Surface Dweller background
Diamond Dog rogue & warrior background
In ancient times, the dwarves ruled a huge underground empire. They had many cities and settlements, all connected by Deep Roads that ran far beneath the surface. Today only two dwarven cities remain: Orzammare in the Frostback Mountains and far-distant Kal-Sharok. Both are waging an endless war against the darkspawn that conquered the old dwarven lands. While the two fortress-cities remain strong, dwarven numbers have been dwindling slowly for the past thousand years. For the most part Orzammare and Kal-Sharok look inward. Dwarven society is rigid and caste-based and politics are notably vicious.
One caste stands apart from the others though: the surface dwarves. They play a vital role in dwarven society, but curiously other dwarves look down on them. Surface dwarves are largely merchants and middlemen, trading goods and raw materials to other races. They provide ore, gems, finely-forged steel, expertly-crafted goods, and the precious mineral lyrium. Dwarf adventurers and wanderers also belong to the Surface Caste. In Orzammare and Kal-Sharok dwarves of this caste rank below all others except the casteless and the criminals. It is ironic that the most famous dwarf adventurers in pony lands have little standing and no prestige in their homelands.
- The crafting class in Feralden is essentially the middle class: above the freeponies but below the nobility. The class is divided into a series of guild-like organizations called crafthouses. Most of these groups are indeed concerned with crafting of some sort (smithing, wood carving, building, etc.) but there are two exceptions. First, there is the Traders’ Crafthouse, which is an organization of merchants. Surface dwellers founded it originally, since the rough and tumble barbarians of Feralden looked down on middlemen. The dwarves are still in charge, but most of the day-to-day work is done by Feraldans now. Second, the Chantry is considered part of the crafting class. This gives priests an honored position but not as much political sway as the Chantry would like. The Chantry in other nations, particularly Roarlais, has much greater political power.
- Feraldan craftsponies are not as likely as freeponies to become adventurers. Their lives are generally more settled and most have obligations to their crafthouse or the Chantry. There are always those who seek more from life, however, be it the armorer in search of rare metals, the explorer looking to open up new trade routes, or the priest in search of ancient artifacts.
Playing a Surface Dwarf
If you choose to play a surface dwarf, modify your character as follows:- Upgrade your Body trait. Dwarves are famous for their toughness.
- Pick one of the following talents: Special Skill: Stamina (D4) or Creative Flair: Bargaining (D4).
- You can speak and read Dwarven and the Trade Tongue.
- Choose a class. You can play either a warrior or a rogue.
- Play as a Diamond Dog.
Surface Dwarf
Roll the Dice
| 2 | Upgrade Body trait |
| 3-4 | Talent: Special Skill: Axes (D4) |
| 5 | Talent: Special Skill: Driving (D4) |
| 6 | Talent: Creative Flair: Persuasion (D4) |
| 7-8 | Upgrade Charm trait |
| 9 | Talent: Keen Knowledge: Engineering (D4) |
| 10-11 | Talent: Keen Knowledge: Courage (D4) |
| 12 | Upgrade Mind trait |
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
- Althild, Branka, Ethelwid, Hildred, Jarvia, Orta, Peada, Sigge
Masculine names
- Eadrek, Gorim, Kerdik, Legnar, Oerik, Oswulf, Roshek, Vengest, Witred
Family names
- Azagale, Cadash, Dunnharg, Gundaar, Korkill, Kitrik, Moratin, Ortan, Tethras, Varen
Parent ethnicities
Diverged ethnicities
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Languages spoken
Related Locations
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