Dungeoneering

Knowledge of the underworld and its denizens can be somewhat limited in the world above. To the great scholars, explorers, and inhabitants of the deepest subterranean realms, even creatures commonly known for their familiarity with caves and mining, such as dwarves, are considered as surface-dwellers.


Dwarves: Liasons to the Dark Deep

Of all the creatures that call subterranean environments their home, dwarves are the most commonly known and encountered on the surface. They are known for their precision stonework, love of strong drinks, and resilience in combat.


Gnomes: Root Friends

Alien customs and creative solutions make gnomes appear to be either comical or unpredictably dangerous. They are known for their ties to the fey world, and their affinity with plants and burrowing animals.


Goblins: Facets of Evil

Scholars have long known that goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears share a common ancestor. Goblins are known for their relentless pursuit of food (often including humanoid meat) and plunder, and are willing to commit unspeakable acts to attain them. Bugbears are known as large brutes, often content with sowing violence and destruction about them with little thought to the outcome. Hobgoblins, or hobs as they are commonly called, are often considered the most threatening of the three, because they are the most cunning and organized. Some hobs are quite charismatic, and often they are found leading groups comprised of a variety of humanoids that would otherwise have little to do with one another.


Orcs: Surging Hordes

Although they are often incapable of effective tunneling or stonework, most orcs venture into natural caverns or previously constructed tunnels and chambers during the day to escape the bright sun. They are known to reproduce very quickly if the resources are available to support their population. Once these groups outgrow their resources, the tribe often turns to raiding and pillaging to sustain itself. Most orcs are brought up to respect one thing: power. Their leadership is determined by a combination of might and intimidation, with alpha males often rising to the top.

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