How would a dwarf character be made (not the race)

[DreamGoddessLindsey]

Was just wondering how to handle making a character that is a human dwarf. Would you just start with halfling stats but everything else as human and work from there? The stats don't seem sound, though, because there is no guarantee that a human dwarf is charming or fast is there?

Would you use the rules for rolling up a young character from Ultimate Campaign instead and just leave the stats there?

I just don't know what to do, but there is one coming into my campaign so I need help here. I'm thinking at least Strength would be lower, but not sure here to go from there.

[blackbloodtroll]

Use Human stats. Change nothing.

Lower speed to 20ft.

Add this:

Dwarf Human wrote:

Size: Dwarf Humans are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty to their CMB and CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.

Now you are done.

Do not complicate, for the sake of complicating.

[Detect Magic]

I'd just use the human race and change the character's size to small and reduce its speed to 20 feet. Apply a -2 Strength penalty, and depending upon the setting I might impose an outcast rating (as per Ravenloft; essentially, the character suffers a penalty on Charisma based skill checks, except for Intimidate, with which they receive a bonus... however, in this case, I might apply the bonus to Bluff with the rationale that most people are going to underestimate and not take seriously someone they do not consider a threat). To somewhat offset the Strength penalty, I'd give the character the "Stability" racial trait (as per the dwarf race) due to a lower center of gravity.

[Lincoln Hills]

Blackbloodtroll covered the essentials. Small is an advantage in the game, overall, but you might not think so when the first six magic weapons found in the campaign are all Medium-sized.

[DM_Blake]

If you want a real human dwarf, you have tons of challenges.

Reduced DEX resulting from:
Delays in motor skills development, such as sitting up, crawling and walking
Bowing of the legs (genu varum)
Pressure on the spinal cord at the base of the skull
Progressive severe hunching (kyphosis) or swaying (lordosis) of the back
In adulthood, narrowing of the channel in the lower spine (lumbosacral spinal stenosis), resulting in pressure on the spinal cord and subsequent pain or numbness in the legs

Reduced STR resulting from being smaller with smaller bones and muscles.

Reduced CON representing:
Frequent ear infections (otitis media) and risk of hearing loss
Difficulty breathing during sleep (sleep apnea)
Pressure on the spinal cord at the base of the skull
Excess fluid around the brain (hydrocephalus)
Arthritis in adulthood
Weight gain that can further complicate problems with joints and the spine and place pressure on nerves

So I assume you really don't want all this?

If what you want is a proportional, healthy, person with all the physical health of a full-sized human but half the size, I would just use the Reduce Person spell and make it permanent. I don't have the UC "Young" rules right now, but I bet it has rules for lower WIS or maybe CHA, or fewer skill points, or many other things that we might associate with youth but not with just being smaller, which is why I recommended Reduce Person.

[blackbloodtroll]

Remember that small PCs have a lower carrying capacity.

[Detect Magic]

blackbloodtroll wrote:

Remember that small PCs have a lower carrying capacity.

Not really a disadvantage, though. They have 3/4 carrying capacity, but their gear weighs only 1/2 the listed weight.

[MC Templar]

I'd say this would be a great fluff text for an oracle with the 'lame' curse.