Forest Dwarves

A subrace of Dwarves in the Nine-Lands of Goethe.

The forest dwarves of Lichen are the oldest forest dwarf settlement anywhere in the Nine-Lands. Prior to the Third Era the forest dwarves lived in close proximity to the forest elves of Cranaige, then known as the winter elves. After the Fracturing, winter elves migrated south and founded a new city in what became Central Goethe, leaving their friends of the Lichen Clan behind. Regardless, forest dwarves maintain warm relations with all those nearby. They mingle freely with all others, harboring no prejudice towards those who haven’t earned it. Many northlanders, half-elves, and halflings live in nearby Styx and Threshome, and seek out forest dwarf artisans for the high quality craftsmanship of their wood and metalwork. The only groups the forest dwarves have cool relations with are their rock dwarf kin to the north.

Though you can find small forest dwarf settlements anywhere mountains and forests come together, most make their homes on the border shared between the Thenjade Mountains and the Styx Woods of Northern Goethe. They share their territory with the northlanders and silverhands that inhabit nearby Threshome and Styx. Prior to the Third Era they shared their lands with the winter elves as well. Forest dwarves maintain a sizable town of their own, Lichen.

Forest dwarves have long been a friendly and affable people, and will accept almost anyone not intent on evil doings. Though such things are rare, it is not unheard of to hear of small parties of goblins trading with the dwarves of Lichen.

Like all dwarves, forest dwarves venerate their patron, Metallus. Worship of Salvenscence the Healer, Crystallis, and Quercetum are also commonplace in Lichen.

Forest dwarves are noticeably smaller and leaner, but otherwise highly resemble other dwarven clans. They prefer sturdy garb made of thick cloth or leather, and they love earth tones. Function and practicality is sought after above all. Forest dwarves love to ornament their leather with fine designs sewn from metallic thread. Forest dwarves have chestnut or bark-colored skin and their thick, curly hair is commonly seen in shades of black, brown, red, or gray. Most forest dwarves wear their beards short and neatly clipped. Their eyes run brown, green, or blue.

Age. Forest dwarves mature at roughly the same rate as humans, but they’re considered young until they reach the age of 50. On average, they live about 500 years.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2. This increase in Charisma replaces the Constitution increase gained by other dwarven subraces. Your Dexterity and Constitution scores increase by 1.

Size. Forest dwarves stand between 3 ½ and 4 feet tall and average about 100 pounds. Your size is Small.

Intuitive. You have proficiency in the Insight skill.

Additional Tool Proficiency Option. When choosing your dwarven tool proficiency, you may also choose leather worker’s tools.

Lichen Combat Training. Instead of Dwarven Combat Training, you have proficiency in the blowgun, crossbows, warhammer, and war picks. This replaces standard Dwarven Combat Training.

Lichen Magic. You know the mending cantrip.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Dwarvish (Forest).

FOREST DWARF ADVENTURERS

Forest dwarves are friendly and outgoing. They have always been keen to mingle with the rest of the world. Forest dwarf adventurers are commonplace in the Nine-Lands. As one of the few dwarven clans that embraces both nature and magic, they can count some of the finest druids and rangers amongst their number, as well as powerful bards and sorcerers.

RELATIONS

Granite Dwarves. “Our neighbors to the east are a bit rigid and stuffy, but they warm up if you start discussing stonework or metalsmithing with one of them. Or if you bring ale with you. Or both.”

Iron Dwarves. “They had the right idea when they left the mountain all those centuries ago, but leave it to dwarves to get in a massive fight with their parents, move out, and then proceed to build their house right next door. At least granite dwarves and us forest dwarves built our houses a few blocks away!”

Rock Dwarves. “We left Rockhome millenia ago. Granite and iron dwarves left Rockhome centuries ago. At what point does a rock dwarf say, ‘hey, maybe it's us?’ Of course, if you ask one of them it couldn’t possibly be their fault.”

Flight elves. “The flighties are a very rare sight up north. Don’t really see too many of them around and it’s a pity. I feel like we would make good friends.”

Forest elves. “We miss the winter elves. They were steadfast friends and allies, and we learned a great deal from each other. I was sad to see them go when they left for warmer climes following the Fracturing, but it was especially brutal on them here. Now they live in the Southlands and call themselves forest elves. Some say they took that name as a nod to us.”

Noble elves. “Elves are good folk. Except these elves. They are pretentious and uptight and think they’re better than everyone. I’m glad our paths don’t cross often. They make for good wizards, though.”

Half-Elves. “Back in the old days, half-elves of northland/winter elf heritage were a relatively common sight up in the north. It’s a shame they started dying out when the winter elves moved south. They had the strength of both parents and were always welcome in our house.”

Copperfinger halflings. ”I heard the silverhand had cousins living out east. I wish they’d tell ‘em to stop by Lichen. If they’re anything like their kin, they’re friendly, and have good pipe weed and delicious foodstuffs for trade.”

Silverhand halflings. “Great folk. We have a lot in common with them. Short? Check. Love of food, comforts, and drink? Check. A little extra around the mid-section? Check. If they could learn their way around a chisel or maybe a needle and thread they’d be pale, slightly shorter forest dwarves. Ha!”

Gnowhere gnomes. “Curious buggers. Friendly pranksters one and all. They have a talent for illusion, too. Makes for some interesting tricks. Can’t fault them, though. They are a kind-hearted bunch.”

Riddlearth gnomes. “Same as the other ones, except their pranks are practical, not magical.”

Eastlanders. “Kinda funny looking. Copper-haired and bronze-skinned. Sunburnt and tan at the same time. They look like a gods’ be damned statue.

By Metallus, I used to wonder why in the hells would anyone want to live in that wasted land? I realized that some just didn’t have the means to pull themselves out of such a wretched existence, but those who did… boy, those who did are a force to be reckoned with.”

Northlanders. “These be OUR humans. We live close to them and have great relations and trade with each other. The ones in Goethe might walk around with a stick up their backside, and maybe I wish they weren’t so tall, and perhaps lived another 100 years or so, but what friends are perfect?”

Southlanders. “A bit slick and pompous as far as humans go, but they have a hunger to learn. That’s pretty good, yeah?”

Mongrelfolk. “Mongrelwhat? Yeah? You don’t say. Whelp, if they ever stop by Lichen, I’ll buy em a pint.”

Sierran Orks. “I hear the “reclaimed” are making some waves over in the eastlands. They’ve got a nice spot picked out, a decent little city, and kin living on an island right across the way. Don’t see very many of them up here in the northlands, but the few I’ve met seem friendly enough.”

Frost Orks. “Saw a frost ork on a recent trip to the Port. That’s ork with a ‘k.’ Don’t be forgetting the ‘k.’ Scared the shit out of me. It was explained to me that some god took a bunch of orcs out from under the influence of their mountain tribes and taught them temperance. Who knew it was all they needed? Nice enough fellow.”

Shadow Orks. “What’s a shadow ork?”

Half-Orks. “Poor bastards. Maybe once they’re a little more commonplace around here, they’ll be accepted. I’d share a pint with them, though. At least they’re not of orc stock. At least they have hull Rhee to look after them.”