Earth Born Dwarfs: A Unique Race of Artisans and Guardians

Earth Born Dwarfs are a unique race of beings that are born from a rare clay-like substance known as Khorite. This substance is mined from the earth and then moulded into rough, dwarf-like figures by a sacred order of Dwarfs. These figures are then placed in front of the Great Forge, where they slowly cure over time. The Great Forge is the most sacred site for the Earth Born Dwarfs, it is where the life energy of deceased Earth Born Dwarfs is returned to, to be reused for the creation of new Dwarf figurines.

Physical Characteristics

Earth Born Dwarfs have a rough, earthy appearance due to their origin from a clay-like substance. They do not possess any predetermined gender, however, they will develop all the traditional aspects of gender based on how they identify. This process is not a conscious decision and usually happens within the first 2 years of a Dwarf's life. They possess a unique durability that allows them to live for eons and withstand a great amount of physical influence.

Culture and Society

Earth Born Dwarfs are known for their strong emphasis on artisan skills, craftsmanship, and knowledge of metallurgy and mining. They have a strong connection to the earth and fire, valuing the preservation of their knowledge and skills for the benefit of their community and tradition. They are typically seen as stoic, hardworking, and dedicated, but also possess a strong sense of tradition and loyalty. They have a deep respect for the natural world and the elements, and their connection to the earth and fire is reflected in their art, culture, and society.

Earth Born Dwarfs have a unique creation process which makes them unable to reproduce sexually, instead, their population size is static, and their population can only grow when the life energy of a deceased Earth Born Dwarf is transferred to one of the curing figurines at the Great Forge. This process is considered sacred, and the Great Forge is the most sacred site for the Earth Born Dwarfs, it is where the life energy of deceased Earth Born Dwarfs is returned to, to be reused for the creation of new Dwarf figurines.

Upon emerging from the Great Forge, Earth Born Dwarfs embark on a journey known as the "Journey of Awakening". During this journey, Earth Born Dwarfs will typically travel to different dwarf clans across the world, where they will be welcomed and given the opportunity to learn about different cultures and ways of life. This allows them to gain a greater understanding of their own race and the different roles they can play in society. They will also spend time learning about the different skills and trades that are practiced within each clan, and will often choose to apprentice with a master of a particular craft or trade.

'Birth' of a Dwarf

The process of moulding a Dwarf 'Vorm' in Khorite is a sacred and complex process that is carried out by acolytes of The Forge, under the guidance of elder shaman. The process begins with the mining of the Khorite, a rare and sacred clay-like substance that is found deep within the earth. This material is considered the physical embodiment of the earth's power and is believed to be imbued with the essence of the earth and fire.

Once the Khorite is mined, it is then transported to the Great Forge, where the acolytes of The Forge begin the process of moulding the Dwarf 'Vorms'. The acolytes, under the guidance of the elder shaman, use their knowledge of metallurgy, mining, and craftsmanship to shape the Khorite into rough, dwarf-like figures. This process is a sacred one, and the acolytes must follow strict rituals and protocols to ensure that the figures are moulded correctly.

Once the figures are moulded, they are then placed in front of the Great Forge, where they slowly cure over time. The Great Forge is the most sacred site for the Earth Born Dwarfs, it is where the life energy of deceased Earth Born Dwarfs is returned to, to be reused for the creation of new Dwarf figurines. The elder shaman, who is responsible for overseeing the curing process, must ensure that the figures are positioned correctly and that the fire of the Great Forge is burning at the correct temperature.

The curing process can take several months, during which time the figures slowly take on a more lifelike appearance. Once the curing process is complete, the figures are then ready to be imbued with the life energy of a deceased Earth Born Dwarf, thus creating a new member of the race.

The Journey of Awakening

The Journey of Awakening is a rite of passage for Earth Born Dwarfs, that begins once they leave the Great Forge. It is a journey of self-discovery, learning, and growth, where Earth Born Dwarfs travel to different Dwarf clans across the world, where they will be welcomed and given the opportunity to learn about different cultures and ways of life.

During this journey, Earth Born Dwarfs will spend time learning about the different skills and trades that are practiced within each clan, and will often choose to apprentice with a master of a particular craft or trade. This allows them to gain a greater understanding of their own race and the different roles they can play in society.

The Journey of Awakening also serves as a way for Earth Born Dwarfs to connect with their spiritual heritage, they will learn about the Great Forge, the sacred site where they were born and the process of creating new Earth Born Dwarfs. They will also learn about the spiritual practices and beliefs of their race, which will help them to understand their place in the world and their role in their community.

The Journey of Awakening is not an easy one, it can take years to complete, but it is considered a rite of passage for Earth Born Dwarfs and it is a way for them to connect with their race's spiritual and cultural heritage. Upon completion of this journey, Earth Born Dwarfs will be better equipped to take on their role in society, whether it be as an artisan, a protector, or a leader. They will have a greater understanding of their race and their place in the world, and will be able to contribute to their community in meaningful ways.

Additionally, the Journey of Awakening also allows Earth Born Dwarfs to interact and form relationships with other races. Their long lifespans may allow them to form deeper and more meaningful relationships with other races, as they have more time to learn about and understand their cultures and ways of life. This may also lead to more nuanced and complex views of other races, as they have more time to observe and experience different aspects of their cultures and societies.

It's worth noting that during the Journey of Awakening, Earth Born Dwarfs will also develop their gender identity, which will then be reflected in their physical representation. This process happens naturally, and it's not a conscious decision, it usually happens within the first 2 years of a Dwarf's life. As they travel to different Dwarf clans and interact with other races, they will learn about different gender identities and expressions, which may also influence their own understanding of their gender identity. As they grow and develop, their physical representation will also change to reflect their gender identity, as they start to take on the traditional physical characteristics associated with their chosen gender.

This process is considered a natural and important part of the Journey of Awakening, as it allows Earth Born Dwarfs to understand and express their own gender identity, which will play a significant role in their place in society and how they interact with other races. This process is also respected and accepted within the Earth Born Dwarf's society, and it's an essential aspect of their culture and tradition.

Finally, once having travelled a few miles of The Great Forge the newly awakened Earth Born Dwarf will forget the details of The Great Forge and it's location, and will likely never see it again. They will retain a core awareness of it and it's cultural importance.

Forge Shaman

The Forge Shaman class is a unique class only available to Earth Born Dwarfs. They are spiritual leaders and guides for their clans, who possess the knowledge and abilities to find the Great Forge again. They are powerful leaders and spiritual guides for their clans, they guide their people in spiritual and cultural matters.

Benefits:

• The ability to find the Great Forge again through hidden portals that open to spiritual realms.

• The ability to commune with the spirits of the earth and fire, granting them powerful elemental abilities.

• The ability to imbue items they create with powerful magical properties.

• The ability to sense and locate veins of Khorite and other valuable minerals.

• The ability to cast spells related to earth and fire.

Penalties:

• Forge Shamans are bound by a sacred oath to protect the location of the Great Forge and its secrets, they cannot reveal its location to anyone.

• They are also bound by a sacred oath to use their abilities for the benefit of their clan and community, and not for personal gain.

• They are also bound by a sacred oath not to use their abilities for destructive purposes.

• They must always prioritize the protection of the Great Forge and the preservation of their race's spiritual and cultural heritage above all else.

As a spiritual leader, the Forge Shaman's role is to guide their people in spiritual and cultural matters, and to use their abilities for the benefit of their clan and community. They are powerful leaders and spiritual guides for their clans, they guide their people in spiritual and cultural matters, they are also responsible for the protection of the Great Forge and the preservation of their race's spiritual and cultural heritage.

Playing an Earth Born Dwarf

When creating an Earth Born Dwarf PC, players will need to make the following adjustments to their stats:

• +2 to Constitution: Earth Born Dwarfs are known for their durability and resistance to physical harm.

• +1 to Wisdom: Earth Born Dwarfs possess a deep respect for tradition, culture, and the natural world, which is reflected in their wisdom.

Earth Born Dwarfs possess a unique set of abilities that distinguish them from other races. These include:

• Slow and Steady: Earth Born Dwarfs move at a steady pace, but they are not as fast as other races. Their base speed is 20 feet per round, but they have a special ability called "Slow and Steady", which allows them to move at full speed even when carrying a heavy load or when in difficult terrain, this ability also grants them advantage on saving throws related to movement such as difficult terrain.

• Darkvision: Earth Born Dwarfs have darkvision, allowing them to see in complete darkness up to a distance of 60 feet. This ability is particularly useful when mining and exploring underground.

• Stonecunning: Earth Born Dwarfs have a special ability called "Stonecunning", which allows them to detect unusual stonework, such as traps and hidden doors located in stone walls or floors. This ability also grants them advantage on History checks related to stonework, and they automatically know the location of any unusual stonework, unless a specific check is required.

• Resilience: Earth Born Dwarfs have a natural resilience to poison and disease, they have advantage on saving throws against poison and disease.

• Forge Sense: Earth Born Dwarfs have a special ability called "Forge Sense", which allows them to sense the presence of a forge within a certain distance, this ability also grants them advantage on saving throws related to fire and heat.

Benefits:

• Immune to aging, disease, and death from natural causes.

• Proficiency in all artisan tools.

• Ability to enchant items they create, imbuing them with powerful magical properties.

• Knowledge of metallurgy and mining.

• Connection to the earth and fire, which grants them the ability to sense and locate veins of valuable minerals.

Penalties:

• Earth Born Dwarfs are bound by a sacred oath to protect the location of the Great Forge and its secrets, they cannot reveal its location to anyone.

• They are also bound by a sacred oath to use their abilities for the benefit of their clan and community, and not for personal gain.

• They are also bound by a sacred oath not to use their abilities for destructive purposes.

Suggested Starting Equipment:

• A set of artisan tools

• A pickaxe

• A set of mining tools

• A set of clothes suitable for mining and crafting

• A bedroll

• A backpack

• 5 + 2d4 gp

Preferred Class choices:

• Forge Shaman

• Paladin

• Cleric

• Fighter

• Artificer

Earth Born Dwarfs, thanks to their long lifespan, are well suited to classes that require a deep understanding of their craft and skills and those that are focused on tradition and community service. They are also known for their artisan skills and craftsmanship, which makes them well suited to classes such as the Artificer.

Characteristics and Traits Summary

Earth Born Dwarfs possess a unique set of traits and characteristics that distinguish them from other races. These include:

1. Durability: Earth Born Dwarfs are known for their durability, their unique origin from Khorite, a clay-like substance, gives them the ability to withstand a great amount of physical influence, and they can live for eons.

2. Artisan Skills: Earth Born Dwarfs have a strong emphasis on artisan skills and craftsmanship, they possess proficiency in all artisan tools, allowing them to create masterful works of art and craftsmanship. They also have the ability to enchant items they create, imbuing them with powerful magical properties.

3. Connection to the Earth and Fire: Earth Born Dwarfs have a strong connection to the earth and fire, valuing the preservation of their knowledge and skills for the benefit of their community and tradition. They are known for their knowledge of metallurgy and mining.

4. Genderless: Earth Born Dwarfs are born genderless, but they will develop all the traditional aspects of gender based on how they identify. This process is not a conscious decision and usually happens within the first 2 years of a Dwarf's life.

5. Immutable: Earth Born Dwarfs are immune to aging, disease, and death from natural causes, allowing them to continue to hone their craft and skills for centuries.

6. Respect for Tradition: Earth Born Dwarfs possess a deep respect for tradition, culture, and the natural world. They are stoic, hardworking, and dedicated, they value preservation of their knowledge and skills for the benefit of their community and tradition.

7. Journey of Awakening: Earth Born Dwarfs go through a journey of self-discovery, learning, and growth, known as the Journey of Awakening. They travel to different Dwarf clans across the world, learning about different cultures, skills, and trades. This journey also allows them to connect with their spiritual heritage and understand their place in the world.

8. Great Forge: The Great Forge is the most sacred site for the Earth Born Dwarfs, it is where the life energy of deceased Earth Born Dwarfs is returned to, to be reused for the creation of new Dwarf figurines. The Great Forge is deeply connected to the Earth Born Dwarfs' culture and spirituality, it's an essential aspect of their heritage and the number of living Earth Born Dwarfs at any time is relatively consistent.

9. Spiritual Leaders: Earth Born Dwarfs have a unique class of spiritual leaders known as Forge Shamans, who possess the knowledge and abilities to find the Great Forge again. They are powerful leaders and spiritual guides for their clans, they guide their people in spiritual and cultural matters.

10. Interaction with other races: Earth Born Dwarfs have a long lifespan which allows them to form deeper and more meaningful relationships with other races, as they have more time to learn about and understand their cultures and ways of life. This may also lead to more nuanced and complex views of other races, as they have more time to observe and experience different aspects of their cultures and societies.