Dwarven Arcane Magic Users

[Murgh Bpurn]

OK I'm going to replace the question with the info that I've found.

First the canon references:

Sorcerer
...Despite differing regional attitudes toward sorcerers, sorcerous talent seems to be spread nearly evenly through the world and the various races, with the exception of dwarves born before the Thunder Blessing... Gold dwarves, wild elves, and lightfoot halflings display a knack for the sorcerer's arts, too.
Dwarves
...The new dwarven generation is commonly referred to as the thunder children. Nearly a fith of dwarven births after the Thunder Blessing have resulted in identical or fraternal twins. The thunder children share little of the fear and distrust of arcane magic possessed by their ancestors. Most dwarves still feel more comfortable wielding an axe instead of a wand, but many thunder children, particularly the twins, study wizardry or the sorcerer's arts...
Gold Dwarf
...while they practised some magic, they never acquired the hubris that caused the downfall of some human nations...
Shield Dwarf
...the dwarves distrusted magic, so they were never seduced to the heights of magical folly that toppled Netheril and Imasker...
The Great Rift
...Magic of all types is more common in gold dwarven society than among the dwarves of the north. Gold dwarven wizards, sorcerers, and stonesingers (their term for bards) join runecasters and clerics as valued and honoured memebers of Great Rift's society, working together to forge potent magic items...

Arctic Dwarves
...Inugaakalikurit have no arcane spellcasting tradition....Arctic dwarves take a pragmatic view toward magic: It's useful if it helps them hunt, but otherwise spells and spellcasters - especially arcane ones - are a matter for tales told to youngsters...
Shield Dwarf
...Arcane spellcasters are quite rare, with few of sorcerous inclination....Shield dwarves have a strong divine spellcasting tradition, with many of the Stout Folk called to serve the Morndinsamman as clerics, paladins, runecasters, or runesmiths. Arcane spellcasters are much more rare, but increasing in number...
Gold Dwarf
...Most are trained as fighters, although clerics, paladins, rangers, rogues, and even the occasional arcane spellcaster play important roles in defending the Deep Realm. Gold Dwarf sorcerers usually trace thier ancestory back to a powerful dragon or some creature of elemental earth or fire....Gold dwarves have a strong divine spellcasting tradition, with many of the Stout Folk called to serve the Morndinsamman as clerics, paladins runecasters, or runesmiths. Arcane spellcasters are much rarer, but they do exist....Gold dwarves favor spells that aid their abilities in combat or assist in craftwork or mining. Most are divine spellcasters, but the gold dwarves' millennia-old civilisation has ensured both ancient libraries of wizardry and strange, socerous bloodlines....
Gray Dwarves
...Wizards are much more common than sorcerers among the gray dwarves....Arcane spellcasters are much rarer, but wizards skilled in the crafting of magic items are much respected...
Wild Dwarves
...wild dwarves are often anxious around magic they've never seen before, which includes most arcane magic....Arcane spellcasters are almost unknown...

Dugmaren Brightmantle
The Gleam in the Eye, the Errant Explorer
Lesser Dwarven Deity
Worshipers: Artisans, dwarves, loremasters, runecasters, scholars, tinkers, wizards
...Dugmaren's clerics, known as xothor.....xothor frequently multiclass as loremasters, runecasters, or wizards....seek to recover lost and arcane knowledge of ages past and apply it to the world today...

Xothol
This dwarven college of magic was founded nearly two thousound years ago by King Azkuldar III. Xothol was to be Ammarindar's secret weapon should the Netherese ever turn a conquering eye on the Shield Dwarves. The college was carefully tucked away beneath the southwestern Graypeaks, and its existence was kept secret from most of Ammarindar's population.
The dwarf wizards of Xothol developed new spells and new methods of preperation, all of which were designed to thwart the Netherese arcanists. After Netheril's fall, however, support for Xothol waned. King Tormalk evntually closed the college and ordered it magically sequestered until a time when Ammarindar needed its protection again. the collected lore of Xothol remains untouched to this day.

And the non-canon:

Wizards in the New Generation

Arcane magic has long been the force which has eluded dwarfs. They have inherent resistances to it, they shun it. Yet now, due to the Forge, it is in their blood. The Blessing gives magic using dwarves an advantage against the growing threat of the evil races seeking to evict the Stout Folk from their homes. It will help them reclaim lost treasures and holds, and it throws a few surprises at any dragon wishing to conquer the mines and tunnels which hold the wealth of the dwarves.

Sorcerers are becoming more common, now that there are wizards of power among the Folk. Still, wizards are more highly regarded, since learning the craft takes dedication and hard work, whereas gaining power through chance takes luck, not skill. Also, with the introduction of magic into their veins, dwarven bards appear as often as mundane entertainers.

Dwarves prefer some schools of magic over others. Many take the specialist’s path, however the majority study all schools, especially those who wander the Realms seeking adventure. Specialists are usually that, wizards fitting specific functions within dwarven society. Specialists, and the schools they prefer, are:

Abjuration: Many followers of the Morndinsamman study in the abjuration schools. Priests of Berronar Truesilver find great value in the spells of protection offered by abjurers, as do those of Dumathoin. The spells of protection offer new and interesting defensive strategies to the already creatively deadly traps that dwarves set in their homes. Because of the nature of these spells, many female dwarf wizards take up studying spells of this school, and often multiclass as priestesses of Berronar in some of the smaller dwarven communities.

Conjuration: Conjurers are most common among the troops guarding the citadels and homes of the dwarves. While useful, wizards of this school are not as common as those from others.

Divination: The use of divination spells tends to lie in the hands of the clerics. Some arcane diviners are found in larger communities, serving the leaders of all of the dwarven sub-races.

Enchantment: Except those dwarves dealing with other races, most dwarves shun enchantments. If it gives them an advantage at the bargaining table, however, enchanters are used, especially against unscrupulous competitors.

Evocation: Battle-hardened dwarf evokers are deadly foes. Wizards specializing in this school are common enough now to cause many attackers pause at the prospect of facing the already deadly formations of dwarf warriors, for fear of battle-mages in their midst.

Illusion: Illusions are for gnomes, and no respectable dwarf wants to be caught casting illusory spells for fear of being mistaken for one. Unless, of course, it is in defense of their homes, and it enhances the effects caused by certain traps.

Necromancy: While spells of this school are not shunned as a whole, the dark implications of this school are enough for all but a few to steer clear of it.

Transmutation: Since most spells of this school are for personal benefit, adventurers are most common among the dwarves to study in this school. Shield dwarf transmuters are likelier to be found than gold dwarf ones.

This list is not exclusive, and some of the sub-races veer from their more numerous cousins in which schools they are apt to take. Arctic dwarf wizard specialists will not take, for instance, abjuration or conjuration as a specialization school as often as shield or gold dwarves.

Also, wizards are finding their place both within society, and within the pantheon of dwarven gods. The xothor of Dugmaren Brightmantle are fast becoming popular among the thunder children. Many of the young dwarves also become clerics of the god of discovery, and also as wizards.

Loremasters, runecasters, and wizards all pay homage to Dugmaren, whether they join the ranks of his priests, or not.

Named NPCs
Vurak Shadowshield, Male Gold Dwarf Transmuter (Shining South)
Bronnia StoneSplitter, Female Gold Dwarf Wizard (FRCS)
Crown Prince Horgar Steelshadow, Male Duerger Fighter/Wizard (Silver Marches)
Dama Blademaker, Female Gold Dwarf Expert/Wizard (Silver Marches)



Edit:

Origional question:

Can anyone point me to any canon material on Dwarven Arcane Magic Users.

I always thought Dwarves were very wary and mistrusting of magic, I assume this must be the Shield Dwarves, as the FRCS mentions Gold Dwarf Sorcerers and Wizards.

Thanks in advance
MB

[Joos]

Just on a side note; they are manufacturers of the best enchanted gear in all the realms. I don't see how that can be if they are averse to magic. Suspicous and distrustful may well be healthy precaution but I don't think its that severe. There should be, perhpas not plenty, but at least more than a few magicians in Dwarven communities. Enough to make the Dwarven magicuser uncommon rather than a freak oddity at least.

[Kildahr]

Hmmmm, if you're looking for canon lore......

Check up on the Runecaster PrC, it's a major part of dwarven arcana.

Yes, dwarves are very distrustful of magic, and thus dwarven wizards are rare, and sorcerers are probably even rarer.

*points to Joos post* And yes, dwarves do make some of the most durable and artistic weapons, but I'd assume that the casting was done by priests and divine magic. (Arcane=bad, Divine=Pwning all the other races).

Might be able to pull some more up before Christmas.......I think that there was something about the Great Rift and dwarven mages in the Campaign Setting for Faerun.

[Murgh Bpurn]

I've got the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting references, i.e.

... Gold dwarves, wild elves, and lightfoot halflings display a knack for the sorcerer's arts, too.

Magic of all types is more common in gold dwarven society than among the dwarves of the north. Gold dwarven wizards, sorcerers, and stonesingers (their term for bards) join runecasters and clerics as valued and honoured members of the Great Rift's society, working together to forge potent magic items.

What I was after was any source material on them.

As Runecasters are a PrC and not currently supported by ALFA, it's a road that's closed to me at the moment.

MB

[HEEGZ]

I don't have Races of Stone handy, but I do know that Dwarves Deep is an excellent sourcebook which touches on this. PM sent.

[Murgh Bpurn]

This section details the more common priest spells unique to the dwarves. Elminster warns there are others, although he knows of no dwarven wizards, and believes the inherent magic resistance of 'trueblood' dwarves makes their mastery of wizardry impossible. Strangely, this applies to learned, memorized spells, not to spell-like natural powers. Such powers are possessed by all duergar and High Old Ones (high-level dwarven priests), and, apparently at random, by a few dwarves of other classes and sub-races.

As Dwarves Deep is pre FRCS and Sorcerers, it would appear to be a bit outdated. However, I believe this to be the Shield Dwarf take on arcane magic users?

Magic is an important part of dwarven life, although it is not given the weight that other societies place upon it. Among the dwarves, magic is no more important than the metals of the earth or the strength of muscle and bone. It is part of the foundation of the universe, but it is not the only stone upon which creation was built.

Dwarf sorcerers are considered blessed by Moradin (the head dwarven deity), their powers viewed as divinely granted, giving them a special status in dwarf society. Many sorcerers specialize in combat magic or in working with the earth, reflecting their heritage and personality. A few sorcerers have gained renown among the greatest dwarf architects, using magic and a deep knowledge of the earth’s mysteries to create structures that would be impossible with just steel and sinew. Adventuring dwarf sorcerers often hire themselves out to surface-dwellers as mercenaries or master builders. See Racial Substitution Levels in Chapter 6 for more dwarf sorcerer options.

Dwarf wizards are somewhat more rare than sorcerers, but no less welcome. Most wizards end up adventuring at some point in their lives, anxious to learn more secrets than their isolated underground homes can provide. Many wizards become runesmiths, imbuing magical powers into weapons, buildings, or even people. Some choose to dwell on the surface among the other races to make themselves more accessible to wizards of other cultures. Most dwarf wizards do not forget their homes, however, and they create private underground dwellings where their research can be conducted in comfort and privacy.

As Races of Stone is not FR specific, I'm not sure how the above fits in. Could this perhaps be the view of the Gold Dwarves to Arcane magic users? I particularly like this reference: Dwarf sorcerers are considered blessed by Moradin (the head dwarven deity), their powers viewed as divinely granted, giving them a special status in dwarf society.

I would be interested to hear the views of some of our more learned members!

MB

[darrenhfx]

Bugs me that I can't answer your questions at all... nodda.
So I'll have to do some reading.

[Murgh Bpurn]

Looks like I'm starting to answer my own question after an afternoon of googling and pdf searching!

Dwarves
...The new dwarven generation is commonly referred to as the thunder children. Nearly a fith of dwarven births after the Thunder Blessing have resulted in identical or fraternal twins. The thunder children share little of the fear and distrust of arcane magic possessed by their ancestors. Most dwarves still feel more comfortable wielding an axe instead of a wand, but many thunder children, particularly the twins, study wizardry or the sorcerer's arts...
Gold Dwarf
...while they practised some magic, they never acquired the hubris that caused the downfall of some human nations...
Shield Dwarf
...the dwarves distrusted magic, so they were never seduced to the heights of magical folly that toppled Netheril and Imasker...
The Great Rift
...Magic of all types is more common in gold dwarven society than among the dwarves of the north. Gold dwarven wizards, sorcerers, and stonesingers (their term for bards) join runecasters and clerics as valued and honoured memebers of Great Rift's society, working together to forge potent magic items...

Shield Dwarf
...Arcane spellcasters are quite rare, with few of sorcerous inclination....Shield dwarves have a strong divine spellcasting tradition, with many of the Stout Folk called to serve the Morndinsamman as clerics, paladins, runecasters, or runesmiths. Arcane spellcasters are much more rare, but increasing in number...
Gold Dwarf
...Most are trained as fighters, although clerics, paladins, rangers, rogues, and even the occasional arcane spellcaster play important roles in defending the Deep Realm. Gold Dwarf sorcerers usually trace thier ancestory back to a powerful dragon or some creature of elemental earth or fire....Gold dwarves have a strong divine spellcasting tradition, with many of the Stout Folk called to serve the Morndinsamman as clerics, paladins runecasters, or runesmiths. Arcane spellcasters are much rarer, but they do exist....Gold dwarves favor spells that aid their abilities in combat or assist in craftwork or mining. Most are divine spellcasters, but the gold dwarves' millennia-old civilisation has ensured both ancient libraries of wizardry and strange, socerous bloodlines....

Dugmaren Brightmantle
The Gleam in the Eye, the Errant Explorer
Lesser Dwarven Deity
Worshipers: Artisans, dwarves, loremasters, runecasters, scholars, tinkers, wizards
...Dugmaren's clerics, known as xother.....xother frequently multiclass as loremasters, runecasters, or wizards....seek to recover lost and arcane knowledge of ages past and apply it to the world today...

And some named NPCs

Vurak Shadowshield, Male Gold Dwarf Transmuter (Shining South)
Bronnia StoneSplitter, Female Gold Dwarf Wizard (FRCS)

And some non canon info

Wizards in the New Generation

Arcane magic has long been the force which has eluded dwarfs. They have inherent resistances to it, they shun it. Yet now, due to the Forge, it is in their blood. The Blessing gives magic using dwarves an advantage against the growing threat of the evil races seeking to evict the Stout Folk from their homes. It will help them reclaim lost treasures and holds, and it throws a few surprises at any dragon wishing to conquer the mines and tunnels which hold the wealth of the dwarves.

Sorcerers are becoming more common, now that there are wizards of power among the Folk. Still, wizards are more highly regarded, since learning the craft takes dedication and hard work, whereas gaining power through chance takes luck, not skill. Also, with the introduction of magic into their veins, dwarven bards appear as often as mundane entertainers.

Dwarves prefer some schools of magic over others. Many take the specialist’s path, however the majority study all schools, especially those who wander the Realms seeking adventure. Specialists are usually that, wizards fitting specific functions within dwarven society. Specialists, and the schools they prefer, are:

Abjuration: Many followers of the Morndinsamman study in the abjuration schools. Priests of Berronar Truesilver find great value in the spells of protection offered by abjurers, as do those of Dumathoin. The spells of protection offer new and interesting defensive strategies to the already creatively deadly traps that dwarves set in their homes. Because of the nature of these spells, many female dwarf wizards take up studying spells of this school, and often multiclass as priestesses of Berronar in some of the smaller dwarven communities.

Conjuration: Conjurers are most common among the troops guarding the citadels and homes of the dwarves. While useful, wizards of this school are not as common as those from others.

Divination: The use of divination spells tends to lie in the hands of the clerics. Some arcane diviners are found in larger communities, serving the leaders of all of the dwarven sub-races.

Enchantment: Except those dwarves dealing with other races, most dwarves shun enchantments. If it gives them an advantage at the bargaining table, however, enchanters are used, especially against unscrupulous competitors.

Evocation: Battle-hardened dwarf evokers are deadly foes. Wizards specializing in this school are common enough now to cause many attackers pause at the prospect of facing the already deadly formations of dwarf warriors, for fear of battle-mages in their midst.

Illusion: Illusions are for gnomes, and no respectable dwarf wants to be caught casting illusory spells for fear of being mistaken for one. Unless, of course, it is in defense of their homes, and it enhances the effects caused by certain traps.

Necromancy: While spells of this school are not shunned as a whole, the dark implications of this school are enough for all but a few to steer clear of it.

Transmutation: Since most spells of this school are for personal benefit, adventurers are most common among the dwarves to study in this school. Shield dwarf transmuters are likelier to be found than gold dwarf ones.

This list is not exclusive, and some of the sub-races veer from their more numerous cousins in which schools they are apt to take. Arctic dwarf wizard specialists will not take, for instance, abjuration or conjuration as a specialization school as often as shield or gold dwarves.

Also, wizards are finding their place both within society, and within the pantheon of dwarven gods. The xothor of Dugmaren Brightmantle are fast becoming popular among the thunder children. Many of the young dwarves also become clerics of the god of discovery, and also as wizards.

Loremasters, runecasters, and wizards all pay homage to Dugmaren, whether they join the ranks of his priests, or not.

The exert from the Candlekeep Compendium seems to be reasonable, so unless indicated otherwise I'll be using it as background for any character builds.

MB

Edit: another FRCS reference added

[darrenhfx]

Nice finds.

[Murgh Bpurn]

There were even Dwarven Wizards in times past!

Xothol
This dwarven college of magic was founded nearly two thousound years ago by King Azkuldar III. Xothol was to be Ammarindar's secret weapon should the Netherese ever turn a conquering eye on the Shield Dwarves. The college was carefully tucked away beneath the southwestern Graypeaks, and its existence was kept secret from most of Ammarindar's population.
The dwarf wizards of Xothol developed new spells and new methods of preperation, all of which were designed to thwart the Netherese arcanists. After Netheril's fall, however, support for Xothol waned. King Tormalk evntually closed the college and ordered it magically sequestered until a time when Ammarindar needed its protection again. the collected lore of Xothol remains untouched to this day.

[Murgh Bpurn]

Updated first post with all relevant canon and non-canon info.

MB