Forgeborn Dwarves are a Dwarf subrace that diverged from the main dwarf race in the time before the Dawn War, when the dwarven race was enslaved by the giants, and are characterized by their unwanted infusion with latent elemental energy, a precursor to the transformation that created the Azers, Galeb duhr and Eisk Jaat.
Forgeborn dwarves are detailed in the Dragon article "Winning Races: Dwarves: The Forgeborn", by Robert J. Schwalb, in Dragon #383, released in January 2010.
History[]
Prior the Dawn War, the dwarf race was enslaved by the giants and forced to labor on their behalf in both the mortal world and the Elemental Chaos. Although Moradin ultimately took notice of his children's plight and labored to free them, for many clans his intervention came too late; generations of close proximity to their giantish masters and the Plane Below infused their bodies and souls with elemental energies, warping them into elementals in turn. Thus were born the Azers, Galeb duhr and Eisk Jaat.
Forgeborn dwarves are the scions of clans which had begun the path of transformation into elementals, but which had not yet completed it before Moradin released them from their bondage. Although this prevented their complete transformation, the elemental energy became an integral part of the forgeborn, a spiritual cancer that has passed down through the generations ever since.
Physical Characteristics[]
Forgeborn dwarves are sometimes also known as gray dwarves, because their coloration never ventures far from gray, ranging from pale granite to dark slate. Their most unusual trait is that they are completely hairless, being not only bald but completely devoid of bodily and facial hair. Many forgeborn take to tattooing their scalps with clan symbols or kill markings.
Aside from these unusual traits, forgeborn are otherwise identical to "pureblooded" dwarves
Cultural Traits[]
Forgeborn dwarf culture is dominated by a sense of shame that they were freed from thralldom but other clans were left enslaved until they became the elemental dwarf races, which in turn fuels a burning need for redemption and revenge. This sense of ancestral grievance is so central to their identity that the forgeborn maintain intricate ledgers detailing the wrongs committed to their clans, kin, and selves, which are tended to by an elite order of loremasters known as the Keepers of Hate.
The forgeborn are renowned for their strong value of honor, and they often struggle to live up to their own lofty self-expectations.
Wrath and hatred comes naturally to forgeborn dwarves, who are prone to fearsome outbursts and unprovoked aggression. Much of their culture centers on taming these wild bursts of fury, and ensuring they are aimed only at the deserving - especially their ancestral enemies such as giants, ogres and orcs.
Unlike other dwarf clans, forgeborn clans tend to shun the worship of the gods in general, and of Moradin in particular, blaming their elemental corruption on Moradin's inattention and regarding him as a failure. They instead look inward, worshiping their ancestors and seeking strength from their own sense of self. Forgeborn dwarves are more likely to embrace the Primal Spirits or psionic traditions than divine theology.
The relationship between forgeborn dwarves and other dwarves is stormy, contentious, and often bitter. Non-forgeborn dwarf clans typically regard the fate of the azers, galeb duhr and eisk jaat as regrettable, but nothing to blame themselves over, and feel that there are more important things to do than stew over ancient vendettas; forgeborn dwarf clans regard such attitude as cowardly and selfish. Violent clashes between members of the two subraces are not uncommon.
Dwarven naming conventions, including clan names, extend to the forgeborn. Personal accomplishments are important to forgeborn dwarves, and they often include them when they introduce themselves.
Personality Tendencies[]
- Arrogant
- Courageous
- Dour
- Driven
- Impatient
- Proud
- Taciturn
- Tempestuous
Mechanics[]
To play a Forgeborn Dwarf, players start by taking the Dwarf race followed by the Forgeborn Heritage Bloodline feat. Optional bloodline feats and a racial Paragon Path, the Fireforged Champion, may additionally be taken.
Heroic tier Feats[]
- Forgeborn Heritage - Prerequisite for all other feats.
- Ancestral Wrath
- Iron Hide Resilience
- Keen Hatred
- Wrathful Legacy
Paragon tier Feats[]
- Improved Legacy
- Wrathful Resurgence
Paragon Path[]
- Fireforged Champion