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A new player I picked up wants to play a dwarf which is normally fine but they are headed to Falkovnia. That is a land that enslaves dwarves. Any ideas on how to pass him off as human?

brilliantlight wrote:A new player I picked up wants to play a dwarf which is normally fine but they are headed to Falkovnia. That is a land that enslaves dwarves. Any ideas on how to pass him off as human?

Disguise him.

Everybody knows dwarves have beards. Get a razor and some lather...
Get him some custom-made boots that add an inch or two to his apparent height without being too obvious.

Don't advertise any dwarvish traits. He should not let on he knows anything about stone or metal crafts, can see in the dark, etc.

Consider pretending to be a sailor. Or a florist. Something 'un-dwarflike.'

brilliantlight wrote:A new player I picked up wants to play a dwarf which is normally fine but they are headed to Falkovnia. That is a land that enslaves dwarves. Any ideas on how to pass him off as human?

I'd try and turn this into a character development/spotlight moment for the PC, but only after I know the comfort level of the player I'm going to be testing/teasing.

The dwarf can shave their beard off and wear heightening shoes, if available, to try and physically fit in.

They can pose as the other PC's porter, or, slave. Some sort or obviously lesser role.

The Falkovnian soldiers don't have to be roleplayed as blatant abductors and slavers. They are inbred racists. At checkpoints the PCs might be warned to "keep that thing/mutt in check" while being issued their visitor/travelling papers. The dwarf is viewed as less than human so maybe his/her treatment will be more similar to that of a stray or wild animal. At night a drunken soldier can toss a coin at the PC and demand them to dance, sing, or just to pick it up. It's about demeaning the character and generating laughs. Most of the entry-level soldiers probably couldn't be bothered to do the paperwork that comes with enslaving the dwarf (if they can even read or write), though a few ambitious (professional) officers might be watching very, very carefully (waiting, hoping for conflict/escalation).

Non-soldiers (merchants, barkeeps, etc) might talk through the dwarf PC, not wanting to be seen as a sympathizer at best, or maybe they're just as racist as the soldiers. Any questions asked will be answered to the human PCs. Eye contact will not be made, outside of initial approach. Any pushback from the dwarf and soldiers will be called, though this could be in keeping up appearances as much as straight racism.

Also, throw in the odd soldier who doesn't poke, prod, or otherwise act blatantly superior to the PC. These individuals have probably enlisted to make life just a little bit easier for themselves and/or their families. Keeping up appearances applies here too, though subtle sympathy/help may be had. "Come on Reznik, let's get out of here. We got more important shite to be at than poke about mangy old trolls..."

Now, if the PC is particularly prideful, and resistant to the treatment, then I'd escalate things accordingly. A night in jail for humans could be the same as a week of physical labour for nonhumans, especially dwarves. Any truly public spectacles will call down the true racists, and the PC's won't like that...at all.

ewancummins wrote:
Disguise him.

Everybody knows dwarves have beards. Get a razor and some lather...
Get him some custom-made boots that add an inch or two to his apparent height without being too obvious.

Beat me to it. haha

Five wrote:

ewancummins wrote:
Disguise him.

Everybody knows dwarves have beards. Get a razor and some lather...
Get him some custom-made boots that add an inch or two to his apparent height without being too obvious.

Beat me to it. haha

Good times. Muh dorfs.

ewancummins wrote:

brilliantlight wrote:A new player I picked up wants to play a dwarf which is normally fine but they are headed to Falkovnia. That is a land that enslaves dwarves. Any ideas on how to pass him off as human?

Disguise him.

Everybody knows dwarves have beards. Get a razor and some lather...
Get him some custom-made boots that add an inch or two to his apparent height without being too obvious.

Don't advertise any dwarvish traits. He should not let on he knows anything about stone or metal crafts, can see in the dark, etc.

Consider pretending to be a sailor. Or a florist. Something 'un-dwarflike.'

I would add to this that you could try and do something a little more if you wanted, maybe make it out like he's a cripple or hunchback to help explain the lower height issue. Might especially work if he stays quiet and they pass him off as an "idiot".

"Who, the hunchback? Yeah, he's deaf, dumb, and mute, but he works hard for little pay! Haha!"

Cromstar wrote:I would add to this that you could try and do something a little more if you wanted, maybe make it out like he's a cripple or hunchback to help explain the lower height issue. Might especially work if he stays quiet and they pass him off as an "idiot".

"Who, the hunchback? Yeah, he's deaf, dumb, and mute, but he works hard for little pay! Haha!"

That could work, for sure. Though I'd say that such a disguise would still be a magnet for the more sadistic, ignorant, bully/tw-t soldiers.

I envision Falkovnia in some ways as an R-rated version of that pop-up mole game. The more you stand out, the higher the risk of getting a hammer to your skull.

Fun times in Falkland! Bring the whole family. Everyone is welcome. Half-human children admitted free(legal disclaimer: hybrids instantly become property of the State upon crossing the border). Test your fighting prowess in the Zombie Tag arena (no actual undead will be encountered: our actors are impoverished citizens in costume, working to support their families. Soft-hearted foreigners will be pleased to learn the State care plan for these actors covers wooden legs and eye-patches). Impress your friends with your casual brutality in a contest of Beat-the-Beggar. Experience the thrills of the most infamous carnival rides the Ministry of Amusement has yet concocted, the Salt Mine Cart Race and Bloodhawk Blaster.
And don't forget to enter your name in the sweeps-stakes for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime prize: a dinner date with Our Beloved Kingfuhrer!