| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Dreamstalker
Acolyte
USA
47 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Sep 2013 : 21:04:40
|
Currently I am working on a Pathfinder system tweak that suits a modified Forgotten Realms setting. One of the areas I am currently having a bit of a block on is a slight redesign of the various races, to blend with a Regional/Background system I am also working on.
So my block is coming in on dwarves. Reading through various sources including Races of Faerûn, the Shining South, the Complete Book of Dwarves, Dwarves Deep, ect I am having trouble articulating a solid inherent difference between gold dwarves and the later off shoot of shield dwarves that merits a subracial rather than ethnic designation. There are significant physical and cultural distinctions, but none that currently do not stand out to me as greater than say those between Damarans and Kozakurans.
So is there something I am missing? I know both 2ed and 3.x gave them different ability layouts, but that is something I am attempting to avoid in my homebrew. Is the grim practicality of shield dwarves and haughty confidence of gold dwarves an instinctual difference bred into soul by history, or more historically molded aspects of societies? The differences between the standard dwarven subraces seems so much more like human variation than the sort of variation we see in Elves and Gnomes. Though I am starting to lean towards a more ethnic division betwen Gold, Green and Silver elves as well. As I write this post I am leaning more heavily towards expanding the demihumans as being ethnically more diverse instead of the proliferation of subraces.
So what do people think? Would doing a more ethnic based system water down too much of the Realms flavor? Would increasing the divide between subraces be a better goal? I am just looking for opinions, especially ones different from my own, for some inspiration.
|
|
|
Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2013 : 22:13:57
|
| The 2E Dwarves‘ Deep sourcebook describes these two races, and the differences between them, in detail. |
[/Ayrik] |
 |
|
|
Dreamstalker
Acolyte
USA
47 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2013 : 22:41:23
|
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
The 2E Dwarves‘ Deep sourcebook describes these two races, and the differences between them, in detail.
One of the books I mentioned reading above. Dwarves Deep continued my recent impression that the differences are mostly cosmetic and social.
Another way to phrase my question would be: If a shield and gold dwarf were to be orphaned then raised by a family of native dwarves in Zakhara, are there any of the particular shield and gold dwarf behaviors or capabilities that would manifest without the direct influence of the shield and gold dwarf societies? Does it make any serious difference on how the histories and societies of dwarves in the Realms are written if such differences do or do not exist? |
|
|
|
Dreamstalker
Acolyte
USA
47 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2013 : 22:15:06
|
So I have definitely decided to replace the abundance of subracial lineages with an increased ethnic diversity among the various demihumans races in Toril. I know this is not supported by the official material but to me it feels more natural and fitting with the history of the Realms especially the changes I make for my homebrew canon.
In my homebrew the two main branches are the standard dwarves and the korobokuru. I place the split between the two peoples to have happened in the fall of the first dwarven surface civilization in the Yehimal Mountains. I think I will also have the Yak-folk be a part of this history in some fashion, to explain why there are no longer dwarves in the Utter East or the Yehimal.
From there the korobokuru spread east across Kara Tur. They are instinctively associated with nature and splinter into various ethnic groupings appropriate to my rerigged realmisifed Kara Tur. Another alternative I considered is making the korobokuru a gnomish ethnicity/subrace instead of a dwarven subrace.
The standard dwarvish branch spreads west, the earliest civilizations being among the utter east culminating in the kingdom of Bhaerynden and possibly another in Zakhara. The Faerunian dwarves are of most concern for my current works so those are going to be the most detailed for now.
There are contradictions for the formation of the artic dwarves. The Great Glacier and other sources place their separation and adaptation as dwarves displaced from the Tortured Lands. Third edition sources imply they are a branch that emigrated there as another branch from the Yemihal. Regardless, their adaptions should be linked to the magic of the Great Glacier itself and will remain a subrace.
The wild dwarves will also remain a subrace, their adaption should be linked to something mystical in Chult.
So here is the current draft on Dwarves.
Dwarf Racial Traits
+2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom, –2 Charisma: Dwarves are both tough and wise, but also a bit gruff.
Medium: Dwarves are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Slow and Steady: Dwarves have a base speed of 20 feet, but their speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance.
Darkvision: Dwarves can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
Hardy: Dwarves receive a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities.
Stability: Dwarves receive a +4 racial bonus to their Combat Maneuver Defense when resisting a bull rush or trip attempt while standing on the ground.
Fixation: Dwarves choose one class of primarily nonliving material. Choices include: precious metals; ferrous metals; glass; stones; crystals and gems; ceramics; soil and earth. Dwarves receive a +2 racial bonus on all Craft, Knowledge, Profession and Spellcraft skill checks that appraise, create or work with objects of the chosen materials.
Stonecunning: Dwarves receive a +2 bonus on Perception checks to potentially notice unusual stonework, such as traps and hidden doors located in stone walls or floors. They receive a check to notice such features whenever they pass within 10 feet of them, whether or not they are actively looking.
Major Ethnicities: Gold Dwarves, Shield Dwarves, Zakharan Dwarves
Minor Ethnicities: Chultan Albino Dwarves, Siremun, possible isolated Zakharan groups, maybe room for an ancient isolated group or two in Kara Tur if I convert korobokuru to gnomes.
Subraces: artic dwarves, korobokuru, wild dwarves, duergar, derro, urdunnir. These should all have some form of mystical history to explain their adaptions. Which the three underdark varieties already do. I intend to make each subrace comparable to a standard race, with an alternative method of accessing their unusual powers normally associated with them. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Gold and Shield Dwarf differences
