Onyx Dwarf

*"Our finest allies and brothers in blood. The bond between minotaurs and onyx dwarves will never be broken!"- Minotaur emperor Trajus Stormheart, honoring the sacrifices of countless onyx dwarves during the Apian Blood War.*

*"The next best thing to a mountain dwarf is an onyx dwarf. We're equals beneath the mountain."- Mountain dwarf elder, Belgron Silverforce, speaking to an onyx dwarf ambassador.*

*"Their banks are the safest in the world. Don't care much for the fees though."-Human farmer, Jared.*

## Physical Description:

Onyx dwarves resemble the metal for which they are named. They have skin of a jet black or midnight, with eyes that are dull red, yellow or blue, similar to gemstones. Many are bald but those who do grow hair typically show a color of silver, steel or white. They are a regal, noble-looking breed of dwarf with exacting, angular features, considered quire attractive by dwarven standards. They are very proud of their heritage and role as the great defenders of southern Apia. They dress regally, with long flowing clothes in metallic colors that further demonstrate the eloquence of their people. Embedding small veins of silver, gold or platinum into the skin is a common method of distinguishing oneself among the onyx dwarves, similar to tattoos in other cultures. These veins often have a swirling pattern that is pleasing to the eye.

## History:

Onyx dwarves have always existed, alongside mountain dwarves as an ancient and proud people. Despite their slavery at the hands of the mind flayer empire, they never forgot they were children of Moradin; as unyielding as the stone beneath them. Many onyx dwarves found themselves in the front-lines of Latrell's rebellion where they fought valiantly against the aberrant hoards. After the rebellion, many settled in the Dragontail mountains with their mountain dwarf kin. However, many more onyx dwarves accompanied Ulysses and his minotaurs on their expedition to the southern portion of the Apian continent. There, the onyx dwarves settled the kingdom of Everstand, a name that would prove to be prophetic during the Apian Bloodwar. Alongside the minotaurs of Demauric, the dwarves found themselves on the front line of the demonic and diabolic invasions, doing battle against the infernal foes with steadfast phalanx formations and armored shield-walls. The onyx dwarf population of Demauric was instrumental in helping to keep the minotaur kingdom alive, during the brutal turmoil of the Baphomet civil war. While much of the territory of Everstand was lost, its mighty capital was never breached. Today, the onyx dwarves stand proudly in their mountain halls, ready for the day that they will be called out into battle again.

## Geography:

While onyx dwarves form minor population blocks in both Demauric and the Dragontail Mountains they are primarily found in their ancestral home of Everstand, located along Apia's Belt. There stands proud, gleaming halls made of fine metal, surrounded by the great walls and bastions that helped save them from the demon invasion.

## Personality:

Onyx dwarves are a stoic people, very reserved with their emotions and not prone to extravagant, public displays of any kind. They are proud and haughty, rightfully they claim their position as bastion against the abyss and will not let anyone forget it. They are excellent bargainers and traders who never let emotion or greed get the better of making the best possible deal. This rigidity extends to their style of fighting, as onyx dwarves are among the greatest squad-based combatants in the realm, who happily assist one another in battle when the situation calls for it. Cooperation is a key characteristic among onyx dwarves who are quick to work together for the good of their kingdom and their emperor. Still they are never grim or fatalistic, showing great affection towards family, clan and friends.

## Society:

Onyx dwarf society is, according to onyx dwarves, the very model of dwarvish society. Everyone knows his place and everyone serves his role with utmost efficiency. They follow the same caste system as the mountain dwarves, including Moradin's mixing of precious metals during their creation. The only difference between them, according to both mountain and onyx sages, is that onyx dwarves were crafted from onyx and metals, rather than stone.

An onyx dwarf doesn't question what role he has been given, he simply does. His honor demands it. Much like mountain dwarves, onyx dwarves have a deep sense of honor and family and try to honor their family, family house, clan, and emperor with each action. They are also great poets, artists and musicians. This sets them apart from the mountain dwelling cousins, as art for the sake of art is very important to them. Their halls are richly adorned with tapestries, paintings and statues that display their great heroes, ancestors and various gods.

## Religion:

Onyx dwarves honor Moradin as the great progenitor of their race, as well as the other members of the dwarven pantheon.

## Alignment:

The vast majority of Onyx dwarves are lawful good. They have good hearts and pure motives with a society bound by laws and traditions.

## Relations:

Onyx dwarves and minotaurs are ancient allies and often partner together. In a similar way, they get along well with both mountain and magma dwarves and each considers the other kin. Gnomes are always welcome among onyx dwarf gatherings. The onyx dwarves distrust tieflings as their demonic ancestry reminds them far too much of those vile infernals who nearly destroyed the kingdom during the Apian Blood War. One thing they are is mostly neutral towards orcs, lacking the conflicts with that race the mountain dwarves suffered. Instead they dislike gnolls, with whom they clashed during the early days of settling Everstand.

## Language:

Onyx dwarves speak dwarvish and common. Some also speak ingan.

## Adventurers:

Onyx dwarf adventurers are rare but not unknown. The call to adventure does live in the heart of a species with a love for order and glory and treasure certainly doesn't hurt. Onyx dwarf adventurers are often drawn to noble causes and are quick to fight for causes they believe in, no matter the odds.

### Names:

Onyx dwarves have similar names to mountain dwarves and thus those names are completely appropriate.

## Traits:

Onyx dwarves are identical to dwarves as described in the players handbook with the following exceptions...

+2 Constitution, -2 Dexterity. Onyx dwarves are stout and tough, but not as quick or agile as other races.

+1 racial bonus on attack rolls against evil outsiders. Onyx dwarves have a long history of fighting demons, devils, rakshasas and yugoloths, among others and, as a result, have special techniques in combating these threats. (This replaces the attack bonus against orcs and goblinoids.)

+2 racial bonus on attack rolls or skill checks when assisted by another onyx dwarf. Onyx dwarves expect to work as a unit.