Character 3 - Dwarf Sorcerer

Backstory

You grew up in the Glitterhold, a Dwarven Delve known the world around for its riches. Your family did not work the gem mines, though, for you are descendents of dwarves dedicated to preserving the final resting places of your ancestors deep within the Delve. Since your childhood, it was assumed that you would follow the traditions of your family and clan and take up the life of a Tombkeeper, but you realized long ago that this is not what fate had in store for you, because you were "different". As a child, you showed hints of behavioral traits not typical of a stoic Tombkeeper dwarf. On several occasions, hushed whispers at clan gatherings about some "secret" in your family lineage were overheard, but these conversations among relatives would stop abruptly as soon as you were detected.

Your "difference" first manifested at your fifteenth birthday celebration. A game that got out of hand resulted in your throwing a raging tantrum. That was unusual enough for a dwarf, but as you raged, you began to sprout... scales! Bright red scales! The shock of seeing them brought you out of the tantrum, and they disappeared as quickly as they formed, But, for a few minutes, you had dragon scales!!! It was only after this event that your parents and close clan members began to tell you tales of an ancestor of yours long ago that had an unnatural fascination with dragons, a fascination that resulted in a child of mixed dragon and dwarven blood. But in the hundreds of years since that dwarf lived and died, no evidence of dragon heritage ever manifested itself in the family line... until you.

Your life changed overnight. Your friends didn't didn't treat you as before; they were suspicious of you. Dwarves don't like "different" very much, so this didn't surprise you. You were uncertain of yourself at first, but uncertainty changed to cynicism with a hint of resentfulness. You learned that threatening to release your "inner dragon" could get you what you wanted sometimes. You began to spread rumors about things you could do for others if you liked them, or to others if you didn't.

The truth was that you had no idea about how to bring out the dragon or control it, so you began to investigate. The Glitterhold's extensive library held mystical texts that helped. You began to learn methods of concentration and meditation that allowed you to "touch" the dragon blood within you and draw it out in a controlled fashion. Secretly, you began to practice. Now, years later, you can summon the magic of your dragon heritage from within you. A few months ago, you realized that your "gift" and your past manipulations of people meant you would not be welcome in the Delve any longer. It was time to leave and find your own place in the world. You would start by going where magic was more prevalent: the Feywood. Today, you find yourself taking a short break from travelling the road -- spending a few days at the Bugbear's Head Inn.

Pertinent Information

Race

Dwarf

Heritage

Tombkeeper

Background

Charlatan

Class

Sorcerer (Draconic bloodline)

Trained Skills

Arcana, Crafting, Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Performance, Religion, Thievery, Underworld Lore, Dwarven Lore

Languages

Common, Dwarvish, Goblin

Armor

Explorer's Clothing

Melee Attacks

Fist, Dagger, Clan Dagger

Ranged Attacks

Dagger (thrown 10'), Sling

Cantrips

Detect Magic, Light, Produce Flame, Shield, Shield Block

Spell Repertoire

Magic Missile, Magic Weapon, True Strike

Children

Physical Description

Dwarves are short and stocky, standing about a foot shorter than most humans. They have wide, compact bodies and burly frames. Dwarves of all genders pride themselves on the length of their hair and beards, which they often braid into intricate patterns, some of which represent specific clans. A long beard is a sign of honor among the dwarves, and thus a clean-shaven dwarf is considered weak, untrustworthy, or worse. All dwarves retain one characteristic of their undermountain origins: the ability to see even in total darkness.

Dwarves typically reach physical adulthood around the age of 25, though their traditionalist culture places more value on completing coming of age ceremonies unique to each clan than reaching a certain age. A typical dwarf can live to around 350 years old.

Other Characteristics

As a Dwarf...

You will strive to uphold your personal honor, no matter the situation. In your case, you may even make up tale of glory in your past or your family's past; you can be a convincing liar in these cases. You won't waver or back down once you’ve set your mind to something. You will appreciate quality craftsmanship in all forms. Others will see you as stubborn (some will consider this an asset, others a detriment). They will assume you are an expert in all things related to stonework, mining, precious metals, and gems. They will be aware of the deep connections you have with family, heritage, and friends.

As a Tombkeeper Dwarf...

Your ancestors have been tomb guardians for generations, and the tombs deep beneath the Glitterhold can be dangerous places. This heritage manifests as a stronger understanding of and resistance to the effects of the necromantic energies that may manifest in such settings.

As a Former Charlatan...

You practiced quite a bit of deceit and intimidation in the Delve before you left. Becoming an adventurer might be your next big scam or an attempt to put your talents to use for a greater cause. Perhaps it’s a bit of both. Either way, your experiences sharpened your wit and improved your people skills, though not necessarily in a good way.

As a Sorcerer...

During combat encounters, you will use spells to injure your enemies, influence their minds, and hamper their movements. You might be too vulnerable to get into melee combat, or your bloodline might give you abilities that help you hold your own in a brawl. While your magic is powerful, to conserve your best spells, or when you’ve used them all up, you also rely on cantrips. During social encounters, your natural charisma makes you good at interacting with people. While exploring, you detect the magic around you, finding treasures and warning your adventuring group of magical traps. When the group encounters mysteries or problems related to your bloodline, you try to solve them. In between adventures, you craft magic items or scribe scrolls. Your bloodline might drive you to research your ancestry or associate with affiliated people or creatures.

You may have a strong independent streak, and whether you embrace or reject your magical heritage, you long to distinguish yourself both as a spellcaster and as an individual. You view your lineage with fascination, though perhaps sometimes with fear. You will come to rely on magic items, such as scrolls and wands, to supplement your limited selection of spells, but that will take some time to achieve. Others Probably marvel at your ability to create magic from thin air and view your abilities with equal parts admiration and mistrust. They will, however, consider you less dedicated than studious wizards, devoted clerics, and other practitioners of magic, since power comes to you naturally. They will likely assume you’re as unpredictable as the magic you bring forth.

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