Is It The Beards?

Half-Dwarf

Not So Tall, Not So Short

Half-Elves, Half-Drow and Half-Orcs. Half races are not uncommon to the world of role playing games, but some races have been overlooked as a half-half option. Dwarves in particular are a staple race in almost every setting. However, Half-Dwarves are almost unheard of (except for in Dark Sun), so here are some possible options for anyone interested in adding them to your own world.

Ecology Of The Half Dwarf

Standing on average between 4’8” to 5’6”, Half-Dwarves retain the muscular stature of their Dwarven heritage. The barrel-like frame of the Half-Dwarf means their weight usually exceeds both of their parent’s averages at 180lbs to 240lbs. Skin tone, hair and eye colour tend to come from the Human parent with the grey and sandstone skin tones of the Dwarves rarely occurring amongst the mixed race. Hair and beards remain thick amongst the males, whilst females grow either very little or no facial hair. Resistance to poison remains as strong amongst the Half-Dwarves as it does with the full-bloods. Life expectancy extends from 120 to 150 years of age with some reports of Half-Dwarves living to 180.

Half-Dwarves who live in the culture and fast pace of Human society often tend to become more sociable and are generally friendlier to deal with compared to full Dwarves. Retaining the lust for gems and precious metals, merchants and bankers are often the chosen professions for Half-Dwarves who are content in peaceful life. Their dual heritage grants an extraordinary aptitude for learning new skills, especially anything that involves the use of their hands. Life away from mines and the underground halls weakens ties to the usual gods of Dwarven society, while in human cultures any acceptable faith is common in Half-Dwarves. Without the sturdy traditions of the mountains, males will often shape their beards into styles popular within their society, but very rarely does a Half-Dwarf shave his beard completely.

When raised within the mountain realms of their parents, Half-Dwarves retain the ability to see within low lit areas. Doing so over extended periods of time can strain the eyes into a temporary weakness to full light. A life spent working within the mines and smithies has granted a greater fortitude and strength upon the subterranean Half-Dwarves. Inside their ancestral halls, traditions are instilled proudly. Males wear their beards with pride and females maintain their duties amongst their male kin. Such a lifestyle leads to a fierce devotion to protecting their homes and standing gloriously in battle. The desire to work metals and gems into magnificent items remains, as with all other Half-Dwarves, but it is instilled with an honour that Human-raised Half-Dwarves do not retain. Dwarven personalities are often instilled perfectly upon the Half-Dwarves raised under the mountains of the realms, where the gruff and tough attitude remains to full extent.

Friends, Foes And Adventures

Humans and Dwarves easily accept Half-Dwarves among them, and anywhere the two societies live in close proximity, there is bound to be a significant population of Half-Dwarves. In predominantly Human civilizations, Half-Dwarves often find company with Half-Elves, while the more morally-loose Half-Dwarves often enjoy time amongst Halflings. The ancient rivalry with Elves often ignites with friendly competition. However relations with the enigmatic Eladrin are tenuous, with similar fragile relations occurring with Tieflings. The honour common to the Dragonborn is greatly respected by Half-Dwarves especially those raised amongst the Dwarven keeps. Giants remain the eternal enemy of any Half Dwarf. Long and vicious battles are almost imminent whenever the two opposing forces encounter each other. Apart from the genetic hatred of giants, Half-Dwarves often have a particular dislike of Goblinoids and Drow.

Records show Half-Dwarves of great renown from all walks of life but here are some of the most common. A Half-Dwarve’s upbringing usually steers their choices upon the adventuring lifestyle. Growing up amongst the Humans, Half-Dwarves do not gain the respect for the metals and jewels they love and without the right teachings greed will often fill the void. Rogues, Bards and mercenary Warriors are the most common choices. Dwarven teachings remain strict upon the half bloods with Paladins, Clerics and stout honourable Warriors usually filling the ranks of Half-Dwarves with a mountainous upbringing. Few are born into bigoted societies and when this happens Half-Dwarves often journey to find their place within the world. These Half-Dwarves often turn into Rangers or Shamans.

From All Walks

Belonging in two different cultures but not completely linked to either one, Half-Dwarves can be found within nearly any Human or Dwarven settlement. Here are a couple of possible Half-Dwarves that you may encounter.

Tilian grew up on the streets of Tenkall, a large coastal city comprised of all races. Her father left his life with his people to live in peace with Tilian’s Human mother. Although she lived a rather comfortable life due to her father’s talent in crafting exquisite jewelry, Tilian wanted more and she coveted the wealth of the women that purchased the jewelry from her father. Tilian began performing within inns along the docks hoping to acquire large amounts of gold and jewels from liquored sailors and travellers. Very quickly Tilian learned that her voice held mesmerizing powers over Humans and she used this talent to liberate her audience of the majority of their wealth. In short order, her antics were discovered by a well respected Dwarven innkeeper. Word quickly spread of Tilian’s thieving behaviour and she was no longer allowed to perform within the inns of Tenkall. However, Tilian’s appetite for easy wealth had only started. She began singing along the streets of the busy city, taking whatever she could manage without being caught by the city watch. It wasn’t long before her talents reached the crime syndicate that operated within Tenkall. The Diamond Web recruited Tilian with little effort and now Tilian performs with an entourage of pick pockets. Unsatisfied with her share of the takings, Tilian will often take extra for herself when she believes no one to be looking. A habit that is drawing dangerous amounts of attention towards the hypnotic bard. Locals of the city have learned to keep away from certain streets when they can hear her delightful voice ringing out over the cities hum. Any attempt to apprehend the brazen Half-Dwarf has ended in hypnotized watchmen. Because of this, the guards of Tenkall offer little assistance to those who fall prey to the siren song of Tilian.

Katharis was born in a small farming town that was at the base of a towering mountain range. His parents were slain by a goblin raid while he was still a babe. Fortunately an elderly farmer was kind enough to take Katharis in and raise him as his own. Spending his childhood on the farm, Katharis learned to care for it and tend the fields and orchards that merged with the forest. His father taught him to feel the soil and be aware of its needs. The farm rested a day’s travel from the town of Gilan and with the large amount of work required to maintain the farm between Katharis and his father journeys to Gilan were sparse. As years passed Katharis enjoyed his peaceful life and found contentment and pride within his work upon his father’s farm. When his adoptive father passed Katharis didn’t hesitate in handling the farm on his own. Years after his father’s demise, a band of goblins raided his farm and the town of Gilan. During this raid Katharis saved several people by calling on the earth and rock itself to protect the town. Summoning elementals to crush the raiding fiends, and jutting walls of stone to defend the borders of the town. Katharis was just as shocked by his actions as the townsfolk. The townsfolk didn’t see a saviour though, instead they viewed Katharis as a cursed half-breed. Katharis was chased from the town he had just saved by the people he had rescued. Katharis continues to live and work on his farm using the methods his father taught him to connect with the earth and listen to its needs. Children from Gilan will often dare each other to trespass on his farm, where they tell tales of shapes moving within the ground and lurking within the forest, warning trespassers of their folly. The fabled ghosts of the cursed farm are not malevolent spirits but Katharis using his earthly connection to watch over the children and protect them from the predators of the forest.