Crustypeanut
2013-01-08, 10:50 AM
I'm currently working on a Pathfinder Campaign set in the Five Kings Mountains, and thus this campaign will be an all-Dwarf campaign.
With that, I'd like to come up with ~7 Dwarf Subraces to allow my players a bit of variety beyond that of the standard dwarf race plus the alternative racial choices from the Advanced Race Guide, though many of those choices will be included in the various subraces.
However, one thing I'd like to avoid is taking obvious subraces from previous D&D editions, as I want these subraces to be more unique to Golarion. One of the main difficulties I'm having is coming up with names. The idea is to have these races almost extinct in current times, but more common around the era of when Dwarves first reached the surface of Golarion thousands of years ago.
Therefore, they need to be relatively unadapted for surface-living, so things such as hating dragons, elves, humans, etc are not going to work. All subraces also gain the 'xenophobic' language racial trait, and thus only speak Dwarven and may choose from only four languages due to high intelligence. These are Undercommon, Orc, Goblin, and Terran. All ideas I'm mainly taking from the ARG, and I'm aiming to keep all subraces around the standard 11 Racial Points for Dwarves. Give or take 1-2.
So far, here are my ideas:
'Common' Subrace
Almost identical to the standard Dwarves in the CRB. Since Giants are presumably unknown underground (I think), change their Defensive Training to work against Humanoid (Orc). Everything else remains the same.
These guys are also the most common, and are the only subrace that has truly survived to modern times.
'Noble' Subrace
The noble version of the standard Dwarves. Their ability score modifiers are +2 Con, +2 Cha, -2 Wis. They are as durable as normal dwarves, but far more charismatic and beautiful (in a Dwarven sense), but are so full of themselves that they are easily fooled.
Due to their noble statuses, they are less prone to engaging in combat, and thus lose both the hatred and defensive training abilities, but gain various linguistic skills, perhaps a spell-like ability even. I'm thinking Moment of Greatness for such an ability.
'Warrior' Subrace
This subrace is built for combat, even moreso than the standard dwarves. Their ability score modifiers are +2 Str, +2 Con and -2 Cha. They're strong, durable, but a bit weak in the social department, as most dwarves are.
While all dwarves keep the Stability racial trait, these ones also will gain the Relentless racial trait, as well as a bonus feat, oriented around defense. Most likely I'm thinking Defensive Combat Training, so that all dwarves of this subrace are trained to resist combat maneuvers of any type. However, they lose most, if not all, of their various skill bonuses, as well as their resistance to spells and poison.
'Primitive' Subrace
Think of the Gully Dwarves from Dragonlance. Thats what I'm sort of aiming for with these guys. +2 Con or Dex (Not sure yet), +2 Wis, -2 Int. They're as strong and perceptive as normal dwarves, but less intelligent.
Their bonuses will orient more around survival, sneaking, etc. I'm thinking they should gain some kind of natural camouflage in underground enviornments (In fact, I'm thinking of naming them Rock Dwarves to describe their rock-like appearance), as well as have a natural armor bonus. They may be given a natural attack (Slam) as well, but lose their dwarven weapon familiarity trait.
'Crafty' Subrace
When I say crafty, I don't mean rogue-crafty. I mean craftsmen, artisans, etc. +2 Con, +2 Int, -2 Cha. They're more intelligent, but less wise and perceptive as usual dwarves.
One big thing I want them to have is the racial trait that gives them 3 Skill Focus feats over their lifetimes. Depending on what the particular character is focusing on, these could greatly help them out. Other than that, I haven't much decided on what to give 'em.
'Agile' Subrace
These dwarves would, sadly, be the elves of the dwarven world. Agile, perceptive, but just as gruff as usual dwarves. +2 Dex, +2 Wis, -2 Cha. This would mean that, for a dwarf, they're a bit flimsy, but not so much as an elf.
I haven't put much thought into this subrace yet, but they could be skilled at crossbow warfare instead of the standard axe and shield combination. They may also make excellent scouts, and be good at perception. However, their role overlaps a bit with the 'primitive' subrace.. so I'm not so sure.
'Devout' Subrace
Of all of the subraces, these guys would probably be the most devout of the group, if not the most charismatic. I'm thinking for these guys, they should get the 'flexible' racial ability trait, and thus have a +2 Wisdom, +2 Cha, with no penalty. This would cost them more in points, of course.
As for abilities, they would probably be lucky (blessed by their gods), but less greedy, perhaps having some various magical abilities or abilities that increase their caster level with stone or what-not. Haven't given this one much thought yet, either.
So, any ideas for names, racial traits, etc?
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Edit: This post brought me to being a 'Dwarf in the Playground'. Perfect timing, considering the post's subject! :smallbiggrin:
With that, I'd like to come up with ~7 Dwarf Subraces to allow my players a bit of variety beyond that of the standard dwarf race plus the alternative racial choices from the Advanced Race Guide, though many of those choices will be included in the various subraces.
However, one thing I'd like to avoid is taking obvious subraces from previous D&D editions, as I want these subraces to be more unique to Golarion. One of the main difficulties I'm having is coming up with names. The idea is to have these races almost extinct in current times, but more common around the era of when Dwarves first reached the surface of Golarion thousands of years ago.
Therefore, they need to be relatively unadapted for surface-living, so things such as hating dragons, elves, humans, etc are not going to work. All subraces also gain the 'xenophobic' language racial trait, and thus only speak Dwarven and may choose from only four languages due to high intelligence. These are Undercommon, Orc, Goblin, and Terran. All ideas I'm mainly taking from the ARG, and I'm aiming to keep all subraces around the standard 11 Racial Points for Dwarves. Give or take 1-2.
So far, here are my ideas:
'Common' Subrace
Almost identical to the standard Dwarves in the CRB. Since Giants are presumably unknown underground (I think), change their Defensive Training to work against Humanoid (Orc). Everything else remains the same.
These guys are also the most common, and are the only subrace that has truly survived to modern times.
'Noble' Subrace
The noble version of the standard Dwarves. Their ability score modifiers are +2 Con, +2 Cha, -2 Wis. They are as durable as normal dwarves, but far more charismatic and beautiful (in a Dwarven sense), but are so full of themselves that they are easily fooled.
Due to their noble statuses, they are less prone to engaging in combat, and thus lose both the hatred and defensive training abilities, but gain various linguistic skills, perhaps a spell-like ability even. I'm thinking Moment of Greatness for such an ability.
'Warrior' Subrace
This subrace is built for combat, even moreso than the standard dwarves. Their ability score modifiers are +2 Str, +2 Con and -2 Cha. They're strong, durable, but a bit weak in the social department, as most dwarves are.
While all dwarves keep the Stability racial trait, these ones also will gain the Relentless racial trait, as well as a bonus feat, oriented around defense. Most likely I'm thinking Defensive Combat Training, so that all dwarves of this subrace are trained to resist combat maneuvers of any type. However, they lose most, if not all, of their various skill bonuses, as well as their resistance to spells and poison.
'Primitive' Subrace
Think of the Gully Dwarves from Dragonlance. Thats what I'm sort of aiming for with these guys. +2 Con or Dex (Not sure yet), +2 Wis, -2 Int. They're as strong and perceptive as normal dwarves, but less intelligent.
Their bonuses will orient more around survival, sneaking, etc. I'm thinking they should gain some kind of natural camouflage in underground enviornments (In fact, I'm thinking of naming them Rock Dwarves to describe their rock-like appearance), as well as have a natural armor bonus. They may be given a natural attack (Slam) as well, but lose their dwarven weapon familiarity trait.
'Crafty' Subrace
When I say crafty, I don't mean rogue-crafty. I mean craftsmen, artisans, etc. +2 Con, +2 Int, -2 Cha. They're more intelligent, but less wise and perceptive as usual dwarves.
One big thing I want them to have is the racial trait that gives them 3 Skill Focus feats over their lifetimes. Depending on what the particular character is focusing on, these could greatly help them out. Other than that, I haven't much decided on what to give 'em.
'Agile' Subrace
These dwarves would, sadly, be the elves of the dwarven world. Agile, perceptive, but just as gruff as usual dwarves. +2 Dex, +2 Wis, -2 Cha. This would mean that, for a dwarf, they're a bit flimsy, but not so much as an elf.
I haven't put much thought into this subrace yet, but they could be skilled at crossbow warfare instead of the standard axe and shield combination. They may also make excellent scouts, and be good at perception. However, their role overlaps a bit with the 'primitive' subrace.. so I'm not so sure.
'Devout' Subrace
Of all of the subraces, these guys would probably be the most devout of the group, if not the most charismatic. I'm thinking for these guys, they should get the 'flexible' racial ability trait, and thus have a +2 Wisdom, +2 Cha, with no penalty. This would cost them more in points, of course.
As for abilities, they would probably be lucky (blessed by their gods), but less greedy, perhaps having some various magical abilities or abilities that increase their caster level with stone or what-not. Haven't given this one much thought yet, either.
So, any ideas for names, racial traits, etc?
-------------------
Edit: This post brought me to being a 'Dwarf in the Playground'. Perfect timing, considering the post's subject! :smallbiggrin: