Duergar

Rapacious, pragmatic and cruel, the Duergar have dominated the mountains and hills for millennia. Stocky, grey-skinned and stoutly built, the duergar are formiddable combatants known as much for their devious tactics as for their penchant for slavery. Warfare is common among Duergar, but typically consists or quick raids on undefended towns rather than pitched battles between equal forces. The Duergar do not wage war for honor or glory, but for profit.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Duergar are typically stocky figures. Both male and female duergar are typically bald, with females also lacking the capacity to grow facial hair. Their skin and gray are typically a dull gray, often matched with an equally stolid expression.
A minority of Duergar exhibit other traits - brown or golden hair, warm skin tones and ruddy complexions. Some even have eyes that can see well during daylight. Frequently, such unusual duergar are encouraged to conceal such traits.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The Duergar are organized into clans, led by whomever is able to exert his or her will over their lessers. Such leaders are frequently short-lived, and transfers of power are invariably bloody. Such rulers are rarely loved, and enjoy little loyalty. Fear or their wrath and greed for their gifts keep their subordinates in line.
Children in Duergar society remain with their mothers through the end of adolescence (approx. 30 years) before leaving to make their own way in the world. Family ties are not highly valued and marriage is generally a temporary legal arrangement undertaken to provide for children and abandoned as soon as the last child is grown.
The central relationship in the Duergar social order is that of master and slave. Those who own slaves are esteemed, and all Duergar train in combat for fear of slave-revolts. Duergar who do not possess their own slaves are viewed as second-class. Rather than imprisonment, Duergar typically sell offenders into servitude.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Duergar primarily live in (and under) the mountains and hills of Alsine. Duergar tend to prefer subterranean living, but build defensive structures above ground when necessary.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Duergar value utility over elegance. Duergar of both genders frequently shave their heads and beards so as to avoid having to maintain it - and to better protect themselves in a fight. Clothing, armor, and weapons are chosen for their simplicity and effectiveness rather than their aesthetic qualities. Food - and particularly alcohol - is the rare exception where concern is shown for quality. An extravagant meal is a sign of great wealth and prestige, and to say that a Duergar "eats like a slave" is the lowest of insults.
Duergar value fine craftmanship, but view physical labor as the proper role of slaves, not masters. Slaves knowledgeable in some craft - particularly smithing, stonework or magic - are highly prized. Duergar strongholds are typically utilitarian and austere. Any master craftsmen employed or owned are not wasted on decorating hallways, but rather on making weapons, armor, fortifications or other pragmatic tasks.

History

Like many intelligent races in Alsine, the distant history of the Duergar is shrouded in a haze of legend. Most tales agree that, at some point in the distant past, the Duergar were subjugated by a race known as the "overlords." These ancient masters, Duergar believe, once ruled over all of Alsine until the Duergar rose up in rebellion, killing them and demolishing their strongholds.
While the other races fled to the overworld, the Duergar dug in - expanding the underground kingdom of their former oppressors until no trace of but theirs remained. Viewing themselves as the rightful masters of the world, Duergar expanded their subterranean empire by conquering and enslaving others. While their unerring pursuit of power brought them security and wealth, their lack of loyalty and disdain for honor prevented them from forming a unified empire. Each Duergar clan stands on its own - led by its patriarch for as long as he can maintain his hold upon power.
At the dawn of the fourth age, a new religion threatens to upset the 10,000 year status quo in the halls of the Duergar. A cult, calling themselves 'the children of Moradin' seek to advance of new vision for their race. Led by Galgoth Mordson, these new believers call themselves 'dwarves' and reject the traditional slave-holding ways of the Duergar in favor of 'honest' labor, honorable relationships and fine craftmanship. The Duergar patriarchs treat this new faith as a treasonous cancer, many going so far as to put its followers to death, rather than the traditional punishment of lifelong enslavement.

Common Myths and Legends

Traditionally, the Duergar have worshipped a pantheon centered on Dispater - Lord of Might and Master of Masters. His priests dictate that the weak must pay homage to the strong, and that those who break their bargains shall be met with Dispater's wrath.
Dispater is attended by Lillis - the Iron Maiden, Keeper of Secrets and Discerner of Lies. Those who seek knowledge - or have secrets to sell - visit her priestesses who are happy to share what they know... for the right price.
Some also pray to Malachlabra - daughter of Dispater - known as the Outcast. After a failed attempt to overthrow her father, she fled to the wilderness where she hides, plotting her revenge. Many Duergar identify with her tales, and offer sacrifices in the hope that she might help them in similar circumstances (though, obviously those in power view her shrines with suspicion).
Finally, in recent centuries a new cult has emerged, decrying the priests of Dispater as servants of "devils" and proclaiming themselves "children of Moradin." They claim that Moradin is the true creator of their race - which they call the "Dwarves." Moradin, according to their tales, sent his avatar amongst a distant clan to bring his message of purification and enlightenment. Followers of the sect reject the institution of slavery and insist that all 'dwarves' dedicate themselves to honorable labor and craftsmanship. The clan leaders of the Duergar, for their part, despise this new cult and have placed a considerable bounty on any who espouse its teachings - especially their leader Galgoth Mordson.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The duergar do not have a unified government, and as such the leader of each clan makes deal with surrounding nations on his or her own initiative. Duergar tend to be shrewd negotiators, with a keen sense of their own interest. Scoffing at ideals like 'honor,' a duergar is willing to renege on an agreement that no longer serves his purposes.

Duergar and Dwarves

Duergar are the default 'dwarves' in the Alsine campaign setting. Other subtypes of 'dwarf' exist, but are rare and frequently despised in Duergar society. You may create a Hill or Mountain dwarf character in this setting, but know that the culture of 'dwarfdom' in Alsine is based on the Duergar.

Duergar Traits

Ability Score Increase Constitution score increases by 2 and Strength by 1
Age Duergar mature at the same rate as human, but they're considered young until they reach the age of 50. On average, they live about 350 years.
Alignment Most Duergar are Lawful Evil - believing in a well-ordered society dominated by the strong, wily and vicious.
Size Duergar are typically between 4 and 5 feet tall and average 150 pounds. Their size is medium.
Speed Base walking speed is 25 feet. Their speed is not reduced by heavy armor.
Vision Accustomed to life underground, Duergar can see in dim light within 120 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. However, they suffer in daylight conditions - unable to see further than 60ft, and taking disadvantage on all Perception checks in such conditions.
Duergar Resilience Duergar have advantage on saving throws against poison, and have resistance against poison damage. Additionally, they gain advantage against illusions and against being charmed or paralyzed.
Combat Training Duergar have proficiency with the battleaxe, handaxe, throwing hammer, warhammer and whip.
Duergar Magic Upon reaching 3rd level, a Duergar can cast the enlarge/reduce spell on themself once with this trait, using only the enlarge option. Upon reaching 5th level, Duergar can cast invisibility upon themselves once using this trait. Duergar do not require material components for either spell and cannot cast them in direct sunlight. Neither spell can be cast again until the caster finishes a long rest. Intelligence is the spellcasting ability for these spells.