Dwarves?

[Axorfett12]

Ok so I've always had a problem with dwarves. For some reason, they just don't appeal to me. Something about ancient stone-set tradition and devotion to gods and clan above all just... doesn't scream "role-playing option" to me. Ironclad tradition is not really something that breeds diversity.

My issue is that as I don't like dwarves, I've never played one, and that is unacceptable. I can't seem to come up with a good character though. For the life of me I can't roleplay a dwarf.

So I ask the Playground: What experiences have you had playing dwarven characters? How have you managed to keep roleplay interesting? How has your character individualized themselves from the stereotypical Dwarven Fighter/Smith wielding a hammer and a gruff attitude?

To sum up: How do I roleplay a dwarf?

[MrStabby]

It took me till the second paragraph to remember which forum I was on.

Out of context it was a bit shocking to read it...


But yeah, play a dwarf as a person, not a stereotype and you should be fine. Create a human character then adapt it to being a dwarf, with all the complexity you would have in a human.

[Stygofthedump]

I agree with you. I know it's more of a class but I might try a runemaster theme (abjurer wizard). Kinda see "the lands" runes everywhere.

[uraniumrooster]

I have the same problem with Dwarves. I often feel like the Dwarven stereotype is so entrenched that its hard to break the mold without breaking immersion.

I have yet to play a Dwarf in 5E, but in 3.5 I had a Dwarf Rogue who had been dishonorably cast out from his clan. He was the Dwarven version of an angsty, rebellious teen - not wanting to be tied down by all the expectations and stodgy traditions of his clan and family, he was a live-fast-and-die-young style dwarf who just wanted to get rich and party til he dropped. He made it to level 12 then bought a nightclub/casino and retired from the adventuring life.

[DwarvenGM]

The important thing to remember is that by their nature adventurers are atypical. The stereotypical features of a race don't always apply to them, otherwise they'd be staying in their home town like 95% of the other dwarves.

Dwarves are my favorite race I tend to focus on a few features tough as nails, and damn proud of it, slow to trust, and vengeful. Of course those are just the ones I focus on you can play towards their fondness for ale, or their loyalty or any other feature.

My favorite experiences with dwarves in my games are people playing odd combinations like dwarf/warlock, who discovered his patron while in uncharted tunnels and was banished for his dark magic. Rangers duel wielding hand axes the odd dwarves struck with unnatural wanderlust and curiosity so they act as scouts for the dwarves.

Those are the 2 examples people played in the last game I ran. I could go on but my point is don't let the stereotypes cloud your creativity.

[Erys]

To sum up: How do I roleplay a dwarf?

Don't. :smallwink:

[Axorfett12]

Thanks for the advice. I suppose my problem is that I've been a DM too long and thinking like a player doesn't come naturally. Perhaps a cranky old hill dwarf fey Chain lock "plagued" by the cheerful sprite who accompanies him. He'd never admit it but he loves her like the daughter he never had. Complains that his faerie powers feel "too damn happy" and that his knees "aren't made of stone anymore".

[GorinichSerpant]

Thanks for the advice. I suppose my problem is that I've been a DM too long and thinking like a player doesn't come naturally. Perhaps a cranky old hill dwarf fey Chain lock "plagued" by the cheerful sprite who accompanies him. He'd never admit it but he loves her like the daughter he never had. Complains that his faerie powers feel "too damn happy" and that his knees "aren't made of stone anymore".

Yes, that is that is a sufficiently dwarfy character concept for any of your dwarfing needs.

[NNescio]

Ok so I've always had a problem with dwarves. For some reason, they just don't appeal to me. Something about ancient stone-set tradition and devotion to gods and clan above all just... doesn't scream "role-playing option" to me. Ironclad tradition is not really something that breeds diversity.

My issue is that as I don't like dwarves, I've never played one, and that is unacceptable. I can't seem to come up with a good character though. For the life of me I can't roleplay a dwarf.

So I ask the Playground: What experiences have you had playing dwarven characters? How have you managed to keep roleplay interesting? How has your character individualized themselves from the stereotypical Dwarven Fighter/Smith wielding a hammer and a gruff attitude?

To sum up: How do I roleplay a dwarf?

Read Pratchett.

(Be a Dwarf Bard or a Dwarf Swashbuckler.)

[Axorfett12]

Well my thought was to play both with and against the stereotype. The character himself is a very traditional dwarf, devoted to clan and family. He had a run in with an oddly annoying fellow named Puckett and came out of it with unwelcome magic and a companion who wouldn't leave. When he accidently charmed his family, the clan exiled him. He wants nothing more than to return home, but doesn't see how he can do that until he is free of the pact. The roleplay comes when you contrast the grumpy dwarf with the lighthearted sprite. Maybe he starts to see things her way, and has some fun. Maybe she gets mad that he won't let her have fun and sulks for a while. Hopefully it becomes a sort of Old-School Grandpa/Rebellious Teenager dynamic.

I just keep thinking "What's the most anti dwarf concept?" That's Sophie (the sprite)

[2D8HP]

Except for a "striving to be pure and good, mis-understood by society" half-orc multi-class Cleric/Fighter that I briefly played in the early to mid 1980s, in an effort to play a Paladin despite never rolling high enough stats to qualify as one under 1e AD&D rules, every other one of my PC''s whatever the race has been based in part on Leiber's

Induction (http://www.baen.com/Chapters/ERBAEN0087/ERBAEN0087___1.htm)

The Jewels in the Forest (http://www.baen.com/Chapters/ERBAEN0088/ERBAEN0088___2.htm)

The Bleak Shore (http://www.baen.com/Chapters/9781625791528/9781625791528___2.htm)

Lean Times in Lankhmar (http://www.baen.com/Chapters/ERBAEN0089/ERBAEN0089___2.htm)

In the Witch's Tent (http://www.baen.com/Chapters/ERBAEN0090/ERBAEN0090___1.htm)

The Circle Curse (http://www.baen.com/Chapters/ERBAEN0088/ERBAEN0088___1.htm)

The Sadness of the Executioner (http://www.baen.com/Chapters/ERBAEN0092/ERBAEN0092___1.htm)

Beauty and the Beasts (http://www.baen.com/Chapters/ERBAEN0092/ERBAEN0092___2.htm)

The Cloud of Hate (http://www.baen.com/Chapters/ERBAEN0089/ERBAEN0089___1.htm)
Every single one!
Sea Magic (http://www.baen.com/Chapters/ERBAEN0093/ERBAEN0093___1.htm).
Barbarian=Fafhrd,
Cleric=Fafhrd,
Druid=Fafhrd,
Fighter=Fafhrd or the Gray Mouser,
Monk=Gray Mouser,
Paladin=maybe sorta Fafhrd?
Ranger=Fafhrd,
Sorcerer=Gray Mouser,
Warlock=Gray Mouser, and
Wizard=Gray Mouser.

Pick one and be awesome!
:biggrin:*

The general appearance of the smaller man—and he was considerably smaller—spoke of the city. His dark face was that of a jester. Bright, black eyes, snub nose, and little lines of irony about the mouth. Hands of a conjurer. Something about the set of his wiry frame betokening exceptional competence in street fights and tavern brawls. He was clad from head to foot in garments of gray silk, soft and curiously loose of weave. His slim sword, cased in gray mouseskin, was slightly curved toward the tip. From his belt hung a sling and a pouch of missiles.

[Axorfett12]

Well my thought was to play both with and against the stereotype. The character himself is a very traditional dwarf, devoted to clan and family. He had a run in with an oddly annoying fellow named Puckett and came out of it with unwelcome magic and a companion who wouldn't leave. When he accidently charmed his family, the clan exiled him. He wants nothing more than to return home, but doesn't see how he can do that until he is free of the pact. The roleplay comes when you contrast the grumpy dwarf with the lighthearted sprite. Maybe he starts to see things her way, and has some fun. Maybe she gets mad that he won't let her have fun and sulks for a while. Hopefully it becomes a sort of Old-School Grandpa/Rebellious Teenager dynamic.

I just keep thinking "What's the most anti dwarf concept?" That's Sophie (the sprite).

Thanks again for all your help. Guess I just needed a push out of the DM mindset.

[Gastronomie]

I actually find the same problem with dwarves, and in fact, all the people I have played with so far seem to have the same problem. I have not played in a single game in which there is a dwarf character. It seems difficult to go outside the stereotype, and it's also difficult to RP in that steretype, given how it's quite different from the average playing "human".

[NNescio]

Well my thought was to play both with and against the stereotype. The character himself is a very traditional dwarf, devoted to clan and family. He had a run in with an oddly annoying fellow named Puckett and came out of it with unwelcome magic and a companion who wouldn't leave. When he accidently charmed his family, the clan exiled him. He wants nothing more than to return home, but doesn't see how he can do that until he is free of the pact. The roleplay comes when you contrast the grumpy dwarf with the lighthearted sprite. Maybe he starts to see things her way, and has some fun. Maybe she gets mad that he won't let her have fun and sulks for a while. Hopefully it becomes a sort of Old-School Grandpa/Rebellious Teenager dynamic.

I just keep thinking "What's the most anti dwarf concept?" That's Sophie (the sprite)

Naah, if you want to play against type, go aaaalll the way.


Giamo Casanunda, at your service! World's second-greatest lover (WE NEVER SLEEP), finest swordsman, soldier of fortune, and outrageous liar!

(Stepladders may be required.)

[quzar]

In a 3.5 game I played a Dwarven Bard. In 5e he'd be college of Lore, interested in the history of nations, other dwarven clans, and how their traditions fit into the world.

The roleplay avoided highlander and went squarely for an eccentric history professor who happened to be a Klingon.

[Tanarii]

For non-humans, if you break the stereotype too much, you end up playing a human with different racial features. But that doesn't mean you have to embrace all of them. And you can put your own unique twist on them.

At its root, role playing is all about in character decision making, which means you need to know your character motivations. That's why the PHB has the personality system of Personality, Ideal, Bond and Flaw. To give you a set of four character motivations as a basis for what makes your character different.

So take advantage of that. Either make your own up, pick one of each of those from your background, or if you're really interested in stretching your ability to RP, roll them randomly from your background.

Then layer on top Alignment. It's a one sentence generic motivation that applies after all the others. Start with LG to fit your dwarf stereotype, then adjust according to your ideal. So maybe because of his Ideal, your particular Dwarf is actually Chaotic Good.

Lastly, read through the PHB dwarf description and decide which of the stereotypical dwarf motivations apply, and exactly how, based on what you've got so far. Fit them into your character's overall personality as secondary considerations.

That's how I approach non-human characters. So for example, maybe: Yes, I may be a dwarf, but I'm a chaotic good Entertainer dwarf that decided to leave his clan to pursue fame. I still honor clan and family, but found them too restrictive for my more individualist nature. I still love gold. I value the old stories and heroes, and love to sing traditional dwarf songs and am always telling their tales, and measure myself by their heroism. I honor the gods, even if I place my own conscience ahead of their dictates and strictures.

[Vegan Squirrel]

The idea of both playing with the type and against it is what I'd think. Write out a list of dwarfly traits. Choose a few to emphasize, a couple to subvert, and let the others fall however makes sense after that.

I mean, dwarves are hard workers, they have a mystical connection to stone and earth, they are very susceptible to greed and/or pride, an affront against their family is a great motivator to set out and adventure, they can be suspicious of outsiders, they're likely to judge you as much by your heritage and family name as your actions, etc.

Maybe, like most dwarves, yours strongly believes that there is one right way to do things. But unlike most dwarves, he doesn't think the clan's traditions form that one right way. Maybe your dwarf values gold and gems highly enough to undertake quests purely for reward, but they've never felt at home in tunnels and mines, preferring to feel the wind and sun on their beard.

My first D&D character was a 3.5 dwarf rogue who liked climbing trees. He wasn't very dwarfly, but he was adventuring to learn more about the world and report back to his clan.

[Tanarii]

Btw here's a good angry gym rant about breaking stereotype too much. You don't have to avoid it as much as he says, but he has something of a point ... if you break stereotype completely just for the sake of breaking stereotype, you're not really playing a dwarf. You'll end up being a bunch of stats on your character sheet instead.

http://www.madadventurers.com/angry-rants-stop-playing-against-stereotypes/

[Sigreid]

Just answer a few questions:

1. Why are you an adventurer? Were you kicked out of dwarf land? Was your clan destroyed? Were you lured away by tales of wonder from a human or elf merchant? Did you go off to war with your clan and after the horrors you experienced you just couldn't go back?

2. Are you welcome back home? Are you a pariah? Did you do something bad, or not dwarf like? Fail at a right of manhood? Do they think you're a traitor? Did someone else in your family do something and you have to bear the shame? Are you too embarrassed to return before all know you as a great hero? Did someone shave your beard?

3. How badly do you want to be accepted by dwarven society? Have you found your time among non-dwarves to your liking, secretly or not?

Basically, define why you stepped out away from your community, what your real goals are, and how has the exposure to the cultures of others influenced your dwarven starting point. I think it has the potential to be a fantastically deep RP experience if that's what you want. But you have to figure out what makes him tick, and how his experiences play on that.

[R.Shackleford]

Ok so I've always had a problem with dwarves. For some reason, they just don't appeal to me. Something about ancient stone-set tradition and devotion to gods and clan above all just... doesn't scream "role-playing option" to me. Ironclad tradition is not really something that breeds diversity.

My issue is that as I don't like dwarves, I've never played one, and that is unacceptable. I can't seem to come up with a good character though. For the life of me I can't roleplay a dwarf.

So I ask the Playground: What experiences have you had playing dwarven characters? How have you managed to keep roleplay interesting? How has your character individualized themselves from the stereotypical Dwarven Fighter/Smith wielding a hammer and a gruff attitude?

To sum up: How do I roleplay a dwarf?

Roleplay them however you want, race can only suggest a character'set personality.

[Gwendol]

How can you not roleplay a dwarf? They are the bestest race to play! You get to swing axes, drink ale, cook goblins. Seriously, just channel your inner Delta Tau Chi frat boy/girl (aka Blutarsky) and go to town.

[JellyPooga]

I've found playing Dwarves, both stereotyped and atypical, to be immense fun from a roleplaying perspective.

The iron-clad traditions and attitudes of the Dwarves aren't the straight-jacket they seem at first; they breed interesting dynamics when those traditions need to be confronted or ignored. It's the Paladins Dilemma without the goody-two-shoes. The rest of the time, you get to ham up being staid and grumpy and condescending and beardy and chop up orcs with your axe whilst making dry comments about how much better Dwarf society is than literally everything else. The "typical" Dwarf is, in many ways, more of a caricature than a character and that can be fun highlighting those extremities of personality.

On the flipside, Dwarves are great for playing atypically because their stereotype is so strong. Play a Dwarf who breaks his word and see the reactions it gets; my experience of Dwarves breaking the mould get bigger gasps of shock and more furrowed brows than any experiences I've had of playing Paladins that kicked a puppy. People expect the occasional hard-nosed or falling Paladin; they generally don't expect Dwarves that lie or fight dirty with a knife and a garrote instead of a whacking great axe or hammer. Try playing a tee-total Dwarf, or one that appreciates fine wine and you'll get similar results.

One of my favourite Dwarf characters was both typical and unusual; a Dwarf Monk. Unusual because Dwarf warriors are typically of the "heavy armour + big weapon" variety and this guy was quite the opposite. He had the typical Dwarvish traits of honesty (to a fault), adherence to tradition and so forth, but was unusual in his humble and ascetic attitude; Gold? nope. Ale? nope. Ramming his opinion down everyone's throats? nope. He did have a luxurious beard, though.

I don't play Dwarves often enough; they are great fun to play and just coming up with ways a character both breaks and/or stays true to the archetypes is fun itself.

[ZenBear]

How can you not roleplay a dwarf? They are the bestest race to play! You get to swing axes, drink ale, cook goblins. Seriously, just channel your inner Delta Tau Chi frat boy/girl (aka Blutarsky) and go to town.

Exactly!

I have a blast roleplaying dwarves. I lean into the heavy drinking, boisterous singing, gleeful violence side of their stereotype. Whether you're a Slayer (http://warhammerfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Dwarf_Slayer) who's only mission is to die in glory, a Bard out to make the grandest tale ever told, or just a simple Fighter out to do good and have fun doing it, there's always room to play around as a dwarf.

One story I want to tell, probably as NPCs, is a Slayer seeking his glorious end and a Bard following along to aid and remember him. They sing "Diggy Diggy Hole (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytWz0qVvBZ0)" as their theme song and are generally a boisterous pair. Eventually the Slayer will die, as he vowed, and the Bard will bury him and carry on his story, as he vowed. As he digs the grave, the Bard sobs "Diggy Diggy Hole" one last time...

[Lollerabe]

Gotta love that so many on the forums know slayers, I really want to make a str ranger/barb dual wielder at some point :)

[Tanarii]

How can you not roleplay a dwarf? They are the bestest race to play! You get to swing axes, drink ale, cook goblins. Seriously, just channel your inner Delta Tau Chi frat boy/girl (aka Blutarsky) and go to town.Until they turn fifty, and settle down into grumpy, serious, honest, Gods-fearing, dedicated craftsmen/miners, ready to get married and raise the next generation of immature hellions.

[Hollysword]

I have a friend who said he played a Dwarf Warlock with an Archfey patron. Sure he came from the hills like other hill dwarves, but my friend said this dwarf is more nature oriented and easily called by the archfey. A dwarf who's more about nature than mining. Nectar instead of ale. Spells instead of axes. All because he was summoned by an archfey and happily became her warlock. And all that... he's still a hill dwarf.

It's possible to play a dwarf that's not a dwarf, yet still a dwarf.

[Gwendol]

Sure, but until then: Toga, Toga, Toga!

[BoutsofInsanity]

Currently playing a dwarf slayer right now. Easily one of the most fun Characters I have ever played

Straight Frenzy Barbarian who goes around trying to be the example.

Unfortunately, he was a dwarf auditor/contract lawyer before becoming one. So he has a decent intelligence and with custom background, has advantage on contract perusal and quartermastering and accounting.

So often, the Dwarf Suicidal Slayer that I am ends up going over contracts and handing out pay for the party and keeping up with the loot.

Dwarves are awesome. They are alien because of their honor, they have a strong tradition, and will distrust you before they are your friends.

But by the gods, if you become their friend, and you need help, that dwarf is going to come save you, kill your enemies and rescue you from evil. Cause its just what you do as a dwarf.

[Tanarii]

And all that... he's still a hill dwarf.

It's possible to play a dwarf that's not a dwarf, yet still a dwarf.
Not by the description you're giving. There wasn't anything hill dwarfish provided. I mean, maybe you left out what still made them a hill dwarf. But as another player at that table, based on the stuff you described only, I'd constantly be forgetting said character was a hill dwarf and assume it was an elf or something.

That's the problem with drastically breaking stereotype. If you don't act in any way stereotypical for your race, you're going to have to communicate that you are "a <insert race> BUT ..." constantly. Otherwise the other players and DM are going to constantly forget you're one of them. And for that matter, even if they remember they may not really accept it.

D&D speciesism gonna bite you on the ass. "Boy, you look kinda like a dwarf, but you sure don't act like one." (read with southern accent for proper effect :smallwink: )

[Hollysword]

Not by the description you're giving. There wasn't anything hill dwarfish provided. I mean, maybe you left out what still made them a hill dwarf. But as another player at that table, based on the stuff you described only, I'd constantly be forgetting said character was a hill dwarf and assume it was an elf or something.

That's the problem with drastically breaking stereotype. If you don't act in any way stereotypical for your race, you're going to have to communicate that you are "a <insert race> BUT ..." constantly. Otherwise the other players and DM are going to constantly forget you're one of them. And for that matter, even if they remember they may not really accept it.

D&D speciesism gonna bite you on the ass. "Boy, you look kinda like a dwarf, but you sure don't act like one." (read with southern accent for proper effect :smallwink: )

Well he's still short with a beard, and he can still use stonecunning. He even sounds like a dwarf.

But this "You look like a dwarf, but you don't act like one" can make memorable characters, no?

[Tanarii]

Well he's still short with a beard, and he can still use stonecunning. He even sounds like a dwarf.

But this "You look like a dwarf, but you don't act like one" can make memorable characters, no?
I usually find it makes characters I rememberer as something other than a dwarf. "Remember that awesome Bard who loved to sneak into places that Jimbo played? Wait, he was a dwarf?! I could have sworn he was a Halfling."

That's why I linked Angry DM's article up thread. He's saying the same thing, but far more insultingly and condescendingly. So, uh, if you can just look past that part, and take the basic message out of it ... or maybe it wasn't such a good link lol

[Hollysword]

We should have a word with Drizzt then. You look like a drow, but you sure don't act like one.

If I remember right, 3.5e had Eludecia, a Succubus Paladin. (I wonder if a good succubus paladin is doable in 5e)

What I'm saying is, just because you're a dwarf doesn't mean you have to act like a dwarf.

[Vogonjeltz]

Ok so I've always had a problem with dwarves. For some reason, they just don't appeal to me. Something about ancient stone-set tradition and devotion to gods and clan above all just... doesn't scream "role-playing option" to me. Ironclad tradition is not really something that breeds diversity.

My issue is that as I don't like dwarves, I've never played one, and that is unacceptable. I can't seem to come up with a good character though. For the life of me I can't roleplay a dwarf.

So I ask the Playground: What experiences have you had playing dwarven characters? How have you managed to keep roleplay interesting? How has your character individualized themselves from the stereotypical Dwarven Fighter/Smith wielding a hammer and a gruff attitude?

To sum up: How do I roleplay a dwarf?

Here's a character idea (ripped right from Dragon's Age Origins in case you're wondering):

You chafe under the strictures of the clan and the societal obligation to put the well being of the group before your own interests and desires. Instead of staying home to serve as a guard or miner, you've got the blood of an explorer running through your veins. To that end, you left home and became a Dwarven Merchant. Other dwarves may look down on you for casting off your clan in favor of living above ground, but you don't care and becoming a merchant has given you a new haven away from the clan. Seeing new places and meeting new people is what ultimately drives your character. It irritates you when confronted by things based just on tradition or when the individual is trodden over for the sake of the group.

Alignment: Chaotic Good
Background: Guild Merchant (variant Guild Artisan)
Personality Trait: I always want to know how things work and what makes people tick.
Ideal: Freedom. Everyone should be free to pursue his or her own livelihood (Chaotic)
Bond: I owe my guild a great debt for forging me into the person I am today.
Flaw: I'm never satisfied with what I have - I always want more.

Pick a class of your choice to go with it. The class is incidental to who this Dwarf is, their core identity is as a merchant who, by being a merchant, is effectively outcast from their clan.

This is an example of not just playing to a stereotype of a dwarf, but adapting the character in relation to and informed by what it traditionally means to be a dwarf.

[Tanarii]

We should have a word with Drizzt then. You look like a drow, but you sure don't act like one.Drizzt isn't an argument in favor of anything.

Unless you want to talk about someone better known for being an author's Mary Sue than an well developed character.

[GorogIrongut]

I'm not so sure races matter... I know that's a controversial statement, but I find that we all have parts of our personality that mesh with the racial stereotypes.
Me personally, I hate elves. Always have. When it came time to play something besides a dwarf, I could only bring myself to be a half elf (and one that hates other elves due to backstory). As much as I dislike elves, my personality share components with them. In fact, if you read their description in the PHB, it almost fits me to a t... Except for the living to 700 years of age part.

The kicker is that I could say the exact same thing about the dwarven description.

I find racial 'descriptors' to be a bit like a horoscope, everyone will be able to find something in it that they agree with.

That isn't to say that I would recommend completely breaking with the mold and having a dwarf act like a poncey elf. You just have to identify a core set of characteristics that you feel your character would identify with and run with them. You don't have to embrace every component of the racial description, just like not every american is fat and loud and annoying (I am american so I can use that stereotype). Some are more travelled. Some don't like Nascar. Some aren't warmongers... Pick whichever ones you like within the broader framework of americanism/dwarfishness... and just let your character be who he or she wants to be.

Just remember that the components you choose to shun, will still be part of his background. Just like Sheldon from TBBT comes from Texas but is the mirror opposite of most things texan. He still acknowledges and allows those to affect him, even if he hates it. Our formative years have an incredible influence over who we become, even if we choose to completely refute them.

So if you want to play a dwarf, engage with the grumpy side. We all like to have a good moan. Complaining about the shoddy workmanship of our coworkers. How much worse the world is nowadays. Just like we enjoy to have gold in our wallets. Few people like to be poor. A dwarf may be a little more gold driven than most of us, but it's definitely a characteristic that you could appreciate and just modulate for the personality of whatever character you want to play. Replace the word Clan with Family, and suddenly it's not so offensive. It's much more familiar. You can take almost any dwarven characteristic and make it work for you and for your character.

And why shouldn't you? Dwarves are hilarious to play. For a while now I've been playing a string of characters with a brewery background. Some tweak it with herbalism to try and making healing ale. I've had others try and create a more volatile ale that's hard on the stomach and prone to combustion. He even went so far as to have a barrel chained to his person and use it as a giant flaming/exploding morningstar. I'm a teetotaller, but I still find the idea's hilarious (yes I see the irony of a non drinker playing dwarves 90% of the time).

If you don't like the idea of the clan structure, have them be killed. Dwarves are in a constant warfare with those who dwell underneath... all manner of greenskins... Suddenly you have the clan structure be in his background while you let him explore life free from those harsh restrictions.

[smcmike]

I don't see the problem. Dwarves come in so many varieties. You can be grumpy dwarf, sure, that's traditional. But mix it up - a happy dwarf is well supported too. Or maybe a sleepy dwarf? Bashful? Sneezy? Dopey?

[Axorfett12]

I don't see the problem. Dwarves come in so many varieties. You can be grumpy dwarf, sure, that's traditional. But mix it up - a happy dwarf is well supported too. Or maybe a sleepy dwarf? Bashful? Sneezy? Dopey?

I see what you did there....

In response to the other comments, I have been examining the Dwarven stereotype and found a couple things I can relate to. I can appreciate a good groan, and am quite grumpy in the morning. I am stubborn as a rock, and never back down from a challenge. And if you are my friend, I will always have your back. I think I will emphasize these traits, and should come up with a good character.

Again, thank you all for your help. I have a new outlook on dwarves, and a fascinating character and a half. (fallen in love with that sprite more and more as I flesh her personality out.)

[GlenSmash!]

One of my favorite character ideas (that I have yet to play) is a Dwarf that delved to greedily and to deep unearthing an artifact of [Insert favorite great Old One here]. Now he has an involuntary GOO pact.

Will he continue to stand for Clan, Gods, Ale and hammer? Or will he embrace the darker, stranger path?

I've never played a dwarf, but I could role-play this idea until the cows come home.

[Corpus]

Just answer a few questions:

1. Why are you an adventurer? Were you kicked out of dwarf land? Was your clan destroyed? Were you lured away by tales of wonder from a human or elf merchant? Did you go off to war with your clan and after the horrors you experienced you just couldn't go back?

2. Are you welcome back home? Are you a pariah? Did you do something bad, or not dwarf like? Fail at a right of manhood? Do they think you're a traitor? Did someone else in your family do something and you have to bear the shame? Are you too embarrassed to return before all know you as a great hero? Did someone shave your beard?

3. How badly do you want to be accepted by dwarven society? Have you found your time among non-dwarves to your liking, secretly or not?

Basically, define why you stepped out away from your community, what your real goals are, and how has the exposure to the cultures of others influenced your dwarven starting point. I think it has the potential to be a fantastically deep RP experience if that's what you want. But you have to figure out what makes him tick, and how his experiences play on that.

This is some good advice.
Define the character then roleplay as it fits.

A couple examples of Dwarves I have played in the past.

One grew up a slave in Orc fighting pits till the Orcs were killed by a Human army. As a result of the many years there he only spoke Orc and Dwarven (many role-playing opportunities right there), and was brought by the Humans back to one of their settlements. He was a Barbarian "berserker" who would have to make a Will save anytime he was struck to avoid going berserk and attack the person, NPC, monster that hit him.
Lots of role-playing opportunities, nothing to do with hammers, clans, or caves.
You can always add other aspects as well. For example the berserker only used two-handed weapons and mocked anyone using a dagger or shortsword. Of course he could only mock them in Dwarven.

Another was modeled after Pigpen from the Peanuts cartoon. A dirty Dwarven Druid that would wild shape into an Earth Elemental. Always had a cloud of dust around him, was never clean, smelled, and picked his nose. Not appealing, but lots of role-playing opportunities again that did not involve traditional "Dwarven" ideals.

My point being, as said above, develop the character and the role-playing will follow.

[Shining Wrath]

It's easy. Dwarves put loyalty to the clan and their gods first.

So your clan:

Are master thieves who pretend to work at menial tasks
Fled the mines long ago and live among humans as master smiths
Interbred with fey generations back and every so often the wanderlust hits; everyone understands your clan does that sometimes
Have been the master musicians and jesters of the royal court for 1250 years
Lost a key battle because the clan head was drunk and have sworn off alcohol
Do not grow their beards until they have earned a True Name from the clan elders by some great deed
Are the wood-gatherers and farmers for the city, so spend more time above ground than below


Choose or invent one or more and you've got a non-standard dwarf. If you've got a character concept you've always wanted to try, then that dwarf's clan provides the necessary heritage to match it.

[Sigreid]

I'm glad you found a dwarf you think you can enjoy playing. Please avoid the dwarf pitfall. It's rare I've seen someone play a dwarf that wasn't an obnoxious tool. :smallbiggrin:

[RossN]

How about a dwarf who ran away from home to become a sailor? He was just a normal young dwarf with some clan business in the human city, which happened to be a port. The only water he had ever seen was that of stangnant underground lakes and suddenly there is this vast world of blue-green out there stretching as far as he can sea. As mecurial as stone is static, frightening, unknown... yet alluring and carrying endless promises of wealth and adventure if it can be tamed. When the sunlight is just right even the waves glimmer like gold.

He is still a dwarf to the roots of his beard, still loves gold, still a grumbler and a drinker but now never sets foot willingly on land and can't sleep without the sounds of the waves rocking against the hull of his boat. Landlubber dwarves are half alive, and dwarves in the depths of the earth might not even be that as far as he is concerned.

[Hrugner]

There's always the ronin option, where his clan and country are toast and he's struggling between adapting to new people or subverting them to be more dwarfy. There's the dwarf who believes other dwarves have split with tradition and follows some much older form of dwarfy culture. There's the dwarf for whom dwarfy behavior isn't natural, but he'd like to be dwarfy and he has to work at it constantly. Dwarven pragmatist who follows the ideas behind dwarven society, but believes some of the specifics are subverting the spirit of dwarven society. You could also have one that goes through the motions of dwarfiness but doesn't really get it.

It's pretty endless really. Think of all the ways people interact with human cultural expectations.