The Under-Spawn Clan

[Ogremann]

SHORT VERSION:

Under-Spawn; the outcast dwarven clan that survives in between surface and deep; A varied ancestry of war refugees and exiled bandits, they thrive in dirty jobs, scrapping, thievery, pilfering; Known for sly ways and gemmed-metal wicked grins, they live by grit, wit and craven opportunism.

LONG VERSION:

The Under-Spawns are a shifty, ragtag clan of dwarves, descending from generations of outcasts driven underground by war and disaster. There are speculations that some of their ancestors trace back to war refugees of Mount Kulkund, at least eight centuries ago. Forced into hiding, they scraped together a life of grit and cunning, their lairs mostly hideouts within cave complexes in outer rings, underground but never too deep—always in the in-between spaces of dwarven clans above and below. Originally bandits out of necessity, they preyed on dwarven caravans, camps, and passersby, often living off neighboring dwarven clans like parasites, scavenging refuse or pilfering supplies. Bloodlines mean nothing; outcasts can join, by showing wit and grit. With looks as mixed as their lineages—gray, pale, brown, bearded, and beardless. It's common for Under-Spawns to bite and bend scrap metal with their teeth, often losing them in the process. Worthy metals or precious objects such as gold, silver, gems, or even rusted scrap for the truly desperate Under-Spawn are used to replace the lost teeth, resulting in variegated and multicolored smiles.

Under-Spawns take pride in their twisted honor, where valor means not only vanishing unseen or escaping alive but also mastering tactics like backstabbing, attacking from the shadows, stealing and running (both in and out). They strike when they outnumber, outpower, or hold any sort of upper hand. Their main trades are scavenging, scrapping, thievery, conning, begging, 'protection', and banditry. Tinkering is their closest craft, assembling rough tools and weapons from scrap, sometimes even useful but never pretty. Their currency, 'Spawn Scraps', consists of small bits of scrap marked with runes to signify value. These are backed by large scrap caches vaulted (and barely guarded) within their hideouts. Under-Spawn women are fierce, fertile matrons, raising hardy dwarves with ruthless grit. Known for their "Gravel Cackle" - a harsh laugh echoing through tunnels. They signal kin to fresh spoils while unsettling foes. To the Under-Spawn, a matron's laughter means luck, warning, and profit all in one. Life in the deep is harsh, and every Under-Spawn watches another's back. Aside from the occasional internal petty thievery, conning, and brawling, they are extremely loyal to one another— until one no longer serves the survival of the all.

Recommended Race: Any Dwarf (applications still required for app-only dwarf subraces)
Recommended Alignment: Chaotic; characters of Lawful or Good alignment may face unique challenges
Recommended Classes: No Paladins
Admittance: Maximum of 6 active PCs at any given time (1 spot open. Main characters)

[Ogremann]

1 spot available. Main characters please.