Nafaldr

The Nafaldr are a people of the soil, born of the land and bound to its rhythms. On Encara, they were stewards of verdant fields, shepherds of flocks, and cultivators of bountiful harvests. While their dwarven kin shaped stone and metal, the Nafaldr tilled the earth and nurtured life, guided by an unshakable belief that they were woven into the land itself. They saw themselves not as masters, but as caretakers—partners in a sacred bond with the earth. To them, the land had a spirit, an essence that, while not comparable to mortal intelligence, deserved respect and reverence. Their stewardship was not only their livelihood but their spiritual calling, one they approached with humor, humility, and tireless dedication.

In Encara, this connection to the land brought the Nafaldr prosperity. Their farms yielded crops of unmatched abundance, their herds were the pride of kingdoms, and their brews and feasts drew visitors from across the land. They were a people of celebration, known for their hearty laughter, songs that could fill a valley, and ales that could knock even a seasoned warrior off their feet. Their food was as much an expression of their culture as their faith, each dish and drink a tribute to the earth's bounty.

The loss of Encara was a profound sorrow for the Nafaldr, not only because it was their home, but because it was the land to which they had devoted their lives. Yet, their sorrow was tempered by a sense of purpose when they arrived on Thaedros. While many of the diaspora saw Thaedros as hostile or alien, the Nafaldr felt something deeper. To them, the land of Thaedros felt wounded, as though its very spirit had been scarred. Where others saw rejection, the Nafaldr sensed a quiet grief—a world that had been deeply hurt and had withdrawn into itself. Rather than despair, they felt sympathy and a quiet resolve to help heal this new world.

Yldan, with its temperate climate and fertile soil, became the heart of the Nafaldr's new efforts. They were instrumental in the early days of Yldan's settlement, bringing their expertise in cultivation and animal husbandry to the fledgling nation. Over the past century and a half, the Nafaldr have transformed the land around Yldan into a patchwork of thriving farms and orchards, all tended with care and a quiet reverence for Thaedros' spirit. Though other dwarves may see them as rustic or overly sentimental, the Nafaldr take such remarks in stride, their broad humor and steadfast nature deflecting even the sharpest jests.

Beyond their visible contributions, the Nafaldr have also taken on a quieter mission. Among their druids and rangers, there is a growing movement to seek out regions of Thaedros that are particularly hostile or barren. These dwarves believe that by tending to these places—whether through the planting of groves, the calming of wild magic, or the cleansing of corruption—they might help soothe the world's pain. While their efforts have been slow and painstaking, they have already seen small signs of success: barren fields beginning to sprout once more, streams running clearer, and even the faint hum of a once-silent land.

To the Nafaldr, Thaedros is not a replacement for Encara—it is something new, something wounded, but still precious. Their connection to this new world runs deep, and their bond with its soil and spirit has become the foundation of their culture. They sing the songs of both grief and hope, their voices rising with the dawn as they greet the land they have sworn to tend. For the Nafaldr, the act of healing Thaedros is more than a task; it is a calling, a sacred bond, and a promise to the future.

Racial Traits

Special Abilities

Children of the Earth Your bond with the land grants you an innate sense of its moods. You have advantage on Survival checks related to farming, foraging, and tracking. Additionally, you ignore movement penalties caused by difficult terrain composed of earth or plant life.

Earthbound Resilience Your connection with the land allows you to recover quickly. You regain an additional number of hit points equal to your proficiency bonus whenever you complete a short rest when you take that rest in contact with bare earth.

Fertile Spirit Once per long rest, you can touch a barren patch of soil or a wilted plant and restore it to a healthy state over the course of one minute. This does not function in extreme conditions (such as unnatural blight or magical corruption) but may contribute to long-term restoration efforts.

Heart of the Harvest You have proficiency with Brewer's Supplies or Cook's Utensils, and with one of the following: Herbalism Kit, Carpenter's Tools, or Mason's Tools. Additionally, you have advantage on Persuasion checks when offering food or drink as a gesture of goodwill.

Basic Traits

Languages You can speak, read, and write Common and Dwarvish.

Speed Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

Size Nafaldr are between 4 and 5 feet tall, with sturdy builds. Your size is Medium.

Age Nafaldr dwarves mature at the same rate as humans but are considered young until they reach 50. They often live for 300 years or more.

Backgrounds

Earthspeaker

You have spent your life attuned to the voice of the land, sensing its needs and responding to its call. Whether as a druid, herbalist, or simple farmer, you understand the earth in a way few others do.

• Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Insight
• Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism Kit, Mason's Tools
• Languages: One of your choice (Primordial or Sylvan recommended)
• Feature: Whispering Soil - When you spend at least ten minutes meditating in natural surroundings, you can make a Nature check to determine recent disturbances, such as unnatural blights, nearby settlements, or recent battles.
• Ability Score Increases: +2 Wisdom, +1 Constitution

Harvestwarden

You were raised among the fields and pastures, tending to crops and livestock with a steady hand. Your practical knowledge has made you a skilled provider, always knowing where to find food and water, even in harsh conditions.

• Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival
• Tool Proficiencies: Brewer's Supplies, Carpenter's Tools
• Languages: One of your choice (Elvish or Halfling recommended)
• Feature: Bounty of the Land - When you take a long rest in natural terrain, you can always gather enough food and water for yourself and up to five other creatures without needing to make a check.
• Ability Score Increases: +2 Strength, +1 Wisdom

Hearthkeeper

To the Nafaldr, food is more than sustenance—it is a bond, a shared experience, a way to bring people together. You have trained in the art of hospitality, ensuring that all who gather at your table leave in better spirits than when they arrived.

• Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Medicine
• Tool Proficiencies: Cook's Utensils, Calligrapher's Supplies
• Languages: One of your choice (Gnomish or Celestial recommended)
• Feature: Warm Welcome - Once per long rest, when you share a meal with a willing creature, you can grant them temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier.
• Ability Score Increases: +2 Charisma, +1 Constitution