Stone Dwarf

Dwarves are a strong and stout people forged from the stone itself, they are gifted with an innate connection to the works of metal and stone. The dwarven people are so attuned to the earth that they are able to feel the rhythmic pulse of the stone they stand upon, with many dwarves taking to this skill as an art form, or even a magic of its own, known as Stonesinging, and it is from these individuals that the true fury of the of earth itself can be drawn upon to defend the clan. Dwarves themselves when they were formed, separated into two different species, twins in a way, these two different peoples are one and the same, and yet different. The Azardun or Magma Dwarves, born of volcanic rock and magma, and the Gharadun or Stone Dwarves, born of the earth and soil, these two peoples are kin, by blood, and by the stone.   The Gharadun or stone dwarves as they are called by the surface folk, are a race of stout scholars, and craftsman, attuned to earth and stone the gharadun sense the rhythmic pulses of the planet enabling them to decipher the planets call, those that specialize in this are known as stone singers, and through their gift are able to bring the fury of the earth itself. Gharadun are lovers of history and tradition, and their long lifespan leads to far less in the way of generational shifts in attitudes, styles, fashions, and trends than shorter-lived races exhibit. If a thing is not broken, they do not fix it or change it; and if it is broken, they fix it rather than replace it. Thrifty as a rule, gharadun are loath to discard anything unless it is truly ruined and unable to be fixed. At the same time, gharadun’s meticulous, near-obsessive attention to detail and durability in their craftsmanship makes that a rare occurrence, as the things they make are built to last. As a result, buildings, artwork, tools, housewares, garments, weapons, and virtually everything else made by gharadun still sees regular use at an age when such items would be relegated to museum pieces, dusty antique shelves, or junkyard fodder by other races. Taken together, these traits create the impression that gharadun are a race frozen in time.   Nothing could be further from the truth, however, as gharadun are both thoughtful and imaginative, willing to experiment, if always keen to refine and perfect a new technique or product before moving on to the next one. Gharadun have achieved feats of metallurgy, stonework, and engineering that have consistently outpaced the technological advances of other races, though some non-dwarven races have used magic to supplement and perfect their own creations to achieve the same ends through mystical rather than mundane means. They are also a race typified by stubborn courage and dedication to seeing tasks through to completion, whatever the risks. These traits have led gharadun to explore and settle in extreme environments that would cause other races to quail and retreat. From the darkest depths of the underworld to the highest mountain peaks, from rusting iron citadels along desolate rocky coasts to squat jungle ziggurats, gharadun have established their enclaves and redoubts, holding them against all comers or perishing to the last and leaving only their enduring monuments to stand as their legacy. While it is said that gharadun are not venturesome or inventive, it would be more accurate to say that they maintain a focus on and dedication to each task they undertake and every change they adopt, vetting such changes thoroughly before adopting them wholeheartedly. When faced with new circumstances and new needs, they react by applying tried and true tools and techniques systematically, using existing methods whenever possible rather than trying to invent novel solutions for every situation. If necessity requires, however, they throw themselves with equal vigor into developing the next perfect procedure for demolishing the obstacles that get in their way. Once their desired goal is obtained, they focus on consolidating each new piece of territory or conceptual advance. Gharadun thus rarely overextend themselves, but they also may miss opportunities to seize the initiative and maximize the advantages they create.

Physical Description

Dwarves are a short and stocky people, standing on average a foot shorter than the average human, while weighing about the same as a fully grown human. They have broad chests and thickset limbs often giving them a burly appearance, with fast growing hair and beards. With a dwarves hair being thicker and stronger than most, it is from a dwarves hair or beard, that they can truly feel the vibrations of the earth, and can interpret these vibrations into meaning. Dwarves grow muscle in much the same way as a human would, but it is more pronounced, like a finely carved statue, unlike humans though, dwarves stores of fat, is less obvious, simply making them appear larger than normal, except for the truly rotund of their kind. Dwarves skin, is like the earth itself, strong, and course, often coming in varied shades similar to actual pieces of stone depending on whether they are Azardun, or Gharadun.   Gharadun's skin tones are akin to the ranges produced by humans from dark ebony, to pale white; however, all are often taken by the stone, transforming their skin to rocky tone and texture of the earth that they walk, it is said that the more a gharadun uses their connection to the earth, the sooner they return to the stone. Gharadun have hair ranging from black, brown, orange, blonde, and white, and their eyes are pupilless and entirely black, brown, yellow, or white.

Alignment and Religion

Gharadun are driven by honor and tradition. While they are often stereotyped as standoffish, they have a strong sense of friendship and justice, and those who win their trust understand that while they work hard, they play even harder—especially when good ale is involved.

5e Racial Stats

• Ability Score Racial Traits: A gharadun increases their Constitution score by 2, and one other ability score of their choice by 1.
• Type: Gharadun are humanoids with the dwarf subtype.
• Size: Gharadun are medium.
• Speed: Gharadun have a base speed of 25ft. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.
• Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Dwarven.

Artificer’s Skill (2)

You gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of your choice: brewer’s supplies, smith’s tools, or tinker’s tools. Additionally, whenever you make a check related to crafting using your chosen tool proficiency, you can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.

Darkvision (x)

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Dwarven Resilience (2)

You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.

Earth Touched (1)

Whenever you would be subject to an attack roll, you can as a reaction increase your AC by 2 until the end of your next turn. You can use this feature a number of times equal to one-half of your Proficiency bonus, regaining spent uses after you complete a short or long rest.

Lorekeeper (1)

You gain proficiency in the History skill and have advantage on History checks that pertain to dwarves or their enemies.

Rock Stepper (1)

You ignore difficult terrain created from rubble, broken ground, and steep stairs.

Stonecunning (1)

Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) or Intelligence (Enginneer's Tools) check related to the origin or make of stonework, you are considered proficient in the History skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.