Welcome to Curious Quill, an original content resource for d20 roleplaying.

The Quill has spent a lot of time describing the people and beasts of fantasy realms, in the land of Taluma but could be in any land. For the summer season we are going to look at some Expanded Rules options for 5e that for the Taluma setting, but can be used in any campaign.

Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Sunsreach Peak

Sunsreach is the site of pilgrimages by dwarves who try to reach the peak as it is the closest they can get to the sun which they worship as the celestial manifestation of the element of fire. Due to its height alone it is one of the most difficult climbs, and dwarves who attempt it do so with as little gear as they can to prove their worthiness. Those that make the climb are given the title Soltouched..

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Kevin Frank Kevin Frank

New Feat: Earthroot

Dwarves who learn and master the Earthroot form gain the ability to focus their will and resolve into fixing themselves in place to make them immovable. Dwarf players can select this as a Feat to enhance their combat abilities..

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Dwarf Attire

Dwarven clothing is mostly made of wool and leather, or even burlap. Rougher materials do not irritate their tougher skin and stand up to the abuse given them by the toil of dwarven life.

Read More about dwarven practical and decorative fashion.

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Dwarven Winter Festival

The dwarves of Taluma have two primary celebrations throughout the year, celebrating the advancement of the year, but more importantly honoring their tutelary deities Sol and Eosta, the Lord and Lady of the sun and Eost, the planet: fire and earth. They occur at the beginning and midpoint of what the dwarves consider a year, starting with the rise of the sun on the winter solstice and the midway point of the summer solstice.

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Dwarf Beverages

Though dwarves are known for consumption of ale, there are actually few dwarven brews, instead they purchase barrels from humans and they drink it like water - to them it is a ‘soft’ drink, and even youth drink it seemingly unaffected by its low alcohol content. They make their own spirits from other sources than grain.

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Rules Addenda Kevin Frank Rules Addenda Kevin Frank

Ability Modifiers: Intimidation

In the Ability Modifiers feature, we will be exploring Ability checks: mostly Skills, and how to modify, or enhance their usage in gameplay. This time, we will take a look at how the Intimidation skill can be used in different ways beyond the Charisma-based proficiency detailed in the basic rules.

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Tables Kevin Frank Tables Kevin Frank

Dwarf Clan Names

Dwarf clans are named in a similar manner to dwarven bynames. Often, a clan is named after its leader or founder, but the clan may achieve its own fame and gain a title relevant to their accomplishment. They may also be named after their homeland: their hold, a landmark, or other regional feature; or something historical like a famous battle they won.

Read More for lists of dwarven clan names you can use in your game.

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Tables Kevin Frank Tables Kevin Frank

Dwarven Hold Names

Dwarven communties, called Holds, like their clans, can be named after its founder or leader. Since they are long-lasting, though, and can persist longer than generations of even the long-lived dwarves, they are more likely to be named after other features such as its industry (a forge), or where it is located (the mountain it is built into).


Read More for names of Holds you can use in your game.

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