Half-dwarves as a dwarven subrace

[Calantyr]

I was hoping you honourable gentlemen could add Half-Dwarves as a dwarven subrace, similar to how Gold-Dwarves and Shield-Dwarves appear in the character creation screen.

Half-elves are already a thing and I'd like to see more dwarven love on the server, but the kinda potato appearance of the vanilla dwarves is probably something holding them back. I don't think I'm alone in thinking that dwarven lore is pretty awesome, but they should have the same options as elf-blooded characters to attract more players.

In my suggested implementation they would use the shield-dwarf abilities (since they are the most common type of dwarf). From what I've read half-dwarves have the same physical abilities as their dwarven parent (+2 Con bonus, darkvision, etc). Of course making a half-way-between spread of abilities similar to how BGtSCC has implemented half-elves might be better for more variety, but would take longer to design, test, and put into the game.

I'd suggest that they have the physical appearance of (slightly shorter) humans, or perhaps even half-elves. A combination of both human AND half-elf heads might actually be more appropriate after reading below, depending on their parentage:

http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Half-dwarf

Half-dwarves
Half-dwarves (also known as dwelves or halfbloods) were humanoids born through the union of a dwarf and another humanoid race.

Ecology

Half-dwarves were usually the result of a dwarf mating with a human, gnome, elf, or halfling. The offspring of a dwarf and an elf was known as a "dwelf" (which was pluralized to "dwelves").

The fertility and offspring of half-dwarves was similar to that of half-elves. If a half-dwarf mated with a pureblood dwarf, the offspring would be a pureblood dwarf. If a half-dwarf mated with another half-dwarf or a nondwarf, the offspring would be a half-dwarf.

Physical characteristics

Although slightly taller, half-dwarves were not a distinct race. Biologically, half-dwarves were almost indistinguishable from dwarves.

The physical and mental characteristics that were inherited by dwelves varied between individuals. This meant that some dwelves had more elvish characteristics and some had more dwarven characteristics.

Culture

Like half-elves, dwelves would adopt the cultures and gods of whoever raised them.

Non-dwarven mates who entered into dwarven culture were honored and respected by dwarves for their bravery and loyalty.

[MrPsion]

The Dark Sun setting features Muls (Half Human/Dwarf hybrids.)

2e -> 3.5e conversion by athas.org

[Calantyr]

Maybe something like the following:

Half-Dwarf
Half-dwarves are born through the union of a dwarf and another humanoid race, often humans but also including elves, halflings, and gnomes. Prospective suitors are often drawn to the dwarf's robustness and stamina, and the dwarf is likewise attracted to some quality in their partner that they themselves lack. Unlike the union that produces half-elves, half-dwarf parents often remain together for extensive periods after their child is born. Half-dwarves are usually welcomed into dwarven culture along with their non-dwarven parent, who is praised for their commitment, bravery, and loyalty.

Half-dwarves strongly resemble their dwarven parent in both their physical and mental abilities, however their height tends towards that of their non-dwarf parent.

Racial Traits:

- Darkvision: Half-dwarves can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
- Hardiness vs. Poisons: +2 racial bonus to saving throws against poison.
- Hardiness vs. Spells: +2 racial bonus to saving throws against spells and spell-like effects.
- Lore Affinity: +2 bonus to Lore checks.
- Skilled: 4 extra skill points at 1st level, plus 1 additional skill point at each following level.
- Weapon Familiarity: Dwarven waraxes are treated as martial weapons rather than exotic weapons.
- Favored Class: Any. When determining whether a multiclass half-dwarf takes an experience point penalty, her highest-level class does not count.

[AlwaysSummer Day]

Although slightly taller, half-dwarves were not a distinct race. Biologically, half-dwarves were almost indistinguishable from dwarves.

I played Maxwell the Halfdwarven for like 5 years straight. Although I left virtually no mark on the server through my RP I did get the admins here to basically take up arms against halfdwarves. IIRC it was Chambordini who lead the crusade. When I explained being a halfdwarf was more akin to a heritage (that was the specific word I used in IRC) such as chultan or thayan then a genuine half race they merely replied with this ruling -

- Unusual background and character sheet requests
Anything that you wish to play that is out of the ordinary, does not appear on your character sheet or in the character creation process, or is untrue to your character mechanically, is to be submitted to the DM team as a player request. The sort of things this covers include unusual heritage, unusual age, a class that doesn't exist in the game, an atypical background, nobility or personal contact with named lore NPCs. Requests that outright contradict the mechanics or character sheet of your character will almost always be rejected. We have also made some rulings on common requests that can be found on the "DM rulings thread." If in doubt, please contact the DM team.

Failure to submit an unusual background request, being dishonest or not playing by the guidelines the DM team set out for you can lead to the unusual background request being rejected or revoked by retcon. In extreme cases further disciplinary action may be necessary.

This was added in a few days after the IRC conversation. So if you want to break with lore and add it as a subrace go for it. Most information on it can be found in Dwarves Deep and as far as I know other sources about halfdwarves are likely for other settings. If you want to play a halfdwarf otherwise probably best to PM the DM's or else you may end up getting 5 years retconned!

Edit: Oh and BTW I am pretty sure that in this time frame Gold Dwarves are more numerous then Shield Dwarves.

[Thorsson]

One part of the article appears to have been missed out.

Half-dwarf races were common in Ardeep, Eaerlann, and Myth Drannor at one point in history but by 1358 DR were unheard of.

We're pretty damn close to 1358 DR...

[Zanniej]

I couldn't find any 3.5 sources fitting the lore on half-dwarves. It is kind of a must for something as big as a new (sub)race to be implemented, that there is lore from the 3.5 version to base it on.

[NegInfinity]

I couldn't find any 3.5 sources fitting the lore on half-dwarves. It is kind of a must for something as big as a new (sub)race to be implemented, that there is lore from the 3.5 version to base it on.

Dragon magazine 319, page 28.

I'm not entirely sure it is DND 3, though.

+2 Str, +4 Con, Ecl +1. Favored class :Fighter. Fast Healving I at level 10, Fast Healing II at level 15. Dark sun setting. Need half rest duration to recover.

[Thorsson]

Dragon magazine 319, page 28.

I'm not entirely sure it is DND 3, though.

+2 Str, +4 Con, Ecl +1. Favored class :Fighter. Fast Healving I at level 10, Fast Healing II at level 15. Dark sun setting. Need half rest duration to recover.

Whatever version, it's NOT Faerun.

This setting also says Dwarves have +4 Con +2 Wis and -2 Cha, so I think we can safely ignore it.

[NegInfinity]

Dragon magazine 319, page 28.

I'm not entirely sure it is DND 3, though.

+2 Str, +4 Con, Ecl +1. Favored class :Fighter. Fast Healving I at level 10, Fast Healing II at level 15. Dark sun setting. Need half rest duration to recover.

Whatever version, it's NOT Faerun.

This setting also says Dwarves have +4 Con +2 Wis and -2 Cha, so I think we can safely ignore it.

Well, the source of information is this article:
https://1d4chan.org/wiki/Mul

I think there's no proper FR lore for those, and the only way to make them happen would be to backport 4e edition onto 3.5, where the article claims they were a result of some drow experiment. Or port them from AD&D

[Storm Munin]

As forgotten realms go I was under the impression any sort of halfdwarf are to be rolled as race dwarf?

What does forgotten realms lore say?

/M

[Thorsson]

I think there's no proper FR lore for those, and the only way to make them happen would be to backport 4e edition onto 3.5, where the article claims they were a result of some drow experiment. Or port them from AD&D

They (Mul) are also a separate Race, not merely an interbreeding between Dwarves and other Humanoids.

The fact is, D&D being what it is, and WotC being who they are, etc. etc. there are piles and piles of races, spells, feats, classes out there. None of them were ever designed to work with each other, rather just themselves and the base game.

I really, really, really think it's time to stop introducing new stuff for a while. I don't know how players are supposed to keep up with it. Indeed, it is clear from these forums that the majority don't. Better to reappraise all the stuff that's been introduced the last 2 years and check whether it's both needed and working as envisaged.

[Thorsson]

As forgotten realms go I was under the impression any sort of halfdwarf are to be rolled as race dwarf?

As per the Ed Greenwood quote. Indeed that has been so ruled in the past IIRC.

[chad878262]

I really, really, really think it's time to stop introducing new stuff for a while. I don't know how players are supposed to keep up with it. Indeed, it is clear from these forums that the majority don't. Better to reappraise all the stuff that's been introduced the last 2 years and check whether it's both needed and working as envisaged.

This is the primary goal at this point. Other than the 2 year planning document which Maecius linked not too long ago which outlines the mechanics and changes we are targeting our primary focus is to make everything that is already done work as seamlessly as possible.

[Endelyon]

I'm not pointing this out to say "Hey here's evidence that we should add Half-Dwarves as a mechanical subrace," but I'd be remiss to let all these people in this thread keep saying this idea has no basis in FR and not to point out this supplemental 2nd Edition Forgotten Realms sourcebook written by Ed Greenwood himself that outlines and references the existence of Half-Dwarves several times and talks about their ecology directly:

https://www.amazon.com/Dwarves-Advanced ... 0880388803

[Theodore01]

...and no one likes dwarfs anyway - Ups did i say that