Dwelf

## The Children of the Mountain

Born through the union of a Dwarf and an Elf, they carry within them the innate honour and perseverance of the Deep-Folk, and the wisdom and free spirit of the Fael'vannor. Many **Dwelves** take up the life of adventure and heroism to satisfy both their lineages. **Dwelves** (r*eferred to as* *Velatha'yem**/*****Children of the Mountain** *by traditional Elves* *and* ***Half-Dwarves** by others*) are now considered one of the most common species in Vari and by many dwarf and elf, seen as the future for both their kin. Velatha in elvish means **Beloved Child** or **Elf Child** and as such *Velatha'yem* is a term of considerable affection from an Elf to a Dwelf.

In history books recalling the early years of the calendar, there are almost no records of Dwelves. These people likely came to be after humans were displaced by the severance. When most species were forced to band together to survive against the void entities that permeated the material plane, the venerable Elves and prestigious Dwarves formed a true bond in the face of adversity. Unions between the two species, such as friendship, brotherhood, love and marriage, are more common than any other intra-species bond.

## Fertility and Future

The fertility of Elves has always been a reason for their declining population throughout recorded history, as other species arrived that were able to bare children much more efficiently, such as humans and halfling, the **Elves** were unable to contend with booming populations of other species. An Elf woman is only fertile for around 100 years after reaching adulthood, but only likely to successfully birth two elven children in this window. Elf males are fertile for around twice this time. After The Severance, Dwarven fertility was strangely affected, though nobody knows exactly how, a dwarf is highly unlikely to become pregnant with another dwarf, however the union of **Elf** and **Dwarf** results in a considerably improved fertility match. Over time, **Dwelf** children have become much more common than either **Elf** or **Dwarf** children. Bonds between **Dwelf** pairs is now much more common due to the sheer number of these people within the population in comparison.

The fertility of **Dwelves** themselves is a rather complex topic. Research on the matter has been collected by the Consortium over the ages. The results are have given rise to the belief in the following 3 facts.

1. If a **Dwelf** mates with a **Pureblooded Dwarf**, resulting offspring may be *either* a **Dwelf** or a **Pureblood Dwarf**. There is approximately a 50% chance of either in this case.
2. Contrary to this, if a **Dwelf** mates with **Pureblood Elf**, the child will be always be another **Dwelf**, which explains the decline in elf population in comparison.
3. Finally, if a **Dwelf** has a child with another **Dwelf**, the result will be always be a **Dwelf**.

It is very difficult to visually ascertain the difference **Dwelf** and **Dwarf** younglings born without prominent elven features, until they begin to mature or show signs (if any) of their elven ancestry. To further confuse matters, **both Dwelves *and* Dwarves** can be actually be full-blooded siblings. Dwarves have found that bonding with dwelves gives them more of a chance to continue their bloodline.

Most Elves and Dwarves, while solemn on the topic, understand that their time as a dominant species within the world of Vari may have come to a close. **Dwelves** may actually be the future for both their kin.

## Description

Although slightly taller than Dwarves, many **Dwelves** carry predominantly deep-folk features. Some do have pointed ears, delicate elven features, glowing eyes or exotic coloured skin however. While some have all or none of these traits, most of their physical features parallel their dwarven ancestry and many spend their whole life being mistaken as a full blooded dwarf.

Dwelves can grow thick facial hair. Unusually for humanoids, both sexes can naturally grow ample facial hair, similar to dwarves. Although some Dwelves are unable to grow facial hair at all, much like their elven kin.

The half-dwarves like their dwarven parentage are quite short, standing from 4'6"–5'2" on average. They about as heavy as a human or elf. A dwelf's weight can range anywhere from about 150–230 lbs. Their skin often depends on the combination of the heritage of their parents. They have a massive array of skin, eye, and hair colours. Some dwelves have been known to be born with the glowing eyes or vibrant hair colours of their elven parentage, though most retain their dwarven heritage in this regard.

## Dwelf Species Features

Your dwelf character has some qualities in common with elves, dwarves and some that are unique to dwelves.

#### Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2, your constitution increases by 1, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

#### Age

Dwelves mature at the same rate dwarves do and reach adulthood around the age of 50. They live much longer than Dwarves, however, often exceeding 600 years.

#### Size

Dwelves are slightly taller than dwarves, ranging from 4'6"–5'2". Your size is Medium.

#### Darkvision

Thanks to your elf and dwarven blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.

#### Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

#### Skill Versatility

You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.

#### Inherited Resilience

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

#### Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Dwarvish and Elvish.

## Variants

Both Elf and Dwarf heritage have incredibly strong and varied genetic pools. As such, many **Dwelves** in Vari have a racial trait in place of the Skill Versatility trait, and their appearance can vary wildly, from the blue hued skin and gills of an Aquatic Elf, to the Dark Grey skin and dark magic of a Dark Dwarf. Your **Dwelf** character can forgo *Skill Versatility* and instead choose between **Strong Elven Heritage** or **Strong Dwarven Lineage** by selecting a feature within that descent, this would usually be depending on the lineage of one your parents.

#### Strong Elven Heritage: Deep Elven Roots

A **Dwelf** of strong Elven roots will often have delicate elven features dominating their appearance, such as no facial hair, point ears and a leaner, toned physique, although some dwarven features may still come through. They can forgo Skill Versatility and instead choose the *one* of the following:

* **Aquatic Elf's**
	+ *Dael'allear Marine Adaptation* - *You have a swimming speed of 25 feet, and you can breathe air and water.*
* **Drow Elf's**
	+ *Dael'fuin Darkvision - Your darkvision has a radius of 120 feet. You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.*
	+ *Dael'fuin Magic **-** You know the dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire.When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell.*
* **Echo Elf's**
	+ *Dael'eqir Echo Location* - You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.
* **High Elf's**
	+ *Velatha'Tari* Cantrip - You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.
* **Fire Elf's**
	+ *Tari'haf Wrath -* You can magically teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. When you reach 3rd level, your Fey Step gains an additional effect. Immediately after you use your Fey Step, each creature of your choice that you can see within 5 feet of you takes fire damage equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1 damage).
* **Snow Elf's**
	+ *Nat'eria Misty Chill - You can magically teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. When you use your Fey Step, one creature of your choice that you can see within 5 feet of you before you teleport must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of you until the end of your next turn.*
	+ *Nat'eira Winter Affinity - You have resistance to cold damage. You’re also acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet.*
* **Wood Elf**
	+ *Nat'abor Weapon Training* - *You have proficiency with the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.*
	+ *Nat'abor Camoflague -  You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.*
	+ *Nat'abor Swiftness -  Your base walking speed increases to 30 feet.*

#### Strong Dwarven Heritage

A **Dwelf** whose blood is more influenced by their Dwarven lineage will often have dominant Dwarf features of their appearance, such as thick facial hair, round ears and a stout, muscular physique, although some elven features may still come through. They can forgo Skill Versatility and instead choose *one* of the following:

* **Hill Dwarf's** *Dwarven Toughness*
* **Mountain Dwarf's** *Dwarven Armour Training*
* **Duergar Dwarf's** *Duergar Resilience* **or** *Superior Darkvision and Sunlight Sensitivity* **or** *Duergar Magi*