Duergar

Duergar combine deep craftsmanship traditions with sophisticated arcane knowledge, creating items that merge physical excellence with magical innovation. Unlike their sometimes surface-dwelling dwarven cousins, duergar developed their culture in the deep underground realms. While most now live in Bhel Kurzum where they maintain their own quarter alongside Dwarves and Gnomes, some duergar still inhabit small communes scattered throughout the underdark tunnels. All duergar trace their heritage to Bhal Qhargrimm, their lost homeland far to the southwest near The San-Sil. The older duergar still dream in the deep-tongue of Bhal Qhargrimm, though their children will never hear those cavern-echoes or walk the halls their ancestors carved.

Lost Homeland Secrets

What crucial knowledge and techniques were lost when Bhal Qhargrimm fell to whatever catastrophe claimed their homeland?

Duergar speak in hushed tones of:

• "The old methods"
• "Techniques our ancestors perfected in the deep halls"

How does this loss drive modern duergar to push magical innovation beyond what traditional dwarves consider safe or proper?

Physical Characteristics

Duergar possess distinctive gray skin tones and stocky builds typical of dwarven heritage, standing between 4 and 5 feet tall. Most are completely bald, though females often grow hair beyond a naturally bald crown, creating a distinctive tonsure-like appearance. When hair does grow, it appears white or pale silver.

Their underground heritage grants them superior vision in darkness, able to see clearly in conditions that would blind surface dwellers. Duergar mature at similar rates to other dwarves but live slightly longer, with lifespans ranging from 175 to 225 years.

Culture and Governance

Duergar society values both traditional craftsmanship and arcane innovation, seeking to perfect the fusion of physical skill and magical knowledge. Their communities operate under dual leadership that reflects this balance:

The Harmonist serves as spiritual-arcane authority, preserving ancient traditions and guiding magical development within the community. The Trade-Thane handles practical matters including military readiness, trade negotiations, and relations with other peoples.

This dual structure allows duergar communities to maintain independence while adapting to local conditions. Individual achievement matters greatly, with master crafters and mages earning respect regardless of family connections.

Duergar share reverence for Jhormun with their dwarven cousins, though each people claims deeper understanding of his true nature.

Traditions

Deep Songs: Celebrated on the 28th of Ember, this duergar tradition honors forge spirits and arcane innovation through underground light shows, elemental crafting displays, and exhibitions of magical innovations. The festival celebrates the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with magical knowledge.

Forge-Fasting: Periodically abstaining from physical crafting to cultivate inner magical potential, duergar believe this practice strengthens the connection between mind and magic.

Relations with Other Peoples

Dwarves: Despite sharing common heritage and often the same cities, duergar maintain distinct traditions and governance. The centuries-long Deep-brothers Forgewar over prime mining territories and forge sites left lasting scars, ultimately costing the duergar their homeland of Bhal Qhargrimm. Yet practical cooperation in places like Bhel Kurzum demonstrates their ability to coexist when both peoples benefit.

Innovation Friction

Dwarves often view duergar magic with suspicion, seeing them as shortcuts that bypass proper craft mastery.

"Magic where muscle should suffice" is a common dwarven complaint.

This tension creates awkward situations in mixed communities, especially when:

• Duergar enchantments outperform traditional dwarven methods
• Magical solutions are proposed for problems dwarves prefer to solve through time-honored techniques

Drow: Duergar appreciate drow arcane knowledge and share certain underground perspectives, leading to occasional magical exchanges and mutual respect for subterranean expertise. Their prestigious Deepforge Academy within Bhel Kurzum specializes in Abjuration and Evocation magic, accepting only the most promising students for its rigorous training in protective wards and elemental power.

Sprocket Gnomes: These relationships work well due to shared interests in innovation and craftsmanship, with both peoples respecting individual skill and creative problem-solving.

Character Creation Notes

Duergar characters excel at combining martial prowess with magical ability, making them natural artificers, eldritch knights, or war wizards. Their underground background provides practical knowledge of mining, metalworking, and navigating complex social situations.

Regional Backgrounds: Underground crafters, arcane researchers, trade negotiators, or surface world explorers seeking new knowledge and techniques.

Cultural Integration: Duergar understand both traditional dwarven values and magical principles, often serving as bridges between purely martial and purely scholarly communities.

Key Motivations: The drive to perfect the fusion of craft and magic pushes duergar to seek new techniques, materials, and knowledge. Many feel a deep connection to their lost homeland of Bhal Qhaargrim, though few actively seek it.