OSE House Rules - Dwarf

Changes and extensions to the OSE Dwarf Class
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Basic Information

Requirements: Minimum PHYS 9
Alignment: Neutral
Hit Points at First Level: 8
Hit Dice: d8
Armour: Any, including shields
Weapons: Small or normal sized (no longbows or two-handed swords)
Starting Languages: Common, Dwarvish
Bonus Language Choices: Draconic, Giant, Low Common, Undercommon
Starting Funds: 3d6 x 10sp (min 90sp)
Starting Equipment: Dwarves may begin with one piece of non-heavy armor, one shield, and one weapon of their choice. This reflects the dwarf's many years of earnings and experiences prior to becoming an adventurer

Darkvision: Dwarves have Darkvision. See Light and Vision
Bear Great Burdens: A Dwarf's Base Carry Limit is 90lbs rather than the standard 60lbs
Dwarven Knowledge: See below for more information

Dwarves are stout, bearded demihumans, about 4’ tall and weighing about 150 pounds. Dwarves typically live and mine underground and love fine craftsmanship, gold, hearty food, and strong drink. They have skin, hair, and eye colors in earth tones. Dwarves are known for their stubbornness and practicality. They are a hardy people and have a strong resistance to magic. Dwarves are a long-lived race and have lifespans of about 350 years.

Dwarven society is in decline; few dwarven children are born and the great underground empires of the dwarves have been abandoned or overrun by the dwarves' many enemies. This decline has turned their society inward such that maintaining clan ties, upholding tradition and adhering to strict codes of honor and obedience are paramount. Dwarves may view those that leave the clanhold to adventure as either heroes reclaiming a measure of lost dwarven glory or as self-centered vagabonds that are placing personal desires above the duty to family and clan. Many dwarves view humans as dangerous upstarts that do not have the wisdom or patience to wield the power they so desperately seek.

Dwarven Knowledge
Dwarves, even those not trained as miners and builders, are knowledgeable about such matters to some degree. They can estimate depth underground, value gems and ore, assess building structure and the like. This acts as a secondary skill where appropriate or enhances the utility of a secondary skill should it align with this feature.

Advancement
When you have gained enough experience to increase your level, do the following:

• Roll the number of Hit Dice per the table below, apply your PHYS modifier (if any) to each die rolled and compare the total to your current hit points. If your current hit points are less than the total, set your hit points to this new total. If your current hit points are equal to or more than the total you rolled, add 1 to your existing hit points.
• The Referee will also roll one die matching your hit die. You may use this roll in place of one of your rolls if desired.
• Roll to determine if any of your ability scores increase

Stronghold

• A stronghold may be built or purchased any time sufficient funds are available
• Dwarves almost always build strongholds underground and only one located underground has the possibility of attracting dwarves from the builder's clan
• The dwarf need not make an investment in a settlement to attract these dwarves; dwarves are industrious and will build out the settlement upon arrival
• At 9th level, dwarves of the character’s clan will be attracted to live under their roof. Dwarves from other clans will generally be friendly; clans may collaborate in times of war or disaster but may become rivals over resources
• A dwarf ruler may only hire dwarven mercenaries. Specialists and retainers of any race may be hired

Experience and Level Table