Honestly, the whole “stubbornness” thing was motivated more by a desire to try something new than by any real need for change (you could just add drow to their favored enemy list and called it good). But tell me what you think. Does it look straight-forward, or like it would be tricky to handle?
DWARF, STONELOST:
The Stonemight dwarves were once the greatest crafters of gem, stone and metal- including magical devices employing these things- that the world of Praemus had ever seen. However, when their great underground city of Dwarvenhearth lay under siege they fled, and in their shame they renounced their old name, becoming the Stonelost. As the Stonelost their skills of cutting and forging have diminished, but they still have an eye for such things.
Stonelost dwarves use standard pathfinder stats, except for the following:
Stubbornness: Once per day, a dwarf who fails on any d20 roll then immediately tries again gains a +2 moral bonus to all subsequent checks until he either succeeds or gives up.
This ability relies on DM adjudication, but in general, “giving up” means passing on an opportunity to immediately try again, unless it’s to take some action to increase his chances (for instance, if a dwarf fighter drinks a potion to improve his attack bonus against a dark elf duelist, or if a dwarf rogue trying to pick a lock marches back to town then immediately returns with better tools).
Stubbornness might even grant a bonus on a later date from the day it was used on. For instance, a dwarf cleric who fails in crafting an item might try to craft the exact same item again the next day.
This replaces the Hatred and Defensive Training racial features.
DWARF, GRAILWARDEN
The grailwarden dwarves hail from Grail Keep to the east, but have spread through all lands along with the human Empire of Tarsis, who count them as staunch and respected allies. Renowned for the brilliance of their artisans, Grailwardens were one of the great driving forces behind the steam, gunpowder and clockwork technology on which the empire thrived.
Grailwarden dwarves use standard dwarf stats, except for the following:
+2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, -2 Charisma
Firearm Familiarity: Grailwarden dwarves may treat all firearms as martial rather than exotic weapons.
This replaces the “weapon familiarity” racial feature.
Stubbornness: As above
This replaces the Hatred and Defensive Training racial features.
Technological affinity: Grailwarden dwarves receive a +2 racial bonus to Profession (engineer), Craft (machines), Knowledge (machines) and Craft (alchemy) skill checks.
This replaces the “Stonecutting” and “greed” racial features.
Dwarf Racial Feats:
ADAMANT STUBBORNNESS
You are an incredibly persistent foe in combat.
Prerequisite: Dwarf, Relentless Stubbornness, BAB +4
Benefit: Whenever you attack someone and miss, you gain a +2 moral (or competence) bonus to your next attack against the same foe, provided you attempt that attack (or take actions to improve that attack and then attempt it) as soon as possible. In effect, your “stubbornness” racial feature applies to every attack you make.
GRUDGEBARER
You hold the grievances of your race close to your heart.
Prerequisite: Stonelost Dwarf
Benefit: You receive a +2 racial bonus to attack and damage rolls against dark elves, as well as humanoids of the orc or goblinoid subtype.
RELENTLESS STUBBORNNESS
Your steadfast resolve makes you very good at finishing what you’ve started.
Prerequisite: Dwarf.
Benefit: You may use your “Stubbornness” racial feature three times per day, rather than just once per day. You may also treat the bonus granted as either a competence bonus or a morale bonus, as you prefer.
STALWART SOUL
Your mind is not easily subjugated.
Prerequisite: Character Level 10th, Iron Will, Relentless Stubbornness
Benefit: If you are affected by a fear or enchantment spell or effect and fail your saving throw, you can attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. You get only this one extra chance to succeed on your saving throw.
Good stuff, Hydro!
I only have a couple of suggestions (feel free to ignore them):
1. I think Stubbornness should have a time limit for the amount of time between checks--probably one round, enough time to drink a potion, reposition for a flank, etc. I think the longer term "stubbornness" (for item crafting, lock picking, etc.) could be another feat.
2. Relentless Stubbornness should have Stubbornness as a prerequisite. Therefore a dwarf without the racial ability has to spend a feat to get Stubbornness. I don't see having one fewer use as enough of a penalty.
Good stuff, Hydro!
I only have a couple of suggestions (feel free to ignore them):
1. I think Stubbornness should have a time limit for the amount of time between checks--probably one round, enough time to drink a potion, reposition for a flank, etc. I think the longer term "stubbornness" (for item crafting, lock picking, etc.) could be another feat.
I think I'll try it as is for my game and see how it works out.
However, in general I think that that is a much simpler (read: better) way to handle it, without requiring as much adjudication. You don't have to decide if he's "given up" or not, you just give him the bonus if he tries the same thing again within 1 or 2 rounds.
2. Relentless Stubbornness should have Stubbornness as a prerequisite. Therefore a dwarf without the racial ability has to spend a feat to get Stubbornness. I don't see having one fewer use as enough of a penalty.
I don't think that one use of stubbornness is worth a feat. It replaces a +1 racial bonus to damage verses orcs and goblinoids and +4 dodge bonuses verses giants, which (alone) I also do not think are worth a feat.
However, two uses of it is two uses either way; I understand that the first use of an ability is always the best, but is there that much of a difference between giving 2 stubborns to a dwarf who has one stubborn and giving 2 stubborns to a dwarf who has no stubborns?
I think I'll try it as is for my game and see how it works out.
However, in general I think that that is a much simpler (read: better) way to handle it, without requiring as much adjudication. You don't have to decide if he's "given up" or not, you just give him the bonus if he tries the same thing again within 1 or 2 rounds.
2. Relentless Stubbornness should have Stubbornness as a prerequisite. Therefore a dwarf without the racial ability has to spend a feat to get Stubbornness. I don't see having one fewer use as enough of a penalty.I don't think that one use of stubbornness is worth a feat. It replaces a +1 racial bonus to damage verses orcs and goblinoids and +4 dodge bonuses verses giants, which (alone) I also do not think are worth a feat.
However, two uses of it is two uses either way; I understand that the first use of an ability is always the best, but is there that much of a difference between giving 2 stubborns to a dwarf who has one stubborn and giving 2 stubborns to a dwarf who has no stubborns?
For some reason, I ended up conflating "racial ability" with "feat" when I responded. My bad.
So, yeah, rewording Stubbornness would take out the "mushy" adjudication. You would have to word it to account for longer-term activities that the character could do. Thinking about it some more, I'm not sure if it would be worth a feat for a retry bonus for longer-term activities. Definitely something to playtest.
For item #2, the only concern I had was using Relentless Stubbornness to "backdoor" a racial ability. One might ask why there isn't something that allows their "stubborn" dwarf to get the damage bonuses. :)