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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tzeentch" data-source="post: 1302614" data-attributes="member: 13222">-- Although I love MECCG to death, they managed to create a system for their roleplaying game that had ZERO Tolkien feel.-- Need to work on their intro text and probably modify some of their other descriptive text. -- I didn't give them any resistance to fire although they sure have some form of it: "For the Naugrim withstood fire more hardily than either Elves or Men, and it was their custom moreover to wear great masks in battle hideous to look upon; and those stood them in good stead against the dragons." -- The Silmarillion-- Their abilities might justify ECL+1 depending on how you rate their original D&D abilities.-- Haven't worked up stats for the Petty Dwarves, probably not necessary as they are all dead (according to the Silmarillion at least).DWARVES VERSION 1.1The Dwarves (or Khazâd in their own tongue) were the first race to be created, in defiance of the will of Illuvitar.Since they were to come in the days of the power of Melkor, Aulë made the Dwarves strong to endure. Therefore they are stone-hard, stubborn, fast in friendship and in enmity, and they suffer toil and hunger and hurt of body more hardily than all other speaking people; and they live long, far beyond the span of Men, yet not for ever.-- The SilmarillionPersonality: Dwarves are unswerving and proud, never forgetful of a debt or wrong done to them. Most dwarves are honest and fair, but not given to generosity or revealing secrets. They are not fond of diplomacy, and are quick to go to war. Their greatest flaws are a tendency towards wrath, possessiveness, and gold-lust.Physical Description: Dwarves are short and stocky, standing between 4-1/2 to 5 feet tall. Their dense muscles and broad bodies make them, on average, about the same weight as a human.Relations: Dwarves were never very friendly with other races, and at the best of times were guarded and conservative in their dealings. At times they worked closely with the Noldor, who shared a common love of craft, and shared much lore and secret arts. They often traded with Men, exchanging finely wrought goods and refined metals for food and luxury items (such as fine wine).Alignment: Dwarves tend to be neutral. Although greed and avarice consume a very rare few, most dwarves are firmly good people. Adventuring dwarves are likely to place less emphasis on tradition and ritual, and may show any range of alignments.Dwarven Lands: By the end of the Third Age the holdings of the dwarves was much reduced by war, dwindling population, and the depredations of a wrathful Sauron. Most remaining dwarves were concentrated in the Iron Hills, Blue Mountains and, after the defeat of Smaug the Golden, Erebor.Religion: As with most Free People, there is little in the way of an organized, systematic religion with the dwarven people. Most revere Aulë the Maker (who they call Mahal) and praise him in their artistry and song.Language: The language of the dwarves is known as Khuzdul, an ancient tongue of lore that was taught to them by Aulë when their race first awoke. The dwarves keep the secrets of their language close, and few outsiders learn more then a few words and phrases of the harsh tongue. Dwarves use the cirth alphabet for their writing, which itself was adapted from the elves; over time the dwarves further modified the symbols and developed new modes (see Languages, p. 00).Male Names: Balin, Gimli, Thorin, ThráinFemale Names: No female dwarves are known to outsiders.Clan Names: Of the seven great houses of Khazâd, only that of Durin is named.Adventurers: Dwarven adventurers are rare, but not unheard of. Most leave their holds on a personal quest, often to seek fortune or fame.DWARF RACIAL TRAITS• +2 Constitution, –2 Charisma. Dwarves are exceptionally hale, but prone to be secretive and dour in their dealings with others.• Medium: As Medium creatures, dwarves have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.• Dwarf base land speed is 20 feet. However, dwarves can move at this speed even when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load (unlike other creatures, whose speed is reduced in such situations).• +2 racial bonus on all Will saves. Dwarves are unswerving and proud.• +4 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells or effects. Their unusual origin makes dwarves resistant to domination of the mind and spirit through sorcery and other foul craft.• Appraise and Craft are always class skills for dwarves. While not every dwarf takes up a craft, those that do find they have a natural talent for it.• Automatic Languages: Khuzdul and Westron. Bonus Languages: Adûnaic, Rohirric, Sindarin.• Favored Class: Craftsman. A multiclass dwarf’s craftsman class does not count when determining whether he takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing. Aulë imbued dwarves with a fondness for crafts and things of the earth.(((START BOX)))Noegyth Nibin (S. “Petty Dwarves”)These sad people were Dwarves driven from the great Dwarf-cities of the east during the First Age. Most migrated west, eventually coming upon the land of Beleriand before the return of Morgoth. They were at first hunted by the elves in those lands, but eventually left alone to delve deep in the earth. The Petty Dwarves were at peace for a long age, but the coming of the Noldor ended that, when the elven lords took their homes by force. The survivors hated the elves no less then the darkest of Morgoth’s host, and would not hesitate to slay one if the opportunity arose.The Petty Dwarves were hardly recognizable as Dwarves, being diminished in stature and furtive in act and deed. Most were cowardly and selfish, capable of great treachery if their lives were threatened. They also lacked any great skill in smith-craft, instead excelling in stealth.The last of the Petty Dwarves were thought to have died out long ago, but it is possible that some remain in Middle-earth.(((END BOX)))</blockquote>

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