Dwarf Dwerg

These stunted humanoids appear as dwarves, but their grey wrinkled skin and blank eyes indicate a much longer time of living underground. They come towards you staring uncomprehendingly, then begin a mad, senseless gibbering and raise their small weapons in an obviously hostile, if rather barmy, attitude.

Monster Encyclopaedia II: The Dark Bestiary
Author J. C. Alvarez
Series Monster Encyclopaedia
Publisher Mongoose Publishing
Publish date 2005

Dwergs are the most primitive strain of dwarves, much less intelligent and evolved than their modern relatives. They are in fact nearly mindless creatures, roaming the underdark attacking whatever they do not understand (which includes virtually everything). Dwergs look like small, hunched, dwarf-like creatures, much lankier than common dwarves, with grey skin and blind, featureless eyes. In typical idiot savant fashion, they are masterful craftsmen despite their limited Intelligence, so they are often seen carrying weapons, armour and other magical items of excellent quality.

Dwergs speak their own dialect of Dwarven and Undercommon.

Dwerg, 1st Level Warrior
Small Humanoid
Hit Dice	1d8+1 (5 hp)
Initiative	+2
Speed	20 ft. (4 squares)
AC	16(+1 size,+2 Dex,+3masterwork studded leather armour), touch 13, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple	+1/-4
Attack	masterwork light pick +5 melee (1d3- 1/x4) or masterwork light crossbow +5 ranged (1d6/19-20)
Full Attack	masterwork light pick +5 melee (1d3-1/x4) or masterwork light crossbow +5 ranged (1d6/19-20)
Space/Reach	5 ft. /5 ft.
Special Attacks	Dwerg traits
Special Qualities	Dwerg traits
Saves	Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +1
Abilities	Strength 8, Dexterity 15, Constitution 13, Intelligence 6, Wisdom 12, Charisma 5
Skills	Appraise +3, Craft (weaponsmithing) +4, Hide +6, Move Silently +3
Feats	Weapon Finesse
Environment	Any underground
Organisation	Solitary, team (2-4), gang (4-24 plus one 3rd level leader) or tribe (20-80 plus one 3rd level leader and a 6th level chieftain)
Challenge Rating	1/2
Treasure	Double standard plus masterwork light pick, masterwork light crossbow and masterwork studded leather armour
Alignment	Usually neutral evil
Advancement	By character class
Level Adjustment	+1

Combat

Dwergs are nothing like their brave and warlike relatives, instead preferring to use underhand tactics such as flanking and surprise attacks, or the good old fashioned technique of ganging up on a single enemy. They are otherwise very cowardly and usually flee as soon as they realise they do not have an overwhelming advantage.

Dwergs always use at least masterwork quality weapons and armour, with some of their leaders using magical weapons of various types. They usually prefer light crossbows, picks and hammers; and light armour types such as studded leather.

• Dwerg Traits: Dwergs have all of a dwarf’s racial traits, except as follows:
• +2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, -4 Intelligence, -4 Charisma.
• Small size. Dwerg characters receive a +1 size modifier to Armour Class and a +1 size modifier on all attack rolls. They receive a +4 size modifier on Hide checks and a -4 size modifier on grapple checks.
• Blindness (Ex): Dwergs cannot use any ability relying on normal sight. Conversely, they are immune to illusions, gaze attacks and other effects relying on the target’s sight.
• Blindsight out to 60 feet. Dwergs are naturally accustomed to living in darkness.
• +2 racial bonus on saves against spell and spell-like effects. Dwergs receive no special bonus to saves against poison.
• Improved stonecunning: Dwergs receive the stonecunning ability but the bonuses they gain from it are twice those of other dwarves (+4 instead of +2).
• +1 on all attack rolls made against a flanked or flatfooted opponent: Dwergs are innately treacherous. This replaces a hill dwarf’s attack bonus against orcs and goblinoids.
• Dwergs do not receive racial bonuses to Armour Class against giants.
• +4 on all Appraise and Craft checks. This replaces a hill dwarf’s bonus on Appraise and Craft checks.
• Free item creation Feat: All Dwerg characters count as 12th level spellcasters for the purpose of taking item creation feats. This only allows a Dwerg to choose any item creation feat he wishes since 1st level; he must still fulfil a specific item’s prerequisites before crafting it and must abide by all other rules and limitations on item creation.
• Automatic languages: Dwarven, Undercommon. Bonus languages: Common, Elven, Gnome, Giant, Goblin, Terran.
• Favoured class: Rogue.

The Dwerg warrior presented above was created using the following ability score array: Strength 9, Dexterity 13, Constitution 11, Intelligence 10, Wisdom 12, Charisma 8.