Basic History
For millennia, the Dwarves were the silent heartbeat of Nor'Ova, content to let the surface races bicker while they carved empires into the roots of the mountains. They were a singular people, bound by the Dwarven Heritage of stone and steel.
However, when the Great Magic War began to tear the very world apart, the deep-dwellers could no longer ignore the world above. The resulting schism divided them based on how they chose to react to the surface's cry for help.
The Shield Dwarves believed that the surface races were being far too reckless and surfaced to protect the ancient mountain gates and provide safety to any refugees.
Positives & Negatives
Shield Dwarves have higher defense and fortitude than other dwarves, but lower arcana and offensive power.
Racial Skills & Talents
Shield Dwarves start with the following skills:
| Skill | Stat Cost | Range & Area | Duration | Check Roll | Effects | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwarven Tuck | N/A | self | instant | Easy Defense |
When in defensive stance, the dwarf can sacrifice his or her movement action for the next round and pull him or herself in even further, tucking into the dwarf's armor. This will increase the dwarf's Armor Defense and Armor Spirit by 20% for the duration of the defensive round. |
be a dwarf |
| Guard | 1 Power | movement range affecting 1 ally | instant | Easy React |
This skill allows you to defend an ally from attack. You use this skill when a nearby ally, one that you can reach with one movement action, is being attacked. |
N/A |
| Shield Wall | N/A | self and any affected allies | 1d4 rounds | Normal Defense |
You hold your shield in front of you and duck behind it, making the shield like a wall. While behind the shield wall you cannot move, however any attacks that target you must first get past the shield wall. This increases your Physical and Magical Armor by 1d4, making it harder to hit you. If any of your allies use this with you and are next to you, a more secure wall is formed further increasing Physical and Magical armor by 1 for everyone involved. |
Shield equipped |
| Stand Your Ground | 1 Power | self | 1d4 rounds | Easy Brace |
Unable to be knocked down or moved when standing still. |
N/A |
They also have the following talents:
| Talent | Effects | Requirements | Handicap Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| For the Clan! |
Dwarves are loyal. They will defend their clan and their friends with fierce determination. Whenever their friends are attacking a target that is in range, the dwarf can make a normal reaction check. If the roll is a success, the dwarf will attack in unison with his or her ally, adding their damage to their ally's damage. |
be a dwarf |
N/A |
| Last Dwarf Standing |
If the dwarf is the last one alive, the dwarf will get a bonus of 2 to his or her vitality save check, and come back with 50% Vitality instead of just 1 Vitality. If the dwarf isn't the last one alive, the dwarf gets a second free vitality save check. Vitality Save will always bring the shield dwarf back with 20% Vitality instead of 1 Vitality. |
be a dwarf |
N/A |