Duergar

The tyrannical Duergar, also known as Gray Dwarves, dwell in fantastic Cities deep in The Underdark. Using ancient Dwarven knowledge and myriad slaves, they work tirelessly to expand their subterranean Kingdoms. Most Duergar (including females) are bald and have ashen gray skin. They wear drab clothing designed to blend in with stone, along with simple jewelry that reflects their severe and utilitarian demeanor.

Slaves To Slavers

The Duergar were once Dwarves, before their greed and endless delving beneath the earth brought them into contact with the Illithids (Mind Flayers). Held in captivity for generations by the Illithids, the Dwarves eventually won their independence with the aid of the evil God Laduguer. Slavery had forever changed them, however, darkening their spirits to make the Duergar as evil as the tyrants they had escaped. Despite winning their freedom, Duergar are dour, pessimistic, untrusting creatures, always toiling and complaining, with no memory of what it means to be happy or proud. Their craftmanship and accomplishments endure, yet they are bereft of warmth or artistry.
Duergar make war against their Dwarven kin and all other subterranean races. They forge alliances when it is convenient, then break those alliances when they have nothing more to gain. They take and hold slaves to toil in The Underdark, regarding them as free labor and crude currency.

Tough As Stone

Like Dwarves, Duergar have strong Constitutions. Adding to their physical stamina is an incredible mental fortitude resulting from their time as slaves of the Mind Flayers. A Duergar's mind is a fortress, able to shrug off charms, illusions, and other spells.

Born of Darkness

The Underdark is saturated with strange magical power, which the Duergar absorbed over generations of imprisonment. A Duergar can increase its size and strength for a short period of time, becoming a powerful Thull-sized warrior. If it faces a foe it can't fight, or when spying on creatures approaching its territory, it can just as easily become invisible to slip away into the darkness.
Eons spent in The Underdark also sharpened their darkvision, allowing them to see twice as far as other Dwarves. This keen eyesight comes at a cost, however, as a Duergar's vision is compromised by sunlight.

Infernal Master

Asmodeus, Lord of The Nine Hells, has been known to impersonate Duergar Gods in order to cultivate the evil brimming in the hearts of the gray Dwarves. He offers them divine guidance and vengeance against their enemies while urging them on toward greater acts of tyranny, all the while concealing his true identity.

A Duergar at Work by dmdave

Basic Information

Anatomy

Humanoid (Duergar): Head, Torso, Two Arms ending with hands, and Two Legs ending with feet.

Biological Traits

Due to generations of imprisonment in The Underdark absorbing the strange magical power that permeates throughout, the Duergar has the ability to alter its size, making itself larger and stronger and has the ability to make itself invisible for a short period.

Ecology and Habitats

The Duergar dwell in Cities, Fortresses and Strongholds throughout The Underdark.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Omnivore

Additional Information

Social Structure

The Duergar have Kingdoms, Noble Houses, Chieftains and Clans.

Facial characteristics

The Duergar look much the same facially as their cousins except for their ashen skin tone.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Darkvision 120ft & Passive Perception 10

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

• Dwarvish
• Undercommon

Common Dress Code

Dark clothing of wool and leather is everyday wear, for battle they wear leather, Chain or Platemail painted black.

History

The Duergar were once Dwarves, before their greed and endless delving beneath the earth brought them into contact with the Illithids (Mind Flayers). Held in captivity for generations by the Illithids, the Dwarves eventually won their independence with the aid of the evil God Laduguer.

A Duergar Warrior by homebrewery.naturalcrit

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Dwarven

Genetic Descendants

• Duergar Hammerer
• Duergar Mind Master

Origin/Ancestry

Humanoid (Dwarf)

Lifespan

200 To 400 Years old (Averaging 300 Years)

Average Height

4ft to 4ft 10" (Averaging 4ft 6")

Average Weight

160lbs to 260lbs (Averaging 200lbs)

Average Physique

The Duergar are generally smaller in height and slimmer than their cousins the Mountain Dwarf, but they are slightly broader of shoulder and physically stronger.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Ashen Skin, deep set dark eyes, bald heads and white beards.

A Young Duergar by forgottenrealms

DUERGAR CR: 1 (200XP)

Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful evil

Armor Class: 16 (Scale Mail & Shield)

Hit Points: 26 (4d8+8).

Speed: 25 ft

STR

14 +2

DEX

11 +0

CON

14 +2

INT

11 +0

WIS

10 +0

CHA

9 -1

Damage Resistances: Poison

Senses: Darkvision 120ft & Passive Perception 10

Languages: Duergar (Dark Dwarvish),Dwarvish & Undercommon

Challenge Rating: 1 (200XP)

DUERGAR RESILIENCE:

THE DUERGAR HAS ADVANTAGE ON SAVING THROWS AGAINST POISON,SPELLS, AND ILLUSIONS, AS WELL AS TO RESIST BEING CHARMED OR PARALYZED.

SUNLIGHT SENSITIVITY:

WHILE IN SUNLIGHT, THE DUERGAR HAS DISADVANTAGE ON ATTACK ROLLS, AS WELL AS ON WISDOM (PERCEPTION) CHECKS THAT RELY ON SIGHT.

Actions

ENLARGE ABILITY (RECHARGES AFTER A SHORT OR LONG REST) :

FOR 1 MINUTE, THE DUERGAR MAGICALLY INCREASES IN SIZE, ALONG WITH ANYTHING IT IS WEARING OR CARRYING.WHILE ENLARGED, THE DUERGAR IS LARGE, DOUBLES ITS DAMAGE DICE ON STRENGTH-BASED WEAPON ATTACKS, AND MAKES STRENGTH CHECKS AND STRENGTH SAVING THROWS WITH ADVANTAGE.IF THE DUERGAR LACKS THE ROOM TO BECOME LARGE, IT ATTAINS THE MAXIMUM SIZE POSSIBLE IN THE SPACE AVAILABLE. 

WAR PICK:

MELEE WEAPON ATTACK: +4 TO HIT, REACH 5FT, ONE TARGET. HIT: 6 (1D8+2) PIERCING DAMAGE,OR 11 (2D8+2) PIERCING DAMAGE WHILE ENLARGED.

JAVELIN:

MELEE OR RANGED WEAPON ATTACK: +4 TO HIT, REACH 5FT, OR RANGE 30/120FT, ONE TARGET. HIT: 5 (1D6+2) PIERCING DAMAGE, OR 9 (2D6+2) PIERCING DAMAGE WHILE ENLARGED.

INVISIBILTY (RECHARGES AFTER A SHORT OR LONG REST):

THE DUERGAR MAGICALLY TURNS INVISIBLE UNTIL IT ATTACKS, CASTS A SPELL, OR USES ITS ENLARGE, OR UNTIL ITS CONCENTRATION IS BROKEN, UP TO 1 HOUR (AS IF CONCENTRATING ON A SPELL). ANY EQUIPMENT THE DUERGAR WEARS OR CARRIES IS INVISIBLE WITH IT.