Unearth Arcana - Revised Races & Resources

Dwarves are a hardy and deeply traditional people, forged in stone and strengthened by the weight of legacy. Short and stocky, their resilience and craftsmanship are legendary across the realms. Most dwarves live within mountain holds or deep cave cities where stone, metal, and tradition reign supreme. Each dwarf carries the weight of their clan’s honor on their shoulders, and many seek to prove their worth through acts of skill, bravery, or endurance.

Base Ancestry Traits (All Dwarves)

• Size: Medium (typically 4–5 feet tall, 150+ lbs)

• Speed: 20 feet

• Creature Type: Humanoid

• Encumbered Speed: Your speed is not reduced by wearing Heavy Armor or by the first level of encumbrance.

• Ability Scores:

  • +1 Con

  • +1 Str
  • -1 Cha

Default Dwarf Traits (Iron Mountain Style)

• Tough (1 AP): Your hit point maximum increases by 1.

• Toxic Fortitude (2 AP): You have resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against being poisoned.

• Physically Sturdy (2 AP): You have advantage on saving throws against being Impaired, Deafened, or Petrified.

• Iron Stomach (0 AP - Minor Trait): You have advantage on saving throws against effects that come from consuming food or drink.

Expanded Traits

• Thick-Skinned (1 AP): Your Physical Defense increases by 1 while you're not wearing Heavy Armor.

• Natural Combatant (1 AP): You gain Combat Training with Heavy Armor and all Shields.

• Stone Blood (1 AP): You have advantage on saving throws against Bleeding. You may spend 1 AP to end the Bleeding condition on yourself.

• Minor Tremorsense (1 AP): You have Tremorsense out to 15 feet.

• Stubborn (2 AP): You have advantage on saving throws against being Taunted or forcibly moved.

• Trade Expertise (1 AP): Choose a Crafting or Services Trade. Your Mastery Cap and Mastery Level in the chosen Trade both increase by 1.

• Earthen Knowledge (1 AP): While underground or in mountainous terrain, you have advantage on Survival checks, and Nature checks related to rocks, crystals, or minerals.

Negative Traits

• Charisma Decrease (-1 AP): Your Charisma score decreases by 1 (to a minimum of -2).

• Short-Legged (-2 AP): Your speed decreases by 5 feet.

• Tunnel Vision (-1 AP): You have disadvantage on Perception checks related to sound or movement coming from behind or above you.

• Grudgebearer (-1 AP): When you are wronged (attacked, deceived, or slighted), you have disadvantage on Insight and Persuasion and similar checks involving that creature until the end of the day.

• Ancestral Pressure (-1 AP): You have disadvantage on saving throws against Fear when isolated or when no allies are within 15 feet.

Subraces (Alt Default Builds)

Ironbash Dwarf

• Rock Stepper (2 AP): You ignore difficult terrain caused by rubble, stone, or broken ground.

• Reactive Skin (2 AP): The first time you take nonmagical B/P/S damage after a long rest, you gain resistance to that type until your next long rest.

• Weapon Mastery (1 AP): You gain proficiency with a weapon of your choice.

Auroran Dwarf

• Deep Delver (2 AP): Advantage on identifying or saving against Aberrations.

• Intense Focus (2 AP): Advantage on Constitution saving throws to maintain spell concentration.

• Mental Adaptations (1 AP): Learn the Message cantrip. At 3rd level, cast Dissonant Whispers once/day; at 5th, cast Detect Thoughts once/day (Wisdom is your spellcasting ability).

Mountain Dwarf

• Stonecunning (1 AP): Double your proficiency bonus for History checks related to stonework.

• Mountaineer (2 AP): Gain 10 ft Climb Speed, advantage on balance/falling saves, and always know which way is north.

• Stout Defender (2 AP): Gain the Protection Fighting Style.

Hill Dwarf

• Dwarven Toughness (3 AP): Your HP maximum increases by 1d4 per level.

• Mercantile Mindset (2 AP): Gain proficiency in Persuasion and Insight.

Cave Dwarf

• Superior Darkvision (2 AP): You can see in dim light within 120 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.

• Barren Acclimation (1 AP): You require half as much food/water. Advantage on Survival checks to find food in the wild.

• Underground Combatant (2 AP): When surrounded by walls on two or more sides, enemies have disadvantage on attack rolls against you.

• Sunlight Sensitivity (-1 AP): You have disadvantage on attack rolls and sight-based Perception checks in direct sunlight.

Magma Dwarf

• Lavawalking (2 AP): You have resistance to fire damage and can walk across lava/magma as if it were solid ground.

• Craftsman (2 AP): Gain proficiency with two artisan’s tools. Once per rest, you may gain advantage on a check with one of them.

• Molten Memory (1 AP): You can identify any known forged item by touch alone, even broken or partially melted objects.

Gnomes are clever, curious, and crafty folk whose size belies the depth of their ingenuity. Standing 2.5 to 4 feet tall and weighing around 40 pounds, they age at the same rate as humans but tend to stop showing signs of aging around 60, living to about 100 years on average.

Gnomes are defined by their insatiable curiosity, natural magical talent, and cultural diversity. Whether raised in deep caverns, crystalline sanctuaries, snowy wastes, or bustling cities, gnomes bring a mix of mischief and mastery to the world around them.

Base Ancestry Traits (All Gnomes)

• Size: Small

• Speed: 30 feet

• Creature Type: Humanoid

• Languages: Common, Gnomish, and GSL (Gnomish Sign Language)

• Ability Scores:

  • +1 Dex

  • +1 Int

  • -1 Con

Forest Gnome

• Nature Whisperer (2 AP): You have advantage on checks to interact with or identify plants and animals. You can detect afflictions on a successful check.

• Innate Spells (1 AP): Minor Illusion (at-will), Speak with Animals (3rd level, 1/rest), Speak with Plants (5th level, 1/long rest)

• Woodcarver's Tool Proficiency (1 AP)

• Forest Camouflage (1 AP): You have advantage on Stealth checks while in forest or natural undergrowth environments.

Rock Gnome

• Tinker (1 AP): You can build up to 3 Tiny devices with 1 hour of work and 10 gp materials. See Clockwork Toy, Fire Starter, and Music Box options.

• Skilled Merchant (2 AP): When selling goods or services you created, you add your proficiency bonus again on Persuasion, Deception, or Performance checks, using Int/Wis/Cha.

• Innate Spells (1 AP): Mending (at-will), Identify (3rd level, 1/rest), Meld into Stone (5th level, 1/long rest)

• Mason’s Tool Proficiency (1 AP)

Deep Gnome (Svirfneblin)

• Superior Darkvision (2 AP): You can see in dim light within 120 feet as if bright light.

• Sunlight Sensitivity (-1 AP): You have disadvantage on attack rolls and sight-based Perception checks in direct sunlight.

• Stone Sense (1 AP): You can tell the quality of stone and some properties.

• Innate Spells (1 AP): Message (at-will), Disguise Self (3rd level, 1/rest), Nondetection (5th level, 1/long rest)

• Stone Sense (2 AP): You gain tremorsense out to 10 feet while standing on stone or underground terrain.

Desert/Beach Gnome

• No Stranger to the Sun (2 AP): You have fire resistance and ignore environmental effects caused by heat or sand.

• Flame-Hardened Skin (2 AP): When you take fire damage, your skin hardens. You gain your PB as bonus to your AC until the start of your next turn.

• Innate Spells (1 AP): Mold Earth (at-will), Earth Tremor (3rd level, 1/rest), Wall of Sand (5th level, 1/long rest)

Arctic Gnome (Snowme)

• Snow Born (2 AP): You have resistance to cold damage and ignore cold climate penalties.

• Snow Burrow (2 AP): While in 1 ft of snow, you may burrow as a bonus action. Gain 30 ft burrow speed in snow.

• Sunlight Sensitivity (-1 AP)

• Innate Spells (1 AP): Shape Water (snow only, at-will), Armor of Agathys (3rd level, 1/rest), Sleet Storm (5th level, 1/long rest)

• Frozen Footing (1 AP): You ignore nonmagical difficult terrain caused by snow and ice, and have advantage on saves to avoid being knocked prone on slippery surfaces.

Crystal Gnome

• Crystal Clear Vision (2 AP): You have truesight out to 5 ft. You have advantage on checks and saves to see through illusions or transmutations.

• Resonance Crystal (2 AP): You possess a personal spellcasting focus crystal. Based on gem type (GM discretion), it grants unique effects a number of times equal to your PB per long rest.

• Innate Spells (1 AP): Light (at-will, controllable radius), Color Spray (3rd level, 1/rest), Daylight (5th level, 1/long rest)

Expanded Traits

• Escape Artist (2 AP): You have advantage on checks and saves to avoid or escape being Grappled or Restrained.

• Magnified Vision (1 AP): You have advantage on Investigation checks involving something you're holding or closely examining.

• Mental Clarity (2 AP): You have advantage on saves against being Dazed or Stunned.

• Strong-Minded (1 AP): Your Mental Defense increases by 1.

• Predict Weather (0 AP - Minor Trait): You can always sense the upcoming hour's weather within 1 mile. Weather never imposes disadvantage on you.

• Mana Increase (1 AP): Your MP maximum increases by 1.

• Trapper (1 AP): You gain advantage on Investigation checks to detect traps and on Trickery checks to conceal them.

• Lightning Insulation (2 AP): You have resistance to lightning damage and can't be struck by natural lightning.

• Trade Expertise (1 AP): Choose a Crafting or Subterfuge trade. Your Mastery Cap and Mastery Level both increase by 1.

• Storm Knowledge (1 AP): You have advantage on Survival and Knowledge checks related to storms, rain, or snow.

Negative Traits

• Small-Sized (-1 AP): Your size is Small.

• Short-Legged (-2 AP): Your speed is reduced by 5 feet.

• Agility Decrease (-1 AP): Your Agility score is decreased by 1 (min -2).

• Elemental Vulnerability (-1 AP): Choose Fire, Cold, or Lightning. You have vulnerability (1) to that damage type.

• Oblivious (-1 AP): You have disadvantage on Perception checks made to detect hidden creatures or objects.

• Creature Type: Humanoid
• Size: Medium (typically 7–8 feet tall)
• Speed: 35 ft
• Lifespan: 80 years on average
• Languages: Common, Giant
• Ability Score Increase:
  • +1 Str
  • +1 Con
  • -1 Int

Goliaths hail from the mountain peaks of Becc, descended from the mythic Beccarack, a half-giant warlord whose legacy lives on in their might and endurance. All Goliaths share a deep-rooted connection to the elemental and physical power of the giants, and this ancestry manifests in powerful traits tied to the primal forces of the world.

Base Goliath Traits

• Powerful Build ( 1 AP): You count as one Size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. You have advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks to escape grapples.
• Unstoppable (1 AP): You have advantage on saving throws against being Slowed or Stunned.

• Giant Ancestry (Choose One 2 AP): Each Goliath reflects one of six elemental or physical giant bloodlines.

  • Cloud’s Jaunt: As a bonus action, you can magically teleport up to 30 ft to an unoccupied space you can see. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest. You also gain resistance to force damage.
    
  • Fire’s Burn: When you hit a target with an attack roll, you can deal an additional 1d10 fire damage. This increases to 2d10 at 11th level. You can use this a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest. You gain resistance to fire damage.
    

  • Frost’s Chill: When you hit a target with an attack roll, you can deal 1d6 cold damage and reduce their speed by 10 ft until the start of your next turn. Increases to 2d6 at 11th level. You have resistance to cold damage.

  • Hill’s Tumble: When you hit a Large or smaller creature with an attack roll, you may force it to make a Strength saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency + Strength modifier) or fall prone. You have resistance to bludgeoning damage.
    

  • Stone’s Endurance: When you take damage, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage by 1d12 + your Constitution modifier. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest. You have resistance to the first level of exhaustion’s effects.

  • Storm’s Thunder: When a creature within 60 ft deals damage to you, you can use your reaction to deal 1d8 thunder damage to it. This increases to 2d8 at 11th level. You have resistance to thunder damage.

Expanded Traits

• Giant’s Fortitude (2 AP): (Requires Giant’s Resolve) You also benefit from Giant’s Resolve while Bloodied.
• Strong Body (2 AP): Once per combat, when you take damage targeting your PD, reduce the damage by your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice).
• Mighty Leap (1 AP): Use Strength instead of Dexterity to determine your jump distance and fall damage.
• Brute (1 AP): Your proficiency modifier amount of times per short rest, you can take the Shove or Grapple action as a bonus action.
• Titanic Toss (1 AP): You have advantage on checks made to throw creatures and don’t suffer disadvantage on thrown attacks at long range.
• Clumsiness (-2): You have disadvantage on all Dexterity checks.
• Heavy Riser (-1): You must spend 20ft of movement to stand from prone.

• Creature Type: Humanoid
• Size: Small (2–4 ft tall)
• Speed: 30 ft
• Lifespan: Up to 80 years (matures at 6)
• Languages: Common, Draconic
• Ability Score Increases:
  • +1 Dex
  • +1 Int
  • –1 Str

DEFAULT TRAITS

• Skittering Sprint (1 AP): When you use the Disengage action, you may move an additional 15 feet in a straight, unbroken line.
• Draconic Spirit (2 AP): You gain one less HP per level (this cannot lower max HP retroactively). When you would take damage that reduces you to 0 HP, you may make a Dexterity saving throw equal to the damage dealt. On a success, you instead drop to 1 HP. Usable a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus – 1 per long rest.
• Alone-United (1 AP): If you would have Advantage on a roll from any source, you may instead choose to roll normally and use the Help action as a Bonus Action on your turn.
• Tribal Split (1 AP): Choose a Kobold Tribe (Green, Red, Blue, or Yellow). You gain the features of that tribe. This replaces a traditional subrace.

TRIBAL OPTIONS

Green Tribe

• Mind for Scraps (1 AP): You can make Tool-based checks without having the required tools, as you improvise from scavenged materials. You may also use ball bearings, caltrops, and spikes up to your Proficiency Bonus per long rest without needing to own them.
• Shared Space (1 AP): You can occupy the same space as another Small ally. If they are also Green Tribe, you have Advantage on Draconic Spirit saves as they help you scurry away.
• Clever Kin (1 AP): You gain +1 to either Intelligence or Wisdom.

Red Tribe

• Burning Blood (2 AP): You can cast burning hands a number of times per long rest equal to your Proficiency Bonus. Use Wisdom or your primary spellcasting modifier for its DC.
• Pack Offense (1 AP): When you attack a creature that is within 5 ft of an ally and you do not have Disadvantage, you gain Advantage.
• Instinct of Fire (1 AP): You gain +1 to either Strength or Wisdom.
• Brash Momentum (1 AP): When you reduce a creature to 0 HP, you may move up to 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks. (Optional flavorful extra to make 5 AP).

Blue Tribe

• Improvised Brutality (1 AP): You are proficient with improvised weapons smaller than you. They are finesse weapons and deal 1d6 damage.
• Gutter Tough (1 AP): You gain +1 to either Constitution or Strength.
• Muzzle Snap (1 AP): You have Advantage on Intimidation checks against creatures one size larger than you.

Yellow Tribe

• Cursed Rebirth (2 AP): If you die (including failing death saves), your soul reincarnates into a new Yellow Tribe Kobold from your home tribe. You are immune to resurrection magic, and you may only use this ability once per long rest. This continues until your tribe is extinct.
• Charm of the Doomed (2 AP): You may cast charm person up to your Proficiency Bonus per long rest. Use Charisma for the DC.
• Gifted Performer (1 AP): You are proficient in both Performance and Persuasion. (Optional RP effect: You radiate a slightly eerie presence, often mistaken for divine providence or a curse.)

• Creature Type: Humanoid
• Size: Medium
• Speed: 30 ft
• Life Span: Around 100 years on average
• Languages: Common, Infernal
• Ability Score Increases:
  • +1 Cha
  • +1 Con
  • -1 Wis

DEFAULT TRAITS

• Fiendish Resistance (2 AP): You have Resistance (Half) to your Fiendish damage type (typically fire unless modified by your Subrace).
• Fiendish Magic (2 AP): You know one 1st-level spell from the Destruction or Enchantment schools (Arcane Spell List) that matches your Fiendish damage type. You can cast this spell once per Long Rest without spending MP, and it costs 1 less MP when you do spend (minimum 0). Total MP cost can’t exceed your Mana Spend Limit.

SUBRACE OPTIONS

Each Sin or Origin adds a unique 5 AP trait bundle. These replace your default Infernal Legacy.

Pride

• Superiority Aura (1 AP): You have ADV on saves against being Charmed.
• Commanding Presence (2 AP): You can cast command once per Long Rest.
• Noble Bearing (2 AP): You have ADV on Influence checks made to establish authority or command respect.

Greed

• Sticky Fingers (1 AP): Sleight of Hand proficiency
• Find that is Valuable (3 AP):You can cast locate object once per Long Rest.
• Gold Sense (2 AP): You have ADV on Investigation checks to detect or appraise valuables, gems, and metals.

Lust

• Hot Bringing (1 AP): Deception proficiency

• Seductive Spell (2 AP): You can cast enthrall once per Long Rest.

• Allure (2 AP): You have advantage on Performance or Persuasion checks made during social interactions or attempts at seduction.

Envy

• Watchful Mind (1 AP): You gain proficiency in the Insight skill.

• Covetous Reading (2 AP): You can cast detect thoughts once per Long Rest.

• Mimic Talent (2 AP): Once per day, after seeing a creature make a Skill Check, you can use your Reaction to gain proficiency in that Skill for 1 hour.

Gluttony

• Resilient Gut (1 AP): You have advantage on saving throws against poison and resistance to disease.

• Enfeebling Ray (3 AP): You can cast ray of enfeeblement once per Long Rest.

• Consumption Drive (1 AP): When you consume a ration or complete a rest with access to food and drink, you gain 2 temporary HP per point of your Proficiency Bonus.

Wrath

• Fiendish Fury (1 AP): Intimidation proficiency
• Infernal Retaliation (2 AP): You can cast hellish rebuke once per Long Rest (no stacking with Fiendish Magic).
• Frenzied Blow (2 AP): Once per Combat, when you’re Bloodied, you can add your Charisma modifier to one weapon damage roll.

Sloth

• Sleep Spell (2 AP): You can cast sleep once per Long Rest.

• Apathy Shield (2 AP): When you take damage, you can use your Reaction to halve the damage. Once per Short or Long Rest.

• Lethargic Endurance (1 AP): You have advantage on saving throws against Exhaustion.

Lilith

• Arcane Heritage (1 AP): You gain proficiency in the Arcana skill and can sense when magic is near.

• Lilith’s Grasp (2 AP): You can cast hex and suggestion once per Long Rest each.
• Fiendish Magnetism (2 AP): Fiendish Magnetism: You have ADV on Charisma (Intimidation) and (Persuasion) checks when interacting with fiends or those influenced by them.
  

Deceiver

• Silver Veil (1 AP): Deception proficiency
• Minor Trickery (1 AP): You know the minor illusion cantrip.
• Master of Disguise (2 AP): You can cast disguise self (3rd level) and invisibility (5th level) once per Long Rest.
• Illusive Edge (1 AP): ADV on Deception checks when using illusions.

Elemental

• Elemental Cantrip (1 AP): Elemental Cantrip (Choose: fire bolt, ray of frost, gust, or mold earth)
• Elemental Resistance (2 AP): You gain resistance to the associated element: Fire, Cold, Thunder, or Acid.
• Elemental Surge (2 AP): Elemental Surge: Once per Long Rest, you can cast burning hands, thunderwave, earth tremor, or ice knife (depending on element).

Shadow

• Shadow Walker (1 AP): Stealth proficiency
• Blade of Gloom (2 AP): You can cast shadow blade once per Long Rest.
• Fade into Darkness (2 AP): Fade into Shadows: ADV on Stealth checks in dim light or darkness.

Celestial

• Healing Light (1 AP): You can cast cure wounds once per Long Rest.
• Radiant Strike (2 AP): Once per turn, add 1d6 radiant damage to a weapon attack. You can do this a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus per Short Rest.
• Blessed Will (2 AP): ADV on saves against being Frightened or Charmed.

Beast Touched

• Natural Weapon (2 AP): Choose a natural weapon:

  • Claws (1d4 → 1d10 Finesse, scaling with level)

  • Fangs (1d6 → 1d12 Finesse, only usable when Grappling)

• Primal Instinct (1 AP): Enhanced Senses (ADV on Perception using smell/hearing) or Animal Communication
• Wild Magic (2 AP): You gain a 1st-level spell related to your beast type (jump, speak with animals, etc.) usable once per Long Rest.

Chaos

• Chaos Bolt (1 AP): You know chaos bolt
• Confused Magic (2 AP): You can cast confusion once per Long Rest.
• Wild Effect (2 AP): Once per Long Rest, roll a d8 on a minor wild surge table when you cast a spell. Results include effects like glowing eyes, harmless illusions, or minor terrain warping.

OPTIONAL TRAIT

• Infernal Wings (2 AP): As a Bonus Action, you sprout fiendish wings and gain a flying speed of 30 ft. You can’t wear armor or clothing that isn’t tailored to accommodate your wings. You can dismiss or summon your wings as a Bonus Action. If you manifest wings while wearing incompatible gear, it is destroyed.

• Infernal Eyes (1 AP): You have advantage on Perception checks made to see in dim light or darkness, as your eyes shimmer with a hellish glow.

• Silver Tongue (1 AP): Once per Long Rest, you can gain advantage on one Charisma (Deception or Persuasion) check.

• Hell’s Endurance (2 AP): You gain advantage on Constitution saving throws made to resist Exhaustion or to maintain concentration on spells.

• Fiendish Memory (1 AP): You have advantage on Intelligence checks to recall information about fiends, infernal pacts, or forbidden lore.

• Burning Step (1 AP): When you take the Dash action, you can leave behind a faint trail of flame. Creatures that move through the space you left take 1 fire damage (once per creature per turn).

• Blood of Fire (2 AP): When you are reduced to 0 HP but not killed outright, creatures within 5 feet of you must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 fire damage as your blood ignites.

• Wicked Insight (1 AP): You have advantage on Insight checks to detect lies, secrets, or emotional manipulation.

• Charred Resistance (1 AP): You gain resistance to non-magical bludgeoning damage while bloodied, as your skin toughens like burnt hide.

• Hexbrand (1 AP): As a bonus action, you can mark a target within 30 feet. The next time you deal damage to them within 1 minute, add your proficiency bonus as bonus damage. Usable once per Long Rest.

• Fearsome Legacy (1 AP): When you reduce a creature to 0 HP, creatures of your choice within 10 feet must make a Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of your next turn. Usable once per Long Rest.

• Radiant Weakness (-1 AP): You have vulnerability to radiant damage.

• Divine Dampening (-1 AP): You regain 1 fewer HP whenever healed by divine magic.

• Cursed Bloodline (-1 AP): You automatically fail the first death saving throw you make in a combat encounter.

• Unwelcome Presence (-1 AP): You have disadvantage on Persuasion checks made with celestials or lawful good-aligned NPCs.

• Brittle Ego (-1 AP): When you are affected by the Frightened condition, you also lose your reaction until the end of your next turn.

• Shadowmark (-1 AP): Your infernal aura is obvious to divination magic. You have disadvantage on Stealth checks against creatures using Detect Magic, See Invisibility, or similar effects.

• Unholy Temper (-1 AP): When bloodied, you have disadvantage on saving throws against being taunted or provoked.

• Abyssal Itch (-1 AP): You have disadvantage on saves to resist sleep or magical slowness (such as slow spells or fey enchantments).