Dwarves

S Dwarves tone sings in the mighty chambers of the dwarfholds, a melody strummed by dwarven steel that tells tales springing from the earliest days of the world. Memory and stone are the lifeblood of the dwarves, a social currency more precious than mithril; a dwarf is who and what they remember, and who they are remembered by, and stone keeps memories nearly as well as the dwarves. Dwarves Lore Arcana DC 10: Some few ancient dwarven clans retain and preserve the secrets of a branch of runecrafting magic similar to that practiced by giants, which along with their noted affinity for goliaths has led some to hypothesize that dwarves may in fact be an ancient offshoot of giantkin themselves. Arcana DC 15: Some among the dwarven runescribes have mastered the art of inscribing runes on flesh, granting them the ability to bestow powerful curses and blessings. History DC 10: Dwarves are famed for their long memories, most notably their propensity to keep grudges for centuries. Time dulls no wounds among the dwarves, and they always seek their due. Nature DC 15: Dwarves are renowned for their hardy constitutions, to the extent that nondwarves visiting among them are advised to bring their own food and drink, as dwarven fare ranges from unbearably spicy to downright inedibly toxic. Religion DC 15: Dwarf clans hold their fallen forebears in reverence equal to that of their gods, and it is considered a mark of great shame among dwarves to be unable to recite one's complete geneology back seven generations without stumbling or hesitation. Dwarf Stone-Eater Tactics Stone-Eaters first attempt to shove a creature prone, then attack in groups of 5 with their Digging Bars. They use their Set Blasting Charge primarily to force creatures to provoke attacks of opportunity or abandon advantageous positions, but once one is set other Stone Eaters will often attempt to grapple a creature to prevent it from fleeing. Dwarf Anvileer Tactics Dwarf Anvileers await an enemy charge, using their Pound Shield to weather ranged assaults while other dwarves drive their foes closer. If they must advance, those who did not initiate the Shield Song take the Dodge action and try to circle around a foe as they do so, sandwitching it between a line of dwarves and some impassable terrain. Encounter Groups CR 20 Encounter 8,400 XP 1 Dwarf Brewmaster (CR 6) 3 Dwarf Ironbeards (CR 4) 4 Dwarf Anvileers (CR 3) CR 23 Encounter 17,200 XP 1 Dwarf Runescribe (CR 12) 1 Dwarf Grudgekeeper (CR 8) 5 Dwarf Anvileers (CR 3) 10 Dwarf Stone-Eaters (CR M3)

Social Encounters An ancient dwarven runesmith has taken unexpectedly ill and fallen into a coma, just before her chief pupil was set to advance to the rank of master and inherit the legacy of her innovations. She is not expected to recover, and her clan has sought a mage who can enter the runesmith's dream and explain her condition to her, hopefully convincing her to reveal some final secrets of her mastery before they are lost forever. A forgotten dwarven tomb, absent any namerunes, has been uncovered after a tunnel collapse and the clans of the dwarfhold are in an uproar, each accusing the others of having disgraced this dwarven ancestor with an ignominous burial while privately poring over their own records in fear that it might have been them. Tempers are running hot, and the clans are seeking outside mediation to investigate who this dwarf was and how they came to be forgotten A dwarven merchant caravan is in a panic after a cask of their Grand Reserve ale was stolen while traveling through a human trading post. Though the merchant is taking great care to performatively decry and swear vengeance upon the thief, privately they are seeking some seedy underworld sorts to seek out and rescue the thief from their own foolishness, as even a strong whiff of the Grand Reserve can be fatal to humans. Dwarf Stone-Eater Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful neutral Armor Class 14 (Hobnail Leathers) Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4) Speed 25 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) Damage Resistances Poison Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 10 Languages Dwarvish, Undercommon Challenge M3 (140 XP) Minion. If the creature takes damage from an attack or as the result of a failed saving throw, its hit points are reduced to 0. If the creature takes damage from another effect, it dies if the damage equals or exceeds its hit point maximum, otherwise it takes no damage. Armor-Miner. The dwarf's attacks score a critical on a 18-20 against prone targets. Actions Digging Bar (Group Attack). Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 piercing damage. This attack deals an additonal 3 damage on a critical hit. Set Blasting Charge (1/Day). The dwarf places a blasting charge in an unoccupied space within 5 feet. At the beginning of the dwarf's next turn, the charge explodes, dealing 5 fire damage to each creature within 5 feet of it. A creature that attempts to move or disarm the blasting charge must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check or have the charge immediately explode. Dwarf Anvileer Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful neutral Armor Class 20 (Layered Plate, Shield) Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20) Speed 25 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 18 (+4) 9 (-1) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) Skills Athletics +5 Damage Resistances Poison Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 10 Languages Common, Dwarvish Challenge 3 (700 XP) Dwarven Resilience. The dwarf has advantage on saving throws against poison. Impassable. Hostile creatures treat the area within 5 feet of the dwarf as difficult terrain. Actions Multiattack. The dwarf makes two attacks with its Steelclad Fist. Steelclad Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) bludgeoning damage. On a critical hit, the target is knocked prone and Stunned until the beginning of its next turn. Chargebreaker Greatshield. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage and the target is pushed 5 feet away. Pound Shield. The dwarf pounds its armored fist into its shield, gaining 5 temporary hit points that last until the beginning of its next turn. Reactions Shield Song. As a reaction when a anvileer within 30 feet uses its Pound Shield, the dwarf may use its Pound Shield. Grumbling Thrust. As a reaction when a creature is pushed into the dwarf's reach, the dwarf makes a Chargebreaker Greatshield attack against it.

Dwarf Ironbeard Tactics Dwarf Ironbeards use their Deepstone Hammers to push enemies away from any vulnerable allies and into hazards, ideally into waiting anvileers who can respond with their Grumbling Thrust. They use their Shildbreaker Strike against any foe that seems to be magically defended, such as by Mage Armor, Shield, Haste, or by any effect that grants temporary hit points. Dwarf Brewmaster Dwarf Brewmasters move throughout the front lines of a combat, using their Drink to Victory! whenever they can effect at least two other friendly creatures, positioning themselves to additionally effect as many enemies as possible. If locked in melee without allies to intervene, they use their Spile Tap whenever available to attempt to exsanguinate the foe. Dwarf Grudgekeeper Grudgekeepers typically stay at the rear of a melee, using their Watchful Eye each turn, and using both their Mark the Wrong! and Right the Wrong! reactions at each opportunity. If they start their turn with at least three creatures recorded in their ledger, they use their Recite the Ancient Grudges, if available. They attack with their Ledger Strike only if fewer than three of their allies remain fighting. Dwarf Runescribe The Runescribe stays initially at the rear of a battle until the lines are drawn and enemies are locked in, using Iron Within, Iron Without and Venerate the Ancestors to defend against incoming fire. Once battle is joined, they close with the most deadly foe and attempt to inscribe upon it whichever rune it would suffer most from; Weakness for strong melee foes, Ignominy for spellcasters, and Dishonor for all else. Dwarf Ironbeard Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful neutral Armor Class 17 (Heirloom Splint) Hit Points 90 (12d8 + 36) Speed 25 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 9 (-1) Saving Throws STR +5, WIS +4 Skills Athletics +6, History +7, Perception +4 Damage Resistances Poison Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 14 Languages Common, Dwarvish Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) Dwarven Resilience. The dwarf has advantage on saving throws against poison. World-Worn. The dwarf cannot be Charmed or Frightened by any creature less than a century old. Actions Multiattack. The dwarf makes two attacks with its Deepstone Hammer. Deepstone Hammer. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target Hit: 13 (3d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage and the target is pushed 5 feet away. Dweomerbreaker Strike. The dwarf makes a melee attack at advantage. On a hit, the target loses any effect that provides a temporary magical enhancement to its AC and any temporary hit points, before taking damage. Reactions Stubborn Defiance. As a reaction when it succeeds on a saving throw against a spell or magical effect, the dwarf uses its Dweomerbreaker Strike.

Dwarf Brewmaster Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful neutral Armor Class 14 (Wormhide Apron) Hit Points 114 (12d8 + 60) Speed 25 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 17 (+3) 14 (+2) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) Saving Throws CON +8, WIS +5 Skills Nature +7, Surivival +5 Damage Resistances Poison Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 14 Languages Common, Dwarvish Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) Dwarven Resilience. The dwarf has advantage on saving throws against poison. Spirit-Bearer. If the dwarf takes 10 or more fire damage from a single source, it catches fire. Until a creature takes an action to douse the fire, the dwarf takes 5 (1d10) fire damage at the beginning of each of its turns. Actions Multiattack. The dwarf makes two attacks with its Dreg-Soaked Mallet, one of which it may replace with a use of its Spile Tap, if available. Dreg-Soaked Mallet. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) bludgeoning plus 7 (2d6) poison damage. Drink to Victory! The brewmaster shares out a cask of its Grand Reserve, the fumes of which are mightily toxic to non-dwarves. Each friendly dwarf within 5 feet of the brewmaster gains 10 temporary hit points that last for an hour. Each nondwarf within 5 feet of the brewmaster must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be Poisoned until the end of the brewmaster's next turn. Spile Tap (Recharge 5-6). One creature within 5 feet must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take 10 (3d6) piercing damage and have a barbed keg tap hammered into it. A creature loses 5 (2d4) hit points at the end of each of its turns for each tap embedded in it. As an action, a creature may attempt a DC 14 Strength (Athletics) check, removing a tap on a success. Dwarf Grudgekeeper Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful neutral Armor Class 17 (Oathsteel Armor) Hit Points 165 (22d8 + 66) Speed 25 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 19 (+4) 15 (+2) 17 (+3) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) Saving Throws STR +7, CON +6, WIS +5 Skills Athletics +7, History +10 Damage Resistances Poison Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 14 Languages Common, Dwarvish Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) Dwarven Resilience. The dwarf has advantage on saving throws against poison. Grudgeledger. Each dwarf within 30 feet has advantage on attacks that target a creature recorded in the grudgekeeper's grudgeledger. Actions Multiattack. The dwarf makes two attacks with its Ledger Strike. Ledger Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning plus 9 (2d8) radiant damage and the target is pushed 5 feet away. Watchful Eye. The dwarf glares warily around. Until the beginning of its next turn, the dwarf regains its reaction at the beginning of each turn. Recite the Ancient Grudges (Recharge 5-6). Each creature recorded in the grudgekeeper's grudgeledger within 30 feet that can hear the grudgekeeper must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be Frightened until the end of the grudgekeeper's next turn. A creature that fails this save by 5 or more is instead Paralyzed for the same duration. Reactions Mark the Wrong! As a reaction when a creature the grudgekeeper can see within 60 feet takes any hostile action against a dwarf, the grudgekeeper makes a note, adding the creature's crime and likeness to its grudgeledger. Right the Wrong! As a reaction when a creature the grudgekeeper can see within 60 feet that is recorded in the grudgekeeper's grudgeledger is hit with a melee attack, the grudgekeeper removes the creature from the grudgeledger and the creature takes an additonal 18 (4d8) radiant damage.

Dwarf Runescribe Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful neutral Armor Class 14 (Rune Armor) Hit Points 218 (23d8 + 115) Speed 25 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 21 (+5) 16 (+3) 20 (+5) 17 (+3) Saving Throws STR +8, INT +6, WIS +9 Skills Arcana +7, Perception +9 Damage Resistances Poison Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 14 Languages Common, Dwarvish Challenge 12 (8,400 XP) Dwarven Resilience. The dwarf has advantage on saving throws against poison. Runewarded. The dwarf has resistance to damage dealt by a creature more than 15 feet away from it. Actions Multiattack. The dwarf makes three attacks with its Foeborer Awl, one of which it may replace with a use of its Complete Rune. Foeborer Awl. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing plus 7 (2d6) fire damage and the target gains one runemark that lasts for a minute. Complete Rune (5th Level Spell). One creature the dwarf can see within 30 feet that has at least three runemarks takes 22 (4d10) radiant damage, then must succeed on a DC 17 Charisma saving throw or lose all runemarks and be cursed, gaining one effect of the dwarf's choice: Rune of Weakness. The creature has disadvantage on attack rolls that use Strength. Rune of Dishonor. Whenever the creature takes 20 or more damage from a single source, it must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be Frightened until the end of its next turn. Rune of Ignominy. Each other creature has advantage on saving throws against spells the creature casts. Iron Within, Iron Without (3rd Level Spell, Concentration). Until the beginning of the runescribe's next turn, each other dwarf within 30 feet of it gains resistance to all damage. Reactions Venerate the Ancestors (4th Level Spell). As a reaction when a friendly dwarf the runescribe can see dies, the runescribe thunderously recites that dwarf's name and lineage. Each other dwarf within 10 feet of the fallen dwarf gains 15 temporary hit points. While a creature has any of these temporary hit points, its melee attacks deal an additional 9 (2d8) thunder damage.

Art Credits Torbran, Thane of Redfell by Grzegorz Rutkowski Fires of Invention by Stanton Feng Sacred Foundry by Adam Paquette The Part Where I Shill My Patreon Want to support the creation of content like this? I post new monsters with lore and tactics to my patreon five times a week, joining the more than 1000 already there, indexed in a big PDF along with formats for Foundry and 5eTools. Also check out my website and instagram, where my wife and I make handmade dice and dice bags, and where I post free books as I get them polished up. I'm trying to get a new free book like this out every other month or so. If you've got any monsters you'd like to see statted up by me, leave me a comment over in the permanent thread in r/bettermonsters and I'll put something together for you. Supported By Aaron Rosenberg AHorseWithNoName Alex Bogart Alex Gillies Alex O'Donnell Alex O'Hanlon Alisha Herbitter Allis Anders Ivarsson Andrew Cheeseman Benji Morris Bernhard Fritz Blueberryperson Bradley Webb Brandon Malofsky David Jose Delport Breckland Ex Nihilo Flipp Fletcher Herring George Hughes GramPositive Harrison Phillips Helltroll Hoswell Jack O'Keefe Jacob Gist Jake Serna James Hawthorne James McBride Johnathan Chavez Joseph Donley Josh Huston Justin King Kelsii Weber Kyle Cove Lascifrass Lawrence Courtrelle Luke Wheeler Malacandrian Marc Adelman Matt Herbert Matt Pierce Matthew Cullen Matthew S Mauricio Garcia Maximilian Bizjak Mehul Gupta Michael Taylor Mike Nicolan Milo Baraclough Mitch Whitehead Moritz Hackl Nathan Johnson Nathanial Schnebly Niall Nick I Niki S ObsessiveModelmaker Ondřej Kříž Oscar Mangandid Patrick Phoenix Daniels Primarily Daniel Rae Judd Rici Robert Martin Robin Bjälmsjö Robin Roberts Ronan Battistoni Rowan RuggerFoodie Sandy Hogg SardScroll saternoutlaw Saz Shadowfield Shane Sharelle D Larsen Sheila Dietrich Simen Lande Simon Bell simon Jørgensen Simon Weller SirApetus Sylphreni Tanner F Moen The Coffee Bean GM Victor Navone Vince Margaretich Walter Downard William Dixon Zach Kozel