that Mythusmage has entirely too mu... ...some interesting ideas.
Seriously, come have a look and post how you see things.
This thread (and the others) has inspired this thread. Read, ponder, reply. Decide that Mythusmage has entirely too mu... ...some interesting ideas.
Seriously, come have a look and post how you see things.
Tonguez
A suffusion of yellow
die_kluge said:
I had Dwarves survive on a diet rich in dried Fungus, tubers and meats from the abundant types of subterranean animals (both burrowing animals (including rats, fish & insects) and things like Darkmantles & Bulettes).
Dwarfs also harvest grain from fields they maintain on the surface (and visit at night).
One of the staples of the diet is black Dwarf bread -made from fungus flour (ground dried fungus) and a potato culture. However if made from fungus harvested during the winter months the bread is hallucigenic.
Inconsequenti-AL
Breaks Games
For the region my campaign is set in:
Dwarves are secretive, clannish underground folk... tend to live in clan fortress/mine complexes, generally about 200 strong.
Non dwarfs are forbidden from visiting these underground complexes (except under special circumstances). Their clerics and wizards ward them with formidible defenses against scrying, teleportation and other magical interferance. Privacy is very important.
They set up encampments on the surface near their dwellings. These are specifically for trading. Dwarves make very fine metal goods. They can even work adamantine - a rare skill.
Rather than being 'regular' dwarves, these guys are all Duregar. Their society is Lawful Evil and involves heavy use of slaves from other races. Magmins are particularly prized - after all, they're the key to the working of the adamantine. Unsuprisingly, they keep pretty quiet about this aspect of their culture!
They trade with giants and goblinoid raiders for surface dwelling slaves. Other slaves come from their 'underworld backers'.
My PCs managed to rescue a dwarf prince... earning serious gratitude and a discount on magical goods. They've been idly speculating why they aren't allowed to visit the underground complexes.
Dwarves are secretive, clannish underground folk... tend to live in clan fortress/mine complexes, generally about 200 strong.
Non dwarfs are forbidden from visiting these underground complexes (except under special circumstances). Their clerics and wizards ward them with formidible defenses against scrying, teleportation and other magical interferance. Privacy is very important.
They set up encampments on the surface near their dwellings. These are specifically for trading. Dwarves make very fine metal goods. They can even work adamantine - a rare skill.
Rather than being 'regular' dwarves, these guys are all Duregar. Their society is Lawful Evil and involves heavy use of slaves from other races. Magmins are particularly prized - after all, they're the key to the working of the adamantine. Unsuprisingly, they keep pretty quiet about this aspect of their culture!
They trade with giants and goblinoid raiders for surface dwelling slaves. Other slaves come from their 'underworld backers'.
My PCs managed to rescue a dwarf prince... earning serious gratitude and a discount on magical goods. They've been idly speculating why they aren't allowed to visit the underground complexes.
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