Arctic Dwarf

*"You'll learn plenty of new songs, and flavors. Good folk the lot of them."- Mavok Strider, human explorer. On the best outcome while lost on the Northern Sheet.*

*"They actually get along with the pale elves. Imagine! Getting along with elves! It really bristles my beard."-Vonnik Temnig, mountain dwarf warrior.*

*"They hunt mammoths, walrus, polar bears. Mighty warriors and hunters. Good friends."-Longtooth, Urskan warrior.*

## Physical Description:

Arctic dwarves are small, squat creature, even more so than other dwarves. Dressed in simple pelts and furs, the arctic dwarves are known for their long white hair and beards, their compact frame and their ruddy, sun-kissed skin. They slather themselves in animal fat as protection from the elements, even though their own natural resistance to the weather often proves enough. Like other dwarves, they wear hair and beards long, though the eschew the decoration of their mountain kin. Tribal tattoos are common among both sexes as their primary form of decoration.

## History:

Arctic dwarves keep a proud oral tradition that speaks of the long ago times in the lands of grass and trees. During the days of the beholder empire, they enslaved these dwarves and sent them to the frozen lands of the Great Northern Sheet and the southern ice fields, to dig for gems and metal. Yet these dwarves survived and even thrived in this terrible climate, adapting to their new homes with a ferocity that shamed their horrible masters. When the beholders could no longer handle the cold they fled, leaving the enslaved dwarves behind. These days, the tribes follow the walrus and caribou, living happily in this frozen land that broke their masters but could not break them. They laugh and sing and celebrate those days, even as they continue to chase the sun from place to place. It is a simple life, but one they are happy to have.

## Geography:

Arctic dwarves are nomads, located in two primary places the Great Northern Sheets and the southern ice plains of Druz and beyond. There they move in small clans or tribes, following game animals and not setting down many permanent structures, aside from a few fishing villages on the coast.

## Personality:

Arctic dwarves are a jolly folk, who enjoy a good laugh, hot drink, meal and the company of friends. They delight in stories told of great heroes and the deeds of their ancestors. Life is too dangerous and too short to hold grudges. Many who meet the arctic dwarves are surprised by how relaxed and laid-back they are compared to their cousins but an arctic dwarf knows that hatred and grudges are poisons that only affect he who ingests them. Unlike their cousins, the arctic dwarves don't spend much time crafting fine artifacts or digging for treasure. They make their clothing out of hides and bone and delight in the smoking of animal meats. They are a simple folk who listen to the advice of their ancestors, spirit guides and nature around them.

## Society:

While the caste systems and structures of most dwarves still run in the arctic blood of this stout folk, they give less rigid attention to strict order and hierarchies. A clan chief is chosen from among the tribe based on his merit, and rules on the advice of shamans and wise folk. That isn't to say in moments of chaos that his rule isn't absolute, it is, but most of the time an arctic dwarf chief simply acts as a guiding figurehead for the tribe. The nomadic structure of the arctic dwarves means that most tribes don't set down permanent roots, and thus don't have the same attachment to ancient halls as their cousins. The only exception are the ice sheets where the honored dead are entombed. These places are sacred to the arctic dwarves and they will fight desperately to protect them, ensuring their continued sacredness.

## Religion:

The arctic dwarves worship Moradin but in a way far more distant than other dwarves. Instead, they pray to their honored ancestors and seek the wisdom of spirit guides and it is through them that most of their religious rites are accomplished. Druids and shamans tend to be the spiritual leaders of the arctic dwarves for this reason. Unlike other dwarves who bury their dead in the stone, arctic dwarves leave them in ice-sheets, their bodies forever protected from desecration.

## Alignment:

Most arctic dwarves are neutral good as they have the beating heart of the dwarf inside them. Some are lawful or even neutral. Chaotic is extremely uncommon as, aside from the dwarven love for order, the nomadic arctic dwarves know that some degree of organization is essential for survival in such harsh climates.

## Relations:

Arctic dwarves have few allies but also few enemies. The Druzi and the neanderthals are among them. Urskans, northern humans and shockingly, pale elves, are all friends of these dwarves. Frost giants and arctic dwarves are natural enemies, and blood is shed whenever their paths cross.

## Language:

Arctic dwarves speak dwarvish with an accent. Most also speak common.

## Adventurers:

Arctic dwarves who lose their tribe, either due to enemy or calamity, often become adventurers, striking out on their own in search of a new land to call their own. Others grow tired of the cold or feel that dwarf greed deep inside and seek out riches and treasure far away from their icy homes.

### Names:

Arctic dwarf names are similar enough to other dwarf names that you can use those just fine for your arctic dwarf.

## Traits:

Arctic dwarves are identical to those found in the players handbook with the following exceptions...

+2 Strength, —2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, —2 Charisma. Arctic dwarves are incredibly strong, but shorter and more stout than other dwarven subraces.

Small: As Small creatures, arctic dwarves gain a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but they must use smaller weapons than humans use, and their lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of Medium-size characters.

Immune to cold.

Favored Class: Ranger.