DUERGAR

Duergar were, as a whole, generally cruel and malevolent creatures, but as in most evil races this was as much a cultural affectation as a psychological trait. Duergar would often ferment fire lichen into their alcoholic beverages, to create a hot and spicy drink.

!WARNING!:
As an underdark race, if you visit or live in the surface, please expect aggression if you are caught. If you enter the Underdark Lolthite Temple or the surface Shevarash Temple as someone against their dogma and get caught, it will be considered NVL.

Exceptions exist if there is a DM or event that invites the player to these places

Lifespan: Duergar mature at the same rate as other dwarves and live about 350 years.

Height: Medium. Slightly shorter and more compact than surface dwarves, ranging from 110cm - 130cm

Alignment: Usually lawful evil, but some rare duergar may vary in alignment.

Languages: Common, Undercommon, Duergan

Speed: 4 tiles

Racial Traits

Forgotten Realms site

PERKS

Specialist: Choose one from these and increase it by +1:
- Strength
- Constitution
Darkvision:
- You can see in the dark (unless source of light is present, you see shades of grey)
Duergar Resilience:
- You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the poisoned condition on yourself. You also have resistance to poison damage. You also have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the charmed or stunned condition on yourself.
Duergar Magic:
- When you reach Novice level, you can cast the Enlarge spell on yourself once with this trait.. Starting at Adept level, you can also cast the invisibility spell on yourself with this trait, without requiring a material component. Once you cast either of these spells with this trait, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest.

Like other dwarves, duergar were typically thick, stocky figures, though beyond this there were many differences. Both male and female duergar were typically bald, with females also lacking the capacity to grow facial hair. Many were also thinner than their dwarven brethren. Most obvious, however, was their dull gray skin and hair, often matched with an equally stolid expression. Regular dwarves said they had flat heads, possibly as an insult.

Because many duergar found on the surface world were criminal exiles, a surface dweller who encountered one of the gray dwarves was likely to notice facial and arm tattoos that marked the duergar as a traitor to his or her people.

Skin Color: Ashen gray or dull, stone-like.
Hair Color: Typically bald, but those who do have hair have white or light gray hair.
Eye Color: Duergar eye colors are typically dull, dark, and lacking in vibrancy, most often black, grey, or pale and whitish, reflecting their Underdark origins and connection to shadow, though some lore mentions rare amber or even color variations, emphasizing their lack of normal eye light
Build: Stocky and muscular, with a hardened, resilient appearance.
Distinguishing Features: Duergar have a grim and somber demeanor. Their eyes glow faintly with a red or black hue, and they have a stern, chiseled look. Many have scars from their harsh lives in the Underdark.

Biological Traits

Positive Views on other races

Drow (Dark Elves): Both the duergar and drow dwell in the Underdark and share a mutual disdain for surface-dwellers and other races. They often form alliances for mutual benefit, trading slaves, goods, and information.
Mind Flayers (Illithids): Duergar have a complex relationship with mind flayers, stemming from their shared history of enslavement. However, alliances can be formed for mutual interests, particularly in battles against common enemies or in trade of rare resources.
Deep Gnomes (Svirfneblin): Although there is tension between the two races, duergar and deep gnomes sometimes find themselves aligned against larger threats in the Underdark. Their mutual need for resources and survival can foster temporary alliances.
Aboleths: Duergar can ally with aboleths for knowledge, magical power, or protection. Aboleths, in turn, appreciate the duergar’s craftsmanship and martial prowess.
Various Underdark Creatures: Creatures such as umber hulks, ropers, and other native Underdark denizens can be allies, particularly when defending their shared territory from invaders.

Negative Views on other races

Surface Dwarves (Hill and Mountain Dwarves): There is a deep-seated enmity between duergar and their surface-dwelling kin. Surface dwarves see duergar as corrupted and fallen, while duergar view them as weak and naive.
Drow (Dark Elves): Despite occasional alliances, duergar and drow often come into conflict over territory, resources, and slaves. Their mutual disdain for each other can lead to violent clashes.
Mind Flayers (Illithids): The history of enslavement and manipulation has left many duergar with a deep hatred for mind flayers. When interests clash, conflicts are inevitable.
Adventurers: Adventurers often seek to plunder the duergar’s wealth or disrupt their plans, leading to frequent battles.
Deep Gnomes (Svirfneblin): Although there can be alliances, deep gnomes and duergar often find themselves in conflict over territory and resources in the Underdark.
Dwarven Deities and their Followers: The duergar’s rejection of traditional dwarven gods and their worship of gods like Laduguer and Deep Duerra place them in direct opposition to worshipers of Moradin and other dwarven deities.
Underdark Monsters: The Underdark is a dangerous place, and duergar often find themselves at odds with other monstrous denizens vying for control of the same regions, such as beholders or aberrations.

Common Gods

Laduguer
- Overview: The primary deity of the Duergar, Laduguer is the god of toil, crafting, and subjugation. He embodies the harshness and relentless drive of the Duergar people.
- Domains: Forge, War
Deep Duerra
- Overview: The duergar goddess of conquest, expansion, and psionics. She is revered by those who seek to dominate and control others, using both martial and mental prowess.
- Domains: War, Mind
Asmodeus
- Overview: While not a traditional duergar deity, some duergar worship Asmodeus, the archdevil, for power and protection in the brutal Underdark.
- Domains: Trickery, Tyranny

Note for clerics:

- Due to the limited amount of subclasses in the server, the domain of the worshipped god does not need to perfectly match up. Make sure it makes sense!

Roleplaying Tips

Duergar society is defined by toil, expansion, and a ruthless hierarchy. They are driven by a relentless work ethic and a desire to dominate and enslave. This harsh lifestyle makes them resilient, disciplined, and formidable. However, not all Duergar are bound by these societal norms. Some may seek personal freedom, redemption, or power outside of the Underdark.