I've heard the whole "made from bedrock", so it would seem that a Dwarf would just sink in water, considering their bulk. Also, I don't want to be outcast by other Dwarves, as I'm not quite the bloodthirsty mindless pirate type. Still, a pirate is a pirate.
Other similar capabilities would be explorer, thief, etc. I don't know what fits. All I know is that I'm not an acrobatic rogue, more of a brawler-type rogue. Not a thug, though! Any help?
Anyhow, that's good to hear. I was thinking that I could come from a line of pirates. Relatively merciful pirates, sparing the crew and trading them for supplies, going for surrenders over massacres, etc. Honorable pirates, if you will. More treasure hunters than anything else.
(be sure to be trained in Arcana and Dungeoneering, in that case).
And History. Can't forget History.
According to the PHB, they are rather heavy (160 - 220 pounds) for their height (4'3" - 4'9") however, they are built differently from humans and proportionally broader. They are flesh and blood creatures and I imagine their density can't be much greater then that of a human. You might argue that they are poor swimmers for cultural reasons (although caves do often contain water). but I personally do not see them sinking like stones.
I think a dwarf pirate sounds like a cool character concept, and I would go for it. No reason a dwarf (you or whatever ancestor started the tradition) couldn't think "Hey their are boats out their with valuable stuff on them, If I capture the boats I can have the valuable stuff - yeah money". Though, other motivations (revenge, desperation, excitement, etc...) are also possible.
Other pirates probably wouldn't have problem accepting you. Dwarfs are tough and resistant to poison and, because of their high con and bonus to endurance (great on long ocean voyages likely containing poor quality food). The are also darn useful to have in a fight - pirates (being the violent sort) probably wouldn't turn down a good tough fighter. Particularly in a world like D&D where dangerous creatures and enemies are all over the place.
Dwarves aren't usually considered great rogues (they're not really optimized for it), but I have some advice on making dwarf rogues here.
More treasure hunters than anything else.
Thief? I prefer the term treasure hunter!
Anyhow, I know they're not actually bedrock, but considering their combination of size and weight, I'd think they were too bulky to swim. I suppose you could look at it as water in caves, giving them a possibility. Seeing as how nothing is mentioned against it, I like the idea!
So, Dwarf Pirate it is. I'm still getting a feel for D&D, but having a character you're interested in is a good place to start, I think.
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Whoah, and thanks for that Dwarf Guide!
You could maybe come up with a backstory that your character was in a similar situation, and then decided that if there was one island with rare ore, there may be others and may be even rarer ore. So your character could be a Dwarf Rogue with a real Pirate feel, as he journeys across the land (and seas) in search of treasure, fame, etc.
Good luck, and when you get going, be sure to post a follow up so we know how it all went for you.
D.
Think less Jack Sparrow and more Captain Barbarosa, who was the more awesome pirate anyway. Blackbeared. Dude tied canon fuses into his beard and lit them so it looked like smoke was coming out of it. Very dwarven. Captain Ahab... well maybe less psychotic, but still very stubborn, stoic, and determined in a dwarven sort of way.
Also, just because he's a pirate doesn't mean he's beyond following certain rules or codes of conduct. Honor among thieves kind of things. Pirate code. He's after the big hauls because he knows those are more heavily gaurded and put up a good fight. He takes what he wants but doesn't kill indiscriminately. There's no challenger or honor in that. He relies more on patience, foresight, and wisdom than just winging it.
Anyway, kind of the whole point of pirates was that they came from the outcasts of society. Pirate ships were surprisingly democratic institutions, far moreso than state-run navies of the day. Why *wouldn't* a dwarf, especially a dwarf bereft of a clan, become a pirate?
Its important to note that not all dwarves live underground in dark caves, there is a great many that dwell on top of the mountains. Mountain lakes and rivers provide dwarves ample opportunity to learn the ins and outs of swimming.
My character was shanghaied at a young age and forced to work on a ship. He later learned to enjoy life at sea and even adopted a new name, Coral Squidbeard and became captain of a ship of his own. It might even be the tales of Captain Squidbeard that enticed your character into such a profession. ;)
Wow. I didn't know that!
Anyhow, that's good to hear. I was thinking that I could come from a line of pirates. Relatively merciful pirates, sparing the crew and trading them for supplies, going for surrenders over massacres, etc. Honorable pirates, if you will. More treasure hunters than anything else.
Historically your view of pirates is actually somewhat more realistic than the stereotypes. In many cases pirates simply overthrew their original captains because they were horrendously barbaric executing those who stepped out of line or punishing them with the whip and lash. Pirates banded together and shared out the trade and money between them. The stereotypical view of merciless pirates was really created by the powers that be as propaganda. So your character concept does fit.
Historically your view of pirates is actually somewhat more realistic than the stereotypes. In many cases pirates simply overthrew their original captains because they were horrendously barbaric executing those who stepped out of line or punishing them with the whip and lash. Pirates banded together and shared out the trade and money between them. The stereotypical view of merciless pirates was really created by the powers that be as propaganda. So your character concept does fit.
Thats not entirely true. it was actually it was both at the same time, they would do the whole hostage over murder thing ONLY when the ship surrendered. to make a point about the consequences of not surrendering if you resisted they would kill you and everyone on the ship. they were terrorists first and foremost. they wanted you to think you will be murdered if you resisted, that way they wouldn't have to murder you.
though remember piracy is not always illegal, you may be a privateer working for your dwarven kingdom, taking down trade routes from foreign nations.
Piracy be fine and longstandin' tradition amongst the Dwarves, at least t' this old pirate here, bein' in command of a Dwarf Pirate army in the Olde Worlde (aka the setting of Warhammer Fantasy Battles) and in the Realms of Arcane (aka Armies of Arcana, that's Warhammer with more sense and far more game balance than GW could ever fathom).
Might I recommend some further reading on the subject. Ye can easily find lots of information in the stormy virtual seas of the WWW, regarding what sort of pirate ye wish t' become.
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Personally, I find a Dwarf Rogue still has some potential. The boost to Con and Wis benefit your HP and perception, and you could bet Hide Armor Prof and Hide Spec at paragon easily. If you're a brawler, a Wis of 14 will help you with your Will Def, and is the main stat for Nature which methinks is a good choice for a Pirate as well.
Str.16 Con14 Dex16 Int 8 Wis 14 Cha10
For feats, there are plenty to choose from: Backstabber, Weapon Prof (Rapier), Hide Armor Prof, Two-Fisted Shooter for Handcrossbow and rapier combos. I'd start with Backstabber and a short sword (reflavoured as a cutlass just like for the Pirates in the MM 2) and pick up Hide Armor next, followed by twofisted shooter or rapier proficiency depending on your combat style. All this could help you to represent your pirate's career from a lowly deckhand with a knack for taking out people to a feared pirate captain.
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they were terrorists first and foremost. they wanted you to think you will be murdered if you resisted, that way they wouldn't have to murder you.
Yeah, but as Marcus Rediker pointed out, so was the goverment in those days. That doesn't make neither of 'em any better, but there 's more to consider. The pirates became largely more violent in their ways, the harder they were being hunted down in the early 18th century (also Rediker), there 's indeed a correllation between the repression they faced and the repression or terror they caused themselves. During the early "Golden Age", pirate crews would rarely accept forced men aboard their ships and when they did, those were usually specialists they required (such as carpenters, surgeons), whereas later, they would force people to serve aboard their ships more often. However, excessive pressing and violence also caused a rebellion amongst the pressed hands and, in at least one instance, the removal of a pirate captain by his own crew.
Also, lets' not forget, the tradition of pressganging is one that the Navy and the Merchant men used.
though remember piracy is not always illegal, you may be a privateer working for your dwarven kingdom, taking down trade routes from foreign nations.
Robbing other countries' ships and cargo doesn't make you honourable, it's just an easier excuse - just ask the Spaniards about Drake or Morgan. What's worse, ye 'll be just a greater thief, taking the loot yer crew acquired from the foe off their hands and deliver it to yer superiors, who 'll then might just allow ye t' lick their heels at their leisure, while leaving the brave sailors to starve or turn pirate. Indeed, it is reported some amongst the crew who brought up Blackbard's sloop, never saw any coin for doing their duty, so that they turned to piracy as well. Alas, forgive this 'umble pirate 'is ramblings, the sun 's been hot all day and the rum's all gone. I reckons I saw that skinny wench around who burn'd poor young Sparrow's little stash...
Thus, I 'll let Sam Bellamy answers this. According to the general history of the pirates, by Charles Johnson (probably Daniel Defoe or not), he scolded a merchant captain with the following words, when his crew decided to scuttle said captain's vessel:
D-m my bl—d, I am sorry they won’t let you have your Sloop again, for I scorn to do any one a Mischief, when it is not for my Advantage; damn the Sloop, we must sink her and she might of Use to you. Tho’, damn ye, you are a sneaking puppy, and so are all those who submit to be governed by Laws which rich Men have made for their own security, for the cowardly whelps have not the Courage otherwise to defend what they got by their Knavery; but damn ye altogether: Damn them for a pack of crafty rascals, and you, who serve them, for a Parcel of henhearted Numbskuls. They villify us, the scoundrels do, when there is only this Difference, they rob the Poor under the Cover of Law, forsooth, and we plunder the Rich under the Protection of our own Courage.; had you not better make one of us, than sneak after the asses of those Villains for Employment?
Your are a devilish Conscience [conscientious]rascal, d-m ye, I am a free Prince, and I have as much Authority to make War on the whole World, as he who has a hundred Sails of Ships at Sea and an Army of 100.000 Men in the Field; and this my Conscience tells me; but there is no arguing sith such snivelling Puppies, who allow Superiors to kick them about Deck at Pleasure; and pin their Faith upon a Pimp of a Parson; a Squab, who either pratices nor believes what he puts upon the chuckle-headed Fools he preaches to.
Pirates: 1 Privateers: 0
Cheers!
Captn M.
Thats not entirely true. it was actually it was both at the same time, they would do the whole hostage over murder thing ONLY when the ship surrendered. to make a point about the consequences of not surrendering if you resisted they would kill you and everyone on the ship. they were terrorists first and foremost. they wanted you to think you will be murdered if you resisted, that way they wouldn't have to murder you.
Right. This actually comes from the ancient rule for armies regarding the sacking of a city. If the city surrendered before the first siege weapon hit the city walls, it would be spared. Once that first boulder hit the wall, though, no quarter was given. There are many, many accounts of this, particularly from Greek and Roman times.
though remember piracy is not always illegal, you may be a privateer working for your dwarven kingdom, taking down trade routes from foreign nations.
Piracy is always illegal to *somebody*, though.
Cheers!
Anyhow, now onto obtaining D&D group information, then material, etc.
Thanks! :D
http://www.io.com/~sj/PirateTalk.html
That's Steve Jackson's glossary of pirate slang, compil'd fer 'is Lego Pirate game, but hellfire and damnation the slang works everywhere.
Cheers!
Captn M.
Annoyin' people with unintelligible pirate slang since 2003.
Basically, I'm still piecing together my character, and I've gone into Paint and made some simple (but effective) concept sketches of my character and his armor. Rest assured, it isn't stick figures. It's not exactly Photoshop, either.
Just be sure to keep the size reasonable. This one I found by just doing a Google image search for "Dwarf Pirate". I'm sure it's copyrighted by someone, but that shouldn't stop you from recruiting him as a crew member.
"Him? Oh, he's our combat instructor. He's got a class tonight on knife fighting in the dark."
"Really? When and where?"
"Your room, sometime after midnight."
Ahem, anyway! Here's the basic concept for my dwarf. He's a pirate, yeah, but at least he's not entirely encased in leather armor. His elbows show!
Borfan's Equipment
I think it should work. The last issue is the surname, and then my character concept is complete! As far as D&D dwarves go, is it the usual "-beard" or "Stone-"? I was thinking "Brineboot".
Edit: Changed image to show a rapier instead of a cutlass because they are more effective than shortswords, the classification of the previous cutlass. Character will be levelled to suit these changes.
Edit: Changed the throwing knife size to actually make sense. They're a bit larger than I imagined, but I think it works.
For names, I'd stick with a descriptive name for his chosen "career". His full name may be lengthy and descriptive of his lineage, such as Korr Brineboot, son of Tolf Stonesinger, son of..." and so on. Names may even have to be earned, and your PC had a problem of having to drain his boots after wading ashore. Think of nautical words, such as anchor, reef, luff, mast, keel, beam, maybe even the name "Portfist" for his good left hook, although the classic term for port was "larboard". (It sounded too much like "starboard" in a strong storm. Hmmm, Stormhelm would be a good crossover name referring either to a helmet or an ability to pilot a ship through the worst weather.) Reefhammer, Sailbeard (for a big white beard), etc.
As far as clans go, there is no reason why there cannot be a dwarfen clan that are sailors. Dwarfs may be miners and blacksmiths and working with stone and metals, but they also export and trade their goods, and overseas is the broadest and fastest way of trading goods.
As for piracy, think of Spanish gold ships of history, shipping gold from their mines in South America to Europe. Dwarfs mining for gold in far off lands could be shipping precious metals in much the same way, or conversely, such ships by other nations could be very tempting to dwarfs.
As well dwarfs would make highly desirable sailors. They are short and thus better suited for the cramped living conditions on ships (most don't have headroom below decks for people to stand upright even) but are very strong for their size and can handle the rough life on the seas.
Haha, very nice! I do like Brineboot, I can just imagine earning it by having a bad habit of not draining my boots when wading to shore, causing me to slosh when I walk afterwards. Anyhow, I really appreciate all of the help, everyone! Character concept finished!
Hurhurhurhur, Brineboot, indeed! works fine fer me and makes yer Dwarf Pirate clearly stand out... due t' the spradin' puddles o' water 'round 'im!
Welcome aboard, Captain Brineboot, may yer foes fear yer name as much as the smell of yer feet!
Anyway, thanks again.
Boarding axes were not uncommon pirate weapons, used to scale the sides of a ship (the back spike), cut lines (the blade), and, of course, cleave people. The natural dwarfish proclivity for axes exists, and can be used, if you wish. Not all pirates fought with the cutlass, regardless of how iconic it may seem.