Dwarf Cleric Guide [D&D 5e]

In the mystical realm of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, as your majestic beard flows through the wind, you stand tall despite your short stature. With a wave of your hands and a mighty shout, you call upon the divine power of your god to smite those who have underestimated you and your height! You’ve embarked on a unique journey as a Dwarf Cleric in D&D 5e, and this guide is here to help you navigate this exciting path.

The Dwarf Cleric: A Perfect Fusion

Buckle your boots and pull up your pants because if you want to play as a dwarf and a cleric, there’s a lot to unpack! You’ve chosen a race and a class that come with a rich tapestry of lore and abilities. So let’s get started with building your Dwarf-sona.

Choose Your Dwarf Subrace

Dwarves come in various subraces, each with unique characteristics and advantages. Understanding these subraces is vital for creating your Dwarf Cleric:

Hill Dwarves (Gold Dwarves)

• Advantages: Particular, confident, materialistic, traditionalist. They value themselves and others by possession and reputation. Hill dwarves are shrewd traders and proud stalwart warriors. They gain an advantage where their hit points increase by 1, and it increases by 1 every time they gain a level.

Mountain Dwarves (Shield Dwarves)

• Advantages: Mountain dwarves are similar in build to hill dwarves but broader. They were once mighty rulers of Faerûn. These dwarves have proficiency with light and medium armor.

Arctic Dwarves (Inugaakalikurit)

• Advantages: Strangely smaller, standing at half the height of shield dwarves, and more carefree, friendly, and even clumsy than other dwarves. They are resistant to extreme cold and immune to its effects.

Gray Dwarves (Duergar/Underdwarves)

• Advantages: Duergars are cruel, deceitful, and bitter. They are immune to mind flayer control, have darkvision, and are skilled at detecting hidden objects. However, they are vulnerable to sunlight.

Urdunnir Dwarves (Urdunnirin/Orecutters)

• Advantages: These dwarves are mysterious creations of Dumathion. They can walk through solid earth and stone at will, and they have the ability to shape stone and metal into any form.

Wild Dwarves (Jungle Dwarves/Greenbeards/Dur Authalar)

• Advantages: Stout, muscular, nude, and antisocial dwarves who fear strangers. They can cast wild dwarven magic, which usually involves nature spells and luck in hunting.

Divine Alignment: Your Deity and Domain

What makes a cleric different from a paladin is that clerics are devoted to the deity or deities they serve, with or without reason. Dwarves are suitable as clerics, although the more common dwarf isn’t proficient in magic. However, each dwarf has a patron of the dwarven pantheon for each dwarf kind. Here are some deities and their respective domains:

Hill Dwarves

• Deity: Moradin, The Allfather
• Domain: Lawful Good

Mountain Dwarves

• Deity: All members of the Morndinsamman (dwarf pantheon) minus Laduguer and Deep Duerra
• Domain: Lawful Neutral

Arctic Dwarves

• Deity: Not Religious
• Domain: None

Gray Dwarves

• Deity: Laduguer, The Gray Protector
• Domain: Lawful Evil

Urdunnir Dwarves

• Deity: Dumathoin, The Dwarven Deity of Mining
• Domain: Neutral

Wild Dwarves

• Deity: Thard Harr, The Jungle God
• Domain: Chaotic Good

Divine Domain: Where Your Power Lies

In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, a cleric’s divine domain determines the source of their spells and abilities. Each domain is a unique path with its own set of spells and abilities. Here are some of the divine domains you can consider for your Dwarf Cleric:

Arcana Domain

• Deities: Azuth, Mystra, Corellon Larethian, and more.
• Domain Spells: These spells revolve around magic, knowledge, and control of arcane forces.

Death Domain

• Deities: Chemosh, Myrkul, Wee Jas, and more.
• Domain Spells: These spells deal with death, destruction, and necromancy.

Forge Domain

• Deities: Gond, Reorx, Onatar, Moradin, and more.
• Domain Spells: This domain focuses on crafting, fire, and the creation of powerful items.

Grave Domain

• Deities: Kelemvor, Wee Jas, Anubis, Osiris, and more.
• Domain Spells: It deals with life and death, and has a unique focus on safeguarding the transition to the afterlife.

Knowledge Domain

• Deities: Oghma, Boccob, Gilean, and more.
• Domain Spells: Focused on gathering and utilizing knowledge, including divination and mind-reading spells.

Life Domain

• Deities: Chauntea, Lathander, Ilmater, and more.
• Domain Spells: Centered on healing, protection, and sustaining life.

Light Domain

• Deities: Helm, Lathander, Pholtus, and more.
• Domain Spells: Concentrated on light, truth, and purification spells.

Love Domain

• Deities: Aphrodite, Freya, Sune, and more.
• Domain Spells: Focus on strengthening bonds, love, and relationships.

Nature Domain

• Deities: Silvanus, Obad-Hai, Eldath, and more.
• Domain Spells: Revolve around nature, plants, and animals.

Order Domain

• Deities: Majere, Aureon, Bane, and more.
• Domain Spells: Focus on maintaining order, enforcing laws, and controlling chaos.

Peace Domain

• Deities: Berronar Truesilver, Paladine, Kiri-Jolith, and more.
• Domain Spells: Centered on calmness, protection, and tranquility.

Tempest Domain

• Deities: Kord, Talos, Aerdrie Faenya, and more.
• Domain Spells: Revolve around storms, destruction, and the wrath of the gods.

Trickery Domain

• Deities: Mask, Garl Glittergold, Tymora, and more.
• Domain Spells: Focus on deception, illusion, and subterfuge.

War Domain

• Deities: Tempus, Gruumsh, Kord, and more.
• Domain Spells: Deal with battle, combat, and martial abilities.

With this guide, you have the foundation to create a Dwarf Cleric in D&D 5e. From your subrace to your divine domain, you have numerous options to craft a character that fits your style. Remember that, as a cleric, your main role is to support your allies and serve your chosen deity, whether you’re a Hill Dwarf Cleric of Moradin, a Mountain Dwarf Cleric of the Morndinsamman, or something entirely unique.

The dwarves’ legacy in D&D is vast, and your cleric character is now a part of it. May your beard remain unburnt and your spells powerful as you tread the exciting adventures of Dungeons & Dragons.

Embracing the Dwarven Way: Roleplaying Your Dwarf Cleric

Your character is more than just numbers and abilities; it’s a personality, a story, and a set of beliefs. Roleplaying a Dwarf Cleric brings a unique flavor to the game. Here are some tips to help you bring your character to life:

Dwarven Pride

Dwarves are known for their unwavering pride in their heritage. As a Dwarf Cleric, you’re not only a devoted servant of your deity but also a staunch representative of your dwarven clan or kingdom. This pride can manifest in the form of a traditional beard, elaborate tattoos, or distinctive clothing.

Devotion to Deity

Your bond with your chosen deity is at the core of your character. Think about why your Dwarf Cleric decided to become a cleric and how they interpret the teachings of their god. Are you a zealous crusader, a serene priest, or something in between? Your deity’s alignment and portfolio can provide valuable guidance for shaping your character’s beliefs and values.

A Gruff Exterior and a Warm Heart

Dwarves are often depicted as gruff and stubborn, but they also have a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie. This duality can create interesting roleplaying opportunities. Your Dwarf Cleric might appear stoic and reserved on the surface, but they’ll go to great lengths to protect and support their companions.

Reverence for the Forge

Dwarves have a deep connection to craftsmanship and the forge. If your character follows the Forge Domain, this connection is even stronger. You can incorporate this by creating items for your party, blessing their weapons, or taking a special interest in magical items and artifacts.

Love for Tradition

Dwarves are steeped in tradition, and this often extends to their religious practices. Think about the rituals and ceremonies your character might perform in the name of their deity. These could involve prayers, offerings, or even elaborate feasts. You can use these traditions to add depth to your character and engage with the game world.

The Power of Stubbornness

Dwarves are known for their stubbornness, which can be both an advantage and a flaw. Your unwavering determination can be a source of inspiration for your allies, helping them push through challenges. However, your stubbornness may also lead to conflicts, especially if it clashes with the goals and beliefs of your party members.

Playing a Dwarf Cleric in the Party

Your role as a Dwarf Cleric in the adventuring party is multifaceted. While your primary focus is on healing and supporting your allies, you can adapt your abilities to fit the party’s needs. Here’s how you can make the most of your character within the group:

Healing and Protection

Dwarf Clerics excel in healing and protecting their allies. Spells like Cure Wounds, Shield of Faith, and Beacon of Hope are essential for keeping your party members in fighting shape. Don’t forget to use your abilities strategically during battles to ensure the survival of your companions.

Offensive Magic

Clerics, including Dwarves, have access to offensive spells as well. Inflict Wounds, Sacred Flame, and Spiritual Weapon can be used to deal damage to enemies. Balancing healing and offense is crucial to your party’s success.

Utility and Support

Clerics possess a wide array of utility spells. Detect Magic, Identify, and Silence are just a few examples. Use these spells to gather information, solve puzzles, and assist your party outside of combat.

Tanking

Depending on your choice of spells and equipment, you can take on a tanking role in your party. Equip yourself with heavy armor and a shield, and use spells like Shield of Faith and Shield to bolster your defenses. This can be especially useful if your party lacks a dedicated tank.

Roleplaying Interactions

Dwarf Clerics can shine in roleplaying interactions. Your deep-rooted traditions, respect for authority, and strong moral compass can make you an excellent negotiator, diplomat, or peacemaker within the party. Your wisdom and charisma can be invaluable in resolving conflicts and forging alliances.

In the grand tapestry of Dungeons & Dragons, your Dwarf Cleric is a unique and valuable thread. Embrace the rich dwarven heritage, channel the divine power, and lead your party to glory. Whether you’re healing wounded allies, smiting vile enemies, or forging alliances, you are the embodiment of the dwarven spirit, and your journey is destined for greatness.

Final Thoughts

So, pick up your hammer, raise your holy symbol, and venture forth into the world of D&D as a Dwarf Cleric. May the blessings of your deity guide your path and the strength of your ancestors protect you in the darkest dungeons and against the fiercest dragons.

I hope this continuation of your article helps you in creating an engaging guide for Dwarf Cleric players in Dungeons & Dragons. If you have any specific questions or need further information, please feel free to ask.