Desert Dwarves live in the harsh desert lands in the south, and in Grankkan, where only the resilient and cautious survive. Their philosophy of “take only what you need” is ingrained in their sparse lifestyle. They often use their polearms as tentpoles in temporary shelters.
These dwarves reside in the wastes of sand, under a blazing sun, with no water in sight for miles. And yet, they somehow thrive. Their sturdy dispositions allowing them to store up nutrients much more effectively than the other races. They are as comfortable in the sands as an elf is in the trees. Their innate ability to hone in on the riches of the earth turns into the riches of the desert, ala Oases, vegetation, and spices. Their pathfinding skill is unparalleled among the other races, and a dwarf could retrace his steps to probably where he took his first steps. A dwarf would almost always be aware of where the nearest source of water is within the desert.
The harshness of the landscape forces the utmost cooperation for survival within this dwarven society. Nothing is hoarded, everything is shared. What is good for one is good for all, and if one dwarf triumphs, every dwarf triumphs. In many dwarven communities you will find this principle applied quite often, as visitors must donate either water or other valuables, and all food is rationed, even if it isn’t necessary. Taking more than necessary for yourself is a great offense, and often leads to grave punishment, either imprisonment and in rare cases death depending on what was taken. The dwarves do not care who did the offense, they will punish them all the same, be they pauper or prince. The Desert Dwarf is a harsh race in a harsh land.
Desert dwarves skin tone ranges from light brown to black, and their hair color ranges the same way. A desert dwarf’s eye color is nearly always dark. They are lean and hardened.
Desert dwarves come from the Southron Desert, Pheronor, Icos, Ihaka, any of the Calim Estate countries, or Grankkan.
Traits
Instead of the mountain dwarf traits, you gain the following:
- Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
- Age. Desert dwarves mature at the same rate as humans, but they’re considered young until they reach the age of 50. On average, they live about 350 years.
- Alignment. Desert dwarves are a nomadic culture, and so they tend to be nonlawful. They tend toward good, with a strong sense of fair play and a belief that everyone deserves to share in the benefits of a just order.
- Size. Desert dwarves stand taller than a typical dwarf, between 5 and 5 1/2 feet tall, to better allow heat dispersal throughout the body. Your size is Medium.
- Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
- Sandcunning. Whenever you come within 10 feet of a sand related hazard, such as quicksand, you can attempt to make a Perception check to detect it and can add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus. In addition, you gain advantage on all checks if caught in a sand related hazard.
- Desert Combat Training. You have proficiency with the pike, scimitar, spear, and shortbow.
- Tool Proficiency. You gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of your choice: cartographer’s supplies, potter’s tools, or glassblower’s tools.
- Desert Born. You’re naturally adapted to hot climates, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
- Languages. You can speak, read, and write Dwarven, and have an understanding of the Crune alphabet (you can make an Intelligence check to understand any language that uses the Crune alphabet).
Random Height and Weight
| Race | Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwarf, Desert | 4’2″ | +2d6 | 100 lb. | x (2d10) lb. |
Shadows of Dakaron 