Duergar
Contents
Stats:
| Strength | Intelligence | Wisdom | Dexterity | Constitution | Alignments | Size | Vulnerabilities | Resistances | Immunities | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 | Evil | Medium | Drowning | Magic | Dig |
Available Classes:
Recommended:
These are available upon creation.
Assassin, Bard, Berserker, Blademaster, Cleric, Dark-Knight, Monk, Necromancer, Ranger, Shaman, Thief, Warrior
Not Recommended:
These are not available upon creation, but can be converted to at any guildmaster by using the Guild command.
Not Available:
These are not valid guilds, due to alignment restrictions.
History:
In the depths of Aelisus, the Duergar have a fascinating history. For ages, they had carved out their existence in the unforgiving Underdark, crafting a resilient society. However, the emergence of the drow and their grand city of Caelwyn posed a unique challenge.Rather than engaging in conflict with the drow, the Duergar astutely chose diplomacy. A historic peace treaty was forged, and a substantial number of Duergar willingly migrated to Caelwyn. This decision, while unconventional, allowed them to align themselves with the drow's rule, rather than languishing beneath it. In their new role, the Duergar played a pivotal role in shaping Caelwyn and its expansion, even as they navigated the complexities of their newfound alliance.
Usual Height:
Roughly the same as a dwarf, but much less stocky.
Hometown:
Caelwyn, Underdark
Religion:
By and large, and as a society, duergar do indeed worship wealth above all other things. They may find themselves worshiping and evil deity that suits their greedy purposes.
Physical Features:
Duergar look like thinner, less stocky versions of the surface dwarves. This is due to their torment at the hands of the illithid; however, due to their smaller frame, they have become more nimble and dexterous as a result. Their skin is often swarthier due to their living conditions. Although their eyes look much the same, observers often say that there is a cruel, calculating light in them which give their eyes a malicious cast. Much like dwarves, duergar grow exceptionally long beards which they are proud of. The length of the beard denotes the bearer's age, and the way in which it is arranged signifies the duergar's rank. Female duergar are bearded as well, and indeed, many non-dwarves find it difficult to differentiate from the two genders.
Duergar possess many similar attributes to surface dwarves. Both are highly resistant to all forms of magic, which stood the duergar in good stead during their centuries of torment. This is speculated to be due to fact that dwarves have an innate connection with the earth and the stone of the world itself, which provide them some protection. They retain the dwarven ability to view the infrared spectrum, borne from long centuries spent underground. They also share the dwarven aversion towards large bodies of water, which are not present in their preferred terrain. Consequently, they are not skilled at fighting on boats or in water, and when they are forced to, do not perform as well as they normally might. In addition, they are more vulnerable than most to water-based attacks, be it magical water-based weapons or the spells of invokers.
Society:
Although the duergar can be treacherous and backstabbing, unlike the drow there is surprisingly little backstabbing amongst the duergar themselves, at least within their own clans, although each clan might seek to undermine others so as to gain their wealth for themselves. This is generally considered to be due to the eons-old historical sense of kinship which all dwarves feel for members of their own clans, as well as the group solidarity amongst duergar which was necessary in order for them to survive the torment of the illithid.
Relationships with Other Races:
The duergar have a mortal hatred for the illithid. All dwarves hold deep grudges, but the grudge which the duergar bear for the illithid is deep and eternally unabiding. Duergar may temporarily put up with or even ally with the illithid if they have something to gain from it, but it is virtually unthinkable for a duergar to 'befriend' one of the cursed mind-flayers which wreaked so much misery amongst their people. Illithid, on the other hand, don't particular care about the duergar; as with almost all other living creatures, illithid view the duergar as not even worth holding in contempt.
The duergar possess a love-hate relationship with the drow. They had many skirmishes in the past, almost all of which went badly for the duergar, until they came to an agreement and settled in Caelwyn, working together to create a society that benefits both races. It is not unknown for duergar and drow to form long-lasting, even permanent partnerships, but a duergar will never, ever, truly trust the drow. Drow, on the other hand, see duergar as occasionally useful allies and servants, but inferiors. Then again, drow view most races in that way.
All other races view the treacherous duergar with suspicion, however, the wealth which they bring to their trading partners makes them generally accepted on the surface, unlike the drow.
